Texas Music News aka Houston Music News aka Music News

Vol. 40 - No.2 • NOVEMBER 2021 • www.houstonmusicnews.net • FREE

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SHAWN PITTMAN Also In This Issue Nita Strauss Micky & The Motorcars Josh Abbot Band Silverstein Gemini Syndrome Lost 80s Live! and More!

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Music News • November 2021

November 2021 Hi Folks, I’d like to start out by telling you about the Tune Out Cancer Fest that will be happening this month at The Wildcatter Saloon in Katy. As we all know, Cancer is a very serious subject. It kills millions of people every year and anything we can do to bring awareness to this terrible disease is needed.

Kevin Hamlin and friends have been very hard at work informing the public about this problem through their Tune Out Cancer Benefits that they have been putting on for a number of years now.

This year it will be held at the Wildcatter Saloon. This month’s issue features an interview with Kevin and he describes in length what will be going on there this year. Please take the time to read this story. It could possibly be the most important story in this issue.

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 Shawn Pittman as he discusses his new album and the ups and downs of the music business. Also in this issue you can read stories about Jack Ingram, Nita Strauss, Josh Abbott Band, Micky & The Motorcars, Silverstein, Gemini Syndrome, Lost 80s Live, James Rivera’s Metalwave, The Hollywood Spotlight and another installment of the original story, THE BIKER along with a lot more! Also in this issue are a ton of great pictures of bands performing around the Houston area. I’m sure you’re going to be familiar with a lot of these bands. If you have pictures of local bands performing, please email them to us. I would 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. For your convenience, Music News is also now downloadable. You can download the issue into your computer or storage device and save it and read it at your convenience without having to get logged on to the internet every time. Try it now and save every issue. It will make things a lot easier for you.

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” November 2021 • Music News

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Contents

VOL. 40 NO. 2

NOVEMBER 2021

6

6

ISSUE NO. 505

SHAWN PITTMAN Shawn Pittman talks about the music business and his new album

22 NITA STRAUSS

Nita Strauss Performs At The Scout Bar November 11

26

22 26

JOSH ABBOT BAND Josh Abbott Band Perform At White Oak Music Hall on November 20

32 SILVERSTEIN

Silverstein Perform at Warehouse Live November 28th

32

42 42

LOST 80s LIVE The Lost 80s Live Bring The Sounds Of The 80s To The Arena Theatre November 20

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Music News • November 2021

Contents

VOL.40 NO. 2

NOVEMBER 2021

48 26 Page 48 James Rivera’s Metal Wave James Rivera Brings His New Project To Rockefeller’s November 13

ISSUE NO. 505

16 18 30 34 36

Jack Ingram Tracy Byrd Mick & The Motorcars Geoff Tate Tune Out Cancer At Wildcatter’s 44 Gemini Syndrome 50 Hollywood Spotlight 52 The Biker 55 and on RANDOM SHOTS

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November 2021 • Music News

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Shawn Pittman continued on next page

6 Music MusicNews News •• November November December 2021 2020

Texas Blues Guitarist Shawn Pittman Takes Houston By Storm Shawn Talks About The Ups and Downs Of The Music Business As Well As His Upcoming New Album Thursday, November 4 - Katie’s Bar in Bacliff Friday, November 5 - The Big Easy in Houston Saturday, November 6 - Green Oaks Tavern in Humble

By Kevin Wildman Being a musician isn’t the easiest job on this planet. It comes with its ups and downs, the good and the bad. There are always obstacles to overcome, especially in this new era of Covid. It’s made touring and recording problematic, and it hasn’t really let up that much. However, there are some musicians out there that have battled this and more to come back swinging and taking control of their own destiny. One such musician is Bluesman Shawn Pittman. Shawn has his own story to tell as he has slipped in and out of the music business several times, always returning stronger than when he left.

The Oklahoma native likes to call Texas his home as he has found a lot of his musical roots here. Born in Oklahoma, Pittman first moved to Texas in the early 90s. Little did he know that when he was taking piano lessons at the age of 8 that he would go on to becoming a top notch guitarist and make the Blues his way of life. At one point in his early youth, young Shawn discovered his brother’s drum set and stared sneaking into his room to try his hand at that, but by the age of 14 all that changed when he discovered a love for the guitar. Soon he was introduced to a particular kind of music by his good friend from high school, Bracken Hale. Bracken turned him on to the sounds of Muddy Waters and Lightnin’ Hopkins, just to name a couple. Soon Shawn discovered a love for the Blues that continues to this day.

Another friend, Ben Bigsby further enhanced Pittman’s thirst for the Blues with songs from Jimmy Reed, Elmore James, and Albert King and advised him that his next step besides playing guitar was to also learn to sing. A good Bluesman not only plays guitar, but he also sings as well.

By 1992 Shawn had become a Dallas transplant and spent seven years there honing his skill and performing around Dallas as well as other parts of Texas until 1999. From there he moved to the music capital of Texas, Austin. He spent a good 14 years there furthering his career and making a name for himself around the Lone Star State, eventually moving back to Oklahoma where his family was around 2013. During that time he also returned to school to earn a degree in Information Technology. By that time he had about 10 albums under his belt and had found himself in and out of the music business a couple of times. When 2015 rolled around, Shawn was back recording again and released his 11th album, Backslidin’ Again, followed by his 12th release in 2018, Everyone Wants To Know with his longtime friend and drummer Jay Moeller. Pittman’s most recent releases are Make It Right, which was released in 2020 in partnership with the Netherlands-based Continental Record Services (CRS) and 2021’s all acoustic solo album, Stompin’ Solo.

2021 also finds Shawn relocating from Oklahoma back to his old stomping grounds in Dallas’ Oak Cliff area where Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan grew up. Now Shawn is starting back up again with a new attitude and a new goal. He’s definitely going to make the music business work in his favor. In November of this year he plans on recording a new album in Austin at Wire Recording with owner and engineer Stuart Sullivan at the helm. Pittman has worked with Sullivan before and know that he will get the best out of Shawn on these recordings. Recording and touring with Pittman on these new recordings will be longtime friend and bandmate, Jason Crisp.

Rounding out the rhythm section will be drummer Mike King. continued on page 8 November 2021 • Music News 7

Shawn Pittman continued from previous page Recently we had a chance to sit down with Shawn and discuss the ups and downs, as well as the new album and the road along the way.

Music News: Before we get too buried in this conversation Shawn, what is Information Technology and what did you get out of it? Is it something that is going to help out with your career in Music?

Shawn Pittman: It’s the broadest version of nothing that you can study that won’t get you any job. It’ll land you in a call center, but that’s about it. When I went to community college that’s the major that I took and I asked the teacher one day, ‘what is this exactly’. He said, ‘you’re taking the Information Technology… We’ve been trying to get that one.’ So evidently, I took one that is a little bit of everything, and not enough of anything. It’s a little bit of networking… a little bit of everything that we do with computers, but it was just an Associates in Applied Science, so it really wasn’t something that was going to help me enough. That’s why I’m playing (music) again.

Music News: Well, I figured that what you learned out of Information Technology was that you needed to go back and play music to really satisfy yourself and make yourself happy and productive.

Shawn Pittman: Pretty much (laughs). But you know, anytime I’ve ever…. Like, there’s been many times over the years where I had to stop playing for one reason or another. It’s usually been my mental health, my spiritual health, and my financial health. A lot of times, when the financial health goes, the other two seem to follow, so I have had to get some other jobs from time to time and I’ve always used what I learned to go back to music. It always makes me more excited when I do go back to music because I feel I learned a life skill or tool that can help me. The thing with the I.T. stuff is that it helped me because I learned a little bit about how computers work and now I manage my own website. I just do it for myself. It helps me to save some money and not hire a web guy.

Music News: I can relate to that. I handle my own website myself. I wish I could hire one of these professionals to do it for me, but it’s just more convenient and cost effective to manage it myself.

Shawn Pittman: Yeah, it’s so expensive, Music News: You’ve really had a fantastic career so far and have worked with a ‘who’s who’ of great Texas musicians.

Shawn Pittman: Yeah, but sometimes it doesn’t really seem to help me very much when it comes to talent buyers. I don’t know if they don’t take the time to look me up and a lot of people don’t take the time to, but I’m basically starting from scratch. They’re kind of like, ‘who are you.’ I can tell them who I’ve played with, but they’re more concerned with how many people I can bring into the bar. I’ve had to deal with some of that. I’m pretty much starting over and I’m 47 years old. It seems like I’ve been pretty much saying the same thing forever, because I seem to hear, ‘how come we’ve never heard of you.’ (laughs again) Yeah, I have played with a lot of famous Texas musicians. That’s something you can’t really put a price value on or anything like that.

Music News: You really have worked with a lot of famous Texas musicians. Let’s name a few here… Preston Hubbard from The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Tommy Shannon from Stevie Ray Vaughan’s band as well as from Johnny Winter, The Bramhall Brothers… Doyle Bramhall II was just out on the road with Eric Clapton this year. From Dallas you played with Mike Morgan from Mike Morgan and The Crawl. If you’re from Texas, you’ve heard of Mike Morgan. You’ve

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Music News • November 2021

also performed with Cricket Taylor, another familiar Texas artist.

When it comes to Texas musicians, this is the cream of the crop.

Shawn Pittman: I think so. This is why I came down here to begin with. I wanted to learn how to play with those folks. I’ve also played with Anson Funderburgh. I’ve played a lot with Mike Morgan, especially being based in Dallas. He’s going to be with me on the next gig coming up this Friday in Dallas as a special guest. We did a gig with me, Anson, and Mike called ‘The Texas Blues Guitar Summit’. We did real good. We did real well there in Dallas. I don’t put it on my bio because people always ask me about it and I don’t like talking about it too much. I did play with Susan Tedeschi as well back in 1999. At the time she was up for The Grammy for her second album, Just Won’t Burn. I don’t put it on there, because I didn’t really play with her all that long. I got to open up for BB King down in Houston at the House Of Blues. That was pretty cool. I opened up for a lot of folks. I got to play with a lot of my heroes. I can think back on those times and it keeps me going.

Music News: Being in the music business is a hard gig, no matter what aspect you take, performing, writing, recording, even doing a music publication. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s a very demanding profession. Not everybody has the success of Elton John, Eric Clapton, or even BB King. Even they have had tough moments.

Shawn Pittman: I can relate to that. There’s always someone telling them that they’re not doing enough. Even if it were Gary Clark continued on page 10

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Shawn Pittman continued from previous page Jr., I would imagine he’s got pressure on him from someone too. It’s really hard. You can do it as long as you can do it and then when it’s not fun, you just have to stop for awhile. Sometimes I’ve had too. If you’re not having fun doing it, then you’re just kind of wasting your time and everybody else’s. If you can manage to do the work and have fun doing it, then heck, I can’t imagine why I’d ever stop.

Hopefully this time around, I plan on sticking around as long as I can and making it happen one way or another. I know there’s some level of success out there waiting for me. I’m just going to keep working for it and have fun while I’m doing it.

Music News: That’s right, you just can’t give up. It’s a very fickle business. They say you’re only as good as your last album. It’s the same with my magazine. I’m only as good as the last issue of my magazine. ‘Well Kevin, that last issue sucked…. What are you going to do with the next one?’

Shawn Pittman: Oh yeah, I certainly understand all that. A lot of people haven’t heard any of my records, and I’ve recorded a lot of records. Some of them I’ve just self-released. I just keep doing them.

I get knocked down and I slowly get back up. You’ve got to keep yourself motivated.

Music News: Well, when you get into the Music business, you’ve just got to keep yourself happy. That’s the main thing.

Shawn Pittman: Right!

Music News: If you’re happy, it will reflect on what you’re doing. If you’re miserable with it, that will reflect on it too.

Shawn Pittman: Yeah! Exactly. That’s why whenever I realize, ‘okay, the way I’m doing this, I’m not having that much fun, so I’d better stop’, because you never want to be in front of people and entertain them when you’re miserable. I’ve had times where I just had to stop playing just for my own well being. I had to figure out why I wasn’t having fun and reflect on it, learn from it, and then when I was ready to come back again, take that knowledge and do it differently.

Music News: When was your last album?

Shawn Pittman: I stopped doing records between 2014 and 2017, then I did one in 2018 with my friend Jay Moeller and it went out on a German label. No one around here really heard it. Then I did another one in 2019. I did that one in Denmark and that one went out on a label from Holland. Then the pandemic hit, so I really didn’t get to tour behind that. And then in 2020 I was in Oklahoma and I did an acoustic album, so that was my latest. It was just acoustic because I couldn’t play with anybody because of the pandemic. So, I’ve done albums in ’18, ‘19’, and ’20. Those are kind of the circumstances there.

Music New: I listened to your last two albums, the acoustic one and the electric one and I really enjoyed them. The acoustic one was very traditional sounding.

Shawn Pittman: Thank you, I used the pandemic to learn how to play by myself without a band, because I didn’t know when things were going to open up again. It forced me to study some guys like Lightnin’ Hopkins and Mance Lipscomb, two of my favorites and I’ve always enjoyed playing acoustic, but I wanted to challenge myself to go into the studio and record a full acoustic record. People have been giving me some good feedback on it.

Music News: Well, when you perform a solo acoustic show, at the end of the night it’s a lot easier to divide up the money.

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Music News • November 2021

Shawn Pittman: Amen to that!

Music News: Some of these solo acoustic musicians make far more money that if they had been in a band with four other guys.

Shawn Pittman: That’s true.

Music News: But I really did enjoy both albums immensely, the electric one and the acoustic one, and I understand that now you are working on a new one.

Shawn Pittman: I am. In November of this year I’m going to go into a studio in Austin for a few days and I’m using the band that I have now. I came back to Dallas in April of this year and I wanted to start over from scratch, and do it just like I did it in the old days. The way everybody used to do, get a band together and play and record with the same guys that I use at every gig and go through the good and the bad together. I’ve got a good group of guys. It’s the same trio. I just play with a bass player and a drummer, and I plan on recording that way as well, just kind of making it a honest, live recording, just getting that sound back out there. It’s pretty much a grassroots project from the ground up. I’m hoping to get it done by the end of the year and then I can use that as my most updated release to pitch to festivals and things like that for next Spring and Summer.

Music News: Are very many of the songs written already. continued on page 12

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2021 • Music News

11

Shawn Pittman continued from previous page Shawn Pittman: Oh yeah! I’ve never booked studio time until I’ve had my material ready, so we’re good. We’ve played the songs a bit, but yeah. Some of the songs I’m re-recording because on some of those other releases, they’re basically demos, because nobody ever heard them. I think there’s good songs on a lot of those, so there’s some that I’m re-recording because I never felt they really got heard.

It’s all original material. I might throw a cover on there, but I haven’t decided on that one yet. Right now I’m planning on putting around 11 or 12 songs on there of original material. It’s got that Texas sound.

It’s kind of what I do, that three-piece power trio sound, but I’m marginally traditional. I’m not heavy on the rock side of things. I look at myself as a Blues player that can play Rock and Roll, rather than a guy that started out started out as a Rock and Roll player and later decided he wanted to play Blues. Some people might not understand that, but I’m more traditional in some ways.

Music News: I understand that perfectly. You can tell the people that were raised on Blues from the people that are just trying to imitate it.

Shawn Pittman: Yeah, you can hear their influences when they really start playing. That’s why I think I still had a place in the music universe. I felt that there was some kind of music that I had inside of me there’s a place for. I keep coming back. Even when I try to quit, it keeps calling me…. It keeps calling me back, so I don’t think I could quite even if I wanted to.

Music News: Well, you’re acoustic album was a dead giveaway on your influences. There’s no way to hide it. Obviously you weren’t influenced by Led Zeppelin first.

Shawn Pittman: (Laughs) Well I do like them, I admire their stuff.

Music News: Right, but I’m listening to the stuff you’re doing on the acoustic album, and it’s very traditional Blues sounding. It doesn’t sound like you started out as a heavy metal guitarist and then switched to the Blues. You’re definitely a Blues guitarist. The feeling is there, the chord structure is there, and every thing is just there and in place. It’s a dead giveaway.

Shawn Pittman: Well, I appreciate that. It’s a compliment.

Yeah, I still study those guys. A lot of people cross over. They look at it like it’s too simple and too old or whatever. I just still enjoy it. I can play along with a Jimmy Reed record or a Lightnin’ Hopkins record or Eddie Taylor record, any of those guys… Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers. I enjoy that still and I still feel I have a lot to learn from those things. I’ll probably never stop learning from them. I’m proud of that. It bugs me a little bit when I see some players overlook those guys because it’s fundamental.

Music News: When you perform one of your shows, what can we expect to see and hear from you and the band?

Shawn Pittman: Well, I’ll be playing electric with my bass player and drummer. One interesting thing about what we do is that my bass player also plays guitar. When we do the trio and he’s on bass, we can do the traditional Texas Blues sounds, for lack of a good word, would be that Anson Funderburgh Blues or that T-Birds Blues… that Lightnin’ Hopkins kind of stuff. And then I have some things that are more in the Soul type of arena as well. And then when the bass player switches to guitar, it enables me to do a lot of Junior Kimbrough or an R.L Burnside type of Blues… a Hound Dog Taylor or a Mississippi Blues kind of sound, or even a Chicago Blues. We can do an Elmore James kind of sound as well. So you get a lot of the Photo

by Jeff Fasano different kind of styles of Blues. There are so many cool styles of

6 Music 12 Music Music News News News•• •November December November 2020 2021

Blues, so I pride myself in being able to do the ones that I attempt as correctly as possible. We’ll play a Bobby Blue Bland song and then we’ll play a Hound Dog Taylor song, or Elmore James, so you get a lot of the different styles as well as some Rock and Roll. At least, what I call Rock and Roll… that Chuck Berry kind of grooves and things like that. Yeah, you can hear lots of different kinds of styles.

Some of the feedback I’ve been getting is that people really like that we go through many different style of Blues.

Music News: How much of your sets is original, and for lack of a better term, how much will be cover material. I know you dedicate a fair amount of your performance to some of the Blues traditionalists.

Shawn Pittman: Well, I’ve written so many songs, that I forget to do them all some of the times. Sometimes I just play a song that I like. Really, it’s about fifty-fifty. It kind of depends on the night. If I wanted to, I could play a whole night of original music. I like Jerry McCain a lot. I’ll throw in some of his stuff… Lightnin’ Hopkins, Elmore James, and Jimmy Reed. I’ve written a lot of songs, so it kind of depends on the night. You’ll get a little bit of both, original and covers. I think mostly 75 percent original and 25 percent cover.

Music News: Are there any songs in particular that you feel that you have to include in just about every performance that you do? Are there some favorites that you just have to play because you love performing them?

Shawn Pittman: Yeah, I love that old Jerry McCain stuff. He’s continued on page 14

October 2021 • Music News

13

Shawn Pittman continued from previous page got this song called “Next Door Neighbor” that I just love. It’s fun to perform and it’s a funny song. He’s also got one called “Turn Your Damper Down” that’s got this raw type of rhythm guitar. I love it, so I’ll always throw that in there. As far as my own songs, there’s a few that I always perform, and one of them is “Something’s Got To Give.”

That’s one of mine. I always start with “Almost Good.” That’s an original tune that I wrote with a friend of mine that’s actually from Houston. He grew up with Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top… across the street or in the same neighborhood. He ended up becoming a lawyer.

Don’t hold it against him (laughs). He’s a partner with Dick DeGuerin, I guess. His name is Lewis Dickson. He’s a good friend and a patron. He would tell me stories about him and Billy in High School and some of the jokes they would tell each other, some of the slang they used and stuff. He sent me some lyrics and “Almost Good” is one of them. He’s been a big part of my songwriting, so I include a lot of his stuff. There’s one song that I do that’s called “Lean and Low”. Evidently BB King went over to Billy’s house one day and while he was there he saw a big, emerald green Cadillac. I wrote a song about that and it’s called “Lean and Low.” He said that’s what they called those big Cadillac’s back then, lean and low. He said every time he walked by Billy in school and asked him how he was doing, Billy replied, “Just trying to maintain.” So I figured the Houston aspect to that song was an interesting one. It’s a big part of what I do, as far as Louis and I have written a lot of songs together.

He lives in Austin now.

Music News: What kind of an image do you think you project on stage?

Shawn Pittman: You know what, I just try to be myself. I’m pretty much just a regular guy. I don’t know as far as image goes… just fun, a guy that likes to have fun but takes this seriously. I keep things pretty clean. I don’t really try to make any statements outside of musical statements. I stay away from political things. I learned my lesson on that. I don’t say nothing about that. Really, I just be myself.

I’m kind of a fun guy. I like to joke around and make fun of myself.

Some of these songs are kind of funny, even if they’re about something that sounds serious. That’s really what I want to portray… fun.

Something that people can all get together behind. Everybody wants to have fun and listen to fun music.

Music News: Well, what’s your funniest song?

Shawn Pittman: The funniest song… let’s see… Here’s a good example. On the latest album I did a song called “Fly Swat Woman.”

It’s a true story. My wife had just let the dogs out and she’d leave the door open and no matter what time of the year, but especially in the warm time of the year, she’d always make sure all my amps were turned off. Every time she’d walk by my amp, if it were turned on, she’d turn it off. But when it came to the dogs, she’d leave the door wide open and all the flies would come right in. So, I’m sitting right there on the couch watching TV or something and I’m starting to get disconcerted by her walking around with this flyswatter and these flies are starting to land on me. The next thing I know, she’s looking up at me and she’s telling me to stay still because she has a fly she want to kill on my head or my arm. I think it was funny to her. So I thought, I’ll just make a song out of this, “Fly Swat Woman.” That’s one of them, Or maybe the one about the time I moved back to Oklahoma and had to trade in my Texas driver’s license for an Oklahoma driver’s license. That was too symbolic for me man. It depressed the hell out of me. I wanted to keep my Texas license, so I went and wrote a song about how I wanted to be back in Texas. To me, the humorous aspects are pretty much everything. You kind of make fun of yourself sometimes and I think it makes life kind of easier.

Music News: What’s your most serious song?

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Music News • November 2021

Shawn Pittman: On the 2019 album, “Make It Right.” It’s a positive song. You know, when you’re in one of those depressed moods, and sometimes these depressed kind of moods last… Sometimes these moods can last a long time, sometimes even a week and then you just find yourself in this rut. Sometimes they can last months. I think at this point, I had just been… nothing was going my way, and so I was just writing this song about being mad. So I’m writing the verses and talking about nobody’s there for me, I don’t have enough money, no place to play, no job, angry. And by the time I got to the third verse and I was reading over it and it was ‘damn man, I sure am complaining a lot.’ I thought, ‘how do I stop this, what do I do to make this better’ and that’s when I decided to put a positive spin in there. What’s my solution to this stuff? And not only that, ‘what is my part in it? How did I get to this point, and why? What decisions did I make in life? What judgement did I use that may or may not have been the best?’ So, at that moment I realized I was responsible for my actions and I need to own up to that. Now, what do I do about it? How do I make it right? How do I dig myself out of this hole?

That may not be what you call a serious song, but it surely is a selfreflective song where you take responsibility for your actions and do what you can to make it positive and to do better in life. That’s why I call it “Make It Right.” What can I do to make this right, and where’s my part in al this and how can I improve myself and my decision making so I can go where I want to go and where I need to go.

Music News: What is it that you want people to come away with when they see you perform or come away from one of your performances?

Shawn Pittman: I want people to know that there’s somebody out there that’s still hold to their heart the true fun and essence of the Blues, that they can walk away and say, “Dad gum, that guy does the real stuff. I want people to say that. I want people to hear all the stuff that they’ve been longing to hear, and I hope that I can deliver that, the real deal kind of Blues that people want to see and hear. The kind of stuff that people don’t get to experience much these days. I may be kind of a throw back, you know, but I want people to know that there’s somebody out there that still holds true to it, has fun with it, and sings their own songs, and has stories behind their songs. I guess that, mainly. It’s fun and the Shawn Pittman Band plays good Blues! It’s real.

As you can tell, Shawn Pittman is a very interesting man who has learned a lot of life lessons along the way. Despite the few setbacks that he has experienced over the years he has definitely not given up on his goal of bringing the sound of traditional Blues back to his fans and future audiences. He is a man with a mission and nothing is going to stop him this time around. Currently Shawn is on tour in Texas and you can catch him at Katie’s in Bacliff on November 4th, The Big Easy in Houston on November 5th, Green Oaks Tavern in Humble on November 6th, Antone’s in Austin on November 9th, Poor David’s Pub in Dallas on November 12th, and the Gateway Bar in Yantis on November 20th. If you live in Texas, or are visiting the Lone Star State during this month, you might want to put one of these dates on your calendar to go and check out one of the finest Bluesmen you’ve ever heard.

As Shawn looks to the future and reflects on what he’s done and plans to do, he tells us: “I have had many obstacles on my road just like anybody that has embarked on this lifestyle, some selfinflicted, but through my failures I have learned invaluable lessons about life and people, and my strengths as well as my weaknesses. As an artist I feel like I am just beginning. The one constant I have had is the desire to be great at what I do. The late Clifford Antone told me “it’s all about making friends.” I combine that piece of advice with something BB King told me when I asked him his secret for longevity: “Treat people how you want to be treated, and remember everybody has a boss.”

June 2021 • Music News

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Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music in 2008, despite the fact that he’d already been rocking honky tonks, theaters, and stadiums for a decade and a half by then.

He began writing songs and playing gigs while studying psychology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and quickly earned a rabidly devoted audience while performing high-energy live shows in bars and roadhouses throughout his home state.

Jack Ingram Performs At Dosey Doe December 1st Throughout a recording career that has spanned more than 20 years, Jack Ingram has maintained a reputation for uncompromising, personally charged song craft and energetic, charismatic performances, earning him prominent stature in a prestigious tradition of iconoclastic singersongwriters. Ingram’s prior work has won him a fiercely devoted fan base as well as reams of critical acclaim, and now Midnight Motel marks a creative milestone for the veteran artist, his sound ever evolving while showcasing some of his most expressive, emotionally raw songwriting to date.

Ingram made Midnight Motel independently to avoid outside influences and have creative freedom to write and record. “It was really important to me at this point in my life to avoid thinking about any commercial decisions about the music,” explains Ingram. “Every night after my kids went to bed, I’d go into my music room and stay in there until about three or four, just working out the songs like I did at the beginning of my career. Or while on the road, sit up late at night writing in motel rooms. I wanted to bring people into that space with me.”

stripped-down instrumental arrangements that highlight the intimacy and urgency of such new originals as “I’m Drinking Through It,” “Nothing to Fix,” “Can’t Get Any Better Than This,” and “All Over Again.” The album’s organic late-night vibe is perfectly suited to the material, and brings out the emotional edge in Ingram’s deeply felt vocals.

Midnight Motel was cut with Ingram and the musicians recording live in the same room, with minimum overdubbing or sonic trickery. With understated audioverite production by fellow Texas singersongwriter Jon Randall and a stellar studio band including guitarist Charlie Sexton (Bob Dylan, Arc Angels) and drummer Chad Cromwell (Neil Young, Dire Straits), along with bassist Robert Kearns and keyboardist Bukka Allen from Ingram’s longstanding Beat Up Ford Band, the 11song set demonstrates how Ingram’s artistry has widened and deepened over time.

And so Midnight Motel turned into an album that is as real and honest as it could be. “Signing with Rounder Records to release this album was a perfect fit because of their expertise and love for good music, no matter the genre,” Ingram says.

“I couldn’t have made this record when I was 25, because I just didn’t have the experience then,” he asserts, adding, “It’s kind of a concept record, but it’s a loose concept. There’s the late-night thing, and the travel, and then there’s the concept about not letting go of the important relationships, even if they’re not working.

These songs are all about loving, troubled longterm relationships, whether it’s with the music business or my wife or my family.”

His eighth studio album, and his first since his 2009 smash Big Dreams & High Hopes, Midnight Motel features spare,

The road to Midnight Motel has been a long and sometimes rocky one for Ingram, who was named Best New Male

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Ingram’s remarkably loyal fans enthusiastically embraced his early, independently released albums Jack Ingram, Lonesome Questions, and Live At Adair’s. His indie success helped to win him acceptance within the Nashville majorlabel mainstream, and he expanded his constituency with such acclaimed national releases as Livin’ or Dyin’, Hey You, Electric, Young Man as well as the live albums Live at Billy Bob’s Texas, Live at Gruene Hall: Happy Happy, and Acoustic Motel.

Ingram moved to the Big Machine label with 2006’s Wherever You Are, which spawned a pair of major country hits in the title track, which became his first Number One single, and its Top 20 followup, “Love You.” His next studio effort, 2007’s This Is It, hit the Top Five on the U.S. country charts and produced a trio of hits in “Lips of An Angel,” “Measure of A Man,” and “Maybe She’ll Get Lonely.” Big Dreams & High Hopes followed two years later, spawning five chart singles, including the Top 10 “Barefoot and Crazy” and the Top 20 “That’s A Man.” For Midnight Motel, Ingram was looking to create something different.

“Something inside me was itching to do this,” he recalls. “The pressure in my chest was just so heavy that the only way I could get it off was to write these songs. Frank Liddell, who produced my record Electric in 2001, gave me some great advice: he said, ‘Go away and do something great while no one’s looking.’ That became my motto for this project. I just decided that I was just gonna do the best work I could do, and have it take as long as it takes. I didn’t care about trying to be technically perfect; I just wanted to be emotionally available. I can honestly say it was the best recording experience I’ve ever had. The waters got rough, but I really had a ball and enjoyed navigating that course.”

Rather than shooting conventional music videos to promote Midnight Motel, Ingram and noted filmmaker Michael Tully (Ping Pong Summer, Septien) have created a short companion-piece film incorporating the album’s songs and featuring Ingram as a troubled troubadour. The short film was screened at both the Dallas International Film Festival and the Nashville Film Festival.

Tracy Byrd Performs at Main Street Crossing November 29 & 30 Tracy Byrd became a household name on the Country Music Scene in 1993 when his third single, called “Holdin’ Heaven”, off of his MCA Records, self-titled debut album, hit #1 on the Billboard Country Charts. The Album also included the remake hit of Johnny Paycheck’s “Someone to Give my Love to” cementing Byrd as a Traditional Country Troubadour!! The Debut Album went on to be certified Gold, a reward signifying sales in excess of 500,000 copies.

Byrd’s second project, “No Ordinary Man”, kept building on the momentum the first album created, the first radio single from it called “Lifestyle’s of the Not so Rich and Famous” reached #4, followed by another top five hit, “The First Step”, then with the release of the smash, chart topping hit “Watermelon Crawl” the second album crossed the half million sales mark and certified Gold. The realease of the 4th and last single on this project moved Byrd to the top of both the Billboard Album and Singles charts. The song was called “The Keeper of the Star’s” and it shot to #1 on the singles charts and pushed the album to Double Platinum Status, which certifies sales of over 2 Million Copies. “The Keeper of the Star’s” won Academy of Country Music’s “Song of the Year” award in 18 Music News • November 2021

1995. A Keeper Year for Tracy Byrd for sure.

His third studio Album, “Love Lesson” is one of Tracy’s favorites. It included the title track, another top five hit single for Byrd, also included were the top 15 singles, “Walking to Jerusalem” and “Heaven in My Woman’s Eyes”, Byrd’s personal favorite.

A 4th top 15 single was released called “4 to 1 in Atlanta” which Byrd performed Live on the David Letterman Show. The “Love Lesson’s” album also reached sales of 500,000 copies certifying Gold.

“Big Love” became Byrd’s fourth studio album with it’s release in the fall of 1996. It spawned two more top five singles with the release of the title track and “Don’t Take Her She’s All I’ve Got” The Video’s of both of these songs reached the top of CMT’s Video Chart’s and also earned Byrd his first TNN Television Special titled “Tracy Byrd’s Big Love” on which Byrd invited guest’s Johnny Paycheck, Mark Chesnutt, and Asleep at the Wheel. The Album “Big Love” became Tracy’s Fourth consecutive Studio Album to be continued on page 22

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Tracy Byrd continued from previous page Certified Gold. Tracy said that this meant more to him than anything because he knew Fan’s weren’t just listening to his hit songs on the radio, they were laying down their hard earned money to own a copy of their own and that was flattering.

The fifth project on MCA was titled, “I’m From the Country” and it contained the title track a fun, party song stating what most fan’s already knew, that Tracy Byrd was from the Country and sang Country Music. The CD also contained a Beautiful Ballad called “I Wanna Feel That Way Again” Both of these single’s reached the Top Five on the Charts. It was at this same time that TNN Outdoors recruited Byrd as the TV Host of their Weekend Outdoor Broadcast. Tracy, a well known outdoorsman, was perfect for the job and continued his hosting responsibilities for three years.

At this point in his career, Tracy Byrd, was looking for a change in labels, but still was under contract with MCA Records who were preparing a release of “Keepers: Greatest Hit’s” containing all the hit’s from Byrd’s catalog of songs. The album quickly earned another Gold Record award for Byrd but he was trying to persuade MCA to let him out of his contract so he could pursue a different direction. MCA finally allowed Byrd out of his contract and he quickly signed with RCA Records and got to work on a new project, “It’s About Time”, that would be released in November of 1999 and would reach the top 10 quickly with the single “Put Your Hand In Mine” Byrd has said that this album is the most Traditional Album he ever released and therefore his favorite.

Tracy Byrd crossed into the new Millineum with the release of his Album “10 Rounds” It took off on the release of a duet with his longtime hometown buddy and hero Mark Chesnutt. The song was called “A Good Way to get on my Bad Side” and was a milestone for Byrd to finally get to record with his good friend. Then came 20 Music News • November 2021

the release of the party song of the year, “10 Rounds with Jose Cuervo” which shot to the top of the Billboard Charts to notch Byrd’s third #1 single. He also hit the top 10 with his spanish guitar flared “Just Let Me be in Love”.

Next came “The Truth About Men”, which first released the title track which was a comedic look at what Men are really like, it was a team effort with Tracy’s buddies Blake Shelton, Andy Griggs, and Troy and Eddie of Montgomery Gentry lending their talents to the song and the video.

This Album also released the top five smash “The Drinkin’ Bone” which became a crowd favorite sing along song.

Byrd was then moved to BNA Records, the sister label of RCA, and they released his second greatest hits project, another feat that not many artists experience, two Greatest hits projects!!!

It debuted in the top five of the album charts and became Byrd’s sixth Gold Album, and sent him to over 6 Million Records Sold!!!

Byrd then left the major label and released an album on his own, appropriatelly titled, “Different Things” Although this project was not commercially successful, it garnered Byrd his highest Critical acclaim of his career with Billboard magazine choosing it as one of their Top 10 Country Albums of the Year!!!

Through all of these years Byrd became a promoter favorite on the road, performing over 4000 exciting shows across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australia from 1992 until 2009! He then say’s he needed a break to take care of himself and his most precious thing, his family, wife Michelle, daugter Evee, and son’s Logan and Jared, who had taken a backseat to his career for year’s. He did not perform from 2010-2013, but in 2014 he got back to the music with a new band and a new found sobriety and love of the thing he enjoys so much. Say’s Byrd, “These day’s my life has great balance, with my music being a part of it, not all of it. I can honestly say I have never enjoyed it more!!”

Byrd went back in the studio in June of 2016 and started work on his first project in 10 years. Recorded completely in Tyler, Texas at Rosewood Studios, that album is appropriatelly titled, All American Texan, which is exactly what he is and has always been.

This album features 8 tracks written by Byrd, a fact he is very proud of. The album was released in October of 2016 and has been very well received by his fans and critics alike.

If you get the chance pick up some Tracy Byrd music, and catch a show on the road. You won’t be sorry that you did!!!

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Nita Strauss 22

Music News • November 2021

Nita Strauss Performs At The Scout Bar November 11th Nita Strauss, who has been playing guitar in Alice Cooper’s band since 2014, will be embarking on a solo U.S. tour, dubbed ‘Winter Wasteland,’ as the year winds down. The trek will kick off on November 10 in New Orleans, Louisiana and conclude on December 18 in Angola, Indiana. She will be performing in the Houston area this month at The Scout Bar on November 11th.

Nita commented: “Because who needs time off after the last year and a half??! Where will we be seeing you??!!!”

Nita Strauss is currently putting the finishing touches on her new solo album. The as yet untitled effort will serve as the followup to 2018’s Controlled Chaos. Strauss has confirmed that her new record will feature a couple of guest vocalists, but the majority will be instrumental and “will still be classic Nita.”

Nita’s live show is mostly instrumental in nature, combining originals with covers.

In a May 2021 interview with Kylie Olsson’s YouTube show “Life In Six Strings”, Nita talked about the writing and recordings sessions for her follow-up to 2018’s “Controlled Chaos” solo debut.

“That’s been really an interesting experience, writing and being creative when you really are sort of stuck in this bubble and you have no stimuli to get you inspired to do things,” she said, referring to the coronavirus crisis. “It’s been an interesting process being creative in this time, but ultimately I’m really proud of how everything is coming out. I think it’s some of the most interesting stuff I’ve done musically. And I’ve been focusing a lot more on the song. My first album was kind of, like, ‘How much cool guitar stuff can I do?’ And this time there’s a lot of cool guitar stuff, if I

do say so myself, but there’s also a lot more of a focus on the song and the songwriting and the journey that it takes the listener on.

I’ve been working with different songwriters and producers to sort of help me refine my skills in that area and not just be vomiting guitar all over the song. [Laughs] And it’s been a really good growth process for me. So I’m really happy with how it’s coming out.”

In the interview, Nita was asked if she would be handling the vocals on the album and she said: “I will have some guest singers on it this time. There are a couple of names that are attached that, one in particular, if this happens, will be a really, really crazy crossover that people wouldn’t expect, and then some of the others more people that vibe with my personal style. But whatever it is, I can promise you it will not be boring and it will not be what you would expect. I can hold a tune enough to sing a little bit on the Alice tour, but I’m not a good enough singer to actually sing a whole song.”

She further went on to state that production on the album would be relegated to other people this time around and that she has chosen a team that will be able to bring her vision to fruition, “The first one, I did absolutely everything, and that was more out of stubbornness than anything,” she explained. “I wanted to make my own statement; I wanted to do it all myself. I didn’t want any external influence telling me how it should be done. So I produced it, I engineered it, I played everything that I could play. I’m not a good enough drummer or keyboard player to play that stuff, but anything that I could do myself I did. And this time around, I’m really happy to take a step back from the engineering bit of it and really just focus on being a guitar player and songwriter. So I’m still engineering my own guitars, I still engineered the keyboards and stuff like that, but I’m not gonna be engineering the drums.

When Josh [Nita’s longtime boyfriend, manager and drummer Josh Villalta] goes in and plays the live drums, I’m not gonna be the one miking them this time, so you’re welcome. [Laughs] And then the same thing with the vocalist. I don’t know how to record vocals. I feel no ego about taking a step back and letting somebody that really knows what they’re doing do it. I think that’s good growth for me, because I would have stubbornly flailed around on my own until I made it sound decent. And now I’m really just happy to step back and embrace the process and work with some really good people.”

A versatile and virtuosic American guitarist — her father’s side of the family claims beloved Austrian composer Johann Strauss as an ancestor — Nita Strauss (born Vinita Sandhya Strauss) first caught the metal scene’s attention playing in the allfemale Iron Maiden tribute band the Iron Maidens and the popular West Coast hard rock/glam metal outfit Femme Fatale. A frequent continued on next page November 2021 • Music News

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Nita Strauss continued from previous page collaborator and in-demand stage and session musician, Strauss replaced outgoing Alice Cooper guitarist Orianthi in 2014, and in 2018 she started appearing on WWE shows, including Wrestlemania 34. 2018 also saw Strauss ink a deal with Sumerian Records and issue her debut instrumental solo LP, Controlled Chaos.

In April 2018, Strauss launched a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign for her debut solo record Controlled Chaos.

The campaign was successfully funded in two hours and eventually raising eight times its initial goal. Strauss produced the record herself and did the majority of the engineering, as well as playing all the guitars and bass on the record.

After the record was completed, Strauss signed with Sumerian Records to release and distribute the album worldwide.

The first single “Our Most Desperate Hour” was released in September 2018 along with pre orders for the record on both CD and vinyl, with the vinyl completely selling out before release.

Controlled Chaos debuted on the Billboard charts at No. 1 Top New Artist, No. 3 Label Independent, No. 4 Top Hard Music, No. 8 Top Rock, No. 8 Top Internet, No. 20 Top albums, and No. 7 on the iTunes Rock chart. The album’s second single, “Mariana

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Music News • November 2021

Trench” was chosen by WWE as the official theme for NXT TakeOver: WarGames (2018).

Strauss started performing live at WWE pay-per-view events in 2018. In April 2018, Strauss played WWE Superstar Shinsuke Nakamura’s entrance music at WrestleMania 34 in New Orleans in front of an audience of 78,000 fans and millions more who watched the worldwide streaming event. On October 28, Strauss performed with Lzzy Hale at WWE Evolution. Her original song “Mariana Trench” was chosen by WWE superstar Triple H as the official theme for NXT TakeOver: WarGames.

In January 2018, Nita Strauss became the first ever female Ibanez signature artist with her own model guitar, the Ibanez JIVA10. DiMarzio later released their Pandemonium humbuckers, signature pickups that were developed especially for her JIVA Ibanez guitar.

Nita Strauss has recorded with Alice Cooper, Jamie Christopherson, Critical Hit, Docker’s Guild, FB1964, Metal Allegiance, Kane Roberts, and We Start Wars. She has been featured on albums by Maxxxwell Carlisle, Tina Guo, Angel Vivaldi, as well as the all-female compilation album She Rocks.

Strauss has played on dozens of albums, trailers, and soundtracks, including Heroes of the Storm (Blizzard) and the Grammynominated Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Strauss released her first instrumental solo album Controlled Chaos on November 16, 2018.

October 2021 • Music News

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The Josh Abbott Band Perform at White Oak Music Hall November 20th A contemporary country act from Lubbock, Texas, the Josh Abbott Band put a modern spin on traditional Lone Star sounds, guided by Abbott’s songs that mix a traditionalist sentimentalism with a 21st century feel for the Saturday night party. Abbott was a student at Texas Tech when he first picked up the guitar, motivated by the work of Texas singer/songwriters like Pat Green and Wade Bowen. After seeing the Randy Rogers Band at the Blue Light Live, one of Lubbock’s leading venues for singer/songwriters, Abbott was inspired to give songwriting a try, and in 2004 Abbott played an open-mike night at the Blue Light Live with Austin Davis, a fraternity brother who played the banjo. After playing their second open-mike at the club, Davis was confident enough to not only ask for a headlining gig, but for permission to record it for a live album.

While it was another few years before Abbott and Davis began releasing product, it didn’t take so long for the duo to grow into a full band with the addition of Preston Wait on guitar and fiddle and Edward Villanueva on drums. By 2007, the group had self-released a demo that included the single “Taste,” and when bassist James Hertless and guitarist Caleb Keeter came on board, the Josh Abbott Band lineup was complete. In 2008, the group was gaining enough traction in Texas that they began touring outside their home state for the first time, and that year JAB released their first full-length album, Scapegoat, through their own Pretty Damn Tough Records label. In 2010, the second Josh Abbott Band album, She’s Like Texas, showed their hard touring was beginning to pay off; the independent release rose to number 28 on the Country Albums chart, and for the first time they sold out Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth, often called “the world’s largest honky tonk” with a capacity of 6,000. She’s Like Texas also spawned the single “Oh, Tonight,” a duet with Kacey Musgraves that topped out at number 44 on the Country Singles survey.

Released in 2012, Small Town Family Dream fared even better; the Pretty Damn Tough release climbed to number five on the Country Albums chart and number 14 on the Top 200 albums, and the single “Touch,” which was featured in the movie The Longest Ride, just missed making the Country Top 40, peaking at 41. In the fall of 2014, the Josh Abbott Band partnered with Atlantic Records to issue a five-song EP, Tuesday Night, that reached number 12 on the Country Albums listing, but the band was back to Pretty Damn Tough for 2015’s Front Row Seat, an ambitious concept album about the rise and fall of a relationship, inspired by Abbott’s own divorce.

Featuring the singles “Ghosts” and “Amnesia,” Front Row Seat hit number nine on the Country Albums chart and went all the way to number one on the Independent Albums survey.

In August 2017, Abbott returned with the band’s fifth studio album, Until My Voice Goes Out, which found him ruminating on the birth of his daughter, and the death of his father. Included was the single “I’m Your Only Flaw.” The album peaked at number twenty two on the U.S. country charts. On October 1, 2017, the band performed at the Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas, Nevada just hours before a gunman opened fire on the festival crowd. In the wake of the tragedy, Abbott canceled several shows out of respect for the victims and their families.

The Josh Abbott Band’s most recent album was released just last year and the name of it is The Highway Kind.

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Music News • November 2021

https://www.thebigeasyblues.com

Shawn Pittman - November 5

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Micky And The Motorcars Perform At Dosey Doe December 3rd For a handful of summers about 30 years ago, tourists who wandered into a large dancehall in Stanley, Idaho, witnessed a family tradition finding new life. Young and old sat shoulder-toshoulder, taking a break from the town’s mountain hikes and river campgrounds to take in Muzzie Braun and the Boys––a local family band who’d made it to the Grand Ole Opry, effortlessly spouted cowboy poetry and Western swing at gatherings around the country, and featured Muzzie’s four young sons–– precocious boys with rock-and-roll futures.

“There were kids running around, people dancing,” says Micky Braun, the 30

Music News • November 2021

youngest brother who first climbed on stage to join the family when he was about five years-old. “Gary and I’d get up and play a couple of songs, then we’d get off and the older brothers would stay up and play a couple more. It’s pretty funny, looking back on it.” He laughs a little, then adds, still smiling, “That’s how we got started playing.”

The Braun brothers never stopped.

Big brothers Cody and Willy started Reckless Kelly, and Micky and Gary left Idaho for Austin and started Micky and the Motorcars, a road-dogging favorite whose nonstop tour for the last 17 years has defined not just the lives of the brothers, but also shaped Austin’s roots-

rock resurgence that has played out over the last two decades. With their anticipated new album Long Time Comin’, the Motorcars cement their place as elder statesmen of that alt-country scene who have managed to master that ever-elusive blend of artistic familiarity and surprise.

“I hope people take the time to hear the album as a whole, and I hope they like it,” Gary says from his home in Austin. “I think this one is a little bit better.” He pauses and laughs as he drawls, “So I hope they like it a little more.”

For the Motorcars, the question is continued on next page

Micky And The Motorcars continued from previous page never really whether to tour but where to play next. Gary––who handles guitar, mandolin, harmonica, harmonies, and occasionally lead vocals––and Micky, lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist, are joined in the Motorcars by Joe Fladger on bass, Bobby Paugh on drums and percussion, and new bandmate Pablo Trujillo on guitar. The combination of familiar and fresh players has reinvigorated the Motorcars’ live show, which buzzes through a low-key rock-and-roll rapture built on grooves and the Brauns’ signature harmonies.

A mix of new and old also shaped the Long Time Comin’ recording process. Produced by Keith Gattis, the 11-song album relied in part on Gattis’ go-to Nashville studio players––a first for the Motorcars. “It still sounds like Micky and the Motorcars, but it was fun working with different guys who we’d never worked with before,” Micky says.

“They’ve been Keith’s band for 15 years.

He can say, ‘Give me a shuffle with a boom-chuck,’ and they know what he’s talking about.”

The band isn’t the only change on Long Time Comin’. Gary, who has always contributed a song or two to Motorcar records, wrote or co-wrote six of the album’s tracks and sings every tune he penned. “I don’t think I decided to really write more––I think I just got better at it and worked a little harder at it the past couple of years,” Gary says. “In the past, I just let Micky do it because he was good at it. It was easy for me not to do it.”

Micky loves the shift. “It’s almost a split album between the two of us on lead vocal––very different from our normal,” he says. “I think our fans will enjoy it. They always love the songs Gary sings live. They always want him to sing more.”

The album kicks off with the ambling “Road to You.” Written by Micky and Courtney Patton, the rollicking singalong is classic Motorcars and an

ideal welcome mat for the collection.

Sauntering “Rodeo Girl” swings and punches up the pace, before “Alone Again Tonight”––a Gary track written with Gattis––watches loneliness with empathetic ache.

Several tracks take note of the universal search for comfort––even when it’s not the stuff of fairytales or even particularly dignified. Over crunchy guitars, “Stranger Tonight” captures an evening’s quest for no-strings companionship. “It was an idea I had just watching people at bars––that lonely girl I saw time and time again but with a different set of glasses, over and over,” Gary says. “It seems like everybody can relate to that––out looking for something new that doesn’t have to be love.”

Sweet and sad, “Break My Heart,” another track penned by Gary with Jeff Crosby, looks back after the end of a relationship. “You’re not mad anymore but you’re thankful of the good times,” Gary says. “It’s also about finding yourself again. It’s a moving-on song.”

Quiet and sparse, the Gary-penned “Run into You” details a longing to cross paths with an ex-lover who’s moved on with heartbreaking clarity.

Anchored by crying B-3 organ, “Hold This Town Together” explores the struggle to enjoy what once was easy after the loss of someone who’ll never come back. After years of trying, Micky wrote the song for Mark, a friend and the Motorcars’ first bassist, who passed away. “Hold This Town,” written by Micky and Jeff Crosby, muses over the

hometown faces and places that never change. “There are the same people at the same bars, the same people working at the grocery stores,” Micky says, then adds with a laugh, “It’s kind of a depressing party song.” Another Jeff Crosby-Micky collaboration, “Thank My Mother’s God” pays beautiful tribute to moms and their devotion to their black sheep, running wild.

Two album standouts stand tall: “Lions of Kandahar,” written by Gary alone, and the title track, which Micky penned with master songwriter Bruce Robison. Over instrumentation that evokes the tense hum of Middle Eastern military activity, “Lions of Kandahar” follows a deployment from a first-person perspective. The result is jarring, compelling, and deeply human––a breathtaking piece of songwriting that took five years to complete. Winsome “Long Time Comin’” is an ode to the satisfaction of patience and perseverance rewarded in different forms––a stunning tapestry that also reflects the road to the album itself.

Guitars and songs at the ready, Micky and Gary hope most of all that their sprawling cross-continental fanbase connect with Long Time Comin’, a collection four years in the making. “If you can put your heart on your sleeve and say it, it’s the best medicine for people,” Micky says, reflecting on the album. “They can lock into it and enjoy the ride.”

November 2021 • Music News

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song, it doesn’t matter what era it’s from or what production it has.”

Silverstein Perform at Warehouse Live November 28th For the past two decades, Silverstein have relentlessly pushed themselves to become the best version of the band for both themselves and their fans. That determination has led the Ontario-based five-piece from their underground roots to becoming one of the most influential bands in their scene, playing two thousand-plus shows all over the globe, and selling over a million records. Now Silverstein are celebrating their 20th anniversary with the release of their 9th, and perhaps strongest album to date: A Beautiful Place To Drown.

While many bands would take their 20year anniversary as an opportunity to rest on the laurels of nostalgia, Silverstein (vocalist Shane Told, guitarists Paul Marc Rousseau and Josh Bradford, bassist Billy Hamilton, and drummer Paul Koehler) see the landmark as a time to appreciate how far they’ve come, while also channeling all those years of experience into something new. Rousseau explains, “To me, the best way to honor the anniversary is to keep doing what got us this far. Being adventurous has always been part of what the band does - we keep focusing on moving forward.” A Beautiful Place To Drown finds the band deftly balancing their core sound - an intensely dynamic mix of melody and aggression, rooted in the energy of hardcore punk and the unabashed earnestness of emo - with their natural growth as songwriters and evolving inspirations. “We have so many fans that have been with us from the beginning and have grown up with us, but at the same time we have new people that come on

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Music News • November 2021

board with each album,” says Told. “So we really do try to find a way to please the people who have been with us from the start while also having some modern aspect to what we do.”

Forged in their longevity, the confidence Silverstein has in one another enables the band to find this sort of careful songwriting alchemy. “Everyone has carved out their role,” Koehler says. “And we trust each other in those roles.”

Rousseau, the “newest” member of Silverstein (after joining in 2012 following four years of touring as the band’s guitar tech), found his songwriting duties expanding along with his enthusiasm for pushing the band into new territory. “The only clear objective I have when I start writing is to not repeat myself,” he says.

“This far into our career I was feeling a lot of freedom because we already have this large back catalog. It felt like a hall pass to see what Silverstein could potentially sound like.” A Beautiful Place To Drown fulfills that potential, seamlessly merging the band’s evergreen strengths with a daring approach to composition and production. Recorded with producer/ engineer Sam Guaiana, the album’s 12 tracks blend vibrant contemporary sonics with walls of distorted guitars and pummeling drums to create a sound that’s stunningly cohesive, and undeniably Silverstein. “When we started the band, we had a lot of rules for ourselves, but once you let go you realize there’s so many ideas you might enjoy trying,” Told says.

“But we’ve always made the songwriting paramount. If you boil it down to a great

The opening salvo of “Bad Habits” and “Burn It Down” wastes no time in delivering the familiar Silverstein drive, but within the explosive riffs and propulsive rhythm section there’s an element of potent pop songcraft—a sharpness to melodies that makes each anthemic chorus all the more effective. The songs also begin to introduce the album’s lyrical motifs: an exploration of the mental duress that seems to become more and more inescapable in a world struggling to deal with the personal and societal challenges of modern life.

Rousseau explains, “Everywhere you look people are dealing with these controlling invisible forces like anxiety and depression.

It can be a suffocating presence.” Told adds, “Everything that’s going on in the world can directly affect your mental state, and that strife is so palpable that it’s found its way into the songs.” Tracks like “Shape Shift” and “September 14th” grapple with powerlessness in the face of those who abuse positions of power, while “Infinite” and “Madness” look at the toll of mental illness and the vicious cycles that can exacerbate it.

The latter songs feature two of the album’s numerous guest spots, and while contributions from other artists has been a longstanding tradition throughout Silverstein’s discography, the collaborations on A Beautiful Place To Drown seem particularly representative of the band’s past, present, and future. Old friends (Underoath’s Aaron Gillespie, Beartooth’s Caleb Shomo, and Simple Plan’s Pierre Bouvier) and new ones (Interval’s Aaron Marshall, and Princess Nokia) make appearances that feel like a celebration of the band’s wide-reaching impact as well as their ability to win over listeners in all worlds of music. “I think people care less about labels and genres than they ever have,” Told says. “We’ve always been okay with how emo can mean so many different things, and from the start we wanted our band to bend genres.”

That willingness to follow their own path has been an integral part of the past 20 years of Silverstein, and A Beautiful Place To Drown once again proves the band’s unique compass is true. “I think we’ve always had something to prove,” Koehler says. “When you lose that, you pack it in.

But we always have goals, things we want to do and want to do better.” Told laughs, “I don’t know how other bands operate, I’m still in my high school band!” But looking at all they’ve accomplished and all that’s to come, he echoes Koehler’s sentiment: “It’s harder to gauge success these days but we’re still making what we believe is our best music. It’s nice to know that we’ve survived and we did it in a way that feels right.”

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Geoff Tate will be appearing on November 6th and the House of Blues in Houston with his Geoff Tate Empire 30th Anniversary Tour: Empire And Rage For Order where he will be celebrating the release of the albums Empire and Rage for Order, both of which will be performed in their entirety.

Prior to the launch of the trek in early 2020, Tate told MisplacedStraws.com that he would take the “Empire 30th Anniversary Tour” to “as many countries as I can and playing the album in its entirety, which I’ve never done before. So that’ll be real fun.

In fact, I think there’s some songs on that album that I’ve never, ever played live before, so it’ll be a treat — for me, as well, I think, for the audience too,” the former QUEENSR?CHE singer said.

“I’m really looking forward to that.”

Tate told Eonmusic that one song from “Empire” that was rarely performed live is “Anybody Listening?” “When QUEENSR?CHE was together, we never really put that song in our set,” he said.

“We just had a hard time playing it, for some reason; it just never jelled or felt right. And I’d really like to play that song again, and play it right.”

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Music News • November 2021

Multi-platinum selling, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Geoff Tate is best known for his 30-plus years as the creative and driving force behind the progressive metal band Queensryche.

Since its inception with Geoff at the helm, Queensryche has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and has performed in upwards of fifty countries.

Geoff is regarded as one of the most skilled vocalists in the genre with hundreds of modern, popular artists citing him and his former band as a major influence. Combining social consciousness and expertly crafted lyrics with high-energy, melodically complex music, Queensryche with Geoff Tate at the forefront became internationally recognized as the thinking man’s rock band.

Empire is the fourth full-length studio album by Geoff’s former band Queensrÿche, which was released on August 20, 1990. The album stands as Queensrÿche’s most commercially successful release, reaching tripleplatinum status. The primary single, the power ballad “Silent Lucidity”, reached number 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks and number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Silent Lucidity” was also

nominated in 1992 for the Grammy Awards for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. The album won a 1991 Northwest Area Music Award for Best Metal Recording.

In a June 2019 interview, former vocalist Geoff Tate announced his intentions to perform the entire album live in 2020 to celebrate its 30th anniversary. He also said that there will be a new 30th anniversary edition box set.

Rage for Order is the second studio album by Queensrÿche, released on June 27, 1986. Rage for Order was more progressive than the band’s previous release, with a layered and complex musical structure that employs a two-guitar approach, but also brought keyboards forward in the mix. Lyrically, the album explored social/personal, political and technological themes, among others highlighting the dangers of artificial intelligence and government intrusion. The concept of robotics would also be emphasized through the use of staccato rhythms and vocal effects such as a reverse echo.

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Tune Out Cancer Music Fest Year 3!

Interview with Kevin Hamlin, President and CEO for Tune Out Cancer Music Fest Year 3! , November 13 and 14 at the Wildcatter Saloon, Katy, Texas raising money for Texas Childrens Hospital.

By Carox Rox Tell us a bit about the first Tune Out Cancer Festival in 2019.

The first one was in 2019 at the Scout Bar in Houston, with 52 bands over two days on three stages. It was the first time of us putting together a show of this magnitude. So many people doubted it would work, with so little time and so many bands - but when it did it was so rewarding and so many of the doubters now stand behind me after that.

So that year you went to visit the kids in the waiting room in the cancer ward on the 14th Floor?

Yes we did. We. Brought a couple of guys from Hold On Hollyood, Pat Gamble, Dalton D’Rich, a magician, Paul David Carpenter, he did magic for the kids. It was great to see smiles on the kids faces. You know kids are fighting for their life but they are still happy to see you – that made it all worthwhile.

We haven’t been able to go since COVID but we will when we can. Just knowing what we were fighting for we were able to see. It was Valentines Day and we brought gifts for the kids so we were able to go room to room and visit them and give them the gifts. We went into their recording studio in the hospital since they have their own recording studio and actually we were supposed to get together with some of the kids to do a song with some of our local artists to raise money for Texas Childrens so we are hoping to get with them again soon to do that.

What about the second year in 2020?

It was held at Wildcatters Saloon. It was whole new monster .We realised how big it was and spread out! This year we will be bringing out a golf cart to the show since last year it took me an hour and a half to get from the main stage to the side stage. At times I would think no one was there because it was so spread out and the previous year it had been so compact. But actually, there were more people there than the first year!

Did you do a presentation ceremony for the money raised last year?

Kristy Cunningham my partner took the check there personally to the hospital since we could not do a presentation in person due to Covid. I am hoping this year we can do the presentation even if it is outside in the parking lot. This year looks really great and I am hoping we double the size!

26 Music News • November 36 October 2020 2021

Where does the passion come from?

Well from me actually, in 1991 I had a son that died. He did not die of cancer but it always put something in me that children were so important to me. I love kids, they are my whole life. After my separation, I got back in to the music industry to fight my depression. I was fighting suicidal depression really bad and when I returned to the music scene, I met a bunch of bands that saved my life – I have tattoos all over my arms of some of those bands - and they helped me fight and get over the depression. I thought one night I want to see what I can do to help .I don’t want to leave this world and never do anything. I knew enough people in the business that could help me. That is when I made the Facebook post and bands started messaging me on Facebook. Now I have bands from all over the country interested in the Festival.

So are you hoping to keep this going for many years?

Yes when I am done, my daughter has already told me she will take it on. She is actually at school studying right now so she can be a pharmacist at that hospital.

What about the groups behind Tune Out Cancer?

Our first year we started our own non profit and it didn’t work out. So in the second year we ended up getting another company in and umbrella us under their name and after it was over we realised that their numbers would not work out. This year we decided to so it ourselves and so we started Second Chance Foundation (Second Chance Foundation was founded

by John Janatsch, Outlaw Dave (David Andrews) Sui Gordon, Kristy Cunningham Carmen Pool, and Kevin Hamlin in order to help those in need).

What can we look forward to this year?

One of the big things this year when we had to move the festival because of Covid we lost our two national artists.

Parabelle had to go back to Canada and Straight Line Stitch were worried about Covid since the singer has young kids. So last minute we are still looking for a national band. We still have 42 bands right now with one of the best line ups in continued on next page

Houston. It is still a big show When I moved South, I got a whole new bunch of friends that are a whole lot more supportive. I am always saying .you always talking about supporting so here is your chance. We got people who are coming out of state. I feel this will be our biggest year yet. So far everything I have heard has been positive.

Why did the date change?

Well COVID affected our scene really badly with the new strain, Seven or eight of our bands were affected by Covid and one of our artists was in hospital for a month on a ventilator in a coma because of Covid. Our Merch guy from Fresh Baked Tees had brain surgery so it was better for everyone to have it in November.

Now the Covid is starting to dive again, we should all be back.

Is it an all ages show?

Yes until 8pm then after that anyone under 18 is not allowed because of TABC laws.

What can families enjoy in terms of side events?

There is going to be a lot of family fun you be had including a fire breather, comedians and clowns – bring your whole family!

What can folks do to support you and Texas Childrens Hospital?

Come to the show!

Ticket Link is https://www.eventbrite.com/ .../tune-out-cancer-2021-sept...

Band Schedule: Saturday November 13th Schedule Doors at 2pm Stage 1- 3:30-4:00 Chris Castro Stage 2- 4:05-4:35 Rxbyn Stage 1- 4:35-4:55 Lil Jesse Stage 2- 4:55-5:25 While in Rome Stage 1- 5:25-5:55 Dalton D’Rich Stage 2- 5:55-6:25 King Baby Familia Stage 1- 6:25-6:45 Kalum Johnson - Kdog Stage 2- 6:45-7:05 Rob Keelo Stage 1- 7:05-7:35 Scream at The Sky Stage 2- 7:35-8:05 ZombieFace Stage 1- 8:05-8:25 JT aka Face Stage 2- 8:25-8:45 Byrd The Ghost Stage 1- 8:45-9:15 Saturate Stage 2- 9:15-9:45 Calling Chase Stage 1- 9:45-10-15 Zak The Tyrant Stage 1- 10:30-11:00 Mirror Lake Inside the bar 8-8:45 Skabz The Clown 9-10:30 Jesse Peyton and friends comedy show 11-11:30 Primrose Hollow 11:50-12:20 Lucid Illusions 12:40-1:30 Doug Westcott Sunday November 14th Schedule Stage 1 3:30-4:00 Gray Falls Stage 2 4:05-4:25 SirChox

Stage 1 4:25-4:45 Big Yogi Stage 2 4:45-5:15 Undivided Band Stage 1 5:15-5:45 EverGlaze Stage 2 5:45-6:15 EMILY COLE Stage 1 6:15-6:35 Ko Carter Stage 2 6:35-6:55 TrippyGoblin Stage 1 6:55-7:15 Cl’Che’ Stage 2 7:15-7:45 Blurred In10tions Stage 1 7:45-8:15 In The Aftermath Stage 2 8:15-8:35 Nickyy Danger Stage 1 8:35-8:55 Marcus Money Stage 2 8:55-9:14 Edj Theiceman Stage 1 9:15-9:45 Affinity Falls Stage 2 9:45-10:15 Ojos Rojos Htx Stage 1 10:15-11:00 Relevant Saints Inside Bar DJ LMFJ/ Leslie Jackson between sets 4:00-5:00 MD Hamilton-Music 6:00-7:00 Melissa Sterling 8:00-9:00 BrainWashed 10:00-11:00 Michael Kennedy & The Vendetta November 2021 • Music News

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Music News • September 2021

Open 6 Days A Week Tuesday thru Sunday

Thursday, November 4 - Shawn Pittman Friday, November 5 - J.W. Jones Saturday, November 6 - Pee Wee Bowen Sunday, November 7 - Katie’s Jam with guest host James Wilhite Thursday, November 11 - James Wilhite Friday, November 12 - Doug Strahan Saturday, November 13 - BV3 Sunday, November 14 - Katie’s Jam with guest host Thursday, November 18 - Eric Demmer Friday, November 19 - Brad Stivers Saturday, November 20 - Jamie Lynn Vessels Sunday, November 21 - Katie’s Jam with guest host Mark May Thursday, November 25 - Happy Thanksgiving - Closed Friday, November 26 - Chris Crochemore Saturday, November 27 - Mark May Sunday, November 28 - Katie’s Jam with guest host Chris Castaneda Thursday, December 2 - James Wilhite Friday, December 3 - Chris Castaneda Saturday, December 4 - Ole Lonesome

November 2021 • Music News

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1006 McGowen

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This November at Leon’s Lounge Monday, November 1 - Kevin Jefferies Tuesday, November 2 - Clayton Farris Duo Wednesday, November 3 - Music News Open Mic Night with Joe Cain Thursday, November 4 - Randy Soffar Singer/Songwriter Song Swap with Melissa Sambrooks Friday, November 5 - The Monicas Saturday, November 6 - Shotgun Sally Sunday, November 7 - Gammaland Monday, November 8 - Kevin Jefferies Tuesday, November 9 - Clayton Farris Duo Wednesday, November 10 - Music News Open Mic Night with Joe Cain Thursday, November 11 - The Examiners Friday, November 12 - John Barraza Project Saturday, November 13 - Kim Foushee & The Alliance Sunday, November 14 - Gammaland Monday, November 15 - Kevin Jefferies Tuesday, November 16 - Clayton Farris Duo Wednesday, November 17 - Music News Open Mic Night with Joe Cain Thursday, November 18 - Randy Soffar Singer/Songwriter Song Swap with Maxwell Burgess Friday, November 19 - Chuck Kidd & The Raw Feed with The Spectrum Band Saturday, November 20 - Glenn Bryant Sunday, November 21 - Gammaland Monday, November 22 - Kevin Jefferies Tuesday, November 23 - Clayton Farris Duo Wednesday, November 24 - Music News Open Mic Night with Joe Cain Thursday, November 25 - Happy Thanksgiving - Closed Friday, November 26 - One Fry Short Saturday, November 27 - James Henry Band Sunday, November 28 - Gammaland Monday, November 29 - Kevin Jefferies Tuesday, November 30 - Clayton Farris Duo Wednesday, 38 Music News • August 2021 December 1 - Music News Open Mic Night with Joe Cain Saturday, December 4 - Max Rios

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

August 2021 • Music News

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Lost 80s Live Takes Place At The Arena Theatre November 20th You’ll Never Forget Your First Time….

Was it really that long ago when synthesizers and cotton-candy hair seemed oh-so modern?

Not for The Lost 80’s Live, this Reagan era tour features some of the most recognizable acts from that great decade, This amazing show is filled with all your favorite 80’s songs performed by the artist’s you know and remember. This is a unique opportunity to see all these great groups from the amazing 80’s performing live on one stage, their Biggest New Wave and Pop radio hits of all time. The Lost 80’s Live tour has been described by thousands of concert goers as a greatest hits show of the 80’s and a rare opportunity to experience so many great bands in one concert, one night, on one stage.

Every song played is on a greatest hit’s CD of the 80’s and the moment is

timeless, don’t miss this 80’s best of concert, don’t miss the Lost 80’s Live.

This year The Lost 80’s Tour will touch down at Houston’s Arena Theatre on Saturday, November 20th. Some of the acts appearing at this show will be A Flock Of

Anything can happen with The Lost 80’s Tour. Now we’d like to take you down memory lane for a moment and refresh your memories with Flock Of Seagulls and Missing Persons.

It took musical training and talent to program a drum machine and sing to synth, and a bit more effort to craft a look and sound that was original – or odd – enough to get noticed by record companies, and then by the record buying audience. There’s probably no better early ’80s’ example of this than A Flock of Seagulls. The band, founded by hairdressers Mike Score and Frank Maudsley, Score’s brother Ali, and Paul Reynolds was a late product of the Liverpool music scene that produced such hard hitting pop acts as Mikes Score Live, Echo and the Bunnymen, and The Teardrop

Mike Score of Flock Of Seagulls

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Music News • November 2021

Seagulls, Missing Persons, Men Without Hats, Dramarama, Stacey Q, Animotion, The Flirts, Tommy Tutone, Anything Box, and Christopher Anton from Information Society. Don’t be surprised if more acts are added to this roster before the show.

continued on next page

Lost 80s Live

“Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You).”

continued from previous page Explodes.

Their first single – “Telecommunication” – was an electro-dance beat piece of new wave pop that sounds like an early New Order. Still, their early offerings were enough to land them an opening slot on Squeeze’s US tour, and the next six months were spent building up a substantial American following. With their eponymous debut album in 1982 came the hit “Space Age Love Song,” a happy romantic song of love and loss, and in 2001 was featured in Columbia Pictures’ Not Another teen Movie, and the song for which they will always be remembered for by most Americans – “I Ran“.

The music video for “I Ran” is ‘head spinning,’ yet possibly the most remembered 80s’ hit ever made, where singer Score sports his trademark ‘waterfall’ hair and looks pensive in a room covered from floor to ceiling with aluminum foil, in which you can see the reflection of the cameras. 80s’ Classic.

Twenty years later the band is back touring and sounding stronger than ever, performing all of their greatest hits: “I Ran,” “Space Age Love Song,” “Telecommunication,” “DNA” (Grammy Award Winning Song, 1984), “Wishing (If I Had A Photograph Of You),” “The More You Live, The More You Love,” “The Dancer (Never Again),” “Transfer Affection,” “Nightmares (Mama I Keep Having ,” “Committed,” “Quicksand,” “The Story Of A Young Heart,” “It’s Not Me Talking,” and more.

Today, Mike Score (lead singer and founding member) continues to Mike Score - A Flock Of Seagullstour the states with his new line up of Seagulls and from time

The singles “Mental Hopscotch,” “Surrender Your Heart” (1984), “Destination Unknown,” “Words,” “Walking in L.A.,” and “Windows” met with varying success, especially in the local markets of Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. The visual effects used in the music video for “Words” were unusual for the time, making it popular on the fledgling cable TV channel MTV. Missing Persons also appeared at a three-day Southern California concert known as the US Festival in May 1983.

Although the band gained new attention from heavy play on FM rockradio and on MTV with the striking music video for “Surrender Your Heart” that was designed by Peter Max, the 1984 album Rhyme & Reason was considered experimental, and the band followed up with the more conventional Color In Your Life in June 1986.

During the early 1990s, Dale Bozzio toured with her own hired band using the name “Missing Persons” and performing Missing Persons songs. She now tours under the name “DALE BOZZIO original member MISSING PERSONS.” Some of her musicians have been Wes Wehmiller, Ron Poster, Mike Mangini, Anthony Resta, Ben Sesar, Tony Savarino, Brad Miller, Jeff Calder, Michael T. Ross, Van Spragins, Michael Maysonet, James Sperry and Eric Welsh.

Dale Bozzio of Missing Persons

A Flock of Seagulls was initially criticized in their native land for not wanting to become UK pop stars, but they would make a mark on the UK charts anyway, after the release of their second album Listen, which included the top ten single “Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You).” The song is hauntingly powerful in the same early-’80s-techno way as Nik Kershaw’s “Wouldn’t It Be Good” and Thomas Dolby’s “One of Our Submarines,” songs which still stand up to this day.

The band’s next offering was their third album The Story Of A Young Heart, which featured another song about heartbreak and life titled, “The More You Live, The More You Love.” This 80’s classic still receives regular radio play, as do “I Ran,” “Space Age Love Song,” and

to time, “All Original Members” will tour and do a special events as “AFOS REUNITED” And now, let’s take you back to Missing Persons. In 1980 the Missing Persons made their first record, a 4-song EP entitled Missing Persons, in Zappa’s brand-new Utility Muffin Research Kitchen studios. The band toured, promoted the EP, appeared in the movie Lunch Wagon, and became a must-see band among the Los Angeles live music crowd.

“Mental Hopscotch” was a #1 record on local radio station KROQ-FM, and the selfpromoted EP sold 7,000 copies.

Two years of hard work led up to a signing with Capitol Records in 1982. With label support, the re-released EP sold another 250,000 units, and the new fulllength album Spring Session M (an anagram of “Missing Persons”) went Gold.

In June 2005, Missing Persons featuring Dale Bozzio appeared on week five of the NBC show Hit Me Baby One More Time. They performed “Words” and a cover of the Kylie Minogue dance track, “Can’t Get You Out of My Head.”

DALE BOZZIO and MISSING PERSONS has toured throughout the United States During the past few decades, the band has made several appearances on the Lost 80’s Live tour and have played throughout the US. Without a doubt, this is going to be a concert that you won’t want to miss if you’re a fan of the 80s. It’s time to don your Devo hats and head on down to the Arena Theate this month on November 20th. We’ll see you there.

November 2021 • Music News

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Gemini Syndrome Perform At The Scout Bar November 20th LA alternative metal band GEMINI SYNDROME has released their long-awaited, and highly anticipated new studio album, 3rd Degree – The Raising, today. The album was released worldwide via Century Media. Special album configurations (limited edition vinyl, deluxe CD sets, etc.) along with special merchandise are available now via the band’s official website: www.GeminiSyndrome.com.

In celebration of the album’s release, a brand new video and single “Absolution” were also released today to all major digital retailers, streaming services and video platforms.

In celebration of the album’s release, a brand new video and single, “Absolution,” were also released today to all major digital retailers, streaming services, and video platforms. Watch the “Absolution” video here: https://youtu.be/wNP_6kF2JpA. The album release also comes mere weeks before the band heads out on their Initiation US Tour with support coming from Rochester, New York’s Ovtlier, who will be on the first half of the tour (Oct. 28 – Nov. 13), and Sacramento, California’s Oh! The Horror, who will join the run for the second half of the dates (Nov. 14 - 27).

Additional support comes from pop-punk rock powerhouse Pushing Veronica (https://linktr.ee/pushingveronica) and hard rock wrecking machine Them Damn Kings (www.facebook.com/themdamnkings).

3rd Degree – The Raising is the long awaited, mind-bending final chapter of GEMINI SYNDROME’s debut trilogy of albums, the first being 2013’s Lux and the second being 2016’s Memento Mori (which hit #1 on Billboard Heatseakers Album Chart and spawned

44

Music News • November 2021

five singles). Wherein Lux, meaning “Light,” was concerned with birth and Memento Mori, meaning “Remember That We Must Die,” dealt with the finite nature of life, 3rd Degree - The Raising celebrates the extreme rituals of rebirth.

Produced by Matt Good (Asking Alexandria, Memphis May Fire, Hollywood Undead) and featuring the singles “Die With Me,” “IDK,” “Abandoned,” “Broken Reflection,” “Absolution” and “Reintegration,” 3rd Degree - The Raising is undeniably the heaviest, and darkest album of the band’s career.

“The album is about death and rebirth. Finding your true self and fostering its growth so as to help build the world better than we inherited it,” says GEMINI SYNDROME vocalist Aaron Nordstrom.

“In the process of this record I made some major life choices. Mainly to stop killing myself slowly with alcohol. Two years without a drink, and a couple near death experiences later, I think I have ample experience to talk about a subject as elusive as death.”

Drummer Brian Steele Medina adds, “The twist to the 3rd and ‘final’ degree is that it’s not the end at all. Rather, it’s a rebirth contingent upon our growth and lessons learned from the suffering of our past mistakes. A spiritual growth that can only be attained through baptism by fire. A metaphorical, yet very real resurrection — THE RAISING.” Nordstrom continues, “Our hope is that through sharing our continued on next page

Gemini Syndrome continued from previous page experiences, lessons learned, and battles overcome, that we can help others to examine their own consciousness. Their role in the world in its almost infinite capacity, and to help remind each other that we are ALL in this together. We are a family, and when we are United in our commonality, we can achieve things worthy of the attention of the GODS. If you want to change the world, quietly go to work on yourself.”

When asked about the process of initiation, and how it relates to GEMINI SYNDROME’s music, band drummer Medina reveals, “There’s something deeper under the surface of our music, and it’s designed to allow the listener to resonate and wake up to their potential. See, when an initiation is done properly, who the person was before, and who they are after the initiation, are two different people. Essentially being raised to a higher degree of consciousness.

So, when you listen and actually attend to our music, and understand the intention, the same principle applies. Who the listener was before they hear the album and who they are after are different. They become a changed person. They’ve transmuted to a new state of being, and the lyrics that they carry with them after the fact become a mantra, which allows them to sustain that new state of being. Looking back, I recognize that music has always sustained me. It’s been a constant and transformative alchemical force, and it continues to save my life, even today.”

Vocalist Nordstrom explains how the incorporation of symbols further illuminate an additional layer of insight. “I see the use of symbolism as a way to make people think in ways they are not accustomed to or even aware of. Symbols communicate to our subconscious and collective unconscious minds, and can invoke changes in our thoughts not only in a conscious fashion, but also on a subtler, deeper level. This album is more than a collection of songs, it’s a representation of our final initiation. First, birth by the Waters of the One Current; next, life by the Breath of Our Collective Soul; and finally, resurrection through Baptism by Fire. This trilogy is a testimony and a firsthand account of the twists and turns of Chapel Perilous, thus it’s proof that it’s possible to find our way Home — no matter how lost we might find ourselves.”

GEMINI SYNDROME spent the better part of 2018-2019 writing 3rd Degree – The Raising. They retreated to Brian Steele Medina’s Las Vegas home studio, where they meticulously crafted song after song, relentlessly reworking and rearranging the musical arrangements until they were fully satisfied. After an exhaustive writing process, GEMINI SYNDROME relocated to Good Sounds Studio in Tempe, AZ, where producer Matt Good would help realize the collection of songs. Medina recalls, “We absolutely loved working with Matt and he completely understood where we wanted to take this album creatively and what it was going to take to bring the third chapter of this trilogy to light. Our actual collective blood, sweat and tears went into its creation.”

“It was a long, treacherous road to get here,” continues Nordstrom. “First working out an insane amount of songs before arriving in Arizona to record with Matt Good, and then writing a slew more while in the actual recording process, we approached this album with high intentions to evolve musically and internally as people. But then, once we had finally finished everything, and were ready to start releasing new music… everything was put on hold due to the global pandemic.”

Medina adds, “These past few years have definitely been an exercise in patience and acceptance. We had everything mixed and mastered and ready to go in early 2020 before everything shut down.

We’re just stoked to FINALLY put this album out and get this post plague show on the road.”

On the brand new single “Absolution” Nordstrom says, “Absolution is the formal release from punishment, obligation, or guilt. This song is a reminder that the present moment matters more

than all others because it is shaped by what we have done and shapes what will be because of the decisions and actions we make now. On a cosmic level, we’re saying, ‘Act right. Otherwise there won’t be another opportunity to act at all.’”

To date, six singles have been released from 3rd Degree – The Raising: “Abandoned,” “Reintegration,” “IDK,” “Broken Reflection”, “Absolution” and the Active Rock Radio hit “Die With Me.” Currently five of the six singles – including the newly released “Absolution” feature visually stunning videos created by director Brian Cox (Bring Me The Horizon, The Struts, Starset).

GEMINI SYNDROME was formed in 2010 in Los Angeles, featuring Aaron Nordstrom (vocals, keyboards), Brian Steele Medina (drums, programming) and Alessandro “AP” Paveri (bass). Their debut album, titled Lux, was released in September 2013. Four singles spawned from Lux: “Pleasure and Pain,” “Left of Me,” “Basement” and “Stardust,” which peaked at no.19 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

The band would go through several line-up changes before releasing their sophomore album, Memento Mori, on August 16, 2016.

The album would go on to hit #1 on Billboard Heatseakers Charts.

Five singles spawned from Memento Mori: “Eternity,” “Anonymous,” “Alive Inside,” “Sorry Not Sorry” and “Remember We Die,” which reached no. 24, and spent 20 weeks on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

The band would then go on to tour with numerous bands including Five Finger Death Punch, In This Moment, Sevendust, Avatar, Motionless In White, and perform at some of America’s largest rock and metal festivals before taking an extended hiatus from touring and recording.

In September 2017, the band announced that guitarist “Meegs” Rascón (formerly of Coal Chamber) had joined the band.

In October 2021, the band’s new radio single “Die With Me” climbed to #23 on the National Active Rock Radio Chart, and hit #1 on the SiriusXM Octane ‘Big Uns’ Chart.

GEMINI SYNDROME is Aaron Nordstrom (vocals, keyboards), Brian Steele Medina (drums, programming), Alessandro “AP” Paveri (bass), and Meegs Rascón (guitar). 3rd Degree – The Raising is the first album to feature guitarist Rascón, formerly of Coal Chamber.

Friday, November 5, 8:00 pm -12:00 am Capone’s Oven & Bar 2303 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77098 Saturday, November 6, 7:30pm - 11:30 pm Bad S Icehouse 2315 FM 523, Oyster Creek, TX 77541 Sunday, November 7, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Drifter’s Icehouse 29293 FM 149, Richards, TX 77873 Friday, November 12, 9:00 pm - 1:00 am Aspens Bar & Grill 817 Clear Lake Rd, Kemah, TX 77565 Saturday, November 13, 9:00 pm - 1:00 am Sharky’s Tavern 504 25th St, Galveston, TX 77550 Friday, November 19, 8:00 pm -12:00 am Scotty’s Saloon 114 Agnes Rd, Richmond, TX 77469 Friday, November 26, 9:00 pm - 1:00 am D’s Irish Tavern 2717 N Alexander, Baytown, TX 77520 Saturday, November 27, 9:00 pm - 1:00 am Wild Hawgs Saloon 16908 Market St, Channelview, TX 77531 Music News• •November November 2020 4626 Music News 2021

Saturday, December 11, 8:00 pm -12:00 am Backwoods Saloon 230 Lexington Ct, Conroe, TX 77385 Sunday, December 19, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm The Hawg Stop 11335 Sheldon Rd, Houston, TX 77044 Friday, December 31, 8:00 pm - 12:30 am *Happy New Year!!!

Capone’s Oven & Bar 2303 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77098

July 2021 • Music News

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James Rivera’s Metal Wave Perform At Rockefellers November 13 As fear turned upon the world from the gathering storm of pandemics and social upheaval, lightning from the dark struck upon the earth a shimmering blast of inspiration… The sounds of New Wave, Dark Wave, and Goth…delivered through the grinding sonic jaws of heavy metal!... from the cauldron of chaos, was brought forth…JAMES RIVERA’S METALWAVE! The brainchild of JAMES RIVERA, legendary vocalist and front man of HELSTAR and other successful international recording acts; and, also known for his trailblazing tribute bands including the world renown Sabbath Judas Sabbath. Having had his share of saluting the metal icons through his tribute bands, JAMES RIVERA felt it time for something new, fresh, and innovative. The call came in a wave of inspiration set to dazzle and intrigue all music fans from the sin decade…the 1980s!

For JAMES RIVERA, metal music is a love, a passion and a way of life. However, less known is his passion for 80’s NEW WAVE/ DARKWAVE and GOTH. Knowing that the styles and image of DARK WAVE and GOTH ran parallels with heavy metal,JAMES RIVERA realized that a lot of people who love 80’s Metal also love 80’s New Wave. In this moment he foresaw this inevitable musical union…a union that will take Generation X back to a time when all music genres were great; and would later become timeless. Metal warriors are united, are many, and strong; and so, JAMES RIVERA turned to metal comrades that could make the METALWAVE! vision rise from the depths of the Undead: Long time HELSTAR bandmates Larry Barragan and Garrick Smith joined the METALWAVE! Jan Kimmel, Maurice Eggenswiler and Britt Harris rounded out the dark transformation.

METALWAVE! will take you back as never before. With dark, epic, euphoric, and mesmerizing renditions of DEPECHE MODE, THE CURE, PSYCHEDELIC FURS, THE FIXX, PETER MURPHY/BAUHAUS, MORRISSEY/THE SMITHS, SISTERS OF MERCY, THE CULT, ECHO AND THE BUNNY MEN, THE ROMONES, SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES, TEARS FOR FEARS…renditions cut with the razor’s edge of heavy metal.

As soon as the world slowly came back to some what a normal state of being, METAL WAVE wasted no time embarking on the scene with live shows and with great acceptance of this unique idea landed them a 3 album deal with the same long standing German Metal label Massacre Records that HELSTAR is part of.

So now they will be playing and recording a live CD/DVD show that will lend a hand to 4 separate music videos at ROCKERFELLERS Houston on Saturday November 13th. Houston! Lets’ show the world what our city of the Undead is all about and join JAMES RIVERA’S METAL WAVE on this special night and make history together!!!

For those who love 80’s NEW WAVE and/or 80’s METAL, stand in the light of the darkness andtestify…your time is at hand! Ladies and gentlemen! Please welcome a new genre! METALWAVE! 48 Music News • November 2021

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Joe and Cain Leon’sLounge present OPEN MIC WEDNESDAYS 8-12:00 AM All Musicians’s and All Genre’s of Music Welcome!

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June 2021 • Music News

May 2021 • Music News

The Hollywood Spotlight

By Hollywood Steve Rangel

Handsome Bob Bridges “Cock-A-Doodle Blues” Forrest Gump famously said “Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re gonna get”. It’s a statement that can also be applied to the new release from Handsome Bob Bridges (albeit without the fake Southern accent). “Cock-A-Doodle Blues” is a musical gumbo. Lots of different ingredients tossed into a pot, stirred together, and simmered into this thirteen song offering that is truly all over the map from a directional standpoint.

Bridges certainly has his own style of delivering a song. He’s more of a narrator than a singer, more of a storyteller than a crooner. It’s an artistic approach that is quite appropriate, given this material. The bulk of these tracks are original compositions by Bridges, whose main instrument is an acoustic guitar. So while most of these tunes are acousticoriented, there’s a little bit of everything here, instrumentally speaking. In spite of the album’s title, I detect as much country influence as anything else, although blues and folk fans will find plenty to their liking as well. Bridges often opts for a decidedly low-key 50 Music News • November 2021

presentation, ie, acoustic guitar and vocals. The warm studio production allows this to work as well as one could hope. Mike Zito’s stellar work as producer is one of “Cock-A-Doodle Blues’” greatest strengths, and his guitar contributions are just as standout as you would expect. Other contributing musicians include Doug Byrkit (bass guitar) and Matthew R. Johnson (drums).

Perhaps Bridges’ (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, bass) most notable talents are as a lyricist and storyteller. His words are sometimes whimsical, other times tongue-in-cheek, and often deep and reflective. I would venture to say that he would have a future as a poet if the whole “singer/songwriter” thing doesn’t work out. In the meantime, if you’re in the mood for a musical box of chocolates, you might want to take a bite out of “Cock-A-Doodle Blues”.

James Henry “Siren Song” You can’t have a conversation about Houston area blues guitarists without mentioning the name James Henry. In a professional career that

began in his teens, Henry has worked with a “who’s who” of Bayou City blues standouts. He’s established himself as one of the region’s most accomplished players, so I was eager to give a listen to his latest release. And what I discovered on “Siren Song” was a deeply inspired expressionist who was ready to explore new territories. Here are some helpful need-to-know’s: 1) Save for a couple of spoken word interludes, this is an instrumental album. 2) There are only three tracks on “Siren Song”. 3) Those three tracks total almost 50 minutes of music, including the marathon “Siren Song Of The Sisters”, which clocks in at a whopping 28 minutes 26 seconds. And finally 4) This ain’t no blues album.

This thoroughly unique offering plays more like a motion picture soundtrack, complete with dynamic mood changes, sound effects, and dramatic pauses. It is both unusual and refreshing to hear such an established artist defy expectations, forgo even a token attempt at conformity, and create something so unorthodox and, I presume, personal. While this powerful material cannot be placed neatly into any particular category (which was clearly the point), there is a strong psychedelic and experimental presence here. Henry is undoubtedly savvy enough to understand that this music and format will have limited commercial appeal, which makes the decision and effort to create it all the more impressive. It’s a genuine artistic vision, and while it may not be for everyone, it is nonetheless vital. James Henry’s groundbreaking guitar work is supported by flawless contributions by Wally Farkas (B-3 organ), James Moore (drums), and Quentin Calva (bass). To be sure, “Siren Song” is a bold statement, and one of the most intriguing new

November 2021 • Music News

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The Biker, The Blues, And The Priest The day started with a phone call back home, no answer, just voice mail. I didn’t leave a message I thought I would just call later. You see I was about ready to leave Rockford, Illinois and when I hit the road moving east toward Chi-town. The weather was warm for an Autumn day, the sun was shining, and traffic was ok. I had memories of a waitress with scrambled yellow hair, marmalade thighs, and blue eyes. So there I was tooling along at about seventy miles per hour enjoying the ride. It was then that I saw the lights on the squad cars ahead. Something had happened, most likely an accident. Sure enough nobody was moving east anymore. Right there on the side of the road laid a man of about twenty-five I would guess. My curiosity got the best of me so I pulled off to the side and besides, no sense wasting gas. I made my way up to the small crowd standing around.

A priest was kneeling beside the young man’s body giving him last rights right there in front of us. Sobering sight for sure. I heard one of state troopers say the man was dead and I could see a young woman crying her eyes out. The priest was making the sign of the cross and putting an ointment of some kind on the young man’s forehead.

Someone said they knew the priest and said he is known as the healing priest.

That seemed odd, a little late I would say. Then it happened I could swear I saw the body move and one of the ambulance men called out for oxygen and some kind of drug. Now the young man was definitely moving. The eyes of some of the bystanders there with me began to well up, some were actually shaking. I was standing there with that look on my face like a deer staring into the headlights of an oncoming car. The priest stood up and the small crowd made way for him to go and sit in a patrol car. He seemed blown away too. Some things in life you just can’t explain and if you tried to, who knows, most folks probably would not believe you. It didn’t change my life but it did remind me that there are things in my lifetime that are above my pay grade. The young lady that was crying so hard she finally fainted and the paramedics were administering smelling salts. She came back around and just stared at the ground in front of her. Traffic started to move and I went to crank up the shovel but it wasn’t going to roar at that moment in time.

So I turned the peddle out on the kicker and did my thing luckily on the first kick no less it turned over and I was in business. I scooted for about sixty or seventy miles. The weather was turning a bit brisk, maybe time for some leathers, so I stopped at a truck stop and began to unroll my sleeping bag. A huge man with a bushy red beard approached me and asked me if I was at the wreck back up the interstate and I said yes.

He said, me too. He went on to say he drove a bread truck daily from Chicago to Rockford and he had never seen anything like this before. I didn’t know what to say to him. Had we witnessed a miracle or maybe the guy wasn’t dead as we had heard. I put on my jacket and looked up and saw a sign flashing the words cold beer inside. Yep time to rest a bit. Once inside another man and a woman asked me the same question, Was I at continued on next page

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Continued: The Biker, The Blues, And The Priest the accident? Same answer, yes, but again without much to add to it nor did they have much to say. I came away with a major curiosity that stays with me to this day: I wonder where that young man’s life has gone since that day on Interstate 90? Time for some blues rock music for sure, it’s that kind of day. Just sitting there remembering traveling east from Rockford to Chitown thinking about a gal with scrambled yellow hair, marmalade thighs, and beautiful blue eyes. Life on the open road - you just never know what’s ahead, it’s exciting as hell. Lynyrd Skynyrd - “Ooh-ooh that smell, can’t ya smell that smell, ooh-ooh that smell, the smell of death’s around you” They drink a beer in greater Chicago land named Old Style it’s brewed in Wisconsin and distributed throughout the Midwest, pretty good stuff actually. It now seemed like I was going to get stuck in Chicago’s rush hour traffic and I asked the bar keep when it normally started and he replied with one word “always”. So I guessed it didn’t matter much what time I got going so I paid up and went outside, checked my fuel level, and this time she fired right up.

My next stop was going to be Frankfort, Illinois which is south of Chicago. There’s a biker friendly bar there named New Image and some motels close by. So I headed east and then south. When I got near O’Hare Airport it was definitely getting backed up. I made a turn onto Route 83 and headed south which was cool because I was going to go right by a haunted bar in Willowbrook. Could be a good place for some grub and a story or two and of course another Old Style. Today the place is known as The Irish Legend Pub. However, years ago it is said that it was a speakeasy belonging to Al Capone. Today, supposedly it’s haunted. I was thinking you know after witnessing something weird with the living why not cap the daylight hours off with something not of the living. I arrived, nice place, friendly, and already I could hear someone asking about the hauntings. I sat close by. Indeed they were saying it was not only years ago that unexplained things happened but to this day. Their conversation was good as it was about glasses being moved and cold spots that come up on employees in the basement. I dialed in on the menu and ordered some bar food and a beer. Time to move on now probably about thirty miles to go.

I headed south until I crossed over I-55 and turn right onto La Grange Road, passed through Orland Park and down to Route 30. Turned left onto 30 and headed to the New Image. Spotted a sort of no tell motel looking place and decided to call it home for the night. Lucked out and got a room, room thirteen, go figure - what a strange eerie day for sure.

Went inside, turned on the tube, and turned the shower on. Now I was ready to explore The New Image Bar. Definitely biker friendly and home continued on next page November 2021 • Music News

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Continued: The Biker, The Blues, And The Priest of Ricky’s Ride an annual charity ride. It’s clean, the music is at the right level, and yep they sell this famous Old Style beer. Nice looking gal came up to me asked what would I like, I ordered and off to jukebox. Time for some kick ass blues rock as this is the right joint for kicking back and being with your own.

Punched up some Skynyrd, “You Got That Right” and the place came alive, I was home baby. Sweet things playing the machines, dudes shooting pool, and the sound of more scooters pulling up. Next something sexy to get those sisters on the machines swaying. “Lady Marmalade” should do it and oh it did….we now had miles of smiles. One gal stood up and began dancing in place as she was still intent on the screen in front of her but definitely connecting with the music. Next up I wanted to show some respect for Chicago blues and punched up Willie Dixon’s “Spoonful” talk about a kick ass harp part, we were off and running. I went back to the bar to take a swig of beer and there was a shot of tequila sitting there. I told that good looking gal behind the bar that it wasn’t mine and she said oh yes it is and pointed to a liquor rep passing out free shots. Well in Rome do as the Romans do so bottoms up. It was good, went down way too easy. Yes, great ending to a peculiar day, life go figure….. But it wasn’t over yet. Bar keep another beer please. Couldn’t help sticking with Willie Dixon and selected “You Shook Me” and while I was there I nailed down Rare Earth’s “I Just Want To Celebrate” The place was up for grabs. Some of the best times you will ever find will come with good folks in dive bars and here I hit the payload. What a day! Time to dish up some old time sax and rhythm so I chose Little Eva’s “The Loco-motion”. Oh yes this fit right in. I went back to the bar and the bar maid said I ought to come in more often and I told her I was visiting from Texas. She said, “Well cowboy you are a long way from home.” I replied by saying that I wasn’t a cowboy although I do ride an iron horse.

She smiled and went to fix a drink for a thirsty patron. I started to scan the menu and someone yelled out, “Mister play some more music” and I didn’t need anymore encouragement than that and extended hands offered me dollars for the juke as I passed by. I decided to hit them with some Jr. Walker And The All Stars “I Am A Roadrunner Baby” and there’s another track, rather mellow, on that same release “Cleo’s Mood” a slow blues bump and grind which I added to the list. So many more tracks would add to that late afternoon early night poor man’s rendezvous. We be humming Jack. People are the same where ever you go and usually with one thing in common with strangers, music. I don’t write music and if I sing in the shower the water stops running so my appreciation for what touches me is deep. I remember when Randy Crawford took the lead vocal part for a cut named “Street Life”. The lyrics combined with her marvelous delivery on top of the music supplied by The Crusaders was above the norm, it was telling. Someone wrote that tune obviously that had been there and done that. The song shot up the charts and today is a classic glimpse of what the real streets are all about. AM radio couldn’t play its eleven-minute spin but FM was nailing it big time. Once the song gets going Ms. Crawford’s performance isn’t a performance anymore, it’s so much more. It’s gut level communication. I am on the road seeing life unfold all around me, not from fancy uptown restaurants, but from the belly of the beast, from the streets. “I still hang around neither lost nor found, Hear the lonely sound, Of Music in the night, Nights are always bright, That’s all that’s left for me, yeah” - until next time…...

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RANDOM SHOTS

Exitium Perform at The Acadia Bar (Photos by Music News) November 2021 • Music News

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Gus Clark Band Perform at Shady Acres Saloon (Photos by Music News)

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Joe Cain Kicks Off Open Mic Night At Leon’s Lounge (Photos by Music News) 58

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Jordan Matthew Young Performs At Katie’s In Bacliff (Photos by Music News) 60

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Maxwell Burgess And Friends Perform at Leon’s Lounge (Photos by Music News) 62

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Morgan’s Damn Good Band Perform at Leon’s Lounge (Photos by Music News) 64

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Ole Lonesome Perform at Green Oaks Tavern In Humble (Photos by Music News)

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Shovelhead Runway Perform at The Jailhouse Saloon 68

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Sparky Parker Band Perform At The Big Easy (Photos By Music News) 70

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Texas TNT Perform At The Jailhouse Saloon (Photos By Music News)

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The Skinz Perform At The Jailhouse Saloon (Photos by Music News)

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Tony Vega Band with special guest Alan Haynes Perform at The Big Easy (Photos By Music News) 76

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True Stories, the Talking Heads Tribute Band Perform at The Red Dwarf (Photos by Music News) 78

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RANDOM SHOTS ViolaWilde Perform At The 19th Hole (Photos by Music News)

Violawilde Perform At The 19th Hole (Photos by Music News)

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RANDOM SHOTS Chasing Yesterday Perform At The Wildcatter Saloon (Photos by Greg Holleman)

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Distance Of Thought (Photos by Brian Lambert) 84

Music News • October 2021