New Year's Eve Live Music Guide


I'm sure there are other areas in the United States or beyond that have some good live music on New Year's Eve, but I would venture to guess that we have the most live music per-capita of any community out there... I LOVE THIS TOWN!

New Braunfels:
• Billy's Ice: Aaron Stephens + Pardo & Reed
• River Road Ice House: Cody Canada & The Departed + Tom Gillam's Kosmic Messengers
• Gruene Hall: The Georges at 1
• Gruene Hall: Charlie Robison w/Thieving Birds
• Tavern in the Gruene: Stewart Mann & The Statesboro Revue w/Poor J Brown
• Phoenix Saloon: Javi Garcia + Bird Dog
• Scores: 3 Man Front
• Black Whale Pub: Austin Gilliam
• The PourHaus: Dirty White Horse
• Watering Hole Saloon: Whiskey Rodeo
• Freiheit Country Store: Jay Eric & Blieders Creek
• Vino en Verde: Jess and Dave
• Vineyard at Gruene: Zack Walther
• Goofy's (Canyon Lake): The Locals

San Marcos/Hunter:
• Riley's Tavern: Pepper's Blues
• Happy Cow: Jordan Minor and the Bottom Dollar Band
• Cheatham Street Warehouse: Foscoe Jones and The Distractions
• I Don't Know Bar: Open mic w/T-Bone and the Bluetones (full band)
• Triple Crown: Blackwater Revival + Foxmoor Express + The Red District
• Taxis: Matt Wilson & Taxi

Schertz:
• Schertz VFW: Smoke Wagon
• Sportsman's Bar: Open jam w/Kerosene Drifters at 8

San Antonio:
• Sam's Burger Joint: Hayes Carll w/Band of Heathens
• Barriba Cantina: Adam Johnson Band
• John T. Floore's: Kevin Fowler w/Crooks

3rd Annual Blowin' Off Steamboat Music Festival

Presented by Hippy Gypsy Boutique:

We are pleased to announce the performers for the 2015 Blowin' Off Steamboat Music Festival (presented by Hippy Gypsy) that is just a month away on January 17th at Freiheit Country Store!  Your friends at Music of NB and the TX Citizen have been working hard to make this 3rd annual event the best one ever, and if you'll check the Facebook page you can see information about the exciting news about Callen's Castle, the beneficiary of this year's event.

Starts at NOON
$10 at the door covers ALL DAY!
Here is the full schedule for the day!
12:00 Gerald Burns, Buddy Vargas, RC Sanders
1:00 The Relatives
2:00 Scott Morgan, Caleb Boles, Manzy Lowry
3:00 Carol Cochran and 2-Way Street
4:00 Ashley Monical, JJ Villarreal, Doug Garrett
5:00 BJ Thibodeaux and Backwater BLVD
6:00 Zach Nytomt, Bo Brumble, Daniel Thomas Phipps
7:00 Smoke Wagon
8:00 K Phillips & Ryan Ready
9:00 Poor J Brown
10:30 Devil's Hollow

Also special acoustic/solo performances by Alli Mattice, Dennis Jay, Kori Free and more!

Photos of the performers
The Clawson's Journey

links:
Blowin' Off Steamboat (Facebook)
Music of New Braunfels (Facebook)
TX Citizen (Facebook)
More info on Callen's Castle
Freiheit Country Store


sponsors:




Bracken Store Cafe


Photo from BSC on Facebook
There's a cool, old building that was built next to a 9-pin bowling alley during the 1930's in Bracken, TX. Originally a beer joint, Bracken Store Cafe has been operated by Linda Waggoner in this same building since the late 80's, and they served truly one of the best burgers I've ever eaten. In fact during one visit there I had what they called their "bean and frito burger" which in fact was featured in Texas Monthly's "Top 50 Greatest Hamburgers in Texas" in 2009. Apparently Linda Waggoner and her landlord Bill Wetz were unable to agree upon a mutually beneficial lease agreement, so as of 3pm on December 13, 2014 the store ceased operations in this location. I sincerely hope Linda is able to find a new location, but it's a shame it will no longer be at 18415 Bracken Drive. Below are few things I found online about the store, and if they do re-open I will be sure to mention it here even though this isn't music related.

Photos (from Bracken Store Cafe on Facebook):


Homepage of brackenstore.com:


Menu: [SHOW/HIDE]


links:
BrackenStore.com
Bracken Store Cafe on Facebook
ksat.com: Bracken Cafe flooded with customers after closing announced (Dec 2014)
mySA: article from Dining Divas (Dec 2013)
Dragon-Oma.com: Bracken Store Cafe (Aug 2011)
silvercreek78250: Lunch Report: Bracken Store Cafe (Apr 2010)
SanAntonioBurger.com: Review #46 - Bracken Store Cafe (Feb 2010)
Texas Monthly: The 50 Greatest Hamburgers In Texas (Aug 2009)
TexasBurgerGuy.com: Review #31: Bracken Store Cafe - Bracken, TX (Mar 2009)

Lone Star Music's 100 top selling albums of 2014

Lone Star Music is releasing a list of their 100 top selling albums of 2014 20 at a time starting today. I'll try to keep up with this each week, but they will be posting it for sure... Be sure to visit Lone Star Music in San Marcos regularly, support the real record store, I don't want it to completely die off like so many other things have!

These are your TOP SELLING albums (CD & LP) on LoneStarMusic.com and at Superfly's Lone Star Music Emporium in San Marcos for the 2014 Calendar Year (As of December 1st).


Starting at 100....

100. Jason Isbell - Live From Alabama *
99. Aaron Watson - Real Good Time
98. American Aquarium - Burn. Flicker. Die *
97. Sons Of Fathers - Burning Days
96. Aaron Stephens - Hard Times, Straight Lines
95. Ryan Bingham - Tomorrowland *
94. Shane Smith & The Saints - Coast
93. Scott H. Biram - Nothin' But Blood *
92. Matt Hillyer - If These Old Bones Could Talk
91. Ryan Bingham - Mescalito *
90. Fire In The Pines - Heart Of The Machine
89. Shooter Jennings - Don't Wait Up (For George) *
88. Corb Lund & The Hurtin' Albertans - Counterfeit Blues *
87. Drew Kennedy - Sad Songs Happily Played {double live acoustic}
86. Gary Floater - Who Cares: The Songs Of Gary Floater
85. Chad Sullins & The Last Call Coalition - Wicked Spell
84. Whiskey Myers - Firewater
83. Sons Of Bill - Love & Logic *
82. Dolly Shine - Room To Breathe
81. Slaid Cleaves - Still Fighting The War
80. Damn Quails - Down The Hatch
79. Cody Johnson Band - Six Strings One Dream
78. Canvas People - Sirens
77. Guy Clark - My Favorite Picture Of You *
76. Old Crow Medicine Show - Remedy *
75. Sarah Jarosz - Build Me Up From Bones *
74. Lincoln Durham - Exodus Of The Deemed Unrighteous *
73. Kyle Park - Beggin' For More
72. Willie Nelson - Band Of Brothers *
71. Old 97's - Most Messed Up *
70. Hard Working Americans - First Waltz {CD/DVD}
69. Robyn Ludwick - Little Rain
68. Joe Ely - B4 84
67. Shovels & Rope - Swimmin' Time *
66. Cody Johnson Band - A Different Day
65. Kacey Musgraves - Same Trailer Different Park *
64. Green River Ordinance - Green River Ordinance
63. John Moreland - In The Throes *
62. Paul Thorn - Too Blessed To Be Stressed *
61. Jeff Whitehead - Bloodhound Heart



Each Thursday through the month of December we will be posting 20 albums! Check back weekly!



* album is also available on vinyl


links:
original post on LoneStarMusic.com

Southern Gospel Revival 2 - Jamie Wilson - I Can't Even Walk



All four Southern Gospel Revival 2 videos!

links:
TheModernTrade.com/REVIVAL
BUY ON ITUNES

Modern Trade: Southern Gospel Revival 1

Here is the first edition of the Southern Gospel Revival series (April, 2012) from the geniuses at The Modern Trade along with Courtney Patton, Drew Kennedy, Ben Hester, Jamie Wilson, Marty Durlam (Upright Bass) and Jesse Fox (Percussion) as well as a host of others that helped bring this together including artwork from Chris King... Simply amazing!

Ben Hester - In The Sweet By And By


Courtney Patton - Welcome Table


Drew Kennedy - Angel Band


Jamie Wilson - Ain't No Grave


Watch the 2nd installment in this series released Dec 2014!

Modern Trade: Southern Gospel Revival 2

BTW I love The Modern Trade and everybody involved in this project, it's been 2 years since the last one, GET READY!!!

December 2014 - All 4 videos:
Drew Kennedy - When They Ring Those Golden Bells
Courtney Patton - Take Your Shoes Off Moses
Ben & Micah Hester - By The Riverside
Jamie Lin Wilson - I Can't Even Walk

Trailer:


Here are the videos from the first Southern Gospel Revival, ENJOY!

links:
TheModernTrade.com/REVIVAL
BUY ON ITUNES

New Music Tuesday

New music this week from new bands, old bands and bands that no longer exist!

Sons of Fathers: State of the Art


Fools of the Trade: Into The Storm


Old 97's: Hitchhike to Rhome (20th Anniversary)

Turnpike Troubadours sells out multiple nights at historic Gruene Hall

This coming Thursday begins a 3 night run by Oklahoma-based Turnpike Troubadours. They are not a cookie-cutter full instrumentation red dirt band, they are a band that has helped define and refine what the mold is forged from. It just so happens that the Friday and Saturday shows this weekend have been sold out for quite some time and the Thursday night show is on track to either sell out through pre-sales and if not will likely sell to a capacity crowd at the door.

Turnpike Troubadours is fronted by Evan Felker who also plays acoustic guitar. RC Edwards (bass and vocals), Kyle Nix (fiddle and vocals), Ryan Engleman (lead guitar) and Gabriel Pearson (drums and vocals) round out the band. The Turnpike Troubadours have 3 full-length records under their belt (listed below) with hopefully a 4th coming in 2015!

Discography:
2007: Bossier City
2010: Diamonds & Gasoline
2012: Goodbye Normal Street

links:
Website
Twitter
Facebook

Pancho and Lefty at Whitewater Amphitheater!

Some things are just beyond cool, this is one of them! I've seen both Merle Haggard AND Willie Nelson at Whitewater Amphitheater, but not ON THE SAME NIGHT! I have to say this is one of the coolest things to happen in a long time, I hope you get in on it!  This is a 2 night event, both Friday, March 27 and Saturday , March 28 2015.

TICKETS go on sale Nov 21!

NYE w/The Departed at RRIH!

Just found out that Cody Canada and The Departed will ring in the new year with a "pre" cd-release show at River Road Ice House! HIPPIELOVEPUNK is their 3rd full length record as a band, and from what I've heard of this new record it is the most "Cody Canada" a record as they've put out since before Cross Canadian Ragweed went on hiatus 4 years ago. I can't wait to get this new record in my hands which I should be able to do on January 13th on the official release date.

TICKETS

2015 Luling Watermelon Thump

Photo courtesy Joe Schumacher
We are pleased to announce the Mainstage Musical Lineup for the 2015 (62nd Annual) Luling Watermelon Thump! Additional bands for the alternate stages will be posted throughout the spring!

THURSDAY, JUNE 25th (FREE)
• Texas Unlimited Band

FRIDAY, JUNE 26th
• The Spazmatics
• The Dirty River Boys
• The Spazmatics again!

SATURDAY, JUNE 27th
• Sam Riggs and The Night People
• American Aquarium
• The Josh Abbott Band

SUNDAY, JUNE 28th (FREE)
• Nathan Colt Young
• Chris Miller and Bayou Roots
• Billy Mata and the Texas Tradition
links:
WatermelonThump.com
Facebook

Devil's Hollow - "See My Baby"

Go have a listen to Devil's Hollow's new single "See My Baby"!

"Originally a blues power-trio, New Braunfels' Devil's Hollow has evolved into a funky blues-rock powerhouse, driven by lead guitarists Justin Murray and Nick Doe and keyboardist Matt Cain (Spank, Nadis Warriors). Blending elements of 60's power-rock and soulful 70's Southern blues, Devil's Hollow has shared the stage with notable Texas musicians such as 2010 'Austin Musician of the Year' Bob Schneider, Latin rock's Del Castillo and Vallejo, and Dallas' punkabilly kings Reverend Horton Heat. Releasing their long-awaited and much anticipated debut album May 16th at Sam's Burger Joint in San Antonio, Devil's Hollow delivers a big, bold sound rich of superb instrumentation into a sound original, yet familiar."



links:
devilshollowmusic.com
DH on Reverbnation
(bio sourced from Devil's Hollow's page on Reverbnation)

Video: Gary Floater - "Nature Song"

So apparently former friend of Telly Savalas the effervescent Gary Floater has a new music video out for public consumption. I'm about to watch it for the first time ever, won't you join me?



links:
GaryFloater.com

Wurstfest 2014 Music Schedule

Photo from Wurstfest.com
This is the 54th Annual Wurstfest and as with most years will probably be the biggest ever! This year they added craft beer under the new Stelzenhaus as well as a new location for live music! We'll be there lots, hopefully you will too!

Sprechen Sie Polka?

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Wursthalle
4:00 pm Comal Community Band & Alex Meixner
6:00 pm Jodie Mikula Orchestra
8:30 pm The Klaberheads

Das Grosse Zelt (The Big Tent)

6:00 pm Spitze!
7:30 pm Alex Meixner Band
8:50 pm Spitze!
10:20 pm Alex Meixner Band

Das Kleine Zelt (The Little Tent)

6:00 pm S-Bahn
7:30 pm Die Bayrische 7
8:50 pm S-Bahn
10:20 pm Die Bayrische 7

Stelzenhaus

6:00 pm Ennis Czech Boys
8:20 pm Mark Halata & Texavia

Stelzenplatz

6:00 pm Chardon Polka Band
7:30 pm Terry Cavanagh & Alpine Express
8:50 pm Chardon Polka Band
10:20 pm Terry Cavanagh & Alpine Express


SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Wursthalle
11:30 am Seven Dutchmen Orchestra
3:20 pm Edelweiss Kinder Chor von New Braunfels
4:15 pm Cloverleaf Orchestra
8:30 pm Jodie Mikula Orchestra

Das Grosse Zelt (The Big Tent)

11:30 am Comal Community Band
12:50 pm The Klaberheads
2:20 pm Die Bayrische 7
3:30 pm Masskrugstemmen (stein contest)
3:50 pm The Klaberheads
5:20 pm Die Bayrische 7
6:50 pm Alex Meixner Band
8:20 pm The Klaberheads
9:50 pm Die Bayrische 7
11:20 pm Alex Meixner Band

Das Kleine Zelt (The Little Tent)

11:30 am Eurofest
12:50 pm Terry Cavanagh & Alpine Express
2:20 pm Eurofest
3:50 pm Terry Cavanagh & Alpine Express
5:20 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
6:50 pm S-Bahn
8:10 pm Spitze!
9:40 pm S-Bahn
11:25 pm Spitze!

Stelzenhaus

11:30 am Ennis Czech Boys
3:30 pm German Folkdancers of New Braunfels
4:15 pm Texas Sound Check Band
8:35 pm Mark Halata & Texavia

Stelzenplatz

11:30 am Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
12:50 pm Michael Bridge
2:10 pm Los Texmaniacs with Alex Meixner
3:50 pm Chardon Polka Band
5:00 pm Masskrugstemmen (stein contest)
5:20 pm Michael Bridge
6:55 pm Chardon Polka Band
8:30 pm Alpenmusikanten


SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Wursthalle
11:30 am Jodie Mikula Orchestra
3:00 pm Seven Dutchmen Orchestra
4:30 pm Waltz Contest
6:20 pm Alpenmusikanten

Das Grosse Zelt (The Big Tent)
11:30 am The Klaberheads
12:45 pm Alex Meixner Band
2:00 pm The Klaberheads
3:15 pm Die Bayrische 7
4:30 pm Alex Meixner Band
5:45 pm The Klaberheads
7:00 pm Die Bayrische 7
8:15 pm Alex Meixner Band

Das Kleine Zelt (The Little Tent)
11:30 am Spitze!
12:45 pm S-Bahn
2:00 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
3:15 pm Spitze!
4:30 pm S-Bahn
5:45 pm Das Ist Lustig
7:00 pm Spitze!
8:15 pm S-Bahn

Stelzenhaus
11:30 am Mark Halata & Texavia
3:20 pm TubaMeisters
6:00 pm Texas Sound Check Band

Stelzenplatz
11:30 am Das Ist Lustig
1:00 pm Spass with Robyn Amy & Terry Cavanagh
2:30 pm Das Ist Lustig
4:00 pm Spass with Robyn Amy & Terry Cavanagh
5:30 pm Chardon Polka Band
7:00 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
8:20 pm Chardon Polka Band


MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Wursthalle
5:30 pm Cloverleaf Orchestra

Das Grosse Zelt (The Big Tent)
5:30 pm Die Bayrische 7
6:45 pm Alex Meixner Band
8:30 pm Die Bayrische 7

Das Kleine Zelt (The Little Tent)
5:30 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
6:30 pm Spass with Robyn Amy & Terry Cavanagh
7:45 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
8:30 pm Spass with Robyn Amy & Terry Cavanagh

Stelzenhaus
5:30 pm The San Antonio Dutchmen

Stelzenplatz
5:30 pm Yodel Blitz
7:40 pm Chardon Polka Band


TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Wursthalle
5:30 pm Seven Dutchmen Orchestra
7:30 pm Veterans Day Salute
8:00 pm Seven Dutchmen Orchestra

Das Grosse Zelt (The Big Tent)
5:30 pm Alex Meixner Band
6:45 pm Spass with Robyn Amy & Terry Cavanagh
8:30 pm Alex Meixner Band

Das Kleine Zelt (The Little Tent)

5:30 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
6:45 pm Yodel Blitz
8:30 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler

Stelzenhaus
5:30 pm Texas Legacy Czech Band

Stelzenplatz
5:30 pm Rennie & the Happy Travelers
7:40 pm Das Ist Lustig


WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Wursthalle
5:30 pm Cloverleaf Orchestra

Das Grosse Zelt (The Big Tent)
5:30 pm Alex Meixner Band
6:45 pm Die Bayrische 7
8:30 pm Alex Meixner Band

Das Kleine Zelt (The Little Tent)
5:30 pm The Europa Band
6:45 pm Das Ist Lustig
8:30 pm The Europa Band

Stelzenhaus
5:30 pm The Walburg Boys

Stelzenplatz
5:30 pm Eurofest
7:40 pm TubaMeisters


THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Wursthalle
5:30 pm The Royal Klobasneks
8:30 pm Jimmy Sturr Orchestra

Das Grosse Zelt (The Big Tent)
5:30 pm Alex Meixner Band
7:00 pm Die Schlauberger
8:30 pm Alex Meixner Band
10:10 pm Die Schlauberger

Das Kleine Zelt (The Little Tent)
5:30 pm The Europa Band
7:00 pm Die Bayrische 7
8:30 pm The Europa Band
10:10 pm Die Bayrische 7

Stelzenhaus
5:30 pm The Walburg Boys
8:30 pm Gene Bartkiewiez with L. C. Roots

Stelzenplatz
5:30 pm Yodel Blitz
7:00 pm Eurofest
8:30 pm Yodel Blitz
10:10 pm Eurofest


FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Wursthalle
5:30 pm Cloverleaf Orchestra
8:30 pm Jimmy Sturr Orchestra

Das Grosse Zelt (The Big Tent)
5:30 pm Die Bayrische 7
7:00 pm Die Schlauberger
8:30 pm Die Bayrische 7
10:10 pm Die Schlauberger

Das Kleine Zelt (The Little Tent)
5:30 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
7:00 pm The Europa Band
8:30 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
10:10 pm The Europa Band

Stelzenhaus
5:30 pm The Royal Klobasneks
8:30 pm Gene Bartkiewicz with L. C. Roots

Stelzenplatz
5:30 pm Terry Cavanagh & Alpine Express
8:30 pm Alpenmusikanten


SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Wursthalle 
11:30 am Cloverleaf Orchestra
1:50 pm Seven Dutchmen Orchestra
4:10 pm Alpenmusikanten
6:30 pm The Royal Klobasneks
9:00 pm Jimmy Sturr Orchestra

Das Grosse Zelt (The Big Tent)

11:30 am New Braunfels Village Brass Band
12:50 pm Europa Band
2:40 pm Die Bayrische 7
4:10 pm Masskrugstemmen (stein contest)
4:40 pm Die Schlauberger
6:30 pm Die Bayrische 7
7:50 pm Die Schlauberger
9:10 pm Die Bayrische 7
11:10 pm Die Schlauberger

Das Kleine Zelt (The Little Tent)
11:30 am Das Ist Lustig
12:50 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
2:10 pm Das Ist Lustig
3:20 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
4:40 pm Terry Cavanagh & Alpine Express
6:00 pm Shiner Hobo Band
7:20 pm Terry Cavanagh & Alpine Express
8:40 pm The Europa Band
10:00 pm Terry Cavanagh & Alpine Express
11:20 pm The Europa Band

Stelzenhaus
11:30 am Dujka Brothers
3:45 pm New Braunfels Gemischter Chor Harmonie
4:35 pm Czech and Then Some
8:30 pm Texas Sound Check Band

Stelzenplatz
11:30 am Rennie & the Happy Travelers
12:50 pm Eurofest
2:10 pm Rennie & the Happy Travelers
3:30 pm Yodel Blitz
4:50 pm Eurofest
5:50 pm Masskrugstemmen (stein contest)
6:10 pm Yodel Blitz
7:30 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
8:50 pm Yodel Blitz
10:10 pm Alpenmusikanten


SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16
(Admission is free after 3 pm)
Wursthalle
11:30 am Jimmy Sturr Orchestra
2:30 pm Seven Dutchmen Orchestra
3:30 pm Polka Contest
5:50 pm The Royal Klobasneks

Das Grosse Zelt (The Big Tent)
11:30 am Boerne Village Band
12:45 pm Alpenmusikanten
2:20 pm Shiner Hobo Band
3:25 pm Masskrugstemmen (stein contest)
3:45 pm Spass with Robyn Amy & Terry Cavanagh
5:20 pm Alpenmusikanten
6:45 pm Spass with Robyn Amy & Terry Cavanagh
8:20 pm Alpenmusikanten

Das Kleine Zelt (The Little Tent)
11:30 am Oma & the Oompahs
1:00 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
2:20 pm The Dujka Brothers
3:55 pm Eurofest
5:30 pm The Dujka Brothers
7:00 pm Eurofest
8:30 pm Joe Rogers Big Band

Stelzenhaus
11:30 am Czech and Then Some
3:30 pm Texas Sound Check Band

Stelzenplatz
11:30 am Mike & the Middletones
12:45 pm Yodel Blitz
2:15 pm Kinder Tänzer
3:15 pm Mike & the Middletones
4:30 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
5:10 pm Masskrugstemmen (stein contest)
5:45 pm Mike & the Middletones
7:00 pm Yodel Blitz
8:30 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler

links:
Wurstfest.com

Throwback Tuesday

Brandy Zdan - "O Where" w/Jamie Wilson & Kelley Mickwee
Just because it's a GREAT song and I can!

New Music Tuesday

This week Adam Hood is releasing his 4th full length record "Welcome To The Big World". Adam is one of my favorite songwriters and musicians, and I have never been disappointed by anything he writes or plays. Go support real music and buy this on iTunes or from Lone Star Music now!

New Music Tuesday

October 28, 2015
Wade Bowen: Wade Bowen
Stoney LaRue: Aviator
Hard Working Americans: The First Waltz

Songwriter's Evening hosted by Broken Duckfeet


Broken Duckfeet is hosting a Songwriter Evening each Monday night at Black and Tan Pub in New Braunfels.

An intimate gathering of some of this area's Top Artist singing original works guaranteed to leave you mesmerized. For more info and to find out how you can participate please call 210-399 -5399 or inbox the America's Singer Songwriters Facebook Page. This is not an Open Mic event. You must be scheduled to perform.

Willie Nelson sells out Gruene Hall (again)

Photo courtesy Gruene Hall's Facebook page
If you blinked today you missed Willie Nelson's show at Gruene Hall scheduled for Sunday, November 16 at 7pm sell out. People love Gruene Hall and people LOVE Willie, event at $105 per ticket they slide out of the machine as fast as the machine will let 'em fly!

Wade Bowen: Hungover

Listen to Hungover from Wade Bowen's upcoming self-titled album!

(via The Boot)


Cody Canada and The Departed debut new song on Rolling Stone

Although not a new band having been around since late in 2010, Cody Canada and The Departed are a band well worthy of this recognition from Rolling Stone. They first brought us the sounds of Oklahoma songwriters in the top shelf tribute album "This Is Indian Land" in 2011, followed that up with a selection of originals featuring both Cody and then co-lead guitarist/vocalist Seth James with their fantastic record "Adventus" in 2012. Now The Departed; being made up of 50% Cross Canadian Ragweed members Cody Canada and bassist Jeremy Plato have come full circle with a new record that has a sound that will be familiar to long-time fans of Cody Canada. What I've heard of these new songs from their upcoming record "HippieLovePunk" so far there is a distinct sound that is not something you can label as "Ragweed", but a sound that is very distinctly that of Cody Canada.

Here is the Rolling Stone article by Andrew Leahey

As the frontman of Cross Canadian Ragweed, Cody Canada spent years swirling Southern rock, Dustbowl country and roadhouse roots music into songs that celebrated the ups and downs of life in middle America. He was the poster boy for the Red Dirt movement, a proud outsider who could camp out in the upper reaches of the country charts — and sell more than a million copies of the band's albums, to boot — without playing by the rules of the Nashville machine. Even the band's own breakup bucked convention, with the guys deciding to throw in the towel after releasing four Top 10 records in a row.

continue reading on Rolling Stone

Here is the debut of "Inbetweender" by Cody Canada & The Departed!

Glen Campbell

photo courtesy NBC News

From Jake Whitman/Cynthia McFadden (NBC News)
As music legend Glen Campbell enters the final stages of Alzheimer’s disease, his family is giving the world a rare glimpse inside his battle with the disease.

Campbell’s wife of 32 years, Kim Woolen, recently took NBC’s Cynthia McFadden to visit her 78-year-old husband at a full-time care facility in Nashville, where the entertainer has been living since March.

Despite the progression of the disease, Campbell brightens when he sees his wife and amazingly, can still play the guitar. Experts say Alzheimer's patients often communicate in their "first language" as the disease progresses — for Campbell that language is music.

The five-time Grammy winner and Country Music Hall of Famer went public with his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2011, hoping to raise awareness about the devastating disease.

"We need to let people know about this disease, we need to do something about it," Woolen remembers her husband telling her at the time. "He really made himself vulnerable, because he wanted to make a difference."

Campbell has not performed in public since November of 2012. Today, his record label released his final studio recording: a heart-breaking ballad, “I’m Not Gonna Miss You.”


The single was recorded in January 2013 — just months after Campbell stopped performing in public.

Campbell’s wife tells McFadden that her husband’s doctors have told her he is now nearing the end of the 6th stage of Alzheimer’s, and requires 24-hour professional care. The disease is measured in 7 stages, with the last being the most severe.

"He's still Glen Campbell, and he still loves and feels and expresses joy and sadness," Woolen says. "I thank God each day that I have with him that he still knows who I am."

Campbell announced he would head out on a three-to-five-week goodbye tour, but ended up completing 151 concerts over a year and a half. The journey is chronicled in a soon-to-be- released documentary, "Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me."

In scenes that will be both painful and familiar to the 5 million American families walking the same path, the film captures Campbell's struggles with memory loss.

Continue reading on NBCNews.com...

Guadalupe County Fair 2014

October 8-12 in Seguin!

  • BootStrap Band
        Thursday 7:30-11:30pm
  • Natalie Rose
        Friday 8-Midnight
  • Gary Glenn & the 20X Band
        Saturday 9pm-1am
  • The Groove Hounds
        Sunday 1:30-4:30pm

more info at gcfair.org

Troubadour Song Night with Dennis Jay

Dennis Jay is starting a weekly songwriter open mic night at The Big T Roadhouse which is Dale Watson's club down in St. Hedwig, TX just east of San Antonio. The Big T Roadhouse was formerly known as Big T Icehouse and was run from 1978 until 2012 when Lorene Thomas (or 'Ms T') died of lung cancer. Dale Watson purchased this establishment and is keeping its roadside honky-tonk personality intact. Although I haven't visited Big T yet, from what I understand it's a really cool place to hang out.

But back to the "troubadour song night" that Dennis Jay will be hosting. Signups each Saturday will start at 7pm, and people will perform between 8 and 11pm. Dennis says this is a night of Ameripolitan roots music, with classic country, folk, blues solo singer/songwriters and he even welcomes cover tunes as well. Come try out your new songs, polish up on some old ones or just come and listen while you drink a cold beer or three.

links:
Dennis Jay and Lonesome Town on Facebook
The Big T Roadhouse on Facebook

KNBT FREE fall music series at Whitewater Amphitheater

KNBT is bringing you FREE live music at Whitewater Amphitheater each week in October!

October 2 - Two Tons of Steel
October 9 - Dirty River Boys
October 16 - Sean McConnell
October 23 - Jason Eady
October 30 - Radney Foster


One The Rocks (Canyon Lake) GRAND OPENING!

Our friends at Tusk Hoss Design have partnered with a beautiful restaurant "On The Rocks" to make it a premiere music venue on Canyon Lake. Below is information for their opening weekend shows starting this Thursday night! Click the poster below for their website and more information.

Helping a Hero

photo credit: K Jessie Slaten (KGNB)
from KGNB.am 9/12/2014

(New Braunfels, TX)  --   On September 11th, 2001, 8th-grader Justin Lane decided to join the army.  And join he did.  Unfortunately, Justin lost his best friend, and both of his legs in Afghanistan.  Yesterday morning, hundreds turned out to attend a Welcome Home Ceremony for (retired) Specialist JP Lane.  Not because Lane was returning home, but because the organization Helping a Hero chose Lane to be the recipient of a new home in Rebecca Creek Ranch, built to his needs and requests.  Helping a Hero officials say they have helped more than 100 wounded warriors in 22 states with homes adapted to their special needs. On Thursday, George P. Bush and singer Lee Greenwood were among the dignitaries  on hand to present Lane with the keys to his new country home. Mike and Roxann Cotugno of MJ Construction Services built and designed the 2,600-square foot home where Lane will continue to recover, as he pursues a music career.

More information and event audio at KGNB.am

links:
JP's YouTube channel
JP's Twitter
JP's Website

Gruene Music and Wine Festival - The Music

October 9-12

• Thursday: Uncle Lucius!
• Friday: Robert Earl Keen! (SOLD OUT)
• Saturday: Cory Morrow!

Sunday:
TEXAS-STYLE MUSIC FEST from 1 to 10
(brought to you by Gruene Hall and KNBT!)
Capacity Limited - Advance Tickets Recommended.
Tickets: $30 in advance / $40 at the door
Includes admission to Brew-n-Que on the Grapevine Grounds and 
Five Tasting Tickets (see details above).


Avoid the lines! Purchase tickets in advance and receive 
your wristbands and tasting tickets as early as 10am at Gruene Hall.
Each ticket holder must be present and provide valid ID.

ENJOY EIGHT FULL HOURS OF 
THE VERY BEST IN LIVE TEXAS TUNES!
Featuring*
Jason Boland (Acoustic)
William Clark Green
Midnight River Choir
Seth James Band
Thieving Birds
Monty Byrom
Tom Gillam Band
Zack Walther Band
and Many More!

*Lineup and Schedule Subject to Change.

Texas wine available for purchase in the beer garden.

Here's our video from 2011!

Artist Spotlight: Smoke Wagon

Like many bands, I've been trying to see Smoke Wagon perform live for quite some time. I finally had the opportunity to see them last Friday at Billy D's in Universal City. The acoustics weren't optimal, but the sound was well balanced and filled the oddly arranged room well. Smoke Wagon plays primarily Texas Country and Red Dirt tunes from the more popular bands of the last decade, and they do this very well. With highly capable musicians in all corners and the recent addition of a clasically trained violinist turned fiddle queen, it really rounds out their sound and enables them to match the instrumentation of many bands such as Randy Rogers Band, Wade Bowen, Reckless Kelly, Turnpike Troubadours and more.

Smoke Wagon was formed in 2011 which involved a Craigslist post and an urge to put together a band to cover a better brand of popular music. Going back a bit, lead singer Jay Brown and bassist Dave James were already comfortable playing together as they were both founding members of the raunchy, San Antonio-based parody band "Skunkweed" since the mid-90's. Skunkweed members Jay Brown and Leon Waddy branched out and started an additional band "The Country Fried Pickles" in 2008 which played primarily in New Braunfels and achieved some level of success. However, life eventually got a little too hectic for Jay to keep up with the demands of two bands and "real life" so he had to step down as lead singer of "The Country Fried Pickles". To make a long story short, "The Country Fried Pickles" hired Dave Fenley as lead singer after Jay left, renamed the band to Poor J. Brown (because it's kinda funny), Fenley went on to become a semi-finalist in Season 8 of America's Got Talent in 2013 then moved off to Nashville to further his music career and remains there currently with his wife Eden.

Back to Smoke Wagon...

After Jay took his hiatus from being in multiple bands then joining Smoke Wagon, this nearly takes us to their current roster. Stephen Ochsner is the rhythm guitarist, backup vocalist and a lifetime musician playing piano at a young age, trumpet as a teen and later picking up the guitar. Jason Kahanek is the lead guitarist, he played saxaphone in middle school, but in 7th grade he took a guitar lesson and never looked back. Jason played in a few bands prior to Smoke Wagon, but he is now in a band that allows him to play a wide variety of styles and grab the occasional spotlight with very capable soloing. Dave James is the bassist and an over 20 year well seasoned veteran of several bands playing many styles of music all over Texas so he helps pull Smoke Wagon together into a tight, well polished unit. Brandon Neumann is the drummer, and has been playing the drums since the age of 12. Brandon has played with several bands in Austin and San Antonio before joining up with Smoke Wagon and rounding out their sound.

They finally had pulled together the right combination of musicians to pump out a sound that impressed not only fans, but music professionals as well. That is, until in January of 2013 they were playing a gig at Tavern in the Gruene in New Braunfels and a certain classically trained violinist came to the gig and watched them play. Deborah Peltier is the fiddle player, she brings a skill that almost only happens when you start playing at a very young age, which she did. Deborah started with piano then picked up the violin in the 5th grade. Aside from some time playing guitar in an all girl punk band and some coffee shop serenading, Deborah is a classical violinist who even played with the Virginia Beach Symphony Orchestra for 2 years. With so many Texas Country and Red Dirt bands including fiddle parts, Deborah was a welcome and completing piece of the puzzle.

All members of Smoke Wagon have "day jobs", so they don't give us weekly opportunities to see them play, but watch their Facebook page for upcoming gigs. Of course we will let you know when they play within 25 miles, which they do regularly because they mostly burn up the northest side of San Antonio.

Here is a video sample of Smoke Wagon from September 12, 2014 at Billy D's in Universal City:


Also found on Galleywinter.com

Randy Rogers Band 6th Annual For the Sake of the Shot Golf Tournament

Many Texas artists have chosen to use the success they've enjoyed over the years in a way to help give back to the community, and the Randy Rogers Band is no exception. Randy Rogers and his band helped organize a charity golf tournament back in 2009 at The Bandit in New Braunfels to raise money for Camp Sweeney which is a summer camp that helps kids that have diabetes learn to not only cope with and manage their disease, but learn to live life to the fullest. Each year they picked a location and date for the tournament and concert and chose a child related charity to benefit, and raised large amounts of money for that cause. This year's 6th annual event will be held at River Crossing Club in nearby Spring Branch, TX and Ambers Angels will be the target of monies raised.

Past events:
6/12/2009 - The Bandit in New Braunfels, TX
6/11/2010 - The Bandit in New Braunfels, TX
11/14/2011 - Gleannloch Pines in Spring, TX
5/14/2012 - Tapatio Springs in Boerne, TX
7/12/2013 - Canyon West in Weatherford, TX

Learn more at RRBGolf.com!

Drew Kennedy Makes a Live Recording Without Realizing

click cover to pre-order on iTunes
(from CMTEdge.com)

Drew Kennedy’s double-disc Sad Songs Happily Played offers equal measures insight (“Rose of Jericho”) and introspection (“The Last Waltz”). CMT Edge spoke with the Central Texas-based songwriter about his elegant new concert collection.

“After the second time I played this great listening series at an old post office outside of Houston, the sound guy asked if I had any suggestions,” Kennedy recalls. “I said, ‘My only suggestion is that we record it next time because this place is perfect.’ Well, I found out he actually just recorded the show.”

Sad Songs Happily Played collects material from Kennedy’s entire catalog — six albums including high watermarks Wide Listener (2013) and Fresh Water in the Salton Sea (2011) — and deftly spotlights his vibrant, between-song storytelling.

CMT Edge: Describe how the new album took shape.

Kennedy: I started thinking … the value of making a live record when you didn’t know you were making one might be pretty substantial. I grew up in the time when bootleg trading was pretty popular, and you’d get these great shows where the band didn’t know they were recording. They were just turning in their show. So I thought it was more of an honest representation of me as a musician, and I decided to go for it. I think it represents me both as I like people to hear but also...

Read more on CMTEdge.com >>


New Music: Court Nance - The Accident EP

Court Nance is a great guitarist, songwriter and singer that even though he doesn't live in New Braunfels we consider him one of our own. He currently has a long standing Monday night residency at Tavern in the Gruene with his band The Court Nance Accident. Well, somehow Court snuck a new EP out past me. I finally bought and listened to it this morning and it is GREAT!

Check out Court Nance's new EP "The Accident" NOW!

See Court live this and every Monday night at Tavern in the Gruene, and Saturday September 13 with Pardo and Reed at River Road Ice House!

Let's fill the world with music

Seth James, Bobby Mack, Rick Richards and Jimmy Hartman playing blues at River Road Ice House in early 2014.

Ray Wylie Hubbard - "The Messenger" (via KUTX)

So this whole filling Facebook up with music thing has been nice. The ice bucket challenge was fun and for a good cause, but music will always trump charity in my book. One post has jumped out above all to me. Mutha Hubbard (Ray Wylie's wife) posted this when she was given the letter "H". It's pure Wylie magic.



Thanks KUTX for capturing this magic moment!

Drew Kennedy launches preview of new record

Drew Kennedy is among the members of our absolute favorite songwriters, and he has a new double-length live record "Sad Songs Happily Played" coming out on September 9th. It's available for pre-order now, or you can buy one of several pre-order packages on drewkennedymusic.com. I've heard several of these performed live recently, and can't wait to hear the rest of them.

You can listen to an 8-song preview now on livedk.com.

Wade Bowen hits the reset button


(press release)


PRE-ORDER NOW!!

If you haven’t heard of WADE BOWEN for one, - and to paraphrase Mr. Lyle Lovett, - that’s right you’re not from Texas and secondly – you’re about to.  Every story has a next chapter and for Wade Bowen, this new self-titled album, is it.  Wade Bowen marks a new beginning, the turning of the page to a place where the music becomes a little bit freer, a little bit looser, and a lot more intimate. This is the sound of catharsis, of Bowen released from major label bonds to find himself on his own again - ragged from the storm, but finally, back on shore.  In short, this is the Wade Bowen, the real thing.

A staple of the Texas Music charts, and a notorious road warrior, Bowen has sold over half a million album in his short career, sung duets with the likes of Will Hoge ("Another Song Nobody Will Hear") and Brandy Clark, (the duet of "Love in the First Degree" on the successful compilation "High Cotton: A Tribute to Alabama"), and been featured on compilations alongside the likes of Charlie Daniels, Old Crow Medicine Show, Eli Young Band and The Blind Boys from Alabama. His Wade Bowen Classic golf tournament has raised over 1 million dollars to benefit children's charities across central Texas.

“The focus was to talk about what I’ve been through. - to get personal,” Bowen says of writing these new tracks, “everything I’ve been through lead me to this.”  Of one of the album’s focus tracks, When I Woke Up Today (LISTEN BELOW), Wade remarks, “I just started analyzing the road and my passion to put up with so much to “make a dream fly!” I’m still here! It’s like I tell people, the road has tried to get rid of me but I’m still here!”



Sometimes, starting new, means going back to where you began in the first place, where music was played straight from the gut, for the sheer and beautiful joy of it. Wade Bowen was made without the burdens that come with big business or the pressures to fit in any kind of particular box. This is simple, American-made Americana, dreamt up on the road and played in the company of good friends.

TOUR DATES

8.11 / Los Angeles, CA / Troubadour
8.12 / San Luis Obispo, CA / Slo Brew
8.14 / Chico, CA / El Rey Theatre
8.15 / Boise, ID / Knitting Factory Concert House
8.16 / Sandpoint, ID / The Festival at Sandpoint
8.19 / Moscow, ID / John's Alley Tavern
8.20 / Seattle, WA / Tractor Tavern
8.21 / Portland, OR / Mississippi Studios
8.22 / Springfield, OR / Whiskey River Ranch
8.23 / Helix, OR / Wheatstock
8.24 / Salt Lake City, UT / The State Room
8.29 / Belton, TX / Central Texas State Fair
8.30 / Buda, TX / Buda City Park
9.05 / Nacogdoches, TX / Banita Creek Hall
9.06 / San Antonio, TX / R&J Music Pavilion
9.13 / Brenham, TX / Washington County Fair
9.17 / Lawrence, KS / Granada Theater
9.18 / Hays, KS / Singer's
9.19 / Kearney, NE / Shooter's
9.20 / Avon, CO / Strawberry Park
9.26 / Nashville, TN / Ryman Auditorium
9.27 / Kermit, TX / Kermit Celebration Days
10.03 / Austin, TX / The Belmont

Texas' disappearing dance halls

-via KVUE, Austin-

AUSTIN -- Some of the biggest stars in country music got their starts playing in small Texas dance halls.

But some of these Texas institutions are fading into the past while others thrive and remind the next generation of a time gone by.

"The day I got out of the army I started building the Broken Spoke. That was 1964, and I was 25-years-old," said James White, the owner of the Broken Spoke in Austin.

Mr. White is now 75. His beloved Broken Spoke still shines like the rhinestones on his red and black country western shirt.

He built a dance hall institution on two concepts: Cold beer, which was 25 cents a bottle in those days, and good music.

Acts like Bob Wills, Willie Nelson, George Strait, and Dolly Parton were regulars on Spoke stage. Their old photographs line the wall James White's memorabilia room.

"I had over 20 country music hall of farmers who performed here," said White.

That superstar power has kept the Spoke rolling.

Just 45 miles south the place that claims to be the oldest continually operating dance hall in Texas has cashed in on the star power, too.

Everybody who's anybody and many who started as nobody in the world of country music have graced the stage of Gruene Hall.

Manager Shane Roch said, "There's guys who play you know for free for tips on Sunday all the way up to Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett [and] Los Lobos."

read more (w/video)...

musicofnb on SoundCloud

Please visit our SoundCloud! We regularly bring you (with permission) songs we think you might want to hear.

Kayla Ray - Lonely Way of Dreaming

Smoke Wagon - Where Did I Go Wrong

Whiskey Rodeo - Old School Cool

Daniel Thomas Phipps - Ladder

Drew Kennedy - Rose of Jericho


Mark Allan Atwood & Brimstone - Crazy About Me


Aaron Stephens - Curtain Call


Tony Taylor - Sweet Redemption


Austin Gilliam - Strawberry Lemonade


Jordan Minor - Pap's Song


James Pardo - The One To Blame


Midnight River Choir - I Need A Miracle


Jennifer Sullivan - Autumn Moon


Jeff Strahan - Take Me To Texas


Chris King - Goodbyes & What You Leave Behind


Arielle Nicole - The Lower I Sink


The Boxers - How Low

Grande Communications Presents Float Fest 2014

Grande Communications Presents
FLOAT FEST
ENJOY TUBING, CAMPING & LIVE MUSIC
THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND ON THE SAN MARCOS RIVER!
SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2014 at COOL RIVER RANCH
featuring
GROUPLOVE - PORTUGAL. THE MAN - STRFKR - BUN B
WILD CHILD - RUN DMT - ZEALE - WHISKEY SHIVERS
ISHI - ROGER SELLERS -  HENRY+THE INVISIBLES and more!!

July 29, 2014 (Austin, TX) -- Grande Communications is proud to present the inaugural Float Fest featuring camping, tubing and live music on the beautiful San Marcos River at Cool River Ranch on Sunday, August 31, 2014.

Float Fest features international headlining artists including Grouplove & Portugal. The Man, STRFKR and Bun B, plus Central Texas artists Wild Child, Whiskey Shivers, Henry & The Invisibles and many more. Festival attendees are encouraged to arrive early and set up camp, rent a tube from Cool River Ranch and float right on up to the festival grounds!

Single-Day (Sunday only) and Two-Day (Saturday-Sunday) camping passes, VIP packages, and all-inclusive Camp/Tubing/Concert passes are available at www.floatfest.net.

Float Fest is designed to combine three of Central Texans’ favorite pastimes -- river floating, camping, and live music. Presenting on the southern banks of the San Marcos Rivers at the beautiful and expansive Cool River Ranch, festival goers can tube all morning, set up camp, and enjoy more than twelve performing artists on multiple stages, food & drink vendors and various activities.

Float Fest is presented by Grande Communications with support from Bud Light, Tequila 512, Red Bull, HEB Grocery, Do512, Don’s Fish Camp, 101X, 96.1FM, Beatbox, Eye in the Sky Collective, 365 Things to Do in Austin, Rowdy Gentlemen, Study Breaks, Embassy Suites, Four Hands Home, Art+Work, and others. For more information please visit our www.floatfest.net.

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