Texas 281 was formed sometime during March or April 2004 after several "back porch" guitar sessions involving Jim Whitsitt (vocals, lead & rhythm guitar) and Garry Little (lead & rhythm guitar). Rick Smith (steel & electric guitar), a high school classmate of Jim’s, became involved soon after when the possibility of forming a "real band" to play a few gigs in and around Jacksboro and the surrounding counties was discussed. Rick and Garry mentioned that David Inman (vocals, lead & rhythm guitar) was interested in jamming with the group as well as Carlos Espinoza (bass) and Jerry Salazar (drums). The final piece of the puzzle was completed with the addition of Rusty Rayborn (vocals & rhythm guitar). Rusty brought not only some great vocals and an additional rhythm guitar, but added possibly the most important phase of Texas 281's incubation process, that being the addition of a real songwriter. Rusty has written several of the songs now in the song rotation for the band. David and Jim have also written some songs which are in the current playlist. Soon after playing their first public performance, Carlos indicated that he wouldn’t be able to sacrifice the time needed to turn the project into a real live working band and was replaced by Christal Workman on bass. After working with this lineup for about a year, Garry became involved with a drilling company that keeps him on the road most of the time and he doesn’t have the time to dedicate to performing. Rusty and Christal also found they had other commitments they needed to fulfill and left the band in August of 2005. Texas 281 had always been guitar rich and we put the bug in Rick’s ear to pursue the steel guitar. The addition of the steel really rounded out the country sound we were searching for. Rick has been playing it for a few months now and is continuing to improve daily. We were fortunate to pick up Jimmy Hilliard, vocalist and bass player, after Christal left. Jim met Jimmy in November of 1977 and they have been constant companions all of these years. Jimmy has been performing around the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex for more than 30 years and brings with him the classic “old-school” country and western flavor. After a brief four month stint with Rough Creek Posse, Rusty decided to return to Texas 281. This will allow us to revive the 3 and 4 part harmony that really gave Texas 281 the sound we wanted to be able to provide for our fans and listeners. During the summer of 2006, Jimmy became involved in a new business that took up all of his time and he departed to play with his old buddies in the Ft. Worth circuit.  We were lucky to pick up Luke Bodey to play bass.  Luke had played with 281 a few times when Rusty was with Rough Creek, so he migrated into the band without any problems.  This is our current lineup.