STEAM Magazine March 2022 #110

March 2022 VOL.10 # 110 ON THE COVER...

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GEORGE STRAIT, OUR RULER

BY GENE GARAND PUBLISHER RUSTY HICKS EDITOR TAMMA HICKS COMICS EDITOR ALLENE HICKS STAFF WRITERS TAMMA HICKS, RUSTY HICKS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS ALLENE HICKS, RUSTY HICKS, HARRISON FUNK CONTRIBUTING WRITERS J MICHAEL DOLAN, ROB DICKENS, RICK J BOWEN, STEVE GOLDSTEIN, KEITH “MUZIKMAN” HANNALECK MUSIC CONSULTANT TONY SARACENE ART CONSULTANT GENE. GARAND

4 COMICS 5 QUICK READ 6 ALBUM COVER OF THE MONTH 7 CD REVIEWS 8 RODEOHOUSTON: GEORGE STRAIT & ASHLEY MCBRYDE 10 JI M G I LMORE’ S C OAST AL B EN D; ARTIST WINDOW: GENE GARAND 11 YOSH &YI MMY 12 MAX B AC A & LOS T EX MAN I AC S 14 ST EAM SPOT LI G HT : T EX AS JAZZ FESTIVAL; BANDS ON TOUR 15 MO VI ES, ART & MUSI C

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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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forecasting J. Michael Dolan When I was climbing the infamous ladder of success a fiveyear plan was important. It was drilled into my young, inflated ego that smart entrepreneurs make long-term plans.

Now that I’ve put the ladder in the garage, it has become clearly obvious that the rabbit speed of technology, running neck ’n’ neck with the turtle speed of the pandemic has drastically deflated that strategy.

Today, unless you’re beholden to investors, long-term career plans are an illusion—a blind guess. And given the blinding speed at which our beloved creative industry is exponentially changing, I place little value on future forecasting. Rather, I remain conscious and aware of what I am rigorously committed to achieving today, or this week, or this month, or this quarter.

Not like selling out the future, more like day trading.

Important because planning too far in the future keeps us at a dangerous distance from our destination and supports the excuse that we still have plenty of time to reach our goal.

How to play hide & seek J. Michael Dolan Rules of the game: 1. Stand next to a tree and shout as loud as you can: “NOT IT!” 2. (Sorry, you’re IT!) 3. Cover your eyes and count to ten.

4. Then shout as loud as you can: “Ready or not here I come!”

5. Now start hiding & seeking.

HIDE from those who say: “I’ve been in this industry long enough to know better!”

While that may have a nanometer of validity, the truth is, we have ALL been in the NEW entertainment industry for the exact same amount of time!

SEEK A&E’s that are knowledgeable and experienced in the way our industry is operating today, and exchange views & ideas with them.

HIDE from the temptation of copying, imitating or plagiarizing other’s work or style.

SEEK inside yourself that unique spark that only you have that matches your vision of how you would do it, if and when the opportunity presents itself. Because every artist fits perfectly into a little corner of the vast entertainment spectrum. And although the competition appears steep, there’s no shortage of work in our industry! There’s always room for another hit song, another jaw-dropping performance, another great story, another breathtaking work of art, or another worthy business

adventure.

HIDE from setting small goals that keep you stuck in an illusion that you’re getting somewhere.

SEEK to raise the bar from doable to impossible. Because deep down inside you know you’re capable of playing a much bigger game.

HIDE from thinking that “success” has to match your definition.

SEEK to be open to any of the many ways that success will present itself throughout your lengthy career.

HIDE (actually run) from those who say: “Oh well, that’s just the way it is in show business!”

SEEK those who realize that unlike the fixed protocols and common trade practices of other global industries, the entertainment industry is a unique empire unlike any other on earth. Where contracts are unconventional, deals are off-beat, timelines are fluid, and negotiations are like buying a neck-scarf at a street fair—everything is negotiable! Right down to the color of the ink on the contract!

And when someone says “that’s just the way this industry works,” that tells me they talk like they’re in the bigs, but they play the game like they’re in the minors.

Important because although hide ’n’ seek is a game we learned as kids, it has become a worthy and valuable grownup game where we can change the rules to suit our needs and play the game ad infinitum. Have fun!

STEAMMAGAZINE.NET MARCH 2022 STEAM MAGAZINE 5

When it comes to classic Western Swing, who casts a bigger shadow than Johnny Gimble? With his 5string fiddle and a decade with Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, this man from Tyler, Texas wrote the book on what is known as “Texas fiddle.” Throughout the 1960s, Johnny was the go-to guy for some of the biggest names in Country music; Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Ray Price, and his life-long friend, Willie Nelson. He spent his later years playing regularly with his bassist son, Dick Gimble, and piano playing granddaughter, Emily Gimble, before passing away in 2015 at age 88 at his Dripping Springs home.

Fortunately, Johnny's influential fiddle and electric mandolin work can still be found, like this gem.

JOHNNY GIMBLE'S TEXAS DANCE PARTY successfully duplicates the feel of an authentic Texas honky-tonk, at least as much as a recording can.

Johnny's handpicked band of fellow Texans included son Dick and friends Kenny Frazier on guitar and Curly Hollingsworth on piano. They chose the famous Chaparral in Austin and a crowd of over 700 people for this live record to further deliver the goods on Johnny's concept. Johnny introduces himself before the band kicks into “Lone Star Rag.” You can picture the crowd rising together to Texas two-step

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while Johnny musically presents the band. As the record continues, the honky-tonk feeling never lets up. “I'll Keep On Loving You” and “Bosque Bandit” has Johnny the fiddler taking the vocal spotlight. And, what would any night at a dance hall be without a waltz? Johnny and the boys rise to the occasion with “La Zinda Waltz.” The tributes to the Lone Star State swing with “Texas Fiddle Man,” hop with “Texas Skip” and take you home with “Under The 'X' In Texas.”

“End Of The Line” is a high energy send-off with another Johnny Gimble vocal and a final showcase for this band of top-notch, seasoned honky -tonkers. It's all great fun and it just might make you want to pop a Lone Star.

As far and wide as Texas reaches, there is no one particular “Texas sound.” It's all very regional; Austin is different from Houston, West Texas is different from South Texas, Dallas is different from Fort Worth, and on and on. With over four decades of first rate singing and songwriting, Shake Russell has become a Texas legend without being geographically categorized. His songs have been recorded by Ricky Skaggs, Waylon Jennings, Jerry Jeff Walker and Gary P. Nunn. His collaborations with Clint Black have been highly acclaimed award winners.

This album with his thenpartner, Dana Cooper, bandmate John Vandiver, and Houston's Michael Marcoulier Band could serve as a fine

jumping off point for anyone wanting to delve into the thriving Texas music scene of the late '70 and '80s. As the old saying goes, the proof is in the pudding, and the pudding here is 11 outstanding tracks featuring unrelenting talent. Dana's “Jubilation” kick starts the record with Russell/Cooper/Vandiver and company rocking out on a declaration of freedom.

“Nothing But Rain” has Marcoulier taking the lead on a jumping, melodic ode to heartbreak. Vandiver's “It's Against The Law” is a not-so-subtle protest against some of life's recreational activities frowned on by the rule makers set to a bluesy, Piedmont feel.

“Touch Of New Orleans” is a pleasant love ballad from Marcoulier, while Cooper's “In Spite” is another kind of love song with harder edged music and lyrics. “Comin' Home” is a familiar sounding blues rocker by Vandiver, while “Try” that closes out the album is, by contrast, an effectively sparse duet with Shake Russell and John Vandiver, also on acoustic guitar. This self-produced collaboration is a perfect showcase for these undefinable Texas troubadours.

If you only have time for one song, seek out “When Are You Coming Home.” It's Shake Russell and Dana Cooper at their finest.

JAMESTOWN REVIVAL YOUNG MAN (THIRTY TIGERS)

BY ROB DICKENS Childhood friends Zach Chance and Jonathan Clay are Americana folk duo Jamestown Revival. When plotting what was to be Young Man, the pair made a bold decision to eschew electric guitars and heavy production and let the songs speak for themselves. Accordingly, the end product is unlike anything the group has previously released which lends a vitality and freshness that jumps out of the speakers.

Young Man was produced and mixed by Robert Ellis and Josh Block and a bunch of talented Texas friends and The new release follows 2020’s A Field Guide musicians boost the adept songwriting, To Loneliness and 2019’s San Isabel, two other soaring harmonies and intricate finger terrific outings . picking. The album is a toxic brew and JAMESTOWNREVIVAL.COM another landmark release by the duo.

ROB DICKENS: LISTENINGTHROUGH THELENS.ORG

DONNA HERULA BANG AT THE DOOR (SELF RELEASED)

BY RICK J BOWEN Seeking out the influence of remote locales and their specific aesthetic qualities has long been an inspirational tool for artists and creators who have journeyed to storied lands seeking inspiration. Chicago-born guitar instructor and singer songwriter Donna Herula and partner in crime, Tony Nardiello, embarked on such journey to North Carolina to record her third album, Banging at The Door. The duo partnered up with 2019 International Blues Challenge champion Jon Shain and bassist FJ Ventre at Good Luck Studios in Chapel Hill far from the gritty streets that have made modern blues famous. The resulting almost all-acoustic recording of 11 new original songs and three select covers has a clean, wide open, relaxed sound and spontaneous feel. This departure from her previous solo albums allowed her explore compositions of greater emotional depth that reflect on the world from a woman’s perspective as well as a wider musical palette and the many layers of blues styles. Bang at the Door rips from the getgo with the opening title track, a lively rhumba that recounts a late night encounter with a drunken lover. Herula wrote the love note “Pass the Biscuit,” for her dearly departed mentor Sonny Payne, and the second line serenade gives testimony to the impact of the legendary DJ and host of the King Biscuit Time Radio show. She pays tribute to bottleneck guitar originator Buk-

GREENSKY BLUEGRASS STRESS DREAMS (THIRTY TIGERS)

BY ROB DICKENS I’ve long been attracted to jamming, extended bluegrass/old time bands and Greensky Bluegrass fit the top layer of them. Having seen the outfit live three times, their shows are a marvel of virtuosity, interplay and spark. (Thanks to LTTL’s Jim Jacob for capturing in the header image front man Paul Hoffman so beautifully in Georgia in 2019).

When touring ceased in 2020 in the face of the global pandemic, Greensky Bluegrass hunkered down and compiled demos individually, then got together when safe to do so, eventually recording what would become Stress Dreams over sessions in Guilford, Vermont and Asheville, North Carolina.

The album is an ideal document for the times, the worries brought on by the pandemic and society’s responses to it, lockdowns, isolation and division.

Yet Stress Dreams is not a downer, rather a resilient statement from which we can take much comfort.

The clip below extends to eight minutes. If you can stay the course, you’ll see what I mean about the inspired, elongated playing.

REDBEETRECORDS.COM ROB DICKENS: LISTENINGTHROUGH THELENS.ORG

ka White on an authentic reading of “Fixing to Die,” demonstrating her expertise of real Delta blues playing. The album finale is an uplifting rundown of Blind Willy Johnson’s standard “Soul of A Man,” inviting several friends to sing with her on the chorus. Donna has gained a reputation as an excellent Resonator slide guitarist, which has earned her recognition as one of top 10 rising stars from Acoustic Guitar Magazine, well-deserved honors of representing the Windy City Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge, and her position on the faculty of the prestigious Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago .

DONNAHERULA.COM RICK J BOWEN: WABLUES.ORG

MELISSA CARPER DADDY’S COUNTRY GOLD (LOVE POLICE RECORDS & TAPES)

BY ROB DICKENS Daddy’s Country Gold contains twelve sumptuous originals of classic country, western swing and jazz with Melissa Carper‘s sublimely accurate vocals reflecting the feel of seminal songs from the past. Having said that, she carefully avoids simply copying a bygone era and infuses her own personality and experiences.

Co-produced by Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Hurray For the Riff Raff), Daddy’s Country Gold features a line-up of Nashville’s finest session players including Chris Scruggs (Marty Stuart) on rhythm guitar and pedal steel , and guest appearances from friend Sierra Ferrell, Lloyd Green, Billy Contreras on fiddle, the iconic session player Dennis Crouch (Time Jumpers) and the wonderful singer Brennen Leigh.

Gaining valuable experience in Arkansas, New Orleans, New York City, Austin and eventually Nashville, Carper has absorbed many musical influences and delivers a vintage product.

THEDELINES.COM ROB DICKENS: LISTENINGTHROUGH THELENS.ORG

STEAMMAGAZINE.NET MARCH 2022 STEAM MAGAZINE 7

CONTACT US!

Are you an artist interested in a STEAM Magazine feature? Would you like more information about our online gallery? Then send us an email!

ARTSHOW@STEAMTX.COM

At STEAM Magazine… Art is in our name!

We have been featuring artists for nearly 10 years.

In that time we have featured more than 100 artists, hosted 4 Art Shows, and held speed painting events!

STEAM Magazine’s Artist Window is a great way for artists to be seen! We will be hosting virtual art galleries as well as featuring specific pieces for sale in the magazine. This issue we are featuring Genevieve (Gene) Garand’s GEORGE STRAIT OUR RULER. A 30”x24” Acrylic, Original, and Signed.

By Tamma Hicks, STEAM Magazine

JIMGILMOREART.COM FACEBOOK.COM/JIMGILMOREART

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Gene’s collections have been featured in magazines and art exhibits throughout Canada, the United States, France, and the UK. Her painting of Elvis was featured on the Jumbo-Tron in New York’s Time Square! “My style includes the use of many techniques and mediums. I especially like painting portraits where I can fuse the unique expression of each person into my paintings to finish the piece with my own unique interpretation and the origin of each element.” GENEGARAND.COM On the cover is See page 8 for more information on this lovely painting!

We met Jim Gilmore in 2019 just after he and his wife Vinaya (author) made the move to be Winter Texans in Port Aransas.

Their home is in the mountains of Colorado on a ranch his parents had purchased and where he has always lived. After 35 years in the ranching business Jim decided to follow his heart and dream and began sculpting and painting.

Jim is now a well-known bronze sculptor; in fact you’ve probably seen his work at some of the entrances of Cabala’s stores; bigger than life elk, moose, and bison. The sculpting took precedence over his paint-

ing, however he never completely stopped.

His oil paintings are of the wildlife and landscapes he has photographed throughout CO. Since being here in South Texas and on the Gulf Coast Jim’s landscapes and wildlife have changed dramatically. He decided that instead of keeping a bunch of sketchpads he’d use a journal during the Winter Seasons.

Using pencil, ink, and watercolors Jim captures the many different aspects of Coastal Bend life from the wildlife to flora to the ships that pass in the night to everyday living. The pages found in Jim’s Journal are truly works of art.

By Tamma Hicks, STEAM Magazine

After meeting in 2015, when Josh guys will be hitting the road for a naGlenn opened for Jimmy Willden at tional “Yive in Concert” tour. the final show of his 2015 tour. The guys continued playing shows togeth- I know you probably explain this at every show, but why Yosh and Yimmy and not er and over time evolved into the duo, Josh and Jimmy?

Yosh & Yimmy, and they began writing Yimmy Because we couldn't think of anything better and we thought we were being clever. songs together.

Their first release, Americana Summer There's a performer named Jim James (lead singer of My Morning Jacket) who released a (EP), was in March of 2019, and sup- solo record years ago where he changed the ported by their first joint national tour J's in his name to Y’s and that kind of that summer. 2020 was spent writing floated into our heads while we were more songs, and preparing to return coming up with our duo name. Once while playing a gig in Houston and a to the studio, but not before com- person out of the audience came up pleting the mixes for their first live and said that they’d came out to see us record, Yosh & Yimmy: Yive in Concert. because it was an interesting name.

Delayed by COVID-19, the album was Well, I think finally unit's clever. Tell being a solo artist, or a Duo, our leashed to the me about the new album, world in tours are much nicer and much Three Rivers .

March of more comfortable with good food Yimmy We just 2021. The alsettled on the bum was recorded at the final perfor- album title this morning and “Three mance of their Americana Summer Rivers” isn't even on the album.

Tour, in Athens GA and showcased Yosh We decided to create a little mystery with the title, to get our audience thinktheir eclectic style, rich harmonies, ing. and thought-provoking lyrics.

Yosh & Yimmy’s debut full-length stu- Well, then my guess would be that you dio album, “Three Rivers” will be re- were writing the songs for this album sitting on the banks of Three Rivers. leased in this month. Promoting the while Yosh No, but that would have been cool. upcoming album Yosh & Jimmy have Actually, Jimmy lives in Corpus Christi, I live released three singles (Down & Out, in San Antonio, and Three Rivers is a small Proof, and Breathe Again) and are town approximately halfway between our two being played on radio stations across cities. I thought Three Rivers would be cool because we're bringing you some older songs the U.S. and worldwide, including from the vaults of our individual songwriting, SteamMagazineRadio.com. In July the and meeting in the middle with the new songs written for this album.

Yimmy Josh is obsessed with nature so your guess makes sense, but no. I thought it was kind of a fun symbolism. And this isn't all old songs, we did write songs for this album.

You’ve released three singles and on Breathe Again the female backing vocals are really good. Who did you use?

Yimmy No, there are no female singers with us so that was probably Josh singing.

Yosh Yeah, Jimmy and I have pretty high falsettos, but on Breathe Again I take the falset-

site and social media for our schedule which includes our 16-state tour.

Yosh We really love the small town home vibe, where people are relaxed and they come out to listen and enjoy themselves. It’s in those small towns that we get a lot word of mouth, so our crowds are growing each time we’re there. And all that leads to our summer tour. Before Jimmy and I started playing together I played a lot in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona so we'll be hitting those areas before heading to the Midwest and working our way home.

That’s a hefty tour which is a lot of work.

Yimmy Yeah, everyone tells the story of how as an independent artist, or band, you piled into a van that was ready to break down and you're all sleeping in it and eating crappy food the whole time you’re on the road and scraping to get by. I've never gone out with a band actually, but being a solo artist, or a Duo, our tours are much nicer and much more comfortable with good food and better places.

to. Proof starts off with ukulele and Down And Out was on the Yive in Concert album. It was a stripped-down version, so on Three Rivers we have Ty Dietz playing harmonica and he's also a co-writer of that song.

Well, let’s talk about album release and the “Yive In Concert Tour”.

Yimmy Yeah, we’ll be at the Executive Surf Club on March 10th for an album release party and the album will be out on all digital platforms on the 11th of March. Between now and the July tour we'll be playing in all around including Bandera, Fredericksburg, and San Antonio. The best thing is to check our web-

Oh, you need the experience of going out with a metal band!

Yimmy Well, I'm willing to try.

Green Eyed Doodle by Lola Rothke-Shearer PROOF... DOWN & OUT... BREATHE AGAIN SINGLES & VIDEOS… OUT NOW YOSH & YIMMY: THREE RIVERS ALBUM RELEASE: MARCH 11 2022 YOSH & YIMMY SHOW MARCH 10TH EXECUTIVE SURF CLUB, CORPUS CHRISTI WEBSITE/FACEBOOK/TWITTER: YOSHANDYIMMY

STEAMMAGAZINE.NET MARCH 2022 STEAM MAGAZINE 11

Chris Rivera Drums, Max Baca Bajo Sexto, Josh Baca Accordion, Noel Hernandez Bass

What do you get when you cross Tex-Mex, Conjunto, and rock ‘n roll? You get Max Baca and Los Texmaniacs! Music has always been a fixture in Max’s life, in fact he was just 5 years old when he learned the accordion and 7 when he began playing bass for his Dad’s Conjunto band. Max grew up in Albuquerque NM playing in bands with his brother and they had some regional success too. But it was when family friend Flaco Jimenez called asking him to fill in on the Bajo Sexto for the Texas Tornadoes that music was completely cemented into his being. Max played with the supergroup for 9 years and carried all the lessons he learned from Flaco, Doug Sahm, Freddy Fender, and Augie Meyers to his Grammy winning group, Los Texmaniacs.

Max toured the world with as a Texas Tornado, but Los Texmaniacs were the first Latino band to

loved playing with them; they were all my tour in China and not just once, heroes while growing up. I've known Flaco but five times! And they’ve gone since I was 7 years old and I continue playing to Bangladesh. They’ve been with Flaco to this day, but back then he knew nominated 3 times for Grammys, where I was going and pushed me to put my winning once, and nominated own band together; that's when I came up twice for the with Los Texmaniacs.

Independent I wanted to keep the concept of Music Awards.

“HEY ALL THE GOOVERS GET the Texas Tornados - being Max and Flaco ON MY BUS AND ALL THE NON- different and out of the box and at the same time sticking even recorded with our Conjunto and TexGROOVERS YOU GET ON THE BUS with the RollMex roots and, thanks to playWITH FREDDY.” ing Stones! ing with that top caliber group We sat down ~ DOUG SAHM, TEXAS TORNADOES of musicians, I've always been with Max and able to maintain my original concept. So when we play a talked about blues tune or rock song or Texas Shuffle that his amazing career, what it’s like is what you hear all the while to win a Grammy, and about his remaining true to our Texmusic.

Mex and Conjunto culture.

I never really followed bands when I was young, so it surprised me that the Texas Tornadoes stayed together after Doug Sahm passed away.

Yeah, after Doug passed away in ‘99 Augie pushed us to complete our show and tour contracts and we did a couple of overseas tours too. But honestly it wasn't the same; Doug was the heart and soul of the Texas Tornadoes; it was his concept. Being part of that band was such a blessing, and I really

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I read that you were playing bass for your dad’s Conjunto band when you were 7 and I thought they meant 17.

Yes, I was actually playing accordion at 5 years old; my father taught my brother and me to play. Although I can't remember being 5 years old

and playing I do have pictures and stories from my family and there were only two songs that I knew then: the Monterey Polka and Glenn Miller’s In The Mood. I think those songs paved the way for what I was going to do as I got older because here I am 50 years later still playing that music.

You are a Tex-Mex Conjunto player with a rock ‘n roll heart. Who’s your favorite band and what was it that captivated you?

My all-time favorite is Creedence Clearwater Revival and John Fogerty. They just had this groove. I wrote a song and Alejandro Escovedo sang it with me, Down In The Barrio.

You can feel the influence of Born In The Bayou and yet it’s completely different; which I make sure that I'm creating my own and not copying anyone else. It's got a rock feel and a very positive message; actually if you watch a lot of Netflix movies you may hear it in the background.

Which

record is that on?

Americano Groove in 2015. It was produced

by Steve Berlin from Los Lobos and David Hidalgo (Los Lobos) is on it. I was really honored to have these guys can play on my album and produce it. Kevin Fowler (Texas Country), my nephew Josh (Los Texmaniacs accordion), and I wrote a Tequila song for that album. Joe Ely, Rick Trevino, and Flaco are on that album too.

country, pop, all that. My grandson was so excited because Lady Gaga was sitting right in front of us, Taylor Swift was just off to the side, and we got to meet Jamie Foxx. I mean really, my grandson was so star struck and of course I was too!

Oh yeah, I would have been! I mean I get

star struck getting to interview people.

You know just getting nominated is really the song isn’t about beer; Kevin told us humbling and to me winning the Grammy was like winning the that just about every song “HOW ABOUT THEM COW- Super Bowl! So they he writes has the word announce my name beer in it. And second, I’m BOYS!” and as I'm walking up sensing a pattern here ~ MAX BACA, WHEN HE WON HIS to the stage people are your first album out was GRAMMY cheering and clapping Tex-Mex Groove, you did and all I remember is the Americano Groove album, and you referred to CCR’s groove. looking at my grandson, who was so proud, and the disbelief look on all of our faces. As Where did this “groove” idea come from?

Well you know, it came from Doug Sahm; he I'm walking I start seeing flashbacks of all the would just about any time he could say years of me playing with my brother and with “that's a great groove” he would. The Torna- Doug and Flaco, the nightclubs, the Quindoes had two buses and often Doug would ceaneras, the weddings, the gigs I did with say, “Hey all the goovers get on my bus and my dad. Every step I took it was a flash of all the non-groovers you get on the bus with memories! I’m finally at the podium and Freddy.” You know those two were charac- handed the Grammy when all of a sudden ters and they would butt heads and bicker, everything goes silent. Everyone is looking at but I'm telling you what - we get on stage, it me waiting to hear me give this speech… that I haven't prepared because I didn't think I'd was pure magic! need one! I didn't know what to say and all I Speaking of magic, in 2010 Los Texmani- could come up with was… “How about them Cowboys?” And the place went crazy beacs won the Grammy Award for Best cause fortunately the Cowboys were doing Tejano Album for Borders y Bailes. Will good. That broke the ice for me and I started you tell me about your thanking people experience getting that I needed to. this award?

It started with me in the Oh my gosh! recording studio and the What a great phones on mute when story!

Thank the secretary popped you for telling into the control room me because and tells all of us that it I've always was just announced that wondered what we were nominated for would go a Grammy. I was in through a perdisbelief and I looked son's mind as down at my phone and they walked up there's like 15 missed to the stage. calls from radio stations, Well, there are TV stations, the newslots more stopaper; it was just unberies but you lievable! My mom was have to tell the visiting me, so when I got home I got to tell her face to face that we one about the Rolling Stones, please! were nominated. She was so excited! She kept Flaco and I were asked to do a tour in ‘95 saying, “You’re going to win! You're going to with The Rock Angels, so we flew out to Los Angeles and our first show was at Luna Park. win!” and sure enough we did!

I had promised to take my grandson with me We were backstage getting ready and the if I ever went to the Grammys, so he was my promoter calls me over to take a call. He’s date and we wore tuxes and it was such a standing there with his jaw on the floor and happy event. The category we were in was says, “Max you’ve got to take this call!” I held in the afternoon and later that night they grabbed the phone and say hello and I hear, did the televised categories - hip-hop, rock, “Hi my name is Don Was. I'm a producer working on an album with the Rolling Stones.” At that point I'm thinking of this is one of those TV shows that prank people; no thanks.

Don then says, “ We heard that

First I have to say that I’m surprised that

as he turns the bajo around the cigarette drops Flaco Jimenez was performing tonight.” And right on the top of it! And that little burn mark I start thinking that if this is real this guy just is still in the bajo! wants VIP tickets or on guest list, so I kind He apoloof cut him off by gizes and telling him that asks me if we're just about want to sell ready to go on it. I was so stage. He says, caught off “Well we're very guard and I interested in gettell Keith ting Flaco on this my dad gave record and we that to me want to know if and he says he’s open to talk “just name a about it. We'll be price.” here all week and Three times we’d love to have he asked to him record a song buy my bajo with us.” before he says, “I understand the sentimental So, now I'm thinking that if it's real of course reasons but really name a price.”

Flaco wants to do this, so I give him the Now we’re back to business and get our gear phone and he gets to hear the same spiel and microphones setup. Don Was asks us to from Don Was that I did and Flaco, Mr Cool, go ahead and run through the song because is smoking a cigarette just listening to Don they need to get the levels set. Flaco and I run Was explain that they had tried a bunch of through the song and we say okay we got it instruments but they couldn’t get the Texnow, so let's go ahead and record. Mick Jagger Mex sound on the song, Sweethearts Togethpresses the intercom button and says, “We er, which is like a bolero and of course the already got you guys. It was so good we just way the Stones will play at bolero it was going decided to use this first run through.” So we to be badass! were done and before we left I got this great Flaco tells Don, “I have my bajo sexto player picture of the four of us with my bajo. Anyhere with me, Max Baca, and if you really way, Flaco and I carried on with the rest of the want a Tex-Mex feel you're going to need me Rock Angelz tour before going home. and Max because the bajo sexto and the acSo I'm telling my dad how I refused to sell cordion are brothers and to get that Tex-Mex Keith Richards my bajo sound you're going to need them both. SO I'M TELLING MY DAD HOW I RE- and my dad called me a pendejo and said we I heard Don say, “Bring him along FUSED TO SELL KEITH RICHARDS MY could have bought the whole factory! then.”

BAJO AND MY DAD CALLED ME A

PENDEJO AND SAID WE COULD HAVE No way!

Oh my gosh! That is Yeah! So Flaco asks BOUGHT THE WHOLE FACTORY! so funny! him to send a casWe are going to talk sette tape to our hotel so we could give it a about your upcoming album, Corazones Y listen. We finished our show and we get to Canciones, which is different than what the hotel, the Beverly Hills Garden or someyou’ve done previously, right? thing, and I'll be damned there's an envelope Yes, we have a new concept for this recording. with Flaco's name on it and a cassette tape Daniel E. Sheehy is our Producer and he suginside. gested we do something different as this is our The next day we go to A and M Studios in 5th Los Texmaniacs albums with Smithsonian Hollywood. As we're walking in Ronnie Folkways. We're going to incorporate a female Woods, Charlie Watts, and their wives are vocalist… Maria Del Sol! She has a really walking out of the studio. There was a quick strong Mariachi style voice and I thought her introduction, we shook hands, and they left. voice would be a great mix with our voices.

The first person I see when we walked The songs we’ve chosen for this album are through the door is Mick Jagger and behind traditional Mexican folk songs; again, a differhim is Don Was and the mixing engineer. ent concept for us. Corazones Y Canciones Mick is this skinny short guy and he shakes (Hearts & Songs) will come out the later part hands with Flaco and turns to me, and with of June just before the Smithsonian Folklife that cool accent, he says “And you must be Festival. This is going to be a gorgeous album Max. We're really happy that you're here and with such a good feel to it. The title says it all! glad that you're going to do some recording Corazones Y Canciones for us.” We tell them that we had a few ideas for I'm Keith Richards the recording and they LOSTEXMANIACS.COM tell Flaco to set up over here and point at FACEBOOK.COM/TEXMANIACS another area for me. This is when I realize that Keith Richards has been sitting in the FOLKWAYS.SI.EDU/ARTISTS/LOS-TEXMANIACS corner this whole time; smoking cigarettes.

I take my bajo out of the case and Keith’s SHOW: MARCH 4 @ 8PM eyes just bugged like a cartoon and he comes LOS TEXMANIACS FEATURING FLACO JIMENEZ running around that consul. He says Hi, & AUGIE MEYERS What is that? I explained the bajo sexto and GRUENE HALL - GRUENE HALL he gushes about how gorgeous it is and that he wants to try it. As he's holding it, looking NEW ALBUM COMING JUNE 2022: at it, and turning it around he is still smoking a cigarette that hasn't left his lips. And he's CORAZONES Y CANCIONES talking with it in his mouth, but his eyes were ON SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS RECORDINGS just on the bajo. Now his cigarette it's just getting closer and closer to the head and just STEAMMAGAZINE.NET MARCH 2022 STEAM MAGAZINE 13

March 18, 2022 kicks off our 60th Annual Texas Jazz Festival! We're asking all our Jazz family and friends to mark their calendars and come down to Heritage Park in Corpus Christi, TX to help start this year’s festivities!

Come enjoy several different types of delicious food, drinks, and arts and crafts from our awesome vendors.

We have some amazing music and entertainment you're not going to want to miss! As ALWAYS this event is FREE, FREE, FREE! Reminder, all our food vendors will be taking cash and credit cards. Tickets need to be purchased for ALL beverages!! So, let's get ready to celebrate the longest, free running festival in the world!! See yall soon!!

A free shuttle for festival-goers to and from the event will be provided by the partnering Corpus Christi RTA. There is also paid parking near Heritage Park.

ARTISTS returning for 2022: Tom Braxton, Kyle Turner , Billy Ray Sheppard, Freddie Martinez, Biohazzard Brass Band, & Many More!

TEXASJAZZ-FEST.ORG HERITAGE PARK 581 N. CHAPARRAL STREET CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS

14 STEAM MAGAZINE MARCH 2022 STEAMMAGAZINE.NET

MICHAEL O'CONNOR & JEFF PLANKENHORN Michael O'Connor and Jeff Plankenhorn duo acoustic Still Kickin’ tour in Texas. After 20+ years of playing, writing, and recording together Michael O'Connor and Jeff Plankenhorn are at it again! This is Michael’s first tour since lockdowns! Come join us for songs and stories, laughs and who knows what else?

3/3 Fort Worth - Southside Preservation Hall (Concerts in the Attic) 3/4 New Braunfels - The Redbird Listening Room 3/5 La Grange - The Bugle Boy 3/10 Austin - Peggy's Porch Party 3/11 Rockport - Inspirations Gallery Concert Series 3/12 Houston - Burlinghall House Concerts Tickets & Info: jeffplankenhorn.com DEAD POET SOCIETY Los Angeles-based Rock quartet Dead Poet Society are gearing up for a big Spring touring slate! The band will kick things off with a month-long trek supporting Sevendust on their Animosity 21st Anniversary Tour, which kicks off in Oklahoma City on March 4th. Shows are with bands like Goodbye June, Badflower, and UK alt-rockers Biffy Clyro!

WITH SEVENDUST + TETRARCH: 3/5 — Dallas, TX @ House of Blues 3/7 — San Antonio, TX @ Aztec Theatre 3/8 — Houston, TX @ House of Blues WITH BIFFY CLYRO: 5/1 — Dallas, TX @ Echo Lounge Tickets & Info: wearedps.com VRSTY NYC-based collective VRSTY are touring in the US on the strength of their new album, 'Welcome Home', which was

released in January 2022 via Spinefarm Records. The R&B-meets-metalcore outfit will be on the road this Spring as a support act for Hard Rock mainstays 10 Years.

WITH 10 YEARS + BLACK MAP: 4/1 - San Antonio, TX @ The Rock Box 4/2 - Dallas, TX @ Trees 4/3 - Corpus Christi, TX @ Brewster Street Ice House Tickets & Info: vrsty.nyc BLAGGARDS BRING "STOUT IRISH ROCK" FOR ST. PATRICK'S DAY! Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the fiery, high-energy Irish rock of national touring band Blaggards at The Heights Theater, Houston, Thursday, March 17, featuring special guest, fiddle player Heide Riggs!

Blaggards play what they call "Stout Irish Rock." Front man guitarist/ vocalist Patrick Devlin, from Dublin, Ireland, describes it as "traditional Irish music mixed with rock n’ roll, informed by everything from Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley to Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath."

Arizona-based fiddle player Heide Riggs began playing violin at age 11 and holds a Masters of Music Performance and Pedagogy from ASU School of Music.

Tickets & Info: blaggards.com UNCLE ACID & THE DEADBEATS English rockers UNCLE ACID & THE DEADBEATS make their return to North America this month! The innovative Psychedelic Doom outfit will kick off their 2022 tour plans in Brooklyn, NY on March 2nd. Joining the group on this upcoming trek is direct support from King Buffalo.

3/12 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live 3/13 - Dallas, TX @ House of Blues Tickets & Info: uncleacidband.com

CONTACT US! Is your band going on tour or releasing an album? Are you a musician interested in a STEAM Magazine feature? Then send us an email!

SUBMISSIONS@STEAMTX.COM

STEAMMAGAZINE.NET MARCH 2022 STEAM MAGAZINE 15