There’s a good chance Angela Wood is a familiar face to most of you.

The Los Angeles singer-songwriter who grew up in Garland has appeared in commercials for Burger King, Scope and a handful of other national companies. But that’s not her goal. Wood wants her music to be recognized. Judging by her new songs — a pleasing mix of country and folk that fans of Taylor Swift and Dixie Chicks would appreciate — she’s well on her way.

The former South Garland High School Showboater recently took time from preparing for her Nov. 25 show at Poor David’s Pub to answer questions about her career, influences and her hometown.

A song like “Don’t Touch My Man” is a strong anthem for the ladies. How have your audiences responded to it?
It's funny, everyone loves that song. It's one of my favorites to sing. Women and men both tell me it's on of their favorites, and I've been asked often why it's not on the radio. Trust me, if it was up to me, everyone would've heard it by now, and often!

Shooter Jennings, Katy Perry and Blake Shelton are good friends of yours. What kind of advice have they offered you?
Gosh, they're all so different. More than advice, I've learned by paying attention to how they got to where they are now. Success in this career is such a combination of factors, a lot of which you can't control. Also, Katy would never let me sing backup for her because she wanted me to stay focused on my own career. Ha ha!

You’ve also done a lot of national commercials, including one with Ryan Seacrest. What are the best and worst aspects of commercial work?
I've been very fortunate to get work that way. It's really a lot of fun. [Doing commercials] allows me the free time to really focus on my music. It's always fun to meet new and interesting people on set. It’s weird to be in random places and see your big mug flash up on a screen, but cool to get calls from friends and family that just saw it … or Facebook messages from people you haven't heard from in forever who recognized you.

The worst part is it makes you very body conscious. I go up against girls 6 inches taller than me and skinnier than a chopstick, and I think, "Why am I here?" Listen, I'm from TEXAS. I will never be able to exist on a diet of tofu and soybeans. It's just not in the cards.

How did growing up a minister’s daughter in Garland impact your singing and songwriting?
Well, being a daughter of a Southern Baptist minister was interesting. I was always under watchful eyes, not just of my parents, but a whole congregation. So, now in my songwriting, I have to be careful not to censor myself, and just let it flow, but don't think it doesn't cross my mind, "What is my Dad gonna think about this, and is he gonna catch flack over it?"

Any favorite memories of South Garland or Garland in general?
My favorite memories of South Garland were being in choir with all of my best friends and all the crazy parties that were put together for us where we'd be in cars looking for clues all over the city trying to get back first.

My favorite memory of Garland was going out on the boat and putting out a trot line, and coming back later for it, and my dad telling us how GARland got it's name (it was full of gar).

Your success didn’t happen overnight. You’ve been at it since you were a child. Do you have tips for aspiring singer-songwriters and actors?
If you wanna sing/act and you think you really have what it takes and you'd be happy doing nothing else, then don't let anyone tell you can't do it. Be smart about it, and be persistent. Don't sell yourself short.

Who are your biggest influences?
My biggest influences in music, are actually not country singers at all. I'm obsessed with Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins. Patty Griffin is also a fave.

My dad has probably been my biggest influence in life because, although he didn't have millions to support my music habit (as I like to call it), he always believed in me and did whatever he could to help. He's a musician, too, so he understood and actually helped cultivate the love I have for music.

What inspires you to sing and write songs?
Relationships. The good, the bad and the ugly. I sometimes say, “I’m not gonna write a relationship song today" and it's nearly impossible to do.

After your Dallas show and appearance on Good Morning Texas, what’s next on your schedule?
Nashville. I go there once a month now, and we're finishing up recording a few new songs. Getting ready for the big push.

What are your professional goals?
My professional goals are purely music related. I want to get as far as I can go in this industry. I wanna always love what I'm doing, and the minute I stop loving it, I'll move on.

Anything else people should know about you?
I have a beautiful single sister in Dallas. :)

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American Idol Season 7 finalist Jason Castro of Rockwall performed songs from his upcoming album for nearly 500 people Wednesday at Grapevine Mills Mall.

Castro sang, signed autographs and took photos with fans for about two hours, said Kendra Mandarich, director of marketing and business development for Grapevine Mills Mall.

Castro even sang a duet with his sister, Jackie.

“It was a great event,” she said. “Our shoppers enjoyed the performance.”

Castro’s new album is set to hit stores Nov. 17.

The concert is part of Castro’s mall tour, put on by Akoo and Simon Property Group.
On Nov. 12, Castro will be performing at Colorado Mills Mall.

For more information, visit jasoncastromusic.com or follow Castro on Twitter at @jasoncastro.

Post your photos and videos of the concert on neighborsgo.com.

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Jason Castro, the American Idol finalist from Rockwall, will take the stage at 6 p.m. today in Grapevine Mills Mall.

Nearly 400 fans are expected to crowd the food court for Castro’s concert, autograph signing and photo opportunities, said Kendra Mandarich, director of marketing and business development for Grapevine Mills Mall.

“It’s a real laidback concert,” she said.

The concert is part of Castro’s mall tour, put on by Akoo and Simon Property Group.

On Nov. 12, Castro will be performing at Colorado Mills Mall.

For more information, visit jasoncastromusic.com.

Post your photos and videos of the concert on neighborsgo.com

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What can ya say about Five Times August? Well, for starters, FTA is really just a he: Brad Skistimas (think Conor Oberst = Bright Eyes).

Next, you need to know that the 26-year-old poppy singer-songwriter is a local who shows a ton of love for his hometown, Lewisville. Based in Waxahachie, FTA returned to Southern Denton County to film his video for “Better With You” at Lewisville High School. The humorous video also features a bunch of locals who showed up to the shoot to fill spots as extras.

BUT that’s not all. FTA also will make an appearance at 2 p.m. this Sunday at the Best Buy just down the road in Flower Mound. He’ll perform a bit and sign copies of his new CD, Life As A Song. And if you need more incentive to purchase the CD, you should know that HALF of the album's sales through December will go to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. 

All of this is pretty cool, eh? It’s refreshing to see an artist appreciate his past as he achieves his goals.

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Good: Singer/songwriter Colbie Caillat is an impressive performer. Her songs’ hooks are so tight and memorable. After Friday’s concert, I have had three of her songs stuck in my head (“Fallin’ For You,” “Lucky” and “Bubbly”). Heck, I’ve even caught myself humming these pop gems that before last week I was only vaguely aware of.
 
Not-so good: I should have known that a concert featuring tween-favorite artists actually DOES start on time. This is a good lesson for anyone used to showing up 30 minutes late for an 8 p.m. show. By the time we arrived at 8:40 p.m., opening act Trevor Hall had already wrapped up his set, which was a bummer. The soulful reggae folkster is one of the best lesser-known musicians out there.
 
Interesting and impressive: Pseudo-solo artist Howie Day is a scientist! Day does more with an acoustic guitar and another guitarist than should be legally allowed. Utilizing his sequencing/effects processor, Day laid down several loops (bass, melody, rhythm) for a few of his tracks. The technique gave his performance a full sound without sounding fake (go to a coffee shop open mic to hear amateurs doing poor looping).

 

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If you were among the scores who hadn’t yet defected from MySpace in 2007, you may remember Colbie Caillat as one of the top unsigned (and heavily promoted) artists on that site.

I’m just getting to know this talented singer’s work, and I highly recommend you do, too. Her best-known single is “Bubbly.” It was all over pop radio months ago. And despite the heavy-rotation, I never tired of her upbeat and bright delivery.

Her tracks are loaded with hooks galore and great choruses that WILL get stuck in your head. But that’s not a bad thing. She is the type of artist who puts a smile on your face. Her phrasing and emphasis on the offbeat (reggae influence?) elicit head nods and smiles, not groans.

Caillat’s making quite a push toward fame these days. If you’re an avid watcher of So You Think You Can Dance, the track “Battle” will sound familiar. It was featured on last night’s episode. And she’s making plenty of tour stops and public appearances. She’ll be in Dallas tomorrow, and you have TWO opportunities to see her. In addition to Friday’s concert with Howie Day and Trevor Hall at The Palladium, she will be signing autographs and meeting with fans from 2 to 3 p.m. at Best Buy in Farmers Branch. Find out more about that appearance on her blog.

Quick-shot thoughts

• Sounds a bit like: A more-talented and mature Miley … with a dash of Fergie’s raspiness, less the high-note wailing.

• She’s got good friends: Among them, Jason Mraz, Trevor Hall, Josh Reeves and Kara DioGuardi (yes, of American Idol). Caillat pitched in on Mraz’s “Lucky,” and Reeves/DioGuardi helped with the songwriting duties on Breakthrough.

Check back next week for a concert review and video photoplay from Caillat’s concert. If you go to a show definitely post your reviews and photos on neighborsgo.com. They may appear in an upcoming edition of the paper! 

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Vancouver's Japandroids proved that you can't judge a band by its size. Just guitar, drums and vocals were all they needed to fill The Cavern with garage-rock goodness. The melodic hooks and full sound of songs places Post-Nothing among critics' faves this year.

Atlanta's The Coathangers opened. The band members showed their versatility, swapping instruments and singing duties during a very entertaining and hilarious set.

PHOTOPLAY: Watch and listen to the action from last night's show.

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If you grew up in North Texas in the late '70s and '80s, you might remember Rowlett resident George Gimarc, who created the format for KDGE "The Edge."

You may also remember the type of impact radio had on the music industry before the Internet and viral marketing. 

“If I would play an act, they would start selling records,” he said. 

His 14-year legacy of introducing punk rock to the region, and helping launch many key acts -- such as U2, R.E.M, The B-52's and The Go-Go's -- makes him a music historian of the era. He will vist the Allen Public Library on Oct. 15 to share his knowledge and insights.

Read the full story here.

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Chevelle is on the road in support of their new album, Sci-Fi Crimes. They roll into Grand Prairie on October 23rd to bring some much needed 3 piece modern rock to the Nokia Theater. The more I listen to the new CD the more I am convinced this is a concert not to miss.
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UPDATE to an update: Andrew Tinker has a bit more to say right here about last night's show. 

Former Flower Mounder Andrew Tinker did not win Dell’s Sound and the Jury contest last night in Austin. His band and four others were vying for a much-coveted spot in this weekend’s Austin City Limits Music Festival. The winner was Austin’s Bright Light Social Hour.

Here’s what Tinker had to say on his Twitter: “We had an awesome crowd and we KILLED it! Well done everybody. Here's to an amazing adventure. I Can't wait for the next one!”

Check out a slideshow of photos (only two of Tinker!?!?!) on Austin American-Statesman’s Web site.

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