I had the pleasure of spending some time with today's artist. He is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. If I can catch up with 'Kevin', I'll try to bring an interview some time next year.
In the mean time, with the onset of deer hunting season, I thought I'd share this one:
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.
While a lot of states have opened
up, there are still Safe Practices in place. Also, some venues have an age
restriction.
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
No Shows Found
Friday – 26
Aaron Watson – Silver Saloon –
Terrell
Dave Thomas – Culpepper Steakhouse
– Rockwall
Curtis Grimes – Mama Tried –
Irving TX
Honky
Tonk Christmas
Saturday – 27
Kyle Nix – Floore’s – Helotes
Of
Turnpike Troubadours /w Mason Lively
The Bellamy Brothers – Dosey Doe
Big Barn – The Woodlands
Dave Thomas – Culpepper Steakhouse
– Rockwall
Curtis Grimes – Wild West – Cedar
Park
Honky
Tonk Christmas
Jason Boland & the Stragglers
– Gruene Hall – New Braunfels
William Clark Green – Bob’s Off
the Square - Granbury
Sunday – 28
The Blakelys – Lone Star Bar &
Grill - Fredricksburg
Monday – 29
Michael Myers – Poodie’s –
Spicewood
w/
Matt Caldwell
Tuesday – 30
William Clark Green – Marty B’s –
Bartonville
Mike Blakely – Western Edge -
Fredricksburg
Wednesday – December 1
BB Morse – Poodie’s - Spicewood
ON THE ROAD
Thursday – 25
No Shows Found
Friday – 26
Jason Boland & the Stragglers
– Cain’s Ballroom- Tulsa OK
Sara Evans – Fox Theatre – Tucson
AZ
Blue
Christmas Tour
Bellamy Brothers – Margaritaville
Resort Casino – Bossier City LA
Saturday – 27
Aaron Watson – Philips 66
Bedlam- Stillwater OK
T. Graham Brown – Grand Ole Opry –
Nashville TN
Chris Janson – Inn of the Mountain
Gods Resort & Casino – Mescalero NM
Sara Evans – Vista Center for the
Arts – Surprise AZ
Sunday – 28
No Shows Found
Monday – 29
No Shows Found
Tuesday – 30
The Gatlin Brothers – Savannah
Center – The Villages FL
Texas Tenors – Mickey Gilley Grand
Shanghai Theatre – Branson MO
Wednesday – December 1
Trace Adkins – Hard Rock Event
Center – Tampa FL
Curtis Grimes – Whiskey Roads –
Tuscon AZ
Honky
Tonk Christmas
The Gatlin Brothers – Sunrise
Theatre – Fort Pierce FL
Texas Tenors – Mickey Gilley Grand
Shanghai Theatre – Branson MO
A lot of people will be sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. Throughout the year, when I've interviewed guests, I've asked them to share what side dish must be a part of their Thanksgiving meal.
Let's check their menu!
Craig Cummings
The stuffing! I like to have
different stuffing recipes each year, unusual things like oyster stuffing or something
with a Cajun flair. But that doesn’t go over too well in my family. They like
the more traditional recipes they grew up with.
Garret Wieland
Mashed potatoes, always.
Michelle & Jason Hannan
1 Blue Band
Michelle: For me, it’s not
thanksgiving without stuffing (or dressing). I could eat that stuff every day.
Now that I think about it, why don’t I eat it during other months of the year?!
Jason: Asparagus casserole!!
Growing up in Mississippi my grandmother made it every year and I loved it.
Michelle thinks it’s gross but makes it for me anyway.
Kristian Montgomery
Winterkill Band
Grandma's baked scallops
Rigby Summer
Can I cheat on this one? Because in my family,
the cherry on top of Thanksgiving is actually this AMAZING casserole my mom
makes with the leftover turkey. She even
puts the leftover gravy in it and then bakes it with a box of stovetop on top.
You top it with cranberry sauce and let me tell you, it’s better than
Thanksgiving dinner itself!
Thank you to everyone who shared their Thanksgiving meals with us!
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.
While a lot of states have opened
up, there are still Safe Practices in place. Also, some venues have an age
restriction.
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
Davin James – Dosey Doe Breakfast/
BBQ & Whiskey Bar – The Woodlands
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky
Thunder – Dosey Doe Big Barn – The Woodlands
Dave Thomas – Stix Icehouse –
McKinney
Mike Blakely – Western Edge –
Fredricksburg
/w
john Arthur martinez
Friday – 19
Kody West – Floore’s – Helotes
Dave Thomas – Hard Eight BBQ – The
Colony
T. Graham Brown – 2920 Roadhouse –
Hockley
Jason Boland & the Stragglers
– Tulips FTW – Ft. Worth
Saturday – 20
Wade Hayes – Dosey Doe Big Barn –
The Woodlands
Dave Thomas – Hard Eight BBQ –
Coppell
Sawyer Brown – Hippodrome Theatre –
Waco
T. Graham Brown – The New Granbury
Live – Granbury
Sunday – 21
Randy Carson Band – Floore’s –
Helotes
The Blakelys – Lone Star Bar &
Grill – Fredricksburg
john Arthur martinez – Texas
Heritage Vineyard – Fredricksburg
Monday – 22
No Shows Found
Tuesday – 23
Mike Blakely – Western Edge –
Fredricksburg
john Arthur martinez – Trailblazer
– Burnet
/w
Pauline Reese
Wednesday –24
BB Morse – Poodie’s – Spicewood
ON THE ROAD
Thursday – 18
Aaron Watson – The Hat – Manhattan
KS
Curtis Grimes – Nashville Palace –
Nashville TN
Honky
Tonk Christmas
Eli Young Band – Warehouse
25sixty-five – Grand Junction CO
Sara Evans – Grand Sierra Resort
Theatre – Reno NV
Texas Tenors – Mickey Gilley Grand
Shanghai Theatre – Branson MO
Friday – 19
Aaron Watson – The Cotillion – Wichita
KS
Eli Young Band – The Gutterhouse –
Pueblo West CO
Chris Janson – Surf Ballroom –
Clear Lake IA -SOLD OUT
Sara Evans – Peppermill Concert
Hall – West Wendover NV
William Clark Green – George’s
Majestic Lounge – Fayetteville AR
Texas Tenors – Mickey Gilley Grand
Shanghai Theatre – Branson MO
Today's review brings us a sweet mix of American, folk with a touch of meditation. I'm talking about
Her style has been compared to Brandi Carlisle and Lucinda Williams. I don't think the comparison is fair. While those ladies have the grit of the genre, I beleive that each one of those women have an individuality all their own, contracted by their personal experiences. Rigby Summer brings her heart and soul to this album.
GEOGRAPHY is eleven tracks of magic.
If you read yesterday's interview with Rigby Summer, then you heard the first track, The Weight (Unrequited). The opening strains are meditative... like a shower of crystals reminiscent of Kitaro. From there, the the strong takes a bit of an uptick as the journey begins.
Seldom do I come across an artist that creates such vivid imagery as Rigby Summer. It isn't about just the pictures she paints with her lyrics but the emotional connection to a road we've all traveled - even if those roads were different for each of us.
Delaware is a peaceful, thought-provoking tune that almost mesmerizes you like a long stretch of highway where as Michigan has a melancholy feel with a hint of Celtic Women.
Two tracks, Gibson Guitar and Buy Me A Piano, carry a Carly Simon breathlessness, adding to the timelessness of GEOGRAPHY.
Overall, this album is soft, yet engaging - just as at home in a New York highrise or a Caribbean beach bar and every destination you want to travel in between.
I'm tipping my hat...
You can find out more about Rigby Summer by clicking on the following links:
Thanks for joining us in KellysCountry today, Rigby!
You’ve been writing and performing for a good number of years. You released an
EP in the fall of 2020. Now you have a full album barely a year later. Was the
EP a teaser of what you had to offer in GEOGRAPHY?
The EP
was a pandemic project. Geography was
ready to send for artwork and print and the plan was to release it in Fall
2020, but then of course, we all went on lock down and after having travelled
so much in the years prior, I didn’t release my debut album at a time that I
couldn’t tour it--I mean, it’s called GEOGRAPHY and I couldn’t travel!
But I
wanted to do something to reach out and build a little momentum so when I
qualified for PUA (pandemic unemployment assistance) at the end of the summer I
decided to invest some of that in my music. I had an idea for a long time that
I wanted to do a “holiday adjacent” album someday with songs that were fit for
the season but not your typical holiday standards, especially for anyone who
might feel a bit melancholy through the holidays.
This seemed
like the perfect time. Kyle (Reid) has this song Dancing Alone that is just
fantastic and in a year when EVERYONE was going to be dancing alone on New
Year’s Eve, it was the perfect anchor for the EP.
That
little project saved my sanity last fall--everything about it was just fun and
low-pressure because these were all covers--my interpretations of other
people’s songs--as opposed to the debut of my own. We spent a couple of days in studio and did
most of the dialing in for final mixes remotely. We even sent the title track
to Montreal to get the tuba and banjo treatment from Les Royal Pickles. The icing on the cake was when the manager of
historic Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa allowed my photographer friend, Sarah Huhn,
and me into the space for an hour to shoot the cover. I still can’t believe how everything came
together in the span of 4-6 weeks...I don’t think that little project could
have been made that way at any other time.
You
took some time off then seems as if you’ve come back with a vengeance. What did
you learn about yourself during that hiatus?
Well,
the hiatus was never really intentional. But there is a sort of dichotomy to
what I learned from that season. On one hand, I look back and understand now
more than ever how important it is to
know yourself and deeply plant your roots there because there will always be
someone ready to tell you where you should or shouldn't belong or how to spend
your days. If you always look to others
to validate your path, you’ll just get blown off track because everyone’s wind
is coming from a different direction.
But on
the other hand, I have gratitude for that time. In that time, there are things
that I learned about life and business and myself that have enabled me to
approach things differently this time around.
That previous version of myself was younger and cuter and skinnier but
she had no idea what she was doing. She was talented, but she didn’t know what
to do with it. She needed to get her mind right. She didn’t yet have the
fortitude to handle resistance when it came her way...so if you see everything
in life as learning, there is no lost time. And if my story can help someone
else get back on their true path, then it’s all happening right on time.
Did
any of that hiatus find its way into this LP and if so, would you point out
specifics?
Your music & style has drawn comparisons with Brandi Carlile and Lucinda
Williams. Those names pack a punch. How do you feel about the comparisons?
Well,
tell me two bigger badasses in Americana music right now! I am honored every time it happens. Vocally, I hear Brandi pretty regularly. But
as much as I love her, I was surprised when I started hearing Lucinda, but that
has happened more often after performances, so yeah, I dig it. If I am developing vocals comparable to
Brandi and performance swagger comparable to Lucinda, I am gonna lean into
that!
Who
do you consider to be your biggest musical influences in your life?
Well, if
you mean formative people in my life, that’s easy: my brother and my mom’s best friend Mary.
They helped inform my musical taste early on.
I went through this phase as a tween where I only listened to the oldies
station. All my peers were learning dances to pop music at recess but was going
home to sing along with the Shirelles and the Rolling Stones. I was a weird kid! Mary tuned into that and
started feeding me music pretty early on.
She taped off all her Mary Chapin Carpenter CDs for me and I absorbed
every note. I studied those songs and
wanted to be her. Then my brother loved
music and we went to a lot of great concerts together growing up. Because of him, my first real concert was
Paul McCartney at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Between the two of us, we
knew almost every lyric to every song on the 70s rock station.
Of
those folks, what would you say had the biggest effect on who you are as an
artist now?
I’m
going to dodge this a little bit and focus on the “who I am as an artist now” end of this question, because I
don’t think I really ever realized how attainable it actually is to set on out
on this path and do the dang thing when I was younger. For sure, it is more possible now because
there are fewer gatekeepers in the music industry these days. So the biggest influences on me becoming the
artist I am now are the performers who were willing to come share the stage
with me at my concert series in Stillwater.
That event became my school when music came back to me in 2017. For the
first year or so I was for sure playing WAY out of my league! I had no business sharing the stage with a
lot of those performers. But they were
so gracious and I learned something every month, either just from observation
or sometimes things that they would directly tell me. A turning point for me was when, after a
while, I had a few hosting experiences where some artists showed me who I didn’t want to be as a guest and an
artist. Haha..thats’ when I realized I had slowly been growing into my
own.
I will
say that one of the hosting experiences that was most positively formative was
when Belle Plaine and Blake Berglund came down from Saskatchewan and we ended
up playing about a week of shows together after a week of radio and
rehearsals. I had only been back at it
about a year and while I had a certain level of confidence in myself as an
artist, working with them was a considerable uplevel from where I was at that
time. Most of the week I felt like I had maybe dove in to the deep end a little
too quickly!
But
working with them and their guitar player those two weeks, getting to know
them, I got to see the stage persona versus who they are as people and I saw
just how connected they were--on stage they lean in to the best parts of their
values, their personalities and their relationships with each other. It was really special to watch. I saw first hand how they worked together as
a band behind the scenes, taking care of one another and getting the work done
together. And I think I came away
feeling permission to bring my own swagger to the stage. I know my performance and stagecraft was
heavily influenced from working with
them.
I
love the album cover. Geography in itself is more than just a place, it’s what
gives us peace wherever we are. What brings you peace?
If
you could offer one tip to artists trying to find their vibe in this business,
what would that tip be?
Know yourself and be that, unabashedly. Your
story, your message and your music are a gift and there are people who need to
hear it. If you are trying to be
someone else, you aren’t going to find your
audience. It’s an ongoing process, learning to love and
trust yourself, but when you set on that path, the right people will find you.
I'll be back tomorrow with a review of GEOGRAPHY. In the mean time, here's the first track from her YouTube channel:
You can find out more about Rigby Summer by clicking on the following links:
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.
While a lot of states have opened
up, there are still Safe Practices in place. Also, some venues have an age
restriction.
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
Mike & Annie Blakely – Silver
Sage Community Center – Bandera
Friday – 12
Aaron Watson - Sawyer Park
Icehouse – Spring
John Baumann & Rob Baird –
Floore’s – Helotes
Dave Fenley – Dosey Doe Breakfast/
BBQ/ Wiskey Bar – The Woodlands
Dave Thomas – Shuck Me – Southlake
Eli Young Band – Lyceum @
University of N. Texas – Denton
Sara Evans – Arlington Music Hall
– Arlington
William Clark Green – Twisted J
Live – Stephenville
I'm coming in a bit late with today's post. I've been dealing with a sick kitty for the past few days. They are like children. When they don't feel good, they just want the security of being snuggled next to you.
Tabby is about four-years-old and is starting to develop some tooth issues. She'd not eaten more than two Tablespoons of food since last Friday. She is now on anitbiotics for inflamation and is eating again. She has a ways to go and down the road, the teeth may become more of an issue. But for now, she's a momma's girl and I'm okay with that.
Now, let's check out what's on the turntable today!
One thing I can always count on from Kristian. His music isn't fluff or daisies. His lyrics do not paint a picture of a perfect life, yet they do leave you feeling a deep warmth, like a smooth sippin' whiskey.
A Heaven for Heretics is the latest release from Kristian Montgomery & The Winterkill band. The album is a mix of blues and edgy country. If you want to sit back with a tumbler of Southern Comfort then all but two of the tracks are perfect for contemplation. When it comes to Peachand Times Like These, you'll be hitting the dance floor. The album delivers both in a style that is uniquely Winterkill.
In our interview with Kristian yesterday, he had this to say about his music.
I want the sounds I produce to reflect on life, real life that's hard, dirty and often disappointing and try to find the beauty in it.
Like everything else, there are two sides to every story. In A Heaven for Heretics, Kristian Montgomer gives us the version most people never take the time (or desire) to see, using contemplative instrumentals to set the tone.
I'm tipping my hat:
You'll find Kristian Montgomery & The Winterkill info and music through the following links:
We are back with Kristian Montgomery and the Winterkill Band.
Before we get in to today's interview, I'd love for you to take a minute and head over to the Boston Music Awards website. Scroll to the bottom where you input your name/ email/ city/state then you'll see the categories available. You can vote for various categories Please vote for Winterkill Band for Country Artist of the Year.
Okay, now let's see what's new that would put him in this auspicious nomination.
Open the Chute!
It’s been just over a year since
your last album, ‘The Gravel Church’.You’ve relocated to Wallingford. How’d that come about and how are you
settling in?
Actually, it's been 8 months
since I released my 2nd album "Prince of poverty" I sold my boat and
moved from the shore to the mountains of Vermont. I worked on the ocean for
many years and after realizing that I could never afford a home there i decided to put down roots elsewhere and the music
scene here is amazing. I have a band of great musicians and working hard to
promote my 3rd album "A Heaven for Heretics "
Let’s talk about this new album,
Heaven for Heretics. What was your overall concept when choosing songs?
My daughter is married to a
woman and today's world has become tolerant to individual choice more so then
ever before in the states. Hemophilia is a thing of the past if you have more
than a 3rd grade education and looking back it’s an odd feeling to think that
these normal things were ever taboo in the 1st place. This record was for those
people who lived on the Periphery, the artists and trendsetters who were once
looked down upon. This album is our little slice of Heaven.
There’s a southern rock groove to
this album. Different from The Gravel Church. Is it safe to say you’ve mellowed
a bit?
I haven't mellowed, I've
evolved I suppose. I made this record with the intent to show off more
influences and to incorporate different musical eras of my past. I've learned
to show hints of retro but add a modern touch to these songs in a way that I
think people will find unique and real.
A Heaven for Heretics has 10 great
tracks. If there were one that best emulates Kristian Montgomery, which one
would it be?
Come carry weight with me is
about my passion for the sea and everyday life on the ocean. My brother was
diagnosed with cancer and this song was written with him in mind as he too is
salt obsessed.
Last time we chatted you said you
were burnt out? As I listened to the tracks, I could feel flames licking at the
soul, especially on ‘Family Owned’. Have you rekindled a flame?
Absolutely, I was recognized
with a nomination for the New England music awards this year. I didn't win of
course as I've never been a big scene guy but getting recognized was cool but
losing to a some of the mainstream artists lit a fire in me. This albums(A
Heaven for heretics) is about being on the edge of the scene walking the fine
line between art and still being marketable. Its important to me to make art
not propaganda or background noise. I want the sounds I produce to reflect on
life, real life that's hard, dirty and often disappointing and try to find the
beauty in it
I can’t help but think your style
is perfect for film. Have you thought of pursuing that avenue with your music?
I have tried but it seems like
the folks with half the talent and drive but who are members of the upper class
always get chosen for such honors. They tell me they don't accept unsolicited
material so I have to find a sugar momma in the industry to bridge that
connection.
Word on the street you’re looking
for new bandmates. Can you give us a bit about the qualities you’re hoping to
find in new team members?
Great people and players. I'm
having some luck here in Vermont finding a band and slowly putting the people
in place.
I’m really excited for this album.
If you wanted folks to come away from your music with one thought, what would
that be? That they felt me, that it was real and I wish they'd carry it home
with then and make it part of their life.
In the mean time, here's a laid back video from his most recent release - Secret Watering Hole
We'll be back tomorrow with a review of his upcoming album - A HEAVEN FOR HERETICS
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.
While a lot of states have opened
up, there are still Safe Practices in place. Also, some venues have an age
restriction.
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
NO Shows Found
Friday – 5
Dave Thomas – Hard Eight BBQ –
Roanoke
Curtis Grimes – The Lone Star Bar
– Midland
Mike Blakely – Dobi Dichos –
Oakville
Bellamy Brothers – Southern
Junction Live – Royse City
I'll have The Party List up late afternoon tomorrow. I've spent all day scheduling the Author blog post for the month of November. That's one of my bread & butter blogs and take presidence.
Today, I'm posting a special video - a new one by George Strait. Please Remember, Pray and Share.