TEXAS ADOPT-A-BEACH 2021 COASTWIDE FALL CLEANUP! SEPTEMBER 18 This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Texas Adopt-A-Beach program! Make plans to join us and volunteers around the world as we clean shores during the International Coastal Cleanup. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the cleanup is from 9 till noon. Volunteers are asked to wear closed-toe shoes and bring plenty of drinking water. Adopt-A-Beach will provide all necessary cleanup materials. Advance reservations are preferred but onsite registration will be available. Online registration will remain open until the end of the cleanup on September 18th. We are allowing group and family registrations again. If you are signing up a group, you are responsible for the well being of your attendees. It would be best to have them sign our liability waiver/registration form You can turn in those forms the morning of the event to the site coordinator. If you have any questions, please email us at beach@glo.texas.gov About the Texas Adopt-A-Beach Program: Since our first cleanup in 1986, more than 551,000 Texas Adopt-A-Beach volunteers have picked up nearly 10,000 tons of trash from Texas beaches, some of it originating from as far away as South America. Due to tide patterns in the Gulf of Mexico, trash dumped anywhere in the gulf is likely to end up on a Texas beach. Volunteers record information such as the source and type of debris collected on data cards. This data has been instrumental in the passage of international treaties and laws aimed at reducing the amount of offshore dumping. Keeping Texas beaches clean and safe is an economic as well as environmental priority. Coastal tourism, a $7 billion industry, and commercial fishing, a $1.9 billion business, demand clean beaches and a healthy gulf to thrive.
September 2021 VOL.10 # 104 ON THE COVER...
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LONGHORN BY GENEVIEVE “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, TONY NICKLIN, RICK J BOWEN, KEITH “MUZIKMAN” HANNALECK, STEVE GOLDSTEIN MUSIC CONSULTANT TONY SARACENE
2 ENTERTAINMENT ART MUSIC 4 COMICS 5 QUICK READ 6 ALBUM COVER OF THE MONTH 7 CD REVIEWS 8 FLACO JIMENEZ: A NATIONAL TREASURE 10 3 RD C OAST FOOD I E: STINGRAYS TAPHOUSE & GRILL 12 C AROL ELLI OT T : MUSIC IS HER LIFE 14 T HE B EAUMON T S FROM LUBBOCK 15 G ET SEEN I N T HE A RT I ST WINDOW; REVIEW: VINAYA WALL’S THE COWBOY & THE CAJUN
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BANG HEAD HERE J. Michael Dolan As a result of the way things are today, many of the artists and entrepreneurs I regularly speak with are frustrated to see their staff, bandmates, set crew, actors and even their audience wearing masks again. However, frustration is a good thing because it shows you’re working hard at trying to figure out the most intelligent thing to do. That said, frustration is also a trap, and left unchecked it eventually leads to procrastination, which leads to apathy. And once you don’t care anymore it’s not only dangerous, it also means you have forgotten, or worse yet abandoned the most important thing of all: What you’re committed to!
RESISTING THE INEVITABLE J. Michael Dolan I used to write about how some folks were waiting for the tech train to slow down so they could catch up. Sorry to say, that train has left the station. A conversation about the future of showbiz is now inseparable from a conversation about technology. From the data analytics that Netflix uses to create content, to the way AI can now compose pop songs and symphonies, to the curation algorithms that point us to specific entertainment choices, which ultimately provoke us to make a purchase. Heck, I saw that a talent agency in Japan uses AI to determine what actors are the best choice for certain movie roles. That means blaming your agent (personally) for the lack of work your getting is no longer an option!
Important
because while you’re waiting for the world to return to the way it was you may want to do a little soul searching and remind yourself what really matters, what you have at stake, and what you are truly committed to in your life. Not like an interrogation, more like a meditation .
Important because the entertainment industry of tomorrow has never seemed so close to today. Question is: have you done the deep research? Are you and your reps and partners up to speed with how to promote and sell your art and commerce in today’s exponential marketplace? Are you willing to let go of how you thought the industry was operating, and shift to learning and accepting how it is operating today? I think a deeper probe into the business you’ve chosen would be a smart investment of time and energy.
DODGE BALL J. Michael Dolan Dodge the distractions not the work. Important because as long as we keep doing those things we really don’t need to do, we’ll always be able to dodge those things we really should be doing.
SAME OLD SONG & DANCE! J. Michael Dolan Beware of the line: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” When our best effort isn’t working, many of us get impatient and begin frantically trying more of the same, again and again; repeating what has worked in the past. All that does is compound the problem and leave us stifled in frustration. It also calls into question our unwillingness as creatives to rip the paper out of the typewriter and start over! Important because it’s not about repeating the same ’ol, same ’ol. It’s about trusting our talent and mustering the confidence to step out of the box, swing for the fences, and create something different, something better, something worthy. STEAMMAGAZINE.NET SEPTEMBER 2021 STEAM MAGAZINE
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When Big Brother and the Holding Company played the legendary Monterrey Pop Festival that jumpstarted the Summer of Love in 1967, it was obvious that their singer from Port Arthur, Texas was a powerhouse that couldn't be contained. Janis Joplin left Big Brother at the end of 1968, taking guitarist Sam Andrew along with her to form The Kozmic Blues Band. This album of six covers and two Joplin originals was the initial result. From the opening notes of Chip Taylor's rocking “Try (Just A Little Bit Harder)” to Nick Gravenites' “Work Me Lord” that closes the album, Janis makes her presence known. The horns and funky R&B feel that dominates is a departure from the San Francisco, bluesy psychedelia of Big Brother. Janis holds nothing back, working it like her life depended on it. Whether it's her soulful take on the Bee Gees “To Love Somebody” or the takeno-prisoners vocal on Rogers and Hart's “Little Girl Blue,” she owns each track. I was lucky enough to see Janis on August 4th, 1970, touring in support of
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this album, her only solo effort released during her lifetime. We were a good distance from the stage, so my memories are of a lot of purple feathers and, of course, that glorious voice. Two months later, on October 4th, Janis died from an overdose at age 27. We're left to speculate on what she would've gone on to achieve had she lived. I like to believe that she would've continued belting out the blues, like she did the night I saw her; and like she does on her classic “Maybe.” https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=zad3bDnjsII
If all Joni Mitchell did was sing her heart out with her beguiling voice, that would be enough. If all she did was write engaging music that reached out and touched your soul, that also would be enough. When you add in her signature alternate guitar tunings and graceful piano work, we end up with one of the most important and influential female artists of the past seven decades. Joni's previous five albums were successful mixes of honest, introspective folk and timely, easy going rock. Now, Joni was taking a new turn towards a jazzier,
swinging feel mixed with a harder edged rock sound. Her enthusiastic fans gladly took the turn along with her, making this Joni's biggest selling album. Three singles were released; the lawless rocker “Raised On Robbery,” the fanciful “Free Man In Paris” and her top ten hit “Help Me.” Deeper tracks like “Car On A Hill” and “Down To You” hint at her past, but not for long. With a great band that includes jazz guitarist Larry Carlton, and L.A. sax-man Tom Scott, Joni's direction is clear. There are welcome guest shots by Graham Nash and David Crosby on vocals, Robbie Robertson on guitar, and even a surprise appearance by Cheech & Chong on the crazy final track, “Twisted.” Joni's impressive artwork is once again displayed on the album's gate-fold cover, along with her song lyrics. Joni Mitchell's voice is still beguiling, her songs still engaging. If you've never heard this classic masterpiece and need a sample, try the beautifully metaphoric “Just Like This Train,” but, really, just listen to the whole album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLIArmiG0wY
BLACKMORE’S NIGHT NATURE’S LIGHT (EAR MUSIC) BY KEITH HANNALECK Nature’s Light is Blackmore’s Night 14th album and six years since the release of their last studio album All Our Yesterdays. I can say to those that would ask “Was it worth the wait?” I would say it was. I would also add that this is some of their best work to date. Musically it is mostly what one would expect from the band and lyrically, and with the title, they are coming from a new age and nature premise. The idea behind the title of the album and what you will find in the tracks will enlighten the spirit. The thoughts of nature being the true queen in all its glory with the changing of the seasons and all of the natural occurrences around us that should be appreciated every day. This is the kind of lyrical content and accompanying music that validates all of those feelings and keeps things in proper perspective. I do not need music to remind me of the wonder and respect I have always had for Mother Nature; however, it certainly is a nice reaffirmation of how important and blessed I am to be alive to enjoy it all. “Once Upon December” kicks things off and gets the proceedings started. There is an entertaining mixture of world-rock-new age that unfolds, and it is something that always makes my heart smile and invigorates my spirit. The following track “Four Winds” is full of the color and energy that only Richie and Candice can coax out of their supporting casts and instruments. “Feather In The Wind” comes at you with a much faster pace with high energy, it is what I would call good mood music; it makes my feet tap and puts a smile on my face. There are two fantastic instrumentals on this album as well. “Darker Shade Of Black” features some fiery leads from Richie, which I always appreciated and some non-verbal vocals that are very high and heavenly. The other remarkable instrumental “Der Letzte Musketier” (translated The Last Musketeer), features Richie with
DENNIS JONES SOFT HARD & LOUD (BLONDE ON BLONDE) BY RICK J BOWEN
an atmospheric bluesy electric guitar run which is supported by a rock-solid rhythm section. This was my favorite track from an overall musical perspective without any vocals. Getting back to nature, “The Twisted Oak” reminds us all of “Finding the peace of mind I have left behind.” These are well thought out lyrics with a magnificent blend of music that leaves no doubt in my mind as Candice sings - all in the glory of “Nature’s Light.” “Wish You Were Here (2021)” is another bluesy track with Richie setting the music afire with some fine six-string work to support the beautiful vocals. “Going To The Faire” is light and airy like a renaissance fair where you can step into a portal of time and let the worries of life melt away for a day and as Candice sings in only the special way that she can delivering the message in a song. “Second Element” closes out the recording with some beautifully played acoustic guitar and yet another electric guitar run to remind us all that Richie Blackmore is one of the greats and that still has the mojo to deliver when needed. Nature’s Light is a welcome return for Blackmore’s Night and will surely be enjoyed by fans all over the world. This is one album you simply cannot miss this year. For a variety of music and uplifting lyrics, this is one of the best of 2021 and will remain a favorite for me throughout the year. BLACKMORESNIGHT.COM KEITH HANNALECK: THEFINALONVINYL.COM
Upon returning from another successful European tour with his power trio, Los Angeles-based guitarist Dennis Jones dove headlong into songwriting for his seventh album. The stalwart singer songwriter and guitar gunslinger crafted another set of tunes showcasing his musical dexterity and poignant worldview. The title references the dynamic range of the trio who are able to go from a whisper to a scream, so he called the new album Soft, Hard and Loud. The sessions began in February 2020, but met with stoppages and challenges that most artists are facing this year. Undaunted, Jones used the time to craft thought provoking lyrics and ear grabbing riffs on another energetic set of high-powered blues, funky rock riffs and super charged soul. His muscular rhythm section of Raymond Johnson on drums and Cornelius Memes on bass, who co-produced the album with Jones, blaze on every track showing off their formidable shops earned by countless hours on the road playing shows from small gin joints to Colosseum seating venues. The trio invited special guests Bennett Paysinger to drop tasty Hammond B3 on a few tracks, while blues woman Allison August, added sweet harmonies to the project. Jones’ early aspirations as a drummer who then switched to guitar shine through on the tantalizing rhythms of the opening track “Revolves Around You” along with its precocious word play. The autobiographical “I Love the Blues”
speaks openly about his small-town roots and growing up in rural Maryland with a family that supported his musical aspirations. Jones uses an overdriven Les Paul plugged straight into an amplifying riff over a four on the floor beat to deliver his assessment of the current state of the world on the acerbic rocker “Like Sheep.” Howlin Wolf made the world aware of the southern phraseology of “Back Door Man” in 1960, and here Jones flips that idea around on the fast-moving blues of “Front Door Man” entreating his lady to make him her number one lover. He gets romantic on the classic rhythm and blues sonnet “Nothing on You”. The heavy duty bump and grind blues, “When I Wake Up,” is a fiery showstopper full of guitar pyrotechnics, revealing Jones’ influences from Hendrix styled wah-wah and Buddy Guyinspired bravado. Jones saves the bulk of his angst for the fi ale, a guitar-driven vigorous rebuke of southern culture, “Burn The Plantation Down,” exorcising the demons inside a man in bondage, struggling to set himself and his family free. Another strong effort from a hard-working showman and his team .” DENNISJONESCENTRAL.COM RICK J BOWEN: WABLUES.ORG
STEAMMAGAZINE.NET SEPTEMBER 2021 STEAM MAGAZINE 7
By Tamma Hicks STEAM Magazine
If you’ve been to Port Aransas lately I’m sure, like me, you see
and feel a renewed spirit there; and if you haven’t been, you really ought to go! To me it feels like the “pre-Harvey” Port Aransas we knew and enjoyed. Whether you spend a day or a week, and longer if you can, Port Aransas is a vacationers dream any time of the year! There are loads of vacationers cruising around in beach carts, people dancing and drinking to the live music in bars, the restaurants feature mouthwatering foods for their guests, and thankfully the beach is immense so you never feel crowded while sunbathing, playing, or fishing. Yet with those familiarities, there are some differences as well not just because of Harvey, but the effects from the Pandemic too; new businesses, buildings, and homes are everywhere and many patrons practice social distancing and wear masks. It’s been 7 years since we told you about Stingrays Taphouse & Grill and I am so pleased to say that it is just as great as ever! Shawn Etheridge (Original Owner) and his wife, Tammy Etheridge, have recently welcomed new partners, Buddy & Tammy Nicoson. Shawn, Buddy and “The Tammys” are actively involved in the Port Aransas community with regular support of local volunteer/fundraising activities. The four are often at the restaurant and welcome you to visit soon, say hi and watch your favorite sporting events while having some delicious food. Oh, and Stingray’s is family and pet friendly. Although Stingrays Taphouse & Grill’s mascot is the fish… they are actually named for the 2 Stingray Corvettes that sit atop the bar which has 24 beers on tap not to mention their fully stocked liquor and wine cabinets and well trained bartenders. However, this is a sports bar all the way! They have 22 TVs tuned to sports all day, every day. They host 3 Fantasy Football Leagues with 8 teams each as well as Fantasy NASCAR Leagues. They have indoor and outdoor seating and fun outside games like Giant Jenga, Giant Connect Four, and Corn Hole. And! They have the NFL Ticket! A side note about the owners involvement in the community. Our visit was just days after the Kabul Airport attack and Stingrays set up a touching memorial to the 13 fallen Service Members with a reserved table with a round of cold Bud Lights wishing them all Fair Winds and Following Seas. But we are here for the food! First, the menu is well organized and includes a “Little League Bites” section for the kids. We were famished and decided on 2 appetizers, 3 entrees, 1 pizza, and 1 dessert. Yes our eyes were bigger than our stomachs but it all sounded so good! We thought we’d start off with small appetizers. The Bacon Wrapped Spicy Chicken Bites are one of Stingrays signature plates and are wonderful! The 6 tastefully seasoned bite sized chicken pieces are stuffed with sliced jala10 STEAM MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2021 STEAMMAGAZINE.NET
STINGRAYS TAPHOUSE & GRILL 401 Beach Street Port Aransas TX STINGRAYSTAPHOUSE.COM THUR-MON 11AM-10PM 24 BEERS ON TAP Full Service Liquor & Wine Bar NFL TICKET 22 TVs, NFL & NASCAR Fantasy Leagues FAMILY & PET FRIENDLY! INDOOR & OUTDOOR SEATING
penos and wrapped in bacon before being lightly fried and tossed in avocado-ranch dressing and garnished with parsley and herbs. I know many people who come in for a meal and only order these – they are that good! Again, we thought we were starting small, so when the platter of All-Star Wings arrived we were shocked! These were 6 of the largest chicken wings I’ve ever seen; they could have been medium sized turkey wings and the staff has nicknamed them “Pterodactyl Wings” for all the right reasons! Fried to a crispy golden brown in your favorite of 5 flavors, we chose parmesan-herb with a chipotle sauce dip. Tasty and fall-offthe-bone good! As we finished the wings (we actually took one home) our 3 entrees arrived. First was the Maker’s Mark Burger. Sweet and tangy and yes there really is bourbon in that sauce! We ordered the freshly seasoned burger cooked medium and it was perfect along with the toasted bun with lettuce, tomato and pickles. But all the glory here goes to the fried onions piled high with the Maker’s Mark sauce! Scrumptious! Next were the Cabo Tacos and this plate of 3 will definitely fill you up! The Redfish is seasoned and fried and laid atop a bed of house made coleslaw and guacamole with Chipotle Sauce drizzle all wrapped in a double layer of corn tortilla. Absolutely delightful! As the Fried Fish & Shrimp Platter was placed in front of us we breathed in the yummy scent of the seasoning and ogled the large portions of perfectly cooked Redfish and Shrimp served on a bed of fries with a bowl of house coleslaw. This tasted as mouthwatering as it looked!
Now, Stingrays Taphouse & Grill features the only Italian Brick Wood Fire Pizza Oven in Port Aransas. Yep, imported by Stingrays this huge 6,000 pound, one-piece oven with its red and black glass tile motif was built in Italy and set upon a solid cinderblock pedestal where everyone can admire it. It is really beautiful, but what’s even better is the pizza that comes out! How good is that pizza? Well, they have served over 31,000 pizzas since opening in 2013! The thin crust pizza dough is very fresh as they make it daily and the amount of toppings is well proportioned to the amount of cheese. I am a pretty traditional pizza girl, so to my surprise we ordered the Philly Cheese Steak Pizza and I was totally blown away! The lightly herbed and olive oiled Philly Steak, green bell peppers, and onions peaked out from a thick layer of American, mozzarella, Romano, and parmesan cheeses that stretched your arm length with your first bite. I would have taken a picture, but my mouth and hands were full! As if we could eat more… we ordered dessert… one, to share! And in honor of the State Fair of Texas happening at the end of September we got Deep Fried Oreo’s! These Bailey’s battered Oreos were lightly browned and served with a hefty scoop of vanilla ice cream all drizzled with caramel and chocolate sauces. One bite of the warm ooey-gooey cookie and the cold creamy ice cream we were done for! Just melt in your mouth… yum! As we were leaving all I could think of was, “thank goodness Stingrays Taphouse & Grill is next to the beach so we can take a nice long walk!” Check out Stingrays Taphouse & Grill in STEAM Magazine Vol 3 Iss 4, July 2014 STEAMMAGAZINE.NET SEPTEMBER 2021 STEAM MAGAZINE 11
By Tamma Hicks, STEAM Magazine Photos supplied
I’m always saying you never know who your neighbors are until you really meet them. For instance, we have known Carol Elliott for about 5 years. I knew she was a songwriter and that she sings and plays guitar, but it took me interviewing her and learning her career to know exactly how much of an influence she has been in the songwriting world. She has a lot of experience and insight on being a musician and songwriter and I feel lucky that she’s sharing it.
I know you had just moved to San Antonio area when the Pandemic hit. How have you been handling being new to town? Well really, luckily for me I transplanted from Port Aransas to San Antonio just before it hit and I've been able to buy a house. It was a funky fixer-upper and I had a curbside closing. We actually signed the paperwork on the hood of my car! Congratulations on your house!
The pandemic just meant that I could focus working on my house; plus I've had time to write. I got involved with a songwriting and critic group that Guy LaRue is part of. San Antonio Songwriters Saloon (they call it SASS for short) has really helped me with some songs that I had been working on and I either need to finish or get some feedback on them. Now I've started writing some new songs because we meet once a week and we’re supposed to have a new song each time. I’ve also played the guitar quite a lot and I've been thinking about what I want to do next with my music.
Wonderful and what is it you want to do with your music?
Well, I feel that I should continue playing music and I feel that that's what I do best; singing and writing songs, I do not claim to be a great guitar player. When I'm performing I think that people respond well to my music. I think my music makes people happier and they laugh because I like to write funny songs. I feel that music is my way to reach in and help people up and share what's on my mind and heart as I go through life since I generally write about my own experiences
Speaking
of experiences I know that you played the main stage at Kerrville Folk Festival. The first time I went there I had no idea what to expect with their songwriting competition. That’s when I met Rod Kennedy, who ran the festival and launched a lot of careers including mine. Even though I didn't win, I was a semifinalist and he really liked my music, Rod got me to play the main stage 8 or 10 times, so I was very fortunate in that. Rod also put together The Women of Kerrville Texas Tour and I did a couple of these tours with Eliza Gilkyson, Christine Albert, Tish Hinajosa, Alysa Fineman, and Catie Curtis. Rod recorded those concerts so I'm on a couple of the Kerrville Concert CDs (Silverwolf Records). Those were just so much fun and I was just so excited to be on the same stage as all those ladies; they are all just terrific and then riding along in the van with them and getting to know them.
I’ll bet you have some fun road stories!
Oh yeah, Eliza Gilkyson would get us laughing until we were in tears; she's such a good storyteller! We did Dallas, Houston, and Austin on these tours. Then Rod put together the Kerrville Folk Festival Cruises and I did two of these cruises with Buddy Mondlock when we were married.
Ok, we’ll get back to Buddy in a second, but I didn’t realize the Kerr-
ville Folk Festival and Rod was so instrumental in your career. Yes, Kerrville really launched me. I had been living in Nashville and I had a few things happen like meeting Steve Gibson, who was the top studio guitar player and my mentor. He helped me make my first recording and we did the whole album in 4 hours.
Is that like a Guinness record fast?
Well, it was just the two of us on guitar. We did bring in a couple others at the end.
Aren’t you supposed to go from Kerrville to Nashville, not the other way around? Well, I had gotten a publishing deal in Nashville after playing in Atlanta 7 days a week. Bill Bryant, of BMI, had come down scouting for songs and saw one of my shows. He liked one of my songs and got someone interested 12 STEAM MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2021 STEAMMAGAZINE.NET
in it, so I started going up to Nashville. I eventually got a deal at Tree Publishing, where I was the only woman among 45 writers. Harlan Howard, who wrote Patsy Cline’s I Fall to Pieces, was one of their big writers and Rodger Miller was also on the staff.
passed away last year during the pandemic at a festival in Florida run by a guy n a m e d Russell Carter.
Oh,
for songwriters to working at department stores and even dog grooming. But! Along the way I met and married two really amazing musicians, Bucky Baxter and Buddy Mondlock. I do kiddingly say my first husband left me for Bob Dylan and my second husband left me for Art Garfunkel. But going back to my point… it sounds really good on paper but the truth was we weren't making much money and I still needed a job.
come to Nashville to make his Cowboy Christmas record. It featured several Cowboy artists that he had met out west and he asked Steve Gibson, who is on Warner Brothers, to produce it for him. This is the same Steve Gibson that worked with me on all five of my albums and I also worked for Steve as a production assistant. (Like I said I took all these jobs so I can get by.) So to make this a lot shorter than it really was… Wendy Waldman had given Michael Martin Murphey song lyrics to write music to, so when Michael got to Nashville he gave the song to Steve saying that he didn't have enough time to work on it and maybe Steve could. So in the parking lot Steve tells me that he doesn’t have the time to write music to the lyrics, but that maybe I want to give it a try. So the song went home with me that night and I promptly forgot all about it. Until I got in bed and this little voice in my head said, “Carol, the song!,” so I jumped up, picked up my guitar, played my favorite Michael Martin Murphey chord, and finished the song. Wendy wrote the lyrics and I wrote the music to Corn Water & Wood. The next morning Steve and I demoed it and he played it for Michael Martin Murphey who said “I like it and put it on the record.” Unbeknownst to me Michael had submitted this album to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in hopes of getting a Wrangler award for his songwriting. He's such a great songwriter but that year they picked mine and Wendy's song! And we were the only women writers on that album.
I am so sorry to Ok, kiddingly or not you have to explain hear that. Why do I Bucky and Buddy’s exits. Did the signifirecognize Bucky and I were married when he was with Russell cance of being Steve Earle who was hitting it big. Sadly that Carter’s the only woman marriage ended after about 3 years because name? cross your mind? Bucky went on to play with Bob Dylan. Well, RusAt the time I really Some time passed and I met and married sell Carter didn't think about Buddy Mondlock, a singer-songwriter. Budwas a music that, but now that dy had been discovered by Guy Clark at the attorney I I've been able to Kerrville Folk Festival and moved to Nashintroduced look back on my ville about the same time I had. Buddy was to the Indicareer and realize signed to a new Bob Doyle’s publishing comgo Girls that I was pretty pany, Major Bob. About the same time they and he brave to get out signed another up-and-coming singerended up there and just push songwriter, Garth Brooks. Buddy and I were managing myself to the next more suited to each other because we were t h e m . thing. I was so both folkies whereas Bucky had been a rock Being from passionate about and roller and I wasn't. Buddy and I toured Atlanta I music; I love singall over the United States and in Europe. knew the ing and writing and I n d i g o playing and perI don’t know why I hadn’t realized you’d Girls (Amy forming. Of toured Europe. Ray and course my dream Well, I did because of the Kerrville Folk Emily Saliand goal was to be Festival. Someone in Germany heard my and able to make a Carol Elliott Performing At Kerrville Folk Festival, undated ers) song, Message From Walter, and I got a rechad talked living at music and ord deal in Germany. I got this phone call at Looking back on your career how do you them into coming up to Nashville. We did a that has been hard, really. like5 a.m. from Germany telling me about a show with Caroline Aiken and Janet see yourself? TV show, kind of like the Tonight Show, and McLaughlin at The Bluebird Cafe and the so you know I've had this really very interestYes, for the majority of musicians that's that they wanted me to perform live on it. So owner, Amy Kurland, said that that was one ing career and as I look back on it I'm proud the reality. Buddy and I flew to Germany and I got on of her top 10 favorite shows ever at The of myself I really got into the fray and duked However, I was getting paid as a songwriter at the charts there and was famous for 15 Bluebird. it out. I had my setbacks, but I kept getting Tree and then I went to another publishing minutes. up and going back to it and that's what I'm company for about a year. It was owned by Wow! That is a huge compliment! Don Schlitz, he wrote Kenny Rodgers’ The There are probably an easy dozen more doing now. It is and you know Amy puts Gambler and it was great because David Ball What is your plan a glossy up 8x10 of everyone was also there and we became friends and who plays there on the wall with all these new played gigs together. He and Walter Hyatt and during my 18 years in songs you’ve been (Uncle Walt’s Band) had moved to Nashville Nashville she kept my picwriting? about the same time I did and we all became ture up and that made me Well, that's the big good friends. But the best thing about going feel pretty good. dilemma. Gibson had to Bay Street Publishing was songwriter David produced helped me Olney. Together David and I wrote about 30 produce all of my alsongs. He was my co-writing hero, a real That is awesome. I know bum and I haven't genius songwriter, and I just can't say enough that for some people it's talked to him in a good things about David; only I don't think very hard to talk or selfwhile, but I'm thinking enough people in Texas know about him. He promote but I like knowI need to go to Nashing what makes ville and see if he'll you “you”. make another album You know I've with me. I have had some sucenough songs for a cesses that for new record, but the me were very music business has noteworthy, but changed so much; the thing is it's albums and CDs are very hard to not what they were and make money in maybe I'll just do a song at a time. Carol Elliott & Buddy Mondlock Performing At Kerrville Folk this type of career. My opinion is that if you get Festival, undated Are you going to be playing your sense of how good you are by how much money you out besides at the SASS meetings? “special events” in your life, but tell me make, then you will never make I have five engagements in Colorado this about the Christmas song, Corn, Water, it. What I had to learn was that, month with the last at Reed Rocks in & Wood. whether I was making much Westcliffe. I'm hoping that we can do some Yes, winning the 1992 Wrangler Award for money at it or not, I was good recording in Bob Reed’s home studio. I've Outstanding Original Western Composition and I do have the passion and written this new rocking song and I can't wait from National Cowboy & Western Heritage this is what I should be doing. to see what Bob thinks about it. Museum is a big highlight in my career. It And believe me I have worked a lot of side started with Michael Martin Murphey, who Carol Elliott’s first album: jobs! I have done everything from turning was one of my big heroes for a long time and R EVERB N ATION . COM /C AROL E LLIOTT The People You Meet my home in Nashville into a boarding house I had his album Geronimo's Cadillac. He had STEAMMAGAZINE.NET SEPTEMBER 2021 STEAM MAGAZINE 13
By Tamma Hicks, STEAM Magazine Photo Supplied: Cody Powell
What do you get when you take five rock-n-roll guys from Lubbock Texas, throw in some traditional country clothes, and tell them to play Country music? Well, you get The Beaumonts. Two-stepping tunes with lyrics you don’t sing in the church parking lot. Our friend, Tony Saracene is the one who suggested we interview you guys. You are The Beaumonts from Lubbock and you perform in Austin, so how did you pick this name? Yeah, we’re from Lubbock and yes we play in Austin. Years ago I was at work with my business partners and it was a really hot afternoon. When just offhand one of my partners said, “Man it’s hotter than Beaumont out here,” and I thought that was just hilarious, so when it came time to name this band I said, “Let's be The Beaumonts,” and it's been a great conversation starter ever since. You know music is about having a good time with your friends and The Beaumonts is a great name, plus we never thought that we were going to have to get on a plane with this name and be responsible with this name.
Troy
Wayne Delco, well if that isn’t a country sounding name I don’t know what is. You are the lead singer of The
Beaumonts. Yep, that's me. I do a little bit of guitar picking too, but all that singing? That's me.
You guys are a Honky Tonk band, right?
Yeah, we're two guitars, bass, drums, and pedal steel. It's pretty much straight-up twostepping music.
So
when I Googled you guys to know what to talk to you about the first words I found were “raunchy, drug-laced, Honky Tonk songs.” Yeah, that's accurate.
Really? Who does the song writing?
Well you know, what I do is I come up with the words and a basic skeleton of the song and I take it to the band. We work it out together, so really we all get credit for writing the songs because they wouldn't turn out the way they are without the participation of the group. Basically it could start out with me mowing the yard and thinking here's something completely dirty or something I'm mad about or something that's interesting or I'm curious about and I'll go write it down. The next thing you know it's a song you can't sing in front of your grandma, ‘cuz there's too many dirty words in it!
We
play your album often, but I don’t think I’ve paid close attention to the words – I think I better! Yes, then come see our show. It's all about
14 STEAM MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2021 STEAMMAGAZINE.NET
having! fun
Tell me about the other guys in the band.
Well, we have Hollywood Steve Vegas on lead guitar and he also sings. We have a guy named Duck, like the bird, Buford and he's our bass player who also sings and we have Chip Northcutt who plays pedal steel. Our drummer is James Ned Messer, a.k.a. Jim Ned Messer.
album; is that what you worked on during the pandemic? Well, yes and no. We got a record about 50% done before the pandemic locked us all down. The gentleman who had recorded our last 3 records passed away during that time too. George Reiff was a renowned producer, engineer, and bass player from Austin.
I
am so sorry to hear that. Our condolences to all you guys. G reat names; Well, thank you. You know he a 's u kn ow it very honky tonk. yo g in was just a great guy, everyth xt ne e Pedal steel is kind Th sin g in fr on t of body's best friend, but without t n' ca u yo ng er e' s to o George around we really didof a lost art. How so an dm a, ‘c uz th it ! did you find a yo ur gr in ds n't know what we were going m an y di rt y w or pedal steel player to do. Fortunately, 3 out of in Lubbock? the 5 people in our band are accomplished Well, Chip Northcutt and I go back a ways recording engineers, so between all of us and and the band was a four piece for probably a little bit of money, we got enough gear the first 10 gigs. So one day Chip called and together to finish the album ourselves. It's asked to play a little lap steel with us. That's called Take Three For Fun and it’s ready for what he was playing when he joined us, but release, we just need to coordinate with our after a while even he was saying “I'm going to record label, SausTex Records in San Antotry that pedal steel” and he did. nio. Now don't share this with anybody especially Good for you guys. Is this your 5th album him, but he's a musical genius. That instruthen? ment is completely impossible for talented This is our fifth official release, but prior to people to learn but he picked it up and he's being on the label we put out 3 on our own. great at it. Since he taught himself how to We finished Take Three For Fun and it's play his style is a little different than what you pretty silly and it sounds pretty good. The typically hear. guys did a really great job and, since we now I know you are about to release a new have all this stuff and we know what we're
doing, I think that's probably how we're going to record from now on or at least for right now.
How do you feel
about the idea of not go back to a
studio? Of course there's always a plus and a minus. The best part about recording with George was that he acted as an additional member of the band and so he did certain types of production and had great ideas. It's fun having someone who isn’t an actual band member give you advice and guidance on what you're doing, rather than just being in a selfguided situation.
I know your schedule hasn’t been too full, so are you
going to be able to get out and do some gigs soon? What we did was cancel all of our inside shows because we still don’t know what’s happening with the pandemic. Right now we have a show in September and 4 in October and I think that pretty much rounds out our year at this point. That's all we have on the book.
Hey,
at least you have something on the books. I can't tell you how many people I’ve talked to who don't have anything because things are just still getting canceled. Well I have to say that all these are still considered tentative, because we don't know what's happening. You know in a regular year we probably would have played 30 or 40 shows by now, so it's just weird that since June we've only played 3 live shows.
Did
you guys do streaming shows during the lockdown? I know a lot of artists that did them. When the pandemic first hit we did a couple of those from remote locations. Like in June of 2020 we played a benefit for our friends at the Lost Well in Austin, which was really fun because at that point we hadn't been in the same room together for months and it was great fun. Then in August of 2020 we did a remote version of the Austin Corn Lovers Fiesta which is the “other ACL”; it's the punk rock ACL . Anyway, we did that and I think that everybody had the same feeling of “this is great getting to play, but it's a little weird and not quite as rewarding as playing in front of a live audience.” My opinion is there's no way playing a remote location without a live audience will take over live music. I don't think we will do another show like that just on our own, however if it's to help keep a bar open or friends afloat or a reason like that then yeah we'll do it.
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! Today we are introducing The Artist Window. STEAM Magazine’s new project to partner with artists. We will be hosting virtual art galleries as well as featuring specific pieces for sale in the magazine. To kick-off this partnership program we are featuring Genevieve (Gene) Garand! Gene is a talented, award winning artist from Quebec Canada whose art has graced our covers 7 times! Gene’s collections have been featured in magazines in Texas, Tennessee, Ohio and Canada, as well as art exhibits in Corpus Christi TX, Memphis TN, Cleveland OH, New York NY, Paris France, and many cities in Canada. “My style includes the use of many techniques and mediums. My choice of pure colors and pronounced contours present a variation to meanings and elements expressed in each of my works; giving objects my individualized perception. 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 THIS ISSUE GENE HAS BROUGHT US: LONGHORN. A 30”X24” ACRYLIC, ORIGINAL, AND SIGNED. $2000.00 FOR MORE INFORMATION: ARTSHOW@STEAMTX.COM
REVIEWED BY Mary Mathis STEAM Magazine
You
know I tried to watch a couple of streamed shows, but it was just so sterile feeling. I missed hearing glasses clinking on the tables and the murmur of people underneath the music, and people trying to watch the band through the dancers. Yeah that’s a great way of saying it, because it's just not the same.
I
know you were all rock players when The Beaumonts started. Did you have any idea what you were getting yourselves into? Oh, we had no idea! I would say everybody in the band has deep roots in playing all kinds of music but mainly rock. And we started this just as something to make each other laugh for the most part. We never had any idea that The Beaumonts would continue on as long as it has but here we are 16 years later. You know I got a whole lot of little treasures in my treasure chest because of this band and the things we got to do. We're not flying on private jets or anything, but that's not where it's always at. We've done some really fun stuff and made shitloads of friends all over and I wouldn't go back to where we were prior to The Beaumonts. 9/4 @ LOLA'S IN FT WORTH 10/2 @ SAGEBRUSH IN AUSTIN 10/9 @ RILEY'S IN HUNTER 10/23 @ THE DAMN CHILI COOK-OFF IN MARTINDALE 10/30 @ THE ALTERCATION COMEDY FESTIVAL IN AUSTIN
THEBEAUMONTSTX.COM
| SAUSTEX.COM/THE-BEAUMONTS
The Cowboy And The Cajun is a fun love story and a wonderful coming of age story… for grown-ups! It’s often thought (at least in my opinion) that life’s lessons are learned when you’re young, typically by the time you reach 35 or 40 you’ve got them down; like the main character Rita (the Cajun) who’s spent most of her life learning about herself and how she chooses to live. Then there are those people who ignore life’s lessons; like the character Rich, who thinks he has it all but really doesn’t. The way the supporting cast of characters interacts and tells their own story wraps you up in a cozy blanket of Ms Wall’s storytelling centered in a bed and breakfast on the outskirts of Santa Fe NM. She brings the flavor and vibrant images of the area as well as providing a fun glimpse at Rita’s guests and neighbors. Ms Wall tells a fun love story, and I look forward to her next endeavor. Available on Amazon.com
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