Wales Manor Winery & Vineyard | Upcoming Vineyard & Winery Live Music Events| McKinney, Texas

Gary P.Nunn

In 1972, Michael Martin Murphey, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Willie Nelson moved to Austin and a new Era in music was born. The movevent was dubbed "Texas progressive", "Outlaw music" among other monikers and Gary P. Nunn was right in the middle of it. At one time he was playing bass for Murphey, Walkey and Nelson. For Murphy and Walker, he lead The Lost Gonzo Band who backed them up on stage and in the studio, and helped propel  them to national notoriety. It was during this time that Nunn honed his songwriter skills composing tunes that were recorded by Nelson, Walker and Murphey, as well as Rosanne Cash, David Allen Coe and others, earning him several gold and platinium records for writing, publishing and performing.

He has appeared on countless programs such as Nashville Now, TNN's Texas Connection, music videos and special appearances on TNN, Austin City Limits, Texas Ranger's Baseball games (singing the National Anthem), and other appearances too numerous to mention.

To learn more aboun Gary P. Nunn visit his official websites at www.garypnunn.com or www.myspace.com/garypnunnofficial . You'll find information about how to purchase his music and CD`s as well as find out where he'll be playing again. 

Adam Mitchell (Multi platinum and gold record songwriter)

Adam's passion led him to professionally race cars trough most of his young adult life. He discovered during that time that he had a great talent for playing the guitar as well. Graduating from The University of Toronto in 1966 whith a degree in French, Adam became a member of the legendary Canadian band, "The Paupers". By 1967, they cut a hit record on Verve, opened for Jefferson Airplane and became the new sensation. The band broke up shortly after and he continued racing and playing until he landed in Los Angeles in 1976.

Having such distinct influences as Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Merle Haggard and Joni Mitchell, Adam quickly learned the art of diversity when it came to his writing and producing styles. Adam is well known for his work with the heavy metal supergroup KISS, including cuts like Creatures of the Night and Crazy Nights. He also worked with vocal jazz sensations, Manhattan Transfer, producing their first record, as well as producing Linda Ronstadt.

Adam has had more than 150 cuts in his career as a songwriter. Several of his more notable include Dancin' Round and Round (recorded by Olivia Newton-John, Nicolette Larson, Anne Murray etc.) French Waltz (recorded by Art Garfunkel, Anne Murray, Bette Midler, Nicolette Larson etc.), Out Among the Stars (recorded by Merle Haggard, Wylon Jennings, Hazel Dickens, Teresa etc.) and Tears (recorded by John Waite, Patty Smith, Cheap Trick, Peter Criss, etc.). He has also had cuts on such artists as Chicago (Man to Woman), Cher (When Two Hearts Collide) and Bonnie Tyler (Matter of the Heart) just to name a few.

In 1996, Adam moved to Nashville to continue his career as both as writer and producer. Developing several new acts in the Nashville area, Adam continues to develop his versatile career. He is currently working with Bruce Kulick (of KISS) on developing "The Rockheads" an animation/music series begun by the late Eric Carr. He is also looking ahead to producing Linda Rondstadt's upcoming record.

Tom Faulkner

When Tom Faulkner released his debut Cd, Lost in the Lans of Texico, an image was born that painted a musical and lyrical picture of a place where listeners longed to go to again and again. It is truly a soulful experience to Get Lost Whit Faulkners second CD, Raise The Roof, the journey evolves, moving the listener to an even deeper and rich place.

Like Texico, Raise The Roof s explosive at times, yet gentle an others. The sound and the stories are vintage Faulkner, taken the listener farther down a wonderfully familiar road, but with powerful new twists and turns that leave you, once again, longing for more. Faulkners musical acumen even caught the attention of New Orleans Legendary Dr. John, who joined Tom to sing on Blues Across America, a rocking tribute to the heritage of American Blues .

Faulkner, a New Orleans-born singer/songwriter/producer knew by age 5 that music would be the fascination of his life when his mother took him to see Lawrence of Arabia and he begged her to buy him the music score. After earning a degree in philosophy from Washington & Lee University, he returned to Dallas and put together a band, The Coconuts, that achieved rapid and prolonged regional success.

Singing with United Artist Publishing and a subsequent move to Los Angeles proved to everyone involved that record company promises can be as ethereal as vapor. After a multitude of unfilfilled promises, Faulkner came home, disillusioned, and the band broke up shortly thereafter. He immediately landed a job in a small recording studio with the intention of producing other bands and artist. While he gained production knowledge working in the studio, Faulkner's raputation an accomplished composer caught the attention of advertising executives. Consequiently, while en route  to a singer/songwriter/producer career, Tom created some of the most memorable commercial music in on American television and radio. Most notably, he composed I Want My Baby Back for Chilis, as well as the theme for Tom Bodett and Motel 6.

Still, Faulkner abandoned his dream of one day owning his own studio and producing his own music, so in 1990 he methodically assembled on of the finest state-of-the-art recording facilities in Texas. It should come as no surprise that in his endeavor to develop his own unique sound, Faulkner relied not on a record company to create his first CD, but in own expertise and vision. Not that he doesn't credit many talented and supportive people who played essential roles, But Lost in The Land of Texico is truly an expression from the hearth.

Lost in The Land of Texico arose, in part, from the memories of his travels over the backroads of the Southwest. His unique blend of Texas Rock, Blues, Cajun and Tejano music is a herthfelt abandonment of musical trends and a passionate embrace of the rich ethnic heritage of "Texico".  

Austin Cunningham

Early on in his career, Garland, Texas native Austin Cunningham carved out a place for himself as a songwriter. He has had song  recorded by artists such  as Hank Williams, Jr. Martina McBride, Dolly Parton, Wynonna, Chris Knight, Del McCoury, and the list goes on. Austin has song on feature film including Ashely Judd`s Where The Hearth Is, and the Richard Gere/Wynona Rider film, Autumn in New York. He and his music are featured in "Hey Dillon", a documentary about one of the "Last Great DJ`S", Bret Dillon de KHYI in Dallas. Austin has performed at the Sundance Film Festival fot the Bluebird Café on the Road series, and a few years back, was awarded the coveted  Johnny Mercer Award  for "Emerging American Songwriters".

Altought writing is Austin's first passion, he is no slouch at performing, blazing a trail with live shows across the U.S. and is a favorite on the Texas Music Scene. With a strong voice and some of the best guitar playing you'll ever hear, he always manages to captative his audience. Whether performing an acoustic solo, or rocking the house with a strat an a full band, it is entertainment at it's best. This is just good, root music mixed with great stories. 

Jimmy "Preacher" Ellis

Jimmy Ellis was born in 1935, in the rural farming community fo Foreman, Arkansas. Like most youths, his first singing experience came in church, where he and his brother both sang. Regrettably, Jimmy was to experience the blues first hang at the age of 12 with the break up of his family. The next 2 years were spent on his grandfather's  farm across the Red River in DeKalb, Texas.

By 1950 Jimmy had moved to Seattle, Washington to be reunited with his mother. Under the guidance of his grandmother , he began singing in the choir at the nearby Mount Baker Baptist Church. Eventually his vocal talents came to the attention of the Reverend F.F. Billups who managed two well know gospel  groups, The Kansas Gospel Singers and The Traveling Four. Billups, on his next visit to Seattle, asked Jimmy to join  The Traveling Four, since their baritone singer has just  quitr. Rev. Billups ended up being his guardian.

Emily Riddle

Eighteen year old Emily Riddle is a budding Indie artist that has made quite a splash with her new album "Happy In A Melancholy Way". This folk/rock album features all original songs and artwork. The project title of this young singer/songwriter perfectly sums up her record. Honest lyrics, lilting melodies, and whimsical , smart arrangements complete with a plethora of eclectic instruments make for delightful, mood-altering  goodness.

As soon as she was born, Emily began to sing. Her pen, upon learning to write, could barely keep pace with her creativity. She has grown up singing at church and amongst her peers for the weekly chapels held at her small country school.

Emily's music is captivating. Both young and old find themselves quickly endeared. She has already garnered a very culturally and generationally diverse audience, whose support is making for a strong and dedicated fan base for this young talent.