STEAM Magazine South Texas Entertainment Art Music volume 1 issue 11 February 2013

Febr uary 2013 Vol. 1I

ssue

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FRE E! FR EE! F REE !

South Texas Entertainment Art Music

STEAM

TM

Magazine

Clarissa Serna Well Grounded in 4 Inch Heels

David Martinez

SOTX Music Walk

Making it Look Easy

Tie Die Hippie

Jason J His World of Art

Live Entertainment Every Fri & Sat Pool Tournaments Mon & Tues

2 of Corpus’ Best Bars!

Daily Drink Specials!

Jan 4th

Best St. Paddy’s Day Celebration in Corpus!

Karoake Every Thurs-Sat

Dart League (361)334-6135 5815-B Weber Rd Sun. 12pm-2am Mon-Sat 11am-2am facebook.com/TheosBilliards

(361)334-5585 4522 4528 Weber Rd Open Everyday Noon-2am facebook.com/Jamisons.bar

Y Z A R A C e t a Upd

Last October I did a book review of CRAZY A Memoir by Sandy Stokes. Since then Sandy has been hitting the book signing road. On February 15th he has a signing in Austin at the well-known BookPeople and then on the 16th he has a private signing event. CRAZY a Memoir has also been entered in the 2013 Writer’s League of Texas contest.

CRAZY a Memoir is about the author's adventures as an international drug smuggler during the 70's and 80's when he was one of the largest weed importers in South Texas. At the end of my review I stated that Sandy was planning to write more, well it’s now underway and will tell of his experiences in Africa. Although I’m not sure when it will go to publish, but I am sure it will be as much of a wild ride as Crazy is.

Feb 15 BookPeople @ 7pm, 603 N. Lamar, Austin TX 78703, www.bookpeople.com; Feb 16 Private Book Signing Event in Austin Available for purchase at: Surf Club Records, CC TX; BookPeople, Austin TX; www.Amazon.com; and CrazyAMemoir.com

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ENTERTAINMENT

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> Rockport Beeville

New Braunfels

San Antonio

Orange Grove

Port A Ingleside Austin

Sinton Mustang Island

Corpus Christi

Alice Kingsville Calallen Aransas Pass Robstown

Quick Read 13 CC Idol 15 Surf’s Up 10 So Tx Music Walk 18 3rd Coast Foodie 22

Publisher — Rusty Hicks Editor —Tamma Hicks Writers — Mason Shirley, Forrest Lee Jr., Erik Hinz, J Michael Dolan, Rachel Mills, Rusty Hicks, Tamma Hicks, Sue Donahoe & Rick Bowen Photographers — Allene Hicks, Misty Nelson, & Donald Hatch

Jason J 20 Reviews 3 & 26

CALENDAR 8 Isolation Booth 6

CLARISSA SERNA 16 David Martinez 14 Writer’s Block 11

For Advertising Rates, Specs, And Information : sales steamtx.com Or 361-904-4339

For CD, Book, or Show Reviews : submissions steamtx.com

Steamtx.com Facebook.com/steamtx 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: submissions@steamtx.com

From the heart & soul of Singer/Songwriter Mathias Isassi “16 Flowers” CD The long-awaited “16 Flowers” LP from Singer/Songwriter Mathias Isassi is finally here and the three-year-itch is well worth the wait. What he calls his ‘love album’ is truly a piece of passion and devotion, promising that the listener will absolutely fall in love with his words and feel utterly commanded or intrigued by the power and strength of his voice and performance behind a live mic.

Catch one of South Texas’ up and coming talents doing what he does best on Tuesday, the 12th at The Country Luau open mic in Kingsville and Wednesday, the 13th at the Executive Surf Club open mic in Corpus Christi. He’ll also be doing a full 2-hour acoustic set in Kingsville at the Javelina Station Apartments next to TAMUK as further support of his latest album release, “16 Flowers”, show starts at 6pm in the lobby.

Find out more about his past and future adventures, plus updates of his next performance by visiting his website at www.theoldfolkhouse.com and be sure to sign-up for the e-mail list for free mp3’s, and other great stuff periodically.

We will be relocating the Atelier International Art Gallery to expand our gallery and services. Our grand-reopening will at Atelier International Art Gallery 528 Gordon St. Corpus Christi, TX 78404 be during the 2nd week of March 2013 with the featured artist, Georgia Griffin. Please check our website at www.aiartgallery.com for updated news about our move and events.

Also like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ aiartgallery for updates.

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ISOLATION b o o t h

By Mason Shirley Producer & Recording Engineer

Mastering Demystified Recording is capturing a performance, mixing is balancing the different elements within that performance to maximize the impact of the song, and mastering is enhancing the mix to play back effectively on a particular medium, whether it be CD, a vinyl record, radio, etc. The mastering phase is distinct from the mixing phase in that the mastering engineer is working with a single stereo track of the mix down rather than the individual tracks (such as the vocals, kick drum, bass, and so on) that the mix engineer is working with.

Simply put, mastering does three things. The most obvious difference mastering makes is maximizing the loudness of your track. Mastering engineers have the necessary equipment, room, and ear to take your track as close to the volume limits of digital audio as possible (hopefully without sacrificing the dynamic range and punch of your song). This is so your song, when played right after your favorite band, will not sound soft and puny in comparison.

Mastering also adds coherence to your album; it keeps the listener from having to adjust the volume, bass, and treble knobs in the car when listening to your CD. Finally, mastering provides a final quality assurance check on the mixes and overcomes any

deficiencies that may have existed in the mix due to a inaccurate mix environment, a low budget for mixing, or, frankly, a sub-par mix engineer working on your project.

Choosing the right mastering engineer can take your project and artistic vision to the next level, and choosing the wrong mastering engineer can utterly destroy all of the hard work and money you’ve put in to your project. Here I can offer a few words of advice. First of all, hire a real mastering engineer to finalize your record, not a mixing engineer or someone who merely has “mastering plug-ins.” Professional mastering requires a certain type of room, a certain type of speakers, high-end limiters, EQs, and compressors designed for mastering, and a well trained/talented ear for the job.

Secondly, find a mastering engineer with a discography similar to the sound you are going for. After all, you don’t want a classical guy working on a rap album. It may turn out to be the best thing the world has ever heard, but unless you’ve got money pouring out of your pockets it’s probably not worth gambling hundreds to thousands of dollars on that chance.

I help my clients at Sound Machine Studio find the right mastering engineer for their projects and I can’t think of a time anyone was disappointed with the results. Your songs will last a lifetime, and they deserve the final phase of enhancement so that you don’t have any regrets or second guesses presenting your material to the world.

www.soundmachinestudio.com 361.813.9002

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MUSIC

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Things To Do, Places To Go Entertainment

Color Me Rad 5k February 2 Whataburger Field, Corpus Christi!

Did you ever wonder what it would feel like to be a rainbow? Well here’s your chance!

Www.colormerad.com/races/corpuschristi

3rd Annual Corpus Christi Idol & Junior Idol Auditions February 15-17 CC Junior Idol February 23 CC Idol February 22

Corpus Christi Clutch (ABL) February Home Games : 3rd, 10th & 24th WB Ray High School 1002 Texan Trail, Corpus Christi

Whooping Crane Festival February 21-24 Port Aransas

Doors open 1 hour before game time. Come cheer on Corpus Christi’s newest professional team! For more information www.facebook.com/corpuschristiclutch

Texas State Aquarium 2nd Annual Valentine’s Dinner February 14 Texas State Aquarium, Corpus christi Reserve a table now!! 361-881-1244 27th Anniversary Party Zero’s Hard Rock Club January 15 6327 McArdle, Corpus Christi Celebrating their 27th year in business! Free Bar-B-Q and music from Mobile Deathcamp (featuring Beefcake of GWAR), Killamora, An Eaters Curse, Defiled Creation and Hasta LaTeira. See our ad for more information Special Olympics—Flour Bluff booster Club Cow Patty Bingo February 16 Glenoak Therapeutic Riding Crt 1517 Glenoak Dr, Corpus Christi Come join the fun and help support the Flour Bluff Special Olympic Athletes! Cow Patty bingo tickets on sale thru 2/13 for $25. Free food, lots of activities for the kids, and a silent auction! (see our ad for more information

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Warren Theatre, TAMUCC Center for the Arts Tickets on sale now! See our ad for more information.

Whooping Crane Festival begins with a boat tour at 10 a.m.

Feb. 21 and continues Feb. 22-24 in Port Aransas. The annual festival celebrates the endangered Whooping Cranes that winter in the area and features birding tours by boat and bus, renowned speakers, exhibits, nature related trade show, arts & crafts, photography workshops and more. Cost: $20-$60.

Information: www.whoopingcranefestival.org or 800-45COAST or 361-749-5919

Bark For Life February 23 Live Oak Park, 1874 Port Ave, Ingleside Texas Coastal Bend Bark For Life is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Feb. 23 at Live Oak Park, 1874 Port Ave., Ingleside. The event features a mini-relay, live music, contests.

South Coastal AHEC Medical Explorers Scholarship 5K Fun February 23 Downtown Water Gardens Our annual 5K Fun Run/Walk will be held from 8 to 10 a.m.

Feb. 23 at the Water Gardens. We are asking for your support for this scholarship fundraiser. Your support will not only benefit our future health care providers, but also our community. We will have free health screenings on the day of the event

Free Bird Walks Saturday Mornings, January-March Hans & Pat Suter Wildlife Refuge, Corpus Christi Meet at the kiosk at 9 a.m. Bring binoculars and birding field guide if you have them. Information: 361-443-0744 or www.VisitCorpusChristiTx.org!

ENTERTAINMENT

Wayne Henderson Guitar Clinic Austin Vintage Guitars 6555 Burnet Rd, Austin Your chance for a very special evening with Wayne Henderson, master luthier to the one and only Slowhand, and guitar picker extraordinaire! www.facebook.com/austinvintageguitars U.S.S. Lexington Travel back in time aboard the famous U.S.S. Lexington. One afternoon will provide a humbling glimpse of what it’s like to live and serve aboar d this mar vel of the s ea. www.visitcorpuschristi.com The Texas State Aquarium A day at the aquarium is a surefire way to keep your youngest explorers engaged and excited. www.visitcorpuschristi.com Padre Island National Seashore Be Covering 130,000 acres, this spectacular expanse remains home to the largest remaining natural barrier island in the world. www.visitcorpuschristi.com South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center This 180-acre showcase on Oso Creek offers a unique and varied take on botanical gardens.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. For more information: 361-852-2100, www.stxbot.org Mustang Island State Park Families enjoy a serene environment at Mustang Island State Park. Fishing, bonfires, building sand castles and birding are popular pastimes at this great spot. Pack the kayak or rent one to enjoy the Mustang Island State Park Paddling Trail. www.visitcorpuschristi.com

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Things To Do, Places To Go art First Friday ArtWalk Friday, February 1 2013, 05:30pm - 09:00pm Downtown Corpus Christi ArtWalk is a self-guided tour of galleries, studios and gallery-for-an-evening venues in Downtown Corpus Christi held the first Friday of every month. Come join us for art, music, entertainment, refreshments and lots more. The event begins at 5:30 pm at La Retama Park with artist vendors and live music. Over 50 participating venues! www.artwalkcc.com.

The Art Museum of South Texas 1902 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi VIsionarios Youth Art Exhibition, Sponsored by Flint Hills Resources February 3—March 3 Contemporary Studio Glass from the Haverty Collection of the Mobile Museum of Art January 25—May 5 Art Center of Corpus Christi 100 Shoreline Dr, Corpus Christi Matt Peterson, Woodworks Lisa Baer Frederick, Abstractions & Collages February 1-28 The opening reception for these shows will be on February 1 from 5-7pm at The Art Center.

For more information, call 884-6406 or www.artcentercc.org Islander Gallery Hamlin Shopping Center on S Staples, Corpus Christi Floyd Newsom February 1-24 Floyd Newsum’s paintings focus on his concept of fractured landscapes which combine his vision of a scenery with painted, drawn and collaged forms. The result is an exhilarating arrangement involving African, African American and Southern Mexican symbolism. For more information361.825.3672 or 361.825.3756 TREEHOUSE Art Collective 309 N Water Street, Ste D, Corpus Christi February 1-28 Featuring the fine art work of metal artist Paul Padilla.

For information, www.treehouseartcc.com

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Artist Cove Gallery 304 Commercial, Aransas Pass February 1-28 Opening Reception, February 6 Featuring the work of photo-realist Jason Juranek. For information see our featured artist page.

2327 State Hwy 361, Port Aransas Brain & Beth....Puppy Love, from childhood...NOW, Beth is about to get married, & Brian's time is running out..In a series of fast-moving, hysterically funny scenes, two actors portray, Brian & Beth from ages seven & six, to the present.

K Space Contemporary 415 D Starr Street, Corpus Christi Prophecy by Jimmy Pena & Day Wheeler January 4—February 22 Prophecy” is a collaborative effort by Corpus Christi artists Day Wheeler and Jimmy Peña who have shared studio space for the past 14 years and have collaborated on many projects including installations and murals. While coming from different backgrounds, these artists work well together, bringing about collaborations that read as one voice For more information, kspacecontemporary.org/

Harbor Playhouse Godspell January 4—February 10 One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest February 8-24 1 Bayfront Park, Corpus Christi http://harborplayhouse.com

Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra Romantic Masters February 9 Performing Arts Center, TAMUCC Corpus Christi Experience the sweeping lyricism of the Romantic Masters with this collection of works by Smetana, Sarasate, and Brahms. Sarasate’s passionate Fantasy on Bizet’s Carmen featuring Concertmaster William Curt Thompson is perfectly complemented by the intricate layers of “The Moldau” and Brahms’ Symphony No. 1, weaving together an unforgettably lovely concert evening. www.ccsymphony.org Aurora Arts Theatre Into The Woods January 11—February 16 5635 Everhart Rd., Corpus Christi When a Baker and his Wife learn they've been cursed with childlessness by the Witch next door, they embark on a quest for the special objects required to break the spell, swindling, lying to and stealing from Cinderella, Little Red, Rapunzel and Jack (the one who climbed the beanstalk). Everyone's wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later, with disastrous results. www.auroraartstheatre.com Port Aransas Community Theater Jerry Finnegan’s Sister February 7-16

ART

Concert Ballet Adventures of Alice in Wonderland & The Mad Hatter’s Ball February 23 A fundraiser benefiting Concert Ballet's Educational Outreach Programs.

Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History, Ages 4 - 12 10:00 am - 1:00pm Family Scavenger Hunt at noon Transport yourself into the delightful world of Alice & her friends! K Space Contemporary, 7-10pm. www.concertballet.net Corpus Christi PATCH Mixer 402 Peoples St., Ste. 1A, Corpus Christi Join us for a mixer to learn about The Ritz and possibly join our board or campaign leadership team. For more information: www.ccpatch.org Art Museum of South Texas The Art Museum of South Texas is a wonderful place to tour during a leisurely afternoon around downtown Corpus Christi. www.visitcorpuschristi.com Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History Tour the oldest shipwreck that was found nearby in the Gulf of Mexico and share the adventures of early explorers as you stroll among treasures from wordfamous shipwrecks. www.visitcorpuschristi.com

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Things To Do, Places To Go Backwoods Saloon 1540 Sun Ray Rd, Ingleside, TX Live music every weekend!

Blue Marlin Saloon 3006 E Surfside Blvd, Corpus Christi Live music every weekend!

Brewster Street Ice House 1724 N. Tancahua, Corpus Christi Throw down Thursday’s with Badlands FM! Cowgirls Saloon 1701 S Brahma Blvd, Kingsville The place to be in Kingsville!

Dr Rockit’s Blues Bar 709 N Chaparral, Corpus Christi Featuring Live Music Every Night! Genres include Texas country, rock, reggae, and of course blues! drrockitsbluesbar.com Elements Lounge & Nightclub 4223 S Alameda St, Corpus Christi Come experience an upscale dual venue that will leave you speechless!!!

Executive Surf Club 309 N. Water Street, Corpus Christi Live music and great food, what more could you ask for?!

Frontier Saloon 9709 Leopard Street Corpus Christi Live Texas Country Every Saturday Night!

Come watch your favorite NFL teams and NASCAR on our big screens!

Garage Bar & Grill 15013 Northwest Blvd, Corpus Christi Thursday night poker; Country and Southern Rock on the weekends!

Happy Daze Hookah Lounge 201 N Woodlawn, Alice TX Entertainment on the weekends!

Harrison's Landing 108 Peoples St T Head, Corpus Christi Where Corpus Christi Goes to Unwind!

House of Rock 511 Starr Street, Corpus Christi Great shows all month long!

As compiled by Tamma Hicks

Jamison’s Sports Pub 4528 Weber Rd, Corpus Christi Come watch the Cowboys and the Texans on our big screen TVs! Jack Ash’s Drinkery 4334 S Staples, Corpus Christi Live music every weekend! Come check us out!

Los Cabos 9601 South Padre Island Dr. in Flour Bluff, Corpus Christi Live music every weekend!

Molly McArdle's Irish Sports Bar 4201 McArdle Rd., Corpus Christi, TX 78411 Karaoke Bar, Sports Bar, Bar !

The Mug Room 5114 Carroll Lane, Corpus Christi We feature live music every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday!

Roper’s 4653 Everhart Rd, Corpus Christi DJs spinnin’ your favorite tunes all night long!

7 Brothers Saloon Highway 181, Normanna TX Live music! Don’t want to drive home? Stay in our RV Park!

South Texas Ice House 6601 Everhart Rd, Corpus Christi We now have live music on Fridays and Saturdays! Best burgers in town – Try one and you’ll see!

Sugar Shack 106 N Fulton Beach Rd, Fulton DJ/Karaoke on Thursdays and Live music on Fridays & Saturdays!

The Texan 3625 South Staples Street, Corpus Christi Live music is always free to bar patrons and the range of music is diverse, everything from punk to honky-tonk.

Theo’s Billiards 5815 Weber Rd, Corpus Christi Free pool every day until 7 pm!! Don’t miss DJ Dus on Illectronic Thursdays!

VFW Post 3837 12030 Leopard St in Northwest Corpus Christi Are you looking for a great room for your next event?

Give us a call!

Vick’s Place 7136 FM 666, Mathis Ice cold beer, live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and Jam sessions on Sundays!

Outta Bounds Sports Lounge 1402 Rodd Field Rd, Corpus Christi Texas Music Mondays and Fridays Rockin’ Locals! Football Season!

This is the place to go to see your team play!

Whiskey River Nightclub At the corner of Staples and Holly, Corpus Christi The party never ends at Whiskey River.

Free dance lessons every Tuesday!

The Office 1210 South 6th St., Kingsville, TX Live Music, pool, darts, and big screen TVs! Politics Bar 7426 S. Staples, Suite 215, Corpus Christi We're only hard to find the first time! Located behind the Whataburger and CVS near Yorktown and Staple.

Zeros Hard Rock Club 6327 McArdle Rd, Corpus Christi Like us on facebook and never miss a show! Facebook.com/ zeroshardrockclub

REVO Bar & Grill 3739 E Hwy 44, Alice Brand new and open 4pm to 2am!

Revolution Bar & Grill It’ll Do Saloon 2306 Airline Rd, Corpus Christi 4125 Gollihar Rd, Corpus Christi Featuring Clarissa Serna on TuesLive music every weekend! Come check us out! days!

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Tarpon Ice House 321 N. Alister, Port Aransas Live Music, 2 bars, pool, darts, big screen TVs, WIFI, and a beer garden!

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A t r o P p U s ’ f r Su Mills

By Rachel m McBride y Ti Photos B

Bob Barker might know when the price is right, but who knows when the surf is right?

In a sport devoted to catching the “perfect wave,” it’s all about diligence.

In the Gulf Coast, waves are usually generated by local windswell and conditions are constantly changing. For individuals lucky enough to live on the beach checking the daily surf conditions is as easy as walking down to the water, but for everyone else there are daily surf reports.

Website and phone-in surf reports are found almost anywhere there is surf, even along the Great Lakes of the Midwest. Until recently, surfers in Port Aransas were stuck with buoy reports from Corpus Christi and surf reports from North Padre.

Tim McBride and Jade Wofford, both residents of Port Aransas, are two avid surfers who have recently released Mustang Island’s first local surf report, SurfPortA.com.

“This is something that we always wanted to do and thought it was what the island needed,” said Wofford.

The SurfPortA.com site provides daily buoy and wave height data, in addition to general tide tables and weather. Unlike other surf reports, photos are taken daily and uploaded to the website by 9:30 AM, along with web cam images provided by the Dunes Condos.

“Somebody needed to make a surf report [here],” said Ted Nicholson, co-owner of Board House Surf Shop in Port Aransas, “When the surf gets good, we get busy.”

Ideal surf conditions, according to McBride, are head-high, clean waves, but Port Aransas’ waves are all windfetch, resulting in knee to waist high waves. According to surf-forecast.com site,“ [Port Aransas] is an exposed beach break that only works once in a while.” The mercurial nature of this area requires daily monitoring of surf conditions, so that surfers can make the most of ideal waves, when present.

With over 8,000 hits on their site since its launch in March 2012, SurfPortA.com is now averaging around 50 hits a day. Wofford and McBride speculate that many of these hits are coming from out-of-town surfers planning trips to the Gulf Coast.

Neither McBride nor Wofford are interested in making a profit from their website. “I hope the site can eventually be more interactive and build

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a large following,” said McBride. Possibilities of an online store could generate donations for site maintenance in the future.

“I don’t want this to be a trend,” said Wofford, “I want to have a big grass roots base.”

Surfing isn’t just a multi-billion sporting industry. For some individuals it is a way of life. McBride’s surf photography has been featured in shows in Galveston, while Wofford hopes to develop a clothing line using McBride’s photos and local art. SurfPortA.com has an “Island Happenings” page, with links to local events that might interest surfers in the area, especially during those periods when the surf isn’t good.

Whether you are waiting for the 50-year storm to hit Bell’s Beach or you just want to know when the surf is chest high in Port Aransas, surf reports are the best tool to any trip to the beach. Next time you feel like stepping into the blue make sure to wax up your board, put on sun block, and boot up your computer. — www.surfporta.com

ENTERTAINMENT

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Writer’s Block By Forrest Lee Jr.

Conveying the Mood

In this month's article we're going to talk about mood, or writing specifically for mood. When you listen to a song that really moves you and brings out an emotional response, it has a lot to do with how the song is recorded or the instrumentation or the mood that they're shooting for. You have to think in terms of, "what do I want this to sound like to convey my message?" If you're writing a slow ballad love song, something really sweet about how much you love somebody, then a speed metal style demo is not going to work. You may want to just use piano an acoustic guitar. What I like to do, is play an ethereal tremolo sound on an electric guitar, soaking in reverb.

But the key to good writing is to make the song sound good however you record it. Even if it's just a demo acoustic guitar vocal. Theoretically, all anybody is really listening to is the lyrical content. At least that's what they tell you... But a hooky chord structure, or dramatic intro might be the ting that keeps them listening for more than 20 seconds.

If the song is not as strong as you think it needs to be, but you're stuck on trying to make it stronger, you can manipulate the listeners ear with a little bit of effect. One of the easiest ways to do this with a single chord, is to count out 1 bar before you start playing the acoustic guitar, and slowly fading in an electric guitar chord over one or two bars (not beats but rather a long, slow chord swell, prior to the acoustic strumming. Letting that cord ring and get louder until the lyric starts.

A slow fade will build tension. And makes the listener want to hear the resolve... they can’t help but keep listening to hear what going to happen.

Really what it boils down to is you need to have good lyrics that engage the listener at the very beginning of the song. Changing the intro with instrumentation like I said above can engage the listener without even hearing any lyrics. This works beautifully for film and TV music. Many of the placements I've had in film and TV have been songs with goofy lyrics but really interesting music behind them. The key to getting your whole song listened to by any publisher, producer, artist is in the first 20 seconds. Something has to grab them. Or for a music library, having keywords that they are specifically looking for. They can search a database for a song about money, or love or cars. But many times they'll find your song through a search, and not even use the lyrics they searched for. They just take the music and use it. It's funny that some of my favorite songs I've written have been used in film and TV. The ones with the most emotional lyrical content, being omitted. They want songs about love or whatever the subject is, because they know that the music behind it is probably going to represent the lyrical content. And when somebody is talking etc... during a dramatic scene, or love scene in a soap opera, they really don't want to hear somebody singing in the background, they just want that music to represent that mood. So make sure you also have a copy of the song, without the lyrics. It might be perfect for that $25,000 TV commercial pitch. So make sure you have a background music copy. It also allows you to try different vocalists, to pitch to different artists.

Okay for some examples now.

If you just wrote a song that's all about drinking beer and raisin hell, a good acoustic guitar and raspy vocal demo might do the trick, or a very heavy downbeat and some distorted guitar will do wonders. But just like everybody else that's writing the same kind of songs, you're probably trying to get that cut buy some country rock artist that already writes songs like that himself. That's okay because those artists charge lots and Continued lots of money for film and TV music supervisors to use their songs, on page 27 and music supervisors are looking for a deal. They have a budget

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Quick Quick Read Read

Fly in the red zone / J. Michael Dolan Peter Guber, one of the most successful showbiz moguls of all time, has always impressed me. And it’s not so much his credits as a super successful, Oscar winning movie producer, or his ownership of the Golden State Warriors AND Los Angeles Dodgers. It’s who he is as a person. Check out his website, read his Twitter feeds, and get his inspiring, thought provoking book “Tell To Win.” I think you’ll discover that here’s a guy who YOU can relate to, whether you’re a Corp CEO, or a struggling songwriter.

from fromJJMichael MichaelDolan Dolan

recently received an email from him (perhaps you got the same one), telling me his 10 New Year’s resolutions for 2013. I thought I'd pass them along to you. Tell me what you think: 1. Embrace flying in the red zone – this is where the greatest risk, but also the greatest opportunity awaits

STEAM Magazine is proud to have J Michael Dolan as guest feature columnist. He will inspire as well as give you something to think about. His stories maybe short, but we have always found them to be deep. This month’s focus is on working together - as they say work smarter, not harder!

Romancing the stone (Read time 0:51) / J. Michael Dolan

3. Be authentic and have your feet, tongue, heart and wallet all going in the same direction – this creates a trusted and respected relationship which precedes transactions

"This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one” — George Bernard Shaw

According to Greek mythology, as a punishment for his trickery, the god Zeus ordered King Sisyphus to roll a huge boulder up a steep hill. Before he could reach the top, however, the massive stone would always roll back down, forcing Sisyphus to begin again and again, for eternity. However as the tale goes, Sisyphus was very content with his destiny because at every punishing push, at every sweaty shove, and at every steely step forward, the desire to succeed and the anticipation of victory made him stronger, and gave him hope to carry on.

Once the show is over, the product has shipped, the website launched, the record released or the book is published, the customer returns home to enjoy the rewards of her new purchase, and the fans leave the stadium with gratification and exhilaration. But the pro artist and the committed entrepreneur will return the next day to the studio, the workshop, the warehouse or the office and start the process all over again, pushing the giant stone up the mountain.

This is the true joy for any Artist or Trep: to be given the opportunity to wake up the next day into a crazy, uncertain, exhilarating, creative lifestyle and manifest your art—day after day. And the big payoff for your efforts is not just the ultimate financial prize, it’s the tenacity it takes to win it.

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2. In gathering collaborators and support, focus on “what’s in it for them” – this will garner their attention and intention to respond to your call to action

4. Be interactive – engage social media to change yesterday’s sales monologue into today’s dialog. Today, everyone wants to be participants, not just passengers

5. Share success – emotional and open acknowledgement for work well done is critical to sustaining a motivational workforce.

6. Be generous– your scarcest resource is your time and when you spend it helping other people, you reward yourself, others and your organization.

7. Be a challenger to your own incumbency – sustaining your success requires constant reinvention. If you don’t, it can mean extinction.

8. Use the emotional resonance of purposeful story telling with the facts and information embedded inside, as your secret sauce to create memorable and actionable results –for success in business you’re always in the emotional transportation business.

9. Embrace failure – if you’re not failing on occasion, you’re not taking enough chances testing the real quality of your talents and will unlikely achieve your greatest success.

10. Habituate yourself to success – review your resolutions quarterly and remember good habits create great results.

Looking for more information and words of wisdom? look no further than…

ENTERTAINMENT

Www.jmichaeldolan.com

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Making It Look Easy

2013 is going to be a good year for David Martinez, so he and I sat down a few nights ago and talked about his new CD, the publicist company he signed with, and an upcoming tour with the band.

R When did you start playing guitar? D At 15. I remember I was really proud of myself for learning Guns n’ Roses Sweet Child of Mine and I played it for my dad. And he said, Ok now go learn the song, so he ended up teaching me about music theory. R And aren’t you a teacher? D Yeah, I’m a certified math teacher and I’m currently teaching technology classes at Hamlin Middle School, where I went to school. Yep, I’m native. In fact I went to Ray High School, just like Farrah Faucet. I’ve been teaching for 12 years and a lot of people think I teach music, but I just don’t have the patience for it.

R Your CD, One More Time, has a great mixture of styles and levels.

What I really liked was that the first time I heard it there was a familiarity to it, but the second time (and so many more times after that) it just hit home and I really enjoy listening to it. D That’s what I really love about working with Leroy is that he has a great ear and can add the little splashes that makes the song that much fuller. For this CD not only was he the producer and engineer but he mastered it and did backup vocals as well as the drums, percussion, and slide guitar.

R I saw that Hey Mary wasn’t recorded at the same time as the others, why is that? D When I was in Nashville doing my first CD,

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David Martinez (2009), this song didn’t make the CD, but Leroy and I knew it needed to be heard, so we held it. When we started this project, that song went great with the others, so we added it. I have to tell you though that the hardest thing I’ve done was record the spoken word in this song. Recording the first CD was hard, but the spoken word was harder because you can’t fake that part, you have to be with the beat; it’s just very difficult to do.

R All of the songs were written by you with the exception of Blue Sky, which was written by Leroy. Did you get any input on how it was recorded or the style? D Absolutely; his version has an Allman Brothers feel to it, but he was always telling me that I need to pick one of his songs and make it mine, so I picked Blue Sky. Once I found my version of it we recorded it, and then added some tracks here and there and poof. Blue Sky ala David Martinez.

R This is your second CD and the second time you worked with Leroy, so who is Leroy? D Leroy Miller. Leroy was in the alternative punk band Clover in the late 80’s to early 90’s. After Clover split up, he formed another band, "Hog" which was signed to Geffen Records with Leroy as the front man. He did a few years with that and then moved on to do a few solo CDs and opened his studio, The Daddy Shack.

R What gives you the seed to write a song? D For a lot of people they get a hook or a phrase stuck in their head and build on it until it’s what they are looking for. For me, I build a melody in my head and then the words come later. Take Coming Home for instance. I was driving coming back from LA and I this riff started going through my head. So before I could forget it I stopped in the desert outside of LA, pulled out my guitar and the recorder (that I carry everywhere). Later I finished it in a hotel room in New Mexico. Honestly, I just got this one released and I’m ready to go back and make the third! I have a lot more material; in fact I wrote a song as soon as I got back from LA. I met with Kate Grimes, who was with The Groove, to do some collaborative writing. She brought in her lyrics and I wrote the music for her. So I’m trying to get other artists together and do this type of writing. I really want to see the writing quality from here increase. We’re good now, but to get on the radio, sell CDs, be in TV and movies I think the collective we needs to improve to draw attention from the outside.

R Before we talk what’s happening now, I saw a video from your first CA tour and stopping at Venice Beach.

Can you tell us about it? D Yeah, well I was on tour and we were

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walking along the Venice Beach seawall path and, being the musician, I had my guitar in hopes of getting some cool pictures. When I heard this older street musician call out to me. He asked if I actually knew how to play the guitar and I answered, “Yes, sir I do. I wouldn’t be carrying it otherwise.”

So he told me to have a seat and join him; which I did and we played some blues. It was a great experience and I really thank my dad for teaching me music theory and blues progression.

R It is really looking like 2013 is going to be a good year for you. Besides the release of One More Time, what else do you have going on? D Well, I am working with Cindy D’Adamo and Jen Andujar at LadyLake Music. In December I was named the Musician of the Month by Texas Music Water. I’ll be playing at SXSW in March and I’ll be going on tour this summer. R That’s great. Where are you planning to go and are you doing this as a solo? D No, it’ll be me and the band. We’ll go to Florida and then up the east coast.

R Who is in your band? D Johnny Ramos has been my drummer for a little over 4 years. Jose Garza is on guitar and Damien Diaz is on bass; both are very talented and structured. We’ve been together for about 4 months and we’re all really into the music so things are tightening up and solidifying.

R What about backers or sponsors? D Not yet but I’m really working on it. I really think this new Cd has some great stuff and we’ll be submitting it.

R Where do we get One more Time? D The easiest is to just Google One more Time by David Martinez, but a short list is: iTunes , Amazon.com , CDBaby.com, Rhapsody.com, and Spotify.com You can catch David at LaPlaya Café and Catina on SPID & Rodd Field every Sunday on their deck, but can always check his websites for additional shows: www.facebook.com/davidmartinezmusic, www.davidmartinezmusic.com, and www.twitter.com/davidmartinezmu, www.facebook.com/lasylakemusic Band Photos by Mike Castro

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3rd Annual Corpus Christi Idol Coastal Bend residents will have the opportunity to earn the title of “Corpus Christi Idol 2013” and “Junior IDOL of Corpus Christi” again this year. The winner of each contest will win more than $300 in cash and prizes during Corpus Christi’s third annual “Corpus Christi Idol” and inaugural “Junior Idol of Corpus Christi” contests. Corpus Christi IDOL is open to all Coastal Bend contestants 13 and up and Junior IDOL of Corpus Christi is open to all Coastal Bend contestants ages 12 and under. “We have had such a positive response from our talented residents 12 and under that we wanted to expand the singing contest to this age group.”

J. Don Luna, Professor of Theatre and faculty sponsor of the event said. “We will have two exciting nights of finals this year. On Friday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. will be the Junior IDOL of Corpus Christi finals. On Saturday night, Feb 23 at 7p.m. will be the third annual Corpus Christi IDOL finals. Winners for each contest will be selected by the audiences on both nights. All Corpus Christi residents are invited to attend each night of the finals in the beautiful Performing Arts Center on the TAMUCC campus to select their favorite singers for both contests.” Luna added.

Auditions will be held Friday, Feb 15 57p.m., Saturday Feb 16 10-7-p.m. and Sunday Feb 17 2-7p.m. in the Warren Theatre, TAMUCC Center for the Arts.

Auditions are open to all Coastal Bend residents of all ages. Entry fee is $10 per person. Those who audition must be prepared to sing via CD, a cappella, or one’s own accompaniment (i.e. guitar, etc.).

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Both of the third annual IDOL solo singing competitions, sponsored by Texas A & M University-CC Dept. of Theatre and Dance, will include performances by the top 20 Junior IDOL of Corpus Christi finalists at 7pm on Friday, February 22, and the top 20 finalists of the Corpus Christi IDOL competition will perform at 7pm on Saturday, February 23. The winner for each contest will be selected by the audience each night and announced at the end of the evening. The first prize winner for each competition will receive $300 and the

ENTERTAINMENT

2012 Corpus Christi Idol Winners and Judges

title of Junior IDOL of Corpus Christi and the title of Corpus Christi IDOL 2013.

General admission for the final performances at 7pm February 22 and 23 is $10 and can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center box office.

Join us for these exciting events and cast your votes for your Junior IDOL of Corpus Christi and Corpus Christi IDOL 2013! For more information, call J. Don Luna, Professor of Theatre, at 361.825.5988; or go to theatre.tamucc.edu or don.luna@tamucc.edu.

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By Sue Donahoe Steam Magazine is a proud supporter of the South Texas Music Walk of Fame.

With the season approaching for inducting the newest stars, we asked Sue Donahoe to contribute a series of articles for us. In Part One she describes the planning stages and shares charming memories of the first three years.

2004 - 2006 From the very first planning meeting, a group of devoted music fans made a commitment to present – each and every year – music makers from the past and from the present and so that we would never neglect our history or fail to honor those who make the music we enjoy today. We promised to always offer a variety of styles each June, while presenting at least one “theme” each year; so that each ceremony would have a flavor all its own. We believed it would always be important to include at least one name known all around the world and to also include at least one name that was perhaps not so famous, but was of great significance here in South Texas. We chose to not make it a 501-C organization. That meant that we could never ask for tax deductable donations – but it also meant that the Walk would always be free from political pressures. And most of all, we wanted to make each year fun.

Between the ten or so people at that first meeting, we nominated a few dozen obvious names and then set about the task of dividing them into categories and deciding who would be the first six. That decision was easier than most of us expected.

Freddy Fender has a resume unmatched on the planet. A Grammy winner as a songwriter, a solo performer, a member of both the Texas Tornados and Los Super Seven, with winning albums in both Spanish and English over 5 decades for the first year– the first star was obvious. The lovely Selena was an easy choice. Her brilliant career was filled with success and honors, it was just too short. The Galvan Brothers’ contribution to the music legacy of Corpus Christi stretched back to the earliest years of the Galvan Ballroom and even my own Mother-in-law wore out many pair of dance shoes on those floors. The brothers were performers, teachers, and supporters and through the Galvan Music Store the surviving brother Bobby Galvan, is a devoted supporter of the Walk even today. He has provided photographs and history for inductees every year since this tribute began. Jazz, Tejano, and Tex Mex were covered for year one.

The Pozo Seco Singers, Guy Clark, and Bubblepuppy might be lesser known to locals, but these are names known in pockets all around the world, names which surprise people when they discover them in the WaterStreet courtyard, names of artists Bubblepuppy who made a profound impact on the music of America.

In the early 1960s, The Pozo Seco Singers were seen on many television variety shows, they were considered one of the country’s leading folk groups; alongside and equal to Peter Paul and Mary and the Mama’s and the Papas. The best known member to emerge from that group is country music legend Don Williams. Their song “Time” was a motto of the folk singer movement in America. In the mid 1960’s a growing

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Psychedelic Rock movement had a rising star in the band Bubblepuppy (often seen as Bubble Puppy). By ’68 their song “Hot Smoke and Sassafrass” was an international chart topper and in early 2004, VH1 gave the band the dubious honor of being named the band the “Number 1, One-Hit-Wonder of All Time”. Guy Clark spent his high school years in our neck of the woods but his songs about our lovely region have played on radio and from stages all over the world for decades. One of the most critically acclaimed Americana Singer/Songwriters in history -- he deserved to finish out our first year’s inductees.

Although we ended that first meeting confident that we had chosen well, we still had no assurance that we could get anyone to come to the first ceremony. Stars in concrete – so what? We decided we’d have to make it a festival if we expected to draw a crowd.

Back in 2004 there was significantly less going on in downtown Corpus Christi than there is today. The Art Center was here, but no monthly Art Walk existed, there were very few galleries and, although there are still not many shops – there was nothing besides the WaterStreet Market. So we invented a Music and Art Festival. Booths surrounded the courtyard between the restaurants and a stage held performers throughout an exciting (but blazing hot) weekend.

And the magic of that year’s events began.

That first year we only handed the scissors to Freddy – and it was he who drew the crowds. Hundreds of fans showed up for the 10am Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. His star is in the Surf Club courtyard -- so that’s where the crowd gathered. The art booths, however, along with the music stage, were in the restaurant courtyard. It was empty. There was only one thing to do.

I took Freddy Fender by the hand and deliberately strolled with that legend into the courtyard and in front of the stage. The crowd, of course, followed.

Lucky me, I get to spend the rest of my life bragging that I have a photo of me holding hands with Freddy Fender. It was a great festival.

On July 4th of 2004, just one month after the first ceremony, the great Isidro Lopez performed at the Executive Surf Club (in a torrential rain storm).

Freddy Fender Known as “El Indio” his perfect voice turned the raindrops into diamonds and I will remember it always. In August Isidro died.

The “nominations box” inside Surf Club Records overflowed and the shop’s phone rang constantly. Hundreds of people demanded that Isidro be inducted into the walk.

We held a quick meeting and confirmed him and I called his widow to tell her we would induct Isidro in 2005.

“That’s wonderful,” she said. “Isidro would be thrilled.” And then without taking a breath she added, “When are you giving a star to Kris Kristofferson?”

I was stunned by her question. “He’s from Brownsville and certainly deserves a star,” I said. “But why do you ask?”

She explained that Isidro’s recent performance had been a miracle – he had been suffering from Parkinson’s Disease Continued

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and had stopped performing. Back when it was first diagnosed and Isidro’s career came to an end, he was devastated. A phone call came to them from Kris Kristofferson. He told Isidro that he had been a fan for decades. He was working on a movie and had convinced the producer to use two of Isidro’s songs in the movie. They were to expect a check. “The money was important”, she told me, “But knowing that such an important man was his fan made Isidro extremely proud.” She asked me to give Kris Kristofferson. He told Isidro that he had been a fan for decades. He was working on a movie and had convinced the producer to use two of Isidro’s songs in the movie. They were to expect a check. “The money was important”, she told me, “But knowing that such an important man was his fan made Isidro extremely proud.” She asked me to give Kris Kristofferson a star in the same year we honored her husband. “And put them together, please.”

I tried! I contacted Kris right away. He was delighted with the honor and anxious to come to Corpus to receive it in person. But he wouldn’t be able to make it in 2005 – one of his children was graduating from High School in Hawaii that very day. “If you want me to come in 2006,” he said, “I’ll put it in any contract I sign that no matter what I’m doing – I have to be in Corpus for three days for the ceremony and performance.” He made us an offer we could never have expected for a show, but it would have to be acoustic. Gone were the days he could scream over a loud band in a bar.

We planned the 2005 event before summer ended. Joining Isidro Lopez would be Garage Rock legends, The Zakary Thaks (their hits have appeared on compilations in Europe since Kris Kristofferson the 1960s) along with Chris Layton – drummer for Stevie Ray Vaughan, Double Trouble, and more World Wide touring acts than you can shake your high hat at. Calallen native, Roger Creager was selling CDs by the thousand and had begun a blinding schedule as one of Texas’ top touring acts was in. Freddie Martinez Sr. of Freddie Records was chosen as well as many times, Country Billboard topping artist Sam Neeley.

The reason for the planning rush was not because of the Walk. It was because of the newest “baby” on the block – Brad had begun to plan the Texas Surf Museum. He had purchased (with his own personal money) a rare collection of Texas surf history memorabilia and artifacts and made a commitment to create the only Surf Museum in the state. Things would change with tenants on the block. The record store itself would also change and would “join” the museum so it could be “like the waves – always open and always free”. Every detail of creating the museum would have to be finished by the first weekend in June – a traditional time for surfers to arrive in the area from all over the world. Fortunately, that was the same weekend as the ceremony for the South Texas Music Walk of Fame. So the “sister attractions” would forever share a weekend to celebrate the Music and Surf legacy of South Texas.

It was in 2005 that we began our “double ribbon cutting weekend”. The Walk of Fame unveiled its newest stars and the Surf Museum held its grand opening. Surfing legends came from every sea and continent to be part of this world famous event. We filled the daytime hours with incredible music from the new inductees, local friends, and from Susan Taylor of the Pozo Seco Singers.

Now known as Taylor Pie, Susan traveled from Nashville to perform her many new songs as well as “Time”. She was backed by various friends with whom she performed thirty or more years earlier – including Sam Neely. Everyone present held scissors that year and Mrs. Lopez cut the ribbon in place of Isidro. Chris Layton had just landed in Austin from a long tour and barely made it to the ribbon cutting ceremony, and the Zakary Thaks filled the entire courtyard at sunset with grey haired fans (including my husband) all rockin’ out to the songs they loved in high school. International Surf Music star Donovan Frankenreiter played to a sold out crowd at the Executive Surf Club. The WaterStreet Market Music and Surf Fest was born. It was thrilling. The new version of the record store, now combined with the museum was fabulous – but a bit beyond the knowledge of this music fan who’d never even touched a surfboard. It needed someone who could “speak the language”.

I retired. Prying myself out of Surf Club Records was not an easy task. I love that shop as if it was my baby. But my husband had retired and wanted me by his side, I was happy to be with him.

And I was still in charge of the Walk. I could be on the block as much as I needed to be and was welcome anytime to jump on the floor and start selling music. Lucky me.

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By September of that year we had picked 5 of the six stars for the following June: Kris Kristofferson, Flaco Jimenez, Augie Meyers, Doug Sahm, and Sunny & the Sunliners. This would complete the Texas Tornados, (Flaco, Augie, Doug and Freddy), would include the world’s most often recorded songwriter (Kris) and would include a San Antonio legend whom I remembered watching on American Bandstand when I was a kid in bobby sox.

Sunny Ozuna, a recording star in his own right led a group of teenagers to stardom in 1963 with the song “Talk To Me”. That sweet R& B hit has been on dozens of albums and launched a “brown eyed soul” career for those kids.

I must have dropped Kris Kristofferson’s name seven thousand times over the year – bragging a bit to everyone I met that I was “working closely with his wife on plans for his family during their stay.” I couldn’t help it. Manny Morales (our awesome Music buyer) asked me who we should get to open for Kris. But if he didn’t know – I sure didn’t. I called Kris’s wife. She relayed back to me that if we booked Kris’s good friend Stephen Bruton, then Kris wouldn’t need to travel with a guitar…he kept one at Stephen’s house.

Details and publicity were worked out over the coming several months and the name which was to be on the sixth star became known. Chester Rupe passed away and another deluge of nominations rained. This gentle spirit had taught nearly everyone in Nueces County how to play the guitar. My husband was among that group. But he was more than that. A critically acclaimed guitar player, “Chet” had backed many world famous jazz artists for decades.

It rained so hard for days before the 2006 event that half of the roads to the airport were closed when our hired “body guard” and I went to pick up Kris, his wife, and his youngest two children. We had “security clearance” to meet him behind the gates and escort the delightful family to the van. On the way to their hotel, I filled Kris in on the Lopez family.

His widow was ill and would not be back to meet him this year. We were trying to reach his eldest son, but had not heard back. We both hoped he would call.

He did. At ten pm then night before the ribbon cutting ceremony, Xavier Lopez called me.

He had just gotten into town, received the message, and would be there.

He stood next to Kris and hundreds of people filled the courtyard, climbed the stairs, stood on tables, on chairs and on the top of ladders and cars to get a look at the lineup of stars being inducted in the 2006 South Texas Music Walk of Fame.

Kris was photographed signing a baby, at the parent’s request.

Augie Meyers was happily showing off his new, young, bride.

Flaco Jimenez had his picture taken hundreds of times.

I got to introduce some of the world’s best known Texas musicians! (damn lucky) There must have been two hundred people watching Augie’s new version of the Tornado’s perform.

Women swooned when Sunny Ozuna sang “Talk To Me” at Sunset that day.

We completely redesigned the Surf Club for the show. We served dinner on round tables to limited seating for $50 a ticket and we sold out in days. Stephen opened solo. Kris followed solo, and then Stephen joined him. Nothing is more pure than a songwriter and his guitar. It was amazing. Their friendship made the night even more magical.

We would have done anything for Kris Kristofferson, his graciousness was unexpected.

But his only request had been that we reserve a table up front for his Nanny and her family. In her late 80s, this lady still lived in Brownsville and had taken care of Kris as a child.

Kris and his family spent the entire day of the festival on the WaterStreet block, sometimes in an RV and other times slipping in and out of the events. Throughout the day Kris catered to his Nanny. Whatever she wanted, he got – usually himself. Now there’s a lucky girl!

Watch this space for “Part Two”

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HIS WORLD of ART

Jason J Jason Juranek first picked up a pencil at the age of 3. Then when he was 9 he discovered Bob Ross and his “happy trees” and by the time Jason was in high school he had decided that his future was in his drawings and paintings. This is also about the same time he switched his style from impressionist to photo-realist and began accepting commission jobs for murals (Dockside is still there), t-shirt designs (South Texas Speedway), and many other works.

After graduating from Flour Bluff High School Jason attended Del Mar for a year before delving head first in turning his art into a business. While living in Austin Jason showed his work and a number of galleries there and in San Antonio. When asked how he felt about selling his art, Jason said, “I’m OK with selling my art because I know when someone buys or commissions a piece they are doing it because they admire what I do.”

Jason’s biggest influences are Bob Ross, Christian Lassen, and Glenn Francis. In 2001, while Jason was in Las Vegas, he had a chance meeting with Christian Lassen. Lassen gave him some valuable advice, “To be a successful artist, become a licensed artist.” Since then Jason has been aiming for that goal and is now working with Mary Downing, Artist Cove Gallery in Aransas Pass TX. Since her mentorship began last fall, Jason has been featured on two Redbook Directory covers as well as being named the featured artist at the gallery in this month’s show.

Although drawing was his first love acrylics have taken over for him and he only occasionally picks up a pencil now. As the name of his website suggests (worldartbyjasonj.com) he wants to show people what he sees in the world. Currently the website features a Japanese series which he did while he was a martial arts instructor and a Norwegian series of fishing harbors and fjords he painted after a 2010 trip. You can also view his surfing and Hawaiian series’ based on his experiences. He is currently working on a number of series’ including flowers, the Incan Temples, and more scenes from the Pacific islands.

See the calendar for exhibit information at Artist Cove Gallery in Aransas Pass TX.

(Clockwise) Girl on Stoop/Commissioned 2008; Hollow 2008; Photo-realist Jason J discussing his influences ; Blooming Sunshine 2012; Stream Line 2001; Driving/Commissioned 2012; Morning Rise 2012; Beautiful Garden 2008

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ART

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and I grabbed a pen and started doodling and scratching out stuff and almost like poof – there’s the start of a poem which could lead into a song. And I have to say, that like most songwriters, I draw off my emotions and heartache and sadness are the best. So getting back to the CD… DJ Dus produced it and he’s just great to work with and I was really pleased with how my writing came across. I played it very safe.

R Funny you mention that. We were just at Loop Studio and heard that you were going to be recording there. Dylan has worked with some amazing groups and has a Grammy for his work with Ludacris.

C Yes, I am really looking forward to recording there. The studio is really awesome. Dylan Ely is a great engineer; he also worked with J Lo and Bob Segar. I am really looking forward to this experience.

Speaking of experiences, Clarissa has auditioned for a few national talent shows. The first was last spring for X-Factor, which she didn’t make, and the others were much more recent – but as she’s still waiting for results, so we can’t talk about it. What we can tell you is that as Clarissa was nervously waiting her turn she watch a 9-year old girl go up and not have a worry in the world.

That’s when Clarissa decided that she owned it. This is the world she wants and it’s what she does. So here we are anxiously waiting for her to be ready to scream it to the world!!! Until then we sit biting nails.

R As we know there is a huge difference going from karaoke to performing with a band; how did you get started with a band?

C I first started with jamming with my cousin, Javier Soliz who is a blues guitarist based in Austin; then Daniel accompanied me on guitar at shows. And pretty soon a band called City Breeze merged in. After that I began playing with The Groove, an 80’s cover band. The link with all those first gigs and The Groove and getting my band was, what I think as my big break in Corpus, auditioning and playing with The Jolly Ranchers for a few years.

Now this wasn’t a private audition, it was at one of their gigs and they just had me get up and sing with them. I totally rocked them with Narles Barkley’s Crazy and then I did Pride and Joy, one of my all-time favorites. The Jolly Ranchers gave me a lot of confidence and learned more about stage presence, how to mingle, and build my fan base. I left them when I started developing my own band and our schedules began to clash.

R There doesn’t seem to be a lot of video-type media available here. Have you ever done Domingo Live? C Yes, and I refused to lip-sync. T Really. They let you sing live? C Well, yes. Here’s what happened… I get there at 7am and I’m already grumpy because I don’t like to get up early and I’m decked out in my high -heels like I’m going to a club and again - it’s 7 a.m. And they tell me this is how it is and I need to lip-sync to my CD, but I just wasn’t prepared for that, as I’d pretty much rearranged all the songs since I recorded them. So yes, I did Domingo Live “live”.

R Ok, that brings us to your band. I’ve met them all and they are great musicians and really stand behind you. C Yes, my band is great and I really feel they are my rock; I rely on them for my confidence. Andrew Ita has been my conga player for 6 years and he’s told me that if wasn’t for our band he wouldn’t be playing, but he just loves being part of this. Then Svanni Quintanilla is the drummer and lots of people know him as DJ Moon Pie and Prin-

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cipe Cu. Roland Gotierrez is my music director and keyboardist, so you can see him directing everyone all night long. He’s also in LaConquista. On guitar is Saul Padron and on bass is Matthew Roussel. They are just so talented and also in another band together, ReturnedTwo Sender. Honestly, all of my guys are like brothers. I think half the night is spent with my back to the audience because we’re just too busy goofing off.

T Well, before we go is there anything, anyone you want to mention? Sponsors? C Yes, yes! I want to thank these companies and people for all their support! Sashay Boutique and Desi De La Paz; Weapons at Hand, Daniel Pena; Row Zone, Edward Gonzalez; Hardstyle Kettlebell, Brent Norman; and of course Richard Serna & Associate.

Thank you all so much! I really couldn’t do this without you!!

What do you expect to see when you go watch Clarissa Serna? An extremely talented group headlined by a young lady with her feet well-grounded in 4 inch heels having a great time making you feel like dancing! Check out Clarissa’s websites to get her schedule, see new pictures, and of course buy her CD! www.facebook.com/clarissaserna and www.clarissaserna.com

Photography credits: Laying with Guitar (pg 16-17) & Jump—Liana Gonzales/Diva Dulce ; Alternative Cover (original photo)—Pablo Schmidt; Band & Live Photos— Victoria Macias-Davila

Cover: Original Artwork by Clarissa Serna

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t s a o C 3rd i e d o Fo

By Erik Hinz

I live a block away from Price’s so I like to stagwhy I try to eat breakfast almost every weekend at my favorite ger there on weekend diner in Corpus Christi. Price’s Chef has been a Corpus staple mornings after some for close to 75 years. Just like their interior décor their food heavy drinking. Nothing hasn’t changed much…and that my friends is a good thing. cures a hangover like Like most folks I like an ol’ fashioned, cheap greasy spoon two sunny side-up eggs, Owner Zora Guerrero and husband breakfast and no one does it better than Price’s. Located in Louis know all their customers bacon and hash browns the heart of Six Points on the corner of Alameda and Palmero, for $5.50. The breakfast the restaurant has been opened daily for breakfast and lunch comes with biscuit or since 1930. You won’t find any gimmicks there, just a 1800 S Alameda St, Corpus Christi toast. A buck fifty will get you a never-ending cup of coffee. I straightforward country breakfast in an old city diner and a (361) 883-2786 get the biscuit and add gravy, which might be a little extra, but lunch hearty enough for roughnecks and food cheap enough well worth it. I’ve tried just about every thing from their Join Us for Breakfast & Lunch for students. Price’s does it right and every one always leaves breakfast menu and it’s all spot on. The pork chops and rib satisfied. or Order to Go! eyes are always grilled to perfection and accompany eggs in Mon-Fri 6am-3pm The setting in Six Points is always bustling during the days. the morning just fantastically. The chicken fried steak covered Known for good lunch and breakfast spots it’s a neat little in sausage gravy is a country classic and the huevos rancheros Sat-Sun 7am-3pm shopping district just outside of downtown Corpus. The surare surprisingly really good for an American style diner. The Check Us Out Online! rounding neighborhood has seen better days but it’s making a corned beef hash is another favorite and since I’m always in huge comeback. Six Points is very retro with plenty of good priceschef.com the mood for sunny side up eggs I haven’t yet tried their omethrift stores and a darn good music shop called Sound Vibralets. But I’ve seen them come out and they are huge and gortions. The bus stop makes for some interesting people watching and the Bleu Frog geous. Same thing with their lunch menu, I crave their breakfast so much that I Mercantile should be a destination on every one’s Christmas shopping adventures. rarely have lunch. I once had their Rueben, which made me very happy. We did The Nuevo Café and Hester’s serve up a more modern menu and Luciano’s is a must take some photos of the lunch for you and asked the customers their thoughts. for the fine Italian cuisine. Six Points has seen a lot of changes over the years and Everyone loved the food and raved about the place. Yes, Price’s has some darn there for them all was Price’s Chef. good food, but believe it or not the atmosphere has just as much to do with their

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day…that’s

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crispy bacon does.

It seems like everyone knows everybody in the whole place. There are people that have been coming in the here since they were kids and now their kid’s kids are coming here. After sinning all weekend I sit at the bar having some fried foods to soak up the booze and watch the after church crowd gather hoping some of their faith rubs off on me; it always does. Some of Corpus’ finest show up daily at Price’s making it a comfortable place for comfort food. The regulars are what give the place its liveliness that is so contagious and memorable.

The owners go out of their way to know all the regulars. Some customers have two meals a day at Price’s and say if they stayed open pass 3:00pm they would probably have three. The current owner, Zora Guerrero and husband Louis bought the place in 2007. They owned restaurants in Los Angeles and planned to move to Austin, but came to Corpus to visit family and fell in love with Price’s. They learned the history, met customers, and decided they had to have it. Louis did go under cover as a dishwasher once before they bought to get a feel for the staff and behind the scenes action. When he was threatened by a feisty waitress for using his cell phone they knew the staff had good intentions. Personally, I like my waitresses a little feisty especially when they call me hun’ or darling. That’s the kind of service you get at Price’s; consistency and sincerity are not always common any more, but at Price’s it’s standard.

Their sons in the kitchen, which makes for an ol’ fashioned family restaurant, back them. I’ve seen Louis back there running the wheel when it gets busy and they are all there to greet the regulars and customers when needed.

Price’s has a history; it’s the longest running restaurant of the same name in Corpus. It first opened in 1930 as “The Chef”, then bought buy Dan Price in 1940 who renamed it Price’s Chef. Just walking in the restaurant takes you back to the good ol’ days when food was simple and cheap. I appreciate the creative direction of modern restaurants but I also love diners and think they are an important part of any good city.

There’s been nights when I get home right when Price’s starts to open. When I get home that late the only thing saving me is biscuits and gravy. It’s saved my life on numerous occasions and will be there for me in the future. Because I know one thing’s for sure Price’s Chef will be there for you, whether you need some fuel for the day or some camaraderie. It’s been through World War II, Vietnam and the Eighties. They will always keep doing what they do best: opening for breakfast and lunch for Corpus’ dining pleasure. Price’s Chef is the heart and soul of Corpus Christi and will be running long after the apocalypse.

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Leti De La Vega:

By Sue Donahoe

The Tie Dyed Historian

This energetic gal is not the

(and recently deceased) Yolanda Gonzales, Leti found her proof: a land grant dated 1766 is in the name of her ancestors nine generations back. We are gathering more documentation and more photos and expect to have a publisher for this book within a year. It will be titled “300 Years in Texas: The Border Families of the Rio Grande”.

youngest woman you’ll ever see with a guitar, nor the one with the most powerful voice…but listen to her sweet, story songs for a bit and you’ll be captivated by the life her family led for more than two hundred years along the banks of the Rio Grande

On his deathbed her grandfather ordered her to write the family history. A songwriter, and tie dye artist, Leti began to collect family stories and personal experiences and translate those into songs. She has now been performing and recording those songs for more than twenty years. All four of her CDs, dating back to 1996, have grabbed airplay and reviews in scattered areas of Europe and the U.S. and some have included such backing artists as Marvin Dykhuis and Ponty Bone. Her first recording was with a full band and included blues songs from her famous brothers. Leo plays with the Dallas Blue band, The Silvertones. Richard’s song “Old Fiddler’s Waltz” appeared on Toni Price’s “Sol Power” album. Leti’s beaded creations and tie dyed t-shirts have been part of the Austin music scene for decades. It’s a busy family.

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In ’98 she released “Rancho Viejo”, named after the family ranch in Mexico and filled with her family songs. Four generations of Sanchez and De La Vega family members worked on this album. One cut is actually spoken prose titled “The Recipes of My Ancestors”. The simple elegance of it has echoed in my memory for more than ten years and when I caught up with her last year, I added her to the lineup of a showcase I had planned for South

by Southwest. She made a huge impact on the crowd and will be back, March 15th, 6 pm, at G & S Lounge.

Afterwards she asked me to help her write a book about her family, which she claimed had lived in this part of Texas since the 1700s. “Prove it,” I said.

“Then I’ll help you”. With the help of the brilliant

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Leti has begun a series of Library Tours, focused on Genealogy groups and in education centers for the purpose of continuing to gather information. The first of these was in the Harlingen Public Library for the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Genealogy Society on January 20th. She followed that up on the 22nd with presentation in Corpus Christi at the Ben F. McDonald Library on Greenwood and then with an in-store performance at Surf Club Records.

Three gigs in three days would not be unusual for a touring musician. It is, however, a little unusual for a historian – but Leti is OK with things that are a little unusual. www.letidelavega.com

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Spring Social February is the month everyone either loves or hates. Not only is it the weird “shortmonth”, but it’s home to St. Valentine’s day - the holiday created by greeting card companies and that’s what it’s all about - the time to be intimate, show affection, prove your love and break your wallet!

But hey, here’s something… how ‘bout a good ol’ fashioned night of relaxation and inspiration of a soulful acoustic guitar performance well-versed in love and the lackthereof – for FREE! March 2 in Kingsville!! Presented by The Old Folk House

You Asked For It! Feb 18 @ 00’s www.facebook.com/zerosrockclub

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Albums are often packaged as a concept a compilation a greatest hits collection or souvenir of a live show. Rarely does one come along that is a celebration of the artist; Buddy Guy Live at Legends is just that, a genuine Celebration of the man and the blues. Coming on the heels of the publishing of his autobiography “When I Left home, My Story,” and recent selection to receive this year’s Kennedy Center Honors alongside fellow rock gods Led Zeppelin; Live at Legends features the Guy’s last live recordings from his now-shuttered original Legends blues club in Chicago captured during his January residency there in 2010. The album features a number of Buddy Guy’s live favorites including the super charged funked out take on Willie Dixon’s “I just Want to Make Love to You,” that morphs into the Bobby Rush tune Chicken Head. Guy clues in the audience “I want to F#@K up all the songs tonight, so you just sit there and wait and listen, cause I might sing anything tonight.” He and his hot band then proceed to destroy the house with blazing dynamic renditions of “Mannish Boy,” in tribute to Muddy, the gospel soul plea for peace “Skin Deep,” and his signature song “Damn Right I’ve Got the Blues.” Guy then takes us to school in two amazing medleys: John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom” into Cream’s “Strange Brew;” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child” into Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love.” Every note from his ruthlessly raw guitar and sensuously ragged vocals are proof positive that Buddy Guy is the link between electric blues and modern hard rock.

In addition to the live recordings, Live at Legends includes 3 previously unreleased studio recordings from Guy’s critically acclaimed Living Proof album sessions: “Polka Dot Love,” a reference to his iconic spotted Stratocaster, “Coming for You,” and a deep blues classic from Muddy Waters “Country Boy.” 2012 will no doubt be reviewed as a banner year in the life of this man who came from the cotton fields to be honored at the White House. Live At Legends caps off a fine celebration of the true American treasure that is Buddy Guy. www.buddyguy.net/

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By Rick Bowen

Silvertone Records

Reviews: CDs

Live at Legends

Reviews: CDs

Buddy Guy

Steve Dupree & The Delta Flyers

Dr. Dupree’s Love Shop Soulbilly Music Group Albums are often packaged as a concept a compilation a greatest hits collection or souvenir of a live show. Rarely does one come along that is a celebration of the artist; Buddy Guy Live at Legends is just that, a genuine Celebration of the man and the blues. Coming on the heels of the publishing of his autobiography “When I Left home, My Story,” and recent selection to receive this year’s Kennedy Center Honors alongside fellow rock gods Led Zeppelin; Live at Legends features the Guy’s last live recordings from his now-shuttered original Legends blues club in Chicago captured during his January residency there in 2010. The album features a number of Buddy Guy’s live favorites including the super charged funked out take on Willie Dixon’s “I just Want to Make Love to You,” that morphs into the Bobby Rush tune Chicken Head. Guy clues in the audience “I want to F#@K up all the songs tonight, so you just sit there and wait and listen, cause I might sing anything tonight.” He and his hot band then proceed to destroy the house with blazing dynamic renditions of “Mannish Boy,” in tribute to Muddy, the gospel soul plea for peace “Skin Deep,” and his signature song “Damn Right I’ve Got the Blues.” Guy then takes us to school in two amazing medleys: John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom” into Cream’s “Strange Brew;” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child” into Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love.” Every note from his ruthlessly raw guitar and sensuously ragged vocals are proof positive that Buddy Guy is the link between electric blues and modern hard rock.

In addition to the live recordings, Live at Legends includes 3 previously unreleased studio recordings from Guy’s critically acclaimed Living Proof album sessions: “Polka Dot Love,” a reference to his iconic spotted Stratocaster, “Coming for You,” and a deep blues classic from Muddy Waters “Country Boy.” 2012 will no doubt be reviewed as a banner year in the life of this man who came from the cotton fields to be honored at the White House. Live At Legends caps off a fine celebration of the true American treasure that is Buddy Guy. www.buddyguy.net/

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Continued from page 11

Write’s Block Mood... just like every other business. So this is a perfect opportunity to write a song that you would normally want to pitch to a specific artist, record it in their style with their style of instrumentation, maybe even higher demo singer that kind ’a sounds like them. And pitch it to a music library. Even if it doesn't get cut by the artist, or sound-alike artists, you'll already have material ready to pitch to TV if they request a song ala said artist.

Another example is a slow ballad love song, in most cases it's best to write from a first person standpoint. Because you're probably going to say things like I love you I need you I want you I want to do this for you why don't you love me back... that last line was a joke but you might wanna write that... Whenever you say "I" and "you" you’re talking to the subject of the song. Try to avoid things like "I love you, I need you" and then talking about the same person but referring to her or him as "her" or "she", "he" or "him".

From a third person standpoint, it’s more of a story, not a love letter with music. Think Pancho and Lefty.

Okay so for in for instrumentation on something like this, you have a couple of choices you could go for the Bruno Mars sound, which is in demand right now. Or you could shoot for the Hunter Hayes rascal flats type sound, also in demand at the moment. Or you could shoot for the REO Speedwagon type of instrumentation. Not really in demand right now but it's fun.

Okay here's the really fun part...

Do an acoustic vocal demo, a piano vocal demo, Hunter Hayes or Rascal Flatts sounding demo, a Bruno Mars demo.... and for giggles, an REO Speedwagon style demo. All of the same song.

I know a lot of cowboys that don't sing a sad, sad song, but every hair metal band has a thorn... I mean every rose has a thorn... also not really in demand so don't worry about recording a demo like that!

Think of your favorite songs when you're writing, and then imagine something completely different instrumentation wise. You never know where that will take your writing. So give it a try, and let me know if it works for you. I'd love to hear some feedback about this column.

As I'm finishing up the NAMM show in California, and have a few days off before I fly back to Nashville, and I am going to do exactly what I said in this column. I'm writing this, riding through LA as Cheryl, my wife, drives. And looking around I see a lot of things to write about. When you're stuck in traffic on the LA freeway, you'll have plenty of time to come up with ideas. Because you're not going anywhere for hours!

Oh, a little ADD afterthought.

If you're pitching directly to a producer for a specific artist, a general rule is to keep the intro under 10 seconds, and never include a guitar solo. Unless that solo really represents what you're trying to get across in the song.

Again, I hope you get some use from my column. It’s always fun and entertaining to me to write it. And it makes me think of my own writing, and how I can improve it.

Forrest Lee Jr is a singer/songwriter, guitarist, and producer in Nashville, TN. He co-manages Loretta Lynn’s Coal Miners Daughter Recording Studio. His songs have been released by several recording artists, and used in hundreds of films and TV shows. www.ForrestLee.com

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