Rowlett’s Wet Zone kicked off their seventh annual summer series of Battle of the Bands June 7.The show was entertaining — despite the fact that two bands had to cancel hours earlier due to a family emergency.

Luckily, Wet Zone got in touch with Rowlett local Jason Castro. I got a chance to get to know him as he walked around the park singing and strumming his guitar before the show. Castro is currently attending Texas A&M and is undecided about his major. I think he should pursue something in music, but that’s just me. The songs he performed that evening were written by him, which is pretty impressive listening to the intense lyrics. With just a guitar, long dreadlocks and an amazing voice, Castro seemed to cast a spell on the crowd mostly comprised of area teens.

This wasn’t his first time performing on the Wet Zone stage, Castro performed in a previous Battle of the Bands with friend and musician, Ryan Bentley—who just happened to be playing guitar in the following act. That act was a band put together at the last minute formation of members of numerous bands in the Rowlett area. Their alias for the evening was the New Failed Almost’s, which is a part of each of the different bands names put together.

Unlike Castro, the NFAs had a harder sound due to Kyle Bryant’s amazing drumming skills, numerous talented guitarists and vocals. Josh McBride was the lead vocalist for the band that just began learning each other’s songs hours earlier. Surprisingly, the NFAs sounded as if they were a band. The only hint that they were in different bands was the fact that several of the guitarists—Tyler Shelton, David Gray, and Jarrett Adlof—switched from being backstage to onstage.

NFA and Castro put on a great show; it almost made me forget this is a competition. Although the guys were taking this evening lightly, the Battle of the Bands is a contest throughout the summer that boils down to finalists performing Aug.9 to receive prizes. Upon entry, everyone gets a ballot to vote for their band of choice which determines the winner of each round.

I also got to talk with Heath Olinger, the general manager of Wet Zone. Olinger and the staff of Wet Zone do an excellent job of transforming the water park into a concert hot spot. The water is off limits, but there are tons of beach chairs, patio furniture, and places to stand to get a clear view of the stage.

I suggest anyone in the area to come check out the show. Wet Zone has a great nighttime atmosphere, and I can tell there will be a lot more unique bands and artists to check out throughout the summer. The cost is only $5 and the show lasts from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. The other battles will be July 5, Aug. 2 and the showdown Aug. 9. Each week there is an average of about three bands, so get ready to check out the local talent.

For more information, call 972-412-6266 or check out

www.wetzonewaterpark.com.

Kandace Dodson is assistant editor for the east zone of neighborsgo. She can be reached at 972-272-6591, ext 216, or kdodson@dallasnews.com.