TJ - You shouldn't have to go clear to TN to find some red shiners. Most central states in the US have them. Study their spawning requirements before actually acquiring some.
See maps
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_shinerhttp://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=518See this info from the link where Charles says:
" They are very abundant in this area as I live in central Nebraska, and they are the most common fish in the Platte river."
http://www.fishpondinfo.com/shiner.htmYou may be surprised at what you catch with a minnow seine used in the Platte River and probably all of its good sized tributaries.
You never were successful contacting these people noted above who list them for 0.25 each?
http://www.fintexasfishfarm.com/Pricing.html