Poster: Blowin' Off Steamboat Music Festival 4

Click poster for more info!

UPDATE: Blowin' Off Steamboat Music Festival 4!

Check out our Blowin' Off Steamboat Music Festival page for the FULL line up and more information! You do NOT want to miss it this time!!!

Poor J Brown's Thunder Dope Toy Drive & Music Jam

Poor J Brown's Thunder Dope Toy Drive and Music Jam
Saturday December 12 from 1PM-5PM
at Oma Gruene's Secret Garden
1263 Gruene Rd

Poor J Brown is teaming up with Oma Gruene's to help kids going through a tough time to have a better Christmas. Their 1st annual Thunder Dope Toy Drive and Music Jam will feature some of New Braunfels best musical acts (also Poor J Brown), great food, drinks, and contests. It's also your opportunity to give back by bringing an unwrapped NON-VIOLENT toy for the toy drive. Toys aren't the only thing that can help. They will also take donations of books, blocks, children's clothing, diapers, baby wipes, and gift cards. All items will go to the Crisis Center of Comal County. Every year the Crisis Center provides over 5000 nights of shelter to victims of domestic violence and their children. Let's help make Christmas a little brighter for these kids and their families and jam out at the same time.

This years musical lineup:
Austin Gilliam and Brent Michael Wood
Jade Patek
Whiskey Rodeo
The Zack Walther Band
Poor J Brown

Visit the Event Page on Facebook

honeyhoney coming to River Road Ice House in February

Photo by Kelsey Heng

I'm pretty even keeled and don't get terribly excited about much, but I've been a fan of the band honeyhoney since 2007/2008ish, met them before they opened for Ryan Bingham at Gruene Hall in March 2013 and have been waiting ever since for them to come back and headline ANYWHERE in New Braunfels. Well thanks to the kind folks at River Road Ice House this is finally happening!

Thursday, February 11, 2016 is the day, and *I* will be there, and *YOU* should too! Trust me, once you experience them they will be firmly planted on your top 10 for YEARS to come! I recommend starting with the Little Toy Gun music video. That's how I started this thing, whatever it is, and then just freestyle there from music videos, to live performances in both venues and at radio/TV stations, and you'll see what I mean! I'll put at least a couple of their videos below! Then join me in seeing them LIVE in New Braunfels in February!

Little Toy Gun (2008)


Angel of Death (2012)


You And I (2015)

Kent Finlay memory from Texas Music TV

Texas Music TV posted this on November 25, 2014 and a response Kent Finlay posted afterward is included below!

Shiner Beer Artist of the Day - Kent Finlay

Kent Finlay opened the doors of Cheatham Street Warehouse in June of 1974 as a music hall, to develop, perpetuate and promote Texas music in its most natural state - the honky-tonk. During the last three decades, Kent has earned quite a track record for developing new writers and artists, and we are proud of the wealth of talent that has walked through the door and up onto the stage of this rustic old building. Those were the days -- "Ladies Free" and nickle beer. George Strait and Ace in the Hole Band played their first 50 or 60 gigs on this very stage. "Little" Charlie Sexton and his younger brother, Will opened every Tuesday night for a very young Stevie Vaughan - even before he started billing his name with the "Ray".  In the middle... Lucky Cheatham Street veterans remember lots of Texas summer nights - filled with magic and music - Jerry Jeff Walker and Willie Nelson, Flaco Jiménez and Marcia Ball, Doug Sahm and Augie Meyer, Gatemouth Brown and Eric Johnson... the list goes on forever. We're proud to consider Alvin Crow and Joe Bob's Bar and Grill, Omar and the Howlers and Asleep at the Wheel, B. W. Stevenson, Lou Ann Barton and Guy Clark and Billy Joe Shaver and The Skunks, and the Killer Bees and Greezy Wheels all a part of the Cheatham Street Family. Kent continues to develop, promote and publish promising new writers and musical talents. He takes pride in opening the doors to give talent like Adam Carroll, Randy Rogers Band, Shelley King and a host of other new artists a place to grow and be nurtured before appreciative audiences. All the while, Kent carefully maintains the intimate setting that keeps veteran road warriors like Rusty Wier and Ray Wylie Hubbard, Monte Montgomery and Ray Benson’s Asleep At The Wheel coming back for more... and the list goes on and on and on.

From Kent Finlay

That beautiful building with all the soul and the great sound now belongs to THE CHEATHAM STREET MUSIC FOUNDATION 501(3)(c) -- and it is the primary job of the "foundation" is to carry on the music tradition into forever.  In addition to developing bands, musicians and songwriters, we are archiving music and collection music items of interest.  If you should have old photos or posters stuck somewhere in a drawer, we would appreciate it greatly if you would send them to us so that they can last forever.  And of course, we always need money as we continue to refurbish the "Warehouse."  If you should be willing to help out from time to time with a tax-free donation, you can send it to:  The CHEATHAM STREET MUSIC FOUNDATION 501(3)(c) --  Attn: Sage Allen --  119 CHEATHAM STREET --  SAN MARCOS, TX --  78666  --  (All donations greatly appreciated.  We are currently trying to raise enough money for a much needed new roof.)

And since some of you have been remembering some of those great JOE ELY shows from the past, I must say that JOE ELY will be back on December 12 for another incredible concert!   You probably might want to get your tickets in advance.  www.cheathamstreet.com

Here's the original post on Facebook...

Shiner Beer Artist of the Day - Kent FinlayKent Finlay opened the doors of Cheatham Street Warehouse in June of 1974...

Posted by Texas Music TV on Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Blowin' Off Steamboat Music Festival 4

It's BACK!!!

The 4th Annual Blowin' Off Steamboat Music Festival will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at Freiheit Country Store! We are very honored that all our proceeds for Blowin' Off Steamboat Music Festival will be going to Marsha Mudge (#MudgeStrong).

Marsha Mudge has been diagnosed with stage 4 T3 Breast Cancer. It has metastasized to her liver, c-spine, sacrum & skull. Marsha has endured more than most in the past 2 years and is now in the fight of her life. Marsha lost her husband Coach John Mudge suddenly on March 21, 2014 and has two young boys, Tanner and Jackson. She is undergoing chemotherapy and it is TOUGH to say the least.

Here's the POSTER, please share!

View the full performance schedule HERE!

This year we welcome Walt Wilkins back for the first time since our first event in 2013, and he's bringing his Mystiqueros with him this time! We also have several other GREAT full bands as well as fantastic acoustic performances all day! There will be hot food outside as well as Freiheits famous burgers and their regular menu inside. And we are the first major event of the year in the newly renovated bar and dance hall!

More information will be added here often, so check back regularly!

Full band:
• Walt Wilkins & The Mystiqueros
​• Sour Bridges
​• Texas Renegade
​• Matt Begley & Bitter Whiskey
​• Dennis Jay & Lonesome Town
​• Carol Cochran & Two Way Street

Acoustic performances:
Breelan Angel, Greg Francescon, Andrae Blissett, Jade Patek, Bryan Catalani, Brent Michael Wood, Jesse Stratton, Matt Kersh, Doug Kent, Bret Graham, Daniel Thomas Phipps, Tony Taylor, Dan Adams, Kris Smith, Bo Porter, Justin Murray & Devin Lee, BJ Thibodeaux, Kori Free, Jomo Edwards, Alli Mattice, Colt Buckelew & Tiffany Valentine!

And a special thank you to our sponsors!!
Comaltex Insurance
Papa Murphy's Pizza
Keep Austin Country
NB Mattress
Lonestar Medical
The Purple Chair
Smokey D
Tri-County Paint & Spray Inc.
Gregersen Family Chiropractic
The Nut Doctor
Kitchen & Bath Solutions
Bonzai Japanese Steak & Sushi

Rumor Town - The North Pole's Only Honky Tonk

Here's a new Christmas song for ya! Rumor Town just released The North Pole's Only Honky Tonk and you can listen to it free right here through SoundCloud, and you can even download a free copy and add it to your Christmas collection!

Download a FREE MP3 from rumortownmusic.com!

Dale Watson in Luckenbach Wednesday night!

Dale Watson & His Lone Stars will perform this Wednesday night at Luckenbach Dance Hall! Tickets are only $15 so make plans to be there! Also, check out Dale's new single The Bottle Never Let Me Down on an exclusive vinyl 45 only with Drink Up and Be Somebody on the flip side! It'll be available December 4 via Bloodshot Records!

Here's Jonesin' For Jones via MusicFog!

Pre-order Sam Riggs' new album 'Breathless' NOW!

This is Sam Riggs first full length album since the 2013 release 'Outrun The Sun'. That was a fantastic album, and I can't wait to hear where they've gone musically with the growth they've had over the past two years. If you pre-order this album through their Kickstarter campaign, you're not only getting access to packages you won't be able to get anywhere else, but you're also helping them fund the album release process which is VERY expensive if you want to do it on a level that gets it in front of people on a national level. Be a part of the history of this band as they take things up to that next level, pre-order it now!

Kickstarter page:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1253430286/be-a-part-of-sam-riggs-next-album

No labels. No record deals. Just me, the band, a batch of great tunes, and YOU. Learn how you can be a part of...

Posted by Sam Riggs on Monday, November 23, 2015

An Inside Look At Breathless:

VIDEO: Blue Water Highway Band's tribute to "The Band"

Valmark Chevrolet's "Greatest Hits Live" series at The Brauntex Theatre continued last night with Blue Water Highway Band performing an amazing tribute to songs originally performed by Bob Dylan's backing band when he made the jump to performing electric shows. Many folk purists disliked them because of Dylan moving away from performing acoustic shows, but out of their time before, during and after Bob Dylan some great music came about!

And for the record, Blue Water Highway is a FANTASTIC band, and you really need to check them out if you haven't!

Enjoy some video highlights of the show!

Walt Wilkins at River Road Ice House Mondays in November!

Walt Wilkins is playing at River Road Ice House each Monday evening in November. Last year he did the same during the September, and the crowds have definitely grown! This past Monday was dark and rainy, but Walt moved inside and entertained a fairly sizable crowd for a Monday night. Two more Mondays remain this month, don't miss out!

Dixie Chicks US Tour Dates!

The Dixie Chicks announce the first US tour dates in over 10 years! Three dates in August in Dallas, Houston and Austin, tickets available in just a few days!!

There's no telling what will happen when the Dixie Chicks return to North America next summer for the DCX MMXVI World...

Posted by Dixie Chicks on Monday, November 16, 2015

Video: Wurstfest 2015

Mikie Farias Photography

Another Wurstfest has come and gone, and sadly this year we were only able to make it there for one night. But if you find yourself in this precarious situation, always make sure that one night is on or before Thursday night. I love many of the bands that play each year such as Terry Cavanagh & The Alpine Express, Squeezebox, Die Bayrische 7 and so many more, but my absolute all time favorite band ever at Wurstfest is Alex Meixner Band! They play opening ceremonies (biting of the sausage) and play each night through Thursday.

Here is a compilation of one of their performances this year!

Prophets and Outlaws on ABC's Nashville

For the second time in three weeks, Prophets and Outlaws (based in Dallas, TX) will have one of their songs featured on ABC's popular music drama Nashville. On Wednesday, October 21 their song Mexico Tonight was featured, now a second song Sweet Soft Southern Smile will make an appearance!

"It’s so encouraging to have two songs we wrote in my living room being played on a show as big as ‘Nashville.’” said the band’s lead guitarist, Steven Guckenheimer. “The best part is seeing our fans as excited about it as we are."

Tune into ABC tonight at 9pm central!

links:
PAO on Facebook
PAO on Twitter
PAO's Website
ABC's Nashville

Chris Stapleton: Photos and Video From River Road Ice House

So on the heels of Chris Stapleton winning THREE CMA Awards last night, I give you these submitted photos from the October 24, 2015 show at River Road Ice House! Jason Eady and Adam Hood's Southern Brothers tour opened the show.

To recap!
Chris Stapleton wins CMA New Artist of the Year!
Chris Stapleton wins CMA Album of the Year!
Chris Stapleton wins CMA Male Vocalist of the Year!
Chris Stapleton and Justin Timberlake Perform Together at CMA Awards!

Here's Chris Stapleton and Jason Eady doing Whiskey and You together!

Jason Eady and Chris Stapleton killing it!!

Posted by Rodney Williams on Sunday, October 25, 2015

And now the photos:

THANKS RICK!!

Wurstfest 2015 Music Schedule

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6
Wursthalle
 4:00 pm Comal Community Band
 5:00 pm Opening Ceremonies – Biting of the Sausage
 6:00 pm Jodie Mikula Orchestra
 8:30 pm The Klaberheads
Das Grosse Zelt (The Big Tent)
 6:00 pm Die Bayrische 7
 7:30 pm Alex Meixner Band
 8:50 pm Die Bayrische 7
10:20 pm Alex Meixner Band
Das Kleine Zelt (The Little Tent)
 6:00 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
 7:30 pm Terry Cavanagh & Alpine Express
 8:50 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
10:20 pm Terry Cavanagh & Alpine Express
Stelzenhaus
 6:00 pm Ennis Czech Boys
 8:20 pm Mark Halata & Texavia
Stelzenplatz
 6:00 pm Alpenmusikanten
 7:30 pm S-Bahn
 8:50 pm Alpenmusikanten
10:20 pm S- Bahn

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Wursthalle
11:30 am Seven Dutchmen Orchestra
 3:20 pm Edelweiss Kinder Chor von New Braunfels
 4:15 pm Jodie Mikula Orchestra
 8:30 pm The Klaberheads
Schedule of Events – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 - continued Page 2
Das Grosse Zelt (The Big Tent)
11:30 am Comal Community Band
12:50 pm Die Bayrische 7
 2:20 pm S-Bahn
 3:50 pm Die Bayrische 7
 5:20 pm S-Bahn
 6:50 pm Alex Meixner Band
 8:20 pm Die Bayrische 7
 9:50 pm Alex Meixner Band
11:20 pm S-Bahn
Das Kleine Zelt (The Little Tent)
11:30 am Terry Cavanagh & Alpine Express
12:50 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
 2:20 pm Terry Cavanagh & Alpine Express
 3:50 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
 5:20 pm Terry Cavanagh & Alpine Express
 6:50 pm 3rd Generation
 8:10 pm Eurofest
 9:40 pm 3rd Generation
11:25 pm Eurofest
Stelzenhaus
11:30 am Ennis Czech Boys
 3:20 pm Rennie Guenther & the Happy Travelers
 4:40 pm Texas Sound Check Band
 8:35 pm Mark Halata & Texavia
Stelzenplatz
11:30 am Mike and The Middletones
12:50 pm Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push
 2:10 pm Mike and The Middletones
 3:50 pm Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push
 5:00 pm Masskrugstemmen Contest - Men
 5:20 pm Mike and The Middletones
 6:35 pm Masskrugstemmen Contest - Women
 6:55 pm Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push
 8:30 pm Alpenmusikanten

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Wursthalle
11:30 am Jodie Mikula Orchestra
 3:00 pm Seven Dutchmen Orchestra
 4:30 pm Waltz Contest
 6:20 pm The Klaberheads
Das Grosse Zelt (The Big Tent)
11:30 am S-Bahn
12:45 pm Alex Meixner Band
 2:00 pm S-Bahn
 3:15 pm Die Bayrische 7
 4:30 pm Alex Meixner Band
 5:50 pm S-Bahn
 7:10 pm Die Bayrische 7
 8:30 pm Alex Meixner Band
Das Kleine Zelt (The Little Tent)
11:30 am Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
12:45 pm Das Ist Lustig
 2:00 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
 3:15 pm Das Ist Lustig
 4:30 pm 3rd Generation
 5:45 pm Yodel Blitz
 7:00 pm 3rd Generation
 8:15 pm Yodel Blitz
Stelzenhaus
11:30 am Mark Halata & Texavia
 3:00 pm German Folkdancers of New Braunfels
 3:40 pm Ennis Czech Band
 6:00 pm Texas Sound Check Band
Stelzenplatz
11:30 am Mike and The Middletones
 1:00 pm Spass with Robynn Amy & Terry Cavanagh
 2:30 pm Mike and The Middletones
 4:00 pm Spass with Robynn Amy & Terry Cavanagh
 5:30 pm Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push
 7:00 pm Spass with Robynn Amy & Terry Cavanagh
 8:20 pm Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9
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
 6:45 pm Yodel Blitz
 8:30 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
Stelzenhaus
 5:30 pm The San Antonio Dutchmen
Stelzenplatz
 5:30 pm Spass with Robynn Amy & Terry Cavanagh
 7:40 pm Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Wursthalle
 5:30 pm Cloverleaf Orchestra
 6:30 pm Chamber Mixer
 7:00 pm “Salute to Veteran’s”
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 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 Das Ist Lustig
 7:40 pm Eurofest

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Wursthalle
10:30 am New Braunfels High School Band
11:15 am Terry Cavanaugh
12:45 pm Das ist Lustig
5:30 pm Seven Dutchmen 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 Squeezebox
 6:45 pm Texas Legacy Czech Band
 8:30 pm Squeezebox
Stelzenhaus
 5:30 pm The Walburg Boys
Stelzenplatz
 5:30 pm Eurofest
 7:40 pm Chardon Polka Band

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Wursthalle
 5:30 pm The Royal Klobasneks
 8:30 pm Jimmy Sturr and his 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 Squeezebox
 8:30 pm The Europa Band
10:10 pm Squeezebox
Stelzenhaus
 5:30 pm The Walburg Boys
 8:30 pm Gene Bartkiewiez with L. C. Roots
Stelzenplatz
 5:30 pm Chardon Polka Band
 7:00 pm Spitze!
 8:30 pm Chardon Polka Band
10:10 pm Spitze!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Wursthalle
5:30 pm Cloverleaf Orchestra
 8:30 pm Jimmy Sturr and his 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 Squeezebox
10:10 pm The Europa Band
Stelzenhaus
5:30 pm The Royal Klobasneks
8:30 pm The Dujka Brothers
Stelzenplatz
 5:30 pm Chardon Polka Band
 8:30 pm Spitze!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Wursthalle
11:30 am Eurofest
 1:50 pm Seven Dutchmen Orchestra
 4:10 pm Cloverleaf Orchestra
 6:30 pm The Royal Klobasneks
 9:00 pm Jimmy Sturr & his Orchestra
Das Grosse Zelt (The Big Tent)
11:30 am New Braunfels Village Brass Band
 1:00 pm The Europa Band
 2:40 pm Die Bayrische 7
 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 Rennie Guenther & the Happy Travelers
12:50 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
 2:10 pm Spass with Robynn Amy & Terry Cavanagh
 3:20 pm Squeezebox
 4:40 pm Spass with Robynn Amy & Terry Cavanagh
 6:00 pm Shiner Hobo Band
 7:20 pm Squeezebox
 8:40 pm The Europa Band
10:00 pm Squeezebox
11:20 pm The Europa Band
Stelzenhaus
11:30 am Texas Sound Czech Band
 3:45 pm New Braunfels Gemischter Chor Harmonie
 4:35 pm The Dujka Brothers
 8:30 pm Czech and Then Some
Stelzenplatz
11:30 am Das Ist Lustig
12:50 pm Chardon Polka Band
 2:10 pm Das Ist Lustig
 3:30 pm Chardon Polka Band
 4:30 pm Masskrugstemmen Contest - Men
 4:50 pm Spitze!
 5:50 pm Masskrugstemmen Contest - Women
 6:20 pm Chardon Polka Band
 8:00 pm Spitze!
 9:30 pm Chardon Polka Band
11:00 pm Spitze!

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15
(Admission is free after 3 pm)
Wursthalle
11:30 am Jimmy Sturr & his Orchestra
 2:30 pm Seven Dutchmen Orchestra
 3:30 pm Polka Contest
 5:50 pm Cloverleaf Orchestra
Das Grosse Zelt (The Big Tent)
11:30 am Boerne Village Band
12:45 pm Squeezebox
 2:20 pm Shiner Hobo Band
 3:45 pm Squeezebox
 5:20 pm Terry Cavanagh & Alpine Express
 6:45 pm Squeezebox
 8:20 pm Terry Cavanagh & Alpine Express
Das Kleine Zelt (The Little Tent)
11:30 am Oma & the Oompahs
 1:00 pm Rennie Guenther & the Happy Travelers
 2:20 pm 3rd Generation
 3:55 pm Eurofest
 5:30 pm 3rd Generation
 7:00 pm Eurofest
 8:30 pm Joe Rogers Big Band
Stelzenhaus
11:30 am Czech and Then Some
 2:45 pm Kinder Tänzer
 3:45 pm Texas Sound Check Band
Stelzenplatz
11:30 am Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
 1:00 pm Chardon Polka Band
 2:20 pm Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler
 3:50 pm Chardon Polka Band
 5:20 pm Mike & the Middletones
 6:55 pm Chardon Polka Band
 8:30 pm Mike & the Middletones

Video: Doing It Wrong by Leigh Nash

Leigh Nash released a Country album The State I'm In back in September. Although she no longer resides in Texas, Leigh is a native of New Braunfels and a graduate of New Braunfels High School. Leigh's Country album is well written, performed, produced and engineered, and mixes elements of her childhood love of classic female country artists with rock and pop influences from her time in both Los Angeles and Nashville. Above all else though, Nash's vocals are still as fresh and vibrant as her days when she rose to fame as part of Sixpence None The Richer.

Doing It Wrong is a fast-paced, guitar-laced leisurely stroll through a diner that is frozen in time, and Nash hops out of her classic Mustang to take full advantage of the situation by inflicting a little mischief on the patrons, staff and band only to return to her car and drive off just in time for them to wonder what just happened.

Enjoy this great video and song and check out the rest of The State I'm In available on iTunes, Amazon or at a record store near you!



links:
LeighNash.net

Chris Stapleton wins CMA Male Vocalist of the Year

10/24: Chris Stapleton performs at River Road Ice House with Jason Eady and Adam Hood
11/3: Chris Stapleton wins THREE CMA Awards!

Chris Stapleton not only won CMA New Artist of the Year and CMA Album of the Year, now you can add CMA Male Vocalist of the Year to the list!

CONGRATULATIONS! Chris Stapleton was by far the most talented person at the CMA Awards tonight, and he got the recognition to prove it! Country music might just survive mainstream after all!

VIDEO: Chris Stapleton and Justin Timberlake perform together at #CMAAwards

Chris Stapleton and Justin Timberlake Perform at CMAs

Chris Stapleton won the following CMA Awards tonight!

• CMA New Artist of the Year
• CMA Album of the Year
• CMA Male Vocalist of the Year

He also performed his song Tennessee Whiskey with Justin Timberlake, then they performed Timberlake's song Drink You Away!

Chris Stapleton wins CMA Album of the Year

"This is unbelieveable, I don't know what to think." -Chris Stapleton

What a night for GOOD music! I don't normally get into mainstream country music awards, but they are starting to take notice of legitimate artists like Chris Stapleton, and that is GREAT news! Earlier this evening Chris won CMA New Artist of the Year and now CMA Album of the Year for his May 3, 2015 release Traveller!

CONGRATS!!!

UPDATE: Chris Stapleton wins CMA Male Vocalist of the Year!
VIDEO: Chris Stapleton and Justin Timberlake perform together at #CMAAwards

Chris Stapleton wins CMA New Artist of the Year

Chris Stapleton just played a show at River Road Ice House with Adam Hood and Jason Eady back on October 24th, and tonight he won CMA New Artist of the Year!! People here are already asking when he'll be back in town, and of course some of them are asking if they'll bring Justin Timberlake with him. Come by yourself, or bring a friend, just please come back and see us soon!

UPDATE: Chris Stapleton wins CMA Male Vocalist of the Year!
UPDATE: Chris Stapleton wins CMA Album of the Year!
VIDEO: Chris Stapleton and Justin Timberlake perform together at #CMAAwards

Cleanup volunteers needed at Whitewater Amphitheater!

photo source: Whitewater's Facebook

Among the many hit hard by this storm, Whitewater Amphitheater took some pretty extensive damage today when the Sattler exit gauge hit well over 7000cfs. The video below is after the flooding in May when the exit gauge was at 5300cfs and there was water over the road in a few places on River Road. They are going to begin cleanup efforts in the morning and could use some volunteer help!

If you're able to safely make it to Whitewater and help them begin the cleanup, please direct message me on Twitter or Facebook or contact me via my contact tab on this website.

If it's Saturday morning after about 10 and you want to come help, just show up and Whitewater and ask for Angie or Brian (me) because I'll probably be in the muck for awhile with no phone.

Thank you!

NEW Music Video From The Statesboro Revue!

UPDATE: Here's the video!

The Statesboro Revue just finished a music video for Undone off their great new album Jukehouse Revival! You can see it on Justin Frazell's Texas Red Dirt Roads website THIS Sunday at 3:30! We'll likely post it here as soon as possible too!

links:
Texas Red Dirt Roads (website)
The Statesboro Revue (website)

Dixie Chicks perform in US!

Photo from Dixie Chicks Facebook page

Each year Neil and Pegi Young organize an all acoustic benefit concert for The Bridge School in Hillsborough, CA. This was their 29th year and the event was held on October 24th and 25th and featured many fantastic musical acts, including The Dixie Chicks!

The Bridge School:
The Bridge School is a non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure that individuals with severe speech and physical impairments achieve full participation in their communities through the use of augmentative & alternative means of communication (AAC) and assistive technology (AT) applications and through the development, implementation and dissemination of innovative life-long educational strategies. The Bridge School is an internationally recognized leader in the education of children who use augmentative and alternative communication and has developed unique programs and trained highly skilled professionals in the use of state of the art assistive technology.

Annual Bridge School Benefit Concert:
Organized by musicians Neil Young and Pegi Young, the Bridge School Benefit Concert is an annual, all acoustic, non-profit charity event held every October at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. All proceeds directly benefit the operations of The Bridge School.

See GREAT photos and more info from this great event!

Hold My Beer and Watch This!

Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen's Hold My Beer and Watch This tour is coming to River Road Ice House THIS Saturday for Halloween! Don't pass up this rare chance to catch this show at home base for both Randy and Wade in New Braunfels! They just released "Hold My Beer, Vol 1" back in April, and it is a fantastic return to country roots for both artists!

"Hold My Beer: Vol. 1 is a record that's part road movie, part joke book, part Western philosophy but, above all else, is the story of enduring friendship and the value of personal integrity, Saturday night dance parties and a couple of good, stiff drinks."


Get your tickets NOW, they're going fast!

Adam Carroll and Friends at Gruene Hall

Adam had friends Courtney Patton and Jamie Wilson as well as his wonderfully talented wife Chris Carroll with him this past Tuesday night at Gruene Hall. It's always a pleasure to see any of these 4 perform, and even better when this much talent is brought together in one place, as happens regularly at Gruene Hall on a week night! Next Tuesday (Oct 27) Adam will be joined by Owen Temple and Kelley Mickwee!

Enjoy this sample of their performance!

Prophets and Outlaws

Nashville, TN-(October 21, 2015)-The best known music artists that come out of Texas wave a very particular kind of flag. It's much less a vanity plate and more of an honorary badge that symbolizes a very difficult trek down the independent highway and an abiding connection made with the masses. Storytelling is a fine art that has not been lost on Texas music fans, and although the newer generations are the celebrated warriors keeping those fans well fed, the legends of country music remain sultans of the clan. Dallas-based Prophets and Outlaws attest to this fact on their newly released single "Country Music Gold" off their latest EP "Texas Home."

The single is essentially a pledge of allegiance as the towering voice of lead singer Matt Boggs pleads with the radio DJ to free him from the nutrient deficient diet of today's pop country. The sentiment of the song is befittingly illustrated in the line, "Bro country don't know country and I think it might be best Mr. DJ if you'd save us a little bit of trouble and spin my one request." The most remarkable characteristic of the song is the actual sound of it, a contemporary, bluesy number that is symptomatic of the band's signature sound deemed "Texas soul" by critics and their peers. Their independence from the country sound has not in the least denied them love and praise at country radio. In fact, they are a particular favorite that have been instrumental in helping radio expand their playlists, have produced three Top 20 singles on the Texas Music Chart, and whose success demonstrates perfectly how Texas music truly has no barriers.

The band will start recording their new 5-song EP later this month with producer Jason Burt behind the board, the very same man who produced their new and current single. The EP is slated for release in early 2016. Between studio time and live performances, they are also making plans to shoot their very first music video for "Country Music Gold" in November. And this just in, their song "Mexico Tonight" sonically appeared on last night's episode of the ABC hit drama "Nashville."

New Single from Cory Morrow

Noted Texas country music singer and songwriter Cory Morrow is releasing a new single, Winning Hand, from his 2015 album The Good Fight this week. Written in collaboration with folk and country musician Owen Temple and composer-producer Brian Keane, Morrow describes Winning Hand as a celebration of realizing that living life in faith means one can "throw all of your cards on the table knowing that you’ve already won.

"I asked [Temple and Keane] if we could write a song that was uplifting and also celebratory of a relationship that felt like you’d won the lottery -- one that was a constant winner," explains Morrow. "For me it reflects the only relationship that always wins and it truly reflects the result of fighting the good fight every day. It also embraces the idea that there’s no shame in the fall. It’s what we learn from it and how we’re able to get back on our feet."

Perhaps best known for his 2002 award-winning album Outside the Lines, which peaked at #28 on Billboard’s Country Album chart, the Houston native shot to #7 among SoundScan’s Country debut artists at age 30. That hard-fought success took a tumble after a brush with the law in 2005, and in subsequent years Morrow focused on his spiritual journey rather than a recording career.

That journey, said Morrow, is reflected in The Winning Hand and other singles that make up The Good Fight, which he produced with the help of Lloyd Maines.

"There’s always been a thread of spirituality in everything I’ve done," Morrow says. "But I had always been searching for something more.

"That’s what we mean when we walk in a life that inspires us to fight the good fight."

More clips from The Good Fight and Morrow’s tour schedule can be found at corymorrow.com.

I Had to Give That Up Too

Photo by Jagger Bruch

This past Friday night something pretty special happened at the Dosey Doe "Big Barn" in The Woodlands up north of Houston.  Sammy Kershaw was playing a nearly sold out show and Jamie Lin Wilson was the opening act. There is some significance to Jamie opening this show that Sammy didn't realize at first. You see , Sanmy released a new album "I Won't Back Down" back in June of this year, and the 7th track is titled "I Had to Give That Up Too" and was co-written by Keith Gattis, Savannah Welch and Jamie Lin Wilson.

During Sammy's show he announced that although he hadn't asked his band to learn the song, he found out that one of the co-writers of the song was there, and he wanted to have her play the song while he tried to sing it. He went on to say it was his favorite song on the album and even went so far as to issue a "no joke" just so people knew he wasn't just blowing smoke because Jamie was there. He continued on to explain how much he appreciated songwriters, because he doesn't sing a song unless he's lived the story, and he's admittedly not a "great" songwriter so he's grateful that there are great songwriters out there that can write songs that he has lived.

Jamie played the song on Sammy's acoustic guitar and Sammy began singing.  Jamie is a very talented performer herself, and is an especially talented harmony vocalist, so she instinctively sang along where appropriate, and when Sammy realized what she was doing he moved closer and shared his mic with her.

There were several looks of surprise, approval and wonder coming from Mr. Kershaw, and he was clearly impressed by her singing. For several years, she has entertained many both as a solo act and with either of the bands she has performed with, The Gougers and The Trishas. Co-writers Gattis and Welch both have prior ties to Jamie, among them Savannah was one of the 4 Trishas, and Keith produced The Gougers record "A Long Day for the Weathervane".

If this song sounds familiar, you may have also heard it on Randy Rogers Band's 2013 album "Trouble"!

Enough of this history lesson! Special thanks to PJ Dennis for capturing this great moment on video, and even more so for giving Jamie and I permission to post it! Go listen to Sammy Kershaw, Jamie Lin Wilson, The Trishas, The Gougers or any of the other past or present projects from any of these magnificent musicians!

Here is Sammy Kershaw w/Jamie Lin Wilson:

Here is Jamie Lin Wilson singing I Had To Give That Up Too at Gruene Hall!

George Strait at Cheatham Street?

Did George Strait make a surprise appearance at Cheatham Street Warehouse?

by Cody Oxley

For the past couple of years, Randy Rogers has held acoustic performances at Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, TX every month or two. Each time, he invites a special guest or two to join him. The shows always sell-out. The guest is almost always a secret until showtime, and the list includes Hayes Carll, Kyle Park, Sunny Sweeney, and an exhaustive list of artists you likely love.

On October 13, 2015, Randy took the stage again. Cheatham is special for Randy. It's where the Randy Rogers Band had its first gigs. Cheatham is also special to other noteworthy artists. Stevie Ray Vaughan once held down a Tuesday night residency, and some say he still makes a random spiritual appearance at the hallowed old warehouse. George Strait and the Ace in the Hole Band started at Cheatham as Southwest Texas students, and band members current and former are often in the audience.

Cheatham Street Warehouse lost its founder, Kent Finlay, to cancer earlier this year. He was not just a music venue owner. He was a songwriter and a mentor to many up and coming songwriters, Rogers included. It must be a bittersweet return each time Rogers takes the stage knowing that though Kent no longer watches from his stool at the end of the bar, Mr. Finlay definitely watches from somewhere over the stage.

Continue reading...

John Anderson with Jason Allen at RRIH

Win FREE tickets to see John Anderson (Jason Allen opens) at River Road Ice House THIS Friday, October 16! Click either the link below or the banner above and comment on the Facebook post for a chance to win!

John Anderson/Jason Allen FREE TICKETS

Dennis Jay and Lonesome Town

Friday night my family and I ate dinner at River Hofbrau & Beer Garden in New Braunfels. They typically have live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, and this particular evening Dennis Jay and Lonesome Town were playing. I have to admit I personally am a dramatically eclectic music listener, I grew up on country, rock, classic rock, southern rock, blues, jazz, hillbilly, classical (you get the picture).

Dennis writes songs that appeals to one of the very thick layers of my inner music fan. I really picked up on what Dennis was doing about a year and a half ago, and once I realized that most of the songs he was doing that floored me were songs that he wrote, I was hooked! On the surface, this may just seem like another guy doing western or cowboy music, but Dennis goes way deeper than that, he is staying truer to the origins of his music than possibly anybody I've encountered, then he takes it one step further and makes it his own, including many of the country and folk songs he covers from songwriters of primarily the 40's through the 70's.

I had the privilege of going into the studio twice with Dennis this year as he's been recording a new album at The Zone in Dripping Springs. Lloyd Maines is producing this project, as well as playing pedal steel and some guitar parts. It's almost surreal watching a grammy winning producer such as Lloyd Maines work, he makes everything look easy and he makes everybody's jobs easier because he appears to have a very clear vision and he heads steadily in that direction. I can't wait to hear the final mixes, and I am very ready to see this new piece of music history hit the shelves!

Dennis Jay and Lonesome Town is:
Dennis Jay - lead vocals/guitar
Howard Levine - guitar/vocals
Jimmie Calhoun - bass
Billy Mansell - drums

Dennis Jay and Lonesome Town at River Hofbrau, New Braunfels

Dennis Jay and Lonesome Town at River Hofbrau, New Braunfels

Dennis Jay and Lonesome Town at River Hofbrau, New Braunfels

The Zone (Dripping Springs) w/Pat Manske and Lloyd Maines

The Zone (Dripping Springs)

New Randy Rogers Band album coming in January

Nashville, TN — Critically acclaimed, chart topper Randy Rogers Band announces the release of their new independent studio album NOTHING SHINES LIKE NEON.  Neon is the follow up to four back-to-back iTunes chart topping albums: RANDY ROGERS BAND, BURNING THE DAY, TROUBLE and HOMEMADE TAMALES.

The band spent over two years touring and writing new material to bring into the studio.  When they arrived at Cedar Creek in Austin, they had a collection of seven songs written or co-written by the band, a handful of tracks written by their peers and two songs co-written by Rogers and legendary songwriter/producer Buddy Cannon.  “The band and I had a lot of fun recording at Cedar Creek in Austin. Being close to home, family and friends made the process all the more enjoyable for us. We brought Buddy Cannon on board to the produce the album and hoped Neon would build upon the traditions of the country albums we grew up listening to.  It’s country.  We’re proud of it.  We hope our fans enjoy it.”

Right from the start, the band firmly drives their stake in the ground, opening the album with the fiddle driven, Texas shuffle “San Antone.”  The album delivers one classic country song after another complete with heart on the sleeve lyrics, powerful smoky vocals, blazing fiddles and guitars.   Stand outs on the album include the beautiful, instant classic “Look Out Yonder,” a duet with Alison Krauss and a pair of aching ‘wish I could get over you’ tunes “Things I Need To Quit” and “Tequila Eyes” written from each side of the coin.  As fans expect from the Randy Rogers Band, the album delivers a dose of hell-raising including a duet with Jamey Johnson “Acting Crazy” and the devil may care “Taking It As It Comes” featuring Jerry Jeff Walker.

Kayla Ray: Love & Liquor

Kayla Ray was born and raised in Texas. She was brought up on the music of greats such as Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Tanya Tucker, Merle Haggard, George Jones, and Willie Nelson. This pedigree shines through not only in Kayla's music, but in her personality and attitude. I have to say, and this isn't at all a stretch, Kayla embodies everything that was and should still be country music. Kayla is a sweet spirit with a love of music and the songwriting and performing ability to let the good times and the tough times of her upbringing shine through.

I've had Kayla Ray's record Love & Liquor in my hands for several months now. I've listened to it many times, in fact I keep coming back to it every few weeks. Kayla is relatively young, but she has already made a go as a solo performer and released a 5 song EP of all original songs Girl in the Band in 2011. Kayla launched a Kickstarter campaign in the summer of 2013 to raise money to record her first full-length album. A "Kickstarter Launch" party with Jason Eady (emceed by Rawhide & Velvet's Rita Ballou) gave her a strong start, and by December 2013 she was tour managing for Jason Eady and hitting The Zone in Dripping Springs to record her album! Jason produced Kayla's record and provided some lead and harmony vocals. This was actually Jason's first time acting as producer, which is amazing as you listen to track after track of country brilliance.

Kayla released Love & Liquor on August 28, 2014 and started to travel and play as much as possible, sometimes on her own and sometimes with a band. Kayla played her first full band gig in our area in March of 2015 at Happy Cow in Hunter. I looked Kayla up and listened to samples of her record on iTunes and was instantly hooked. I got my hands on her record and listened through it several times over the next 2 months, then found out while helping with the planning of Galleywinter's Greenfest that Kayla would be playing during one of the acoustic sets on Sunday at Lone Star Float House! Kayla is in no way a studio creation like a lot of the modern day "country" they play on the radio, she truly is gifted and I hope she breaks through and helps the world see what country music needs to return to!

The players:
• Kayla Ray - Songwriter, vocals and acoustic guitar
• Jason Eady - Producer and lead/harmony vocals
• ​Courtney Patton - Harmony Vocals
• Nick Dennard - Electric guitar, dobro, acoustic guitar and co-writer on 2 songs
• Chris Schlotzhauer - Pedal steel guitar
• Jeremy Watkins - Fiddle and harmony vocals
• JD Miller - Bass guitar
• Jeremy Bryant - Drums and percussion
• Pat Manske - Engineer, Percussion

Kayla will be playing THIS Monday, October 5 from 7-9 at River Road Ice House and on December 10th at Riley's Tavern in Hunter!

Here's a sample of Love & Liquor!


Please buy a copy of Love & Liquor online at KaylaRayMusic.com, on iTunes or Amazon or buy a copy from her in person next time she plays near you!

Also featured on Galleywinter!

Rumor Town's NEW music video

Watch Rumor Town's brand new video for their single 'He's Right Where I Belong'. It was shot locally at The Watering Hole Saloon & Dancehall!



links:
Rumor Town
Watering Hole Saloon

New LP from Brandy Zdan coming SOON

(Nashville, TN) Nashville based, Canadian born, Brandy Zdan (Zuh-dan), announces her album is set to drop November 17, 2015. Recorded with members of My Morning Jacket and produced by Teddy Morgan, the album is a self portrait of an artist in full, confident flight marking her as a new voice on the indie alt rock scene. Last spring, SPIN.com premiered the first single More of a Man calling Zdan's songwriting sharp with "fetching pop/rock melodies".

Zdan previously co-founded the Canadian Americana duo, Twilight Hotel in 2003 earning a couple notable JUNO (Canada’s Grammy) nominations. After parting ways she was recruited as a member of Austin based band, The Trishas, all the while forming the vision for her first solo outing.

Zdan is set to release a song a week every Tuesday for free download up until 11.17.15 through SoundCloud. She will be on tour throughout the fall in NY/OK/TX/MO/TN.

• See full dates
• View Album Trailer

The Texas Tornados at Gruene Hall

A special thank you to Gruene Hall for consistently living up to your reputation as a "legendary" dance hall. You really are a true Texas treasure!

NOTE: Be sure to scroll down past the video for a great background on the Tornados transitional period after the deaths of Doug Sahm and Freddy Fender. And I'd like to say a special thank you to Shawn and Cheryl Sahm for helping me piece this together!

Opportunities to see living legends seem to be almost commonplace in New Braunfels since musically speaking this is such a unique town, and this weekend I was able to see for the first time a band that I've listened to since shortly after they were "officially" formed in the early 90's, The Texas Tornados. Among the varied and diverse musical selections my dad played when I was a kid, was Freddy Fender plus Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. This aided in my love of bands that include a horn section or an accordion.

Fast forward to this weekend, it was nice to finally see the current form of The Texas Tornados at Gruene Hall, and if you haven't them with Doug Sahm's son Shawn at the helm along with Nunie Rubio on supporting vocals, let me put your mind at rest, Shawn has carried on true to his father's spirit, along with a bit of his own personal flavor, and Shawn is doing an amazing job keeping the tradition of The Texas Tornados alive!

Enjoy some video highlights from the show!


For a little background, The Texas Tornados officially formed in 1990, and continued to release records and tour until the untimely death of Doug Sahm after a heart attack in November 1999. Shawn Sahm reunited the Texas Tornados in 2005 to record a Doug Sahm tribute album. This included all remaining Texas Tornados Freddy Fender, Flaco Jimenez, Augie Meyers, Louie Ortega, Speedy Sparks and Ernie Durawa. When Freddy asked Shawn which of his songs he wanted to record, Shawn told Freddy he wanted songs nobody has heard before. Freddy said he didn't have anything new so Shawn suggested he write some new songs for this album. Among these newly penned Freddy Fender songs was "If I Could Only". Freddy wanted Augie to sing it Freddy style, but Shawn said "nobody does Freddy Fender better than Freddy Fender" so Shawn had Freddy record it.

Freddy passed away in October 2006 which was shortly after the CD was finished, so Shawn decided to make the reunion tour a celebration of Doug and Freddy. Shawn added Flaco's singer Nunie Rubio (who also played in Shawn's band The Tex-Mex Experience) to sing Flaco's songs and some of the Freddy songs, and also called on long time friend Neal Walker to cover the background harmonies. The tribute album 'Esta Bueno' was finally released in 2010, and the Texas Tornados have been touring together ever since, refining their chemistry and sound, and the maturity that has come from the past few years is evident when watching the excitement level of the sold out crowd at Gruene Hall cheering on the band during each and every song, old or new!

Mickey Gilley & Breelan Angel at Freiheit

Freiheit Country Store's music calendar may be a bit sparse compared to other local venues, but they really know how to make each show count! Last night I saw one of they guys I grew up hearing regularly and would have never thought back then I would see him live when he was 79, had two accidents that severely impaired him with paralysis from the waist down and the loss of fine motor skills in his hands, but Mickey Gilley walked on the stage last night, sang with a golden voice every bit as good as it was 20 or 30 years ago and he even danced some! He did sit during several songs, but it was great to see that even though he isn't currently playing piano on stage, he said he hadn't given up on his hands yet, and he is still a very entertaining performer.

Breelan Angel opened the show last night, she was accompanied on stage by a guitarist and fiddle player and she is definitely a great example of the recent rise of female artists in Texas that are holding onto more traditional country roots. Breelan is a resident of New Braunfels, but you won't see her around here much because she's busy out on the road making a name for herself! She is definitely on the rise and I'm honored to say she will be joining us this coming January for our fourth annual Blowin' Off Steamboat Music Festival.

Enjoy some highlights of the show!