Help The Moonpies Get Back Their Gear.

Times are tough, even tougher when your band's van and trailer full of gear are stolen.  The guys of Mike and The Moonpies learned this lesson recently.  After spending the night in Dallas the guys woke to find their stuff gone.  It has been nice to see all the support from fans, fellow musicians, and friends as they try to get back out on the road.

If you haven't heard the Moonpies before, allow me to enlighten you.  I saw these guys when they opened for Thieving Birds. First thing you notice with this band is the traditional country sound that had the dancefloor packed the whole time during their set.  The guys made a name for themselves playing at the Broken Spoke and gaining a residency at The White Horse in Austin.  Tonight the guys take the stage at The Broken Spoke, with gear loaned to them by their peers. The guys have set up a fundraiser as well, if you would like to donate click here.

Here are some videos from the guys to check out.

Sunday - Official Music Video from The Moonpies on Vimeo.

The Award Goes to...

It is that time of year for the voting of The 6th Annual Lonestar Music Awards.  To make your selection click here.   The voting is open till the end of month.  I have posted the categories and my selection below.  The bold names are my choices.  Last year I had the chance to attend the awards, it is a really fun time.  Hopefully I will get my chance to attend this year as well.

Album Of The Year

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Dark & Dirty Mile

 

Jason Isbell - Southeastern

Kacey Musgraves - Same Trailer Different Park

Randy Rogers Band - Trouble

Shinyribs - Gulf Coast Museum

Slaid Cleaves - Still Fighting The War

William Clark Green - Rose Queen

Country Album Of The Year

 

Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis - Cheater's Game

Chris King - 1983

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Dark & Dirty Mile

Kacey Musgraves - Same Trailer Different Park

Kyle Park - Beggin' For More

Sturgill Simpson - High Top Mountain

Zane Williams - Overnight Success

Americana/Roots-Rock Album Of The Year

Jason Isbell - Southeastern

Quaker City Night Hawks - Honcho

Reckless Kelly - Long Night Moon

Shinyribs - Gulf Coast Museum

Sons Of Fathers - Burning Days

 

Thieving Birds - Gold Coast

William Clark Green - Rose Queen

Singer-Songwriter/Folk Album Of The Year

Amanda Shires - Down Fell The Doves

Drew Kennedy - Wide Listener

Guy Clark - My Favorite Picture Of You

 

Owen Temple - Stories They Tell

Patty Griffin - American Kid

Slaid Cleaves - Still Fighting The War

Terry Allen - Bottom Of The World

Song Of The Year

 

Jason Isbell - Elephant

Mando Saenz - Pocket Change

Randy Rogers Band - Fuzzy

Slaid Cleaves - Texas Love Song

Will Callers - House Of Falling Cards

Will Hoge - Strong

William Clark Green - She Likes The Beatles

Live Act Of The Year

American Aquarium

 

Lincoln Durham

Randy Rogers Band

Reckless Kelly

Shinyribs

Turnpike Troubadours

Uncle Lucius

Male Vocalist Of The Year

Ace Crayton - Thieving Birds

Cody Canada

Jason Isbell

Kevin Russell - Shinyribs

Slaid Cleaves

 

Stewart Mann - Statesboro Revue

William Clark Green

Female Vocalist Of The Year

Amanda Shires

Bri Bagwell

 

Courtney Patton

Kacey Musgraves

Kelly Willis

Kylie Rae Harris

Patty Griffin

Emerging Artist Of The Year

Chris King

Courtney Patton

HalleyAnna

 

Quaker City Night Hawks

Sons Of Fathers

Thieving Birds

Will Callers

Songwriter Of The Year

Guy Clark

 

Jason Isbell

Owen Temple

Patty Griffin

Sam Baker

Will Hoge

William Clark Green

Musician Of The Year

Brady Black

Brandy Zdan

Bukka Allen

Cody Braun

 

Lincoln Durham

Lloyd Maines

Roger Ray

Producer Of The Year

Adam Odor

Dave Cobb

Erik Herbst

George Reiff

John Ross Silva

Lloyd Maines

 

Rachel Loy

Album Artwork Of The Year

Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis - Cheater's Game

Cody Canada - Some Old, Some New, Maybe A Cover Or Two

Reckless Kelly - Long Night Moon

 

Statesboro Revue - Ramble On Privilege Creek

Terry Allen - Bottom Of The World

Wheeler Brothers - Gold Boots Glitter

William Clark Green - Rose Queen

Festival Of The Year

Americana Jam - New Braunfels, TX

BigFest - San Marcos, TX

Greenfest - New Braunfels, TX

Larry Joe Taylor Music Festival - Stephenville, TX

Lone Star Jam - Austin, TX

 

MusicFest - Steamboat Springs, CO

Old Settlers - Driftwood, TX

"The Gruene Hall Award" (Venue Of The Year)

Billy Bob's - Fort Worth, TX

Blue Light Live - Lubbock, TX

Cain's Ballroom - Tulsa, OK

 

Cheatham Street Warehouse - San Marcos, TX

Firehouse Saloon - Houston, TX

Luckenbach Dancehall - Luckenbach, TX

Magnolia Motor Lounge - Fort Worth, TX

Email :  ln_gonzalez@hotmail.com

Rambling On The Rooftop

Who doesn't love a good Sunday funday?  Riverroad Icehouse and Mr. Jonny Burke are bringing the good times to you Sunday from 2-4.  For those of you unfamiliar with Jonny, he is a talented singer songwriter who has toured with James McMurtry, Turnpike Troubadours, and is frequently seen opening up for some of the top names in places like Floores Country Store.  Rooftop Ramble features Jonny as host and song swap partner to some of my favorite names in Music. Last Year the  ramble saw the likes of The Damn Quails, Kevin Galloway of Uncle Lucius, and Evan Felker of Turnpike.  So far in the last two weeks I have seen Courtney Patton and just yesterday BJ Barham from American Aquarium.  Little side note...Did anyone see that American Aquarium is coming to the Luling Watermelon Thump?  Pretty cool to see these small town festivals getting wise to more than just Fowlers, Watsons, and Abbotts at those things.  So if you are free on Sundays go check out who is rambling week to week.  As it always is in this town, you really never know who will stop by.  Also if nothing else go check out the bloody mary bar and all the changes that are happening at the house right now.  When all the changes are done Riverroad will bring in a new era for artists and the fans. To check out who is scheduled for the summer click here.

The Bloody Mary Bar.

 

 

 

 

 

Hurricane Highway: New Place, New Time

Hurricane Highway has a new home base.  New Braunfels, TX is now the new home for this girl.  So far in town I have ran into some familiar faces and some new ones too.  My first Wednesday here I was delighted to see Seth James and Bobby Mack at Riverroad.  It was a blues night for sure and brought quite a crowd.  If you missed it, Seth and his talented band of blues brothers musicians will be back at the house on 3/19 and 3/26.  You can't or shouldn't pass up this great showcase. 

 

On the familiar faces front, I caught a fun show at The Old Icehouse.  While not a place known for live music, it is a quaint bar with really cold, really cheap beer.  The other Friday featured Steven Roloff and James Pardo.  Now I haven't told you about Steven's latest release, but I am working on some new write-ups this week and I will tell you all about it.  The night also saw the guys invite their equally talented friends to the stage, like Matt Begley, Jordan Minor, and other local talented guys. 

 

One of the things I looked forward to as I trekked boxes and heavy things up three flights of stairs was getting to catch local talent.  This past couple of weeks I have gotten to see two young bands that while aren't perfect, they sure did have a lot of promise.  Callahan Divide and Travis Parker Band. 

 

So with a new place, new job, and tons of music at my fingertips I will have plenty to do, see, and write about.  Stay Tuned.

 

 

County Line Free Music Series - Music For A Good Cause.

I don't know about you, but I am ready for spring and summer to get here.  I much prefer the sun to cold and rain.  County Line Barbecue announced their line up for the Free Wednesday Night Concert Series, which means spring can't be too far away.   County Line used to be a great avenue for smaller bands to get exposure on a Wednesday Night, thanks to Randy Goss and The Outlaw. The music series used to be one of my favorite weekday activities running from spring to early fall.  Now the season is shorter. Bands that should be featured are not.  The place is far too small to house the fans that come to see bands like Creager, Boland, and The Braun Brothers.  Hopefully the parking situation can also be figured out so people don't have to pay for parking.  The last time I was there I left because there was not enough parking in the lot, and the land on the hill was now charging to park there.  While I am not against walking, I am against that it appears that few of the surrounding businesses want people to park there. Either way the series is for a good cause.  It raises funds for the SA Food Bank, which is a cause that should always be supported.  Don't get me wrong, I will be there for a few shows to support the artists I am fond of.  I am not trying to disrespect or insult the people putting together the series.  I am just saying there has to be better options for the bands, fans, and sponsors.  The line up is as follows.

April 2 - The Dirty River Boys, Jonathan Garcia
April 9 - Midnight River Choir, James Delgado
April 16 - Roger Creager, Ray Johnson Band...
April 23 - Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Wally West & Them Lostbound

April 30 - Micky and the Motorcars, The Rusty Brothers
May 21 - Chris King, Jeffrey Charles
May 23 - Tejas Brothers
June 4 - Brandon Rhyder
June 25 - Cody and Willie Braun of Reckless Kelly
July 2 - Jon Wolfe, Bonnie Lang Band
July 9 - The Damn Quails, Kyle Reed Band
July 23 - Thieving Birds, James Pardo & The Underestimated

Aaron Stephens - Hard Times Straight Lines



Aaron Stephens is asking for your support for a full length album Hard Times Straight Lines.  This New Braunfels regular has been playing all over town and gaining fans everywhere he goes.  I recently got to see Aaron and his band for the first time as they opened for The Departed.  If you caught my year end review, Aaron Stephens is going to the band to watch for in 2014.  His music is soulful, bluesy, and just plain good.  If you have the chance be sure to check out Aaron's Wednesday night residency at Billy's Ice.  To Support this kickstarter click here.   

 

  

 

New Music Tuesday - Jason Eady and Brian Keane

Happy Tuesday friends!  Today's releases have been much anticipated on Hurricane Highway and throughout social media.  I actually preordered both these albums before I had heard all of the tracks.  I am sure glad I did, it was the best twenty bucks I have spent this month. 


Brian Keane - Coming Home

I have been ready to listen to the whole cd because of the radio release Barlights.  Even after hearing home all the way through, it is still the song I keep coming back to.  From the lyrics to the production that builds with the song, I can't get enough.   The story of running into a figure from your past and catching up over a beer or two only to realize neither of you have changed from what ended your relationship is compelling and just plain real.  Produced by his wife Rachel Loy (also producer of Rose Queen by William Clark Green)  Home features songs that come across as a place in time for where Brian was at during the making of it.  Birth of child, miles on the road, and reflection on how those moments make you into the person you are.  Strong tracks on Coming Home are Finally Free a song about what happens when a relationship ends and all your are left with is the freedom to do whatever you want...only now all you realize is you're just lonely.  Do Something Wrong the story of a man looking for a reason to break up with the good girl he feels he is stuck with.  What You're Missing is a groovy blues man done the woman wrong tune.  If there was ever a song a video should be made for I think it would be this one.  Coming Home is well worth the wait and well worth adding to your music collection. Brian will be at Cheatham Street Saturday night for his cd release shindigs. 

 

 

 

Jason Eady - Daylight and Dark
 

 

 Daylight and Dark is everything that I associate with classic timeless country music and everything I wish country music still sounded like.  With the steel guitar breaking your heart on nearly every track it is a much welcome edition to the Jason Eady Version of Adam Hood's song Late Night Diner.  Jason is doing some of his most consistent and best writing now.   I am actually going to make a bold statement and say this is his best work year to date.  Every track is like going back in time to days of Merle, Willie, Johnny, George, and so many of those guys.  I could easily see these songs being sung by them.  The title track shows the feelings of man who drinks his nights away trying to just make it through the day everyday.   Lonseome, Down, and Out  makes its appearance on this disk which I have always enjoyed as part of his live show.  It is one of those songs that can be sped up or slowed down and still sounds great.  My two favorite tracks are the duets that show up on here. The first We Might Just Miss Each Other with Courtney Patton and A Memory Now with Evan Felker (Turnpike Troubadours) and Hayes Carll.  Jason will be at Gruene this weekend with Mike and The Moonpies as part of his cd release tour.  That is going to be quite the show.