A 16
Island Moon
December 12, 2013
Three Chords and the Truth By Ronnie Narmour ronnienarmour@gmail.com
Ray Wylie Hubbard…
Ray Wylie Hubbard (Wimberley, TX) played the Third Coast Music Theater last Saturday to standing room only crowd. Brian Keane (Austin, TX) opened the show. Accompanied by only a drummer, Kyle Schneider, Hubbard’s show was a seamless flow of energy that ran the gamut of his thirty plus years as an entertainer. His on stage banter is as much a part of the show as playing Snake Farm or Up Against the Wall Red Neck Mothers. At times Hubbard was in tirade with heartfelt rants about the Nashville music industry (which he loathes). At other times he’d soften his Ray Wylie Hubbard tone and talk about his played the Third life and family and why Coast Theater he is the way he is. There last Saturday wasn’t one moment of night. down time from the second he took the stage until his encore of the James McMurtry hit, Choctaw Bingo (“He likes that money, he don’t mind the smell.”). Nobody sets up a song better than Ray Wylie. Every nano-second was filled with a spirited Brian Keane stream of observations and personal insights. At opened for Ray times, his music almost Wylie Hubbard at seemed secondary until the Third Coast he hit that groove with a Theater last slide and all ten fingers Saturday night. dancing in perfect cadence. His soul sits firmly in the shadows of his heroes: Lightning Hopkins and J.J. Cale (and maybe a little Tony Joe White). Ray Wylie is a poet and an artist who doesn’t have any say so about his path. His muse holds the reins and he is merely its vehicle. In his own words (The Beauty Way), “it’s not something you control.” I wonder how the guy ever gets any sleep. I’m sure his brain rarely stops. I have been collecting a series of writings that Hubbard has been posting on Facebook since last Spring, about whatever he happens to be thinking about at the time… very spontaneous. He doesn’t waste time with the shift key and all of his copy is in lower case with little punctuation. In fact, after pasting close to 21,000 words over to my Word doc, I got an error message on my computer that informed me that Microsoft Word would no longer spell and grammar check this document. Pretty impressive, he wore down Word. Within these 21,000 words are bits of wisdom about the music business and the songwriting process, his philosophy of life and at least ten good hours of stand-up comedy. In this way, Hubbard stays connected to his multitude of fans by answering their questions and focusing his thoughts… a process I’m sure he’s found more than cathartic. I’ve found Ray Wylie Hubbard to be an amazing fellow in every way: musician, songwriter, philosopher, writer, entertainer, storyteller, historian, sage and all around big brother. This show at Third Coast wasn’t just a show… it was a privilege of spending time with someone who’s already figured out what’s worth listening to and knows better than to
waste your time with the rest of it. I felt like I’d gone to the mountain. BTW, Ray Wylie hosts a very cool radio show on KNBT 92.1 FM Radio New Braunfels, TX at 7-9 pm on Tuesdays called, “Roots and Branches of Americana” and can be accessed online.
On the Local Scene: PA Rockers update…
Uel Jackson hosts the weekly Pickers Circle at the Tarpon Ice House every Sunday.
Melissa Brooke, seen here with Tug Boat Tony, hosted the first Open Mic at Giggity’s last Monday The Free Beer Band with Winter Texan Colorado Bob Reed performed at the Tarpon Ice House last Thursday. It’s less than two weeks ‘til Christmas and if you ever had a desire to get out there and support local live music, this would be the time. Fortunately, there’s a wealth of local talent around here because that’s pretty much all we’re getting right now. It was a treat to see Colorado Uncle Leslie Bob Reed and his wife Willey played Carolyn last week at the Shorty’s last Free Beer Band gig at the Tarpon Ice House. Friday night. Bob is an honorary member of the FBB and the leader of the PA Rockers. Reed tells me that the Rockers have made some personnel changes this season due to health concerns and will be enlisting the talents of local musicians Steve Goldstein, Woody Lawson and Deb Dault. They’ll get their regular Wednesday night party at Bernie’s going in January and plan to break out some different material in the form of Britpop.
Ruben Limas and the Rolling Jays played Giggity’s last Friday. Also last weekend, I caught other local favorites, Ruben Limas and the Rolling Jays and the Rich Lockhart Band (Giggity’s). Uncle Willey and Moonshine Martini (Shorty’s), and Uel Jackson (Picker Circle, Tarpon Ice House).
Richard Lockhart played Giggity’s last Saturday night. Along those lines, Edwin Myers over at Giggity’s tells me he has some new stuff going on this winter also. The rockin’ non-stop 50’s and 60’s oldies band, Riptide (Portland, TX), will play every Tuesday in January and February from 6:30 to 10:00 PM. That should make the Winter Texans happy. Myers, a native of Louisiana, is also doing an “all you can eat” Southern fried catfish special for only $11.95 on Monday nights, which just happens to coincide with his brand new “Open Mic Night” hosted by Port A’s darling, Melissa Brooke. They kicked
Out of Bounds Dec. 13 Aloha Dave & the Tourists Dec. 14 Raeanne & the Ride Dec. 20 Riptide Dec. 21 Lyrical Bynge Dec. 27 Melissa Brooke Band Dec. 28 Mike Milligan & the Altar Boys NEW YEAR’S EVE Antone & the All Stars EVERY SUNDAY Open Mic w/ Melissa Brooke EVERY MONDAY
Open 11am-2am Daily. Kitchen open til 1am. 722 Tarpon, Port Aransas, TX
OPEN 10-5
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(361) 749-2388 www.feldergallery.com
More local music on the horizon…
Over at Giggity’s…
GIGGITY’S RESTAURANT & BAR
Hosting Art Show In San Antonio Featuring Corpus Christi Artist John Cobb 12/5 - 12/15
off the first one this week and it has all the earmarks of becoming a hit. I can attest, Brooke seems to be attracting some first rate talent and kept the show rolling without a hiccup. It was a lot of fun watching Melissa wing it on stage with a group of musicians (Chris Jordan, Bron Doyle, Larry Haynes, David Meza, Jackie Bales, Tug Boat Tony, etc) who’d never played together… true improvisation. It’s great to have a nice option on Mondays, a night when most places in town tend to close.
Daily Lunch Specials Private Dinner Parties, Personal Chef, Weddings
After the Ray Wylie show, Jim Urban brought the whole crew (including Hubbard himself) over to Shorty’s for a night cap. Can’t think of a better place for that to happen. There is a bunch more local music going on this month. Check the Live Music Tonight box at the bottom of the page for listings. The Back Porch is closed until late February so Giggity’s and Shorty’s are the big boys in town right now. The BP crew had a nice little “end of season” appreciation party at Giggity’s last Sunday. I’m sure gonna miss those gals all winter.
DO NOT MISS LIST Wake From the Sleep…
Father James Derkits over at the Trinity By the Sea Episcopal Church in Port A is featuring an advent songwriter “musical Sunday school” entitled Tiffany Duckworth Wake From Sleep gives a discourse at (A Musical Journey Advent) Trinity By the Sea through every Sunday Espiscopal Church in in December at Port A. 10:00 a.m. in the church’s common room. James kicked off the first one, Tiffany Duckworth played last Sunday and Carol Elliott will play this Sunday. Ty Morris will wrap it up Sunday, December 22. The idea is for each songwriter to present a self-penned song or a song that means a lot to them and has special meaning in their spiritual journey. They play the song and then the audience can make comments or ask questions about it. The writer explains what they were thinking about when they composed the song, then, after everyone has had a chance to weigh in, the songwriter performs the song again. I went last Sunday and thought it was pretty cool. In fact, Tiffany fairly blew me away with her thoughtful presentation and responses. That’s one deep gal!
♪ ♫ And that’s the truth! ♪ ♫
Live Music Tonight
Thursday, December 12 Kyle Park, Curtis Grimes @ Brewster Street Free Beer Band @ Tarpon Ice House Independent Thieves @ Dr. Rockits Robert Brown @ Scuttlebutt’s
Island Limo www.islandlimo.net Holiday Rates
Friday, December 13 Out of Bounds @ Giggity’s Russell Edge @ Shorty’s Another Level @ Brewster Street Ray T & the City Crew @ Flats Echo, Peace & Quiet, Neal Edwards @ House of Rock Aloha Dave & the Tourists @ Executive Surf Club John Cortez @ Dr. Rockits Kevin Hill @ Scuttlebutt’s
(361) 460-4365
Saturday, December 14 Aloha Dave & the Tourists @ Giggity’s Independent Thieves @ Shorty’s Suicidal Tendencies, Terror, Thrash Talk @ House of Rock Second Saturday SingAlong Piano Show @ Brewster Street Lyrical Bynge @ Executive Surf Club Little Wade & No Civilians @ Dr. Rockits Chris Sanz @ Scuttlebutt’s
132 W. Cotter Port Aransas,TX
CLOSED UNTIL FEBRUARY 27 HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
Russell Edge Dec. 13 Independent Thieves Dec. 14 Uel Jackson Dec. 21 & 27 Shelley King Dec. 28 Jul & the Chrome Wheels Jan. 3 Uel Jackson Jan. 4 OPEN Till 2am • 823 Tarpon St. Port Aransas
What will you do when you’re hungry and thirsty too? fDine a c e bin o oTake k . c o m/ Outfe l d e r ga l l e r y
222 Beach St. Port Aransas 361.749.0022
Catering for any occaision
Lisabellas Bistro & Bar Casual Dining at it’s Finest Celebrating Coastal Cuisine
361-749-4222 Open Monday - Saturday at 5:00 pm
Nightly Seafood Specials
5009 Hwy 361 Port A @ Cinnamon Shores
Tuesday, December 17 Open Mic @ House of Rock Green Party @ Dr. Rockits Kevin Hill @ Scuttlebutt’s
Friday, December 20 Raeanne & the Ride @ Giggity’s Ruben Limas (solo) @ Shorty’s Ray T & the City Crew @ Flats HOBO Holiday Hootenany @ House of Rock Metal Shop @ Brewster Street Palacios Brothers @ Dr. Rockits Robert Brown @ Scuttlebutt’s Saturday, December 21 Riptide @ Giggity’s Uel Jackson @ Shorty’s Taste of Texas @ House of Rock Kevin Fowler, Josh Grider @ Brewster Street BPugaboo @ Dr. Rockits Kevin Hill @ Scuttlebutt’s Sunday, December 22 Antone & the All Stars @ Giggity’s Sunglasses & Mushrooms, Sun Salutations @ Dr. Rockits John Eric @ Scuttlebutt’s Monday, December 23 Brown Bag Challenge @ House of Rock Open Mic @ Scuttlebutt’s
Sunday, December 15 Antone & the All Stars @ Giggity’s Beyond I Sight @ House of Rock Ty Dietz @ Dr. Rockits John Eric @ Scuttlebutt’s Monday, December 16 Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School @ House of Rock Open Mic @ Scuttlebutt’s
Thursday, December 19 Free Beer Band @ Tarpon Ice House Cody Johnson, John Slaughter @ Brewster Street Independent Thieves @ Dr. Rockits Chris Sanz @ Scuttlebutt’s
Tuesday, December 24 Open Mic @ House of Rock Green Party @ Dr. Rockits CHRISTMAS DAY, December 25 Wolfjaw @ Flats Lounge Dom’s Christmas Show @ House of Rock Rundown Legend @ Dr. Rockits
Best Rates Call for special pricing
(361)290-7143
314 E. Ave. G Wednesday, December 18 www.bronsbeachcarts.com Wolfjaw @ Flats Lounge Flatbroke @ House of Rock Kicking Dynamite @ Dr. Rockits Happy Stephen Rushlow @ Scuttlebutt’s
Holidays!
The Gaff Beer ● Pizza ● Belt Sander Races (361) 749-5970
Thursday, December 26 Free Beer Band @ Tarpon Ice House Robt. Earl Keen, Terri Hendrix @ Brewster Street Witness by Proxy, Resz, Victory by Birthright, Echo @ House of Rock Independent Thieves @ Dr. Rockits