by Meghan Due

This weekend will be full of music, fine arts and a little bit of Drillers football!

This weekend in the Tyler / Longview City area ...

The Kyle Bennett Band

If you like live music, you're in luck! The Kyle Bennett Band and Granger Smith are playing at the Down Under Pub Tyler tonight! Granger Smith's reputation continued to grow with the 2009 launch of the highly anticipated "Don't Listen to the Radio"--ironically titled, considering it received more airplay than any other previously released album by Granger Smith. The title single held tight to its spot at #5 on the Texas Music Chart and remained in the top ten for 14 weeks. The follow up single, "Gypsy Rain" soon became the band's 3rd top 10 radio single in a row and was key in earning Granger the coveted "2009 New Artist of the Year" on the Gruene With Envy Awards. The Kyle Bennett Band's self-titled debut release (also known as “the red CD”) has sold thousands and held top ten slots on the Best Sellers chart at Lone Star Music. In addition it produced several singles that still remain in current rotation on stations across the region today such as “Adios,” “What’s It Like,” “Donnelly Drive” and “Later On.” So come out and see the award winning of Granger Smith and the Kyle Bennett Band!

Also performing this weekend is the Longview Area Youth Symphony Orchestra, which is composed of experienced string, wind and percussion players at the S.E. Belcher Jr. Chapel and Performance Center this Friday.

Some performances not to miss out on are StillBent, The Supersuckers, Jonny Pecker & BBPW at Clicks on Friday; Elliott’s Troubles at Half Moon Grill & Saloon on Saturday.

Rodney Parker & Fifty Peso Reward

The Southbound Sound Music Festival Texas is also this weekend! The event will be hosted at the Rose Horse Park on Saturday from Noon to Midnight! This all ages event! This year’s entertainment will feature some of the best Americana and Texas Music Artists and promises to bring a great night of entertainment. The Festival will feature the best in wholesome family fun and entertainment. Enjoy a world of fun foods and attractions. The Festival features performances by Old 97’S, Joe Ely, Todd Snider, Rodney Parker and Fifty Peso Reward, Great American Taxi and more!

CHIODOS at The Spot will perform at Clicks Live on Saturday! Since their formation, CHIODOS have been focused on creating something different while letting their diverse influences shine through. Their resulting debut full length is only definable as a melting pot of electronic beats behind piano, metal guitar riffs and poppy melodic vocal lines that leave you humming. Heavy and harsh at one moment, beautiful and serene the next, seemingly as a rule staying away from 'verse-chorus-verse' song writing.

Janet Mueller

The Longview Museum of Fine Arts will be having two exhibits this weekend; Janet Mueller: Contemporary Paintings and Raymond Rains: Glass Sculpture.

The East Texas Drillers arena football team is playing this Sunday against the Missouri City Blitz at the Oil Palace. So come out and support the Drillers!

Know of a great weekend event we missed? Let us know in the comments below.