The Stars over Wimberley concert series hit a new high note with the Rising Stars of Wimberley concert held March 29 at EmilyAnn Gardens. The half-day concert put Wimberley’s rising talent in the spotlight. For the 400-some people who attended, it was a day of surprise and more often than not, awe. As the performers took to the stage, they displayed a wellspring of talent beyond their experience and years, giving listeners a new appreciation of the power of place.
It seems that Coach Smith, the host of KWVH’s “Over Easy with Coach” morning show and the Rising Stars emcee has had his eye on many of the young musicians, inviting them to perform on his show and championing them to anyone who would listen.
The concert’s bill included six performances: Sam Downing and the Bandits, Elliot and Loki, Imogene and Waylan Grueneberg, Hemlock, and the Wimberley High School Jazz Ensemble and a capella performers from the WHS Choir.
Onstage early, the WHS Jazz Band, directed by Adam Apolinar, played a repertoire ranging from 1920s swing to current jazz tunes with unexpected authority and skill, setting the stage for things to come.
Siblings Imogene and Waylan Grueneberg, ages 11 and 13, wowed listeners with their musicianship and stage presence. Waylan played rhythm guitar to Imogene’s solid melodic violin. Rooted to the stage, both performers showed unusual poise and skill.
Cousins Elliot Richards and Loki Hunter, members of Soma Jerome, took to the stage as a duo under the name “Elliot and Loki.” The pair performed several originals, portraying impressive singer-songwriting prowess, like Loki’s “She’s on Fire” and Elliot’s “Sparrow in the Wind.” Loki sang with a powerful, mature voice and Loki’s guitar licks prompted Elliot to declare, “Loki is the best guitar player anywhere.” The crowd agreed, showering them with enthusiastic applause throughout their set. The duo’s likeable stage patter and ability to connect and charm listeners energized the crowd, several of whom grabbed pens to underline their names in their personal notes. Elliot, it was announced, was the recipient of a Robert M. Moreman Scholarship to Texas State University where he now studies Sound Production.
The band Hemlock, made up of the Snow brothers, rocked with songs like Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire,” several Creedence Clearwater Revival songs and then showed off their ballad licks with Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” and the Eagles’ “Peaceful Easy Feeling.” On guitar and vocals was Beck Snow, age 14, Barrett “Bear” Snow, age 13, on keyboards, beatbox and vocals, and on harmonica and banjo was Ezra Snow, age 10. Waylan Grueneberg, age 13, played bass. Their vocals and level of musicianship created plenty of buzz in the crowd.
Seven members of the WHS Choir, under the direction of Sharon Bourbonnais, performed several Beatles songs including George Harrison’s “Here Comes the Sun” and McCartney’s "Blackbird,” followed by the lovely British folk song, “The Water is Wide.” A little uncomfortable performing with microphones, the singers excelled on Riu, Riu, Chiu, an upbeat Renaissance-era song from Spain, that they sang in Ladino.
Last to perform were Sam Downing and the Bandits. Lead man singer-songwriter Sam Downing commanded the stage with his highly developed Americana, Texas Country and honky-tonk style. Tight and well-oiled behind him, the Bandits delivered a pro performance, with Carson Weems on bass, Loki Hunter on electric guitar, Miles Love on drums and Will Taylor on keyboards. Downing performed songs from his album “Storyteller,” his five singles and announced that a new album will be released in Summer 2026.
Under the Wimberley Arts umbrella, the Stars Over Wimberley Concert series, as well as the WinterNights Showcase and other events, benefit the Robert M. Moreman Scholarship program, awarding students who want to pursue careers in the visual, performing, literary and culinary arts and in the building trades. For further information, visit starsoverwimberley.org.
