STEAM Magazine South Texas Entertainment Art Music volume 6 issue 9 December 2017

December 2017 VOL.6 ISS.9 #69 ON THE COVER...

2 NEW MOVIES & MUSIC 4 COMICS 5 QUICK READ 6 ALBUM COVER OF THE MONTH 7 CD REVIEWS 8 DAVID GRISSOM: HOW IT FEELS TO FLY 10 C YN T HI A DEC KER: 2-D DIGITAL ART 12 MICHAEL BURTTS: ELLING STORIES 14 O’C ON N OR B AN D 15 DECEMBER EVENTS PUBLISHER RUSTY HICKS EDITOR TAMMA HICKS COMICS EDITOR ALLENE HICKS STAFF WRITERS STEVE GOLDSTEIN, TAMMA HICKS, RUSTY HICKS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS J MICHAEL DOLAN, DEREK SIGNORE, ROB DICKENS, RICK J BOWEN STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS ALLENE HICKS, RUSTY HICKS

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STEAM Magazine is published monthly by STEAM Magazine, South Texas Entertainment Art Music, in Corpus Christi, TX. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Views expressed within are solely the authors and not of STEAM Magazine. Typographical, photographic, and printing errors are unintentional and subject to correction. Please direct all inquiries to: submissions@steamtx.com

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20 SECONDS OF INSANE COURAGE J. Michael Dolan In the 2011 Cameron Crow film We

Bought A Zoo, Matt Damon’s character has lived a (challenging) life with one credo: “All it takes is 20seconds of insane courage!” And that’s the one line in the script that has stayed with me long after the film met its demise—simply because that line is so incredibly potent.

I think about that line when I hear the stories of people doing courageous acts of heroism.

I think about that line especially when I’m confronted with a risky decision or a challenging choice.

I think about that line every time resistance and procrastination stand between me and doing the right thing.

I think about that line just before I have to admit I was wrong, made a mistake, or really screwed up.

Important because I know takes a courageous character to choose the life of an artist or entrepreneur, especially when you know the paycheck may not be equal to your talent, and your best work may be rejected. However, I have learned that when that moment of “do or die” finally arrives, all I really need is 20-seconds of insane courage to mute my inner critic, knock fear on its ass, and send uncertainty scream’n for the door!

7 RED FLAGS J. Michael Dolan 1. Low Expectations: You set the bar too low, thinking that winning the small ones now will give you the courage to go for the big ones later. But that’s a trap. * Winning the small ones only keeps you stuck in an illusion that you’re getting somewhere. Raise the bar.

2. Knowing too much: Thinking you have all the answers because you have an education, or experience, or money, or previous success. * There’s no right or wrong road to success today. That’s what the techno revolution is all about—absence of formula!

Try waking up in the morning with a “beginners mind” and proceed from there.

3. Inflexible: Rigid, jammed and stuck on how it has to be. * Holding a firm grip on how the end result must look only blinds you from seeing the unlimited options and possibilities that are available.

4. Unfocused: Fooling yourself into

thinking that you have a clear vision of where you’re headed. * Constantly switching gears and changing direction only prolongs progress. And it doesn’t mater if you’re a fledgling drummer or a corporate exec. Get a clear vision of your big impossible dream and recommit every day…every single day. Not like positive thinking, more like positive doing.

5. Undisciplined: Wasting more energy worrying, wishing, and wondering than actually putting in the time to improve, excel, and advance. * Put in the time.

6. Stuck in indecision: Unable to make important choices and decisions because you’re afraid of making the wrong choices and decisions. * Keep the game moving. Do the deep research, gather the facts, then throw the dart…then throw it again…

7. Shaky Confidence: Confidence Is Everything. It trumps experience, rivals talent and beats the beans out of a good education. * If you can’t find any, fake it!

Based out of Chicago and assembled by Marshall Chess (son of Leonard, founder of the iconic Chess Records blues label), Rotary Connection was part of the psychedelic music scene of the late 1960's. Although they never had mainstream success, they did score with quirky, soulful covers of Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and others. One of the standout performers of this band was a woman with an unbelievable 5-octave range voice named Minnie Piperton.

With her distinctive high soprano, she was destined for stardom. In 1975 she had a hit with "Lovin' You" and was the recipient of several industry awards.

Sadly, she passed away at the age of 31 in 1979.

She leaves a legacy of recorded music dating back to the early 1960's and is the mother of SNL alumna, Maya Rudolph. This album, the third by Rotary Connection, is their Christmas offering and a soulful reminder of the era. If you only check out one track from this festive psychedelia, turn on your black light and listen to track 6; Minnie Riperton giving an edge to “Silent Night” and making it her own.

BD I wish everyone a safe and healthy BD Merry Christmas and a prosperous Happy New Year.

Peace. SG

Back in the 1960s, to show their appreciation to their English fan club members, the Beatles annually treated them to a seven inch flexi-disc Christmas greeting. This was probably to make up for the fact that they couldn’t keep up with the voluminous fan mail. In the spirit of the season from 1963 to 1969, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr sang, clowned around and performed skits recorded mostly at the Abbey Road studios while they were busy making hit records and playing concerts. The first two in 1963 and 1964 were pretty straightforward with individual greetings and various carols.

1965’s holiday disc had the Fab Four singing snippets of “Yesterday” and “Auld Lang Syne.” By 1966, they got a little more creative and performed some short, original ditties, and two skits called “Podgy the Bear and Jasper” and “Felpin

Mansions.” The 1967 disc has their rocking original song with an infectious hook, “Christmas Time Is Here Again,” appearing intermittently in between a mock radio audition with the Beatles playing different characters, including game show contestants, a band called The Ravellers, and dramatic actors. It concludes with John reciting a poem called, “When Christmas Time is Over.”

In 1968, each of their holiday messages were recorded separately for the first time. That’s not too surprising considering the state of the band at the time. There are short, but sweet segments of songs that appeared on their ‘”White Album,” released earlier that year. Paul sings a song called, “Happy Christmas, Happy New Year.” Also featured are Tiny Tim singing his falsetto version of “Nowhere Man” with his ukulele, and two more John Lennon poems, “Jock and Yono” and “Once Upon a Pool Table.”

FRONT (above), BACK (below) For the final flexi -disc in 1969, John and Yoko Ono interview each other, Ringo plugs his new film “The Magic Christian,” George makes a very brief appearance with their faithful assistant Malcom Evans, and Paul performs a pleasantly improvised song called, “This Is To Wish You a Merry, Merry Christmas.” After their breakup in 1970, an LP compiling all the Christmas discs, “From Then To You,” was sent to the fans in England. Very few of these recordings had been distributed to the American fan club, so this “Christmas Album” was sent out in 1971. Since there was no official release, the album has since been highly counterfeited. In 1995, the three surviving Beatles released a newly recorded John Lennon song, “Free As a Bird” in conjunction with their 10-hour anthology series. The ep release of that song also featured the complete 1967 recording of “Christmas Time Is Here Again,” and that would be a nice holiday track to seek out. So, as Paul and John told their fan club, “Happy Crimble” and “Merry Goo Year.”

THE URANIUM SAVAGES CLOWN JUICE (STEADYBOY RECORDS)

BY STEVE GOLDSTEIN

December 2017 marks Austin’s The Uranium Savages 43rd year together. In that time, US, led by singer/songwriter Kerry Awn, have developed into a raucous, live attraction. It’s a rocking show with sharp satire and comedic parody, all packed into a tight, first rate Texas band.

On their current release, CLOWN JUICE, “The Lone Star State’s Acclaimed Comedy Rock Band” transitions their stage act into a recording studio with good effect.

“Texxxas” kicks things off with a good-time geographical tour of Texas and an apparent nod to one of their heroes, Doug Sahm.

“Funkshimmy Shake” follows with a rocking groove that just could be the next great dance craze. “Robbin’ the Cradle” is slow blues about self destruction with sax accompaniment coolly delivered by David Perkoff. “Get Loose” kicks in with a rockabilly boogie that’ll get you up and loose with

ELIOT BRONSON JAMES (ROCK RIDGE MUSIC)

BY ROB DICKENS Atlanta-based Americana singer-songwriter Bronson is originally from Baltimore. Bronson grew up in a religious household – both his father and grandfather were Pentecostal ministers – and found shelter in music. At age 15, he got his first guitar and started teaching himself to play.

From local coffee houses and venues beyond Baltimore, sharpened his writing and performance. A local following grew; the Baltimore Sun anointed him “a folk singing wunderkind.” Expanding his range, Bronson then toured as one-half of a duo. They moved to Atlanta, and when his partner quit, persisted on his own.

Bronson has released three critically acclaimed solo albums and, prior to his solo career, was a member of The Brilliant Inventions. He has won such esteemed songwriting awards as first place at Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest and Eddie Owen Presents “Songwriter Shootout,” and he’s been a finalist at Kerrville Folk Festival, Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Songwriting Contest, and New Song Contest Lincoln Center NYC. James was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb (Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton), who also produced Bronson’s most recent, self-titled album.

some Bill Haley licks and jitterbug rhythms. “Beer Joint” takes a turn on an upbeat, 420 friendly ride to a fun place.

The Uranium Savages have always devoted themselves to keeping Austin weird, and “Make Austin Great Again” is a biting reminder that a lot of things aren’t like they used to be.

“Gotta Rock” is the perfect title that aptly describes this song, while “Killin’ Me” follows a smooth, soulful stride. That leads to the destructive title track warning; drinking “Clown Juice” will not end pretty. “Low T” takes a side road to face a senior male’s fact of life. “No Mo Wo Man Blues” features Kent Temple’s able licks on a guitar driven blues morph about a big, bad woman who changes with each transition in the rhythm. US takes on a familiar theme with “Deal With the Devil.” The 12 songs are entertaining mix of comical story telling and Uranium Savages’ skilled musicianship. The poly-rhythmic high energy that comes from decades of honing their craft is all over CLOWN JUICE. The Uranium Savages manage to bring their well seasoned Austin saloon vibe into the confines of a studio and the result is a rocking fun time .

As well as Bronson’s vocals, he plays acoustic guitar, harmonica, mellotron and keyboards. Other players are Cobb (high-strung guitar, electric guitar, mellotron, percussion), Bret Hartley (electric guitar, lap steel), Brian Allen (bass), Chris Powell (drums, percussion) and Kristen Rogers (backing vocals). The album was recorded at Cobb’s Low Country Sound studios in Nashville.

My son pointed out the other day that three of the last four of my albums of the year were produced by Dave Cobb. That is correct, but an unconscious truth on my part. I played and enjoyed James many times before becoming aware of Cobb’s role in the album, so I feel safe in declaring my affection for Eliot Bronson and his latest collection without being blinded by Cobb’s deft influence here. The opening track “Breakdown In G Major” could have been lifted on Dylan’s Blonde On Blonde with its relentless rhythm, harmonica and intricate guitar work.

“Good Enough” captures a relationship in its final stage (with much more depth than in the above clip version). A pure delight follows in “The Mountain”, with its guitar hook and Bronson’s perfect, plaintive vocals, while the delicate and melodious “Stranger” captivates. “Rough Ride” is immensely powerful, a reference of outrage for Freddie Gray who fell unaccountably into a coma in the back of a Baltimore police van.

At eight songs and thirty minutes, its brevity adds to its luster. Eliot Bronson’s James is a remarkable statement. I

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URANIUMSAVAGES .COM STEVE GOLDSTEIN: STEAMMAGAZINE.NET

missed him perform at this year’s Americana Music Festival – I will not let that happen again .

ELIOTBRONSONCOM ROB DICKENS: LLISTENINGTTHROUGHTHELENS.COM

EILEN JEWELL DOWN HEARTED BLUES (SIGNATURE SOUNDS)

BY RICK J BOWEN Mining for treasure into the depths of great American blues and roots songs, Eilen Jewell strikes gold with her seventh album Down Hearted Blues, released in September of 2017. The Boise-based singersongwriter and her trio lead by her partner drummer Jason Beek along with Jerry Miller on guitars, and Shawn Sura on the upright bass reimagined and recreated the full authentic vintage sound of 12 tracks of roots and blues live off the floor in only two days.

Opening with a sassy rhumba “It’s Your Voodoo Working,” that features reverb soaked lead from Miller, then down shift into the easy blues of Lonnie Johnson’s “Another Night to Cry,” recreating the 1963 feel and vibe with precision. Sura leads the charge on Willie Dixon’s jump blues “You’ll Be Mine,” and engineer Steve Fulton adds some tasty piano. The title track was hit for the Empress of the Blues, Bessie Smith in 1923 is given acoustic country blues treatment, and Miller sets the groove arounds greasy slide

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C D R E V I E W S

riff for the early Northern Soul hit “I’m A Little Mixed Up.” Jazz man Curtis Stigers sits in on saxophone for the first of a few tracks on the dramatic blues “You Gonna Miss Me,” bolstering Jewell’s e sultry torch song vocals. The quartet delivers the Texas blues prototype “Walking with Frankie,” with fire, then turn and lay way on the Memphis Minnie back porch blues “Nothing In Rambling,” Jewell stretches out on the frantic Big Maybelle tune “Don’t Leave Poor Me,” and the daring take on Otis Rush hit “You Know My Love,” handling the challenging vocals with ease.

Jonah Shue plays the role of Fiddlin’ John Carson and Jewell does her best as Moonshine Kate on the old-time hillbilly rambler “The Poor Girls Story,” closing the album as if to say she won’t venture to far from the roots music that gained her acclaim. Eilen Jewell and her crew handle a diverse set of styles with skill and passion and should garner respect from across the musical landscape with this release.

EILENJEWELLCOM RICK J BOWEN: WABLUES.OG

Would you consider going back to the commercial end of graphic designing?

No. Generally, I avoid commission work. I

By Tamma Hicks, STEAM Magazine

Although

many of Cynthia Decker’s pieces look like photos or detailed paintings we discovered it is really her imagination and ability for 3-D rendering…

3-D environments that she creates from a blank computer screen and instead of using a paint and a brush she uses pixels and a mouse. Many of the programs and techniques that she uses are also used by Disney, Dreamworks, and other film makers in creating computer graphic (CG) animation. The difference is that once Cynthia has built her environment she then renders it to a 2-D image instead of animating it. Her renderings can take hours, and sometimes days, to complete, so she usually has more than one project going at any given time.

State and the sky is gray and the weather seemed to be always raining, very depressing.

I found that it was physically making me sick, so after two years I quit school, moved into the city, and was designing at a window blinds company. In that part of California, San Francisco area, there’s a lot of headhunting that goes on. If you’re good at what you do, you will go job to job to job. When I left school I had every intention of going back to college. I ended up with a great job that year and stayed there for about five years before I moved out here to North Carolina. I’m not sure I’ll ever go back and get a degree.

Where in North Carolina are you?

We live in Asheville, which is in the western side of the state, in the mountains, and it’s a very artsy community. They call it the Paris of the South.

don’t enjoy it. I don’t know, maybe I have a little teenager left in me after all these years, but when someone tells me what to do it tends to suck the joy right out of the project.

I spent about 25 years as a graphic designer, so I’ve done a lot of that kind of work, but I’m not interested in transferring that into my art. I’m also having the luxury of not having to push my art into my graphic designs or my graphic designs into my art.

You’re

very fortunate in that you have that ability. We’ve met a lot of artists that are very talented that “have to” do graphic designing or art on commission. Then again, we’ve met a lot of talented artists that have a house full of art and it’s nowhere else.

Yes,

I know. It is a luxury that I’m very fortunate to have and I also feel that I’ve given it to myself by working very hard and being able to do my own thing.

You know I was 34 or so, when I decided to

sell everything and move from California to North Carolina. People were in awe that I could do something like that, but I never saw it as a jump or leap. I always thought it was just the next step I needed to make in my life. I think that comes from my parents and the unconditional support they have always given me. Mom, was always there pushing and making me reach higher; of course, dad wasn’t too thrilled that I wanted to be an artist, but I associate that with his protectiveness and desire in wanting me to succeed in my visions. But it has been my belief that their support gave me the foundation that I can do anything I believe I can; right or wrong.

Your imagination is so deep and realistic. I have to wonder, are you a big science fiction fan?

Yah, I’ve always been sort of a nerd in that

regard. My favorite genre is horror, but it doesn’t come out as much in my artwork; although, I do have a slight dark edge in some works.

I guess it’s just the way I see art or the way I see your art, but I see a lot of inspi-

Tell me how you got started in computer

graphics, because from what I can tell we’re about the same age and computers weren’t really a household item while we were growing up.

Well, my mother was the head of the com-

puter information systems department at the local community college. Not only was the department a big deal for that time in computers, but it was a big deal that she was a woman. Time is changing the demographics of the computer field, but it is still male dominated.

I started out like most kids with artistic abil-

ity, you know, they want to draw all the time - only my scrap paper happened to be dotmatrix rolls and green punch cards. I started out with traditional media and paint, but I was never good with paint. It never felt satisfying and I couldn’t get what was in my head onto the canvas and then I began using the computer and the graphics software.

Where did you grow up?

I was raised in Cupertino, which is in the southern end of San Francisco Bay. I was really raised in Silicon Valley and we lived just two blocks from the Apple headquarters.

In fact, I used to skateboard in the parking lot as a teenager.

Your bio says that you went to college, but it doesn’t say that you graduated.

Yes, that’s very true. I went to San Francisco DEC 2017

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Top Left:

REGARDING DESIRE Above:

PHONE BOOTH Left:

CRACK IN THE WALL

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ration and thought-provoking ideas. Can you describe a few for me?

Sure. Desire for example goes in the dark direction. That’s about wanting

things that can never be obtained. It’s about people that spin their wheels in pursuit of things that don’t matter. Another that is dark, or at least has dark tendencies, is Narcissism, the bird and the boat. People will look at it and say it’s so peaceful and serene; once they find out the name their comments change direction. It’s now lonely, searching but only for its own shadow. That’s really about someone who is so involved in their own introspection that they lose track of the world around them.

The telephone booth was something I saw on TV where an aquarium company had turned a real phone booth into an aquarium and I decided I would try to build it in 3-D. My thought was to take this beautiful object and put it in a not so nice part of town for contrast.

I don’t always claim to see exactly what the artist is trying to getting across. So, will you tell me about the Crack House?

Oh, I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone call it the “Crack House” be-

fore; now you’ve ruined it for me. Actually, Crack in the Wall is about people in society that everyone overlooks. The people that fall in between the cracks, behind the weeds; the indigent people, the homeless, the mentally challenged, and others that we marginalize to where they don’t exist.

Again, it’s my dark side coming out.

Okay, before I go, I have to ask you a couple of nerdy questions.

What is your computer set up like?

I have one computer and my husband, who is also graphic designer, has

one. However, we have, I believe, 10 server stations to both and that’s what we do our rendering. Some of my renderings will take over 48 hours to complete. By the way, there are companies that you can do this with online but it’s more cost effective for us to maintain our own.

As we all know from experience technology changes constantly.

How often do you upgrade your programs? Do you purchase them every time or do you wait to see if they get the bugs out and then buy? Narcissism

There are some programs, like some Photoshop filters, that I’ve never

upgraded. However, my main programs I upgrade every year when they come out because there are system, technology, and user gains for each.

Thank you for sharing your story and art with us. You have such an honest outlook on life, it’s very refreshing. Beautiful.

CURIOUS3D.COM

Top : WINTER

GARDEN Middle: LOCKED OUT Bottom Left: NARCISSISM Bottom Right: LEAF PEEPERS

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By Tamma Hicks, STEAM Magazine Photo: Jill Hilliard Michael Burtts is a Corpus Christi native who thoroughly enjoys entertaining a crowd with his music, whether it’s in an acoustic solo show or with his full band. He’s a self-taught rhythm guitarist who believes music should not just sound good, but tell a story, sometimes happy, sometimes sad, but always meaningful.

Where did your love of music come from?

Man as far back as I can remember music has just always been a part of my life.

Nobody in my family that I knew played or sang but we always had music playing at all times. Part of the love of music and just feeling the music I credit my grandma with as she taught me to dance at an early age.

Now as far as musicians in my family, as I mentioned nobody I knew played or sang, however I have my great-great Uncle Jerry is a lead guitarist and steel guitar player in Montana and is still playing gigs. So one could say music is in the blood.

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Has country music always been your favorite?

That’s simple, Country music has always been the foundation of my life, my go to.

However when I say country music, I am referring to true country music such as Willie, Merle, Conway Twitty, Keith Whitley, George Strait etc. Now having said that don’t get me wrong I love listening to Stevie Ray Vaughn, Lynard Skynard, etc.

So, who’s in the band?

Right now we are mostly a 3 piece band that brings more to the table than most 45 piece bands, however when requested I do have a 4-5 piece band. While our influences go from one end of the spectrum to another, this is what makes us one of a kind and gives us our tone, sound, and uniqueness.

I’m the Lead Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Rhythm. My influences are George Strait, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Lynard Skynard, Chris Ledoux, Alabama, and for a recent artist Brantley Gilbert.

Dustin Ramirez, Drums/Percussion, is a Session/Live artist with over 20 years of performing under his belt and knows how to make any situation whether live or in the studio exciting and innovative. He has a wide spectrum of influences ranging

from Waylon to Dream Theater and loves being behind the kit and watching the crowd enjoy the music and sign along. He exclusively uses Gretsch drums and Sabian cymbals.

On Lead Guitar, Marti Jay, who began playing Violin at the age of 9, picked up the Guitar at the age of 14 and he’s never looked back. Marti not just knows how to play the guitar but has an amazing style due to his influences and can make any song come to life. His influences range from Pink Floyd, Metallica, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Yngwie Malmsteen.

if you want someone to relate and understand not just the song but to understand you then you have to put that in your music Our bass player, PJ Nichols, is from Montgomery TX . His influences include Don Williams, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, James Taylor, Van Halen, Jaco, Marcus Miller.

Finally, Chisum Mills plays Fiddle/ Mandolin/Harmonica. He’s played all of his life and began playing professionally when he was 14 years old. His influences are Bob Wills, Johnny Gimble (Fiddle Player), Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson.

I know you’re playing more and more original songs. What inspires the music you write?

It’s interesting that you mention this, for the most part we have done covers. Recently Dustin, Marti, and I have been putting things together that really blend our influences of the country, rock, and southern rock. When you think of a country ballad you think slow and meaningful?

Well with our ballad it’s more of a Power ballad. You feel the song and it has some amazing guitar leads. Our songs tell a story, they give you something you can relate to, something you can feel. There are a few songs I have that I am not sure will ever go on a record as I wrote them with one of my best friends Steve O’Malley whom is no longer with us. Sitting with him and just writing and telling stories of what we were going thru opened my eyes to telling others your story thru music, and most of the time your story not only heals you thru writing but heals and helps someone else whom is or was going thru the same situation.

Tell me about your current recording project.

We are currently working on several songs and finalizing which songs we will be putting on our release. If all goes as plan-

Wow this is hard to answer as there are so many artists I like to cover. Listening to my set list you will basically come to know all of the artist I grew up listening to and those I listen to now; from George Strait to Brantley Gilbert and Cody Johnson.

There will also be several songs during my

Our songs tell a story, they give you something you can relate to, something you can feel set that people may not be familiar with because when I listen to a record I don’t just listen to the song that everyone is talking about, I listen to all the songs. Like I said I like the songs that tell a story and many times some of the best songs on an album are the ones that nobody ever hears; they are the songs that tell you something about that artist.

MICHAELBURTTSMUSIC.COM ned (Lord willing) we hope to have the project out and ready to sell by April or May. You can expect to hear a story in every song our power ballad. Along with the rock influences, you will hear what I call Texas Country Rock with a Southern Rock edge. Too many of the songs/hits getting air play today don’t tell a story, it’s all about the “beat” the “rhyme”. Our opinion is if you want someone to relate

and understand not just the song but to understand you then you have to put that in your music. We want to be different than everyone else out there but we are staying true to Country music, and not the main stream country music.

Tell me about the songs on your set list.

I heard that you like to do the “B side”, songs that don’t get the airplay but are just as good as the releases.

FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM: MICHAELBURTTSMUSIC FOR BOOKING: CALL 361-288-9494 OR EMAIL MICHAELBURTTSMUSIC@GMAIL.COM

UPCOMING SHOWS: DEC 1 PIER 99, 6-10 DEC 2 SCUTTLEBUTTS, 6-10 DEC 3 PIER 99, 1-5 DEC 6 SCUTTLEBUTTS, 6-10 DEC 9 SCUTTLEBUTTS, 6-10 DEC 10 VICTORIA TX (PRIVATE) DEC 13 SILVER FOX LEON SPRINGS TX, 9-1 DEC 14 PIER 99, 6-10 DEC 15 CHALLET SPORTS BAR INGLESIDE TX, 9-1 DEC 16 HARRISONS L ANDING, 6-10 DEC17 CROSS TRAILS RODEO ORANGE GROVE TX, 12-4 DEC 20 SCUTTLEBUTTS, 6-10 DEC 22 MAX’S CAFÉ TILDEN TX, 7-11 DEC 23 SCUTTLEBUTTS, 6-10 DEC 27 SCUTTLEBUTTS, 6-10

By DC Washington, Sound Magazine | Photo: John David Pittman

Mark O'Connor has had success in nearly every musical genre. He’s won multiple Grammy awards, been named six times as the Country Music Association’s Musician of the Year, recorded and toured as a member of Atlanta-based jazz/rock group, Dixie Dregs, and sparred with Charlie Daniels on the Devil Comes Back To Georgia, a 1993 sequel to Daniels’ 1979 smash hit single. Out on tour now with his Grammy winning bluegrass group, the O’Connor Band, built around his family, we had a chance to speak with the prolific artist to discuss his career and his thoughts on the country music industry.

While I dare not to draw comparisons between The Partridge Family, the band includes your wife, son, and daughter-in-law. How does that family based element succeed here where it fails most others?

I never planned for having a family group because I never grew up in one. Interestingly enough all of the people in this group grew up in a family dynamic where another family member was in the music business. I make sure that my family is always around music and is having a good time.

We think about practicing even when we are separate. Another interesting element is that everyone in this group is younger than me and grew up listening to me play.

My music is second nature to them and it brings us together with that sort of familiarity to me and my music throughout their life.

With your youngest child are you steering them towards a life in the music business as well?

I've always thought that children should always be around music and music lessons growing up. Even if they don't take to it

later on in life every child should learn to play an instrument. If they want to pursue this as a career I won’t intercede until that point, if that is to happen one day.

A music teacher is a nice mentor for a child to have. I have a whole series of books called The O'Connor Method that promotes music education, especially strings, using American music and the methods behind it. It's such a healthy way to spend a childhood, to learn music through a holistic process. In the end it inspires a lifelong love of music whether they end up on stage or not.

With music programs being cut from schools all over the country do you think technology and streaming sites are helping to compensate for that, getting music into the hands of America's youth?

I think that generally speaking the access to music and the, shall I say the finest music, there is a new environment through YouTube where families and kids can see something and share something that will inspire them. When I was a kid my mother would order me an LP through the mail and I remember that it would take 2 to 3 weeks to get there in the mail. If it was in the fall it would take longer so those LP's would end up being Christmas presents.

That's how long it would take for me to get my hands on the music I would be inspired by. Now you can accomplish that same task in a matter of seconds so yes, that opens up a whole new world of opportunities for the next generation of music lovers.

Some of your master recordings are reverting back to you in the next few years, are there plans to rerecord or rerelease them to your fans?

It's great to know that my material will now have a home with my label, for me and my heirs to look after going forward. I haven't decided as to what I'm going to do with the material just yet; I think I'll just take the moment in for a while.

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COASTAL BEND BORDERLINE BAND See our ad for full listing!

FRONTIER SALOON 9709 Leopard St, Corpus Christi Live Music Every Saturday Night! See our ad for full listing!

GIGGITY’S 722 Tarpon St, Port Aransas Live Music Every Night! See our ad for full listing!

CHRISTMAS TREE FOREST: A READING WONDERLAND December 1-13, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM The Art Museum of South Texas 1902 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi Join The Art Museum of South Texas and community partners, H-E-B and the Junior League of Corpus Christi to celebrate the season with Christmas Tree Forest: A Reading Wonderland.

Once again reflecting the theme of A Reading Wonderland, 30 school groups read their chosen award-winning childhood classic book, created related decorations, and trimmed their trees accordingly.

COASTAL BEND FLUTE CLUB HOLIDAY CONCERT December 1, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Gethsemane Lutheran Church 3434 Holly Rd, Corpus Christi Please join us for our annual Christmas concert, featuring flutes of all sizes. We'll be playing some Christmas favorites as well as other music. A reception will follow. The concert is free and open to the public.

HARBOR LIGHTS FESTIVAL DEC 2, 2017 Downtown Corpus Christi Bayfront 1:00 P.M. Children’s Parade 3:00 P.M. Children’s Activity Area, 3:00 P.M. Main Entertainment Stage 5:45 P.M. Ceremonial Lighting Of The Holiday Tree 6:00 P.M. Santa’s Snowball Express Motorcade 7:00 P.M. The Harbor Lights Festival Illuminated Boat Parade The 36th Annual Harbor Lights Festival presented by H-E-B, rings in the beginning of the Christmas holiday season by transforming the beautiful Bayfront Marina into a Texas Strong Holiday.

NUTCRACKER IN THE PARK December 2, 5:00 PM Heritage Park 1581 N Chaparral Street, Corpus Christi Concert Ballet invites you to join them for the 41st Season and begin your Christmas holidays with a dazzling performance showcasing an immersive dance experience of the classic holiday production of The Nutcracker! You will find yourself in the rooms of the lively party scene, the exciting battle between the mice and soldiers, and Clara’s fantastic journey to the Kingdom of the Sweets with her handsome Nutcracker Prince. Each 45-minute show has a limited number of tickets, so grab yours soon

to experience this one of a kind holiday show in the Coastal Bend!

CANDLELIGHT REMEMBRANCE SERVICE December 2, 5:30 PM Rose Hill Memorial Park 2731 Comanche, Corpus Christi Rose Hill's 22nd annual luminary service. Several thousand candles will be placed every ten feet throughout the memorial park, and guests will participate in devotional programs.

SANTA CARES @ LA PALMERA December 3, 9:00 AM La Palmera Mall 5488 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi Santa Cares is a sensory-friendly opportunity for children with all spectrums of special needs to enjoy the time-honored tradition of the Santa Photo Experience with their family in a calming environment prior to public hours. Please RSVP in advance by reserving one ticket per group.

TEEN STEM CAFÉ December 4, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Texas State Aquarium 2710 N Shoreline Boulevard, Corpus Christi Texas State Aquarium’s Teen STEM Café, Making Waves, offers Coastal Bend teens an opportunity to engage in current science topics in a fun and casual setting. Through interactive topic introductions, demonstrations, and discussions, teens and professionals together will explore the science, technology, engineering, and math endeavors that are shaping our blue planet. Teen STEM Cafés are held at the Texas State Aquarium, and they are free and open to any high school teen.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS December 9, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Performing Arts Center at Texas A and M University 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi Enjoy a spectacular evening of incredible music at the majestic Performing Arts Center. Treat yourself to the symphony and experience the inspiration, joy and excitement of live symphonic music..

TRASHY SANTA BEACH CLEAN-UP December 16, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM Packery Flats on Mustang Island off HWY 361 TX-361, Corpus Christi The Coastal Bend Bays Foundation will be following Santa around at Packery Flats to help him pick up trash that came up from Hurricane Harvey. Come out for an experience and to help make the place we live cleaner. #TrashySanta MCDONALD/AARP SMART DRIVER COURSE December 16, 10:00 AM Ben F. McDonald Public Library 4044 Greenwood Dr., Corpus Christi You will learn: Defensive driving techniques, Proven safety strategies, New traffic laws and rules of the road. Plus, there are no tests to pass. You simply sign up and learn. Upon completion you could receive a multi-year discount on your car insurance.

Please call 361-425-5390. Fee $15.00 for AARP Members; $20.00 for Non-members. .

NORTH END CHRISTMAS LIGHT FEST 2017 Through December 31

Don Strange Ranch 103 Waring Welfare Road, San Antonio/Boerne The annual holiday extravaganza nestled on picturesque ranchland . Open nightly, the light spectacular features more than two million lights twinkling across light tunnels and holiday displays along a two-mile path and Santa’s Village, a rustic barn filled with holiday flavors, family fun, terrific shopping and Santa.

SIMS FOUNDATION: HEART OF THE CITY December 2, 7pm Emo's Austin 2015 East Riverside Dr, Austin A particularly Texan version of Twang was born in our backyard and this year we celebrate the cosmic cowboy with story and song at our annual Heart of the City event. Let's get cosmic y'all! The SIMS Foundation is a unique organization offering mental health services to local musicians and provide lifesaving services to musicians and their families when they need them most.

FESTIVAL OF ANGELS December 1, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz The City of Schertz invites you to kick off the holiday season at the annual Festival of Angels. This festival incorporates all of your favorite holiday happenings all in one night!

DOWNTOWN AUSTIN HOLIDAY STROLL December 2, 2017 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM 1100 Congress Avenue, Austin This free, family-friendly event celebrates the arrival of the holiday season and the joy it brings. Enjoy live music from Austin, shop at a special night market, see the lighting of the Capitol tree, and take photos with Santa at the Winter Wonderland.

ACMB: SWEETS AND STORIES WITH SANTA December 5, 5:00 PM Witte Museum 3801 Broadway, San Antonio Join ACMB for a fun holiday event the whole family will enjoy! We'll have crafts, games, food trucks to purchase dinner, sweet treats, a performance from Magik Theater and an appearance from the big man himself!

MEET THE AUTHOR: JESSE SUBLETT December 5, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Austin History Center 810 Guadalupe, Austin For forty years the talented comedy troupe Esther’s Follies has entertained and enlightened Austinites and visitors with its political satire, sketch comedy, and rip-roaring musical numbers. The Austin History Center invites you to come learn more about one of Austin’s premiere entertainment groups at a book talk and presentation with Jesse Sublett.

FELIZ TAMALIDAD December 9, 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Hangar 9 8081 Inner Circle Drive, San Antonio ¡Feliz Tamalidad! celebrates a San Antonio tradition by bringing together live music, tamales and family fun!

“THIS IS HUNGER” FREE NATIONAL EXHIBIT: A MUST-SEE EXPERIENCE

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DEC 2017

December 9-11, Shalom Austin 7300 Hart Lane, Austin Come on a compelling journey, one that draws you into the lives of everyday Americans – and deepens your awareness about who struggles with hunger and why.

53RD ANNUAL AUSTIN TRAIL OF LIGHTS December 9-23, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Zilker Park 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin The annual tradition continues to grow, celebrating the unique character Austin is recognized for across the country. Every holiday season, Zilker Park is transformed into the Trail of Lights with over two million lights, 40 displays, 20+ food trucks, two stages, 30 private holiday parties and interactive experiences throughout the trail.

THE ARMADILLO CHRISTMAS BAZAAR December 14-24, 11am-10pm daily Palmer Events Center 900 Barton Springs, Austin A shopping destination featuring national and local award-winning artists, with live music and two full bars in a festive, lively atmosphere.

A CHARLES DICKEN'S CHRISTMAS AFFAIR BENEFITING LEAP OF JOY December 16, 2017 5:00 PM Neill-Cochran House Museum 2310 San Gabriel Street, Austin Leap of Joy will be hosting a Special Edition Annual Holiday Bazaar : Featuring an interactive storytelling of A Christmas Carol at The Neill Cochran Museum. This unique event will feature performances from our youth performance troupe, local shopping, eats and libations.

SAN ANTONIO TRICENTENNIAL NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION & FREE CONCERT December 31, 2017 - January 1, 2018 6:00 PM 12:30 AM Hemisfair Park, Civic Park 434 S Alamo St., San Antonio San Antonio Tricentennial New Year’s Eve Celebration and Free Concert! Ring in the New Year in style, as the city of San Antonio kicks off its yearlong 300th anniversary celebration with an extraordinary New Year’s Eve celebration and FREE outdoor commemorative concert.

SOUTH END MCALLEN HOLIDAY PARADE 2017 December 2, 6:00 PM McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium Bicentennial, McAllen SANTA IN THE FOREST December 16, 10:00 AM Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Center 600 Sunset Drive, McAllen NEW YEAR'S EVE GALA December 31, 7:00 PM Corinthian Event Center 1516 East Expressway 83 suite A, Mission Un noche inolvidable! Para su entretenimiento habra musica Sonora, Nortenia, un tributo a Alejandro Fernandez