November 2017 VOL.6 ISS.8 #68 2 NEW MOVIES & MUSIC 4 COMICS 5 QUICK READ 6 ALBUM COVER OF THE MONTH 7 CD REVIEWS 8 3RD COAST FOODIE: @ C’EST BON SEAFOOD 10 C HRI S G AN T RY: A NASHVILLE OUTLAW 12 VIENTO RIDGE: WINE MAKING 14 ART BY ADELA REUSCHER 14 HOLLOW C REEK 15 NOVEMBER EVEN TS 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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Resolute! J. Michael Dolan It’s the powerful commitment we make that will curb our confusion and diminish our doubt. It’s the steadfast stand we take that will rally others to stand with us and take on our project as their own. It’s the unbreakable promises we make that will hold us accountable, and steady our resolve. It’s the gutsy risks we take that will summon our courage and embolden our self-confidence.
Important because
Eat Like a Sparrow, Poop Like a Gorilla
it’s the intelligent and resolute action we take that will produce the extraordinary results we’ve worked so hard to achieve.
J. Michael Dolan Take in to your career (and life) that which inspires you, empowers you, and moves you forward. Expel out everything that no longer supports you or serves your highest desire.
Important because most artists & treps are quick to take in, but are slow to release.
Upsets & breakdowns J. Michael Dolan
I have them too! And I’ve noticed that
breakdowns and upsets are pretty much always a double-sided affair. On the outside, they’re an inevitable part of life, which manifest in many different forms at unpredictable times. On the inside they can often become a critical, “oh my god!” situation. That mix sets the stage for a crazy-thinking dynamic right from the start. In closely observing my own challenges, I have noticed two distinct parts of a breakdown that tug & pull with equal strength: 1) The Dark Part: You become hypnotized, traumatized, stunned, stifled and stopped by the drama of the breakdown, and the words hopeless, miserable and confused begin to bounce around between your ears. 2) The Light Part: A strong desire to “get your groove back” and break through the breakdown, so you can get on with the task of building and maintaining a great career/life going forward. When our attention and energy is primarily directed toward the dark part, we lose our power over the light part.
Here’s how to get your power back: First: Stand up on your own two feet and declare that a breakdown has occurred in your life! Say it out loud and stare at it right in the face! This process alone has power. Not like positive thinking, more like simply declaring the truth about what has been churning inside for too long. Second: Plant the flag and make a ruthless commitment that come hell or high water you will get through this. Not like wishful thinking, more like taking a profound stand that “enough is enough!” That you are done living in the dark side of the breakdown. Third: Get to work on fixing what is broken. You can do this. You have the intelligence to fix this. You have the inner wisdom to figure this out. You have the ability to “create” your way out of this breakdown. Stop being afraid of making the wrong move and start moving things around. That alone will get the balling rolling to the light side of the court.
Important because
we do our best work when we’re on the field calling the next play and moving the ball forward. Not sitting on the sidelines wishing and wondering how to get back in the game. That said, when we begin to make those tough choices and decisions that we’ve been resisting and avoiding, that starts to move the ball. And once the ball gets rolling we start thinking clearer. And once that happens the breakdown itself begins to breakdown. Hope this helps…
Born in Brooklyn, Harry Nilsson moved to Los Angeles as a young teenager and, like millions of others in 1964, became completely immersed in the magic of The Beatles. The budding singer/songwriter wanted to be a Beatle. When they heard Nilsson for the first time, both John Lennon and Paul McCartney were so taken with his music that they called him on separate occasions to show their appreciation. Nilsson met the fabulous foursome in 1968 and a lifelong friendship with both Lennon and Ringo Starr was born. (Ringo was best man at Nilsson’s wedding.) Nilsson made his mark with “Everybody’s Talking” and “Without You,” neither of which were written by him. He did write “One,” a huge hit for Three Dog Night in 1968. He also found lucrative work in both films and television. In 1971, he released the highly acclaimed “Nilsson Schmilsson” in collaboration with producer Richard Perry. By 1973, he was living in a Santa Monica beach house with John Lennon, RIngo Starr and Keith Moon. What could possibly go wrong with a combination like that? Their partying during that period is a legendary blur of many drunken nights and getting in and out of trouble. At some point, John felt that they were wasting too much time, not to mention brain cells, and wanted to pour that energy into work. At John’s suggestion, they began work on this album. They recruited help from not only Ringo and Moon, but also Jim Keltner, Bobby Keys and Klaus Voormann, among others. Paul McCartney dropped by early on and a bootleg recording of Lennon and McCartney jamming together for the last time exists. During the sessions, Nilsson injured his vocal cords, a fact he kept from his producer, Lennon. They continued recording, but Nilsson’s three octave tenor vocals suffered as a result. Upon comple-
tion of recording, John had had enough of his “lost weekend” and moved back to New York and his wife, Yoko Ono. He took the tapes and finished work on the album. After Lennon’s murder in 1980, Nilsson retreated from music to devote his energies to promoting gun control. He died in 1994 from heart failure at age 52. The songs here are an interesting mix of covers and originals. They include a quirky recording of Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” a very nice orchestral arrangement of The Drifters’ “Save The Last Dance For Me,” Jimmy Cliff’s “Many Rivers To Cross,” and a fun take on Bill Haley’s “Rock Around The Clock.” Of the Nilsson originals, “Don’t Forget Me” stands out as a strong track, as does “All My Life.” But if you only want to sample one song, try “Mucho Mungo/Mt. Elga,” written by “Dr. Winston O’Boogie M.D (Manic Depressive)” and “Prof. Schmilsson M.E. (Me).”
Buddy Holly and the Crickets created the blueprint for rock and roll. Guitars, Bass, Drums. They wrote and arranged the songs. What could be more basic? The influence of this dynamo from Lubbock, Texas is as relevant today as it was in 1957. He has certainly enriched my musical life like few others. 20 years after his tragic death, Buddy Holly’s music was alive and well. Besides being covered by the Beatles, Stones, Linda Ronstadt, John Denver, Blind Faith, and on and on, a major Hollywood version of his life and music hit the big screen. This 6-record box set remained the most comprehensive collection of his work for many years. It starts with home recordings from the early ‘50s and ends with home recordings made just weeks before the final show in Clear Lake, Iowa. In between is a failed attempt at becoming a Nashville cat, in spite of initial support from country heavyweight, Owen Bradley. An early version of “That’ll Be The Day” was recorded, but Buddy
and Nashville just didn’t fit. Clovis, New Mexico and the studios of Norman Petty came next. A reworked version of “That’ll Be The Day” was released and hit the top of the charts, followed by more hits. Buddy and the Crickets hit their historic peak during their prolific collaboration with Norman Petty in Clovis. Petty was a proven musician turned producer whose ear and studio expertise gave those songs a feel that still sounds vibrant and fresh. It was also his greed and resentment that created a situation where Buddy had to do the ill-fated 1959 Winter Tour to make ends meet for him and his pregnant wife, Maria Elena. Norman Petty had done pretty well as overseer of the Crickets affairs. He was listed as co-writer on many of the songs and was making more than the entire band. When Buddy wanted to separate from Petty and get what he was owed, Petty was heard to have said that he had all of Buddy’s money and would starve him to death. Buddy got married and moved to New York without his pals, Jerry Allison and Joe B. Mauldin; the Crickets. Buddy went solo and turned a lot of heads with “Raining In My Heart,” and “True Love Ways.” Several home demos were recorded on Buddy’s new Ampex tape recorder in late 1958, only to be overdubbed and enhanced since his death. Songs by two new artists that Buddy produced in 1958 are here, including Waylon Jennings, along with audio from The Ed Sullivan Show, and interviews with Alan Freed and Dick Clark. It’s the complete story of Buddy’s short musical life. It’d be impossible to recommend just one track from this album, so here’s three; “Blue DaysBlack Nights,” “I’m Gonna Love You Too,” and “Crying, Waiting, Hoping,” and on and on. Buddy Holly Lives!
BRINT ANDERSON COVERED IN EARL (BRINTTUNES) BY STEVE GOLDSTEIN Earl King was one of the architects of the Mardi Gras street sound in New Orleans from the 1950’s until shortly before his death in 2003 at age 69. King’s soulful songs and unique guitar work have inspired many modern day delta blues and R&B musicians. On COVERED IN EARL, New Orleans bluesman and guitar ace Brint Anderson doesn’t hold back as he pays tribute to Earl King with 14 strong tracks and a smokin’ hot band. Anderson is well acquainted with his subject, having put in time playing with the best New Orleans musicians, including George Porter, Jr., who recorded with King back in the ‘80s. “No City Like New Orleans” kicks things off with a striking piano and delivers exactly what you’d expect with a title like that. “Hard River To Cross” is a slow, guitar driven groove that digs deep. “Street Parade” captures King’s original joyful, funky street shake
SAM BAKER LAND OF DOUBT (VIA RICHLYN MARKETING) BY ROB DICKENS Sam Baker hails from the small prairie town of Itasca, Texas, and now lives in Austin. His new album Land of Doubt is his first in four years. It is a compelling testimony from a songwriter who has plenty to say. A cornerstone event in his life has been how he survived a 1986 terrorist bombing in Cuzco, Peru. In that horrible moment of chance, he suffered the loss of hearing in one ear and limited hearing in the other. Says Baker: “After my event in Peru, I lived in doubt. I lived in uncertainty. The days, the nights. Life. Death. Everything that I had known was cast in shadows. Laden with doubt. My eardrums were blown in. I used a Walkman and turned the volume up full so it rattled the bones of the inner ear. Somewhere in there, I knew there was beauty. I felt it. I felt hope. I began to believe that doubt – just as darkness – lifts, and there is joy in the morning.” The triumph of achievements for this accomplished singer-songwriter since those dark days is remarkable as he has amassed a body of work to which we can
with the band’s own swing added in. “Come On, Let The Good Times Roll” is the familiar Hendrix/SRV cover done a little slower here and a little closer to King’s original. “The Real McCoy” is an upbeat groove that belongs to the rhythm section, Doug Belote on drums, Jimmy Messa on bass, and Michael Lemmler making a Hammond organ sound like it’s supposed to. “The Things I Used To Do” is a little faster than the original, but it’s still NOLA blues at its best. Professor Longhair had a hit with King’s “Big Chief” in 1964. Brint’s arrangement is a little different, but still has the same smiling flow. “Trick Bag” is boogie blues with some tasty extended solos. “Handy Wrap” is a fitting closer that serves as an exclamation point that sums up the essence of Earl King. COVERED IN EARL is not a note for note tribute. Some of the songs are longer, horns aren’t there, arrangements are tweaked, but it all works. Brint Anderson and the band bring a refreshing and obviously respectful approach to their inspiration without trying to sound like him . BRINTANDERSON.COM STEVE GOLDSTEIN: STEAMMAGAZINE.NET
doff our hats in admiration. Land Of Doubt is an atmospheric, beautiful and edgy collection which serves as a companion piece to his acclaimed 2013 album Say Grace. In the new release, there is a pervasive theme of uncertainty, of honesty that irrevocably has captured this listener. Baker worked for the first time in Nashville (with producer Neilson Hubbard) and the structure here is cleverly fashioned. Ten songs are mingled with five graphic interludes. The jazz trumpet of Don Mitchell is achingly good and the highly talented and omnipresent Will Kimborough adds delicate guitar patterns that adorn the lyrics, which were all penned by Baker (‘Moses In The Reeds’ was a co-write with Mary Gauthier). “This record is a meditation, a reflection on day-to-day life,” Baker says. “The goodness, the struggle, the uncertainty. It gives me strength to share doubt. It gives me strength to hear others share doubt. With doubt comes clarity. With doubt comes hope.” ‘Leave’ is worth the admission price alone. So direct, so impassioned in its delivery and expressing such disappointment that trust has been broken, seemingly for eternity: “no more chances; no more tries; too much guilt; but no more lies; you may not stay; you may not stay; please go” Five albums into his musical career, Baker is now expanding into live theatre (writer and producer), documen-
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tary making and staging a visual art exhibition. He is a gifted artist and Land of Doubt is a masterwork. SAMBAKERMUSIC.COM ROB DICKENS: LLISTENINGTTHROUGHTHELENS.COM
BEN HUNTER & JOE SEAMONS WITH PHIL WIGGINS A BLACK & TAN BALL (HEARTH MUSIC) BY RICK J BOWEN Since winning the International Blues Challenge in Memphis last year, the duo of Ben Hunter and Joe Seamons have been busy young men taking full advantage of the opportunities the competition afforded them. One of which was the chance to tour with eclectic legend of American blues harmonica Phil Wiggins and record a new album, A Black and Tan Ball, released in July of 2017. The sparkling, stripped-down, all-acoustic album features the multi-instrumental talents of Hunter and Seamons and vocals from all three troubadours. The 13-song set is a collection of classics from the great American songbook that may be familiar to some and new to many, and songs that deserve the tender loving care given here to preserve them and progress the art of folk blues and country jazz and work song tales from the rural south and African American tradition. The three work seamlessly
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together for the first six tracks, beginning with the devilish “Do You Call That a Buddy,” and the speedy instrumental “Shanghai Rooster,” and the old-time swing and scat of “How’m I Doin,” is charming. Wiggins shows off his tender side on the sweetly swaying “Do Nothing You Hear From Me,” and spares with Hunter’s fiddle on the rambling “Struttin’ With Some Barbeque,” Live recordings of the mournful tome “John Henry,” and the pleading “Longing For My Sugar,” are dropped in the middle section. The final four tracks dig deep into Delta and depression pre-war blues with “Hard Times Blues,’ from 1935 and Hunter wails on “Bullfrog Blues from 1928, the tale of a killer, “Bad Man Ballad.” The trio closes the set with the Mississippi Sheiks’ “Stop and Listen,” a true prototype of the blues that encapsulates the vernacular of the genre. BENJOEMUSIC.COM RICK J BOWEN: WABLUES.ORG
By Tamma Hicks & Rusty Hicks, STEAM Magazine Photo: John Partipillo
As a songwriter, a storyteller, and the
original Nashville outlaw of the 60's, Chris Gantry has written over 1,000 songs. Some of those stories were collaborations with Nashville's best including Kris Kristofferson, Mel Tillis, Shel Silverstein, and Eddie Rabbitt. Over 100 of his songs have been recorded by artists such as Johnny Cash, Reba Mcentire, KD Lang, Robert Goulet, Wayne Newton and others. Gantry penned the American classic, “Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife” by Glen Campbell, which won three BMI honors including the Millionaire's Award for over two million performances. Gantry has written for Sony Music, Warner/Chapell Music, Faverett Music Group. In addition to songwriting, Chris is a prolific writer of prose, novels, and poetry. He won the Tennessee Williams Playwriting Contest with a collection of one-act plays entitled Teeth and Nails. His autobiography, “Gypsy Dreamers In The Alley,” explores his life in the Nashville music business from his arrival to modern day.
Who or what made you decide to write a book? My publicist suggested that I write this book because it has been written and said that when I came to Nashville in 1963 I brought the seed that eventually started the outlaw movement here. I never really understood it, never really thought about it that way; however, I do remember that when I came here there was only me and Billy Swan, but there was a Counter Culture in Nashville. And The Counter Culture in Nashville was aware
there was a revolution going on in the country. And the old guard of country music was just hanging on by a thread. You know the Grand Ole Opry stars. They were still having their hits but not like they were because the Beatles had come, Bob Dylan had come, and that whole movement. So, I have been credited with bringing that seed to this town. I began hanging out with the Counter Culture in Nashville and I kept one foot in the music business world. And I started to incorporate those kinds of lyrics, because there was no one here that was really doing that. And that's how I started.
istic movement.
What I think is interesting is that when
me your helicopter story. It was at Woodstock, right? Well, I'd been playing with Kristofferson in New York at The Gaslight and I was staying in an apartment where I listened to the first Tim Hardin album thousands of times; I was so enamored by his writing and his vocal styles. Anyway, we were playing at The Gaslight and I heard that Tim was playing at The Bitter End. So I ran over and sat at his feet for the whole show. After the show we met and got along. He invited me up to hang out at the hotel with him and his friends; all these people before they went on to be giants. Anyway, he invited me up to Woodstock, where he lived, and asked if I wanted to go to the Woodstock celebration. So, I jumped in my truck and drove all the way Upstate to Woodstock. Tim was at his house rehearsing for the show, so I thought I knew what the show is going to be like but I had no idea! The day of he had the helicopter come in and pick up the band and as we're flying over we see all these lines of people slogging up the road; you know it looked like refugees from World War II or Poland or something. They were just walking for miles and miles to get in. So, the helicopter lands backstage about an hour before Tim is to go on. Richie Havens was on stage and he just captured the spirit of the 60’s; he had the sound, the guitar, and the
you look at how music genres fluctuate and change you can see the highs and the lows, but you rarely get to see what or who pushes those changes and apparently you are a reason as to why Country music came back up. I wouldn't say full credit.
No, but I would say that you were able to influence enough of the right people to push them forward and put that fluctuation in motion. Well, it is interesting now that I think about it. What I did was start getting those songs recorded and that's what made the difference. People started taking chances on guys like me, who wrote songs like I do did. And that had never happened before because at that time there weren't singer-songwriters in Nashville. You were either a writer or you were a performer and the performers got their songs from the writers. You weren't doing your own stuff, but that's what I did. And the people that came shortly after me are the ones that did that; like Eddie Rabbitt, Vince Matthews, and John Hartford, who wrote the world’s greatest country song “Gentle on my mind.” Kris Kristofferson came at the end of 1964 and then it all started as we found each other. It was very much like Paris in the 1800's with the Impression-
So everyone with this like-mindedness
was congregating? Exactly. We were hanging out in the alleys, hanging out in the streets. People were excited when we saw each other and heard what we were working on. And back then there was no co-writing; you wrote your own material. So, everybody would just get ideas from each other. And go back to our spaces and try to top what you'd heard from them. We were inspiring to each other.
Sounds like a cool time to be part of. Tell
passion. So, he finishes and Tim goes up on stage and does his big hit “Reason to Believe” before going through his set. He gets to “Song of Freedom” by Bobby Darin (which was very apropos for that time) and I said, “I'm not sitting out here any longer,” and just walked up on the stage, squeezed in with the guys and sang on the chorus. So, I can say I sang at Woodstock.
Wow! That’s frigging awesome! After that I figured if I could jump on stage,
with Tim Hardin, at Woodstock I could do anything I want! That was just a great time; however, it was a culmination of my process because I had stayed up every night of my life since 1963 trying to find my own voice as a songwriter. And I had I had already had some big hits by then, but I just didn't feel satisfied and I didn't want to just be another guy with big hits.
Speaking of big hits, you have an album
coming out this month, The House of Cash. Is this a rerelease or new? Well, new but it’s old. I was listening to Charles Mingus’ The Black Saint & the Sinner Lady which made me realized I’d never be able to write like that. So, I started pushing, trying to write with those difficult changes and making records like that which were frowned upon. At this time Johnny Cash had invited me up to the house studio and told me to go make a record and I did. About a week later he came up to me and Kristofferson and said (in Chris’ best Johnny Cash impersonation) “June and I went in and listen to that album of yours. And I got to tell you son, I don't think even the drug people can understand it.” I knew when he said that I had transcended the genre of the time and I was elated! Shortly after that I went to Key West Florida and that album got lost. About 45 or 46 years later, last year in fact, it was found. So, a friend of mine who deals with albums like that has taken it and is putting it out on Drag
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City Records. And the release date is the 17th. It's very unusual work, it's kind of like my own Sergeant Pepper album.
It'll be interesting now to see how it
holds with this generation. Because I followed this particular path, it's never been the great payday it for me. As it's been for some of the others who have stayed on with what initially worked for them. I've never been satisfied with doing anything like that.
I was going to say that a life like that wouldn’t have been compelling or given you the momentum you needed. True, it's been painful on the end of survival but it's been very rewarding in that I'm glad to have chosen the path I did, because I would have just wasted my abilities. So, anyway I wrote this book because my publicist said nobody's ever really captured the feeling of those times.
What else can you tell me about the
book? Kristofferson wrote the forward to it. After he’d read the book he called me and said that he thought it is the best book written about writing music. So, to me it's kind of like a songwriters Bible. If you are an artist or a writer and you really want to promote your dream, this is the book to you.
That's really cool because, not that
I'm a songwriter, but I know a lot of songwriters and they are always in search of ways to improve their skills. I know that writing a song versus a book is different; how did you learn to write like this? Shel Silverstein and I were like brothers and he's the one who taught me. He and I both lived in Key West for years and years and one day I met him on Duval Street and I asked him to teach me how to write because he was very successful in writing plays and poetry. So, he tells me to come over to his house at 10 the next morning and to bring a pad of paper and a pen. I get there and he invites me in, tells me to sit down, have some coffee and do exactly what he tells me to do. He says, “Here's what I want you to do. When I say go you are going to write for 1 hour. You can't put your pen down during these 60 minutes. As soon as I say go the first thing that comes into your mind write it down. That will be the title of your play. Then you're going to write M for man and W for woman and just keep going. Don't stop for one second to think about anything. You think it, you write it. You stop I'll kick your ass. Go!” So, I wrote down the first thing in my head and wrote everything down using the M’s and the W’s. An hour later I had about 14 pages and I said, “Shel it's done! Do you want me to read it to you?” He said, “I don't want to hear it, I'm going down to the pier for a swim, but that's how you do it.” So, here's the deal I was so elated by what he had shown me on how to capture the stream of consciousness. I went to the library every day after that and followed his advice and wrote a play a day. I entered six in the Tennessee Williams Play Writing contest in 1982 and I won.
And how long of a process was it from
the time Shel showed you how to write and you won the contest? About six weeks. But you need to remember I was also a writer before that. And I'd written songs in stream of consciousness. So, end of the story is they hired actors to do the winning plays. I was so nervous the night of that as soon as they started acting I was backstage with my hands over my ears humming lalala lalala so I couldn't hear it.
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Not to be rude, but I like to hear that it
was nerve wrecking for you because my impression would be that you've been on the big stage, you sang at Woodstock, and you have big hits, yet you were nervous at having a play performed. I think it gives people (at least me) an OK to feel funky and have those nerves about my writing. We were talking earlier about co-writing and that singer-songwriters don’t seem to write on their own as commonly as they did in the past. Do you think this is a trend? For me what it shows is that people have become desensitized to their own sensibilities. They don't trust what they have to say as important. That it has to be underwritten by someone else. But me personally, I want to hear about your divorce in a song. I want to hear about your temptations, things that bring you up or had brought you down. What's bothering you, what's worrying you. What are your views on what you think. That's what I want to hear in a song. At this stage of the game what I write is as much truth as I can to get into a song. That's all it means to me.
Book: Gypsy Dreamers in the Alley Music: House of Cash, release date 11/17 ChrisGantry.com
Do you see any artist out there right
now writing in your mold versus the mold that the record people are pushing? Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, and Sturgill Simpson are doing great jobs. And I really think those people have created their own universe and their own big following.
So, what do you see for your future? Another record or book? I see myself performing at Carnegie Hall in about a year. I see the songs written that I've always wanted to write, and by the grace of God I want to see it explode. No, I expect to see it explode. I've honestly always thought of my songs being picked up more after I've left this world; however with this generation I can see it happening now, so that's why I'm saying in a year's time I see myself playing Carnegie Hall.
Chris performing at the Broken Spoke Saloon in Nashville TN.
Photo Credit A. G. Heefner, Exit Hibernation Media
I can see that you have that presence
and the mindset that it will happen. Have you always been that way? Of course and what I see now is that I am helping to start the next change by bringing new kids, bringing new music and new stylings, and forcing that fluctuation before I leave this world. The last line to my song Dream of the Aces is, “If you die loved and free then you have lived the dream of the ace.” And that's the best we human beings can aspire to. It couldn't be any better than that.
We interviewed Chris over coffee at Bongo Java in Nashville TN. Rusty, Chris, Tamma & Allene
Photo Credit STEAM Magazine
By Tamma Hicks, STEAM Magazine Photos by Luci Anderson
Max and Luci Anderson are the owners of Viento Ridge, a small family winery in Moses Lake WA. Sitting on a 5 acre plateau above the shrub step valley surrounding Moses Lake with a great view of the Grant County International Airport, where C130's and 747's do touch and go landings. Viento Ridge creates hand crafted Red wines yielding around 1,000 bottles yearly from their own vines mostly consisting of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Max Anderson is the viticulturist (grower) and Ron Brown is our vintner (maker). Each October the Anderson family and friends gather for a festive day of harvesting and fun. The Grapes are grown, fermented, aged, and bottled on property in a wellmade Red aged 18 to 36 months prior to bottling. I talked with Max just after Harvest Day to learn about wine making and tastes. So, how did you get started with a Vineyard? Well, I had grapes at my other house and we kind of played around with the idea, so when we bought this piece of property it's lay out was perfect for growing wine grapes and I needed something to do. Interestingly put, “you needed something to do,” because my understanding about growing grapes and having a winery is that it takes a lot of work and a lot of care. Absolutely, that's what keeps us from watching too much TV. I read on your website that you are the viticulturist; which means you are the grape grower? Yep, I'm the grower. We started most of the grapes that we grow from actual stock, so these are our own plants. Not all but most of our vines are our NOV 2017
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own, so we've done it from ground up literally. There was really no plan. I think we have about 1500 plants now on 5 Acres. I don’t have a green thumb, so was growing your own plants a difficult process? No, basically you take cuttings and you put them in the dirt over the winter to grow roots. And then you plant them in the spring. What kinds of grapes do you grow? We have two main that we grow a Merlot and a Cabernet Franc. We grow a few Whites but not many. It's mainly the Reds. So, are you an oenophile (wine enthusiast), is that how you got into this? Actually, Lucy doesn't drink wine at all and I might have a couple of glasses in a month and that's about it. We are bottling about a thousand bottles a year now and it's just fun for the family. It brings everybody together and when it's time to harvest the whole family shows up, we have a big party, and everybody gets wine. You wouldn't think that this group of hillbillies could make wine, but we make a pretty good Red. Well, I personally don't drink wine as it gives me a headache instantly. If you can't drink wine because it gives you a headache it's probably the sulfur that they put in it to keep from growing bacteria. I suggest that you find a winery in your area and ask to try a bottle without the sulfur (SO2). You really can't keep it for very long, but that is what gives most people headaches. Not all wineries offer SO2 free wines, but we do. What a great tip, thank you! Why are wines described as fruity or woodsy? You can add flavors during the process and build it to whatev-
er you want. You can make it smoky flavored or sweetened with berries like cranberries or blackberries. In being the viticulturist, have you become extremely knowledgeable in wine tasting? Well, you know that's a funny question and the answer should always be no because everyone’s tastes is different and that's much more of a skill than people think. So, if you ask most people to tell you the difference between a $5 bottle and a $15 chances are they will pick the $5. It’s a very involved skill. When people are purchasing your wines do you give suggestions of what tastes best with what type of meat or fish? So, most of what we have is Reds and it's a meat wine. We have a wider variety than just the Merlot and Cabernet Franc, but those are the two we grow. In the past we purchased grapes from other vineyards, however we've pulled back and we're just making wine out of what we grow since we now have enough grapes on our own. You know it's funny when you talk about wine tastes. Say we've got 10 barrels that are ready to bottle. We can have 10 people taste each barrel and each person will pick a different barrel that they like. Everybody's has different tastes. So giving a bottle of wine may be more difficult than I first thought. Tell me about harvesting. Do you pick each grape or do you cut
TOP Grapes in the warm Washington sun. MIDDLE Harvest time! BOTTOM Full tubs ready for the de-stemmer.
the bundles? We cut the bundles and bring them to the shop where they are put through the de-stemmer which removes the grape from the stems and leaves. So, how long does it take to harvest 4 and 1/2 or 5 Acres? We do it in one day. Everyone comes over for a big picking party. We have lunch, the kids play on the farm, and it's just a really fun family activity. We also have 105 apple trees so we make apple cider too.
TOP Viento Ridge ABOVE Squeezing & filtering the juice. RIGHT A case of Viento Ridge’s 2009 Petit Verdot is just opened. BOTTOM The family joins in to bottle, cork, and label the wine.
Not to get into the nitty-gritty, but what is the process to make wine? Well, we harvest and destem the grapes. Next they go in a tub for about a week to ferment with the sugars. How they measure the sugar is in what they call bricks. Once the bricks break down we run the grapes through the press to squeeze all the juice out. From there it goes into a tote and sits for about a month while it finishes fermenting. At that point we clean it through filters and put it into the barrels where they age for anywhere from 18 to 36 months; just depending on the wine that you're trying to make. Typically it needs at least 12 months, if you taste it within that first year it won't taste like wine. During the first year it’s called “green wine” and it’s really bad. After a year to 18 months it starts becoming wine. I didn't realize that it took that long to age and that the flavor changed that drastically. Well that's why people like older bottles of wine. You can drink say it 2015 now. But if you can get into a 2010, 2009 or 2008 you'll get a
much better wine. After wine has aged for 3 years and bottled in glass does it continue to age until the bottle is opened? They can, but usually at the end of three years the wine is set where it's going to be. Once it’s in a bottle it's ready to sell and drink. So, when you buy older bottles of wine the flavor shouldn't have changed from the point it went from a barrel to a bottle to a glass as long as it's been stored properly. Okay, how do you store a bottle of wine properly? Well, first you always store it so that the cork is wet from the wine; you don't want the cork to dry out because then air would get in and turn the wine to vinegar. So, you keep your wine bottles upside down or at an angle. That's why wine holders angled and slope down. You also want to keep it in a cool place out of sunlight. The best temperature is around 50. That's the best you can do for wine because you really don't want to keep your wine at room temperature for long. Except for Reds, right? Yes, Reds should be served at room temperature and Whites should be chilled. When we started this tonight I really didn't know very much about wines, but I have learned a lot. Thank you! I’m glad you learned something.
VIENTORIDGE.COM FACEBOOK.COM/ VIENTORIDGE
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Adela Reuscher was born in Texas and raised in various parts of the US with Mexican roots as heritage background. Adela is a graduate of Texas A&MUniversity with a major in bio medical science and minored in Art.
Story & Photo by A. G. Heefner, Exit Hibernation Media
Hallow Creek is
an acoustic country duo, hailing from Littlestown Pennsylvania, with strong roots in both Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Consisting of Walter Shipley (guitar) and Patrick “Boo” Rorrer (vocals, guitar), longtime friends had always stayed in touch over the years. Walter, a bass player of 35+ years, had spent several years in Tennessee before moving back to his home town area in Pennsylvania. In reconnecting with Boo, Walter saw and heard the talent that Boo’s voice had taken on. By giving Boo guitar lessons and cultivating the musician of him and adding tools to his a natural ability to write lyrics and melodies with an old-school country feel.
Hallow
Creek’s first album, Walkin’, was recorded in at Brimstone Studios outside of Nashville Tennessee. Brimstone’s sound engineers, Odell and Billy, provided guidance for Hallow Creek to get a warm, organic sound and natural feel. Using their Taylor acoustic guitars for quality sound allowed the smoothness of Boo’s voice and the articulation of Walter’s technique to shine through.
This
tried and true approach was used on the forthcoming second album as well, titled Just Stay Gone, which will be released in late 2017. Hallow Creek returned to Brimstone Studios earlier this year to record the second album, and put additional tracks down for a future project. Building on the momentum of the first album, this new collection of songs is straight from the heart, and will affirm that their songwriting talent is not just a chance thing. The band has been mixing new songs into their sets and the prolific energy has been strong enough that plans are already in the works for a third studio album. To help this wave of creativity along, living legend and music icon Chris Gantry graciously offered to record a few tracks with Hallow Creek. Along with working with Chris, world renowned banjo player Alex Leach will be making his mark on a track or two. Several live recordings are also on file, as a live album will hit the shelves in 2018.
Inspiration NOV 2017
for lyrics comes from the life
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experiences each has had. Both have had their share of ups and downs, and it was these experiences that made for ample lyric material. Boo’s lyrics evoke the working individual and Walter’s arrangements and technical side bringing structure to the finished product. While they have not ruled out expanding the band to include a drummer, guitar, or bass player, the formula for now is the musical chemistry of two like minds.
A. G., of Exit Hibernation Media, met Hallow Creek at a Gettysburg Rocks show and chose to help them with A/R and promotional efforts. In a March photoshoot at Little Round Top in Gettysburg resulted in an impromptu show for over fifty people at the castle monument on top of the hill providing a great experience for everyone. EHM helped bridge Hallow Creek to Xvive Audio, opening the door to their performances at July’s Summer NAMM show in Nashville and Los Angeles’ NAMM in January of 2018.
Hallow
Creek use the Xvive Audio MIKE pedal and are now featured on Xvive Audio’s artist page with the likes of Chris Gantry, Brad Gillis (Ozzy Osbourne, Night Ranger), Rick Bozzo (Meatloaf, Ann Margret), The Commander in Chief, Jamie Mallender, Roman Miroshnichenko, Yoshi Gish, and other amazing artists from across the globe. PRA Audio has also taken Hallow Creek under their wing with the use of their wireless units. Additional Hallow Creek sponsors are Levy’s Leathers, guitar straps and gear bags, and Advanced Audio Microphones.
Hallow Creek shows are listed on their Facebook band page, and their music is available on iTunes, CD Baby, and with more locations to be added. ONLINE @ HallowCreekMusic.com Facebook.com/HallowCreekBand iTunes.com/HallowCreek CD Baby.com/HallowCreek SPONSORS INCLUDE advancedaudio.ca; levysleathers.com; xviveaudio.com; exithibernationmedia.com BOOKING/CONTACT 717-504-5737 music@exithibernationmedia.com
Where do your influences come from? My past and heritage have been major influences in my artwork, why I choose the style that I use, and why I paint what I paint I think your imagery has a tropical whimsy feel, but is and draw. calming too. In most of my paintings I paint with bright warm colors that What medium do you use and are contrasted with cool blues or greens. I attribute my color why? choices for my paintings with the need to be surrounded by My choice of medium is acrylic happy colors that affect my mood and state of mind in a paints due to their versatility; positive way. One of my grandfather's favorite Spanish however, the fast drying time of Christian songs was "Mas alla del sol" meaning "Beyond the these paints also makes it an sun". This song tells about the hope and peace in Christ's interesting challenge to work promise of a heavenly home after all the affliction and sadwith. What I enjoy about acrylics ness in this present world. Sung in Spanish the lyrics evoke is the textured effect that can be imagery that is dreamlike and warm. This has always stayed achieved with how much medi- with me and has had a very emotional and spiritual impact um is applied and how it en- on me and thus my artwork as well. hances the boldness in bright colors. Find Adela on Facebook.com @ Adela Reuscher Art
ABOVE Paradise Found RIGHT Hummingbird Feeder BELOW Yellow Flower Waves
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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! SHORTY’S 823 Tarpon St, Port Aransas Live Music Every Friday & Saturday Nights! See our ad for full listing! ARTIST IN RESIDENCE ART SHOW 11/1-24 Mary and Jeff Bell Library @TAMU-CC 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi The show will display work created by artist and former TAMU-CC Art Professor, Jacob Augsburger. The artwork was created during his 5-day stay at the Laguna Madre Field Station. GRAND OPENING OF THE CREATION STATION EDUCATION CENTER 11/5, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM The Art Museum of South Texas 1902 N Shoreline Blvd Corpus Christi AMST celebrates the Grand Opening of the Creation Station Education Center and new ARTcade with FREE FAMILY DAY. Enjoy art-filled activities and explore this space for the young and young at art! ANNUAL PADRE ISLAND ART WALK 11/5, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Billish Park on Padre Island 15601 Gypsy, Corpus Christi This event is designed to improve all aspects of the Art Community. All works are created by these artists. No commercial items or resale items permitted. The event will foster community unity and provide an opportunity for the public to meet our local Artists and Craftsmen. VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION 11/10 Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi 6300 Ocean Drive Corpus Christi Join us on Campus as we honor and celebrate our Veterans. Open to the public, kids welcome. Flags will be passed out and pins given to Veterans. Art Bazaar! 11/10 Water Street Village 505 S Water St, Corpus Christi A family friendly event that everyone can enjoy and buy great art! FALL FAMILY FIT FESTIVAL 11/11, 1:00 PM Cole Park Amphitheater 1526 Ocean Dr., Corpus Christi Join us for a family, friendly festival emphasizing & promoting local fitness, in our community. Live music, inflatables, food & drinks as well as vendors.
31ST ANNUAL JEWISH FOOD FESTIVAL 11/11-12, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Congregation Beth Israel 4402 Saratoga Blvd., Corpus Christi The popular festival is a community favorite gastronomical delight! From traditional foods to a silent auction and raffle to sanctuary tours! 33RD ANNUAL COTTONFEST 11/17-18 Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds 1213 Terry Shamsie Blvd, Robstown $10k BBQ Cook Off! Food, Music and Large Carnival. Live music on Friday by Michael Salgado and Saturday with the Spazmatics. 2ND ANNUAL CORPUS CHRISTI FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL 11/18 Heritage Park 17599 Fife Ln, Corpus Christi Featuring over 75 varieties of wine, Texas Wineries, Local Craft Breweries, Local Chefs, Live Music, Shopping, Food Trucks! FURR BALL 'ROARING 20'S SOIREE' 11/18, 7:00 PM Solomon Ortiz Center 402 Harbor Dr, Corpus Christi Our 20th Annual Fundraiser! Enjoy an evening of entertainment by the Space Rockers, dancing, and live and silent auctions to benefit the Gulf Coast Humane Society. THE NUTCRACKER 11/25-26, 7:30 PM American Bank Center 1901 North Shoreline, Corpus Christi Begin your Holiday Season with the Nutcracker and Concert Ballet! Experience the magical tale of the enchanted Nutcracker and be transported to the mystical kingdom of sweets with the excitement of Spanish, Russian, and Arabian dances. CHRISTMAS TREE FOREST: A READING WONDERLAND 11/27-12/13, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM The Art Museum of South Texas 1902 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi 30 school groups read an award-winning childhood classic book, created related decorations, and have trimmed their trees accordingly! Visitors cast votes for their favorite trees, and the school groups with the most votes will receive generous H-E-B gift cards. After the exhibition concludes, all trees will be donated to families in need to enjoy during the remainder of the holiday season.
NORTH END AMERICAN SPIRITS: THE RISE AND FALL OF PROHIBITION 11/1/17-1/7/18, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Bullock Texas State History Museum 1800 N. Congress Avenue, Austin Step back in time to an era of flappers and suffragists, bootleggers and temperance workers, and real-life legends like Al Capone and Carry Nation. American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition is the first comprehensive exhibition about the temperance movement and the unprecedented repeal of a constitutional amendment. THE PANCAKES & BOOZE ART SHOW 11/3, 8:00 PM Elysium
705 Red River, Austin Austin's Premier Underground Art Show featuring: 80+ Emerging Artists, Live Body Painting, Live Music, & Live Art! 2017 AUSTIN HOMEBREW FESTIVAL 11/3, 6:00 PM Saengerrunde Hall 1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin Homebrew Festival offers guests a chance to taste brews from over a dozen homebrewers, vote on their favorite brews for the coveted "People's Choice Awards." In addition, a jury of local craft beer professionals will select their favorites of the Fest. SOLAR FEST 11/4, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Roosevelt Park 331 Roosevelt Ave, San Antonio Enjoy live music, a variety of food trucks and more during the 2016 Solar Fest at Roosevelt Park! Grab the family, grab your bike or rent one from a B-Cycle station and hit the Mission Reach Trail. CPS Energy along with Alamo Forest Partnership will be having a FREE tree giveaway amidst a variety of vendors that will be on hand informing guests of sustainable practices offered locally. FREE PUBLIC TOUR: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MCNAY MUSEUM 11/5, MONTHLY ON THE 1ST SUNDAY, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM McNay Art Museum 6000 North New Braunfels, San Antonio McNay docents offer a free public tour of the permanent collection on the first Sunday of the month. CULTURAL LOUNGE: THEORIZING TRUMP 11/16, 6:30 PM George Washington Carver Museum - Boyd Vance Theatre 1165 Angelina, Austin Theorizing Trump: Race, Class & Politics in America Past, Present and Future is a visual presentation engages the historical and contemporary dynamics of race, class, gender and politics in the United States in order to understand the historical past(s) that President Trump seeks to restore in the present and future. RAY WYLIE HUBBARD’S BIRTHDAY BASH 11/17 Paramount Theater 713 Congress Ave, Austin Last November, Ray Wylie Hubbard rang in 70 years with a super-sized birthday show at the Paramount. He’s back again in 2017 with family and very special guests joining the seminal songwriter onstage. CHRISTMAS LIGHT FEST 2017 11/23 — 12/31 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.
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FORD HOLIDAY RIVER PARADE 11/24, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM San Antonio Riverwalk On The River, San Antonio This year's theme is Christmas at the movies! Every float will be decorated as a Christmas movie favorite. Bring the whole family to enjoy watching the parade on the river! TEXAS FOCUS: INFINITY BABY IN AUSTIN 11/30, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Bullock Texas State History Museum 1800 N. Congress Avenue, Austin A cinematic exploration of the Texas narrative, the Museum's Texas Focus Film Series highlights stories by, for, and about Texans. This evening's program includes a film screening and Q&A with Director Bob Byington. ESSENCE OF THE SEASON: HANDS ON CHANUKAH 11/30, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Barshop Jewish Community Center of San Antonio 12500 N W Military HWY, San Antonio Free family event will include crafts, activities, and snacks that will celebrate Chanukah. While the event is free, RSVPs are encouraged.
SOUTH END ND
22 ANNUAL BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL 11/4-7 National Butterfly Center 3333 Butterfly Park Drive, Mission Come see for yourself why the Rio Grande Valley has earned worldwide recognition for its outstanding butterfly and birding spots, inviting thousands of visitors each year to discover its remarkable assortment of preserves, refuges, nature parks, trails, and more.
SCENIC ARTS FESTIVAL 11/4, 1:00 PM World Birding Center Edinburg TX USA Join us for a lovely afternoon of live art demonstrations, Children's crafts, natural Art for kids, nature walks, mini-workshops and more. New this year is our Scarecrow Trail. Scarecrows created by various organizations will be displayed throughout the grounds! COLONIAL HOLIDAY FESTIVAL 11/10, 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM Covenant Christian Academy 4201 N Ware Rd, McAllen Food, Rides, and games!!! Battle Reenactment at 5:30pm sharp!!! BROADWAY CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND 11/26, 7:00 PM McAllen Performing Arts Center 801 Convention Center Blvd, McAllen This most loved Christmas show features glittering costumes, a dazzling cast, and the highest kicking Chorus Girls this side of the North Pole. Start Christmas in style as Santa and his merry helpers take you on an unforgettable nostalgic Christmas journey.