The George Strait tribute band, Strait From the Stateline, will be lighting up the stage at the Brownwood Event Center on Saturday, September 28th as the main entertainment of the Brownwood Education Foundation Country Gala. Two of the band members, John Michael Whitby and Benny McArthur, have played with George Strait’s band, Ace in the Hole, for many years. “Strait From the Stateline came together out of Austin, Texas,” said booking manager, lead singer, and acoustic guitar player Jody Dominguez. “Everywhere we played, people came up and told us that we reminded them of George and his music, and that is the ultimate compliment for us. Our band is not an impersonation of him though; it is a tribute show.” McArthur has played guitar and fiddle with Ace in the Hole for about forty years; Whitby has played keyboard with Ace in the Hole for about seventeen years. “Our fiddle player, Haydn Vitera, has played with Whitby and McArthur for a number of years,” Dominquez said. “He asked if they would sit in with The Stateline Band on a few shows and that’s where the idea came from.”  

Strait From the Stateline members include Jody Dominguez (Lead Singer, Acoustic Guitar), Stan Scantling (Steel Guitar), Scott Zajicek (Bass Guitar, Vocals), Dustin Garret (Lead Guitar), Haydn Vitera (Fiddle, Guitar, Vocals), Kris Gordon (Drums, Vocals), John Michael Whitby (Keyboard), and Benny McArthur (Guitar/Acoustic Guitar/Fiddle). The band members hail from all parts of Texas, from Lubbock, to Fort Worth, to Bangs. The Stateline merges honky-tonk with a rock’n’roll edge to create their self-proclaimed genre, Texas Dancehall Country. “The band’s impact on the Texas country scene cannot be overstated,” their website states. “Their seamless fusion of genres has resulted in four Top 10 Hits on Texas country radio, a testament to their unparalleled musical prowess and widespread appeal. Their dedication to producing meaningful lyrics and irresistible melodies has cemented their place among the genre’s elite. The Stateline Band isn’t just a group; they’re a testament to the heart and soul of Texas. Their passion for preserving and evolving the tradition of country music is palpable in every note. It’s a sound that’s unmistakably Texan yet universally appealing.” 

While the band performs George Strait hits, they bring a fresh sound with them. “We cut a song that McArthur wrote with Cody Widner called ‘Dancehall Devil’ and it was a lot of fun to have McArthur come in and sing and play guitar on that record; it was a ‘Top 10’ radio single a few years ago,” Dominguez said. “But just getting to play music with all these guys is such a great time. [McArthur and Whitby] play for the King of Country Music, so every show is unique.” 

The Brownwood Education Foundation (BEF) Country Gala tickets are available now at supportbisd.com/countrygala. General Admission tickets cost $40, which covers entertainment and dancing at the Event Center. There will be dinner, dessert, and beverage trucks available. “Every year the BEF gives thousands of dollars to teacher grants, student scholarships, teacher awards, among so many other things,” said Danielle Rosborough, BEF Executive Coordinator. “Gala can mean whatever we want it to mean—fancy or ‘Country;’ it’s about coming together for a special occasion! This will be a huge event for Brownwood.” 

{Article by Sara Musgrove}