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Three Chords and the Truth By Ronnie Narmour ronnienarmour@gmail.com
Peace, love and rock and roll… Times are so tense right now. Wherever I go it seems someone is spitting their political opinions on my neck. Doom and gloom at every turn. The world’s anxiety level is busting at the seams. Terrorists, refugees, racism, elections, debates, open carry, police brutality, war, Paris, immigration, Trump, Charlie Sheen has AIDS and Bruce Jenner is “Woman of the Year”. The Pope says we’re watching World War III develop before our very eyes. It’s a wonder anyone sleeps at all these days. So what are you gonna do? My advice is to take a deep breath and enjoy every sandwich… and turn that TV off. But most of all, GO HEAR SOME LIVE MUSIC. It’s a wonderful distraction. Maybe even dance a little and spread some love. It’s good for the soul. So there you have it, My formula for world peace is to shut up and dance.
Hank Williams meets Metallica…
November 19, 2015
Island Moon go back in a couple more times and we nearly lost him at one point when his blood pressure cratered at 65/50. But, he’s too onery to die, at least right now. At last report, our angel of mercy, Tracy Weatherall tells me that “he’s a new man! His color is back and he’s smiling, joking and happy to be alive.” OK Rick, we’re all pulling for you pal. Keep sucking that air.
Countdown to Turkey Bowl…
Picklefish played Giggity’s on Saturday night. of-the-above band, Picklefish (Corpus Christi, TX) played. Now, there’s a band you can dance to. I’m more impressed with those guys every time I hear them. Lead singer Justin Estes is really powerful. He did a solo rendition of the Ray LaMontagne song, “Trouble” that gave me chills. On Sunday we threw a local’s party at Shorty’s. It was the mutual birthday of two island icons, Preecher Williams and Howie Andersen and brother did we have a time. We
It’s the week before Thanksgiving and this year is about to crescendo. Just to state the obvious, it’s a mere five weeks until Christmas and six to New Year’s. Not to mention, the Back Porch’s coveted “Turkey Bowl” is a week from this Sunday on the 29th. That’s where grown men and women stand in line, waiting their turn to hurl a 20 pound frozen turkey at bowling pins 25 feet away. It’s not as easy as it seems. This hallowed event marks the end of the Porch’s year, as they close until next March. Congratulations to Burke and Glenn and all our pals over there on another stellar year. Yall have a great winter. BTW, if anybody asks, that Turkey Bowl trophy is mine this year.
Alvin and the Slickpunks will play the Back Porch on Friday. playing his Viking guitar with a bow will sure get your attention. These guys have star quality. On Saturday, the reggae/ska outfit, Alvin and the Slickpunks will play the Porch. I caught these guys last year when the played, and they lay down a very cool groove. It’s definitely island stuff. Also on Saturday, Todd Dorn and the Sea Drifters (San Antonio, TX) will bring his special brand of country music, Port A style and Austin troubadour, Dan Sullivan will play the Gaff. Dan is very talented and has that Jim Croce stuff down to a science. Plus on Saturday, don’t miss Billy Snipe’s rockin’ reggae at Shorty’s and Houston blues rocker Hamilton Loomis at the Executive Surf Club. And on Sunday (I’ll throw in a shameless plug) the Sandy Bottom Boys will be playing their
DO NOT MISS LIST
Last weekend was actually pretty happening. Passing Strangers (San Antonio, TX) front guy John Boyd played his solo show at the Porch on Friday. Man that guy’s got a nice voice. Also on Friday, island staple, Ruben Limas, played
Preecher Williams and Howie Anderson celebrated their mutual birthdays with a big jam at Shorty’s.
Ruben Limas performed at Shorty’s on Friday. inside at Shorty’s and the new classic rock sensations, The Bad Buoys continued to polish their act. These guys are becoming one tight unit and their material rocks. All four guys take their turn at lead vocals and their harmonies are spot on. I like these guys. On Saturday, songbird Mandy Rowden (Austin, TX) did the honors at Shorty’s and over at Giggity’s, the soulful-island beat-reggae-blues-rock-none-
squeezed seven or eight of the island’s finest musicians on stage and told Katy to bar the door. It was a nice band: Charlie Rouzer on Hammond B-3, Ron Baker on guitar, Steve Goldstein on guitar and mando, Woodie Lawson, Chris Jordan and Eloy Martinez on bass, Preecher and his son Jake on drums, Jim Hinson on keys… plus a bunch of other players like Carol Elliott, Arnie Govella and Hank Reeves who gave the show some depth. They put out a huge BBQ spread in true Shorty’s fashion. The event drew all locals eager for a Sunday on the porch. Nobody got hurt and nobody got arrested. It was a smashing success. BTW, the highlight of the day was when Preecher played a rockin’ drum solo to Carol Elliott’s “Jambalaya.” Not sure I’ve ever experienced that one before. It was kinda like Hank Williams meets Metallica.
Lighthouse Rick continues to live… I am happy to report that the doctors have quit digging around in Lighthouse Rick’s chest, for the time being. Since I last reported, they had to
The Sandy Bottom Boys will play at Trinity by the Sea on Sunday. Powerhouse blues rocker Ulrich Ellison will play Giggity’s on Friday. Austrian born blues rockers, Ulrich Ellison and Tribe (Austin, TX) will return to Giggity’s on Friday. This is one hard working band who is making their mark all over the world. They are fresh on heels of a tour of Europe. Voted “Best Blues Band” in the Austin Music Awards, these seasoned pros know how to put on a show. Watching Ulrich walk the club
Lighthouse Rick Reichenbach still sucking air.
GIGGITY’S RESTAURANT & BAR Free Beer Band
IN PORT A
$
10.99
Nov. 19
Ulrich Ellison & Tribe
Nov. 20
Todd Dorn
Nov. 21
Antone & the All Stars
Nov. 22
Open Jam w/ Selfie
Nov. 23
Paul Taylor Band
Nov. 24
Billy Snipes
Nov. 25
Open 11am-2am Daily. Kitchen open til 1am. 722 Tarpon, Port Aransas, TX
Saturday, November 21 Alvin & the Slickpunks @ Back Porch Brian Winfrey (6:30-9:30) @ Island Italian Todd Dorn @ Giggity’s Dan Sullivan @ The Gaff Billy Snipes @ Shorty’s Hamilton Loomis @ Executive Surf Club
Monday, November 23 Open Jam w/ Selfie @ Giggity’s
Catering for any Occasion Closed Monday 222 Beach St. Port A (361) 749-0022
Tuesday, November 24 Paul Taylor Band @ Giggity’s
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Friday, November 20 Andy Bertelsen of Texas Renegade @ Back Porch Brian Winfrey (6:30-9:30) @ Island Italian Christen @ The Gaff Ulrich Ellison & Tribe @ Giggity’s Stevie Start @ Shorty’s The Groove @ Executive Surf Club
Sunday, November 22 South Texas Grassroots @ Island Italian Antone & the All Stars @ Giggity’s
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♫ ♪ And, that’s the truth ♪ ♫
Live Music Tonight
Thursday, November 19 Ruben Limas (6-9) @ Island Italian Free Beer Band @ Giggity’s
The Bad Buoys are catching tread around the islands.
hillbilly gospel at Trinity By the Sea Episcopal in Port A for their 11:00 service. We play bluegrass style gospel with songs like I Saw the Light, Amazing Grace, River of Jordan and Turn Your Radio On. It’s a lot of fun. That ought to keep you busy for a while.
Andy Bertelsen
Nov. 19
Alvin & the Slickpunks
Nov. 20
Mark Monaco
Nov. 27
Cruise Control
Nov. 28
TURKEY BOWL Sunday, Nov. 29 LAST DAY OPEN 132 W. Cotter St. Port A On the Waterfront
Stevie Start
Nov. 20
Billy Snipes
Nov. 21
Selfie
THANKSGIVING
Jim Dugan
Nov. 27
Ruben Limas
Nov. 28
OPEN Till 2am • 823 Tarpon St. Port Aransas
Sunday, November 29 Turkey Bowl @ Back Porch South Texas Grassroots @ Island Italian Antone & the All Stars @ Giggity’s Monday, November 30 Open Jam w/ Selfie @ Giggity’s Tuesday, December 1 Paul Taylor Band @ Giggity’s
Full Bar & Grill Live Music • Dog Friendly Caribbean Style Food
361-945-9595, 118 Cut Off Rd., Port Aransas www.dropanchorportaransas.com
Wednesday, November 25 Ty Dietz Band @ Shorty’s Billy Snipes @ Giggity’s Ty Dietz @ Shorty’s
Wednesday, December 2 Bad Buoys @ Giggity’s Thursday, December 3 Ruben Limas (6-9) @ Island Italian Free Beer Band @ Giggity’s Robert Earl Keen @ Brewster Street Clarissa Serna @ Rockits Friday, December 4 Melissa Brooke @ Giggity’s Bubba Westly @ Shorty’s
Thursday, THANKSGIVING Ruben Limas (6-9) @ Island Italian Free Beer Band @ Giggity’s Selfie @ Shorty’s Friday, November 27 Mark Monaco & Strayhearts @ Back Porch Brian Winfrey (6:30-9:30) @ Island Italian Billy Snipes @ The Gaff Lyrical Binge @ Giggity’s Jim Dugan @ Shorty’s Rockaholics @ Executive Surf Club Larry Joe Taylor, Deryl Dodds @ Third Coast Theater
Saturday, November 28 Cruise Control @ Back Porch Brian Winfrey (6:30-9:30) @ Island Italian Belt Sander Races w/ Uncle Willey, Russell Edge @ The Gaff Matt Hole & the Hot Rod Gang @ Giggity’s Ruben Limas @ Shorty’s Scarecrow People @ Executive Surf Club Larry Joe Taylor Band @ Third Coast Theater
Saturday, December 5 James Little Band @ Giggity’s Ruben Limas @ Shorty’s
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The Gaff Beer ● Pizza ● Belt Sander Races (361) 749-5970
Sunday, December 6 South Texas Grassroots @ Island Italian Antone & the All Stars @ Giggity’s Monday, December 7 Open Jam w/ Selfie @ Giggity’s Tuesday, December 8 Paul Taylor Band @ Giggity’s Wednesday, December 9 Stevie Start @ Giggity’s