The Times from Shreveport, Louisiana • Page 41

THE TIMES shreveporttimes.com FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2004 5E HotT OT IICKETS ii.u. J. (. JPWIJB JPl Love of music takes over i (- 0 If you go iV- fV 4 WHO: Peter Dawson Band. WHERE: Sharpies.

3104 Youree Drive. WHEN: 10 p.m. today. ADMISSION: free. I I '5 I 1 Dallas native Peter Dawson has only been touring regionally for the past two years, but he has been quickly establishing himself as a name to watch in the country rock scene.

He may be new to media attention, but he isn't new to music. In fact. Dawson got his start in junior high, playing Opry houses around the Dallas area. That early love for music proved to be a distraction from his football in high school, and by college his interest in music caused him to transfer from SMU to Belmont University in Nashville to major in music business. He recorded lus first album while an intern at a record company and scored a chart-making hit with his irreverent single Willie Nelson for President.

Like many developing, young country rock acts, Dawson found himself in Austin, Texas and V. 1 I 7 VI I found himself artistically while there, working hard to perfect his style, which he did through the simplification of it. The Peter Dawson Band, which also is made up of Brooks Robinson, Josh Hamilton and Eric Lennington, recorded their sophomore album in 2003, which includes 13 live tracks. "We took two years to get this thing out because we wanted to be very sure about all the material," says Dawson. "I'm very excited about the album." Special to The Time Fallen From the Nest were superstars for a few days on a recent appearance in Belize.

They're big in Belize If you go I at I 4 1 WHO: Fallen From the Nest (opening for squint). WHERE: Alligator Joe's. 200 Travis St. WHEN: 9 p.m. today.

ADMISSION: $5. 'KA r.i coolest experience of our lives." Munn says Dallas has provided the band with some cool experiences too namely, a loyal fan base. Munn attributes their local success to the fact they have worked hard to stay together and network with other bands when trying to weather an otherwise "cutthroat" industry. "We set goals for ourselves and then we just work hard to achieve them," Munn adds. One goal is, of course, fame, the prospect of which the band approaches cautiously.

If making it big happens, they hope they'll be able to maintain the levelheadedness that has held them together this long. "We know the music industry is a rough ride," says Munn. "There is going to be a lot of bad influences it we get as big as we want to be." The guys from Fallen From the Nest, known to their fans as I TTN, have done something not a lot of high school bands manage to do: stay together into their midtwen-ties. The Dallas rockers Jeff "Munnch" Munn, Josh Dickey, Taylor Robinson and Brent Rambo have been together since 1997, with the exception of Rambo, who joined the band just two years ago. Wliile many bands form around their passion for the music, Munn offers up a more honest mission statement: "We decided it would be easier to get chicks if we were in a band." Later in the conversation, he amends that comment by adding that the group came together out of a mutual understanding that the music being played on mainstream radio "sucked" and they wanted to do something to change that.

FFTN may not be big radio stars i ft- yet, but Munn says they were superstars for a few days on a recent spring break appearance in the Central American country of Belize. "We had three shows booked at one club and then we got booked at a few other clubs, and the next thing you know they're playing one of our songs on Belizean radio," says Munn. "It was a little taste of fame. When we left, some strangers in the street recognized us and were screaming and clapping. It was the ft Special to The Time Peter Dawson found himself artistically while in Austin, Texas.

SHeDAISY sings it simply If you go WHO: SHeDAISY. WHERE: Horseshoe Riverdome and Casino, 711 Horseshoe Bossier City. WHEN: 8 p.m. today. ADMISSION: to simplify the expenses related to touring, they deckled to go acoustic for their tour supporting their second CD.

Although the decision was largely an economic' one. it was the right turn in the road artistically. Striving for a more minimalist sound seemed a winning formula for the trio, forcing them to focus more on improving their vocal styles and encouraging them to write stronger lyrics. The changes, the band says, can be heard in their latest project. Sweet Right Here.

"Everyone went in (to the studio) very laid back and easygoing," says Kelsi. "We thought. 'Ix't's create. Everyone just get in and do their part and see what we come up with." The all-sister band SHeDAISY Kassidy, Kelsi and Kristyn Osbom has had its ups and downs. When sutxess is instant and overnight, it's not always a blessing.

Such was the case for die country rock act from Utah when they released their first album five years ago. Hie Wiole Site-BANG. It sold nearly 2 million copies. wiUi sales fueled by the stelLir chart performance of four lut singles: Little QxxiByes, Viis Woman Needs, I Will But and Lucky 4 You. They were on top of the world.

Of course, sometimes when you are that liigh. the only way to go is down. So when the band released their follow-up album in 2(X)2, Knock on the Sky, to lackluster reviews and sides, i i .4 -i. the sting of disappointment was more painful. "We were hurt, obviously," says Kassidy.

"It was hard. But that's always the risk Every album is a risk." One risk the girls wxre not willing to take was a financial one. In an attempt Special to The Times Kelsi (left). Kristyn and Kassidy Osborn of SHeDAISY went acoustic for their tour supporting their second CD. For more entertainment news and events listings go to shreveporttimes.com.