Toyota Texas Bass Classic Brings Texas Sized Entertainment to Conroe
OutdoorHub 08.14.13
Limited free tickets available at Toyota dealers and Academy Sports +Outdoors
The Lone Star Convention and Expo Center will once again host the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC), bringing an incredible array of country music’s most talented acts to Conroe. Eli Young Band will start the weekend’s concerts on Friday, Oct. 4, followed by Southern Slang and Lee Brice before headliners, The Band Perry, on Saturday, Oct. 5. Closing the event Sunday, Oct. 6 will be Thompson Square and Gloriana.
“Toyota Texas Bass Classic has become so much more than a fishing tournament over the past six years,” said Tournament Director Lenny Francoeur. “The talent, entertainment and activities at this year’s festival give Conroe a lot to look forward to and we are proud to continue to support the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.”
Limited free daily tickets for the Oct. 4-6 professional bass fishing world championship, country music and outdoors festival are available now at toyotatexasbassclassic.com, Toyota dealerships and Academy Sports + Outdoors locations in the Houston area. Daily tickets are valid for admission to the festival grounds for angler weigh-ins, daily concerts, Bass Pro Shops Kids Zone, BBQ Cook-Off and the outdoors adventure area and expo at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center in Conroe.
Composed of four musicians who met during college, Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones and Chris Thompson, the Grammy-nominated Eli Young Band will start off the concert line-up in Conroe. The band’s latest single, “Drunk Last Night,” is already becoming a hit on the airwaves after its July 1 release and the single is currently available for download on iTunes. After a self-titled debut in 2002, the band broke out with 2005’s “Level,” opening shows for Miranda Lambert. Eli Young Band found their first top-10 single in 2008’s “Always the Love Songs,” but it was the single “Crazy Girl,” off “Life at Best” that saw the band’s success skyrocket. It hit No. 1 on the U.S. Country chart, along with the follow up, “Even if It Breaks Your Heart.” With their distinct sound that blends powerful country with energetic rock influences, Eli Young Band has masterfully created their sound over the years, and their newest releases will only continue the band’s success.
Since releasing their self-titled debut album on Republic Nashville in 2010, The Band Perry has ascended to dizzying heights. Fronted by Kimberly Perry and rounded out by her younger brothers Reid and Neil, the band has notched a string of hit singles, including the quadruple-platinum “If I Die Young” (which climbed to #1 on Billboard’s Country and AC charts), the platinum “You Lie,” and the gold-certified Country #1 “All Your Life” as well as the consecutive #1 hits, “Better Dig Two” and “DONE.” (co-written by Reid and Neil) from their sophomore release PIONEER, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart and #2 All Genre. The project, produced by Dann Huff, sold nearly 130,000 copies in the first week and has received acclaim from top critics across the country. They’ve also enjoyed sold-out headlining dates and a showering of honors, including multiple ACM, CMA, and CMT Music awards, as well as Teen Choice, AMA, ACA, Billboard Music Awards and Grammy Awards nominations — all of which has cemented the sibling trio as one of the hottest acts in recent history.
Husband and wife duo Keifer and Shawna Thompson, met at a singing competition in Nashville and worked as solo acts before deciding to work together as Thompson Square. Their self-titled debut album was powered by a trio of hit singles, including the No. 1 hit “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not,” as well as “I Got You” and “Glass.” Thompson Square has won back-to-back Academy of Country Music awards for vocal duo of the year, as well as a multitude of other awards nominations. Their sophomore album, “Just Feels Good,” builds on their signature sound with a refreshingly honest view of their relationship and intimate glimpses into the duo’s lives, with singles such as, “If I Didn’t Have You” and “Everything I Shouldn’t Be Thinking About.”
Gloriana, the all-American trio, made up of Rachel Reinert and brothers, Tom Gossin and Mike Gossin, impressed the masses with their first self-titled album in 2009 and have done it once again. Their second studio album,” A Thousand Miles Left Behind,” was released in July 2012, debuting at #2 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart and at #10 on Billboard Top 200. After winning Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the 2011 American Country Awards, the group was again nominated in 2012. Gloriana’s hit single, “(Kissed You) Good Night,” was also nominated for Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year: Group or Collaboration. The group’s latest album has already been certified Platinum and their up-tempo relatable tunes are becoming fan favorites on GAC and CMT. While currently touring the country, they are quickly establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the American country music scene.
Songwriting for the likes of Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean and Eli Young Band, Lee Brice has more than an impressive music résumé. On his sophomore album, “Hard 2 Love” (Curb Records), the four-time Academy of Country Music nominee shows maturity in both his songwriting and performance. Currently touring with Brad Paisely, Brice had three No. 1 singles in a row, including, “A Woman Like You,” “Hard to Love” and “I Drive Your Truck.”
On Saturday, Oct. 5, Houston-based classic and southern rock and blues band, Southern Slang, will perform early afternoon. Formed in 2010, the group performed at the festival last year to rave reviews.
The 2013 TTBC will host a 50-angler field, assembled from the top professional leagues in the world, including the PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series, Bassmaster Elite Series and the Walmart FLW Tour, creating a true bass fishing world championship. Anglers that qualify for the 2013 tournament will automatically be qualified for the 2014 TTBC to be held at Lake Fork.
The Lone Star Convention & Expo Center is a state-of-the-art facility conveniently located minutes from Lake Conroe and The Woodlands, and only 40 minutes north of Houston. The location offers easy access to event activities, local shops and restaurants. For more information, please visit thelonestar.org.
The Toyota Texas Bass Classic tournament functions are operated by the Professional Anglers Association with technical assistance and support from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Inland Fisheries Division. Toyota is the title sponsor of the event, and other sponsors include: Coca-Cola, ATX Wheels, Tellepsen, Geico and Caterpillar. Corporate partnership opportunities are still available. For additional information, visit toyotatexasbassclassic.com or call 1-866-907-0143.
