Amber Banda interviews El Paso's Jim Ward, founding member of At The Drive-In and Sparta. He is going to be performing Dec 8th with headliners Thursday and guests Mercy Union.
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Jim has been good friends with Geoff and the guys of the post hardcore band Thursday for over 20 years. They will be performing at the Lowbrow Palace Dec 8th, doors opening at 6:30pm.
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Amber and Jim talk about how this concert came to fruition, what songs usually get the biggest reaction, what to expect from his set at this concert, him performing solo vs with the band, and advice he has for aspiring musicians. Amber gets personal about how his music has helped her throughout her life, her favorite Sparta song, and more. Jim also gives a HUGE announcement for all the Sparta fans so tune in and get excited! 
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Get tickets for the show now at lowbrowpalace.com

Caroline Jones has her solo music career and is also the first and only female band member of the Zac Brown Band. She is a working wife and mom and the only musician in her family. She was classically trained at a young age, fell in love with country music in her late teens, and the rest is "herstory..."
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Amber starts by fan-girling over Caroline, then gets into her music including her new single, 'All the Things' which is an anthem, ode, and tribute to her husband and all the moms out there trying to do "all the things."
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Caroline talks about what has helped make her marriage work with such an unconventional job for both her and her sailor husband, swap embarrassing mom stories, and have some real talk when it comes to raising young kids.This is a fun one, especially for working moms who are grateful for their support system or may be wondering if they can still do what they want in life if they become a mom. (Spoiler alert, Amber and Caroline say YES you can)!
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"All The Things" from Caroline Jones out now! 

IG: Caroline Jones
https://carolinejones.com/

Amber Banda interviews country artist Aaron Watson ahead of his performance at the Cowtown Event Center in El Paso, TX on October 17th!

Amber and Aaron talk about him coming back to El Paso and his newest single, "Pontiac (So Tell Me Momma) from his not-yet-released 40 song double album. He talks about the personal story behind the song, what he thinks of the famous Freight Train line dance, Amber asks him if he's ever Googled himself, and shares what jokes AI generated to "roast" him. They also play a game of "would you rather," Amber's young daughter gets to ask him a question about something he posted on social media, Amber's husband tells him a dad joke, and Aaron shares his true feelings for El Paso. This is another insightful yet fun one!

His new single "Pontiac (So Tell Me Momma) out now!

Catch Aaron Watson and Braxton Keith
Friday October 17 at the Cowtown Event Center! 
tickets available at splendidsunproductions.com

Amber Banda interview with William Beckmann!
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When I first heard William's voice, my first thought was John Denver. Originally from Del Rio, TX, Willam Beckmann knows what it's like to come from a bordertown and has taken that influence to Nashville! It is very cool to talk to a country artist who grew up in a Bordertown very similiar and close to El Paso with Mexican-American heritage and who has taken that to the country music capital of the world. Country, mariachi and norteno music has not only influenced his music but his style as well. Example being the video of his cover of Vicente Fernandez's "Volver Volver" at the Grand Ol Opry going viral, and wearing bandolero jackets during performances where he includes a song or two in Spanish.
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I talk with William about his family in El Paso, opening up for Midland here Oct 2, we go over some Spanish words together, talk about his musical style and influences, and I do a round of rapid fire questions with him including questions like his favorite sports team and what country artist would he bring back from the dead to play 1 gig. 
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His latest album "Whiskey, Lies and Alibis" is out now, with my two personal favorite songs from the album being "Borderline Crazy" and " Por Mujeres Como Tu." 
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DO NOT miss him opening up for Midland here in the Sun City Thursday, October 2nd at the Cowtown Event Center! Tickets on sale now at splendidsunproductions.com, or sign up to win tickets at KHEY.com. I also have a Midland ticket giveaway on my personal social media.

https://www.williambeckmann.com/
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If you enjoyed this interview, please follow and share! 

Dustin Lynch is headlining this year's Way Out West Fest in El Paso, Saturday September 27th.
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Dustin and Amber talk about his history in EP, what he's looking forward to when coming back (specifically shopping), his Vegas residency, what to expect in the El Paso show, what he almost did instead of country music, (Dr. Lynch?), and Amber shares something sentimental.
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Then Amber has Dustin play a game of "would you rather," tests his Halloween movie knowledge, they go over some Spanish, Amber teaches Dustin about "aye aye," and more. This is a fun one! 
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Way Out West Fest
Saturday, September 27
Headliner: Dustin Lynch
Dustin Lynch
Don Louis
Just Jayne

https://epwayoutwest.com/

Amber Banda interviews Fernie Acosta.

The Senior movie synopsis:
"At 59, Mike Flynt may be too old to be on a college football field, but not too old to feel the weight of unfinished business. After nearly four decades, he returns to his alma mater to take the hit that changed everything. Bruised, doubted, and nearly broken, he pushes for one more game, not for glory, but for the teammates he lost, the family he fractured, and the ending he still believes is possible." *
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Fernie Acosta grew up in El Paso, TX and was the football team captain at Sul Roll University in 2007 when 59 year old Mike Flynt decided to try out for the team. Little did he know that his character would be portrayed in a movie years later!
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During this interview, Fernie talks about real life vs the movie, meeting tha actor who plays his characters, how the movie is about so much more than Texas football, how he still very much keeps in touch with Mike, going to the movie premiere, what he is up to now, how El Paso and is recieving the movie so far, and his wife Cristal shares some words with him at the end that may move you to tears.
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Another person and movie to continue putting El Paso on the map! The Senior, in theatres Sept 19 2025. Make sure you look out for #33!
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*Credit:
https://www.angel.com/tickets/senior?utm_source=bing-ads&msclkid=dc46ff953c4f19ba4686975c5395db10

Amber Banda interviews Jess Carson, 1/3 of the band Midland, weeks before they are set to perform in El Paso.
Interview starts with Jess going through a situation over the phone in real time and a story behind it, then Amber and Jess talk about tequila, Jess answers some fan questions incuding one of the "worst questions ever," and Jess talks about how El Paso is a huge part of how they became a band.
Then they get into some fun some rapid fire and this or that questions, Amber tests his Spanish, and he finishes with talking about their upcoming movie.

Make sure you make it out to their concert at Cowtown Event Center in El Paso on Thursday, October 2nd with opener William Beckmann.
Tickets available at splendidsunproductions.com

Wands at the ready, El Paso! Amber Banda interviews Tom Zaller, President and CEO of Imagine. Imagine is producing Harry Potter: The Exhibition in Dallas. 
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Tom talks about what you can expect during the tour, how it was imagined and brought to life, and talks you through your tour from the Great Hall to classes to playing Quidditch to Hagrid's Hut and more! You can earn house points, make potions, and learn behind the scenes facts from Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, and the Cursed Child show from broadyway. Tom also reveals what set props and costumes you can expect to see, including one of Amber's favorite props, (hint: it belongs to her favorite character Hagrid). 
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Amber talks about how and why she fell in love with the books and movies, and it's not what you expect. Tom talks about his favorite part of the whole experience, as well as his personal patronus. He also gives some behind the scenes info on the exhibition itself, including how long it takes for setup and how they choose the location.
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Whether you're in Slytherin, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw like myself, even if you haven't been sorted, I have a CALL TO ACTION: DALLAS ROAD TRIP THIS FALL!

Opening day is October 24th. Tickets go on sale Sept 10t, but if you join the waitlist you can get special pre-order Sept. 9th. Don't be left out! Join the waitlist now.
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https://harrypotterexhibition.com/locations/dallas/

Niko Moon is coming to the Elmont Swim Club in El Paso's westside Sunday, August 31st, (Day before Labor Day). Amber and Niko talk about all things new with performing at this type of venue, his Spanish, his tattoos and his dad, his musical influences, and Niko answers a question from Amber's daughter. 
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Get tickets to see Niko Moon at elmontsocial.com