Texas Music News aka Music News aka Houston Music News by Texas Music News

Vol. 39 - No.10 • JULY 2021 • www.houstonmusicnews.net • FREE

& ENTERTAINMENT

LINDSEY STIRLING

Also In This Issue After Dark Club Reunion Lone Star Pirate Festival Living Colour & Wheatus Little River Band Yngwie Malmsteen Jason Mraz Sevendust Malford Milligan and More!

GRILL & SPORTS BAR 202 Sawdust Rd. (The Woodlands) • 281-363-2574 • www.19th.cc Every Thursday Night Friday, July 16

Shotgun Sally

Live Jam Session! @ 8:00 PM

July Live Music Schedule 2 - Down For Days, Eden Effect The Archive, Planet Moon 3 - Zeistencroix, Dread Pixels 9 - Blackmoore, Ground Crew 4, 307 Departure 10 - Black Rain, Brother Stone, Charlie Cope, Rhoades To OZ, Radiosmack 16 - Crosswind, Shotgun Sally 17 - The Regimes, Klozure 23 - Submit Thy Will, Klozure, Zombieface 24 - Byrd The Ghost Bday Bash! 31 - Whiskey Flight Coming August 14th The Dead Rabbits

All Musicians Welcome!

Special Events at The 19th Hole Mondays Dart Tournament Tuesdays Lingerie Show Fridays 10 oz. Steak Lunch Special Only $13.99

The 19th Hole Grill & Bar is celebrating our 30th Year Anniversary of being a live music venue

DART TOURNAMENT EVERY MONDAY NIGHT!! Take I-45 to the Rayford/Sawdust exit in Spring • Go west on Rayford/Sawdust • Make a right turn at the first red light We’re at the end of the strip center on your left!

Music News • July 2021

July 2021 Hello Music News readers. I hope everybody had a great June. First of all, it’s great to see that things are starting to return to normal. There are so many concerts coming, it’s unbelievable. I knew it would be coming, but the list of shows are awesome. Here’s a few more: The Black Crowes, Hall & Oates, Maroon 5, Disturbed, Cheap Trick, Dokken, George Lynch, 38 Special, Alice Cooper, Ace Frehley, Slaughter, Kix, Sevendust, Faster Pussycat and many, many more! I don’t know about you, but I’m going to be going to as many of these shows as I can. I have over a year’s worth of concert withdrawl to take care of. If you see me there, wave and smile. I’m sure we’re going to have a blast! Now, on to the new issue. In this issue, as usual, we have some great stories and information to pass on to you. Check out stories in this month’s issue on Lindsey Sterling, Lone Star Pirate Festival, Dan’s Guitar Store and The Guitar Experience, Living Colour and Wheatus, After Dark Club Reunion, Little River Band, Born Of Osiris, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Mraz, Rodney Crowell, Sevendust, The Dirty Heads, Struggle Jennings, Malford Milligan and another installment of the original story, The Biker. Also in this issue are a ton of great pictures of bands performing that were submitted by you, the Music News Readers. Thank you so much for sharing your musical experiences with me and all my readers. I really appreciate it and I know the bands do as well. Keep it up... We would like to see more pictures from you. I sincerely hope that everybody reading this new publication finds something here that they like and I would like to encourage you to let your friends and colleagues know about us. Just look for us every month at http://www.houstonmusicnews.net. I would also like to encourage you to email us for a free subscription to Rock And Blues International as well. Just email us at musicnew@airmail.net and in the subject line simply put “Sign Me Up” and we’ll email you a copy each month when it is published.

Kevin Wildman Kevin Wildman Editor and Publisher

Kevin Wildman Editor and Publisher Web Address http://www.houstonmusicnews.net Mailing Address Box 1162, League City, TX 77573 Phone 281-650-1953

For Advertising email us at musicnew@airmail.net or call 281-650-1953 For A Free Subscription email us at musicnew@airmail.net and in the subject line put “Sign Me Up Now” July 2021 • Music News

Contents

VOL. 39 NO. 10

JULY 2021

ISSUE NO. 501

LONE STAR PIRATE FESTIVAL The Lone Star Pirate Festival Returns To Warehouse Live On July 24

10 DAN’S GUITAR STORE

Read About The Guitar Experience At Dan’s Guitar Store

LINDSEY STIRLING Lindsey Stirling Brings Her “Artemis U.S. Tour” To the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion On July 24th

22 YNGWIE MALMSTEEN

Yngwie Malmsteen Performs At Warehouse Live On July 31

24 24

JASON MRAZ Jason Mraz Performs At White Oak Music Hall July 31st

Music News • July 2021

Contents

VOL. 39 NO. 10

JULY 2021

30 26 30 SEVENDUST Sevendust Perform at Warehouse Live On July 21st

ISSUE NO. 501

Also In This Issue

14 16 18 20 26 32 34 36 40 42

Living Colour & Wheatus After Dark Club Reunion Little River Band Born Of Osiris Rodney Crowell The Dirty Heads Struggle Jennings Malford Milligan The Biker Random Shots

July 2021 • Music News

The Lone Star Pirate Festival Returns To Make Port At Warehouse Live On July 24th voices, goofy stage antics, and musical skill has been in demand all over the country, as they put their spin on everything from celtic folksongs, to top rock classics. With a show designed to encourage audience members to play along with their hijinks, The Bilge Pumps are sure to leave you with a story to tell your friends! With their debut performance at The Lone Star Pirate Festival, and their first time in Texas, O’Craven! Northern California’s MOST INFAMOUS Celtic Pirate Rock

The Lone Star Pirate Festival Returns To Make Port At Warehouse Live On July 24th! The Summer is upon us, and to celebrate, The Lone Star Pirate Festival is planing the pirate party of the year! Boasting a full day of live entertainment, with hours of bands, tantalizing burlesque dancers, Featuring Captain Morgan rum, and an array of vendors to shop from, be ready for non stop action. Whether you fancy yourself a mermaid, a buccaneer or al over of all things nautical, this raucous festival promises a rolicking good time. Bringing their Stout Irish Rock back to LSPF, Blaggards (no“the”) will take the stage, and once again the crowd will

band!Anchored in San Jose, California, O’Craven plunders along the West Coast, from the sunny shores of southern California, to the cold waters of the pacific northwest, and all points in between. With a reputation and long history of delivering such an exciting, unforgettable, one of a kind show, like no other out t there, you’ve got to SEE it! The Minstrel Rav’n has written the book, or songs rather, on Bawdy Pirate Music!The Minstrel Rav’n travels the lands continued on next page

dance, sing, and the rafters will shake!These hometown Houston favorites are always ready to rock the faces of everyone in attendance during their performance!Drawing inspiration from legends like Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Thin Lizzy, and Black Sabath, what’s not to love? Celebrating the release of their newest album, just in time for The Lone Star Pirate Festival, Blaggards are sure to show you a show you don’t want to miss! This year you’ll experience the fun and frivolity of The Bilge Pumps as they regale the crowd with their humorous twist on classic sea shanties, ballads of sailing, and adventures with the funniest crew to sail the seas!Their well blended 6 Music MusicNews News •• November July December 2021 2020

The Lone Star Pirate Festival continued

telling songs and singing stories about taverns, and pirates, songs of adventure, drinking, and things a bit on the Naughty Side! All around the country, he’s made the lasses blush, and the men jealous of his talents, in working an inuendo into a song with amazing eloquence, also releasing a brand new album just in time for this year’s festivities. You’ll want to grab a drink, and sing along with this new comer to The Lone Star Pirate Festival! The Lone Star Pirate Festival also brings to the stage, award wining burlesque performers, with performances of the nautical nature! This year, the talents of Tifa Titlywinks, Niki Knockout, Emma D’Lemma, and The Aby Cadabra will excite the crowd! We can’t tell you too much, because that would ruin the surprises they have in store, and where then would the

fun be, in that? What we can tell you is, The Lone Star Pirate Festival burlesque is worth the price of admission! To wish the festival an auspicious start, we’re throwing an official Launch Party(details can be found on our website), with music and pirate karaoke provided by Scoundrel’s In Radio: a haven for those who yearn for the high seas, a bottle of rum, and the golden age of piracy. Scoundrel’s In broadcasts with the goal to promote and expose people to pirate music from all over the world. Established in 2019, The Lone Star Pirate Festival

launched in Houston for the first time, bringing with it a brand new experience for the area. After the doldrums of 2020, LSPF is back with a new round of shenanigans, so throw on your favorite pirate garb, or a skull and crossbones t-shirt, come grab some rum at the bar, and we’ll see you on July 24th in the air conditioned comfort of Warehouse Live!

July 2021 • Music News

FULLER’S VINTAGE GUITAR IS NOT ONLY A VINTAGE GUITAR STORE, WE ALSO CARRY THE LARGEST SELECTION OF NEW GUITARS IN THE SOUTH

WE BUY, SELL & TRADE

LESSONS REPAIRS

(713) 880-2188 116 NORTH LOOP • 610 AT YALE HOUSTON, TX 77008

Thank Your For Supporting Us During The Pandemic!

BEST SELECTION OF MARTIN ACOUSTICS

BEST SELECTION OF BILLY BO’S BEST SELECTION OF GIBSON ACOUSTICS

BEST SELECTION OF TAYLOR ACOUSTICS

BEST SELECTION OF STRATS

continued on next page

BEST SELECTION OF RICKENBACKERS

BEST SELECTION OF LES PAUL CUSTOM SHOP

BEST SELECTION OF TELES

AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR RICKENBACKER • GIBSON • EPIPHONE • ROBERTSON • TRUSSART • WATERLOO • FENDER • by Jeff Fasano JACKSON USA • CHARVEL • ELLIS • GRETSCH • COLLINGS • SANTA CRUZPhoto • GALLAGHER • 18 Rock and Blues International • August 2020 8 Music News • July 2021 January 2021 International • Music News 359 February 2021 • Rock and Blues NATIONAL • MARTIN • YAMAHA • TAYLOR • EASTMAN • DEERING

Vintage Guitars take on new life at Dan’s Guitars Store in Cleveland, Tx Outward appearances do not always tell the story. When you first see the 1956 Chevy parked in the front of a building from 1912, you know there is a story. Dan’s Guitars and Music has been in Cleveland since 2006, owned and operated by Dan Kiblinger with over 35 years in the music industry. Dan’s Guitars has a large collection of vintage guitars they buy, sell, restore, and repair from collectors, rock artists, country artists, and even recovered from floods. As Dan shared, “I have a guitar that was discovered under water after Hurricane Katrina that was discovered in many pieces. After letting it procure and dry out for a year, I worked on sanding it down, leveraging all the pieces together, and then actually playing it to ensure the sound quality. It sounds great!” Dan opened a vintage guitar business in 1987 in North Houston at Airline and Tidwell, “Airline Vintage Guitar”. His store was known throughout the country by iconic rock musicians that have maintained a relationship with him over the many years he has been in business. His reputation of creating and restoring valuable guitars is passed down through several generations of guitar musicians. Every couple of weeks a familiar face comes into the store. It may take a few minutes for Dan to realize where the customer knows him and his legendary guitars since his presence is huge in the music business. Kiblinger has a personal collection of 40-75 guitars that waiver as he collects and sells from his own personal supply. His oldest guitar is a vintage iconic 1938 Gibson hand-carved L-5 that has been in his possession for over thirty years. Authentic vintage guitar

Jeff Spike Wong and friends 10

Music News • July 2021

Dan Kiblinger labels in the store include Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, and Rickenbacker. The collection at the store varies weekly, and best part is seeing customers come in, grab a guitar, and see how the sound resonates. “Every guitar has a personality. Appearance, wear, and feel are important, although the more the guitar is played, the better the sound. The strings vibrate until they find their sweet spot”, said Dan. Iconic guitars can last for generations as long as they are played. Earlier this year Dan started a partnership with long-time friend Jeff Spike Wong (JSW) whom he has known since 1984 while Dan was employed with H/H Music at Northwest Mall in Houston and Jeff was 15. Wong frequented the store often throughout his years as a young adult. Stepping backwards to the history of JSW he was always interested in music and played several instruments before becoming a guitar player. His favorite book from his youth “The Guitar Book- A Handbook for Electric and Acoustic Guitarists along with Rock legend Eddie Van Halen influenced Jeff tremendously. Jeff was in several garage bands while in high school when he started to play professional shows for pay. When Jeff was 19, he was asked to be a fulltime member of a band called “Ripper” (theatrical make-up like KISS with heavy metal) playing sold out venues at Cardi’s in Houston. In 1987 Wong moved to LA and was employed with Warner/Elektra/ Atlantic, (a distribution division of Warner Bros) involved in music distribution and promotion through the mid 90’s. He was playing Southern California continued on next page

Dan’s Guitars Store continued from previous page

Jeff, Sherree B. Dee, & Dan on stage many years ago

clubs regularly with the band, “Ambush”. Ambush played the L.A. Sunset Strip circuit (Whiskey-A- Go-Go, The Roxy) and released a CD. In 1999 Wong joined Rickenbacker International Corporation to build iconic Rickenbacker guitars and basses. His employment in music continued with experience working with audio engineering at Private Island Trax in Hollywood, and eventually becoming a certified sales representative for the largest dealership for Steinway & Sons. This was great learning experience for Jeff Spike Wong who by this time had experience as a performer, a music teacher, music production, distribution, and audio engineering. Moving back to Houston in 2004, Jeff started his own film production company, Golden Westwinds Production. He has produced two Blues documentaries and is presently working on a documentary “Classical Music vs Heavy Metal” with Dr. Yan Shen, a concert pianist with a Doctoral degree in Music and Piano from the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music and Rusty Cooley, a guitarist well known for his refined guitar technique of ‘shredding”. In 2016 JSW became Director of Artists Relations for Kawai Piano Gallery. Jeff resides in The Woodlands, Texas and has a personal collection of 40-60 guitars. In 2020, Jeff had a very vast collection of vintage guitars and decided to connect with Dan to sell some of his guitars for others to enjoy. In 2021 they started their partnership with vintage guitars from the Signature Series of Gibson Guitars and brands including Fender,

Rickenbacker, and Gretsch-all made in America. The Gibson signature series, such as Billy Gibbon’s Goldtop, is reproduced to match his true vintage 57 Goldtop guitar. The limited-edition guitars do not disappoint vintage guitar enthusiasts. The hope is to let everyone know about the “Coolest place for a unique and memorable experience” at the small guitar store in Cleveland, Texas. Dan’s Guitar and Music is located at 112 W. Houston in Cleveland. Open 10:00am until 6:00pm if you want to talk to Dan give him a call at (281) 5922000. “My repeat customers include local Texas recording country artist Josh Ward from Montgomery, Rick Lee blues guitar extraordinaire and Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top”, said Dan Kiblinger. “Credibility is everything in this business. If the guitars could talk what a story they would tell! Sharing the legendary guitars to generations of people is exciting. How

many people will own a single guitar?” According to Wong, “We want collectors and other guitar players to be able to come to the shop, share stories, and experience playing a guitar they may have only heard about.” Follow their Facebook page for current images of guitar offerings and to hear about the monthly Open Mic Event with vintage vehicles from the 1960’s in the open field next door to the shop in Cleveland. https://www.facebook.com/DansGuitars-and- Music-1505258293093736 Jeff Spike Wong can be reached on Facebook: JSW – The Guitar Experience https://www.facebook.com/ JSWTheGuitarExperience July 2021 • Music News

Lindsey Stirling Brings Her ‘Artemis U.S. Tour’ To The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion On July 24th streams, features the singles “Underground,” “Artemis,” “Sleepwalking,” “Between Twilight” and “The Upside” featuring Elle King along with “Love Goes On and On” featuring Amy Lee. Stirling also turned Artemis into a successful comic book series, with the fourth edition available to pre-order now and the fifth edition coming this summer.

Photo Credit: Sydney Takeshta Platinum-selling electronic artist, violinist, and multitalented entertainer Lindsey Stirling, known all over the world for her unique, futuristic violin-driven electronic music and exquisite live show, is bringing her 2021 Artemis U.S. Tour to Houston on Saturday, July 24th at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. The 35date cross-country outing, featuring special guest electro-pop artist Kiesza, supports Stirling’s latest chart-topping studio album Artemis as well as her current single “Lose You Now.” “Not only am I over the moon about finally bringing my Artemis tour to the U.S. but I’m excited to be a part of the first wave of tours going out post lockdown,” shares Stirling. “People are craving connection so so badly, so as the world reopens, I know this is going to be a magical time we all remember for the rest of our lives. There is nowhere I’d rather experience it than on stage with my fans.” “Lose You Now,” Stirling’s emotive pop hit about loss and grief with artist, producer, and songwriter Mako, stems from the instrumental-only track “Guardian” off her album Artemis. Since its release earlier this year, “Lose You Now” (BMG) has amassed over 6 million global streams, including over 3 million views on the song’s beautifully moving music video, as well as featured placements on American Idol and “Train Tracks” on SiriusXM The Pulse. Go to https://youtu.be/JEexIgFkMjI to watch the official music video for “Lose You Now.” The duo also recently issued an acoustic version of the song, stripping it down to just piano and a full string accompaniment - Go to https://found.ee/ LoseYouNow_Acoustic to listen to “Lose You Now (Acoustic).” Artemis, Stirling’s fifth studio album released September 2019 via BMG, debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Albums Chart and remained on the chart for 15 combined weeks. The 13-track album, which has racked up over 100 million total

Music News • July 2021

Since the release of her 2012 self-titled debut, the Arizonaraised, Los Angeles-based artist has racked up tens of millions of followers worldwide and more than 3 billion total views on YouTube. Stirling’s sophomore album Shatter Me was certified Gold by the RIAA, after debuting at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 and #1 on the Dance/Electronic Albums Chart and holding the #1 spot on the Classical Albums Chart for 21 consecutive weeks. Her third studio album Brave Enough, featuring guest appearances from Dan + Shay, Christina Perri, Rivers Cuomo, Andrew McMahon and others, earned Stirling her second Billboard Music Award for “Top Dance/Electronic Album.” Stirling closed out 2020 with her all-new, live-streaming holiday special “Lindsey Stirling: Home for the Holidays,” which she independently created, produced, and financed. The hour-long ticketed special, which drew over 100,000 views from tens of thousands of fans and families worldwide, featured performances to seasonal favorites off Stirling’s chart-topping holiday album Warmer In the Winter in addition to the breathtaking performance of her hit “Crystallize,” where Stirling hung by her hair for a captivating Cirque du Soleil-inspired aerial display – Go to https://youtu.be/ C8md6yJkUY4 to watch. Additionally, Stirling co-wrote The New York Times best-selling book The Only Pirate at the Party with her sister Brook S. Passey, was the runner-up on Season 25 of “Dancing With the Stars” and has appeared on “America’s Got Talent.” The multi-hyphenate star is also currently helping families in need through her nonprofit charity outreach program The Upside Fund ( https://www.lindseystirling.com/theupsidefund ). Follow Lindsey Stirling: Website https://www.lindseystirling.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lindseystirlingmusic/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lindseystirling/ Twitter https://twitter.com/LindseyStirling YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/lindseystomp Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/ 378dH6EszOLFShpRzAQkVM?si=fbd79cF6TvKZyUfsY6a_kQ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@lindseystirling? Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/lindseystirling

June 2021 • Music News

Living Colour and Wheatus Perform On Summerland Tour 2021 Summerland Tour 2021 Comes To Arena Theater July 8 During the 1980s, rock had become increasingly segregated and predictable, a departure from the late ’60s and early ’70s, when such musically and ethnically diverse artists as Jimi Hendrix, Sly & the Family Stone, and Santana topped the charts. But New York’s Living Colour was one band that helped break down the doors by the end of the ’80s, leading to a much more open-minded musical landscape that would help pave the way for future bands such as Rage Against the Machine and Sevendust. The group (singer Corey Glover, guitarist Vernon Reid, bassist Muzz Skillings, and drummer Will Calhoun) first formed in the mid-’80s, with Reid being the only member with real prior band experience; he was a member of Ronald Shannon Jackson’s experimental jazz outfit, and had recorded with Defunkt and Public Enemy, as well as issuing a solo album with Bill Frisell, 1984’s Smash & Scatteration. It took the fledgling band a few years for their sound to gel, as they honed their act at N.Y.C.’s famed CBGB’s. The group found an unlikely supporter in Mick Jagger, who took the band under his wing, produced a demo for them, and helped them secure a record deal with Epic (just prior, Glover had to take a brief leave of absence from the band, as he landed a role in Oliver Stone’s Vietnam War epic Platoon). Living Colour’s debut album, Vivid, was issued in the summer of 1988, but it took a few months for momentum to build. By the winter, the band’s striking video for their anthem “Cult of Personality” was all over MTV, pushing Vivid to the upper reaches of the charts and to platinum certification. Living Colour also took home their first of several Grammy Awards, as “Cult” won Best Hard Rock Performance at the 1989 ceremony, and the band supported the release with a string of dates that autumn, opening for the Rolling Stones’ first U.S. tour in eight years. Starting with Vivid and continuing on future albums, the band showed that rock could still convey a message (as evidenced by such tracks as “Open Letter to a Landlord” and “Funny Vibe,” among others). The quartet regrouped a year later for their sophomore effort, Time’s Up, an album that performed respectably on the charts but failed to live up to the expectations of their smash debut. An appearance at the inaugural Lollapalooza tour in the summer of 1991 kept the group in the public’s eye, as did an EP of outtakes, Biscuits. Skillings left the group shortly thereafter (replaced by studio vet Doug Wimbish), and their darkest and most challenging release yet, Stain, was issued in 1993. Although it failed to sell as well as its predecessors, it retained the band’s large and dedicated following, as Living Colour appeared to be entering an interesting and groundbreaking new musical phase in their career. The band began writing the following year for what would be their fourth full-length, but an inability to settle on a single musical direction caused friction between the members, leading to Living Colour’s demise in early 1995. In the wake of Living Colour’s split, all of its former members pursued other projects. Reid issued a solo album, 1996’s Mistaken Identity (as well as guesting on other artists’ recordings), while Glover attempted to launch a career as a solo artist, issuing the overlooked Hymns in 1998, appearing as a VJ on VH1, and acting in the 1996 movie Loose Women. Calhoun and Wimbish remained together and launched a new outfit, the drum’n’bass-inspired Jungle Funk, who issued a self-titled 14 Music News • July 2021

debut release in 1997 (Wimbish also issued a solo album, Trippy Notes for Bass, in 1999). With Living Colour out of commission for several years by the early 21st century, Calhoun and Wimbish teamed up once more with Glover in a new outfit, Headfake, playing often in the New York City area. A few days before Christmas in 2000, Headfake played a show at CBGB’s and were joined on-stage by Reid, which led to rumors of an impending Living Colour reunion. The rumors proved to be true, and Living Colour launched their first tour together in six years during the summer of 2001. In 2003, Living Colour secured a deal with Sanctuary and released their most experimental release to date, Collideøscope. Two years later, the rarities collection What’s Your Favorite Color? was released, followed by Everything Is Possible: The Very Best of Living Colour in 2006. The all-new The Chair in the Doorway followed in 2009, the result of a new label deal with Megaforce. Busy with their respective families, the band maintained a relatively low profile over the next few years, finally reconvening in 2014 to begin work on some new musical ideas. Recorded sporadically over two years with pop/R&B vet Andre Betts, their “blues-inspired” sixth album, Shade, was eventually released in

It’s hard to believe Wheatus are just one year away from the 20th anniversary of their debut album and still ubiquitous single “Teenage Dirtbag.” Yes, that’s right – Dirtbag is currently in its final year as a teenager. What happens when the song ends its adolescence remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: come 2020, Wheatus will release a new and expanded edition of their now classic debut album, in conjunction with a world tour. Says Brendan B Brown, “We found demos of about 10 songs written alongside the tracks that made the album, but they didn’t get finished. Looking at them now, they feel surprisingly fresh and deserving of a proper chance to be heard. So we’ll have a brand new 20-song version of our album on its 20th anniversary… and that all happens in 2020.” But let’s not get ahead of ourselves… 2019 is anything but a holiday for Wheatus. The band will spend February and March doing a coast-to-coast, almost entirely sold-out tour of America opening for (and then collaborating with) Mike Doughty on his Ruby Vroom 25th Anniversary shows. That tour culminates in a super special hometown headline show where the “classic” line-up of Wheatus will reunite for one night only… their first time on stage together in 18 years. A few short days after that, the current line-up flies to South Africa for some festivals, and then make the short journey to The Netherlands to begin a ridiculously dense tour of the EU and UK. The remainder of the year will be spent working on the aforementioned re-release of album 1, finishing their 7th full-length album (all the while keeping their fans up to date on the process at patreon.com/wheatus) and getting ready for a somehow even busier 2020. No rest for the wicked, indeed.

The After Dark Club Reunion Show featuring Winter, Revolution, Success, & Misery

Revolution By Jennifer Schmitz In the 80’s and 90’s, the Houston, TX rock club scene was on fire. We had such venues as the original Cardi’s, Backstage, Live Wire, After Dark, Hurricane Alley, Millennium and so many countless others. It was a time where, any night of the week, you could go and check out and see some of the best local musicians around. Yes, EVERY NIGHT! The guys dressed in there shredded blue jeans, and sometimes spandex pants, leather and blue jean jackets, boots, and their long hair that would make the girls go crazy. The girls in their leather mini’s, high heels, red lips, and hair that was as big as the state we live in. We looked good and we loved nothing more then hanging out supporting what brought us together as one big family. LIVE ROCK ‘N ROLL! It was a time like no other for us. We lived and breathed it and we have held on to those memories for a lifetime. For about the last 6 years I have talked about trying to do a reunion of local rock clubs and music of our time. I mentioned the idea to a few people around town and they would say, yeah that would be cool, but it never really went much further. Fast forward to last summer when I started talking to Rahan Kahn, aka Alex from After Dark. He was in the same mindset I was about doing a reunion of the rock clubs from the 80’s and 90’s. After a few conversations I started the Facebook group, All Things Rock & Roll from the 80’s and 90’s in Houston, TX. It launched last July and it grew instantly! Before we knew it Members were sharing their memories and love for music from a time where we were young and full of life. Our souls were

Success 16

Music News • July 2021

alive again. A year later and we are still going strong with close to 2800 members. From the beginning the goal was for Alex and I to bring you a club reunion with bands from our days in the 80’s and 90’s. Bands that have not since played together under their said names since that time. I went around and asked many old local bands if they would like to be a part of this. What I ended up with was 4 of the most iconic Houston local bands ever. They are Winter, Revolution, Success, and Misery. These bands were at the top of their game back in the late 80’s early 90’s. They played venues all over town back then. One thing they all had in common is they all played at After Dark, many times over, as headlining acts and opening up for major National bands as well. So after much consideration and many talks, I had what I believe a perfect line up for a hell of a reunion show. On Saturday, July 24th, 2021, after a year of hard work and preparation, Alex and I will be hosting Houston’s first ever local rock scene reunion. There will be live music, as mentioned, some of our legendary radio DJ’s from Rock 101 KLOL and KKZR ZRock, and many fun extras that we have in store for you to be able to remember this day for many years to come. We are extending an invitation to all rock club owners and local bands to come on out to the show and not only experience what it was like in the scene back then, but to also promote their own clubs and bands. Bring your flyers and business cards. Pass them out, meet people and invite them to your shows. This is for everyone. We want the Houston local rock scene to thrive and continue its legendary legacy in future years. Come join us please!

The Little River Band Perform at Dosey Doe on July 22nd section. Early 2014 saw the release of Little River Band’s, ‘Cuts Like a Diamond,’ on Frontiers Records. “What If You’re Wrong,” went to #1 and stayed there for 3 weeks says Jim Shoe of CLASSX Radio. “Forever You, Forever Me,” and “You Dream, I’ll Drive,” both climbed into the station’s TOP 3. In November of 2016, LRB released, ‘The Hits…Revisited,’ on Wurld Records – a CD consisting of 9 re-recorded hits along with 2 new songs, written by Wayne, Chris, and Rich. Kris Kristofferson attended one of their concerts in California. He came backstage after the concert and he told LRB that their harmonies are “better than the Beatles.” May of 2017 brought the release of ‘The Big Box’ – a box set consisting of 6 disc’s and featuring a DVD with live footage from their 40th Anniversary Tour.

The Eagles founding member, the late Glenn Frey, knew what he was saying when he dubbed Little River Band “the best singing band in the world.” The current lineup of LRB takes that accolade to heart each and every time they perform. Through the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, LRB enjoyed huge chart success with multiplatinum albums and chart topping hits like: “Reminiscing,” “Cool Change,” “Lonesome Loser,” “The Night Owls,” “Take It Easy On Me,” “Help Is on Its Way,” “Happy Anniversary,” “We Two,” “Man On Your Mind,” “The Other Guy,” and “It’s A Long Way There.” Worldwide album and CD sales now top 30 million. And in 1982 LRB set a record for having had Top 10 hits for 6 consecutive years – In fact, they were the very first band to achieve that remarkable plateau! According to BMI, “Reminiscing” has garnered rare status with over 5 million air plays on American radio, and “Lady” is close behind with over 4 million air plays. Bassist/vocalist Wayne Nelson joined the band in 1980, and worked alongside founding members with some of the most distinctive harmonies and vocal abilities, creating the unique LRB sound. In 1981, Nelson was recognized by world renowned Beatles producer Sir George Martin whom, while producing ‘Time Exposure’, chose Nelson to record lead vocals on two of the band’s biggest hits, “The Night Owls” and “Take It Easy On Me.” Later that same year, guitarist extraordinaire Stephen Housden joined LRB bringing a rock element into the band’s sound and helped contribute to their string of Top 10 hits. As band members departed one by one, Housden and Nelson worked together to bring LRB into the new millennium. 18 Music News • July 2021

To date, Nelson’s vocal and bass guitar talents are included on 23 Little River Band Albums/CD’s. Although Housden has retired from touring, LRB continues to perform to sold out audiences, and Stephen continues to write and participate in all things Little River Band. In 2004 LRB was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame at the 18th Annual ARIA Music Awards. And in September 2015, the band was awarded Casino Entertainer of the Year at the G2E Gaming Expo in Las Vegas Nevada. Turning the page brings us to the current lineup of Little River Band… Keyboardist Chris Marion is a Dove Award winning producer. Chris is the creator of all the orchestral arrangements and charts on The Big Box. It is amazing to watch him play, sing, and conduct from his riser! Lead Guitarist Rich Herring is a highly skilled player, singer, and producer of many Nashville artists…not to mention a great songwriter. He and Wayne have co-produced every LRB project since he joined the band. Drummer Ryan Ricks has locked down the rhythm section, and rounds out the vocals with his incredible range. Great singing drummers are rare…and LRB is lucky to have Ryan as part of that all-important vocal blend. Nashville Guitarist Colin Whinnery plays rhythm and lead guitar, and shares lead vocal duties with Wayne. He brings a brand new voice and a fresh outlook to the rhythm

In 2020, lead singer and bass player Wayne Nelson celebrated a personal and professional milestone of being a member of Little River Band for 40 years. That makes Wayne Nelson the longest standing member in the history of LRB. In partnership with Time Life, the band released a “Live” orchestral accompanied CD of the hits called “Black Tie.” This masterpiece of audio golden nuggets continues to thrill and sooth today. In 2021, the CD Fan Favorites was released to the fans after they voted on their favorite songs from albums released since the year 2000. This album is a fan exclusive and continues to receive rave reviews from the beloved “Night Owls.” Bringing their vocal and musical energy along with great arrangements to their timeless classic hits, each show creates new memories for the audience. The band enjoys watching their fans fall in love with the songs all over again as they are swept up by the show’s powerful performance and the volume of hits from?LRB’s history. With over 100 dates scheduled or being scheduled for their 2021-22 tour, Little River Band is hotter than ever – selling out shows and making music from coast to coast – continuing their legacy of being “the best singing band in the world.” Little River Band is: Wayne Nelson: Lead Vocals/Bass Chris Marion: Keyboards/Vocals Rich Herring: Lead Guitar/Vocals Ryan Ricks: Drums/Percussion/Vocals Colin Whinnery: Guitar/Lead Vocals

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OPEN MIC EVERY WEDNESDAY HOSTED BY HEAVY HONEYS Thursday, July 1 - Serene, Roshambo, Planet Moon Friday, July 2 - KTCM, SIFT THROUGH THE ASHES, Immortal Remains, Man The Robot Saturday, July 3 - Texas Takeover Tour Sunday, July 4 - Zeistencroix, Intravoid, Dimphonic Thursday, July 8 - Power House, Ratchet Dolls, Doug Westcott Friday, July 9 - A New Level, Woolly Marmot COC/DOWN tribute, Horizon Shyft Saturday, July 10 - Klozure, Wellborn Road, Surrender Stella, Submit Thy Will Sunday, July 11 - Semper Acerbus, Circa Arcana, Anathemia, Iperion Thursday, July 15 - 307 Departure, Heavy Honeys Friday, July 16 - Logan Soileau & The Cards, The Banned, Veronica Rose, Crushing Planes Saturday, July 17 - Pigweed, Transient, Krank, Chaotic Justice Sunday, July 18 - Robert Dineroo Thursday, July 22 - Anti-Mortem, Scattered Hamlet, Heathens Blood Friday, July 23 - Darkness of Tomorrow, XIII, After Dark Society, Dread Pixels Saturday, July 24 - Wildstreet, The Rumors, Brainstorm For Tuesday, Low Man’s Joe Sunday, July 25 - Subpenguin , The Creeps, Serene Thursday, July 29 - Teryn, In The Whale, Spacebear, Zealous Hearts Friday, July 30 - The Lux5 Band, Dr Frisky and the Examiners Saturday, July 31 - To Tame A Land, Cremator, Santa Mortem, Metallize Sunday, August 1 - Emo Night July 2021 • Music News

Born Of Osiris Perform At The Scout Bar July 29th The Chicago-based progressive metal outfit Born of Osiris are known as one of the first deathcore acts from the 2000s to leave it behind in favor of a brutal yet alluring meld of technical death metal and metalcore — filled with flashy twinguitar leads and near-psychedelic keyboard adventures that owe as much to Judas Priest and Iron Maiden as they do Helloween and Meshuggah. Though they began as a typical deathcore band with 2007’s The New Reign EP, by 2009’s Higher Place, they’d all but abandoned that sound to focus on a more technically advanced, melodically astute, and brutally forceful sound that became a trademark with appeal to an ever-growing cadre of admirers. They have placed four albums in the upper half of the U.S. album chart, including 2013’s Tomorrow We Die Alive, which peaked at number 27. Before assuming their name, they cycled through monikers such as Diminished, Your Heart Engraved, and Rosecrance. Drummer Cameron Losch, guitarists Lee McKinney and Matt Pantelis, vocalist Ronnie Canizaro, keyboardist Joe Buras, and bassist David

Music News • July 2021

Da Rocha (who left in 2018 and was replaced by Nick Rossi) met while in high school and experimented with various sounds and genres before developing an early version of their signature blend; after a demo and a live gig, they came to the attention of Sumerian Records, which signed the band. The New Reign EP appeared in 2007. Pantelis left in 2008 before the recording of 2009’s A Higher Place. That album sold well enough to land inside the Top 100. All Shall Perish guitarist Jason Richardson temporarily joined the band in 2009. He played on 2011’s The Discovery (an album that was cut using seven-string guitars) before being fired later in the year. Produced by the band, it didn’t place as high on the pop chart, but fared better than all previous outings on various indie and metal charts. Pared down to a quintet, Born of Osiris released Tomorrow We Die Alive in August of 2013. In another sonic shift, they opted for a more orchestrated sound, one that involved more vocal layers and programmed orchestration by coproducer Nick Sampson. Buras’ keyboards were a central focus on the set, but the

band’s attack remained as aggressive as ever. The album placed inside the Top 30 during its release week and inside the Top Ten on various other charts. After aggressive touring, the band re-entered the studio. In the summer of 2015, Born of Osiris began leaking small bits and pieces of a forthcoming, somewhat conceptual album. Its 12 tracks were divided into three “levels”: The Binding, The Fight, and The Release, with four cuts in each. Titled Soul Sphere, it was released while Born of Osiris were in the middle of a lengthy tour (which ended up being cut shortly after guitarist McKinney broke his foot in several places). Soul Sphere peaked at number 67 on the Billboard 200. The band returned in 2017 with its second EP, The Eternal Reign, a re-recorded new vision of their debut produced by Nick Sampson. After a summer 2018 tour, Da Rocha left and was replaced by Rossi. BoO released the video and single “The Accursed” in November. It served as the opening track for The Simulation, a 25minute mini-album issued in January.

ing Out and Trilogy, also sold quite well and consolidated his reputation and influence as a composer as well as a soloist.

Yngwie Malmsteen Performs At Warehouse Live On July 31 by Steve Huey Rising Force Virtuosic Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen is credited for originating the fleet-fingered neo-classical style that took the heavy metal world by storm in the early 1980s. Combining a dazzling technique honed over years of obsessive practice, and with a love for rock gods such as Jimi Hendrix and Ritchie Blackmore and composers like Bach, Beethoven, and Paganini, Malmsteen’s distinctively Baroque, gothic compositional style and lightningfast arpeggiated solos rewrote the book on heavy metal guitar. His debut album, 1984’s Rising Force, upped the ante for aspiring hard rock guitarists and proved the major catalyst for the ’80s guitar phenomenon known as “shredding.” With an ego to match his considerable talents, Malmsteen blazed a fiery path through the ’80s and early ’90s, though like many artists in the metal realm, he was forced to lie low during the grunge and alternative rock boom. Following a series of personal setbacks, tragedies, and injuries, Malmsteen eventually resurfaced on small, independent labels and then recorded at a prolific, rapid pace, continuing to play the music he loved in his patented neo-classical style well into the next century, with highlights arriving via 2002’s Attack!!, 2008’s Perpetual Flame, 2019’s Blue Lightning, and 2021’s Parabellum. Yngwie (pronounced “ING-vay”) Malmsteen was born Lars Johann Yngwie Lannerback in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1963, later adopting his mother’s maiden name following his parents’ divorce. He was an unruly child, and his mother tried without initial success to interest him in music as an outlet. However, when seven-year-old Yngwie saw a television special on the death of Jimi Hendrix featuring live performance footage of Hendrix setting his guitar on fire, he became obsessed with the guitar, learning to play the music of both Hendrix and favorites Deep Purple. Through Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore’s use of diatonic minor scales over simple blues riffs, Malmsteen was led to22 Music News • July 2021

ward classical music, and his sister exposed him to composers like Bach, Beethoven, Vivaldi, and Mozart. He spent hours practicing obsessively until his fingers bled, and by age ten, his mother allowed him to stay home from school to develop his musical talents, particularly since he was considered a behavioral nightmare. Also at age ten, Malmsteen became enamored of the music of 19th century violinist/composer Niccolo Paganini, as well as Paganini’s flamboyant style and wildman image; this would provide the blueprint for Malmsteen’s synthesis of classical music and rock. By the time he was 18, Malmsteen was playing around Sweden with various bands attempting to find an audience for his technically staggering instrumental explorations, but most listeners preferred more accessible pop music; frustrated, Malmsteen sent demo tapes to record companies overseas. When Mike Varney, president of Shrapnel Records — a label synonymous with the term “shredder” — heard Malmsteen’s tape, he invited the guitarist to come to the United States and join the band Steeler in 1981. Steeler recorded one album with Malmsteen on guitar, but dissatisfied with the band’s slick, commercial sound, Malmsteen moved on to the group Alcatrazz, whose Deep Purple and Rainbow influences better suited the guitarist’s style. Still not quite satisfied, Malmsteen formed his own band, Rising Force, with longtime friend and keyboardist Jens Johansson. The new band’s first album, also called Rising Force, was released in 1984; it was a largely instrumental affair spotlighting Malmsteen’s incendiary guitar work and Johansson’s nearly equally developed technique. The album was an immediate sensation in guitar circles, winning countless reader’s polls in guitar magazines, reaching number 60 on Billboard’s album chart (no mean feat for an instrumental album), and receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. Malmsteen’s subsequent albums, March-

However, on June 22, 1987, a speeding Malmsteen crashed his Jaguar into a tree; in breaking the steering wheel with his head, he received a blood clot in his brain that nearly killed him and extensively damaged the nerves leading to his picking hand. In the course of recovery, he learned that his mother had died and that his manager had swindled him out of his earnings. Undaunted, Malmsteen regained the use of his hand and recorded Odyssey, his most accessible, radio-friendly collection to date; the single “Heaven Tonight” widened his audience beyond a devoted core of guitar fans and helped push the album into Billboard’s Top 40. Following a world tour including the then-Soviet Union, the Rising Force unit disbanded and Malmsteen formed a new band in his native Sweden for 1990’s Eclipse. The album was a success in Europe and Japan, but failed to connect with American audiences. An angry Malmsteen left PolyGram and, prior to the release of 1992’s Fire and Ice, he was married to and divorced from a Swedish pop singer. Fire and Ice debuted at number one on the Japanese charts, and Malmsteen toured the world again. However, disaster struck frequently over the next two years. Hurricane Andrew destroyed Malmsteen’s Miami property; his manager of four years died of a heart attack; Elektra dropped him from their roster; a freak accident left the guitarist with a broken hand, in addition to frequent bouts of tendinitis caused by his lightning technique; and in August 1993, Malmsteen’s future mother-in-law, opposed to his engagement to her daughter, had him falsely arrested for holding the woman hostage with a gun. The charges were quickly dropped, and Malmsteen secured a deal with the Japanese label Pony Canyon after his hand had healed completely. He returned to recording with a vengeance, releasing The Seventh Sign in 1994, as well as two mini-albums (Power and Glory and I Can’t Wait), and then Magnum Opus in 1995 and the all-covers album Inspiration in 1996. After several years in near obscurity, Malmsteen returned to the headlines in 2002, after a fellow airline passenger threw water on him after he allegedly made a slanderous comment about homosexuals. This incensed Malmsteen, who had to be escorted away by security, all the while screaming to the passenger that she had “unleashed the f*cking fury.” This stint proved to be so popular in revitalizing his career that his comeback album in 2005 — Unleash the Fury — appropriated the phrases as its title. 2008’s Perpetual Flame saw Malmsteen team up with Iced Earth and Judas Priest vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens, but he returned to instrumental work on 2009’s Angels of Love. Relentless arrived the following year — once again featuring Owens behind the mike — and was promoted via a blazing performance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Malmsteen handled all of the instruments and vocals on 2012’s Spellbound, and in 2016 he issued his 20th studio long-player, World on Fire. In 2019, Malmsteen released his first blues LP, the Billboard-charting Blue Lightning, which featured dazzling versions of blues-rock classics like “Purple Haze,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” and “Smoke on the Water.” In 2021 he returned with the single “Wolves at the Gate,” which appeared later that year on the full-length Parabellum.

Jason Mraz Performs at White Oak Music Hall July 31st by Christina Saraceno California-based singer/songwriter Jason Mraz makes laid-back, melodic pop with stylistic nods toward folk, jam band music, hip-hop, and soft rock. Since coming to the public’s attention with his 2002 hit single “The Remedy (Don’t Worry),” Mraz has proven himself to be a reliable pop craftsman whose crowd-pleasing melodies can encompass both cheeky humor and earnest sincerity. Born in Mechanicsville, Virginia in 1977, Mraz grew up amidst the sounds of the Dave Matthews Band and local roots musicians the Agents of Good Roots. However, it was Mraz’s interest and participation in musical theater that served as his first introduction to music. Following high school, he moved to New York to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, but dropped out a year later when he took up the guitar and began to focus on songwriting. Nonetheless, Mraz’s training as a vocalist would later show itself on his debut album, which was marked by the pure clarity of his tenor range. After busking around New York, Mraz eventually returned to Virginia; in 1999, however, he made his way out West and settled in San Diego, California, having been drawn to the city’s coffeehouse scene and its historical support of singer/songwriters, most

Music News • July 2021

notably Jewel. Mraz began playing shows and soon landed a weekly residency at the local hot spot Java Joe’s, which had previously played host to Jewel during the early stages of her career. He also formed a duo with drummer Noel “Toca” Rivera, who accompanied Mraz’s acoustic material by playing the djembe. Together, the musicians honed a live show that featured as much comedic banter as actual music. Over the next two years, Mraz’s following expanded outside of the San Diego limits and began to encompass Los Angeles, garnering the attention of record labels. Mraz signed to Elektra Records in early 2002 and returned to Virginia to write and record his debut album, a project that saw him working with producer John Alagía (the Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer) and his high school heroes, the Agents of Good Roots, who became his backing band. The resulting effort, Waiting for My Rocket to Come, was released that same November, blending Mraz’s early influences with elements of country, roots rock, and coffeehouse folk. The buoyant first single, “Remedy (I Won’t Worry),” which Mraz had co-written with pop hitmakers the Matrix, proved to be a big hit, and Mraz headed out on the road to support it. One of those shows, an October 2003 date at the Eagles Ballroom in Milwaukee, was later documented on Mraz’s summer 2004 live release, Tonight, Not Again.

The album tided his fans over until July 2005, when the songwriter returned with the sophomore studio effort Mr. A-Z. Mraz’s popularity reached a new high in 2008 with the release of We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things, which peaked at number three and spawned his first chart-topping single, “I’m Yours.” The concert album Jason Mraz’s Beautiful Mess: Live on Earth arrived in 2009, followed by his fourth studio album, Love Is a Four Letter Word, in 2012. In the summer of 2014, Mraz returned with Yes!, which featured backing from the all-female L.A. folk-rock outfit Raining Jane; it was preceded by the single “Love Someone.” The following year, Mraz appeared on Sara Bareilles’ album What’s Inside: Songs from Waitress, singing the songs “Bad Idea” and “You Matter to Me” from her musical Waitress. He then made his Broadway debut in 2017, taking over the role of Dr. Pomatter in Waitress for a ten-week run. Mraz released Know, his sixth album, in August 2018; it debuted at nine on the Billboard Top 200. Know wrapped up Mraz’s contract with Atlantic. He signed with Interrabang/ BMG in 2020, releasing the reggae album Look for the Good that summer. Recorded with producer Michael Goldwasser, who also founded Easy Star Records, the record featured a cameo by Tiffany Haddish.

Rodney Crowell Performs At The Heights Theater July 29th Also in 1978, Crowell began producing tracks for the album Right or Wrong, the American debut from singer/songwriter Rosanne Cash; around the time of the record’s 1979 release, he and Cash married. In between recording his own 1980 sophomore record, But What Will the Neighbors Think, and producing Cash’s commercial breakthrough, Seven Year Ache, Crowell’s songwriting career took full flight when “Leavin’ Louisiana in the Broad Daylight” hit number one for the Oak Ridge Boys in 1980. Among his other significant compositions were “Til I Gain Control Again” (a number one for Crystal Gayle in 1983), “Shame on the Moon” (a Top Five pop hit for Bob Seger in 1982), “Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper’s Dream)” (a 1984 number one for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), and “Somewhere Tonight” (a number one in 1987 for Highway 101). In 1980, Crowell issued his own hit, “Ashes by Now,” which was a Top 40 pop crossover success; the follow-up, “Stars on the Water,” was popular with both pop and country listeners. In 1981, he issued his third LP, a self-titled effort that was not commercially successful; when a fourth effort was rejected by his label, he turned his energies to writing and producing, most significantly helming Cash’s 1987 masterpiece King’s Record Shop. At Cash’s urging, Crowell reignited his performing career in 1986 with the acclaimed Street Language, an eclectic effort co-produced by Memphis soul legend Booker T. Jones.

When Rodney Crowell first gained widespread recognition as a leader of the new traditionalist movement in the mid-’80s, he was, in fact, a figure with roots and ambitions extending far beyond the movement’s perimeter. Fusing the sensibility of the Texas singer/ songwriter community with a sound that honored country’s past but added a rock & roll punch, Crowell’s first success was as a writer and a sideman, spending three years as part of Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band and penning a handful of tunes for the vocalist. Crowell produced several fine albums for Rosanne Cash (they were married from 1979 to 1992), including 1981’s Seven Year Ache and 1987’s King’s Record Shop. He also penned hits for Crystal Gayle, Bob Seger, and Highway 101 before finally enjoying a commercial breakthrough with the 1988 album Diamonds & Dirt. 1992’s Life Is Messy and 2001’s The Houston Kid found Crowell moving into more personal territory, and as he stepped from the major labels to independent imprints, he pleased both critics and fans with smart and insightful releases such as 2014’s Tarpaper Sky and 2017’s Close Ties. Born to a musical family on August 7, 1950, in Houston, Texas, Rodney Crowell formed his first band, the Arbitrators, while in high school, and in 1972 moved to Nashville to become a professional musician. There, he struck up friendships with singer/songwriters Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark. Crowell’s first big break came while he was performing as a lounge singer, where one of his acoustic sets was heard by Jerry Reed. Crowell’s own “You Can’t Keep Me Here in Tennessee” caught the ear of Reed and his manager, and two days later, Reed recorded the song after signing Crowell to his publishing company. In 1975, Crowell moved to Los Angeles to join Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band as a guitarist, and soon became one of her primary songwriters; among the Crowell compositions Harris first popularized were “Til I Gain Control Again,” “Ain’t Livin’ Long Like This,” “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight,” and “Bluebird Wine.” In 1977, Crowell exited the Hot Band to form his own group, the Cherry Bombs, and in 1978 released his first album, Ain’t Living Long Like This; surprisingly, given that he had built his growing reputation as a songwriter, his first two minor hits — “Elvira” and “(Now and Then, There’s) A Fool Such as I” — were both covers.

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Music News • Decemberr July 2021 2020

In 1988, Crowell finally broke through commercially with Diamonds & Dirt, a record that generated an unbroken string of five number one singles with “It’s Such a Small World” (a duet with Cash), “I Couldn’t Leave You If I Tried,” “She’s Crazy for Leavin’” (cowritten by Guy Clark), “After All This Time,” and “Above and Beyond.” Keys to the Highway was also highly successful. Crowell and Cash divorced in 1991, prompting both artists to document their marriage’s dissolution with starkly confessional albums; Crowell’s 1992 Life Is Messy featured guests Steve Winwood and Linda Ronstadt. Switching to MCA Records for Let the Picture Paint Itself in 1994, he followed with Jewel of the South the next year. In 1997, he formed the Cicadas with longtime backup musicians Steuart Smith, Michael Rhodes, and Vince Santoro. He married singer Claudia Church in 1998, and in 1999 wrote her country chart debut, “What’s the Matter with You Baby.” Crowell issued his first album since 1995, The Houston Kid, in 2001. Continuing in the autobiographical vein of that record, he released Fate’s Right Hand in 2003, followed by The Outsider in 2005 and Sex and Gasoline in 2008. In 2012, Crowell released the album Kin in collaboration with bestselling memoirist and poet Mary Karr. Produced by Joe Henry, it included musical contributions from Lucinda Williams, Norah Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack, Rosanne Cash, Chely Wright, and Emmylou Harris on songs Crowell and Karr cowrote. In 2013, Crowell revisited his partnership with Harris, producer Brian Ahern, and other members of the Hot Band on the Nonesuch album Old Yellow Moon. Crowell and Harris teamed up again two years later on the album The Traveling Kind. He resumed his solo career with Tarpaper Sky, which was released in April 2014 on New West. An introspective and primarily acoustic set, Close Ties, arrived in March 2017, again through New West. Acoustic Classics arrived in 2018, and featured Crowell interpreting many of his most recognizable songs in an acoustic setting. November 2018 saw the release of Christmas Everywhere, a set of original songs for the holidays penned by Crowell. The following year, Crowell released Texas, a tribute to his home state that featured a number of superstar cameos, including appearances by Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Billy Gibbons, and Ringo Starr.Rodney’s upcoming album, Triage, will be released July 23rd on RC1 Records/Thirty Tigers.

THE BIG EASY IS BACK AGAIN! JOIN US THURSDAY, JULY 29th for the HOUSTON BLUES SOCIETY BLUES JAM featuring guest host JAY HOOKS

Music News • July 2021

Sevendust Perform At Warehouse Live On July 21st by Kirk Dombek Sevendust Atlanta-based quintet Sevendust are one of the most prominent nu-metal acts, rising above their contemporaries with an aggressive blend of bottomheavy riffs and soulful, accessible melodies delivered by vocalist Lajon Witherspoon. Over the years, the band balanced the raw energy and brutality of early albums like 1997’s Sevendust and 1999’s Home with increasingly atmospheric production and even late-era acoustic sets on releases like Time Travelers & Bonfires (2014) and Kill the Flaw (2015), home to the Grammynominated single “Thank You.” The band — comprising frontman Witherspoon, John Connolly (guitar), Clint Lowery (guitar), Vince Hornsby (bass), and Morgan Rose (drums) — first appeared in 1995 as Crawlspace, releasing the single “My Ruin” on the Mortal Kombat: More Kombat soundtrack. Shortly thereafter, the group changed their name to Sevendust and released a 1997 self-titled debut, home to the breakthrough singles “Black” and “Bitch.” Two years later, they issued the gold-selling sophomore set Home (TVT), which featured their mainstream rock hit “Denial.” As the band’s audience grew, they played over 800 shows alongside such

Music News • July 2021

groups as Korn, Godsmack, Disturbed, and Metallica, even making an appearance at Woodstock ’99. Their angst-ridden third album, the aptly titled Animosity, appeared in fall 2001 and landed in the Top 30 on the Billboard 200. Seasons followed in 2003, their highest-charting album to date and last with TVT. Next In late December 2004, word surfaced that Lowery had left the band, and those rumors proved true the following February when Sevendust announced exSnot guitarist Sonny Mayo as Lowery’s replacement. (Lowery, a co-founder of Sevendust, eventually surfaced in the hard rock supergroup Dark New Day.) Sevendust’s fifth album and first selfproduced effort, Next, appeared in October 2005 on Winedark Records. The record failed to sell as much as its predecessors, and Sevendust later signed to Asylum Records, issuing Alpha in March 2007. Alpha fared better than Next, climbing to number 14 on the Billboard charts and paving the way for the band’s seventh effort. Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow arrived a year later and featured appearances by Chris Daughtry, Myles Kennedy, and Mark Tremonti.

At this time, the band parted ways with Mayo, welcoming Lowery back to Sevendust and restoring their original lineup. The reunited crew followed with Cold Day Memory in 2010. Landing just outside the Top Ten, it was their highestcharting set to date, yielding the trio of mainstream rock hits “Unraveling,” “Forever,” and “Last Breath.” Their ninth album, Black Out the Sun, arrived in 2013, topping the hard rock chart. Looking to change things up, Sevendust stripped away their metal edge for their next effort, issuing an album of acoustic tracks. Time Travelers & Bonfires, released in the spring of 2014, debuted at number 18 on the Billboard 200. Bouncing back to basics a year later, the group returned with the heavy yet atmospheric Kill the Flaw, which included the Grammynominated single “Thank You.” After touring, they returned to the studio to record their 12th album. Produced by Michael Baskette (Stone Temple Pilots, Incubus), All I See Is War arrived in May 2018 on Rise Records. Two years later, the band returned with Blood & Stone, which included an emotionally charged cover of Soundgarden’s “The Day I Tried to Live.”

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The Dirty Heads Perform At White Oak Music Hall On July 29th Following in the footsteps of their California brothers Sublime, Huntington Beach’s Dirty Heads mix hip-hop, reggae, and rock along with that laid-back South Cali attitude. The group formed in 2003 when punk rocker Dustin Bushnell (aka Duddy B) asked his friend, rapper Jared Watson (aka Dirty J), to collaborate on a project that would focus on positive vibes and infectious grooves. Watson added singing to his vocal skills, and with percussionist Jon Olazabal, an acoustic trio version of Dirty Heads began playing shows and building an audience. They soon hooked up with producer Rob Cavallo and headed into the studio to record their debut album for Warner Bros., but differences with the label had them looking for other opportunities. Still, the band was able to retain most of its work, including sessions with drummer Josh Freese, along with the late-Beatles collaborator Billy Preston in one of the keyboardist’s last recordings. The finished album, Any Port in a Storm, would arrive in 2008, with a deluxe edition following in 2010. The deluxe version featured the track “Lay Me Down” with special guest Rome Ramirez of Sublime with Rome. The song would top Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart just before the summer of 2010. They followed up two years later with Cabin by the Sea and later recorded an acoustic version of the title track. This, in turn, led to an entire acoustic album in 2013 called Home: Phantoms of Summer. Dirty Heads’ next album, Sound of Change, would prove to be a breakthrough for the now-veteran band, debuting at number eight on the Billboard Top 200 while topping the Independent and Alternative Albums charts upon its May 2014 release. Building on their renewed success, Dirty Heads enlisted a bevy of industry hitmakers to work on their self-titled 2016 follow-up, which — thanks to its mainstream appeal — again charted high on the Billboard Top 200. The following year saw the band drop its sixth studio album, Swim Team, featuring the singles “Vacation” and “Staloney.” Also included on the album was the track “So Glad You Made It,” featuring 311’s Nick Hexum. The single “Listen to Me” arrived in early 2019 and was later included on Dirty Heads’ Dave Cobb-produced seventh album Super Moon.

Music News • July 2021

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Struggle Jennings Performs at The Scout Bar August 5

The grandson of legendary Country Music icon Waylon Jennings, Struggle is part of a long legacy of Gangsters, Outlaws and Rock Stars.. Growing up as a blacksheep in his family, he fought his way out of the streets of West Nashville and into the studio where he would create the foundation for what has become his personal contribution to the Jennings family legacy.. Struggle’s message of strength, determination and courage in the face of adversity continues to connect and resonate with people around the world. By sharing his story with honesty and passion he has developed a large and loyal fanbase who relate not only to his music but also to his personal journey. Since being released from prison in 2016 Struggle has performed for sold out crowds across the country and released multiple projects. He is finally poised to take his place as a true modern day Outlaw and secure his position as the Godfather of the burgeoning Outlaw Hip Hop Rock & Roll movement. Struggle Jennings was destined to be an Outlaw.. The grandson of legendary Country Music icon Waylon Jennings, Struggle is part of a long legacy of Gangsters, Outlaws and Rock Stars.. Growing up as a black-sheep in his family, he was forced to fight his way out of the streets of West Nashville, eventually making his way into the studio to laying the foundation for what would soon become his personal contribution to the Jennings family legacy.. But his

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past finally caught up with him in the fall of 2011 when he was arrested on State and Federal drug conspiracy charges. After being incarcerated for 5 years, Struggle has gone through a complete transformation.. Mentally, emotionally and physically.. Through sharing his story on social media networks, Struggle has grown emotionally and intellectually, assuming a new level of social responsibility and becoming an inspirational and motivational force in the lives of people all around the world. He maintained the ability to oversee his career and his public persona through his constant communication with his management team. Struggle’s message of strength, determination and courage in the face of adversity has been amplified by his daily presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. With the support of Yelawolf, his Slumerican family, as well as his business partner Sebastian Marbury, Struggle managed to develop and maintain a direct connection with his fans despite his being incarcerated. After being released from prison in January of 2016, Struggle inked a deal with Yelawolf’s recently formed Slumerican record label, signaling his return and officially beginning his rise to success. With the launch of a popular documentary series on YouTube and the upcoming release of his sophomore album, Struggle is finally poised to take his place as a true modern day Outlaw and secure his position as the Godfather of the burgeoning Outlaw Hip Hop Rock & Roll movement. Rapper Struggle

Jennings is a Nashville-born performer whose music draws inspiration from both his grandfather’s (country legend Waylon Jennings) outlaw sound, and modern hiphop, rock, and country traditions. A cohort of Yelawolf, Jennings first grabbed the public’s attention with his 2013 debut I Am Struggle, and 2016 EP Return of the Outlaw. Born Will Harness, the musician adopted the moniker “Struggle Jennings” when he started rapping. Jennings’ early tracks were often based around samples of his grandfather’s songs juxtaposed with eerie hip-hop beats as a backdrop for his intense and street-minded rhymes. While starting his career and forming ties with other hip-hop figures such as Yelawolf, Harness came up on drug-related charges and went to jail in 2011. While incarcerated, his focus on his music sharpened deeply. During the course of a five-year sentence, Struggle saw the release of his 2013 debut album, I Am Struggle, and also had video footage taken in jail that resulted in a video for his single “Black Curtains,” as well as a documentary that told his strange and twisting story. Shortly after being released from prison in early 2016, he released the Return of the Outlaw EP. He then collaborated with rapper Jelly Roll on three connected albums released in 2017 and 2018: Waylon & Willie, Waylon & Willie 2, and Waylon & Willie 3. The studio album, The Widow’s Son, arrived on Angels & Outlaws in 2019 and included guest spots by Bubba Sparxxx, Jeremy Penick, Yelawolf, and others.

Tuesday on 20 October 2009. The last two songs performed at this were “Change is Gonna Come” which appeared on Storyville’s first album and “What Passes for Love” from Storyville’s second album.

Malford Milligan Performs at Katie’s Bar In Bacliff July 23 Malford Milligan is an American, Austin, Texas-based soul, blues and gospel singer who has been compared to Otis Redding, Al Green and James Carr. He is an eight-time award-winner as “Best Vocalist” at the annual Austin Music Awards (last awarded in 2015). In 1994, he helped form and fronted the Texas supergroup, Storyville, with guitarists David Holt, David Grissom, and the rhythm section from Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble, which included bassist Tommy Shannon, and drummer Chris Layton. The band released three albums: Bluest Eyes (1994), A Piece Of Your Soul (1996) and Dog Years (1998). As a session singer, Milligan was in great demand. He toured and worked on albums together with other outstanding musicians, including Doyle Bramhall II, Marcia Ball, Alejandro Escovedo, Sue Foley, Eric Johnson, Stephen Bruton, Chris Smither and Hal Ketchum. During this period he also expanded his horizons from strictly secular music, releasing the two Gospel albums The Gospel According to Austin (2000) and The Gospel According to Austin, Vol. 2 (2001). For several decades, Malford has been the lead-singer at the weekly Blue Monday nights at the legendary Antone’s Nightclub, in the houseband that was (and still is) lead by Derek O’Brien, one of the most respected blues-guitarists all through Austin’s musical history. Malford appeared on Live And Beyond, by Alien Love Child featuring fellow Austin guitarist Eric Johnson, in 2000. He can be heard on “Once a Part of Me” and “Don’t Cha Know”. That same year he also contributed vocals to Throw Me A Bone, by local band Neighbor’s Dog, on “Sister Sister”, “Bridge To The Other Side” and “Today”. In 2001 a remake of the Joe Tex classic “I Want To Do Everything For You” was recorded as a duet with Toni Price, and was released on her Midnight Pumpkin album. That same year Malford was also featured on two songs on the Double Trouble album Been A Long Time (“Cry Sky” and “Skyscraper”) plus the nationwide tour that followed the release of that album. Milligan also fronted ex-Was Not Was guitarist Randy Jacobs’ band The Boneshakers in 2001-2003, releasing the albums Pouring Gasoline in 2001 and Put Some Booty On It in 2002. He left The Boneshakers to form his own group in Austin, confusingly called The Malford Milligan Band (like its Dutch predecessor), which 36 Music News • July 2021

self-released Rides Again in 2004 [3] and No Good Deed Goes Unpunished in 2006. In 2002 Milligan recorded and released the critically acclaimed Sweet Cherry Soul album, backed by a band from The Netherlands that was put together by Milligan’s friend and Dutch musician/producer Jack Hustinx. The album contains original material written by Milligan & Hustinx as well as a blend of known and obscure Soul, Rhythm & Blues and Gospel classics. Also two songs written by Milligan’s close friend Stephen Bruton were included. This band, The Malford Milligan Band, played three very successful tours in The Netherlands in 20022003, as well as a tour in and around Milligan’s hometown Austin, Texas in 2003. In 2007 Milligan performed, alongside a stellar cast of musical friends of Stephen Bruton such as Delbert McClinton, Bonnie Raitt, Kris Kristofferson, Joe Ely and Ruthie Foster at the big “Road To Austin” concert in Austin, which was later released as a concert-movie and DVD in 2015. Also in 2007, Malford embarked on the M-P-TU project, together with guitarist Phil Brown, bass-player Mark Andres and drummer Pat Mastelotto. The band released an album entitled M-P-TU in 2008. During that time (2007/ 2009) Milligan was touring with Greg Koch, a multifaceted electric guitarist capable of fluently playing a gamut of musical styles, as well. Together they formed a band called Nation Sack — drawing their name from the lyrics of a Robert Johnson song entitled “Come On in My Kitchen” — who released an album under the same name in 2009 which includes a blending of electric blues and rock styles. When performing live, Nation Sack is known to cover songs from Jeff Beck and Led Zeppelin, such as “Hi-Ho Silver Lining,” “Rock and Roll,” and excerpts from such classic tracks as “Dazed and Confused” and “Heartbreaker.” With Greg Koch, Malford released two albums: Live On The Radio (2007) and Nation Sack (2009). In 2009 Malford moved back to Austin and started getting back into the music scene there. After his longtime friend Stephen Bruton passed away on May 9th, Malford fronted the band at a special memorial show at the Saxon Pub. Recordings of this show were released on CD as An Avening With The Music Of Stephen Bruton in 2010. Another highlight of his return to Austin was his appearance (along with exStoryville’s David Grissom) at Antone’s for Blue

In 2011 Milligan joined forces with former Dutch band member Jack Hustinx on his ‘Shiner Twins’ album ‘Four Souls – One Heart’ (2011). On this album Milligan was featured as guestvocalist on two tracks “Never Take No For An Answer” and “Hold On”. In 2013 Malford joined the weekly residency of The Apostles Of Manchaca at Austin’s Strange Brew listening-room, until the venue was forced to close in January 2017. This band also featured well known and highly respected Austin-musicians Jeff Plankenhorn (guitar-vocals), Michael O’Connor (guitar-vocals), Dave Scher (guitar-vocals), Yoggie Musgrove (bass), Brannen Temple (drums) and Phil Redmond (keyboards). Unfortunately the band never released any albums. In 2014 Malford contributed vocals to Open Mic At The Knick by The Knickerbocker All Stars from Rhode Island. He can be heard on Bobby Blue Bland’s “Turn On Your Love Light” and on “Love Disease”. At the 33rd annual Austin Music Awards in March 2015, Malford Milligan received his 8th award for being Austin’s best vocalist, as voted by the general public. Also in 2015 Malford started playing with a new band in Austin, Big Cat, along with guitarist Dave Sebree, bass-player Roscoe Beck and drummer Tom Brechtlein. An album entitled Big Cat was released at the end of 2015. At the same time, Malford and his Dutch friend Jack Hustinx were working together again, co-writing four songs for Hustinx’ solo-album Over Yonder, with Malford also performing on those tracks as guest vocalist. On two of those tracks (“Life Will Humble You” and “I Won’t Surrender”) Malford and Jack got assistance from John Magnie and Steve Amedée of The Subdudes from New Orleans. Right after the release in November 2015, both Milligan and Hustinx fronted their band The Southern Aces on a tour in the Netherlands to promote the album, that was critically hailed as one of the very best Dutch Americana albums ever made. In 2015-2016 Malford and Jack also played together regularly in the Austin music-clubs, whenever Jack was in town, with an Austin line-up of The Southern Aces. In 2016 Malford recorded a stunning duet with Jeff Plankenhorn, reviving the Sam & Dave classic “You Got Me Hummin’”, which was featured on Plankenhorn’s Soulslide album later that same year. After Big Cat folded in 2016, Malford started a new band with guitarist Tyrone Vaughan called MVP, the Milligan Vaughan Project. With this band an album with the same name was recorded and released in 2017. That same year Malford recorded a remake of the O.V. Wright classic “Nickel And A Nail”, featured on Brad Stivers’ album Took You Long Enough. In 2017, Malford and longtime friend Jack Hustinx teamed up again. In May 2018, the two released a new album they had been collaborating on for the last year, co-writing songs and exchanging ideas for an all new Malford Milligan album, that Jack Hustinx will be producing. The Album, “Life Will Humble You” was released on the new Dutch label Royal Family Records (founded by renowned Dutch singer/songwriter JW Roy).

Thursday, July 1 - James Wilhite & The Classix Friday, July 2 - Josh Garrett Saturday, July 3 - Tweed Smith Sunday, July 4 - Katie’s Jam Hosted By Jay Hooks Thursday, July 8 - James Wilhite & The Classix Friday, July 9 - Mark May Saturday, July 10 - Sonny Wolf Sunday, July 11 - Katie’s Jam Hosted By Ricky Jackson Thursday, July 15 - James Wilhite & The Classix Friday, July 16 - Dylan Bishop Saturday, July 17 - Shawn Pittman Sunday, July 18 - Katie’s Jam Hosted By Hugo “Jamz” Rodriguez Thursday, July 22 - James Wilhite & The Classix Friday, July 23 - Malford Milligan Saturday, July 24 - Keeshea Pratt Sunday, July 25 - Katie’s Jam Hosted by Mark May Thursday, July 29 - James Wilhite & The Classix Friday, July 30 - Eric Demmer Saturday, July 31 - Jonn Del Toro Richardson

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Music News • July 2021

1006 McGowen St. Houston, Texas 713-650-1006

July 2021 • Music News

The Biker, The Blues, Midland / Odessa and OMG! I checked out of the motel in Roswell, pulled over to Denny’s and grabbed a Grand Slam. I needed to check the oil and fuel levels and then I was ready to hit the road. One cool thing about this bike is that I ordered the frame without mounting bungs for an oil tank. The frame is actually the oil tank. You loosen the seat, swing it out of the way and you just fill the vertical tube with oil. Pretty cool. The oil level was fine, but I needed to top off the gas level. I was ready to leave, anxious actually as I have two friends in Midland that host the annual Tall City Blues Fest there. From Roswell, NM to Midland, TX takes about three and a half-hours no matter which route you take there. I chose 380 South to 214 and then rode on in to Midland. Some clouds formed along the way and I remembered that I had wanted to check out the weather forecast before leaving, but being anxious got in the way. I mean I was ready to get down the road so my mind wasn’t on what to expect weather wise. No big deal, but I’ve got experience with riding on roads that get super slick due to the heat right after a slight rain and normally, but not always, I ride a bit slower. However, on this day it didn’t matter, I was anxious to see Lisa Grissom. Lisa works with a team that produces one cool annual blues festival. I mean they book the stars and some righteous up and comers. So while the festival would not be going on when I arrived I was hoping to learn about the upcoming line up and this year’s show dates. Now I have to tell you that the first time I met with Lisa was in Memphis at the International Blues Challenge. She was there with Ronn Reeger to scout the international talent that would be flying in and I was there to judge at the event. If you’ve never attended the IBC and you love blues this is a fantastic event that is held the last week of January. I was also on assignment for a radio station in Athens, Greece. My role was to interview established promoters, managers, record label managers and artists. I had wanted to meet Lisa and Ronn because we had spoken on the phone a number of times but never met. So this event could be perfect and it was. The following year I believe it was we met up at the IBCs again and that time I was able to introduce Lisa and blues rocker Clay Melton to each other. So on this trip I am a bit anxious to see a familiar face and catch up. If anybody would know the places and people of the blues world in Midland it will be Lisa. Arrived in Midland and was clued in that a cool biker kind of place named Riley’s was open. So I went over and OMG to my surprise my friend from El Paso, Sam Barlow, an over the top blues rocker will be on stage there. His latest blues rock album “Faith In The Blues” was spun on radio internationally and gained rave reviews. How cool is this going to be? So I rested my scooter outside of Riley’s and went in for a cool one or maybe ten. I immediately liked the place as these people were down to earth folks and the music was already on, no stupid game shows on a television changing the vibe of the place. Music was coming at me as soon as I walked in with the volume at the right level no less. I was hearing Barlow’s title track “Faith In the Blues” right out of the gate, I mean how cool is that? I let my eyes adjust a bit and then spied a couple of empty bar stools and made a bee line in that direction. Bar keep came up to me immediately asked me if I was thirsty and I said yep and he asked what would be your pleasure? ‘By any chance do you sell Stella,’ he said ‘yes. but we’re hoping we don’t get raided again.’ Now that’s funny.... He asked if I was hungry and I said sort continued on next page

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Continued - The Biker, The Blues, Midland/Odessa and OMG! of, I told him I was meeting someone there shortly and I don’t know what we will be doing. Just then Lisa arrived and after exchanging pleasantries we began to talk about their annual festival, Tall City Blues Fest. She told me that due to the Co-Vid situation there wouldn’t be a blues festival this year, but there will be one in 2022. Festivals all around the world have had to do the same as the virus has effected both audience attendance and the availability of class acts. However, Lisa did tell me about something they are cooking up on a smaller scale that will definitely bring the blues crowds out, they call it Wang Dang Doodle and they are looking at late this summer. Since she books talent from around the world we began to talk about blues performers overall and one of her favorites is Joe Bonamassa’s “Had To Cry Today” album, especially the “When She Dances” track. The music had stopped and Lisa went over to the machine and chose the song. A young lady sitting at the bar smiled my way and said, “I dance to that at work”. Well I didn’t know for sure what kind of work she did, but being the gentleman I am I asked her. Without saying a word she got up and began to sway to the music and then added some moves that were well let’s just say, suggestive, is a good word. Hmm, bar keep more beer, I am thirsty please. Soon the song ended and believe it or not the patrons in the club gave her a round of applause. I really liked this place. Lisa and I continued our conversation and of course if you talk about Joe Bonamassa generally speaking, you talk about Beth Hart too. Lisa brought up her rendition of “I’d Rather Go Blind” and we were in 100% agreement that track gets it done. An interesting footnote I learned that day from Lisa - the Tall City Blues Fest has been in existence since 2011 and already hosted over 180 acts. That’s a lot of blues for any area of the country especially in the middle of Texas, wow that’s hot. Lisa needed to get going and I was halfway through a beer and not sure what I wanted to do other than play that song again. My hunger alarm was going off so I decided to stay there and try some bar food. Good choice actually. The place was alright. Then it was time to show my jukebox skills so I made my way to the machine. I punched up “Radar Love” and “Walk This Way”. Thumbs up coming from all over the place, cool, yep I was in the right place. Someone bought me a beer and had the bartender ask me to play some more tunes. Over on the box I spotted Carole King and remembered “Smackwater Jack” and that led me to Creedence and their “Suzie Q” track. The little stripper girl was up and bopping around to “Suzie Q” I was having a good time. Well it was motel check in time so I ordered a chicken tenders basket to go and made tracks to the motel. Checked in, took a shower, and then chomped down on those chicken fingers and fries. So here I was with no particular place to go, no need to get up in the morning and go to a job. I just needed to know what the weather was going to be and then decide on where I wanted to go next. I knew I was going to go see Sam perform that night and it was cool for sure. Midland was a cool experience and I wondered where I might go next. That night a gal riding a nice 2010 dresser told me that she was heading to Abilene and asked where I was headed. I told her I thought the Dallas/Fort Worth area and she told me that Abilene was on the way and I would go right through it. So we agreed that I would tag along with her and a few other scooter folks and off we would go in the morning. At about 11am we pulled out of Midland, got onto I-10 east heading to Abilene. About fifty miles into the trip a state trooper pulled us over and wanted to see our driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance. I ride a custom bike and I know the drill when it comes to my bike, so I told the others not to feel they needed to hang around, but they said no and stayed with me. Good people, all of them Texans.

To Be Continued July 2021 • Music News

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Crue Fast For Love (Photos by Brian Lambert) 42

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Saturday, July 3, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Fireworks Extravaganza w/Texas TNT & OMG Chester L. Davis *PLEASE NOTE ADDRESS 1251 TX 96 - League City, TX 77573 Sunday, July 4, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm The Hawg Stop Bar & Grill 11335 Sheldon Rd - Houston, TX 77044 Friday, July 9, 8:00 pm - 12:00 am Riverside Bar & Grill 17433 River Rd - Channelview, TX 77530 Sunday, July 11, 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Woody’s Beach Bar 11149 Termimi San Luis Pass Rd - Galveston, TX 77554 Saturday, July 17, 9:00 pm - 1:00 am D’s Irish Tavern 2717 N Alexander - Baytown, TX 77520 Saturday, July 31, 8:00 pm - 12:00 am The Watering Hole 30503 Misty Meadow Dr - Magnolia, TX 77354> Saturday, August 7, 7:30pm - 11:30 pm Bad S Icehouse 2315 FM 523 - Oyster Creek, TX 77541 26

Music News • November 2020

Sunday, August 8, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Drifter’s Icehouse 29293 FM 149 - Richards, TX 77873 Saturday, August 14, 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm Papa’s On The Lake 14632 Hwy 105 - Montgomery, TX 77356 Saturday, August 21, 8:00 pm - 12:00 am The Bar at Friends Uncorked 111 S Friendswood Dr - Friendswood, TX 77546

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After 11 Perform at the Jailhouse Saloon (Photos by Music News) 44

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Starfire Perform At The Pub Fountains (Photos by Vinh Diep) 46

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Arhythmia Perform At The BFE Rock Club (Photo by Music News) 48

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White Rabbit Perform at the Acadia Bar & Grill (Photos by Music News) July 2021 • Music News

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Barry Seelan & Friends at Katie’s Bar (Photos by Music News)

Doug Westcott Performs at The 19th Hole (Photos by Music News) 54

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Blackwell Perform at The 19th Hole (Photos by Music News) 56

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Dead Set Red at The BFE Rock Club (Photos by Music News) 58

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Eric Demmer Band at Katie’s Bar (Photos by Music News) 60

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Hindsight Perform at the BFE Rock Club (Photos by Music News) 62

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RANDOM SHOTS Poison IV Perform at The Scout Bar (Photos by Music News)

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RANDOM SHOTS Merkava Perform At The Acadia Bar & Grill (Photos By Music News)

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RANDOM SHOTS The Ratchet Dolls Perform at The 19th Hole (Photos By Music News)

Music News • July 2021