Tex Pistols Bio
The Tex Pistols are serious about country music. So serious, in fact, that their show is kind of like walking into a concert hall or arena in 1965, when the great Opry package shows came to town. The only difference between then and now is that the Tex Pistols play the classics with today's sound and energy.
The Tex Pistols appear in rhinestone suits, just like the ones their heroes wore (some still do) in the heyday of real country music. They communicate with and entertain their audience, rather than just playing dance music, although they don't mind it a bit when fans get up and dance; after all, country music was meant to dance to...
The Tex Pistols first album, "Not Suitable for Airplay," was released in July of 1999. The album, distributed in Canada by Royalty Records and in Europe by AAC, has proven extremely popular, both off stage and in stores.
The band's second album, "AAIIEE!!" was released in Canada on January 25th, 2004. The album includes favorites requested by fans on their North American and European tours, plus several originals, penned by Brian Sklar and son, Aaron Sklar. In addition to the Tex Pistols, additional players on the album include Grand North American Fiddle Champion Calvin Vollrath, guitar wizard Freddie Pelletier, and Texas steel guitar player of the year Billy Phelps, of Houston, who has toured with the Tex Pistols for the past five summers. Of special note is the 15-minute bonus track "Twelve Bucks", a tribute to Buck Owens and the Buckaroos, who were named America's top country band for nine years running in the 60s and 70s.
The Tex Pistols' latest album, "Buck U - Class of 60" started out as a tribute to Buck Owens after his passing in 2006. It grew into a tribute to many of the great West Coast Country artists including Merle Haggard, Freddie Hart, Skeets MacDonald, and Wynn Stewart. It was released in July of 2006 and has proven to be a hit with real country fans all across North America and Europe.
In 2008, the group received the first ever Grammy nomination for a band from Saskatchewan, under the name "Western Senators." The Western Senators have been the alter ego of Brian Sklar's bands since 1976. An expanded version of the Tex Pistols, the Senators perform all of the Pistols' material, with the addition of two of North America's premier accordion meisters, Mark Leik and Joe Schultz adding a tex-mex flavour and even throwing in the odd Cleveland-style polka.
SOME ENDORSEMENTS ...
"Brian Sklar and the
Tex Pistols
are simply the best show group “Dreams” has ever worked with…always a
guaranteed sellout…"
-Earl Fried, Air
Canada, Dreams Take Flight, Calgary
"Brian Sklar and
the Tex Pistols love what they do, and it shows; every performance
is a genuine first class entertainment experience..."
-Andy
Zahnd, President and CEO, AAC International
"A Tex Pistols
performance is like a night in Vegas… real showmanship and great music…"
-Marvin
Wiens, President, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool
"Brian Sklar
is Mr. Showmanship; I admire him as a friend and fellow entertainer…"
-Jean
Shepard, Grand Ole Opry
"To have a great
event, you need a great band; nobody does it better than Brian Sklar
and the
Tex Pistols…"
-Rod
Kitter, CJWW Radio, Saskatoon
"When it comes to
entertaining at fairs, rodeos, conventions, and casinos, nobody beats
the Tex Pistols. From the Calgary Stampede, to Las Vegas, to
appearances with symphony orchestras, to the biggest music festivals in
Europe, the Tex Pistols have built a reputation for great music
and showmanship that is second to none in the music industry..."
-Brian
Dojack, Local 446 AFM
“Brian Sklar and
the
Tex Pistols…the
only group to put the real 'country' in country music…keeping you
entertained the whole night through…”
-Willy
Cole, Program Manager/Morning Host, 620 CKRM Regina
“A total
entertainment experience, the Brian Sklar Show is a must-see for
anyone who likes to party and loves real country music…”
-Kees
De Haan, Crossroads Music, the Netherlands