BARBWIRE

Coleman's Got Talent!
5/27/2009 by Kim E. Horne
I started doing this story on a band that my friend Doug Burks is a member of and ended up realizing there is a lot of wonderful talent in our sleepy little county.. I got the opportunity to get to know two very good bands from our county - BARBWIRE and FOUR BARREL.

It began on a Wednesday night near Santa Anna, Texas at the home of Bill and Tanna Gilbreath. I thought to myself, "This band has been together a few months, knowing Doug as a song writer; they'll sound "All right." I could have never been so wrong; they were better than "All right," they flat out ROCKED! The band is composed of Doug Burks-guitar and vocals, Willie Gilbreath-bass guitar and background vocals, Bill Gilbreath-lead guitar, and Charlie Croft on drums. They started out "jamming" for me and I immediately knew they were something special. Named by Doug's wife Ginger, BARBWIRE is a talented group of guys. They sang a few cover songs and I was impressed at how they put their own unique sound to some of my classic favorites. Then they played a band original written by Doug Burks, who has been writing songs since he was a child. A song called "Run Indian." It was excellent! Bill Gilbreath was extraordinary - I could have listened to him all day. The rocker background shined in the songs he played. He and his son, Willie, complimented each other as they played. Father and son are truly talented and can read each other like a book. I was impressed. I was equally impressed with Charlie Croft's ability to play the drums. Charlie told me that after seeing friends play in the school band, he wanted to learn to play. About 15 years ago he started taking lessons. As I listened to them practice, and later when I journeyed out to the Owl's Roost in Concho County to hear them play for a crowd, I could hear each member's individual influences come out in the songs they played.

The next day I was sitting in my office and was told there was another band I needed to hear, a group of up-and-coming guys. Their name is FOUR BARREL. My thought was, "Sounds great but I really just wanted to do a story on BARBWIRE." Then I heard that Willie Gilbreath...bass and background vocals for Barbwire...was also a member of Four Barrel along with his brother David Strickland. After being so impressed with Willie and Bill Gilbreath, I had to hear what brother David sounded like! So, off I go to Santa Anna for rehearsal. I took a friend along and as we sat on the couch we both loved our own personal concert.

The lead singer of Four Barrel is Wes Wilson of Santa Anna. He is a skinny welder who "packs a punch" with his bold voice! Holden Hronek, drummer for the band, grew up in Sweeney Texas and has lived in Coleman for seven years now. Quiet, and a little shy, he let his drums be his voice. The guys cover older rock and Texas Country, but their passion is to sing their originals. The guys collaborate together on their music and write their songs about life lessons they've experienced. My favorite original was "Another 12 Pack." Their songs were unique and unpredictable. I was in awe of this young group. They closed out the private concert with their version of "Johnny B. Good." Lead guitar, David Strickland, was amazing and like when I watched his dad, I could not keep my eyes off his guitar. My friend and I loved our little concert and I wondered if writers for Rolling Stone magazine got the royal treatment like we did!

On a Saturday night I made my way to the Owl's Roost at Lake Ivie to hear the bands play. Barbwire opened the show doing one set then was followed by Four Barrel. There was a large following that showed up to hear the bands play. Everyone listened and sang along. We were all wearing our Band t-shirts. Neither band seems to get nervous before a large crowd. I was taken by Bill Gilbreath because he is such a natural at the lead guitar. I had to leave early but had a great time at the show. Music is each band member's passion and all would love to play full time; but, these guys work hard during the day, enjoy their precious families and manage to squeeze in rehearsals when their busy lives allow them to. Both Barbwire and Four Barrel will be playing on the courthouse lawn following the Rodeo parade on Saturday, June 20, 2009. Come out and listen for yourself. You will become a loyal fan, too!



Courtesy of colemannews.com Turner Press 2009 - colemannews.com