What could account executives for a technology company and a pharmaceutical firm, a voice coach, a
man in finance, the owner of a company focusing on large cranes, and a music school owner possibly
have in common? While they are talented musicians in their own right, together, they are Black River
Revival, a Cypress based band that had its beginnings in the Bridgeland community. Brent McKay and
Shane Cormier, Bridgeland residents and founding members, together with Cypress residents Adam
Doxey, aka “Doxey,” Molly Camacho, David Tice, and Brandon Haywood are bringing “Texas Blues and
Roots Rock” to Bridgeland and the Cypress area.
“Shane and I were originally in a local Bridgeland-based band that I formed almost two years ago. We
played local gigs in Bridgeland, but eventually disbanded. Shane and I kept playing and putting together
a solid set list of songs we enjoyed and in which we shared an interest. As a former adult student at
School of Rock, I had known Doxey for some time, and Molly and I were working on vocals. We got
together to jam; we liked what we had and decided to pursue a full band. Brandon and I met via a local
musician’s Facebook group. He was good friends and past bandmates with David, so they both joined
and Black River Revival was complete,” recalls Brent, spokesperson for the group.
“Choosing a band name is one of the hardest things to agree on collectively,” comments McKay. “It is
your identity. Shane and I came up with the name as we discussed putting a new band together. Black
River Revival is multi-defined; what’s key is that we are a Bridgeland born-and-raised band. We are
surrounded by brackish, or black water. This new band was a rebirth and a revival of a dream.”
“Black River Revival is a diversity of musical tastes and influences which allows for some really creative
music, both in the songs that we cover from other artists and the original music that we are working
on,” explains Brent. “Bands are a tricky thing. You can often tell whether a band is going to play well
together during the first song you ever play together. The way everyone fits, both musically and
personally, is really key and we are really blessed to have a great fit.”
BRR band members play key roles and multiple instruments: Brent- Rhythm and Lead Guitar and Lead
Vocals; Shane Cormier- Rhythm and Lead Guitar; Doxey- Keyboards, Lead/Rhythm Guitar, and Backing
Vocals; Molly- Backing/Lead Vocals, Keyboards, and Hand Percussion; David Tice- Bass Guitar and
Backing Vocals, and Brandon Haywood- Drums. Shane views music as therapy, as it has been essential
throughout his life. He considers himself “the rock guy.” Doxey enjoys “dissecting pieces of music by
ear,” while for Molly, “Music, especially voice,” has been her lifelong passion. Brent attributes his
greatest playing influences to “blues artist Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton and John Mayer.”
“We play both cover music, written/recorded by someone else, and original music. Generally, I would
define the band as Texas Blues and Roots Rock. The genre is really versatile and is a good counter to
most of today’s overly produced pop music. Any music that brings joy is a great thing, but more and
more, popular music is moving away from instrument driven rock, so we are doing our part to keep that
alive,” asserts McKay. Shane and Brent develop a set list of songs with input from the band, taking into
consideration “tempo, popularity, fit with their sound and genre. We continue to work on our original
music with a goal of having a good ratio of originals to covers. We openly take our own artistic
interpretation of covers to make them fit our identity and sound.” Some of the band favorites include:
“Hey Joe,” (Jimi Hendrix), “Hoochie Coochie Man,” (Black Stone Cherry), “Call Me The Breeze,” (Lynyrd
Skynyrd), and, “Blue on Black” (Kenny Wayne Shepherd).
“We are truly a Bridgeland-based band and we rehearse at my house in The Cove every week, with
weekday late night rehearsals at the School of Rock Cypress, but it’s easier with our own sound
equipment already set up at my house. I have a really cool wife and kids who support us and,
importantly, really cool neighbors who are WAY too kind with our noise levels. We play loudly, but the
levels are not too bad outside of the house. Inside, all our amps go to 11; Rock music is meant to be
loud!” reminds McKay.
“Local music festivals and the growing number of local establishments in the Cypress area all provide
good avenues for playing gigs,” comments Brent. “They are a good fit for Black River Revival, as we all
have professional day jobs.” What is the band’s dream gig? “Woodlands, Conroe and Katy are hosting
day-long music festivals with great local and national music acts,” says Brent. “I’m hoping in the near
future that we can host a Bridgeland Music Festival.” Doxey agrees. “I really want to make
Bridgeland/Cypress thrive in the live-music community.” Shane, Brandon, and David have loftier ideas
for dream gigs. Shane would love to play the Hollywood Bowl in LA. Brandon fantasizes about sitting in
on the drums at a Foo Fighters concert, and David just wants to jam with Cream and Billy Gibbons of ZZ
Top, open mic style.
Brent is a major account executive for Riverbed Technology. He and his wife Mindy are the parents of
three children. Shane is an account executive for Novabay Pharmaceuticals. Shane and wife Amy have
three children. David is the owner of Tice Mechanical. He is married to Jacki, and they have a daughter.
Doxey is the co-owner and Music Director of School of Rock- Cypress. His long-time partner, Molly, is a
private voice coach, and vocal instructor at School of Rock- The Woodlands. Brandon is in finance and
accounting with Newfield Exploration. He is married to Sarah; they have two daughters.
Follow on Facebook: Black River Revival
COVER PHOTO CREDIT: Amy Cormier
PHOTO ID: Front Row L to R: Adam Doxey, Molly Camacho, Brent McKay
Back Row L to R: Shane Cormier, David Tice, Brandon Haywood
Performance Photos taken at Bridgeland Cars & Que
