COMMERCE, TEXAS -- Taking the main stage in the historic downtown square in Commerce at 10 p.m. on Saturday, September 25, will be the fresh sounds of wakingNorman, a fast-rising six-member band from Dallas. They will be headlining the 25th annual Bois d’Arc Bash sponsored by the Commerce Chamber of Commerce.
 
The original rock band from Dallas will share their unique pop, rock, jazzy, funk sound with the Bash audience. Their unique music originates with an electric violin and electric acoustic guitar.
 

Lisa Arnold, president of the Commerce Chamber of Commerce, takes pride in announcing that wakingNorman will be the top-billed performers among the non-stop entertainers at the 2010 Bash. Members of the band have played such top venues as the State Fair of Texas and the Granada Theater in Dallas combines the talents of Troy Mayfield on lead, Mike Horne on violin and vocals, Nick Knirk on guitar and vocals, Gino "Lock Johnson" Iglehart" on drums, and Wes Stephenson on bass.

“We are very happy that our efforts to bring wakingNorman to Commerce is about to be fulfilled.  We have been in discussions with these specific artists since the Bash committee started tossing around ideas,” Lisa Arnold commented.

To listen to the music of wakingNorman, visit http://www.myspace.com/wakingnorman

Other featured entertainers at the Bash will be the Blandelles, a group that started with teachers at Bland High School near Greenville; they will be playing “Rock and Roll the Way You Remember It.” Greenville-raised Trey Houston will span several musical styles while supplying the leads to a variety of instrumental tracks. He will explain why his fans call him “the Singing Chauffeur.”  Other highly anticipated performers will be announced in coming weeks.

In addition to the continuing array of stage entertainers, the Bash will surprise visitors with a morning Bois d’ Arc parade; vendors displaying unexpected crafts, food, and merchandise’ a 5K run | walk, a Golf Tournament; a book fair’, a wine tasting’ and many other activities. 

Jalinna Jones, vice president of membership in the Chamber, calls the Bois d’Arc Bash “a tremendous event for our community and our historic downtown.” 

“It has placed Commerce on the regional ‘must see’ event list,” Jones points out.

Chamber of Commerce manager Trey Broyles cited the Bash Golf Tournament and the 5K run as popular sports events and praised the resourceful vendors as very important to the fun of the annual attraction. 

“And practically everything is free,” he added.

Vendor space may be purchased in advance for Saturday, September 25, from the Chamber office, and tickets for the VIP Winter Tasting Lounge at the Farmers Market will be available in advance for $25 each. 

The Commerce Public Library will begin its annual book sale at the Bash with thousands of reading bargains.  Information is available from the Chamber of Commerce office at 903-886-3950.