CONTENTS SOUTH TEXAS CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES & ANNOUNCEMENTS
WWW STEAMMAGAZINE NET
“ADRIFT” ORIGINAL ART BY SAM YEATES
SEP 2014 VOL. 3 ISS. 6
ENTERTAINMENT
ART
MUSIC
16 DALE MARTIN TROUBADOR INSIGHTS
12 SAM YEATES PATHS TO ADVENTURE & DISCOVERY
8 HOPE & HOSTILITY
18 3RD COAST FOODIE: SALTWATER GRILL 20 SISTERDALE DANCEHALL & OPERA HOUSE
ALWAYS IN STEAM
24 2ND ANNUAL ART SHOWCASE
11 LYRICAL BYNGE’S EDNA DE LA GARZA
PUBLISHER RUSTY HICKS EDITOR TAMMA HICKS STAFF WRITERS RICK BOWEN, DALE MARTIN, TAMMA HICKS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS J MICHAEL DOLAN, DEREK SIGNORE, JON-PAUL JONES STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS ALLENE HICKS TO ADVERTISE WITH US 361-904-4339 SALES@STEAMTX.COM SEE US ONLINE AT WWW.STEAMMAGAZINE.NET WANT YOUR CD, BOOK, OR SHOW REVIEWED? HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SUBMISSIONS@STEAMTX.COM
17 MARTY STUART ALTERNATIVE WEEKLY NETWORK
CALENDAR 22
COMICS 6
CD REVIEWS 9
NEW RELEASES… CD 22
MOVIES 22
QUICK READS 5
STEAM Magazine is published monthly by STEAM Magazine South Texas Entertainment Art Music in Corpus Christi, TX. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Views expressed within are solely the authors and not of STEAM Magazine. Typographical, photographic, and printing errors are unintentional and subject to correction. Please direct all inquiries to: submissions@steamtx.com
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5 Gag me with a spoon J. Michael Dolan (:43) 7-words I'm done with: Dream: With great respect to my idol MLK, the term “I have a dream” has lost its punch for me. I’m going to replace it with, “I have an idea.” Sounds more doable. Makes me want to know what the idea is. Better yet, “I have a plan.” Much more powerful and real. Sounds like something is in the works. Success: It’s too subjective for me. I’m going to replace it with “Complete.” “I’ve completed this project, now it’s on to the next.” Successful: “I’m successful.” Sounds like you’re done. An artist is never done. I prefer the words “effective,” or “relevant,” or “significant.” At the very least “productive.” Now it sounds like you’re still at it. Luck: It’s too Illusive for me. It’s never there in the beginning when you need it, and it gets all the glory at the end, “I sure was lucky.” I’m going to eliminate it from my vocabulary. Goals: Should remain in the sports vernacular. When I hear “I have a goal” it sounds like you want me to say “Good Luck!” In the context of art and commerce I still prefer “I have a plan.” Sounds like you want me to ask you what it is. Try: It means nothing to me. Only means you’re using the word “trying” as an excuse for not doing the work—the work that matters. I’m going to eliminate it from my vocabulary. Positive Thinking: Over rated! Too many “positive thinkers” not getting anywhere. I prefer “positive doing.” What did I miss?
It’s rIgged J. Michael Dolan (:19) Just so happens that the crazy, creative, independent career you've chosen is a "win some-lose some" game. The ones you win are temporally encouraging, but they never seem to get you “there,” they only get you closer. The ones you lose are temporarily disappointing, and they never get you “there” either. But they too, always get you closer. Therefore, the game isn’t about winning or losing anything, it’s about getting closer and closer to where you’re going. Therefore the crazy, creative, independent career you've chosen is actually a “win-win” game—always inching you closer and closer to where you’re going, no matter how often you lose or how many times you win. Therefore the game is rigged...in your favor. Good Choice!
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H O P E & H O S T I L I T Y CREATING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY
STEAMMAGAZINE.NET
STEAM - Hope & Hostility is a unique name; how did you come up with it? BETHANY (Golden – mandolin)- I came up with the name, to be hand in hand with what we stand for; Loving people unconditionally, giving hope to anyone who feels hopeless or unreachable, and creating a sense of community with everyone we come in contact with. ROB (Golden – m u l t i instrumentalist) it's an idea of the conflict between the current Americ a n church and American culture. It has a message of love and hope and opportunity, but we use the same word to breed hate and division. It is our goal as
a band to make good music and love people. STEAM - You all get along very well on stage, so how did you get together? BETHANY - Rob and I have been married 6 years, and have been working musically together since we met in church about 8 years ago. I have been playing music with Rob since 2007. After watching him jump from band to band, I finally decided to take the leap and joined Rob in Hope and Hostility. ROB - The stage chemistry happens naturally. Shae was a guitar player for the first band I was in, so I've known him for about 8 years. Bethany is my wife, so... We are still I'm the formation stages overall with our sound and the direction we intend to take. I started playing my dad's old guitar (which I still have) around 14 and immedi-
ately started writing and attempting to record to cassette... I've been in and out of bands since 18 – everything from Christian rock to alternative and pop punk and here I am now with Americ a na / r o ot s - r oc k / folk. S H A E (Vivant drums) Rob invited me when I was between gigs and I enjoyed it so much I decided to stay. It was love at first sound ahhhh...yeah. My music career started at Cathedral of the Palms, went on to "they" with Rob when I was 15, and then became a hired guitar slinger for numerous artists in Corpus Christi. I formed D&S with David Kearney and appeared on season 8 of America’s Got Talent. STEAM - What inspires the music you write? ROB - it all depends. Sometimes songs come out of nowhere and other times a lot of thought and energy go into writing
a song. You just have to give the song what it needs. DNL came from watching a good friend’s marriage fall apart and the hell that followed. The River just kind of happened but ended up being about where you go to find your peace; whiskey, women, or Jesus. STEAM - Please tell me about your new album… Where did you record? Will you be touring in support of it and where to? ROB - We recorded at Sound Machine Studios with Mason Shirley, mastering was done by Dave McNair, album art by Gerald Flores, and photography is by Michael Castro. As of now no tour is set up, I think we are planning on really honing and perfecting our sound in these next few months. STEAM - With the few cover songs you do, how did you choose which songs fit your style? BETHANY - We tend to choose covers with great harmonies, meaningful lyrics, or are just fun for us to play. ROB - they don't really have to fit our "style" we choose songs that we like or sons that inspire us and attempt to give
them an H&H twist STEAM - Please give me a schedule for Sept and Oct. ROB - September 20th at House of Rock. Other shows are in the works, so keep an eye on our website and Facebook.
SOCIAL: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, & Reverbnation: hopeandhostility WEB: Hopeandhostility.com
Written By Tamma Hicks STEAM Magazine
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Rick J Bowen
twitter.com/RickJBowen
REVIEWS
SHAWN AMOS THE REVEREND SHAWN AMOS TELLS IT (PUT TOGETHER) The only thing wrong with the six song EP The Reverend Shawn Amos Tells It, is that its only six songs. Like James Brown said “let’s hit it, and quit,” Amos gathered together what he calls a “Gutbucket power trio,“ then threw down the tracks old school; live with no overdubs in one day. Amos grew up around the entertainment industry and is the CEO of the digital content studio Freshwire, but with the help of his long time friend Steve Jordon has stepped up to the microphone to add his stamp to the legacy of blues and classic R&B. As executive producer Jordon no doubt was the guiding force behind the vintage aesthetic of the album as he was the musical director for films Cadillac Records and Lightning in a Bottle. Clearly a disciple of Little Walter and Junior Wells, Amos carefully chose the four cover songs to demonstrate his vocal and harmonica skills and the depth of the blues form. Track one opens with Amos tagging his harp to a reverb soaked guitar riff from Chris Roberts then reciting the Sonny Boy Williams tale of deception ‘Hoodoo Man Blues,’ with fresh energy. The Bo Diddley beat and slap back echo of ‘I’m The Face,’ is recreated with perfection bringing to light this 1961 B side gem from British Mod Rock pioneers The High Numbers, aka..The Who. Amos testifies his heartache stretching the phrases of the Elmore James slow
blues ‘Something Inside Me,’ milking the emotional effect. ‘Good Morning Little School Girl,’ is a straight up cover of Junior Wells as if Amos was sent in from central casting, but that is a hard won skill. Amos presents two new tunes written in the same classic R&B style by first adding greasy B3 and soul sister backup vocals to the funky ‘(The Girl is) Heavy,’ and wearing his heart on his sleeve for ‘Sometime I Wonder.’ ~ www.shawnamos.com
VIRGIL BROWN & THE WIRED BAND GOODBYE GUITAR (SELF) The award winning rhythm section from The Wired Band has teamed up with old friend guitarist and singer songwriter Virgil Brown to release their third album Goodbye Guitar released June of 2014. The twelve song collection represents a new direction for the veteran outfit as they explore darker grooves and a more laidback approach to a highbred sound of old and new school blues and roots rock. Brown is a sardonic storyteller with a mellow tenor and straightforward picking style complimenting the less is more style of drummer Rick Jacobson and bass man Keith Bakke. The album opens with the soft shoe shuffle ‘Life In The Slow Lane,’ that features some tasty Rhoads from guest Hugh Sutton and Brown editorializing on the State of the modern world. A little greasey slide guitar introduces the history lesson ‘Where The Blues Were Begun,’ name checking the pivotal characters from the Delta to Chi town. Light hearted rockers’
Monster Truck Driver,’and ‘Stone Cutter,’ lead up to the albums first real blues tracks ‘Voodoo Spell,” which barrows its riff from Freddie King’s ‘Let The Good Times Roll,’and a reinvention of The Beatles ‘Help!,’ cleverly turning it into a deep, pleading twelve bar blues. The title track is a quirky swinging tale of man so down on his luck he must sacrifice his most prized possession; an all too familiar story. The track that could be a radio hit for the new outfit is the infectious ‘High Heel Shoes,’ with the ingenious juxtaposition of heavily distorted guitar over an easy going groove played with brushes by Jacobson and the line “I lost the legal right to sing the blues, on account of them High Heel Shoes.” The album closer ‘Folsom Prison,’ provides another great reinvention of a classic, much like the Wired Band itself.
Written By Tamma Hicks, STEAM Magazine
STEAM
You formed in 2002 as a garage band so to speak – How did you come up with the name? EDNA My best friend, Nilda, is the one who came up with the name. I fell in love with it right away.
STEAM
We really enjoy the camaraderie we see on stage. EDNA Musicians come and go. I've had the privilege of working with many great musicians over the years. I've been working consistently with these guys for several years. Arnold Marcha, the drummer, is the longest tenure and Donald Aguirre, the lead guitarist, joined at the same time right along with him. Soon after that Miguel Davila, the bass player jumped right in. We are pretty much a family. I consider Donald the Dad of the band. He pretty much keeps all us grown up musicians in check. (laughs) We are very close like brothers and a
sister. They make fun of me a lot, like a little sister, but it's all in fun. If you've ever seen the sitcom series, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia", the cast kind’a reminds us of ourselves. I'm Dee, the bird. (laughs)
STEAM
Can you give me short bios on everyone? EDNA Donald Aguirre, the lead guitarist, dedicates his Sundays to perform at his Church. He's been playing his guitar since he was a teenager. I remember him mentioning how he had to be chaperoned by his mom at the age of 15 to perform with a band at the old Cannery on Carroll Ln. Miguel Davila has been playing the bass guitar since he was a kid. He also performs with his brother, Ralph Davila in their band, Cathouse. Miguel's wife, Rosemarry, is awesome! Sometimes she has
menudo made for the band after we return from in the backyard are great memories. I come from a our gigs. She's like the band mom. We love her. musical family background. My late Grandpa, Oscar, Arnold Marcha, the drummer extraordinaire, has played the accordion and bought me my first keybeen in the band for over 7 years. Originally from board at the age of 6. My late uncle, Seferino PerCorpus Christi, he has moved to San Antonio to be ales founded and sang in the original band, Los with his new bride, Jessica. He travels every weekDinos back in the 1950's. My grandparents, Andres end to jam with us. That alone shows how much & Melva encouraged me to sing and focus on musihe loves what he does. I have to say that it takes a cal instruments. They bought me my first electric very strong and understanding significant other to Fender guitar when I was 15 years old. By day I'm a appreciate a true musician. True Story! He gradurealtor at Gomez Properties, a Fitness Fanatic, & ated from West Texas A&M and was the quarterLicensed Massage Therapist. back. He once played against another local musiSTEAM What inspires the music you write and cian, John Cortez who was a place kicker for Texas where can we get your CD? A&M Kingsville. EDNA We have a 4-song EP which can be purchased I’ve been entertaining since I was a small child. Making up LYRICAL BYNGE CALENDAR talent You can find Lyrical Bynge’s shows with 9/6 Giggity's / Port Aransas schedule, music, pictures, my cousin's 9/12 It'll Do Saloon / Corpus Christi and videos @
9/20 Shorty's / Port Aransas 10/11 Shorty's / Port Aransas 10/30 Giggity's Halloween Bash / Port Aransas
www.reverbnation.com/ lyricalbyngeband and download the Lyrical Bynge app for free!
at our shows. I also have a free Lyrical Bynge app for Android phones available on ReverbNation. The music I have written has been inspired by true experiences. I intend to write more songs. They randomly come to me through personal experiences, so I need to be inspired once again. The first one I wrote, "Rock Like There's No Tomorrow" was inspired by my best friends. We like to hang out and have a great time. Sometimes, well most of the time, we tend to lose track of time and the rooster starts to Cockle Doodle Do! The second song I wrote, "Everyday" was inspired by friends, family, and the love of having a good time during the weekend; getting away from the work week and unwinding with a cold one, hanging out with friends and family, enjoying ourselves with live music, dancing, going to the beach, or anything that is fun to escape. If we could do this every day, we would. The third song, "Last Night's Hairdo", was inspired by true events that occurred over several years; basically, it’s just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's about a girl getting all dressed up and going out with friends, then ending up in trouble that follows without intent. Despite all the craziness from the night before, she still wakes up in the morning with "last night hairdo" intact. This song is not entirely all me! (laughing) My sister, Becky and some friends can attribute to some of the incidents. Thank you, Arnold Marcha, for helping me complete this song! The last, but not least of my songs and my personal favorite, "Don't Mess With Texas Women", was inspired by my awesome grandparents. My grandmother raised us girls with attitude. She told us to never put up with crap from anyone, especially a man. (laughing) She said that our man should be big and strong (minded) just like our grandpa. My grandma said, “Don't mess with Texas Women!”
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anyone else take lead vocals? EDNA The cover songs STEAMMAGAZINE.NET on our set list are chosen by everyone in the band. I like to choose songs that compliment my voice and style. We can jump from Janis Joplin, to Pink, then some Sublime, and Maroon 5 to say the least. Donald and Miguel assist with the backup vocals and harmonies. Miguel also takes the lead and sings several songs as well. It drives the women crazy! (laughing)
STEAM
We know you’ve played at festivals around – what festivals have you played and who have you opened for? EDNA We have played several festivals on the same bill with other bands. Shrimporee (for the past 5 years), Beach Fest, Bayfest, Spring Break Concert, Texas Jazz Festival, Ingleside Round Up Festival, and many more over the years. We've on the same bill with Rotel and the Hot Tomatoes, the Spazmatics, Jay Perez, Seth Canden, Kyle Park, Bart Crow, and Corey Morrow. We plan to perform at other festivals and around the Coastal Bend Area for years to come. Special Note: Edna is dedicating this interview to her grandparents. Not only did they raise her, but showed her how to be strong, put her best foot forward, and do what she loves!
STEAM
I know you perform quite a few cover songs, how do you choose which songs fit your style? Along the same line, does
DON’T MISS IT! CUDID’S VICTIM “WHEN I GROW UP” CD RELEASE AT THE 2ND ANNUAL STEAM ART SHOW! LOOK FOR C V’S INTERVIEW IN THE OCTOBER ISSUE! CUPIDSVICTIM.COM
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wake and find myself still earthbound. Perhaps through my art, I have found that freedom I dreamed of.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
FACEBOOK/STEAMTX drawn from memories of
my youth and help set the stage for this personal mythology. These reflective vistas of late evening and distant roads are combined with winged female figures. These winged women are less angelic and more the initiators into life’s mysteries. The cats, which I often include, act as their familiars and add to the sense of mystery. They also serve as compositional elements and add movement and life to the moment captured. The car lights in the distance represent the seeker, youth in the journey toward adulthood. As most of us know, this journey, while compelling, is not without its dangers. These same roads are also the paths to adventure and discovery. I first learned to dance in the lights of a car on a gravel road with music from the radio. A personal element in my visual language is the allegorical use of animals. While growing up on a farm in north central Texas, I saw the beauty and drama of life unfold through them. They have often found their way into my work, used with a sense of humor or as a play on words. If cats had wings, would there be birds to sing? Often the bird’s or animal's condition or plight reflects the human condition. A monkey can be adrift on a sea of troubles and we see ourselves in its predicament. Another element that has had a constant presence in my work is the use of wings. I have always had a fascination with flight and the freedom that it represents. When I was a child, I had dreams that I could miraculously fly, only to
STEAM What do you do in your “spare time”? SY For several years I taught art at Austin Community College while at the same time painting and showing work in Austin, Taos and San Francisco. I have been involved with the video game industry since the mid -nineties including six-years as a digital artist for the Walt Disney Company. Currently I’m working for Rosetta Stone. We also travel quite a bit as my wife is a master at planning vacations. Really, she should to go into business. STEAM Where can people see your work? SY My art is in the permanent collections of Lone Star, Budweiser and Heileman Brewing Companies, North East Missouri State University, The Barker History Center at the University of Texas, Smithsonian Museum, Washington D.C., Hills, Field and Bartlett, Austin, Texas, Corpus Christi Art Museum, Corpus Christi, Texas, and Sky Ranch, Santa Fe, New Mexico, as well as other locations.
TOP: T-BIRD RIVER FEST POSTER 1995; MIDDLE: THE EARLY EVENING POOL; BOTTOM: TWO HORSES AND A BEACHBALL
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passion to put up with so much to “make a dream fly!” I’m still here! It’s like I tell people, the road has tried to get rid of me but I’m still here!” Sometimes, starting new, means going back to where you began in the first place, where music was played straight from the gut, for the sheer and beautiful joy of it. Dale Ma tin Wade Bowen was made without the burdens that come with big business or the pressures to fit in any kind of particular box. This is simple, Americanmade Americana, dreamt up on the road and played in the company of good friends. See his website at wadebowen.com for a full concert schedule and ticket info.
Troubadour Insights With
Wade
San Antonio/New Braunfels/San Marcos/Austin
Bowen may not be as well known in other states as he is in Texas, but with the release of his new album in October, that fact may soon change. Every story has a next chapter and for Wade Bowen, this new self-titled album, is it. Wade Bowen marks a new beginning, the turning of the page to a place where the music becomes a little bit freer, a little bit looser, and a lot more intimate. A staple of the Texas Music charts, and a notorious road warrior, Bowen has sold over half a million albums in his short career, sung duets with the likes of Will Hoge ("Another Song Nobody Will Hear") and Brandy Clark, (the duet of "Love in the First Degree" on the successful compilation "High Cotton: A Tribute to Alabama"), and been featured on compilations alongside the likes of Charlie Daniels, Old Crow Medicine Show, Eli Young Band and The Blind Boys from Alabama. His Wade Bowen Classic golf tournament has raised over 1 million dollars to benefit children's charities across central Texas. “The focus was to talk about what I’ve been through. - to get personal,” Bowen says of writing these new tracks, “everything I’ve been through lead me to this.” Of one of the album’s focus tracks, ’When I Woke Up Today,’ Wade remarks, “I just started analyzing the road and my
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Marty
Stuart will be bringing his incredible band, the Fabulous Superlatives, to Texas for one show only at the Brauntex Theatre in New Braunfels on Saturday September 20. Stuart doesn’t make it this far south very often, so be sure to check him out when he does. If you can’t make it to the New Braunfels show, he will be opening for the mighty Merle Haggard at the Moody Theater in Austin on November 11. Marty’s new 2-CD set titled ‘Saturday Night & Sunday Morning’ will be released on September 30 on his own Superlatone Records label.
When
the son of famed Texas singer songwriter James McMurtry releases an album, it’s certainly newsworthy in our neck of the woods. Curtis McMurtry's upcoming album titled ‘Respectable Enemy’ has a common thread running throughout the dozen songs. “I wanted to
make an album about people treating the ones they loved as opponents and the really mean and competitive aspects of love,” the Austin native says. “It’s about conflict and spite and those times when someone who should be proud of their partner's or friend's accomplishments is jealous instead. I play out the nastiest parts of people.” When I first read that statement by Curtis, I must say I was curious about what the songs would sound like. I read a review of the album on the CMT website and they stated that ‘Curtis is wise beyond his years.’ I found that comment funny because I thought the same thing many years ago when I listened to his father’s first album. It was written by a songwriter with a very educated view of the world. Curtis follows in his father’s footsteps in that regard. There’s a line in a song titled Chaplinesque that goes “What a respectable enemy you turned out to be, and here I thought you were just a bad friend.” That’s as witty as something his dad would write. McMurtry describes the entire collection as “downers to some extent.” That’s definitely a true statement; it’s not an album that will have you dreaming of a sunny day having a picnic lunch by the lake. It’s more of a Sunday morning reflection of a Saturday night that didn’t quite go as planned. “I have a few that aren't sad, they're hopeless, about totally hopeless situations”, explains Curtis. It’s these types of songs that get him compared to Townes Van Zandt. Produced by fellow Austin native Will Sexton, the album straddles the format of big band, pop and even jazz. It took me several listens, but then I was hooked and lately it’s
been my go to CD when I’m in the mood for some life reflecting.
Buddy
Holly may very well be one of the most influential artists to ever come from Texas. John Lennon often said that without Buddy Holly, the Beatles would have never formed. Other artists, like Waylon Jennings, Joe Ely and Bruce Springsteen list Holly as major influences. On September 7th, on what would have been his 78th birthday, a new tribute album will be released. ‘The Buddy Holly Country Tribute: Remember Me’ collection will feature such greats as Merle Haggard, David Frizzell, T. Graham Brown and many other classic country stars. Proceeds from the 21 track album will go to the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation, a charitable organization co-founded by Buddy’s widow, Maria Elena Holly. One song, ‘Maria Elena,’ was written by Frizzell and presented to her as an 80th birthday gift. A DVD documenting the making of the album will be included in the package. www.martinsmusic.com
In April of 2013, Marty Stuart and his ace band, the Fabulous Superlatives played the Brauntex Theatre in New Braunfels for the first time. Even though the show was on a Wednesday night, it was a huge success and the fans loved Marty. He loved performing at the theatre and said he would love to return, so he is, on Saturday night September 20. Local New Braunfels singer Tracie Lynn will open the show with an acoustic set at 7:30pm. Marty has a new 2-CD set coming out on Tuesday, Sept 30th and will hopefully have copies for sale at the show. It’s titled ‘Saturday Night, Sunday Morning’ and will feature up-tempo rockers on one CD and gospel tunes on the other. I had the pleasure of spending time with Marty at his 2013 show plus talking with him on the phone prior to his upcoming show this month. Tickets are on-sale at www.brauntex.org. Here’s what we talked about:
STEAM: Marty, first of all, thanks for playing
at our theatre. it’s a pleasure to have you and the band here at the Brauntex. MS: Hey, no problem, thanks for having us. We love playing these old theaters. The audiences are fun, they get in to the show and we feed off of that. We play a lot of outdoor shows but there’s something about these old buildings that makes the shows special.
STEAM: You started out
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in country music so young, but you toured STEAMMAGAZINE.NET with some legendary figures, like Flatt & Scruggs and later Johnny Cash. Did that influence your path of still doing a lot of traditional country music? MS: Probably so, when you get to perform with people like that, you have such a love for their music. I’ve always had a deep appreciation for traditional country music. Even when I started my solo career and played more modern stuff, I still had that rockabilly sound and did classic country songs in my shows.
STEAM: Will you and Travis Tritt ever do another album or tour together? MS: Oh yeah, I love Travis, I’m sure we will do something together when we can fit it in our schedules.
STEAM: You have a couple of great books featuring photographs you’ve taken during your career. How did you get into photography? MS: When I first started in the music business, I was just so excited to be on tour with these legendary artists. I would take pictures just to have a record of all the fun stuff I was experiencing. One day I realized that I had some really cool shots of people. It just grew from that. Now it’s definitely a labor of love and the fans seem to like them.
STEAM: With your TV show on the RFD STEAM: Years ago you bought Roy Network, touring and recording, how do Orbison’s house. When Johnny Cash passed away, did you ever consider buying his house? MS: (Laughs) Well, I had already bought Roy’s house which was next door to Johnny and June. But, no, not really, it was a big house on the lake and was worth a lot of money.
you balance it all out? MS: You know, I’m just a hillbilly guitar picker. I’ve been extremely blessed in my life. I get to play music for a living. Touring can sometimes be tough, but once we get on-stage and start that first song, it’s all good.
STEAM: Thank you again for talking to STEAM: Your band is incredible; you me and for playing at the Brauntex Theguys seem to know exactly what each other are doing on stage. MS: I’m a very lucky guy. I married my favorite singer (Connie Smith) and have the best band in town. They are all amazing players. We can play anything from country to rockabilly to bluegrass to gospel.
STEAM: With so many songs to choose
Written By Dale Martin, STEAM Magazine Photo By: Eric Banister
from, how do you pick the set list? MS: That can be tough, we try to do some new songs if we have a new album out, but we know the fans want to hear the hits. So, yes, set lists can be tough. Fortunately I do have a lot of songs to pick from.
atre. I’ll see you on September 20th. MS: Yes sir, I love Texas and that theatre is a great room. New Braunfels is such a fun town; we look forward to playing there.
SHOW INFO: SEPT 20 2014 THE BRAUNTEX, NEW BRAUNFELS TX
SOCIAL: WWW.MARTYSTUART.NET; FACEBOOK.COM/MARTYSTUART; YOUTUBE.COM/THEMARTYSTUARTSHOW
3rd Coast Foodie By Tamma Hicks
SALTWATER GRILL 2401 CIMARRON CC TX 78414 361.993.7258 WWW.SALTWATERGRILLCC.COM and they’ll make it – even if it’s not on the menu. And four… the people!
Every single person that works at SWG is
There we were the other night… in a total food dilemma! I wanted seafood, my hubby wanted steak, and the kids wanted “something” with French fries. That doesn’t sound too hard, does it? Problem was we didn’t want to hit the SPID (South Padre Island Drive) or want to drive downtown, and actually I just didn’t want to drive very far at all. Oh, and we wanted a local restaurant, not a commercial chain. Now my dilemma makes sense. That’s when we remembered the Southside’s best kept secret! The SaltWater Grill on Cimarron! It sits at the top of the triangle of Airline, Cimarron, and Wooldridge roads and has this great sign you just shouldn’t miss! Honestly, the person who designed their logo needs a pat on the back!
great! They are friendly and helpful and not to just customers but each other! That’s another thing, no one refers to the waiters or cooks; this is a staff! And do you know what that means? SWG has super loyal customers! We’re talking about families that come in not on a regular monthly schedule, but weekly and even more if they have guests in town. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true. Take Ms. Morris, a retired teacher, who lives nearby; she eats at SWG almost daily and can’t sing enough praises about the staff. Then there are the Garrison’s who also live nearby and they have dinner at SWG once a week, but the night we were there was
the second time because their daughter and grand-kids had been in town. Mr. (Michael) Garrison suggested the MahiMahi because it’s always excellent; while Mrs. (Connie) Garrison said the redfish lightly blackened is her absolute favorite along with the rice pilaf, but everything on the menu is wonderful.
Three
years ago Paul Hatridge opened SWG as an independent locally owned restaurant that concentrates on serving local gulf saltwater fish, shrimp, and oysters. He and the General Manager, Trevor, have ensured that the family atmosphere, generous servings, reasonable prices, and full bar are served by PARMESAN CRUSTED SHRIMP
I love
going to the SaltWater Grill (SWG) for a few reasons besides the fact that the food is really good… One, it’s a nice restaurant that you can take the whole family to as well as a quiet spot for date night. Two, they have a drive up window! Yes, really! So on those days you don’t want to cook and no one wants to go out? Call in your order, drive-up, and go! How easy is that?! Heck, you can even wear your jammies and no one is going to know! I wouldn’t do that, but it’s a fun idea! Three, they cater and I mean they cater! You tell them what you want
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ENTREES L TO R: RIBEYE STEAK, CAJUN SHRIMP & SCALLOPS, AND MAHI-MAHI ALTO COCINA
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SEP 2014
SOME OF SALTWATER GRILL’S AMAZING STAFF!
MAHI-MAHI ALTO COCINA
their awesome staff are here to stay! When we asked Trevor for suggestions he had two – an appetizer and a dessert. Which I thought was a little odd, since the typical answer is all about the entrées. So that’s where we started…
Trevor’s
suggestion of Parmesan Crusted Shrimp was indeed tasty and I can see why it’s one of their most popular appetizers – and you can get it as an entrée! The gulf shrimp are lightly dusted with a parmesan breading, pan seared, and served with SWG’s signature sauce. I tried to find out the ingredients in the sauce, but they held back (yep, it’s that good). We also had the Crab Stuffed Mushrooms. Two of my favorites in one topped with mozzarella cheese and a garlic cream sauce. These have a little pepper twang that is just remarkable!
As I
said the kids wanted something with French fries and the kids menu fit them perfectly! They had a grilled cheese sandwich and a corn-dog. Perfect for the little ones! My hubby wanted steak and that’s what he got! As a rule of thumb he always order the steak cooked to medium, that way if it’s a little under or over cooked, we’re still OK with it, but the hand-cut Black Angus Ribeye was huge and cooked exactly to order! The fully loaded baked potato and sautéed vegetable were the perfect sides to compliment the chargrilled flavors. Next, taking Mr. Garrison’s suggestion, I had the MahiMahi Alto Cocina and he was right – it was excellent! A huge mahi-mahi steak grilled and smothered with blue crab, avocado, Pico de Gallo and their signature sauce served with sautéed vegetables and rice pilaf. My go to side dish is a baked potato, but Mrs. BREAD PUDDING Garrison had raved about the rice so I had to give it a try and I’m glad I did. It’s my new go to when I’m at SWG! The third entrée was from the Pasta list… Cajun Shrimp & Scallop Pasta. Shrimp, scallops and linguini always go well together, but add a little Cajun spices and a rich tomato cream sauce with parmesan cheese and you are in heaven!
At this
point we should have been pushed off our chairs and rolled to the car because we were so full and still had some to take some home, but no… not us. We had to follow through with Trevor and the Garrison’s suggestions… Dessert! So we go the brownie for the kids, but honestly it was so huge that we all got some! Warm and gooey with ice cream and caramel and chocolate sauce drizzled over it... So good that it didn’t matter that the kids had to share! Ah, then came Trevor’s choice… the piece de la resistance… Bread Pudding! This is not your Grandma’s dessert! Oh my, I really had a hard time sharing this one! This is their own special recipe served warm with cinnamon rolls , raisins, pecans, and a whiskey caramel sauce that just knocks you for a loop! Hmm, I think it’s time to go through the drive thru – the Bread Pudding is calling!
BROWNIE
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S I ST E R DA L E DA N C E H A L L & O P E R A H O U S E
SEP 2014
Halfway
between the two well-known Hill Country cities of Boerne and Fredericksburg is the very small city of Sisterdale, home of the Sisterdale Dancehall & Opera House. Sisterdale and Comfort Texas were founded by the 1st generation of Latin speaking Germans known as Freethinkers around 1847. The Freethinkers were liberals who believed in rights to all. They reveled in passionate conversations about literature, music and philosophy. Their beliefs led to trouble in Texas, and the birth of the oldest operating Opera House in Texas.
be done with time period materials. At the same time Mr. Wright had to bring the dancehall up to current OSHA safety standards. To accomplish this required him to purchase other properties from the late 1800’s to reclaim the required materials and lumber needed. It was an intense and expensive two year project, but the Sisterdale Dancehall & Opera House is now the best reserved dancehall in Texas.
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Since
In 1859 the Freethinkers built a fort to fight off the Comanche Indians only to be massacred three years later by the Confederate Army. The massacre happened because they didn’t believe in slavery, and were going to join the Union. Many of the men and future generations were killed which led to the other cities nearby growing while Sisterdale stayed as small tight knit community. Today Sisterdale is still a very small city with about a dozen businesses along about a mile of road FM1376 (Sisterdale RD), thirteen miles north of the city of Boerne.
In 1884 a Dancehall & Opera House were built on the same property as the fort. The Dancehall was originally owned by the famous Maverick family, and eventually sold it to another Hill Country family who only used the dancehall for family and special events.
Right around 2008 Allen Wayne Wright, a predominant attorney and businessman in San Antonio, purchased the property and restored the dancehall & Opera house to its former glory. In agreement with the National Historical Society all structural renovations had to
the dancehall was mostly dormant from 1961 to 2008 the dance floor remained in excellent condition. The dance floor is the original dance floor and has never been sanded. The dance floor looks pristine and smooth, without any gaps or holes like some other historic dancehalls have. To meet OSHA standards a deck was added to the back side that opens up to a beautiful beer garden canopied by 300 year old oak trees. Beside the beer garden is the 1859 fort, and behind the beer garden is the dry creek bed of the Sisterdale Creek. There are strings of light throughout the property making the property look like a fairytale setting at night. To protect the building open flame lighting is prohibited and they use
LED Christmas style lights creatively to produce romantic lighting inside. The stage is also lit by LED stage lights; the LED lights are significantly cooler and safer than traditional lighting. With the addition of well place drapes the inside looks like a scene right out of a movie.
Bud Light shot a commercial starring George Strait in the dancehall. Brooks & Dunn filmed their music video for Red Dirt Road there. The mini-series Return to Lonesome Dove was filmed on the road in front of the Dancehall. The popular TV mini-series North and South, staring Patrick Swayze was filmed in the Sisterdale area during 1985-1986 and the dancehall was the main attraction in several episodes. So, there is no wonder why there is such a demand for people wanting to use the dancehall for weddings these days.
George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Gary Moore, Billy Mata, Bobby Flores, Gary P Nunn, Jason Allen, Larry Joe Taylor, Two Tons of Steel, and Almost Patsy Cline are all popular Hill Country artist that have played at the Sisterdale Dancehall & Opera House. Recently, the demand for weddings has currently taken over the music side of the dancehall. They have forty weddings booked so far this year, and thirty-two already booked for next year. Weddings range $3,500 to $30,000, depending on the requests of the wedding. The best way to book a wedding is to contact Rhonda Gillikin through the web site www.sisterdaledancehall.com.
Antonio Opera held at least one opera a year at this location. The Sisterdale Dancehall & Opera house is The Sistercurrently trying dale Danceto work somehall & Opera thing out with House can a group from handle parthe new Tobin ties up to Center in San 300. They Antonio. The have beer Tobin Center for the Performing Arts and wine service available at is the newest and most technologically their bar and beer garden. advanced performing arts center in the Before going bankrupt The San country. It is also working with the Hill Country Opera as one of their location stops. Behind the drapes on the stage a person will find the original opera backdrops and baby grand piano. Also hanging on the wall just inside the entry door is the original Sisterdale Opera House sign that used to hang outside.
The future holds some very exciting times for the dancehall & opera house. Mr. Wright is working on putting together a Sunday gospel brunch once a month. They would like the dancehall to be a vibrant part of the community by hosting music, opera, and weddings. To be able to accommodate the desire to bring all of this to the community; the most likely scenario is to have live music on Friday nights and weddings on Saturdays. For more information and photos go to jonny3fingers.net.
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