A 16
Three Chords and the Truth
November 20, 2014
Island Moon
By Ronnie Narmour ronnienarmour@gmail.com
Douglas Wayne Sahm…
Fools of the Trade played the Back Porch on a cold Friday night The band played their little hearts out and kept big smiles going, but the joint was vacant. Not even T-Joe was there. The highlight for me was the one Gary Stewart song they played. It was a different story over at Shorty’s where Selfie played on Friday and the John Cortez Blues Band played on Saturday. They had the bands playing on the inside instead of out on the porch. It was really toasty in there and totally jumpin’! I really like Selfie, which is wild man Ray Summy on guitar and local “Jack of all
held at Concrete Street on Friday, the 21st this year. They held it at Whataburger Field the past couple of years and that facility proved to be just too big. They set the stage up in the left field bleachers and the crowd actually viewed the bands from the playing field, but it didn’t really work IMHO. I think the facilities at Concrete Street are a much better choice. For one thing, they are equipped to put on big shows… that’s what they do. Whataburger Field is equipped for baseball games…. concerts get lost in there. This year the headliner is Americana superstar, The Eli Young Band (Denton, TX) who had two chart topping singles in 2011with Crazy Girls (which went double platinum) and 2012 with Even If It Breaks Your Heart (which went platinum). Also on the bill will be the Josh Abbott Band (Austin, TX), Pat Green (San Antonio, TX), Josh Grider (New Braunfels TX), local songbird Bri Bagwell (Corpus Christi, TX) and John Slaughter (Huntville, TX). Tickets are $25 and the show starts at 6:15 alternating the Pavilion Stage and the Main Stage.
Upcoming shows this weekend…
Texas music ambassador Doug Sahm passed away 15 years ago this week.
This week marks the 15th anniversary of maestro Doug Sahm’s death. I was Doug’s booking agent in the mid 90’s after he released the classic R&B album “Last of the Real Texas Blues Bands” (Antone’s Records 1994) recorded with the storied Westside Horns of San Antonio. At the time I owned the inhouse agency for the Antone’s Record label and handled many of their artists (Miss Lavelle White, Texas Johnny Brown, Guy Forsyth, Sue Foley, Lazy Lester, Mark Benno, Syl Johnson, etc). I had known Doug since the early 80’s and jumped at the chance to represent him. Doug was the consummate Texas musician and had an equal zest for all of its genres: blues, R&B, country, conjunto, jazz, rock and roll and beyond. The San Antonio native was a child prodigy known as “Little Doug Sahm” and played fiddle and steel guitar on many stages with such mega-stars as Hank Williams Sr. In 1965, prompted by record producer Huey Meaux, he formed the Sir Douglas Quintet with Augie Meyers and began recording hits such as Mendocino and She’s About a Mover. He went on to work with Jerry Wexler of Atlantic Records in the 70’s and recorded the famous “Doug Sahm and Friends” album in 1973 which featured Bob Dylan, Dave Bromberg and Dr. John. In the 90’s Sahm went on to form the Tex-Mex super-group, Texas Tornadoes, with Freddy Fender, Augie Meyers and Flaco Jimenez. Doug died unexpectedly from a heart attack in a cabin in Taos, NM on November 18, 1999. I was managing a venue in San Antonio (The Laboratory) at the time and had been recently speaking with him about doing some shows. San Antonio Express-News music writer and good friend, Jim Beal, Jr. called and gave me the sad news. Sahm was the undisputed ambassador of Texas music and a key element in the development of the Austin music scene. There will never be another like him. RIP old friend. You are missed. For an excellent tribute by Bill Bentley go to www.austinchronicle. com/music/1999-11-26/74813/.
Porch and the real deal blues boys, Smokin’ Joe Kubek featuring Bnoise King (Dallas, TX) at Brewster Street. I have done many shows with Joe Kubek in the past in clubs in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Denver and know this man’s talents well. There are few who can keep up with his master guitar shredding. He’s absolutely one of the best. John Cortez will open that show. Also on Saturday, the local VFW post in Port A will have their annual Chili Cook-off and in observance, The Gaff will not be having their monthly belt sander races.
Thanksgiving weekend can only mean one thing…TURKEY BOWL!!!
Selfie played Shorty’s last Friday
Purple Mushroom played Giggity’s last Saturday trades” Chris Jordan on bass. They have an arsenal of drummers they use. These guys are doing an island slanted repertoire of rock, blues and reggae and its fun. On Saturday, Giggity’s showcased a new band, Purple Mushroom (Corpus Christi, TX) who played the harder side of classic rock. It may have been a little too edgy for the room. Also, our pals Ruben Limas (Corpus Christi, TX) played Giggity’s on Friday. I always love to play stump the band with this guy but never win. I know that November is historically the slowest month of the year as far as tourism and club revenue goes, but I keep hoping this year will be different. So far it’s not.
DO NOT MISS LIST Ziegfest 2014… The weatherman says all this cold and rainy stuff is supposed to move out for the weekend and just in time for Ziegfest 2014, which will be
Cold enough for you?
It was another cold, slow weekend on our little sandbar. I did get out and brave the elements a little bit though. Over at the Back Porch a scaled down Fools of the Trade (Austin, TX) made their Port A debut to nobody… not one customer was there. It was bleak. We all huddled around the propane heaters and waited around but nobody came. That was a first for me for as long as I’ve been hanging around the Porch.
Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Bnoise King will play Brewster Street this Saturday.
The Eli Young Band will headline Ziegfest on Nov. 21.
GIGGITY’S RESTAURANT & BAR Free Beer Band Nov. 20 J.T. Coldfire Nov. 21 Ty Dietz Band Nov. 22 Antone & the All Stars Nov. 23 OPEN JAM Nov. 24 Tiffany Tuesday Nov. 25 Billy Snipes Nov. 26 Open 11am-2am Daily. Kitchen open til 1am. 722 Tarpon, Port Aransas, TX
Thanksgiving at Roosevelt’s 11:30-3:00 Buffet-style Carved Turkey, Prime Rib & More... Located in the Courtyard of the Historic Tarpon Inn- Port Aransas
945-JUMP skydivesouthtexas.com
Lisabellas Bistro & Bar Casual Dining at it’s Finest Celebrating Coastal Cuisine
361-749-4222 Open Tuesday - Saturday at 5:00 pm
Celebrate Friday evenings at Lisabellas. All wines half price until February 28th*
*except 11/28 Black Friday.
5009 Hwy 361 Port A @ Cinnamon Shores
The Dirty River Boys will play Brewster Street tonight. On Thursday, my absolute favorite new rocking Americana/etc band The Dirty River Boys (El Paso, TX) will play Brewster Street. Weather permitting, this will be the show to catch. I’ve seen these guys quite a few times and am always impressed. Their percussionist, Travis Stearns works hand drums like nobody you’ve ever seen. He’s the sparkplug that drives these artists. Their four part harmonies and edgy lyrics pull you in and keep you there. At one point in the show, they exchange instruments (stand up bass, mandolin, guitar and drums) ala’ Chinese fire drill and show exactly how talented they are. This is a great band. On Friday, blues rocker and island fave, J.T. Coldfire (Austin, TX) will return to Giggity’s, the Latin jazz duo Hot Pickles will play Shorty’s, and Andy Bertelsen will play the Back Porch. On Saturday night look for the amazing stomp and slide show of the Ty Dietz Band (Corpus Christi, TX) at Giggity’s, everybody’s buddy Jim Dugan at Shorty’s, the big party rock band, Naked Maja (Austin TX) will be at the Back
TurkeyBowl 2014 will be held at the Back Porch on Nov. 30.
This big news this weekend is the fact that it’s the last weekend my beloved Back Porch will be open for the season and they will go out on Friday the 28th with Jake Ward and on Saturday with the big 8 piece party band, Cruise Control (Corpus Christi, TX). And on Sunday the 30th, the event we wait all year for, TURKEY BOWL 2014 is finally here. The coveted club of past champions (of which I am one) will finally get their chance to make their makes in glory. This event is one of the most pure Port A events of all times. I can attest it takes raw talent to hurl a 20 pound frozen turkey at a bunch of bowling pins. The tension is already beginning to mount. The Porch will reopen in March. ♫ ♪ And, that’s the truth ! ♫ ♪
Live Music Tonight Thursday, Nov. 20 Free Beer Band @ Giggity’s George Green @ Black Marlin Pake Rossi, Shayna Sands @ House of Rock Dirty River Boys @ Brewster Street Marco Ramirez @ Scuttlebutt’s Duke E. Brown @ Doctor Rockits Friday, Nov. 21 J.T. Coldfire @ Giggity’s Hot Pickles @ Shorty’s Andy Bertelsen @ Back Porch Uel Jackson @ The Gaff Chris Saenz @ Scuttlebutt’s Nancy Silva, Violet Crush, Civil Lions Rebel @ House of Rock Revolver: Rage Against the Machine Tribute @ Brewster Street Palacios Brothers @ Doctor Rockits Ziegfest w/ Eli Young, Josh Abbott, Pat Green, Josh Grider, Bri Bagwell @ Concrete Street Saturday, Nov. 22 Ty Dietz Band @ Giggity’s Jim Dugan @ Shorty’s Naked Maja @ Back Porch Russell Edge (NO BELT SANDER RACES TODAY) @ The Gaff Chili Cook-off @ VFW Port A Kevin Hill @ Scuttlebutt’s In Living Color @ Doctor Rockits Ray Johnson @ South Texas Ice House Spirit Fest w/Chris Tomlin, Mercy Me, and more @ Concrete Street Smokin’ Joe Kubek feat: Bnois King, John Cortez Band @ Brewster Street Blind Owls, Golden Meanies, Peace & Quiet, The Tropical @ House of Rock Sunday, Nov. 23 Antone & the All Stars @ Giggity’s Mike Williams & Jack Trowbridge (11 AM- 3 PM) @ Giggity’s John Eric @ Scuttlebutt’s John Cortez @ Doctor Rockits
Andy Bertelsen
Nov. 21
Naked Maja
Nov. 22
Jake Ward
Nov. 28
Cruise Control
Nov. 29
TURKEY BOWL
Nov. 30
LAST DAY OPEN NOV. 30 CHEAP BEER
132 W. Cotter St. Port A On the Waterfront
Hot Pickles Jim Dugan Joe Mack Billy Snipes Selfie Mandy Rowden
Nov. 21 Nov. 22 Nov. 28 Nov. 29 Dec. 5 Dec. 6
OPEN Till 2am • 823 Tarpon St. Port Aransas
Full Bar & Grill
Happy Hour Drink Specials 11am-7pm Wed-Sun Fresh Gulf Oysters - Daily Food Specials Full Bar- Fresh Food -Family Friendly-Dogs Welcome
361-945-9595, 118 Cut Off Rd., Port Aransas www.dropanchorportaransas.com
Best Rates Call for special pricing
(361)290-7143 314 E. Ave. G www.bronsbeachcarts.com
The Gaff Beer ● Pizza ● Belt Sander Races (361) 749-5970
Monday, Nov. 24 Open Jam w/ Jef Wilson @ Giggity’s Open Jam w/ Antone Perez @ Dr. Rockits Rich Lockhart @ Scuttlebutt’s Tuesday, Nov. 25 Tiffany Tuesday @ Giggity’s Open Mic @ House of Rock Brian and Diana @ Scuttlebutt’s Reno & the Groovegetters @ Doctor Rockits Wednesday, Nov. 26 Billy Snipes @ Giggity’s Sweet Daddy & Friends @ House of Rock The Vinyls @ South Texas Ice House Roger Creager, Clayton Gardner @ Brewster Street Marco Ramirez @ Scuttlebutt’s Reno & the Groovegetters @ Doctor Rockits Thanksgiving, Nov. 27 Free Beer Band @ Giggity’s Reno & the Groovegetters @ Doctor Rockits Friday, Nov. 28 Lyrical Bynge @ Giggity’s Joe Mack @ Shorty’s Jake Ward @ Back Porch Uel Jackson @ The Gaff Chris Saenz @ Scuttlebutt’s Statesboro Revue @ South Texas Ice House Elil Young Band, Josh Abbott, Pat Green @ Concrete Street Reno & the Groovegetters @ Doctor Rockits Saturday, Nov. 29 Mike Milligan & the Altar Boys @ Giggity’s Billy Snipes @ Shorty’s Cruise Control @ Back Porch Russell Edge @ The Gaff Spirit Fest @ Concrete Street LeFreak @ Brewster Street Josh Ward @ South Texas Ice House Fabian Rivera @ Scuttlebutt’s Rick Lee & the Night Owls @ Doctor Rockits