The Bodarks

Formerly members of rock and country cover bands, the musicians got together (Thank-you, Craigslist!) with the idea of creating something old but new, with no genre borders. The horse-apple bearing bodark (bois d'arc ) tree seemed an apt symbol for these transplants from the farm to the city. That twisted hardwood, still found growing wild in suburban medians with its massive green fruit, is a stubborn reminder of the old days when it was used to hedge in cattle.

No sooner had they formed the band than they were selected as a Shiner Rising Star finalist in 2013. Their blend of styles caught the attention of the judges and press: “You create your own genre,” said Donnie Nelson (GM of the Dallas Mavericks). “You crash through every genre.” And M.J. Farmer of Buddy Magazine described their original songs as proof that they've "developed their own unique Americana music."