A 16
Three Chords and the Truth
December 4, 2014
Island Moon
By Ronnie Narmour ronnienarmour@gmail.com
A good week for death…
It’s been a good week for death. He got a couple of the good ones. An old friend of mine, Nelson Allen, met his maker on Thanksgiving Day. Nelson had been in poor health since suffering a stroke a couple of years ago. I met him in Austin way back in 1976 through his (then) wife, Carolyn who was a DJ at the storied KOKEFM in Austin… she went by Kandy Kicker back then. They used to come in a little bar I worked at called the Texas Chili Parlour. Those were the heydays of the “cosmic cowboy” scene in the aspiring music community of Austin. The Chili Parlour was a regular watering hole for many up and comers of the day. It was right next door to one of the premier listening rooms that pioneered the “live music capital of the world”, Castle Creek. People like Jerry Jeff Walker, Guy Clark, Joe Ely, Townes Van Zant, Steve Fromholtz, Mance Lipscomb and Lightning Hopkins, etc played there frequently. On any given night you could find a good number of the
Our favorite Okie, Joe Mack played Shorty’s last Friday night Texan saxophonist Bobby Keys dead at 70. His list of recording credits is staggering: Joe Cocker, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, B.B. King, Barbara Streisand, Chuck Berry, Delaney and Bonnie, Donovan, Dr. John, Eric Clapton, Warren Zevon, Joe Ely, John Hiatt, Lynyrd Skynyrd, John Lennon, The Who, Marvin Gay, Sheryl Crow, Graham Nash and more. His musical roots actually go back as far as Buddy Holly and the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars Tours. I met him through my close friend, Ted Newman Jones, an Austin guitar maker that toured with the Stones for many years and was Keith Richard’s guitartech. They worked together in the Stone’s camp for many years and both lived in Austin. Bobby was always around town and graciously sat in with many local bands. I loved to hear him play with Joe Ely the most. We used to hang at Hut’s Hamburgers and the Raw Deal. People from Lubbock seem to gravitate together. Rolling Stone Magazine did an excellent article on his life and accomplishments and is available online. RIP Bobby Keys. Man, they’re dropping like flies.
The weekend in review…
Nelson Allen passed away this week
day’s literary and entertainment personalities, not to mention an assortment of reprobates and politicos ready to challenge the world at the TCP….Big Al Ragel, John Muir, Joe Gracie, Gary “Jap” Cartwright, Billie Lee Brammer, Hunter Thompson, Joe Nick Potaski … and Nelson Allen. Nelson was always the best writer I ever knew. He had a kind of “Hemingway meets Nietzsche” sway about him and was definitely “gonzo” before gonzo was cool. He moved on to San Antonio before I did, but I caught back up with him there around 1983 when he was feature writing for the San Antonio Express-News. He had just been named the Texas AP Feature Writer of the Year. At the time he was writing a column called “Behind Bars” and I used to run the streets of S.A. with him at a full gallop. Nelson was actually the man that introduced me to two of my very best friends in this life: Rockin’ Dale Rankin and Jim Beal. I hope Rockin’ talks about him some… he and Nelson were great friends and worked together at the Express-News for many moons. RIP Nelson Allen. I miss you already.
Selfie with Chris Jordan, Ray Summy and Dillon Stowe played an outstanding performance at Shorty’s on Thanksgiving night Thanksgiving came and went. Me and my pal Burke had a wonderful traditional turkey and dressing dinner at Kody’s. The next night, I joined some friends for another great meal at the Fish House… Mahi mahi with a cranberry sauce… I may start Facebooking pictures of my
Saxophonist Bobby Keys dead at 70…
Also Lubbock native, Bobby Keys passed away this week at the age of 70. Keys was a true rock and roll saxophonist that most notably played with the Rolling Stones. He played on every Stone’s album from 1969 until 1974 and from 1980 to present, and has performed on all Stones tours since 1970. Keys has played on hundreds of recordings, many uncredited, including Dion’s The Wanderer.
Billy Snipes played Shorty’s last Saturday
GIGGITY’S RESTAURANT & BAR Free Beer Band
Dec. 4
Southside Jimmy Spacek
Dec. 5
Ruben & the Rolling Jays
Dec. 6
Antone & the All Stars
Dec. 7
OPEN JAM w/ Selfie
Dec. 8
Tiffany Tuesday
Dec. 9
Russell Edge
Dec. 10
Open 11am-2am Daily. Kitchen open til 1am. 722 Tarpon, Port Aransas, TX
Christmas Dinner Packages Turkey, Pork Loin, Prime Rib, Roast Duck Gourmet Sides, Delicious Pies Feeds up to 12. Starting at $99.95 Order Early! (361) 749-1540, (361) 749-5555
skydivesouthtexas.com
Lisabellas Bistro & Bar Casual Dining at it’s Finest 361-749-4222 Open Tuesday - Saturday at 5:00 pm
pillow case and slammed into the pins with bare meat. There were pieces of carcass all up and down the runway. It was a little frightening. Some tourist won this year, Calvin Rans and our own Moon Monkey, Miles Merwin came in a distinguished second. Most of the people didn’t advance because the turkey was so mushy and wet that it barely rolled. It just basically stopped with a definitive thud where ever it hit the ground. They really needed a sanitation station out there. But a good time was had by all. Nobody got hurt and nobody got arrested. The bad news is, the Porch is now closed until next March.
DO NOT MISS LIST
Mike Milligan and the Altar Boys will be going through some changes Coast that weekend, showed up to cheer their favorite soundman, Ray Summy, on. Speaking of Selfie, they have taken over the Monday night jam at Giggity’s and man, is it ever a blast. Ton’s of local musicians have been showing up and playing and I think they really have something now. I also caught the Mike Milligan and the Altar Boys (Austin, TX) show at Giggity’s on Saturday. Milligan tells me that there will be some personnel changes in the near future and the band will soon be called Michael Milligan and Texian Bluez.
That’s one sloppy turkey… The annual Turkey Bowl at the Back Porch was a hoot. There were even more people signed up this year… something like 90. For some reason, the powers that be only bought two frozen turkeys this year and the end result was not pretty. At one point, the poor pulverized fowl was so beaten up that it escaped the tattered
Mandy Rowden will play Shorty’s this Saturday. Next weekend, Selfie will be back at Shorty’s on Friday… that’s a good thing and a guaranteed crazy time. And guitar goddess with an attitude Mandy Rowden (Austin, TX) will be there on Saturday. Mandy hasn’t played Port A in a while and I’m sure she’ll have some excuses why not. We love us some Mandy Rowden around here. Also on Friday, a San Antonio blues legend, Southside Jimmy Spacek will play Giggity’s. Jimmy has been playing the blues in S.A. since the 70’s and is a household name there. He’s played with all the big boys and it’s a real treat to have him here on the island. And also on Saturday night, Americana big shots Jason Boland and Charlie Robison will play Brewster Street.
♫ ♪ And, that’s the truth! ♫ ♪
Live Music Tonight Thursday, Dec. 4 Free Beer Band @ Giggity’s Marco Ramirez @ Scuttlebutt’s Dearly Departed @ Executive Surf Club JR Castillo, Reverend’s Daughter @ Brewster Street Mongo Stereo @ Doctor Rockits Friday, Dec. 5 Jimmy Spacek @ Giggity’s Selfie @ Shorty’s Uel Jackson @ The Gaff Art Walk @ House of Rock In This Moment, 12 Ft. Ninja, 3 Pill Morning, Starset @ Concrete Street Chris Saenz @ Scuttlebutt’s Vinyl @ Doctor Rockits Spazmatics @ Brewster Street The Groove @ Executive Surf Club Saturday, Dec. 6 Ruben & the Rolling Jays @ Giggity’s Mandy Rowden @ Shorty’s Russell Edge @ The Gaff Fabian Rivera @ Scuttlebutt’s Jason Boland, Charlie Robison @ Brewster Street After Dark Burlesque @ House of Rock Lyrical Bynge @ Executive Surf Club Another Level @ Doctor Rockits
HAPPY HOLIDAYS CLOSED UNTIL MARCH
132 W. Cotter St. Port A On the Waterfront
Selfie Mandy Rowden Texas Sand Aloha Dave Russell Edge Billy Snipes
Dec. 5 Dec. 6 Dec. 12 Dec. 13 Dec. 19 Dec. 20
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
Sunday, Dec. 7 Antone & the All Stars @ Giggity’s John Eric @ Scuttlebutt’s Rockaholics @ Doctor Rockits Mike Williams Jazz Band featuring Rocky Arnold (11 AM- 3 PM) @ Giggity’s
945-JUMP Celebrating Coastal Cuisine
food. There are sure a ton of great places to eat in this town. It was fun to hang with my favorite Okie, Joe Mack last weekend. He brought his girlfriend Pam with him from Tahlequah and I gave them the full island tour… even included some bird watching and quick tour of the ARK. His show at Shorty’s was kicking! So was Billy Snipe’s the next night. I’m telling you, Shorty’s is the place to catch some really happening shows. The Selfie show there on Thanksgiving night was epic. Larry Joe Taylor and Derryl Dodd and their crew, who were playing Third
Jimmy Spacek will play Giggity’s this Friday.
Celebrate Friday evenings at Lisabellas. All wines half price until February 28th*
*except 11/28 Black Friday.
5009 Hwy 361 Port A @ Cinnamon Shores
Monday, Dec. 8 Open Jam w/ Selfie @ Giggity’s Open Jam w/ Antone Perez @ Dr. Rockits Tuesday, Dec. 9 Tiffany Tuesday @ Giggity’s John Eric @ Scuttlebutt’s Open Mic @ House of Rock Reno & the Groovegetters @ Doctor Rockits
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
Wednesday, Dec. 10 Russell Edge @ Giggity’s Darren McGill @ Scuttlebutt’s John Cortez @ Doctor Rockits Thursday, Dec. 11 Free Beer Band @ Giggity’s Marco Ramirez @ Scuttlebutt’s Voodoo Glow Skulls, No Questions Asked @ House of Rock Dunebilly @ Executive Surf Club JB & the Moonshine Band, Mike Ryan @ Brewster Street John Cortez @ Doctor Rockits Friday, Dec. 12 J.T. Coldfire @ Giggity’s Texas Sand @ Shorty’s Uel Jackson @ The Gaff Chris Saenz @ Scuttlebutt’s ECHO, Peace & Quiet, + more @ House of Rock Lighter Ray @ Executive Surf Club Scarecrow People @ Brewster Street Aaron Stephens @ Doctor Rockits Saturday, 12/13/14 Ricky Stein @ Giggity’s Aloha Dave & the Tourists @ Shorty’s Russell Edge @ The Gaff Rich Lockhart @ Scuttlebutt’s Acacia Strain, Stray from the Path, + more @ House of Rock Scarecrow People @ Executive Surf Club 2nd Saturday Sing-Along Piano Show @ Brewster Street Catherine Denise @ Doctor Rockits Sunday, Dec. 14 Antone & the All Stars @ Giggity’s John Eric @ Scuttlebutt’s Mike Williams & Jack Trowbridge (11 AM- 3 PM) @ Giggity’s Monday, Dec. 15 Open Jam w/ Selfie @ Giggity’s Darren McGill @ Scuttlebutt’s Open Jam w/ Antone Perez @ Dr. Rockits