April 30th, 2012 TxMusicFan
Had a few technical issues over the last few months. Those are now resolved and I am back to being able to update this site again. Thank you all for your patience! It’s almost summertime, which means LOTS of great live music and dancing.. get out and get you some!
Here’s the schedule for May so far…
Monday, April 30th:
Cheatham Street Warehouse: Rich O’Toole
Giddy Ups: Maarmadillo Monday with Mark Allan Atwood
Gruene Hall: Patterson Barrett & Julieann Banks
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle
Poodie’s Hilltop: Tris & Tess Happy Hour, Texas Songwriters Showcase with WC Jameson and George Ensle
The Broken Spoke: Chaparral with Jeff Hughes
Tuesday, May 1st:
Online Shows:
Songwriters Showcase: Ghosts Along the Brazos. Broadcast on RadioFreeTexas.Org at 8pm Central
Live Shows:
Billy’s Icehouse: RFT Songwriters Showcase followed by the Reed-Roloff Show
Gruene Hall: Will Sexton & Friends
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Bill Lewis Picker Circle
River City Grille: Mike Blakely and Ken Gaines
The Broken Spoke: Jesse Dayton
Wednesday, May 2nd:
Online Shows:
KVET Austin: Texas Free Music Series (8pm) Bleu Edmondson
Live Shows:
Billy’s Icehouse: Bike Night with 3 Man Front
Cheatham Street Warehouse: Kent Finlay’s Songwriters Circle
Giddy Ups: Open Mic Night
Gruene Hall: The Georges
Hondo’s on Main: Hondo’s Songwriters Showcase – Thomas Michael Riley with Brigitte London
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Dale Mayfield Picker Circle
Poodie’s Hilltop: No Bad Days Open Mic with Mark Allan Atwood
Nutty Brown Cafe: The Thieving Birds, Bleu Edmondson
Riley’s Tavern: Tyler Cannon
River City Grille: Treaty Oak Bank Acoustic Night with john Arthur martinez
Thursday, May 3rd:
Badu House: Texas Music Thursdays with Mike Blakely and WC Jameson
Billy’s Icehouse: Zach Brants Band (Shiner Rising Star)
Blaine’s Pub: Aaron Kothmann
Cheatham Street Warehouse: Clay McClinton
Gruene Hall: Walt Wilkins & The Mystiqueros
Hondo’s on Main: Coke Hendry
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Richard Vidmer Picker Circle
The Ausländer Biergarten: Casey Hubble
Friday, May 4th:
Angel’s IceHouse: The Fabulous Chevelles
Billy’s Icehouse: Jamie Talbert and The Band of Demons
Blaine’s Pub: Zach Edwards Band
Coupland Dance Hall: Jason Allen
Crossroads Saloon: Del Castillo
Floore’s Country Store: Randy Rogers Band
Gruene Hall: Kevn Kinney, Todd Snider (CD Release)
Hondo’s on Main: Almost Patsy Cline Band
Luckenbach: Hill Country Run Bike Rally with Jimmy Lee Jones Band, The Flashbacks
Midnight Rodeo, Austin: Curtis &, Luckey
Midnight Rodeo, San Angelo: Kevin Fowler
Nutty Brown Cafe: 6′s & 8′s
Riley’s Tavern: Ben Morris & The Great American Boxcar Chorus
River Road Ice House: Cooper Wade
Tavern in the Gruene: 3 Man Front
The Ausländer Biergarten: John Gaar &, Mike Cross
Saturday, May 5th:
Albert Dance Hall: Hill Country Run Motorcycle Ride (Brett McCormick), Lisa and Greg – Touch of Gold
Angel’s IceHouse: Buddy Lee
Antone’s Nightclub: Vallejo with Treetop Sailors, Candiland
Badu House: Mike Blakely Y Los Yahoos
Billy’s Icehouse: Chad Johnson and Down 1450
Blaine’s Pub: Six Market Blvd
Floore’s Country Store: Cedarsqueezers
Gruene Hall: Sol Patch, Kevn Kinney, Todd Snider (CD Release)
Hondo’s on Main: Donnie Price and Friends
Luckenbach: Hill Country Run Bike Rally with Clay McClinton, Cheap Sunglasses
Nutty Brown Cafe: Alpha Rev
Poodie’s Hilltop: No Bad Days Bike Run, Wink Keziah
Riley’s Tavern: Rods at Rileys, Scott Biram
River Road Ice House: Retro FX
Swiss Alp Dance Hall: The Billy Holt Band (Former members of Lost Wolf)
Tavern in the Gruene: Annual Crawfish Boil with Backwater Blvd, Zack Walther, Empty Handed Vagabonds
The Ausländer Biergarten: Jim Keaveny & Murray Faulkenau
Uptown Marble Theater: John McEuen & Sons
Sunday, May 6th:
Antone’s Nightclub: The Derailers
Cheatham Street Warehouse: Whistle & Fish
Floore’s Country Store: Family Night and Free Dance with Drugstore Cowboys
Gruene Hall: Bob Livingston
Hondo’s on Main: Hondo’s Gospel Sunday, Michael Ballew
Luckenbach: Ed Jurdi & Gordy Quist, Cowboy Doug Davis Picker Circle
Nutty Brown Cafe: Live Jazz Brunch
Poodie’s Hilltop: Tessy Lou & The Shotgun Stars
Monday, May 7th:
Giddy Ups: Maarmadillo Monday with Mark Allan Atwood
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Sol Patch Picker Circle
Tuesday, May 8th:
Online Shows:
Songwriters Showcase: Betty Soo. Broadcast on RadioFreeTexas.Org at 8pm Central
Live Shows:
Billy’s Icehouse: Betty Soo, Austin Gilliam
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Bill Lewis Picker Circle
Riley’s Tavern: Mark Sebby and Friends
River City Grille: Mike Blakely and Owen Temple
Tavern in the Gruene: KNBT Roots and Branches of Americana live Radio Show, The Blooms
Wednesday, May 9th:
Online Shows:
KVET Austin: Texas Free Music Series (8pm) Turnpike Troubadors
Live Shows:
Billy’s Icehouse: Bike Night with WeakDayBoyz
Cheatham Street Warehouse: Kent Finlay’s Songwriters Circle
Giddy Ups: Open Mic Night
Gruene Hall: Ed Jurdi & Gordy Quist
Hondo’s on Main: Hondo’s Songwriters Showcase – Thomas Michael Riley with Tom McElvain
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Dale Mayfield Picker Circle
Nutty Brown Cafe: Corb Lund, Turnpike Troubadors
Poodie’s Hilltop: No Bad Days Open Mic with BB Morse
Riley’s Tavern: Mike Ethan Messick and Friends
River City Grille: Treaty Oak Bank Acoustic Night with john Arthur martinez
Thursday, May 10th:
Antone’s Nightclub: Bob Schneider and Mitch Watkins
Badu House: Texas Music Thursdays with Mike Blakely and WC Jameson
Billy’s Icehouse: William Clark Green
Blaine’s Pub: Mo Robson
Gruene Hall: Hot Club of Cowtown
Hondo’s on Main: Philip Gibbs
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Richard Vidmer Picker Circle
Riley’s Tavern: Mark Monaco Band
Tavern in the Gruene: Dave Jorgenson
The Ausländer Biergarten: Casey Hubble
Friday, May 11th:
Albert Dance Hall: Gary Berg
Angel’s IceHouse: Jo Hell and The Red ROosters
Badu House: Susan Herndon
Billy’s Icehouse: The Washers
Blaine’s Pub: Taylor Hodak Band
Floore’s Country Store: James McMurtry plus Lincoln Durham
Gruene Hall: Corb Lund, Turnpike Troubadors (CD Release)
Hondo’s on Main: Drugstore Cowboys
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Brigitte London, Friday Night Dance with the Almost Patsy Cline Band
Midnight Rodeo, Austin: Cody Johnson
Midnight Rodeo, San Angelo: Curtis & Luckey
Nutty Brown Cafe: Rocket Brothers Band
Riley’s Tavern: Peewee Moore
Tavern in the Gruene: Dave Jorgenson
The Ausländer Biergarten: Slim Bawb
Saturday, May 12th:
Albert Dance Hall: 2nd Annual Pointless No Rules Chili Cookoff (Brett McCormick), Evening Dance with COdy Rowe
Antone’s Nightclub: Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Angel’s IceHouse: Footmen
Billy’s Icehouse: Midnight River Choir
Blaine’s Pub: Adam Hood
Coupland Dance Hall: Kenny Orts
Floore’s Country Store: Dirty River Boys
Gruene Hall: Bill Hearne Trio, Kimberly Kelly, Radney Foster
Hondo’s on Main: Debbi Walton Band
Luckenbach: Shurman, Miles Zuniga with Lonnie Trevino
Nutty Brown Cafe: Carolyn Wonderland
Poodie’s Hilltop: Tejas Brothers
Riley’s Tavern: Billy Dee
Swiss Alp Dance Hall: The Tim Hall Band
Tavern in the Gruene: The Possum Posse
The Ausländer Biergarten: Courtney Reed Band
Sunday, May 13th:
Billy’s Icehouse: Adam Hood
Cheatham Street Warehouse: Ash Family
Floore’s Country Store: Family Night and Free Dance with Jimmy Cribb
Gruene Hall: Mother’s Day Gospel Brunch with a Texas Twist, Bret Graham, Susan Gibson
Hondo’s on Main: Hondo’s Gospel Sunday, Jake Martin
Luckenbach: Sunday Songs with Brian Keane, William Clark Green and Rob Baird, Cowboy Doug Davis Picker Circle
Nutty Brown Cafe: Live Jazz Brunch
Poodie’s Hilltop: Tessy Lou & The Shotgun Stars
Sengelmann Hall: The Tim Hall Band
Tavern in the Gruene: Empty Handed Vagabonds
Monday, May 14th:
Billy’s Icehouse: Roadside Libby
Giddy Ups: Maarmadillo Monday with Mark Allan Atwood
Gruene Hall: Jordan Minor
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Sol Patch Picker Circle
Tavern in the Gruene: Court Nance and Friends
Tuesday, May 15th:
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Bill Lewis Picker Circle
Riley’s Tavern: Steven Roloff
River City Grille: Mike Blakely and Nathan Hamilton
Tavern in the Gruene: KNBT Roots and Branches of Americana live Radio Show, The Blooms
Wednesday, May 16th:
Online Shows:
KVET Austin: Texas Free Music Series (8pm) Rick Trevino
Live Shows:
Cheatham Street Warehouse: Kent Finlay’s Songwriters Circle
Giddy Ups: Open Mic Night
Gruene Hall: The Georges
Hondo’s on Main: Hondo’s Songwriters Showcase – Thomas Michael Riley with Chris Wall
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Dale Mayfield Picker Circle
Nutty Brown Cafe: Jason Cassidy, Rick Trevino
Poodie’s Hilltop: No Bad Days Open Mic with Andrea Marie
Riley’s Tavern: TJM Music Songwriter Series
River City Grille: Treaty Oak Bank Acoustic Night with john Arthur martinez
Thursday, May 17th:
Badu House: Texas Music Thursdays with Mike Blakely and WC Jameson
Billy’s Icehouse: Jackson & Co.
Blaine’s Pub: Drew Kennedy
Hondo’s on Main: Cowboy Doug Davis
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Richard Vidmer Picker Circle
Riley’s Tavern: Beverly Hensley
River City Grille: Thirsty Third Thursday with Thomas Michael Riley
The Ausländer Biergarten: Casey Hubble
Friday, May 18th:
Angel’s IceHouse: Pauline Reese
Antone’s Nightclub: NRBQ
Badu House: Courtney Reed
Billy’s Icehouse: Rich O’Toole, Blue Broussard Band
Blaine’s Pub: Mike Ryan
Cheatham Street Warehouse: Forest Wayne Allen, David Fenley
Coupland Dance Hall: Michael Myers
Crossroads Saloon: Hector Ward and the Big Time
Floore’s Country Store: Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit plus Mary Gauthier
Gruene Hall: Jerry Jeff Walker
Hondo’s on Main: Loyd Bonham Band
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Brigitte London, Friday Night Dance with Kick-A-Boot Band
Midnight Rodeo, Austin: Granger Smith
Midnight Rodeo, San Angelo: Cody Johnson with John Slaughter
Nutty Brown Cafe: LC Rocks
Riley’s Tavern: Mike Stinson
Saturday, May 19th:
Albert Dance Hall: Lisa and Greg – Touch of Gold, Billy Garza
Angel’s IceHouse: Highland Lakes SPCA Benefit
Billy’s Icehouse: Mike Ryan
Blaine’s Pub: Jason Eady
Coupland Dance Hall: The Bellamy Brothers with David Glenn
Crossroads Saloon: Wall Street
Floore’s Country Store: Josh Abbott Band plus Ryan Beaver
Gruene Hall: Earl Poole Ball, Jerry Jeff Walker
Hondo’s on Main: The Dust Devils
Luckenbach: Lone Star Music Day with Dustin Welch and Javi Garcia, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
Riley’s Tavern: John Hogan String Band
River Road Ice House: Mark Chestnutt & Jason Allen
Swiss Alp Dance Hall: Southern Express Band
The Ausländer Biergarten: Drew Kennedy
Uptown Marble Theater: Marshall Ford Swing Band featuring Emily Gimble
Sunday, May 20th:
Antone’s Nightclub: Derailers
Floore’s Country Store: Family Night and Free Dance
Gruene Hall: 16th Annual KNBT 92.1FM Americana Music Jam
Hondo’s on Main: Hondo’s Gospel Sunday, George Ensle
Luckenbach: Thomas Michael Riley, Cowboy Doug Davis Picker Circle
Nutty Brown Cafe: Live Jazz Brunch
Poodie’s Hilltop: Tessy Lou & The Shotgun Stars
Riley’s Tavern: King Pelican, JWW & The Prospectors
Tavern in the Gruene: Empty Handed Vagabonds
Monday, May 21st:
Billy’s Icehouse: Cinnamon House
Giddy Ups: Maarmadillo Monday with Mark Allan Atwood
Gruene Hall: Slim Bawb
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Sol Patch Picker Circle
Tuesday, May 22nd:
Online Shows:
Songwriters Showcase: Tommy Alverson. Broadcast on RadioFreeTexas.Org at 8pm Central
Live Shows:
Billy’s Icehouse: Tommy Alverson, Austin Gilliam
Gruene Hall: Noel McKay, Brennen Leigh & Hollin McKay
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Bill Lewis Picker Circle
River City Grille: Mike Blakely and Michael Fracasso
Tavern in the Gruene: KNBT Roots and Branches of Americana live Radio Show, The Blooms
Wednesday, May 23rd:
Online Shows:
KVET Austin: Texas Free Music Series (8pm) Cory Morrow
Live Shows:
Billy’s Icehouse: Six Market Blvd.
Cheatham Street Warehouse: Kent Finlay’s Songwriters Circle
Giddy Ups: Open Mic Night
Gruene Hall: Ed Jurdy & Gordy Quist
Hondo’s on Main: Hondo’s Songwriters Showcase – Kevin Higgins plus special guest
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Dale Mayfield Picker Circle
Nutty Brown Cafe: Cory Morrow
Poodie’s Hilltop: No Bad Days Open Mic with BB Morse
Riley’s Tavern: Eric Hisaw
River City Grille: Treaty Oak Bank Acoustic Night with john Arthur martinez
Thursday, May 24th:
Badu House: Texas Music Thursdays with Mike Blakely and WC Jameson
Gruene Hall: Bo Porter
Hondo’s on Main: Cam King
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Richard Vidmer Picker Circle
Riley’s Tavern: 800 Mile Monday
Tavern in the Gruene: Dave Jorgenson
The Ausländer Biergarten: Casey Hubble
Friday, May 25th:
Angel’s IceHouse: Aaron Einhouse
Antone’s Nightclub: The Scabs
Billy’s Icehouse: Empty-Handed Vagabonds
Crossroads Saloon: Zen Road Pilots
Floore’s Country Store: Texas 2Step for Lainy’s Footsteps with Blue Town & Bootleggers
Gruene Hall: Bri Bagwell, Max Stalling
Hondo’s on Main: Bo Porter
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Brigitte London, Friday Night Dance with Rosie Flores
Nutty Brown Cafe: Eggmen
Poodie’s Hilltop: Omar & The Howlers
Riley’s Tavern: Dragstrip 77 with Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers
River Road Ice House: Rob Baird, Slow Rollin’ Lows
Tavern in the Gruene: Charlie Hager and the Captain Legendary Band
The Ausländer Biergarten: Shawn Nelson
Saturday, May 26th:
Angel’s IceHouse: Shawn Nelson
Antone’s Nightclub: Jimmie Vaughn
Badu House: Bluegrass Jam
Gruene Hall: Flat Top Jones, Eleven Hundred Springs, Jesse Dayton
Hondo’s on Main: Thomas Michael Riley
Luckenbach: Luckenbach Birthday Party with Jamie Richards Band, Micky & the Motorcars, Jason Eady
Poodie’s Hilltop: Debbi Walton
Riley’s Tavern: Birthday Bash for Mark Allan Atwood
River Road Ice House: Roger Creager, Folk Family Revival
Swiss Alp Dance Hall: Texas Dream Band
Tavern in the Gruene: Buster Jiggs
The Ausländer Biergarten: Captain Legendary Band
Sunday, May 27th:
Floore’s Country Store: Family Night and Free Dance with the Wilburn Brothers
Gruene Hall: The Hot Texas Swing Band, Aaron Einhouse, Gary P Nunn
Hondo’s on Main: Hondo’s Gospel Sunday, Eric Hanke Band
Luckenbach: The Gourds Ice Cream Social, Cowboy Doug Davis Picker Circle, Bob Schneider’s Texas Bluegrass Massacre with blacktopGYPSY
Nutty Brown Cafe: Live Jazz Brunch
Poodie’s Hilltop: Tessy Lou & The Shotgun Stars
River Road Ice House: Pat Green, Jason Boland & The Stragglers
Tavern in the Gruene: Empty Handed Vagabonds
Monday, May 28th:
Giddy Ups: Maarmadillo Monday with Mark Allan Atwood
Gruene Hall: Paula Nelson Band, Tom Gillam Band
Luckenbach: Chris Berardo & the Desberardos, Sol Patch Picker Circle
Tavern in the Gruene: Court Nance and Friends
Tuesday, May 29th:
Billy’s Icehouse: Neil Austin Imber
Gruene Hall: Two Ton Tuesday
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Bill Lewis Picker Circle
Riley’s Tavern: Kris Smith
River City Grille: Mike Blakely and Johnny Nicholas
Tavern in the Gruene: KNBT Roots and Branches of Americana live Radio Show, The Blooms
Wednesday, May 30th:
Billy’s Icehouse: Chubby Knuckle Choir
Cheatham Street Warehouse: Kent Finlay’s Songwriters Circle
Giddy Ups: Open Mic Night
Gruene Hall: The Georges
Hondo’s on Main: Hondo’s Songwriters Showcase – Kevin Higgins plus special guest
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Dale Mayfield Picker Circle
Poodie’s Hilltop: No Bad Days Open Mic
River City Grille: Treaty Oak Bank Acoustic Night with john Arthur martinez
Thursday, May 31st:
Badu House: Texas Music Thursdays with Mike Blakely and WC Jameson
Gruene Hall: Zane Williams
Hondo’s on Main: McKay Brothers
Luckenbach: Jimmy Lee Jones Picker Circle, Richard Vidmer Picker Circle
Midnight Rodeo, Austin: Texas Unlimited Band
Riley’s Tavern: Brigitte London
The Ausländer Biergarten: Casey Hubble
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December 7th, 2010 TxMusicFan
Sunday the 5th, I decided I needed to make the hour-long drive to Liberty Hill to catch Awarding the Academy, a fund raising benefit for the Academy of Texas Music. It was a pure mindblowing experience from start to end for me.
First off, Sendero Event Center is a gorgeous venue, easy to find, lots of parking, spotless, and HUGE. If you easily want to have an event with 500-ish people, this is a great place.
The music was totally incredible. Shake Russell Trio was classic, Art and Lisa were great. Dewey Wayne and his band with Big John Mills never ever fails to delight. I had seen Jessica Shepherd in a song swap, but she is nothing short of show-stopping fantastic with her band. I didn’t even stay for the last band — I was on music overload by then.
When I found out that all of the musicians donated their time to be there.. to drive.. to perform.. I was stunned. And the harsh part? Hardly anybody else did. I was one of the few non-band-related people in the audience, and I wanted to cry. About 3 hours into they day, the prices on the tickets were dropped to $10, and still nobody came in. At one point, we had Dewey Wayne, Big John Mills and Lucky Boyd all on one stage! Had it not been for listening to Texas music over the Internet, I would have never known who these people were. I would have never considered driving for that hour to be so richly serenaded. I would have missed out on one of those true rare events of a lifetime. Dillon, you and your crew put on a great great show. I only wish more fans had decided to join us.
One thing I learned yesterday was just how much the Academy does for Texas. They don’t just do the TMAs every year — they work all year long for Texas music and musicians. A kid needs an instrument — the Academy helps match that kid up with the needed instrument. A musician needs help paying medical bills – the Academy helps. There are so many things they do, and they are a properly sanctioned charity, just like the American Cancer Society and Red Cross, except… your money stays in Texas and benefits Texans.
So, I have a huge two-part challenge for all of you. First, to the musicians. If you are even halfway serious about your music, are you a member? Why not? You don’t have to have a CD out to be a member, just be a performer. There are some cool perks to it. Best of all is the networking with other professionals. Want to know how to get your music to a wider audience? Just ask! What do you have to lose? Oh, membership is only $35 for the first year and $15 renewal. Oh, plus.. your CDs can be sold at MyTexasMusic.Com, both by the disc or track. Yes, if you have a CD out, you WANT to be a member so that your fans can nominate you and vote for you to win a TMA. You want to be a member so that the other Academy members get to hear your work and rave about how great you are. I would love to see every artist who visits or I list be a member.. seriously.
And for you avid music-loving fans… how many of you consider yourselves to be true fans of Texas music? Did you know that YOU can join the academy? Yep. The only skill needed is desire. You get pretty much the same benefits as the performers as far as discounts on tickets and voting but you just don’t get awards. I about died laughing when I was told I would have to listen to all the nominees. Such torture!! I joined yesterday, and believe me, I will be listening very close. I will make it a point to hear as many nominees live as possible, and not just their song clips. For us non-performers, it is a whole $30 per year. It really feels great. I put my money where my mouth is. I joined the Academy. How about you? If you want to wait until after Christmas, that is cool too. Just keep this worthy charity in mind. Remember, it helps keep our dollars in Texas and it helps our communities in so very many ways. Explore the Academy website, and tell me what you think…. (Just click on my shiny new logo that I wear so proudly now in the right side bar!)
Can we get 10 Fans and 10 Performers to join? I think we can, hands down.
Posted in Odds and Ends | Comments Off
September 15th, 2010 TxMusicFan
Here is yet another case of a musician having their gear stolen, and frankly it makes a good number of us quite ill. The latest victim is Nate Runkel, brand new to Texas, on his first night in Austin. He just got here from Iowa, just auditioned for a band, just moved into his new apartment. Apparently, he didn’t get his car unloaded fast enough. Someone stole the car along with all his gear.
Click on the image for a larger view. Nate’s bass is rare, and numbered. 1989 Rickenbacker 4003S “Blackstar” – #120 of 200 made for that year. It’s all black as shown in the picture, except the actual one has a chrome pickup cover over the bridge (bottom) pickup. Also stolen was a Line 6 LD300 combo amp.
If you have any news on this theft, please report it to your local law enforcement immediately. You don’t want any of Nate’s fellow musicians to find out about it first.
***********
Update — Nate’s guitar was found… on an auction site in Mexico. He will never get it back, though he tried. Don’t let your favorite musicians lose their tools. Keep your eyes open!
Posted in Odds and Ends | Comments Off
August 22nd, 2010 TxMusicFan
First off, I have to admit I love this band. I got to hear them live last fall and I seriously lost 40 years in the process. I was again a teenager at Jimi Hendrix’s concert back in Los Angeles. I kept hearing rumors of a CD in the works but never found anything else about it until today…..
Robert Johnson’s Soul has FINALLY released its CD, simply called “Robert Johnson’s Soul”, and it is another treat worth having on your CD shelf but only if you like your Texas Rock with a solid, driving blues edge. Robert Johnson is an incredible guitar player, reminding me of a blend of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn energized by raw Texas soul. His band is no slouch either featuring the solid drumming skills of Andre Avelar and the bass heartbeat of Dwight Davis. The music is throbbing, edgy, yet melodic and highly listenable. “Staring at the Sun” is downright beautiful and haunting and followed by the gut-wrenching blues of “Weight of the Lies”. My favorites so far are “Drop the Hammer” and “I Hear You Creepin’”.
This isn’t cover band stuff here — this is real, genuine, home-grown Texas Outlaw Blues at its very best. CD Baby has this in stock now — you can download individual tracks, or get the whole CD. Whatever you do, don’t miss this one!!
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May 9th, 2010 TxMusicFan
Live music shows out in the Hill Country are far more personal and intimate than any other city I have been in. When you go to most concerts, you are ushered into an auditorium and an assigned seat. The performers have a set list of songs that include their some of their latest releases plus all of their hits. They are so much like McDonald’s it is sad — the same from town to town and venue to venue. You never meet the musicians. They rush on the stage and off, surrounded by security and bodyguards. It is very cold and impersonal, even though you are sharing memories.
Here in Texas, things are very different. For one, we have a lot of tiny venues that might only hold 200 or so people. Our performers often know the names of every person in the room. They are our talented friends who really do care if we like their songs. Their CDs are not in every store in town, but you can almost always buy them autographed from the musicians themselves. A lot of our singer/songwriters perform in bands, yes, but they also do acoustic shows and song swaps without their full bands.
Singers with full bands can hide a lot behind their fellow musicians. They have each other to banter with, and more noise to fill the voids. A lot of our Texas songwriters do solo acoustic shows. These are very much like the old Unplugged series on MTV, where it is just the performer and his (or her) acoustic instruments. Not all songwriters are great at the patter or stories, and not all are great singers. These shows are always a delight because you never really know what to expect. For great examples, I can strongly suggest you tune into the Songwriters Showcase every Tuesday at Radio Free Texas. This live show is broadcast from a great steakhouse, and gives a solid hour of acoustic performances, often solo.
Several of the singer/songwriters also host open mikes. These should really need no introduction to most. I always consider it to be karaoke on steroids, as the brave souls who sign up to perform don’t have any machines to hide their stagefright behind. These gems can feature everyone from the drunk who thinks he can sing to very polished and nationally recorded performers who are testing out new material. Again, these are very personal and unique nights and always memorable. My favorite is the No Bad Wednesdays at Poodie’s. It’s close enough to Austin to draw a good crowd, and yet intimate enough for the novices to feel at home. I have heard some truly awesome performers here, ones I would pay to see. Runner up is the Open Mike with Mark at Spoke’s. A bit more homey and in a non-smoking environment, it is remote enough that most of the Austin crowd hasn’t found it yet. Gems include the 11 year old Anna McMillan with her Les Paul and Allen Wallace of the Southern Comfort Band. Recent guests have included john Arthur martinez playing newly finished songs. Sadly, Spoke’s closed at the end of June. Perhaps one day it will re-open?
One variation on the solo artist is the song swap. The Texamericana Series at the River City Grille in Burnet is a hybrid, starting off with a song swap between Johnny Greenberg of the Mystiqueros and Mike Blakely. They have a special guest every week that does a solo acoustic performance. Song swaps are just what name implies — each musician in the swap does a song. Sometimes they will harmonize with each other, or help each other out. It’s always interesting to see how the chemistry between the performers works out. Many of the singer/songwriters in this area know and respect each other, so the banter can really get flowing.
One of the best things about these shows is that they are free. The performers do appreciate the tips, but… there is never a cover charge for these evenings of spontaneous music. Catch one if you can, I do guarantee you will not be disappointed!
Posted in Odds and Ends | Comments Off
April 5th, 2010 TxMusicFan
The Lost Immigrants are a very popular band out in the Texas Hill Country where they spin their tales of life among the softly rolling hills and beautiful countryside. The music is fun and twangy, memorable and bouncy. This is the kind of music you want to listen to while you are out tubing with your friends on the rivers or enjoying a warm summer afternoon by the lake. You can play this one for your friends that don’t like “Country” music and know they will be picking up on the rock pulses. Everyone will definitely enjoy the laid back energy and find their toes tapping right along if not outright dancing.
This anxiously awaited sophomore release from this tight band will be a pure delight to their fans and is a solid follow-up to 2009′s Baptized. Right from the relaxed rock beat of “Song to Sing” to the hard-driving rhythm of “Rollin’ On”, Lost Immigrants deliver a delicious plate of musical treats that will satisfy your need for mellow, country-flavored rock. They will let you catch your breath on the slightly slower paced “AM Radio” and “Red Leather Dress”, but do be prepared to party on with this CD. The only song they have not written themselves is “Below” from Slaid Cleaves. The lyrics are thoughtful and poignant while the instrumentation gets playful at times. All in all, this is a must-have CD for everyone’s collection.
The CD is in stock at Lonestar Music, where you can also listen to clips.
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April 1st, 2010 TxMusicFan
Agave from The Mystiqueros
Agave is the brand new release from Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros, and it has been well worth the wait and a great followup to Diamonds In The Sun. The CD opens with a solid rocking anthem, “I Will Not Make It Through” that really sets the stage for an incredible journey. The trip will take you through tender love songs, upbeat melodies, and heart-wrenching blues delivered by a powerhouse band with three solid singers that blend their individual voices into a whole new dimension. As beautiful as they can be together, each one has a personality of their own that shines – Johnny Greenberg’s tender wistfulness, Walt Wilkins’ humble smokiness, and Bill Small’s surprising passion. Don’t overlook the heartbeat of the band – Ray Rodriguez!
One thing about this CD – it wasn’t recorded by a bunch of studio musicians that barely know each other. This is the Mystiqueros themselves with a few guests sitting in for some nice touches. It’s a great snapshot of this band with their tight harmonies, solid musical talents, gifted songwriting, and very existence as a cohesive unit. So many CDs don’t sound at all like the live performances. Agave *IS* the band captured at their best and is so very close to their live shows that you can close your eyes and see the singers and feel their combined energies.
John Greenberg’s “Porcelain Heart” is a wonderfully tender love song set to a reggae-type beat. The driving beat of “You’ve Got A Way” will be on an upcoming episode of Friday Night Lights, but easily stands on its own as a rocking love song. If you are looking for a beautiful bluesy hymn, you will want to listen to “Miss” – a bluesy love song written by Jimmy Davis and delivered with raw emotion by Bill Small. The harmonies on this one are gorgeous! Believe me, each and every track will bring a smile to your face.
I can easily go on and on, but the very best thing you can do is buy this CD for yourself and give it a listen. This is easily one of the best CDs of the year, and it will certainly be a favorite of mine. Excellent masterpiece, guys!!
(As a side note – this is the All Access Album of the Month on RadioFreeTexas. All subscribers who are paid by April 14th will get this awesome CD as part of their subscription package. It truly doesn’t get any better!)
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January 2nd, 2010 TxMusicFan
Walt Wilkins had this custom-made guitar stolen December 23rd from the Saxon Pub in Austin. How low do you go to steal a priceless instrument, right before Christmas from one of the kindest musicians in the area? Click on the thumbnail above to see a larger picture. Help get the word out and get this instrument back into the hands of the rightful owner!!
Update… it is now almost 5 months after this theft, and this guitar has yet to surface. Whoever has taken this must feel the need to show it off and brag, don’t you think? If anyone hears anything about this, Walt would love to see America come home to him. Please keep your eyes and ears open.
Posted in Odds and Ends | 1 Comment »
December 10th, 2009 TxMusicFan
This is the much anticipated and talked about initial CD from a long time musician, and his first in a decidely country vein. It features 10 original songs varying from tender ballads to full out rocking anthems. It is also not a CD full of the typical country cliches, either. Instead it is a fun, rollicking ride through the life of a professional musician who has a great sense of humor and can certainly laugh at himself. Mark Allan Atwood may have spent the better part of 20 years as a heavy metal rocker but his roots are definitely outlaw country and it is very evident both in his performance and style of writing.
For a laugh, listen to the playful “Full of It” or the wistful “Gonna Kill My Guitar” and catch glimpses of a musician’s life on the road. “Lonely Highway” is sad, pensive, and haunting all at the same time, filled with the pain and solitude. “Oakalla Road” is a gem of a song about a tiny road out in the Texas Hill Country, and is just plain beautiful with a lilting lead guitar riff from Robert Johnson and the piano work of Uncle Mitch Connell. For a solid, rocking anthem, don’t miss “Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde” – a regular request at all of Mark’s shows and favorite of the fans.
The musicians on this CD really make it stand out as an initial effort. You will find incredible, seamless lead guitar work from Robert Johnson (Robert Johnson’s Soul), Rhoades D’ablo (currently with the Mark Allan Atwood Band), Dennis Phillips (Redneck Jedi along with being the producer), Chris Reeves (john Arthur martinez as well as his own band), Tim Rozelle, as well as Mick McMillan and Wayne O’Neill. Keith Scroggins is solid on bass, with Johnny Reb Kelsey and Stephen Meyer providing a steady pulse on drums. Emmett Roch on dobro and pedal steel guitars and Dean Rimmer on banjo add elegant touches throughout the selections. You can’t ignore Mark’s harmonica playing, either.
The only criticism I have of this release is that it feels a bit short. For once I am faced with not quite having enough of a meal, and I want more. I have heard lesser CDs from other Texas bands and felt satisfied after a few cuts. On this one, even though I have heard all of these songs from this band live, I wanted to hear more and will look forward to their next release as much as I have this one. The maturity and growth of this band has been amazing to listen to, and I want to see where they go next!
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November 16th, 2009 TxMusicFan
This has to be one of the nicest places to spend an evening (or a day). Nestled in downtown Boerne (not far from San Antonio, Austin, or any point in the Hill Country), the Tin Roof Steakhouse has outstanding food, an attentive staff and a very relaxing atmosphere. With 20 delicious entrees under $20, you can enjoy an upscale meal at very reasonable prices. You don’t get just any hamburger here – you get Kobe beef. Each dish is lovingly prepared and simply fantastic. Ooh, and dogs are welcome on the patio — they even have kibble and bowls for water on hand. Just try to do all of that in San Antonio!!
The bar is a beautiful carved wooden showpiece set in a large lounge with a stage.. and that stage is where the music happens. This is the current home of the Songwriters Showcase, broadcast live on Radio Free Texas every Tuesday. Each week, you will have a chance to not only enjoy a fabulous meal, but get to hear outstanding singer-songwriters perform in a very intimate setting. These aren’t nobodys, either. The past guests have included Tres Womack, Walt and Tina Mitchell Wilkins, Jeff Strahan, john Arthur martinez, Adam Carroll, Owen Temple, Brian Burns, David Fenley… and so very many more. The acoustics are fantastic — you can dine in the front room and still enjoy the music from the back room without having to shout. And likewise, you can enjoy the music without all of the normal restaurant sounds.
So, grab someone special, and make it a point to visit the Tin Roof Steakhouse for a wonderful meal plus great live entertainment! It is SO worth the short drive!!
The Details:
Tin Roof Steakhouse
470 S. Main St. Boerne, Texas 78006
(830) 816-5011
Open 7 days with great specials
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