Thursday, May 25, 2017

THE PARTY LIST - May 25 - 31

Note: Please remember to check with the venue as to whether or not there is a cover charge or ticket required for the shows you plan to attend. Also, some venues have an age restriction. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out.
Not all events take place in Texas. With that in mind I will begin listing them not only by day but by TEXAS and ON THE ROAD. With that in mind…

Let’s Get This Party STARTED!

TEXAS
Thursday – 25
Little Texas – Chances R - Lubbock


Friday – 26
Ray Wylie Hubbard – Hoot’s Pub – Amarillo
Little Texas – Crawfish Festival – Fredricksburg
Libby Koch – Typhoon Texas Waterpark - Pflugerville


Saturday – 27
Scott Taylor Band – Texas Maritime Museum – Rockport
            21st Annual Rockport Festival of Wine & Food
Terri Hendrix – The Kessler Theater – Dallas
            /w Lloyd Mains PLUS Max Stalling & Heather Stalling
Johnny Lee – Retama Park - Selma


Sunday – 28
Terri Hendrix – Kerrville Folk Festival – Kerrville
            /w Band, Lloyd Mains
Tessy Lou – Poodie’s – Spicewood
Thomas Michael Riley – Luckenbach


Monday – 29
Terri Hendrix – Kerrville Folk Festival – Kerrville
            Song School /w Lloyd Mains
T. G. Sheppard – The Garage - Alvin


Tuesday – 30
Mike Blakely – Burger Burger – Fredricksburg
Randy Brown – Railhead BBQ – Willow Park
            /w Sonny Burgess


Wednesday – 31
Scott Taylor Band – Moonshine Drinkery – Victoria



ON THE ROAD
Thursday – 25
Rhonda Vincent – Back 40 Bluegrass – Curryville MO
Rodney Crowell – Bakersfield Hall of Fame – Bakersfield CA
Michael Martin Murphey – Bartlesville Community Center – Bartlesville OK
            OK Mozart Presents /w The Bartlesville Symph. Orchestra
Marc Broussard – JBGB Summer Concert Series – Fayetteville AR
Jimmy Fortune – Grand Ole Opry – Nashville TN


Friday – 26
Rhonda Vincent – First Open Bible Church – Rock Falls IL
Jimmy Fortune – Gatlinburg Convention Center – Gatlinburg TN


Saturday – 27
Rhonda Vincent – Ohnward Fine Arts Center – Maquoketa IA
Ray Wylie Hubbard – Ski Apache – Alto NM
Rodney Crowell – Rio Theatre – Santa Cruz CA
Little Texas – Atwood Music Festival – Monticello MS
Jimmy Fortune – Gaither’s Family  Fest in the Smokies 2017 – Gatlinburg TN


Sunday – 28
Ricky Skaggs – Bluegrass & BBQ Festival – Silver Dollar City – Branson MO
Ragged Union – Boulder Creek Festival – Boulder CO
Rodney Crowell – Strawberry Music Festival – Jamestown CA

  
Monday – 29
NO SHOWS FOUND

Tuesday – 30
NO SHOWS FOUND


Wednesday – 31
Marc Broussard – Daryl’s House – Pawling NY
            /w Ted Broussard – Acoustic
Bellamy Brothers – Dick Clark’s American Bandstan

Thursday, May 18, 2017

THE PARTY LIST - May 18 - 24

Note: Please remember to check with the venue as to whether or not there is a cover charge or ticket required for the shows you plan to attend. Also, some venues have an age restriction. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out.
Not all events take place in Texas. With that in mind I will begin listing them not only by day but by TEXAS and ON THE ROAD. With that in mind…

Let’s Get This Party STARTED!

TEXAS
Thursday – 18
Mike Blakely – Texas Rangers Museum – Fredricksburg
Marc Broussard – The Kessler – Dallas
            Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit Concert for
                        Focus On Teens
Bellamy Brothers – Steiner Ranch Steakhouses – Austin
Dave Thomas – Hard Eight BBQ - Coppell



Friday – 19
Thomas Michael Riley – The Back Porch – Port Aransas
Marc Broussard – The Heights – Houston
Bellamy Brothers – Billy Bob’s – Ft. Worth
Dave Thomas – Raphael’s - Aubrey



Saturday – 20
Mike Blakely – Sisterdale Line – Boerne
Scott Taylor Band – Kicks Club – Angelton
            /w Josh Ward
Ray Wylie Hubbard – Brazos Park East – Waco
Tessy Lou – Riley’s Tavern
Johnny Lee – District 249 - Tomball
Marc Broussard – One World Theatre – Austin
Byrd & Street – Anderson Fair – Houston
Little Texas – Island Grove Regional Park – Greely CO
            /w Charlie Daniels Band
            Colorado Energy Festival
Bellamy Brothers – Schoepf’s BBQ - Belton


Sunday – 21
Mike Blakely – Love & War in Texas – Plano
            Plains Fire Victim Benefit
Tessy Lou – Poodie’s – Spicewood
Jeff Posey – Love and War – Plano



Monday – 22
NO SHOWS FOUND


Tuesday – 23
Mike Blakely – Burger Burger – Fredricksburg
Randy Brown – Railhead BBQ – Willow Park
            /w Mike & the Motorcars
Thomas Michael Riley – Fiddle String Concert – San Angelo



Wednesday – 24
Scott Taylor Band – Moonshine Drinkery – Victoria
Tessy Lou – Briarcliff Bacon Bistro & Bar – Spicewood
Dave Thomas – Hard Eight BBQ – The Colony



ON THE ROAD
Thursday – 18
Oak Ridge Boys – Greenwich Odeum – E. Greenwich RI


Friday – 19
Ricky Skaggs – RiverRoots Music & Folk Art Festival – Madison IN
Johnny Lee – Hard Rock Casino – Tulsa OK
Oak Ridge Boys – Paramount Hudson Valley Theater – Peeksville NY
Jimmy Fortune – Ross Country Jamboree – Scottsburg IN



Saturday – 20
Ricky Skaggs – Bloomin’ Bluegrass & BBQ – Sevierville TN
Rhonda Vincent – Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival – Gettysburg PA
Ragged Union – Las Vegas Family Bluegrass Music Festival – Las Vegas NV
T. G. Sheppard – Stargazer’s Theatre – Colorado Springs CO
Oak Ridge Boys – Tupelo Music Hall – Derry NH
Little Texas – Island Grove Regional Park – Greely CO
            Colorado Energy Festival
Jimmy Fortune – Ross Country Jamboree – Scottsburg IN



Sunday – 21
Oak Ridge Boys – Newton Theatre – Newton NJ


Monday – 22
NO SHOWS FOUND

Tuesday – 23
NO SHOWS FOUND

Wednesday – 24

NO SHOWS FOUND

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

TURNTABLE TUESDAY - Vagabonds

Welcome to TURNTABLE TUESDAY - yeah, I'm  a bit behind today. Traveled all day yesterday and didn't sleep well last night. I could not force myself to move. 

My experience lad me to think about the album on the turntable this week and groups like Nu-Blu. VAGABONDS truly is a representation of an artists life. Whether it's original music being performed or nods to others such as Bob Dylan and Guns & Roses with Knockin On Heaven's Door, Waylon Jennings' Good Hearted Woman, Surround Me With Love (Charly McClain) or tunes such as Gypsies On Parade, everything comes together under the cover of the beautiful gypsy caravan on the CD cover.


Songs like Knockin On Heaven's Door or Good Hearted Woman, Surround Me With Love don't exactly come to mind when you think of Bluegrass, yet they fit seamlessly in with the other nine tracks. 

Carolyn's amazing soprano kicks things off with The Bridges That You've Burned.  Their One-Sheet calls her voice 'caramel-coated... at times a tender lullaby, at times a freight train headed straight for you.'  You can hear the distinctive beat of the clickety clack of the track on the true-to-point Troublemaker. Her voice always speaks to me unlike any other bluegrass artists I've heard. 

Daniel spoke yesterday of the emotional pull of Gypsies On Parade. Their story is deep in the lyrics.

Still Small Voice is one of the two pillars of strength on this CD. The tune features vocals with Jimmy Fortune and Ben Isaacs. Both amazing multi-talented artists in their own right, but to be paired with Nu-Blu truly is added power to an emotionally charged album.

The other pillar stands strong while bringing you to your knees in 640 Battlefield Drive. I'd love to have a video for this tune to feature during July 4th week or Memorial Day. 

Though I've not singled out A Lot More Love, How Many Rivers, A Fool and Her Heart, they each bring their own special touch to the power of this album and like ingredients in a flavorful stew, they would be the that 'something missing if they weren't included.

This is my favorite Nu-Blu compilation so far and I look forward to more from them. 
I'm giving the CD 

 

You can purchase your copy of VAGABONDS by following one of the links below:

WEBSITE      iTUNES     AMAZON    SPOTIFY


Want to know more about Nu-Blu and their Social Media outlets:

WEBSITE     FB     TWITTER    INSTAGRAM    YOUTUBE   iTunes

Monday, May 15, 2017

OUT OF THE CHUTE - Nu-Blu

Today, we're stepping off the 8-seconds Q & A to do a Fast Five with a group I've featured before.


Tomorrow, their new CD - VAGABONDS will be on the Turntable Tuesday so I've focused the Fast Five on their newest project.


Vagabonds seems to have a bit more ‘travel’ in the pacing of the tunes, differing from
Your “All the Way” CD. Carolyn, I also know from our previous interview that you look
For songs that really hit you.  What was your first pick for Vagabonds and what about the tune spoke to you?

The first song pick was the title cut, "Gypsies on Parade". This song has been on my "must do" list since the first time I heard Sawyer Brown perform it way back in the eighties. When I heard it then, knowing how much they were on the road, it really touched me. Every CD Nu-Blu has ever recorded. "Gypsies on Parade" has been on the table. (I've kept it to myself because I've always been fearful that if another band heard it, they might beat me into the studio with it.) Now since spending in excess of 200 days a year on the road touring since going full time in 2011, the timing was finally right.

"Gypsies on Parade" is very emotional for me because, it's my life. I love what I do and am thankful for the opportunity to live this life I always dreamed about, but it can be very demanding, both physically and mentally. It is oftentimes very emotionally taxing having to be gone so much from family and friends.

This song is so close to my heart, that it is the only song I've ever cried on While in the studio cutting my vocals.


You teamed up with Jimmy Fortune on a single he co-wrote ‘Still Small Voice’. In a             Interview with Bluegrass Today, you spoke of what that song meant to you. Do you think people listen to that voice enough today? If not, what are some of the impacts we would see in our world today, if they did?

As they say, hindsight is 20/20. And of course each person can think of a place or choice they had to make in their life where they wish they would have listened to “that voice” or “a gut feeling.” I think that the biggest impact would be seen in a “pay it forward” fashion if more folks took the time to listen to that voice. Life is so busy and it seems we jump from one thing to the next so quickly, that if we just slow down and think it through, that we would realize many of the issues we face in life are in fact ones we create for ourselves.

CMT said ‘their sound acknowledges the traditional institutions that have shaped it yet is
innovative and daring enough to bring a fresh sparkle to contemporary acoustic music…’

What about this new album do you think is most representative of that quote?

Everything. We do hold traditional bluegrass close to our hearts, it’s what we love. That being said, good music is good music and a great song is a great song.   When we decide to record or perform a song, the decision isn’t based on whether it fits in the box or not. We decide based on how it fits us emotionally and by our fan feedback. How we treat that song is a decision made by simply listening to the song itself. It will tell you what it needs and doesn’t need, just don’t try and force it into a container that it doesn’t fit in. Some of our songs are bluegrass, some aren’t, and we are aware of that and will be the first to say it, but isn’t that the coolest thing about music? It just is, and without labels.

What makes Vagabonds different from anything you’ve done prior while still making it feel a part of the Nu-Blu family?

We feel that any band and their music are constantly shaped by the environment and people that they exist in and around. It’s no different for Nu-Blu. This album has been shaped by our life over the last couple years. Heavy touring, very little time at home, having to record parts of the album on the road, all this combined with. meeting folks from all over the world as we tour, learning from them, becoming friends and listening to their experiences. This all goes into the makeup of “Vagabonds’.

Daniel, a lot of the rise of Nu-Blu can be attributed to your attention to the businesses side of the band. What was the hardest part of ‘branding’ that you knew if you could just get that puzzle piece in place, Nu-Blu would be on its way to what you and the rest of the band knew it could be?

Well, any measure of success can never be attributed to one person. It’s taken a collective effort of current and past band members, an amazing team, lots of lost sleep, and yes, running the band as a business. That’s what it is. We exist in the business of music, and there’s as many sides to it as there are to any other business. I think that the largest challenge to “making it” in the music industry is the fact that music is something people do as a hobby and for fun as well. So that makes it much harder to separate and draw a line.

Think of it this way. If a person builds birdhouses for a hobby in the backyard and the occasional neighbor asks for one to be made as a gift, or even if that person makes a few on a weekend and sells them at a local craft fair. That’s one thing, but is that the person going to be the person that you get to build your house? No, of course not. It’s not that the talent isn’t equal or perhaps even greater on the hobbyists side, it’s more planning, permitting, and sometimes having the crew to get it done on a larger scale. That line is much more blurred inside of music, so branding is something that becomes even harder to do. There’s no magic puzzle piece, it’s having all the pieces, all at the same time working toward a common group of goals. As an artist, you have to trust your team.


We have the most talented folks working with us. I’m truly thankful everyday for them. For any artist that is struggling to “make it” the best advice I can give is set your goals, build a team and trust them to drive the train, and learn…learn all you can about the business side of music, oh, and that learning never stops…

Thursday, May 11, 2017

THE PARTY LIST - May 11 - 17

Note: Please remember to check with the venue as to whether or not there is a cover charge or ticket required for the shows you plan to attend. Also, some venues have an age restriction. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out.
Not all events take place in Texas. With that in mind I will begin listing them not only by day but by TEXAS and ON THE ROAD. With that in mind…

Let’s Get This Party STARTED!

TEXAS
Thursday – 11
Dave Thomas - Hard Eight BBQ - The Colony


Friday – 12
Mike Blakely – Dabbs Hotel Concert Series – Llano
            /w Woody Eastman
Pauline Reese – Brass Hall – Marble Falls
            Full Band /w Guadalupe Pirates
Tessy Lou – The Auslander – Fredricksburg –
Thomas Michael Riley – Hondo’s on Main – Fredricksburg
Dave Thomas - Del Norte Tacos - Godley
Mike Blakely - The Dabbs Railroad Hotel - Llano
          /w Wood Eastman $15 cover - BYOB
Aaron Lewis - Floore's - Helotes
         /w Alex Williams, Travis Marvin



Saturday – 13
Scott Taylor Band – The Barn – Mission Valley
Ray Wylie Hubbard – Red Rooster Icehouse – Hawkins
Thomas Michael Riley – Testicle Festival – Granbury
Johnny Lee – Melody Ranch - Waco
Byrd & Street - Anderson Fair - Houston 
Turnpike Troubadours - Floore's - Helotes



Sunday – 14
Susan Gibson – Luckenbach –
Tessy Lou – Poodie’s – Spicewood



Monday – 15
Susan Gibson – Western Edge Cellars – Fredricksburg
Randy Brown – Longhorn Saloon – Ft. Worth



Tuesday – 16
Mike Blakely – Burger Burger – Fredricksburg
Scott Taylor Band – Moonshine Drinkery – Victoria
Randy Brown – Railhead BBQ – Willow Park
            /w Deryl Dodd


Wednesday – 17
Marc Broussard – Sam’s Burger Joint – San Antonio



ON THE ROAD
Thursday – 11
Vince Gill – Carson Center – Paducah KY
Ray Wylie Hubbard – Cain’s Ballroom – Tulsa OK
Texas Tenors  Starlight Theatre – Branson MO
Bellamy Brothers – Eagan Civic & Convention Center -  Anchorage AK
            AK Police Officers Assoc.


Friday – 12
Vince Gill – Holland Tulip Time Festival – Holland MI
Ray Wylie Hubbard – 801 Media Center – Ft. Smith AR
Steve Wariner – Grand Ole Opry – Nashville TN
Texas Tenors  Starlight Theatre – Branson MO
Rodney Crowell – Alberta Rose Theatre – Portland OR
Michael Martin Murphey – Knuckleheads – Kansas City MO
Marc Broussard – Artisphere – Greenville SC
Little Texas – The Throne Theater – Wilmington NC
Bellamy Brothers – Kenai High School – Kenai
            AK Police Officers Assoc.



Saturday – 13
Vince Gill – Little River Casino Resort – Manistee MI
Texas Tenors – Gillioz Theatre – Springfield MO
Rodney Crowell – Capitol Theater – Olympia WA
Nu-Blu – Peace, Love and Bluegrass – Culpepper VA
Michael Martin Murphey – Orpheum Theatre – Wichita KS
Little Texas – Anderson Music Hall -  Hiawassee GA
            /w Sawyer Brown


Sunday – 14
Vince Gill – Ford Community & Performing Arts Center – Dearborn MI
Bellamy Brothers – Carlson Center – Fairbanks AK
            AK Police Officers Assoc.
Gibson Brothers - Silver Dollar City - Branson MO


Monday – 15
NO SHOWS FOUND

Tuesday – 16
Bellamy Brothers – Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall – Juneau AK


Wednesday – 17

NO SHOWS FOUND

Monday, May 8, 2017

COMING TO KELLY'S COUNTRY!


Just a quick stop in to tell you everything is okay in our part of the Ozarks. However, storms did keep me off the internet for a couple of days, then trying to get stuff outside done before more rain moves in. I won't ask for the rain to stop. I've learned to be careful what I ask for. So I'll just keep hopping in when I can.

I had Q  & A out to a couple of artists that I was expecting to be in over the weekend. Weather in other parts of the country may have played a factor. Regarding lack of responses, I'm not doing Out of the Chute this week.

However, whenever there isn't an Out of the Chute on the calendar, I will use the space to introduce you to some of the amazing talent I've been meeting on Twitter. You may see them on Turntable Tuesday or Review Wednesday as well in various forms.

Hang with me. I'm sure we'll dry out soon enough and the Q & A's will flood my email.

Country Blessings!
Kelly

Thursday, May 4, 2017

THE PARTY LIST - May 4-10

Note: Please remember to check with the venue as to whether or not there is a cover charge or ticket required for the shows you plan to attend. Also, some venues have an age restriction. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out.
Not all events take place in Texas. With that in mind I will begin listing them not only by day but by TEXAS and ON THE ROAD. With that in mind…

Let’s Get This Party STARTED!

TEXAS
Thursday – 4
Scott Taylor Band – Colony Creek Country Club – Victoria
Susan Gibson – Fort Worth Live – Fort Worth
Libby Koch – Liberty Tree Tavern – Elgin
            /w Alice Wallace
Bellamy Brothers – Brauntex Theater – New Braunfels
Dave Thomas – Chubby’s Burger Shack – Ft. Worth


Friday – 5
Tanya Tucker – Dosey Doe’s – The Woodlands
Mike Blakely – South TX Cowboy Gathering & Western Music Festival – Seguin
Terri Hendrix – Conroe Americana Music Festival – Conroe
            /w Lloyd Maines
Thomas Michael Riley – The Club @ Baron’s Creek –
            Acoustic solo
Bellamy Brothers – Main Street Crossing – Tomball
Byrd & Street РDahlia Caf̩ РLiberty Hill
Dave Thomas – Hard Eight BBQ - Coppell



Saturday – 6
Mike Blakely - South TX Cowboy Gathering & Western Music Festival – Seguin
Susan Gibson – The Bugle Boy – LaGrange
Terri Hendrix – UniTunes Coffee House – Fischer
            /w Lloyd Maines
Tessy Lou – Centerfest – Clute
Thomas Michael Riley – Hunt General Store – Hunt
T. G. Sheppard – Tilden Lions Club Pavilion – Tilden
Rodney Crowell – MSCA Pavilion – Madisonville
Johnny Lee – Freiheit Country Store – New Braunfels
Byrd & Street – New World Deli – Austin
Dave Thomas – Culpepper’s Steakhouse - Rockwall



Sunday – 7
Mike Blakely – Pontotoc Weingarten – Fredricksburg
Tessy Lou – Poodie’s - Spicewood


Monday – 8
Libby Koch – Hallet Oak Gallery – Halletsville



Tuesday – 9
Mike Blakely – Burger Burger – Fredricksburg


Wednesday – 10
Scott Taylor Band – Moonshine Drinkery – Victoria
Susan Gibson – Main Street Crossing – Tomball
Ray Wylie Hubbard – Shipping & Receiving – Fort Worth




ON THE ROAD
Thursday – 4
Ray Wylie Hubbard – Castle Theatre – Bloomington IL
Ragged Union – Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox – Denver CO
The Baker Family – Silver Dollar City – Branson MO
            Bluegrass & BBQ
Flatt Lonesome – Silver Dollar City – Branson MO
            Bluegrass & BBQ
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen – Silver Dollar City – Branson MO
            Bluegrass & BBQ



Friday – 5
Rex Allen, Jr. – Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum – Gene Autry OK
Ronnie McDowell – Blue Suede Cruise – Tupelo MS
Rhonda Vincent – Little Roy & Lizzie Festival – Lincolnton GA
Ray Wylie Hubbard – Stoughton Opera House – Stoughton WI
Texas Tenors – Pikes Peak Performing Arts Center- Colorado Springs CO
Mark Chapman Band – Joplin Twin Hills Country Club – Joplin MO
Little Texas – Jiggy With the Piggy Festival – Kannapolis NC
Jimmy Fortune – Grand Ole Opry – Nashville TN
Josh Abbott Band – George’s Majestic – Fayetteville AR
Casey Donahew – Buffalo Run Casino – Miami OK
The Baker Family – Silver Dollar City – Branson MO
            Bluegrass & BBQ
Flatt Lonesome – Silver Dollar City – Branson MO
            Bluegrass & BBQ
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen – Silver Dollar City – Branson MO
            Bluegrass & BBQ



Saturday – 6
Tanya Tucker – Choctaw Event Center – Grant OK
Ricky Skaggs – Garrison Keillor Celebrates the Ryman – Nashville TN
Rex Allen, Jr. – Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum – Gene Autry OK
Ronnie McDowell – Blue Suede Cruise – Tupelo MS
Rhonda Vincent – Grand Ole Opry – Nashville TN
Ray Wylie Hubbard – City Winery – Chicago IL
Texas Tenors – Pikes Peak Performing Arts Center- Colorado Springs CO
Oak Ridge Boys – Elijah Clark State Park – Lincolnton GA
Little Texas – Valley Fest – Dunlap TN
Flatt Lonesome – Silver Dollar City – Branson MO
            Bluegrass & BBQ



Sunday – 7
Vince Gill – River City Casino – St. Louis MO
Rhonda Vincent – Silver Dollar City – Branson MO
            Bluegrass & BBQ!
Rodney Crowell – Lobero Theater – Santa Barbara CA
Jimmy Fortune – American Mountain Theater – Elkins WV


Monday – 8
Texas Tenors  Starlight Theatre – Branson MO


Tuesday – 9
Rhonda Vincent – Silver Dollar City – Branson MO
            Bluegrass & BBQ!
Texas Tenors  Starlight Theatre – Branson MO
Rodney Crowell – The Troubadour – West Hollywood CA


Wednesday –10
Rhonda Vincent – Silver Dollar City – Branson MO
            Bluegrass & BBQ!
Texas Tenors  Starlight Theatre – Branson MO

Rodney Crowell – Freight & Salvage – Berkeley CA

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

TURNTABLE TUESDAY - LOST AND FOUND


LOST AND FOUND is the new EP from Abraham Weaver. As Abraham told us yesterday, he brought in more instrumental than he used in his previous album, YOURS. When he told me he was doing more of a Texas country-rock album I was concerned. One of the things I loved most about YOURS was that I could hear Abraham's voice. So often, artists sacrifice the true beauty of an album by allowing instruments to overshadow their true talent.

Not the case with LOST AND FOUND. Abraham's soulful sound still comes through on every track. I can't say the instruments enhance his voice, but they do give the feel he was after. 

I Know A Memory When I See One is a collaboration of Rick Orozco and Randy Goodrum. I'm not familiar with Randy but Rick Orozco is one of Abraham's songwriting heroes and friend. They worked together on YOURS. Bringing Rick in on this album in some form helped with the continuity between the two albums, giving the tracks to follow a natural flow. 

Another pebble paving the way in keeping the Texas sound is songwriter Drew Womack (co-written with Tom Douglas). He's been called a 'magical songwriter' and he brings that something to Leaving October Behind.  If ever there was a perfect pair between songwriter and vocal artist, this song is the definition.

The country rock sound is evident on What's Going On (written by Abraham). the track almost has a Rick Springfield (Think Jesse's Girl) vibe that while not a true Texas train, lends to the over-all tone Abraham wanted.

When I do CD/ EP reviews I close my eyes and listen to each track. Some flow through me as a tune while others bring images to mind that would be perfect for a video. I see Abraham's soul portrayed in video on These Four Walls. I can picture him standing in an empty room of an older farmhouse, staring out the window. This song goes deep.

As Abraham told us yesterday, he saves his favorite tune for the last track. Lost and Found brings three talented songwriters together (Thom McHugh, John Nace, Westin Davis). This is another of those visual tracks. Light trailers of the cityscape/ lights of Austin zipping through in a flash. Searching. 

Overall, LOST AND FOUND keeps the Texas real while attracting a more contemporary audience. For me, the music is about the artist and Abraham is helping to bridge that gap between the West Texas Americana I love and the Austin music scene I'm finding a new appreciation for. 

I'm tipping my hat:

 .8

You can purchase the MP3 of the ALBUM or individual tracks at AMAZON



To learn more about Abraham Weaver, purchase other products and see his Tour Schedule, check out his WEBSITE.  You'll also find him on TWITTER and FACEBOOK





Monday, May 1, 2017

OUT OF THE CHUTE - Abraham Weaver

 We're kicking off May very wet here in the Ozarks. I wrote this up at the hotel in Springfield last night, not knowing whether or not I could still get down our road. Flooding here has been incredible.



Coming out of the gate this week is Abraham Weaver. I reviewed his YOURS CD a couple of years ago. You can check it out HERE.

I'll be reviewing his new album - LOST AND FOUND - tomorrow so this time I thought I'd introduce you to this talented man from Austin as a precursor to another stellar project.

Here we GO!



Thank you, Abraham for taking the time to answer these questions on a quick turn-around. 

More of a Curiosity Question:
On the album, YOURS you had the title track as the final listing. You did the same with LOST and FOUND. Any reason for placing the title track at the end? Or is this just how this EP came to me? 
The last track is my favorite track, Garth once made a comment that on each of his records he purposely placed his favorite track last. So when I recorded my first record I did the same and will continue to do so.

1 – Lost and Found has a more up-beat tempo than YOURS. What was your thought process in
how this album would have its own individuality? 
When writing and choosing songs for this EP I wanted a more Texas country rock feel, “Yours” was an all acoustic sound with the only non acoustic instrument was the bass guitar. The new EP gives a full band sound to try and compete with our Texas country feel

2 – Early in your career you opened for some amazing talents. If you could pinpoint one thing
      That was most valuable piece you gained from those openings, what would it be?
To treat everyone from the road crew to the artists with the same respect! Years ago I was fortunate enough to open for Chris LeDoux, want to talk about an amazing person… he would have given me the shirt off his back.

3 – In YOURS I heard the PA musical influences. What prompted the time in PA and how did
            That time enrich what you were already doing musically? 
PA was quite an experience for me coming from Texas, it moved me completely out of my comfort zone. Playing venues in the northeast is quite different than Texas. I started playing a lot more of my 80’s rock influences as well as tunes by Lady Gaga and Pink.

4 – I know Garth Brooks was one of your biggest influences. What was it about ‘The Dance’ that resonated with you? And how does that carry over into your music? 
Wow The Dance… what an amazing song, this musical lifestyle is not an easy one to say the least but it’s in the blood and as the song say’s I could have missed the pain, but I’d had to miss the dance. No matter how difficult the road may get, I’d rather dance!!

5 – Rick Orozco is a recurring name on your last two releases. What was it about I Know A
      Memory When I See One that brought it to this album? 
Rick Orozco is my vocal hero and I am lucky enough to call him my friend, he wrote “I know a memory when I see one” with Randy Goodrum (One of the worlds greatest songwriters) he knows me on a personal level and knew what my life was going through when he pitched it to me and have to say between “Lost and Found” and it, describe my life to a T. When it comes to writing or picking songs to put on a record it’s a very emotional process. Most might not realize it but as artists we put our hearts right out there!!

6 – Lost and Found seems to have a bit more contemporary sound to some of the tracks, without losing the Americana feel. How do you walk that line of staying in your roots while attracting a new generation?
That is a difficult part, I’ve recorded from my heart and in the end hope that people will not only appreciate my song choices and voice but that they will resonate with others in this crazy industry I chose.

7 – Stepping back in time a bit – What do you feel was the most beneficial prize from the 2015
            Texas Star Austin Award? 
The title it’s self was the most beneficial.  Capturing that title helped open up a lot of doors for me in the local Austin Texas scene.

8-  How do you want to grow musically in the next five years? 
This is a tough business to be in especially in Austin, I hope to continue to make my mark in this industry and continue making records.

Tomorrow, I'll review Abraham Weaver's latest EP. In the mean time, I invite you to check out his WEBSITE