Diadeloso Thursday April 14, 2011, at Fountain Mall.
Makenzie Mason | Lariat Photographer

In contrast, country music powerhouse Lady Antebellum performed at Texas Christian University in October of 2010. This performance was also at an extremely successful point in their career. They won a Grammy, as well as a Country Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year and Single of the Year. The Fray performed on campus the next year, just prior to the release of their third studio album.

In May of 2012, Blake Shelton visited Texas Christian University. This was fresh off of his Country Music Awards success, including Entertainer of the Year, Best Male Vocalist and Best Song.

University of West Virginia, another recent Big 12 addition, has seen an even more varied group of musicians. Within the past year, rappers Kendrick Lamar and Wiz Khalifa have performed on campus, as well as country star Luke Bryan.

Other artists who have performed there include Ludacris, Maroon 5, Miranda Lambert, Snoop Dogg, 30 Seconds to Mars and Cee Lo Green. In 2007, Maroon 5 peaked at #1 on the Billboard Top 200, and every album since included #1 hit singles. Ludacris also topped the charts in 2010.

University of Oklahoma has hosted a more alternative-based genre of artists, such as Matt and Kim, Ben Kweller and Iron and Wine. Ben Rector has also performed there, but he has visited Waco’s own Common Grounds in recent years.

In a sense of currently popular musicians, Baylor’s biggest performing artist at the time she performed was Colbie Caillat at Diadeloso in 2010. That year she was awarded a Grammy for Album of the Year.

“We had Colbie Caillat the year before my freshman year,” said Round Rock sophomore Elizabeth Meszaros. “That would have been more interesting to me. I mean, I had heard of Parachute, but we do seem to have less popular bands.”

The following year, Chamber invited Jack Ingram to perform. He had a history of chart-topping singles and albums, but, after 2010 he quit producing new hits.

Similarly, in 2012, Parachute came to Baylor. Their highest -ranked album came out the year before, but failed to make it beyond number 19.

Most recently, this Dia featured the band Five for Fighting. In 2006, the album “Two Lights” reached number eight. Aside from a “best of” album released in 2011, the artist had not produced anything in the last three years.

“I’m not really a fan of any of the bands they’ve had for Dia in the four years I’ve been here,” said Sunnydale senior Garrett Smith. “I would never pay money to go see any of them.”

The director of Student Activities, Matt Burchett, is on the forefront of booking bands. He said the selection of performing artists for a Baylor event is a partnership between the student organization that sponsors the event and Baylor. The process includes a review with the university in order to guarantee that the organization’s event will be successful.

The first step is reliant upon the organization that wishes to invite an artist. This step is simply selecting whom they want to perform at the event.

The genre of music is determinate upon where the event is and what it is. After choosing the artist that Chamber wants, the organization submits a request online to the desired artist.

“The organizations sponsoring concerts on campus work diligently to book artists that their peers will enjoy and are consistent with the values of the university,” Burchett said. “This is a delicate balance but organizations do an exceptional job.”

Other organizations that bring live music artists to their events include Kappa Omega Tau, who partners with the Baylor Activities Council for the Christmas tree lighting concert, Baylor Activities Council for Traditions Rally, Uproar Concert Promotions, and Pi Beta Phi for Howdy.

It becomes apparent that according to the awards and rankings on music charts, Baylor has booked significantly less popular bands than other schools within the Big 12. Wakefield said location is primarily to blame. He said bigger name bands may feel less inclined to come based on the smaller audience present.

Although TCU is a smaller campus than Baylor, it has booked more prominent bands.

Baylor is required to guarantee a certain number of tickets will be sold, or in the case of free concerts, which are the majority of concerts at Baylor, the band has to receive as much money as if individual tickets were being paid for. Organizations that invite performing artists budget for this.

“Price is certainly a consideration when planning any program on campus,” Burchett said. “We work to be judicious stewards of our resources while striving to make our campus programs exciting and relevant for Baylor students.”

Another possible reason that Baylor hasn’t booked artists such as Snoop Dogg or Cee Lo Green references Burchett’s statement above. The university’s values cannot be compromised in this entertainment process. As a Baptist university, it would not be appropriate for Baylor to book artists that use profanity or other risque innuendos.

Wakefield mentioned that notable “less popular” bands frequent Common Grounds. These include Mutemath, Quiet Company and the Civil Wars. He said the reason bands like these are not booked regularly at Baylor is due to venue size.

According to both venues’ official websites, Common Grounds can fit 600 people whereas Waco Hall can fit 2,200. Wakefield said that were Baylor to have a more mid-sized venue, bands like those that play at Common Grounds would be more likely to be booked.

When it comes to big venues, Wakefield compared the Ferrell Center to the Frank Erwin Center in Austin.

Once again, due to location, it is not likely that a big performing artist would feel obligated to book a show at the Ferrell Center. However, big shows take place regularly at the Erwin Center.

“When we get our new stadium, there is a possibility that we might book bigger bands,” Wakefield said. “It will be a larger venue.”

THE VOICE — “Battle Rounds” Episode 407 — Pictured: Holly Tucker — (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)

After Tuesday night’s knockout round on NBC’s “The Voice,” Lorena sophomore Holly Tucker will advance to the next round of competition.

Tucker, a member of Blake Shelton’s team, won in a face-off with Los Angeles native Luke Edgemon during the knockout round.

“The Voice” splits its competitors, who are selected by blind audition, into teams headed by the four judges—Shelton, Shakira, Usher and Adam Levine. With her country music style, Tucker was selected for Shelton’s team.

Tucker made it through the battle rounds, and Tuesday night she sang “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw for her knockout round song. Edgemon sang “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry, which gained mixed reviews from the judges for its rhythm and blues take on the pop song.

Back in Waco at the Applebee’s at 614 North Valley Mills Drive, Tucker’s family and friends watched together as she sang for the judges and viewers across the country.

Johnny Tucker, Holly’s father, said some family friends drove hours to attend the watch party.

“These people represent people we have known for years in this community,” Johnny said. “It’s a really huge blessing.”

When the results were announced in Holly Tucker’s favor, the team fans cheered. Johnny said no matter what happens in the weeks to come, her family and friends would support her.

“She has felt a peace inside all the time she has been there because she knows there are people back here supporting her and praying for her,” Johnny said. “I want her to remember that.”

Cheryl Tucker, Holly’s mother, said how proud she is of her daughter and her determination.

“She is representing the state of Texas and Baylor, and I’m just proud of the way she is conducting herself and all she is accomplishing,” Cheryl said.

Of those back home supporting her, her roommate Logan Scandling, a sophomore from Keller, said watching Holly on television is “surreal.”

“The first time they showed her blind audition, I was crying my eyes out,” Scandling said. “I was so proud of her. I hope that as Baylor students we would help her out through voting for her.”

Now that Holly is through to the live performances, it is up to viewers to decide who stays in the competition and who goes home.

Viewers who wish to vote for their favorite contestant on the show may call a toll-free number specific to each contestant, text a vote from a Sprint phone or they can vote online at NBC.com or through the NBC app or Facebook page. Each viewer may vote up to 10 times.

Fans may also purchase their favorite artist’s song on iTunes, giving each contestant one vote per purchase. A contestant’s songs may only count for voting purposes if they are bought during the week in which they were performed.

Voting will be open from 8:55 p.m. Monday through 9 a.m. Tuesday central time after each live show airing.

“The Voice” airs on NBC at 7 p.m. central time Mondays and Tuesdays. The show’s finale is June 18.

DJ Dainjazone said he uses many styles to maintain creativity and express himself to his audience. He found his love of DJ-ing through his love for baseball and he hopes to continue DJ-ing and branching out. (Courtesy Photo | Anderson group public relations)

Grammy nominated LMFAO’s Joseph Hampel, more commonly known as DJ Dainjazone, has impacted music across the globe, spanning over 6 continents with performances. He has been featured on “Good Morning America” and “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.” Shortly after returning from Australia yesterday, Hampel took time out of his day to talk with the Lariat about his music, fashion and touring experiences.

Q: I’ve read that you have a background in baseball. How did you go from baseball player to DJ?
A: The baseball team was about to throw a big Halloween party and we all like this specific kind of music which was like underground hip hop and old school hip hop. So that’s what we wanted to hear at the party, so we decided to buy a CD mixer for the party and I DJed the party and it started out as a hobby. I started taking it more seriously when I realized I could get good with it. I was trying to either go on with the route of DJ-ing or baseball once I graduated and I stuck with DJ-ing.

Q: Out of curiosity, what kind of music did you listen to as a kid?
A: I listened to everything because I have three older brothers who all listen to different genres. One listens to rock and heavy metal, one listens to alternative and the other one listens to hip hop. My parents listen to oldies when we would get in the car, so I was schooled by a number of musical background and genres so I got to take in a lot.

Q: How did you get connected with LMFAO?
A: I was introduced to the manager through some mutual friends and we hit it off right after we met in Miami and he put me in the crew and I slowly built myself with the crew. LMFAO took a liking to me, so I started once the opportunity came up to DJ on the tours.

Q: So far, what has been your favorite venue?
A: I think our homecoming at the Staple Center in Los Angeles was by far the coolest because we’re all from L.A. and there were so many friends and family in the crowd that I didn’t even know were there. It was just so cool with all the hard work that the guys have put in to do what they love really came into fruition that evening. The place was packed. That has probably been the highlight so far. We did play in the arena the day after Miami Heat won last year. We played in their arena and that crowd was electrified for obvious reasons.

Q: Who has been your favorite artist to perform with?
A: I really enjoyed the energy of Busta Rhymes. We did a show with him and he just has a powerful voice. It’s captivating and it literally just grabs your attention. Even when he is just talking normal he grabs your attention. It sounds like he is kicking a rhyme but it’s just him talking normal.

Q: Describe your style as a DJ. Are you more traditional or would you consider yourself a forerunner in the music industry?
A: I try and use multiple styles. I don’t like to stick to just one style. When you stick to one style you become predictable and not as creative, so I try and tie in multiple styles from what DJ’s have done in the past and what I think is going to be the next thing. I love being creative. I love art. Anytime you get a chance to express yourself in a creative fashion, it’s art. I try and be unique with whatever I do.

Q: Is DJ-ing the career you plan to have for the rest of your life?
A: I love it so much that I could see myself doing it for another 15 years, but there will be bigger things in my life. I don’t know what yet, but usually when you start out in music you start out doing one thing and it always leads to something bigger. I could see myself doing commercials or modeling.

Q: If someone were to go through your closet, what would they find?
A: All kinds of weird stuff. They probably wouldn’t know what to do with it. You can figure out what to do with a button-down shirt, but if they were pull out like a ninja top or something that has a zipper not going up the middle but up the side, people probably wouldn’t know what to do or how to put it all together. People might be confused because it’s not just your typical shirt and pants.

Q: As far as touring goes, do you have any fun stories?
A: You know this is such a random group that there is never a dull moment. If I were to take you on the road with me for one show, you would be amazed and have so much fun with what we do before after and during. Especially after when we let loose, you will have so much fun and I would say, ‘This is what we do everyday,’ and you wouldn’t believe me and be like, “No you don’t. You’re just in the moment.” But no, this is what we do every night, show or no show.

Q: Has gaining recognition as a DJ changed your lifestyle?
A: It’s changed my life in a way that I might see things differently, but I’m more responsible because of all the success that has happened in the last year. It’s definitely changed me for the good. I’ve learned more about myself because of the challenges that I’ve faced. You know, I’m not an irresponsible person. I don’t drink or smoke or do any drugs. I’m not the guy to take a girl back to my room in every city we go to. I might not hook up with a girl during a whole tour. That’s just not my thing. I’ve definitely learned more about myself and what I want.

THE VOICE — “Blind Auditions” Episode 403 — Pictured: Holly Tucker — (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)

After Tuesday night’s knockout round on NBC’s The Voice, Lorena sophomore Holly Tucker will advance to the next round of competition.

Tucker, a member of Country artist Blake Shelton’s team, won in a face off with Los Angeles native Luke Edgemon, who competed on Shakira’s team. The Voice splits its competitors into teams selected by the four judges—Shelton, Shakira, Usher and Adam Levine—who are selected by a blind audition. With her country music style, Tucker was selected for Shelton’s team.

Tucker made it through the battle rounds, and Tuesday night, she sang “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw for her knockout round song. Edgemon sang “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry, which gained mixed reviews from the judges for its rhythm and blues take on the pop song.

At the Applebee’s at 614 North Valley Mills Drive, Tucker’s family and friends watched together as Tucker sang for the judges and waited to hear the results.

Johnny Tucker, Holly Tucker’s father, said some family friends drove hours to attend the watch party.

“These people represent people we have known for years in this community,” Johnny Tucker said. “It’s a really huge blessing.”

When the results were announced in Holly Tucker’s favor, the team of Holly Tucker fans cheered. Johnny Tucker said that no matter what happens in the weeks to come, everyone would support her.

“She has felt a peace inside all the time she has been there because she knows there are people back here supporting her and praying forher,” Johnny Tucker said. “I want her to remember that.”

The Voice airs on NBC at 7 p.m. central time Mondays and Tuesdays.

With more than 600 people still in Melody Ranch early Sunday evening and still more coming in, organizers expected the West First Benefit Concert to exceed their goal of $50,000 for victims of the deadly explosion by as much as $10,000.

“You see over $41,000 on the board up there now, but there are a lot of donations and T-shirt sales we haven’t counted yet,” said Nick Fuentes, co-owner of the night spot at 2315 Robinson Drive in Waco.

Jennifer Jung, heading up a silent auction, said she expected Sunday’s proceeds to top Saturday’s $6,200. Businesses and individuals contributed more than 200 items, from massages and restaurant meals to paintings and sculptures displayed in a well-lighted room next to the main floor.

Fuentes said attendance topped 1,100 at one time Saturday night. The club’s capacity is 1,350.

Organizers say they are donating all of the $10-per-person cover charge to the West First Benefit Fund at Educators Credit Union . The April 17 explosion at West Fertilizer Co. caused the deaths of 15 people and injured 200 others.

Sunday, the benefit concert had all the elements of a community picnic combined with a giant Saturday night club scene. Older people mixed with patrons in their 20s, and children alternately ran around the floor and sat with their parents at tables. The most common articles of clothing were T-shirts commemorating the blast, many probably purchased at the party.

The festive mood was broken from time to time by a band calling for a moment of silence, creating an eerie stillness as everyone stopped moving and talking at once.

The event appears to have started with an idea that Waco musician Neal Davis presented on the Waco Musicians Group’s Facebook page. He came up with the name West First to honor the first responders who died in the fire and as a pun on the town’s annual Labor Day WestFest. An ad hoc planning committee took over, and more than 1,000 people indicated on social media that they would attend. The Nolan Pick Band which was scheduled for a Saturday night gig, gave up its spot to make room for the benefit.

Fuentes said 15 bands played Saturday and 15 were scheduled Sunday afternoon and evening.

Jerry Clements said he moved from Central Texas to Longview in 1977. He went to school in West and came back to see people and try to help.

“I know some of the people who were injured in the blast,” he said. “This was a shock, but it just goes to show you anything can happen to any of us.”

Waco Firefighter Matthew Carey said, “I think it’s great that the community can come together like this. Musicians are really good about throwing their support into fundraisers like this. It was a terrible disaster, but I think you’re seeing that firefighters are all one family, dedicated to taking care of each other.”

Fuentes said, “The bands wanted to organize it and do it, and we just threw the doors open.”

Fans of music don’t want to miss Monday’s Wind Ensemble concert.

The performance will feature distinguished guest conductor H. Robert Reynolds and will also see the world premiere of the 2012 Baylor Composition Contest’s winning composition.

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Concert Hall in the Glennis McCrary Music Building and is free and open to the public.

Dr. Eric Wilson, director of bands at Baylor, said he is particularly excited that his students will have the opportunity to learn from and be led by Reynolds.

“He is one of the true legends in our profession,” Wilson said.

Niceville, Fla., sophomore Stephen Farrell, trombonist in the ensemble, said he is also excited about Reynolds’ visit.

Reynolds is the principal conductor of the University of Southern California Wind Ensemble and is director of bands emeritus of the University of Michigan. His musical interpretations have won widespread praise.

Wilson said the School of Music is very fortunate that Reynolds will spend about five days on campus. In addition to conducting three pieces on Monday’s Wind Ensemble concert, he will also conduct some pieces for tonight’s Symphonic Band concert, which starts at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Concert Hall.

Additionally, Reynolds and Wilson will serve as the clinicians for the Baylor Conducting Symposium, which will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the Glennis McCrary Music Building. A select group of band directors will be given the opportunity to conduct the Symphonic Band and the Wind Ensemble and get feedback from Reynolds and Wilson.

Monday’s Wind Ensemble will begin with German composer Richard Strauss’ “Wiener Philharmoniker Fanfare,” which was composed in 1924 for the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Then, the ensemble will perform Frank Ticheli’s “Postcard,” which was composed in 1991. Reynolds, who will conduct the first two pieces on the program, commissioned “Postcard” to commemorate his mother. Ticheli himself wrote that the piece is “vibrant, whimsical and succinct.”

Wilson said he thinks “Postcard” might be the most challenging piece on the program because of its shifting meters, fast tempo, rhythmic complexity and constantly changing instrumentation.

Next on the program will be Roger Zare’s “Mare Tranquillitatis,” which was arranged for band in 2012. The title translates to “Sea of Tranquility,” which is the famous location on the moon where Apollo 11 landed. Zare wrote, “The music seeks to capture a dichotomy of emotions—tranquil beauty and restless isolation.”

The Wind Ensemble will then premiere “Lament and Proclamation” by Brownwood sophomore music composition major Jordan Tucker, who is the winner of the 2012 Baylor Composition Contest. The concert’s program notes explain that Tucker was inspired by Jeremiah’s story in the third chapter of Lamentations. “I immediately began wondering how Jeremiah’s simultaneous agony and hope could be depicted in a musical setting, and ‘Lament and Proclamation’ was born,” Tucker wrote.

Then, the program will continue with English composer Gustav Holst’s three-movement “First Suite in E-flat,” which was composed in 1909. Reynolds will conduct the suite and Wilson said he’s excited for his students to have that experience. “For them to have the opportunity to perform such an epic, landmark composition with one of the masters in our field will be exhilarating,” Wilson said.

Farrell said the suite is his favorite piece on the program. “It’s just such a huge staple of the band repertoire,” he said.

Next, Kathryn Salfelder’s “Crossing Parallels,” which was composed in 2009, will be performed. “‘Crossing Parallels’ blends contemporary harmonies with renaissance and baroque elements,” Wilson said.

The concert will conclude with Mexican composer Arturo Márquez’s “Danzón No. 2,” which was originally composed for orchestra in 1994 and was arranged for band in 2009. “People in Mexico consider it their second national anthem,” Wilson said about the piece, which was inspired by a style of dance.

Wilson also said he thinks the piece will be popular with the audience. “It is a very fun and fiery way to conclude the semester,” he said.

Farrell agreed the piece will be a crowd-pleaser. “It really grooves,” he said.

Wilson said the concert is also significant because it will mark the last Wind Ensemble concert for 15 of the group’s members.“It’s got its sentimental value,” Wilson said.

Both Wilson and Farrell said the program will be eclectic.

“I think this is going to be one of the most diverse programs we’ve presented,” Farrell said.

He also said he thinks there will be something for everyone. “It’s going to be just a great concert,” he said.

Mariah Carey arrives at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. on March 7, 2010. (Michael Goulding/Orange County Register/MCT)

LOS ANGELES – Fox is denying a report that “American Idol” considered coaxing “Jenny From the Block” to make a U-turn on the “American Idol” judging street.

A story from The Hollywood Reporter said a dip in ratings had producers scrambling to find a solution to bail out the long-running singing competition series: swapping Mariah Carey for former “Idol” judge Jennifer Lopez came to mind. A scheme that apparently was halted when Mariah Carey threatened legal action.

A Fox spokesperson denied the conspiracy, while hinting that Lopez could return for the show’s upcoming finale.

“This is just another ridiculous ‘Idol’ judge rumor, likely started by talks of Jennifer performing on the finale,” the spokesperson said.

Fremantle North America, which produces the show, did not immediately return requests for comment.

“American Idol” had a seemingly solid start with the launch of its 12th season, which featured yet another new set of faces: Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban and Carey joined longtime judge Randy Jackson. The show’s premiere brought in nearly 18 million viewers and a not-too-shabby 6.0 rating in the advertiser-favorite 18-49 demo. While still hefty, the long-running show has seen its double-digit dip in ratings for a second year in a row.

And the 12th season would get wobbly from there, while genre competitor “The Voice” gained traction and Thursday time slot competitor “The Big Bang Theory” closing in with total viewers.

Of the new judges, Minaj has stood out with her flamboyant personality, while Carey has failed to excite viewers. Though the network is denying any current changes to the lineup, let’s not be surprised if changes come once the season is over.

(From left) League City junior Omari Williams, Montogomery, Ala. senior Jason Scott, and Franklin, Tenn. sophomore Henry Greenberg perform in Baylor Theatre’s production “Mad Forest”. Baylor Theatre portrays the Romanian revolution in their production of Caryl Churchill’s “Mad Forest”, presented April 23-28 at the Mabee Theatre.
Travis Taylor | Lariat Photographer

To end the 2012-2013 school year, the Baylor theater department travels back to 1989 Romania during a time of constant fear and struggle as two families fight to survive the remnants of communism in Caryl Churchill’s “Mad Forest.”

The audience will follow the lives of these two families as they face the upheaval caused by the Romanian revolution.

“It’s a fascinating play about the influence of politics on people,” said Dr. David Jortner director and assistant professor of theater. “We often talk about politics but we don’t usually talk about its effect on people and I think this play really explores that.”

Jortner says this play was especially challenging for the theater department. In preparing for the play, they had to spend a good bit of time researching the revolution so the cast could get a better feel for their parts. Also, with parts of the play being in Romanian, the cast had to work hard to get pronunciation and accent just right. To aid in this, Jortner brought in Dr. Cristian Bratu, assistant professor of French, who speaks Romanian and helped the students learn the language quickly.

Jortner also promises an exciting experience for the audience.

“It’s a lot of snapshot scenes and then it becomes a whole as the audience starts to put them together,” Jortner said. “And in that way it’s more exciting for the audience because they become more involved.”

Preparing for the play, technical director Jordan Rousseau said the crew faced some minor challenges in preparing the set.

For most other plays, the theater department uses an in-house scenic designer so creating the set goes relatively smoothly. However, this production required the scenic design of Markéta Fantová, who lives in New York, making communication difficult. A native of Prague, Czech Republic, Fantová was brought in to help capture a more European-looking set with her scene design. The theater department utilizes staff and students to create productions but occasionally will bring in guests to expose students to new ideas and new techniques.

“Communicating with her on her schedule and making sure that matched up with our schedule made things an interesting process,” Rousseau said. “But I think it paid off in the end.”

When describing the play, Rousseau could only come up with the words unique and obscure. He promises an experience unlike any people have seen before from the Baylor theater department.

“Mad Forest” will play the rest of this week through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and there will also be two afternoon showings at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Mabee Theater, located in the Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center.

Tickets are available and can be purchased by calling the Baylor Theatre box office at 254-710-1865, in person by visiting the Baylor Theatre box office in the Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center or online at http://www.baylor.edu/theatre.

The Shane Howard Band, a music group located in Central Texas, has grown and developed from a cover band to writing its own songs. Many of its songs come from life experiences. The band will perform at Slippery Minnow restaurant at 8 p.m. Friday followed by the West First concert at Melody Ranch at 10 p.m. Saturday.
(Courtesy Photo | Red Dirt Cinderella)

This weekend the Shane Howard Band, a group from Central Texas, will play multiple venues.

They will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at the Slippery Minnow restaurant at 3201 Overflow Rd. at the Lake Waco marina, and then join more than 30 other performers for the event West First, which will take place at 10 p.m. Saturday at the Melody Ranch at 2315 Robinson Drive to benefit those affected by the recent tragedy.

Shane Howard, the band’s founder and lead vocalist and guitarist, classifies the group’s style as Texas music.

“It’s kind of a combination between country rock and red dirt Americana,” Howard said.

The Shane Howard band was originally formed in 1992 as Shane Howard & Rampage, which consisted of different members over the years, according to the Shane Howard Band’s website, www.shanehoward.com. According to the website, Shane Howard & Rampage played mostly cover songs of some of Howard’s musical heroes, such as George Strait and Hank Williams. Now the group plays more of the original pieces Howard has written himself.

Howard said he has been writing songs since he was 11 or 12 years old. He finally reached a point in his life where he was ready to share the songs in public and not just keep them for himself, he said. Steve Scheifley, vocalist and drummer for the band, said Howard decided in 2002 that he didn’t want the band to play just covers anymore.

“When we play we usually do 20 to 40 percent original music, and then the rest is kind of cover stuff,” Howard said. “It just depends where we play. A lot of places don’t want to hear just original music.”

Howard said the inspiration for his songs come from his experiences in life.

“Probably my first song was about a lost love,” Howard said. “You know, I was 11 or 12 and thought I was in love and broken-hearted. That’s usually where songs begin from.”

His first song is called “If You Fail at Love.”

“We actually recorded that song on my first album,” Howard said. “We still play it live all the time. It happens to be a pretty good dance song, so we keep playing it because we can get people out there dancing to it, so we keep it in our set list.”

The Shane Howard Band has performed at the Slippery Minnow before, and Howard said that normally the band plays outside on the dock.

“It’s a really relaxed atmosphere,” Howard said. “A lot of times people, if they’re on the lake, drive their boats up to the dock and sit and listen.”

Howard is versatile and will change set lists to accommodate venues, Scheifley said, such as when an audience wants to hear more rock music than country dance music.

When the band plays at the Slipper Minnow on Friday the restaurant won’t be used so much as a restaurant but more as a venue for people to party Scheifley said. He said he thinks it’s a fun place for the band to go to.

This weekend’s concert to benefit West will not be the first musical performance the band has done in relation to a large tragedy. Howard wrote the band’s song “1953,” which discusses what Wacoans of the past had to endure in the 1953 tornado that greatly damaged downtown. He wrote the song after talking with his grandmother, who had experienced it first hand, Scheifley said. Howard then realized what an impact the tornado had on the Waco community, Scheiefley said. Scheifley helped arrange the song and then the band recorded it and made a full music video. The work didn’t stop there, though.

“The video just kind of blossomed into an actual documentary,” Scheifley said.

The music video includes real footage of the aftermath of the tornado and live broadcast recording from the day of the tornado, Howard said. Now a full DVD, also called “1953,” has been created from the work that the band did concerning the Waco tornado.

“The DVD that we released – it’s about an hour long,” Howard said. “It has that video, and I did interviews with survivors, I did interviews with, you know, people that were there or helped or remember it, or things like that.”

One person who was interviewed was Scheifley’s wife’s grandmother, who experienced the tornado passing by right outside her house on that day in 1953, Scheifley said. The interviews on the DVD were conducted by Scheifley’s wife, Elizabeth, except for one in which Howard interviewed his own grandmother, Scheifley said.

The group has thus documented oral history on their DVD that no one else has, Scheifley said.

“All of us musician people know or have family,” Howard said. “I mean, I have some musician friends who lost their houses.”

The Shane Howard Band has a new CD coming out in the coming weeks, Howard said. The CD is called “Rattlesnake Rd,” and will also be available on forums such as iTunes and Amazon.com.

The concert at Melody Ranch is $10 at the door and $1 for kids 10 and under. There is no cover for the band’s performance at Slippery Minnow.

Renowned Cuban drummer Ignacio Berroa will perform with the Baylor Jazz Ensemble Tuesday. (Courtesy Photo)

World-renowned drummer Ignacio Berroa will bring the rhythms of his native Cuba to Baylor today. He will join the Baylor Jazz Ensemble for its last concert of the year.

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Concert Hall in the Glennis McCrary Music Building. There will also be a clinic with Berroa from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. today in 118 Glennis McCrary Music Building. The concert is free and open to the public.

“Ignacio Berroa is one of the living legends of jazz drumming and it’s an incredible opportunity to work with him, be coached by him and hear him play live,” said Fredericksburg senior Mark Utley, drummer in the ensemble.

Berroa played with legendary trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie for nearly the last 10 years of Gillespie’s life. He has also played with jazz legends Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard, Clark Terry, Slide Hampton and Tito Puente, to name a few. In addition, Berroa is a Grammy nominee and author of some instructional books on drumming.

Alex Parker, director of jazz studies, said he is very excited about his students having the opportunity to learn from Berroa, hear his stories and perform with him.

“It’s going to be a great concert,” Parker said.

Parker said Berroa is a master of Latin jazz drumming and is equally comfortable and proficient at other jazz styles such as swing.

Utley said Berroa has a unique style. “It’s both incredibly inventive and creative, but he also gets a great deal of power and intensity, without sacrificing artistry,” Utley said.

Parker said musicians like Berroa don’t come to Waco often.

The Jazz Ensemble will play three pieces without Berroa to begin the concert. First, they will perform John Clayton’s “Easy Money,” which Parker said is a straight-ahead swing piece, will be performed. Then, the ensemble will play “Captain Jon” by Geoffrey Keezer, which Parker said is a more modern jazz tune.

Then, Parker said Gillespie’s great arrangement of “Night in Tunisia” will be an appropriate way to lead into Berroa’s introduction.

Parker said Berroa will choose which pieces he will perform with the band. They will be selected from “Aja Bibi” by Felix Reina, “San Juan Shuffle” by Bob Mintzer, “El Bodeguero” by Richard Egues, “Mr. Fonebone” by Mintzer, “A Brazilian Affair” by Mintzer, “Splanky” by Neil Hefti, “Laura’s Waltz” by Berroa and “Nasty Blues” by Pete McGuinness.

Parker said the ensemble will get one rehearsal with Berroa before the concert and that the character of the pieces might change with his arrival, since the drummer is such an important part of the ensemble.

Parker also said the program will really help the ensemble learn and become comfortable playing different styles of Latin jazz because the different styles — such as Afro-Cuban styles like mambo, rumba and cha-cha, and Brazilian styles like samba and bossa nova — are all so different.

Utley said the program is challenging for the band members because it puts them a little out of their element, but they’re quickly trying to adapt and make it their element.

“It’s a huge learning experience for us,” Utley said.

Parker said he tries to bring in musicians who are great teachers and great performers so that his students can learn as much as possible while they’re here. He said the process for booking the guests usually takes about a year.

He also said he tries to have a rotation. For example, if the last guest was a trumpeter, he will try to bring in a saxophonist or drummer the next time. He said it made sense to invite a drummer this time since the two drummers in the band, Utley and Fort Worth senior Jordan Neumann, are graduating this year.

Utley said he and Neumann will be playing hand drums and timbales while Berroa plays drumset. The concert will also feature some of the other seniors in the band who will be playing in their last concert with the ensemble.

“There’s definitely a level of sentimentality behind it,” Utley said.

Parker said he hopes people will come to the concert and that there will be a wide range of entertaining music. He said most of the music is a variety of dance. He also said they made sure to raise enough funds so people could hear Berroa for free.

“It’s going to be fun,” Parker said. “He’s a funny guy, very entertaining.”

Utley said he thinks Berroa’s presence is enough to encourage fans of music to come.