If you were to drive by the building across from Pott’s Feed Store on just the right day, you might hear strains of rock-infused country music winding through the air. The five members of Whiskey Confessions Band, a country group with deep roots in East Texas, rehearse there as often as they can.

It’s a small studio, stacked with Marshall amplifiers, and populated by microphones, guitars and a Stagg drum kit. The floor is a mass of wires. A white sign with red lettering reading “Whiskey Confessions Band” adorns the wall behind the drum kit.

But make no mistake: the band, which performs covers of country songs in addition to their own music, is thinking big. Nine bands played in a talent contest at the House of Blues in Dallas on March 10. Their musical styles ran the gamut, from hip-hop to alternative rock. But one East Texas band stood out from the rest, and won the contest with five times more votes than any of the other participants.

“We rocked the house,” said Don Woods, lead vocalist and founder of Whiskey Confessions Band. “It was a big crowd, and I think OU’s track team was there celebrating after a meet. Everyone just loved it.”

Whiskey Confessions Band earned 125 votes from patrons at the House of Blues that night. In contrast, the band that came in second only earned 25 votes, Woods said. Soon after their performance, the band was contacted by a booking agent at Gilley’s Dallas, the legendary venue founded by country singer Mickey Gilley that was originally located in Pasadena.

The agent made them an offer they couldn’t refuse. At first, Woods thought the band would play Gilley’s once, on July 27. However, the agent said he wanted to book them to play during the last weekend of every month, starting on July 27 and extending through the end of the year.

Others are starting to sit up and take notice of Whiskey Confessions, too – the band performed at the Wild Rooster Bar in Fort Worth on May 3 with Texas-based duo Sand Dollar Rodeo. And of course, they’ve played all over East Texas, the place many of the members call home. Their next gig will take place at the Gateway Bar and Grill in Yantis, Texas. For more information on the band, check out their website at , or go to their .

Since the band members live in different towns, they seize any opportunity to get together in Quitman. Don Bosco, the lead guitarist and newest member of the band, makes a particularly long drive to rehearsals.

“I’m real happy here,” Bosco said. “I must like it, ‘cause I drive four hours from Louisiana to get here.”

Although Bosco currently lives in Alexandria, Louisiana, his heart lies in Texas. As a musician for-hire, Bosco’s been all over the country. He’s toured with multiple country artists such as Charley Pride, and he’s recorded in Nashville. But he once lived in Tyler, Texas, and said he can’t wait to move back.

“I’ve been all over, so I can say this,” he said. “There’s no place like Texas. In other places, on the street, people don’t smile or talk to you. People in Texas are nicer, they always greet you with a smile on their face. Even if you’re a stranger.”

It’s not just Texas hospitality that makes Bosco eager to return – it’s working with his bandmates.

“It’s not about the partying or the money,” Bosco said. “I try to surround myself with guys who have heart, and I think I’ve found it. We have a great working relationship.”

Ever since he was eight years old, Les Paul Clanton, bassist for Whiskey Confessions Band and Texas native, has loved music. After his father passed away, Clanton said his mother bought him a guitar to provide him with an emotional outlet and encourage his interest in music.

“I just took it and ran,” Clanton said. “I even formed a daycare band. It was a three-piece, and I played guitar.”

Clanton started his first “real” band at the age of 13, and played in many more along the way: Thundering Hearts, Private Drive and 2-Mile Bridge. These bands included two other members of Whiskey Confessions Band – Charles Sharpe and Billy Jack Richardson.

Clanton went on to play with such bands as The Great Divide, Cross Canadian Ragweed and Jason Boland and the Stragglers. But he always stayed close with Sharpe and Richardson. All were excited when they finally reunited in Whiskey Confessions Band a few months ago.

Clanton, who now resides in Alba with his family, said he’s happy with the direction in which Whiskey Confessions is going. He can’t wait to see what the future holds.

“We’re gonna take this as far as we can,” he said. “After all, we ain’t getting any younger.”

At the age of 14, Billy Jack Richardson said he picked up a guitar for the first time – and he’s never looked back. While he’s played in many bands over the years, he’s never been far from the friends with whom he played in his first band, Private Drive.

Charles Sharpe and Les Paul Clanton, who form the rhythm section of Whiskey Confessions Band, have played with Richardson in different bands over the years. They were recently brought together again when Clanton was invited to fill in on bass for Whiskey Confessions, and Richardson sat in on the rehearsal. One thing lead to another, and soon, Richardson found himself playing rhythm guitar with his old bandmates again.

Richardson, who resides in the Tawakoni area, said he’s enthusiastic about the many opportunities coming for Whiskey Confessions. He looks forward to playing with his friends, both old and new.

By day, he works in insurance. At night, he’s a drummer. Charles Sharpe, a Wichita, Kansas native, got his start playing with his friends Billy Jack Richardson and Les Paul Clanton in 80s rock cover band Private Drive. He then moved on to Kill Creek, a Kansas-based rock band. At one time, Kill Creek was signed to Mammoth Records, one of the leading independent record labels of the 1990s. But it didn’t work out as planned, Sharpe said.

“I learned a lot about the music industry,” Sharpe said. “Talent and hard work doesn’t matter most times, it’s all about what makes the most money. It’s cutthroat.”

Sharpe, who is nicknamed “C Sharp” after the music term, moved to Canton, Texas in 2000 after his time with Kill Creek came to an end. He played with both country and rock bands, and found his newest position with Whiskey Confessions Band through his old friends, Billy Jack Richardson and Les Paul Clanton.

“When you get a bunch of good friends together to play music, it’s a blast,” he said. “I love it.”

Throughout the many changes in the lineup of Whiskey Confessions, Don Woods has been the driving force behind the band. He’s been a singer since childhood, and his passion for music ignited in full when he became an adult.

His sister became involved in karaoke competitions. When she invited him to join her, he said he “found that kid I lost.” After that, he participated in several singing competitions, including America’s Got Talent, The Voice, and the Colgate Country Showdown. He even performed at the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, when country greats Moe Bandy and Mickey Gilley were inducted.

After he performed at the Hall of Fame, he encountered someone he didn’t expect to meet at the concession stand.

“This older man was standing next to me,” Woods, a Quitman resident of nine years, said. “And I didn’t really recognize him, but he looked like somebody. He said to me, “With a voice like that, someone’s gonna pick you up. Believe me.” And later on, when he got up on stage and was introduced, I couldn’t believe it. It was George Hamilton IV. If a guy like that tells me to keep doing what I’m doing, that’s what I’m gonna do.”

That’s exactly what Woods has done. Ever since he formed Whiskey Confessions Band six years ago, Woods has been the lead vocalist. He’s worked to land gigs, gain a number of sponsors and increase their fan base. And now, that effort has paid off.

“It seems like everywhere we book, it’s just getting bigger and bigger,” Woods said. “We even have our own tour bus now. From here on, we’re going to keep moving up.”