LIVE! Featured Artist: Brushfire

"Bands come and go and here we have stood the test of time," Bobby Guerrero said of his band, Brushfire.

In 2005, Guerrero made a quick stop at Caldwell Music store that would make him a part of one of the longest running band's San Angelo has seen.

"On that little pin board by the guitars was an ad looking for a bass player, and I thought, 'Hey, I am a bass player!' and I didn't have band." he said. "So, I called and went out to practice in Grape Creek. Aaron [Nelson] did not come for the first practice, but he came for the second; and now here we are, 10 years later."

Two men by the name of Gary Morris and Mike Francis were the founding members of Brushfire; however, the group has gone through many changes since that first practice in 2005. The current lineup is as follows:

• Aaron Nelson - vocals/guitar
• Bobby Guerrero - vocals/bass
• David Cline - guitar
• Dustin Lawson - drums

David Cline is the newest member of Brushfire and described his recent hiring as "being in the right place at the right time."

"I went to eat lunch at Chili's, and behind me walks in Dustin Lawson," he explained. "He was pointing at me the whole time he was walking by, and then he comes back and said 'What are you doing Friday?' I told him 'nothing.' He then asked me if I wanted to come sit in, and I said 'sure.'"

Cline added, "They just keep texting me, so I keep coming to the gigs!"

However, on a more serious note, he stated, "I love these guys; I really do. I have more fun with them than any of the other bands I have played in. They are very laid back and they don't worry about a whole lot. There are no personal conflicts. It just works."

Aaron Nelson claims that the professionalism of each member is why this group is able to click so well.

"We are all professionals in town," he explained, as Guerrero is a banker; Lawson is an owner of a construction company; Cline works for a local hospital; and Nelson himself is a realtor. "We try to be professional as a band as well, but we have a really good time doing it, and I think that shows when we are playing."

Guerrero said he thinks Brushfire is one of those timeless bands. 

"The songs we play will always be popular and that is where I think we fit the niche," he added. "We will end up being a Clearwater or The Strays--just that band where people go, 'Oh look, they're playing!' and all of us will be in our 60s - some of us in their 70s - and people just come out and cut a rug and break a hip."

Nelson added, "We're a good group of guys that enjoy playing. When you come see us play, we are goofing around and having a good time on stage; and I think that is what people like seeing."

Guerrero noted that the band is having way too much fun. 

"We have one stage gimmick where Aaron plays a slide on one of the songs and we need a beer bottle," he said. "We try to call out somebody in the audience - 'Hey! Does anybody have an empty Bud Light bottle?'"

San Angeloans who have yet to catch one of Brushfire's energetic shows, will have a chance this Saturday night as they will be gracing the Midnight Rodeo stage with their presence for the very first time.

"We are headlining and opening for us," Guerrero jokingly said since Brushfire will be the only band that night, playing from 10 p.m. to midnight.

Nelson said, "I think it is going to be a really good time." 

Guerrero said Brushfire has been voted best band in San Angelo three years in a row and runner-up a couple of times. He said he thinks that says something.  

"Come out and hear some good dance music, some good drinking music, and somebody be prepared with an empty Bud Light bottle," Guerrero chimed. "We will need that for Aaron to play slide!"

To follow Brushfire shows, visit their Facebook page.