It’s the question we’ve been asked quite a bit since our commercials came out. The answer – five extremely talented Texas musicians.
Barbara Breckinridge adores singing and performing on stage. She lived in Austin as a teenager, and moved back two years ago, longing to be part of the capital city’s renowned live music scene. Her dreams came true in the summer of 2007 as she teamed up with local artist Billy Henry and then, more recently, the band The Dry Season. When not singing, she grades papers and teaches English to high school sophomores and juniors.
Coming from humble beginnings in a small East Texas town, Dyer's first introduction to music was listening to country icons broadcast on AM radio.
Only during college did he discover his love for singing and begin honing his skills as a songwriter and musician in the celebrated local band Breedlove. On his current self-titled release on Fat Caddy Records, Dyer creates his unique soulful sound, channeling from soul purveyors like Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway, combined with his proficiency in pop, blues and R&B. The CD was recorded at producer David Boyle's renovated studio that was once an East Texas church. It features members of the local choir singing backup, and many of Texas' finest players provide the stellar music.
The Austin Chronicle gave the release three stars, and Jay Trachtenberg from KUT-FM in Austin calls Dan's music "soul simmering." Previously, Dyer collaborated with veteran rocker Lenny Kravitz, who produced and released his first solo album, Of What Lies Beneath, on Kravitz’s Reprise imprint label Roxie Records. While Dan possesses a musically old soul, his journey is just beginning.
Learn more about Dan at www.dandyer.com.
Sara Hickman, a native Texan, has been making music all her life! This musical journey has brought her major-label record deals, two visits to The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and stages all across the country. She has made more than 15 records, including three award- winning children's CDs. And she gives generously of her time to a wide array of worthy causes, such as Mothers’ Milk Bank, Safe Place, House the Homeless and the Race for the Cure.
Learn more about Sara at www.sarahickman.com.
In 1996, singer-songwriter Trish Murphy moved to Austin to nurture a solo career. Good move. In a few short years, she quickly established herself as a rising star of the Texas music scene. In other words, she rocks. Her discography includes Crooked Mile (1997), Rubies on the Lawn (1999), Captured (2001) and her 2005 release, Girls Get in Free.
Learn more about Trish at www.trishmurphy.com.
Will Sexton grew up in Austin, where as a nine-year-old musician he became a friend and admirer of local legends like W.C. Clark, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimmie Vaughn of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. He has recorded for MCA Records, A&M Records, Zoo Entertainment and Lost Highway Records and was a founding member of David Baerwald’s New Folk Underground. His 2001 release Scenes From Nowhere received a four-star review and was honored in the Top 5 Releases of 2001 by the Austin American-Statesman. He performs regularly around Austin, showcasing his catalog of songs written over the past two decades. Will also has many credits as a musician, producer and collaborating songwriter. He has collaborated with Waylon Jennings, Stephen Stills, Ron Wood, psychedelic pioneer Roky Erikson and punk legend Johnny Thunders. He is currently touring with Abra Moore and Idgy Vaughn and recently released a collection of songs with Texas songwriter Stephen Doster, Impossible Sun. Will is currently working on a record with New York transplant Charlie Faye.