THE PARTY LIST - February 20-26th

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. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you.

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 – 20
john  Arthur martinez – Blue Corn Harvest – Cedar Park – 6:30 –8:30 p.m.
Mike Blakely – Civic Center – Fort Stockton – 7 p.m.
Benefit for Annie Riggs Museum
Kelly McGuire – Butler’s Courtyard – League City – 8 p.m. - $20
/w Larry Joe Taylor
TICKETS
Troy Cartwright – The Rustic – Dallas –
Heather Roberts Band – Whiskey Girl – Fort Worth –
      Opening for Mark McKinney
Wally West & Them Lostbound Souls – Adairs Saloon – Dallas – 10:30 p.m.
Zach Seth Band – All in for Alegria – Fort Worth – Noon-4 p.m.
Zach Seth Band – Railhead BBQ – Willow Park – 7:30 p.m.
Bob Cheevers – Austin Bergstrom International Airport – Austin – 1 p.m.
Danny Everitt – The Pump House – Victoria – 6:30 p.m.


Friday – 21
john Arthur martinez – The Badu House – Llano – 8-11 p.m.
Mike Blakely – TX Cowboy Poetry Gathering – Alpine –
VENUE
Dave Thomas – Oakmont Country Club – Corinth – 6:30 p.m.
Hal Ketchum – Dosey Doe’s Big Barn – The Woodlands – 8:30 p.m.
TICKETS
Billy Joe Shaver – Dosey Doe’s Café – Conroe – 8:30 p.m.
TICKETS
Thomas Michael Riley – Hondo’s On Main – Fredricksburg – 8-11:30 p.m.
Scott Taylor Band – Legends Saloon – Rockport – 9 p.m.
Granger Smith - Hurricane Harry's - College Station - 9 p.m.
     TICKETS
Heather Roberts – Turkey Creek – Alvarado 6-8 p.m.
Reagan Roden Benefit



Saturday 22
john Arthur martinez – Julie’s Cocina – Cottonwood Shores – 6-9 p.m.
Mary Sarah – River Pointe Church – Richmond – 5 P.M. - FREE
/w Moses Rangel
Mike Blakely – TX Cowboy Poetry Gathering – Alpine –
VENUE
Steve Helms Band – The Mule Barn – Justin
/w Bobby Duncan
Bo Porter – Salt Lick BBQ – Driftwood – 1 p.m.
Troy Cartwright – Hard Eight BBQ – Dallas
Sammy Fox – Cross Roads Saloon – Big Spring
Bob Cheevers – In the Music Room – Waxahachie – 7 p.m.
Danny Everitt – Union Kitchen – Houston – 6:30 p.m.
Mark McKinney – Whiskey Girl Saloon – Fort Worth -



Sunday 23
Mary Sarah – River Pointe Church – Richmond – 9:30 & 11:15 a.m. – FREE
/w Moses Rangel
Mary Sarah – Lonestar Club & Cocktail Bar – Pasadena – 7 p.m. - $10
/w Anita Campbell, Angie Beck, Colby Sheppard,
              Moses Rangel & Colton Black
                              TICKETS


Monday – 24
Mary Sarah – George R. Brown Convention Center – Houston – 7 p.m.
Brad Good – Dalton’s Corner Bar and Grill – Burleson – 8 p.m.


Tuesday – 25
john Arthur martinez – Texas Tea-Licious – Burnet – 6-8 p.m.
Celtic Crossroads – Dosey Doe’s Big Barn – The Woodlands – 8 p.m.
TICKETS
Brad Good – LSA Burger Co. – Denton – 7 p.m.


Wednesday – 26
john Arthur martinez – River City Grille – Marble Falls – 7-9 p.m.
Scott Taylor Band – Redneck Country Club – Stafford – 7 p.m.



ON THE ROAD


Thursday – 20
Buddy Case – Russo’s Coal Fired Italian Kitchen – Conway AR – 6-9 p.m.
Oak Ridge Boys – Tennessee Williams Theater – Key West FL –
TICKETS


Friday – 21
Mary Sarah – Musician’s Hall of Fame – Nashville TN – 10 p.m.
TICKETS
Cole Swindell – Rupp Arena – Lexington KY
TICKETS:
Cody Joe Hodges – The Basement – Nashville TN
Zach Seth – Doc Possum’s – Granbury – 7 p.m.


Saturday 22
Cody Joe Hodges – The Basement – Nashville TN


Sunday 23
Keith Anderson - Rusty Spur - Ft. Wayne IN - 7 p.m.


Monday – 24
Buddy Case – JJ’s Grill n Chill – Conway AR – 6-8 p.m.


Tuesday - 25


Wednesday – 26

THE PARTY LIST - December 12- 18th

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. Note dates are subject to change. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out.  Due to recent weather issues in some areas, it is important that you check with the artist or venue before venturing 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 – 12
john Arthur martinez – Blue Corn Harvest Bar & Grill – Marble Falls – 6-8 p.m.
/w Kurt Baumer
Kyle Park – Brewster’s Street IceHouse – Corpus Christi
W.C. Jameson – Herman Brown Library – Burnet – 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Books & Music Presentation w/ Mike Blakely
W.C. Jameson – The Badu House – Llano 7 p.m.
/w Mike Blakely & Guest: Dana Cooper


Friday – 13
George Ensle – Ham House Concert – Llano – 8 p.m.
/w Greg Whitfield
john Arthur martinez – Escondido Golf Club – Horseshoe Bay – 6-9 p.m.
Kyle Park – Billy Bob’s – Fort Worth
Almost Patsy Cline Band – O’Brien’s Restaurant – Bergheim 6:15- 9:15 p.m.
Randy Rogers Band – Midnight Rodeo – Amarillo – 8 p.m.
Tickets: http://tinyurl.com/mhkj7la
Doug Moreland – Cotton Club – Granger – 9 p.m. - $10
Dave Thomas – Culpepper Cattle Company – Rockwall – 7:30-10:30


Saturday – 14
Christmas Extravaganza – The Oil Palace – Tyler – 8:15
Marty Stuart, Travis Tritt, Chris Cagle
Matt Harlan – Millbend Coffeehouse – The Woodlands – 7:30 p.m.
Blacktop Gypsy – Luckenbach – 1 p.m.
The Bellamy Brothers – Lantex Theater – Llano – 3:45 & 8:45 p.m.
Tropical Christmas Show
john Arthur martinez – LBJ Homestead Christmas Gala – Johnson City
Aubrey Lynn England – One Eyed Jack Saloon – Whiteright – 9 p.m.
Singer/ Songwriter Saturday
Doug Moreland – Cheatham Street Warehouse – San Marcos – 10 p.m. (21+)
Zane Williams – House of Fifi Du Bois – San Angelo – 9:30 p.m. - $10
Tickets:
Sara Hickman – LifeAustin Church – Austin – 7:30 p.m.
Central Texas Medical Orchestra
                   Tickets: $25 - http://tinyurl.com/l5ccfyz


Sunday – 15
Aubrey Lynn England – Love and War – Plano – 4 p.m.
Ticket Price: 1 New Unwrapped TOY!


Monday – 16
George Ensle – Poodie’s Hilltop – Spicewood – 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Songwriter’s Showcase
Noelle Hampton – Austin Bergstrom Airport – Austin – 3 p.m.
Saxon Pub Stage
Oak Ridge Boys – Amarillo Civic Center – Amarillo -


Tuesday – 17
Almost Patsy Cline Band – O’Brien’s Restaurant – Bergheim –
Vicki & Lanette Duo
Mike Blakely – River City Grille – Marble Falls
/w Larry Nye
Dave Thomas – Cadillac Pizza - McKinney – 7:30-10:30
Songwriters Night


Wednesday – 18
Matt Harlan – Hondo’s On Main – Fredricksburg – 7:30 p.m.
john Arthur martinez – River City Grille – Marble Falls –
/w Chris Reeves & B.B. Morse
Davin James – Puffabelly’s – Spring – 8 p.m.
Dave Thomas – El Corazon – Dallas – 6:30 p.m.


ON THE ROAD

Thursday – 12
Chase Rice – The Cotillion – Witchita KS
/w A Thousand Horses
Oak Ridge Boys – Lincoln Theater – Yountville CA


Friday – 13
Dustin Lynch – 8 Seconds Saloon – Indianapolis IN
Chase Rice – Grizzly Rose  - Denver Co
/w A Thousand Horses
Eli Young Band – Sokol Auditorium – Omaha NE
/w Special Guest:  Eric Paslay
Oak Ridge Boys – Valley Performing Arts Center – Northridge CA


Saturday – 14
Redneck Brown & The Freshwater Donkeys – Whiskey Business –
                                  Junction City KS – 9 p.m.
Blindcat – The Wine Rack – Poplar Bluff MO
St. Louie Boogie tour!
Chase Rice – Bourbon Theatre – Lincoln NE
/w A Thousand Horses
Oak Ridge Boys – Spotlight 29 Casino – Coachelle CA


Sunday – 15
Oak Ridge Boys – Desert View Performing Arts Center – Tucson AZ
Kenny Rogers - Carson Center - Paducah KY



Monday – 16


Tuesday – 17
Oak Ridge Boys – Topeka Performing Arts Center- Topeka KS


Wednesday – 18
Oak Ridge Boys – Paramount Theater – Cedar Rapids IA

THE PARTY LIST - Feb. 21st

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. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out.

Until after the Texas Music Awards, I will only be showing TEXAS events. I will resume ON THE ROAD events beginning in April.

Let’s Get This Party STARTED!

Plan Ahead - Look at Sunday!


TEXAS

THURSDAY
Kelly McGuire – Butler’s Courtyard – League City – 8 p.m. (doors @ 7)
Songwriters Series – Up Close & Personal – Tix $20
This week – john Arthur martinez & Kurt Baumer 
Info & tix available: www.redfishisland.com or sandyrecords@comcast.net
Aubrey Lynn England – Brix Jam – Plano – 8 p.m.
/w/ Danny Dillon - Host Bryan Adam Joyner
W.C. Jameson – The Badu House – Llano- 7 – 9 p.m.
/w/ Van Darien & Mike Blakely

FRIDAY
Byrd & Street – BB Rovers – Austin - 8:30-11 p.m.

SATURDAY
Mark Allan Atwood – The Loft Pizza & Pub- Whitewright – 9 p.m.
Jake Hooker – Old Peanut Mill Steakhouse – Mason –
Tickets $20

SUNDAY
NOTE from Mike Blakely –
Here's a special offer from Lone Star Wine & Music Tours for this Sunday, Feb. 17.  We have a few seats available on our winery tour of Fredericksburg on Sunday, 11:00a.m.-6:00p.m.  It's a musical winery tour featuring award-winner guitarist and songwriter, Buddy Case, of Conway, Arkansas.  Ride in style on our limo-bus, enjoy wine tastings at several wineries, feast your eyes on the beautiful vineyard scenery, and listen to music by Buddy Case!
Reply NOW to info@wineandmusictours.com  if you're interested.  Seats have been discounted to $70 to fill up the bus!  We can pick you up in Llano or Fredericksburg.

MONDAY
NO SHOWS AVAILABLE

TUESDAY
Randy Brown – Railhead Smokehouse  - Willow Park7:30-10:30
/w/ Black Top Gypsy
Kelly McGuire – Wine Garden @ Carruth Plaza – Houston Rodeo -

The PARTY LIST - Oct. 11 - 17th

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. 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:
Brigitte London – Pickers Circle @ Luckenbach –5 p.m.
Phillip Gibbs – Hondo’s on Main – Fredricksburg – 7:30-10:30 p.m.

FRIDAY:
The Drugstore Cowboys – Rolling Oaks Golf Center – San Antonio – 8 p.m-midnight
Hayden Whittington – Pickers Circle @ Luckenbach – 4 p.m.
Phillip Gibbs – Hondo’s on Main – Fredricksburg - 8 – 1:30 p.m.
The Dirty River Boys – Hurricane Harry’s – College Station – Doors open @ 9 p.m.
/w/ Brison Bursey

SATURDAY:
The Drugstore Cowboys – Hondo’s on Main – Fredricksburg – 8 p.m.
  40th Anniversary & CD Release Party!
Jason Allen – Cotton Club & Steakhouse – Granger – 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. $10 cover
Jamie Richards – The Drunken Mule – Commerce – 10 p.m. - $10 cover

SUNDAY:
The Drugstore Cowboys – The Welfare Café – Welfare – 6 p.m.
Jamie Richards – Dosey Doe’s Coffee Shop – The Woodlands – 5 p.m.
* acoustic set* - Kevin Black & Gary P. Nunn also perform


TUESDAY:
John Arthur Martinez – Crazy Gal’s Café – Burnet – 6 p.m.
Jamie Richards – Whiskey & Rye/ Omni Fort Worth Hotel – 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY:
John Arthur Martinez – River City Grille – Marble Falls – 7 p.m.


ELSEWHERE

SATURDAY:
John Arthur Martinez – Spaar House Concert – Finksburg MD – 6:30 p.m.
/w/ Kurt Baumer The Spaar link will give you all the Details
Door admission goes to a GREAT cause!

SUNDAY
John Arthur Martinez – Fimbles House Concert – Mont Vernon NH – 2 p.m.
/w/ Kurt Baumer – The Fimbles link will give you all the Details

YOU PLAY MY HEART - Review

YOU PLAY MY HEART is the tenth album in a series of masterful creativity by John Arthur Martinez. Like any series, this compilation shows how his artistry has grown over time. The thirteen-track CD is full of pride, pasion and compassion.

The album opens up with a powerful story of love and devotion in You Don’t Mean To Hurt Me (with Pauline Reese) and carries the passion throughout the album. With the first notes in Cajita de Milangros you know jAm has reached back to his roots. From the haunting background of Emmylou’s Guitar to the story of strength in Dare To Dream Out Loud, jAm takes you on a tour of what’s inside of this quiet yet passionate man.

He’s added a touch of love and heartache in I Know How To Fall and Tennessee Left Texas and revisits a classic Merle Haggard tune in Sing Me Back Home. Any artist worth his salt knows you can’t go it alone in this business. The respect he’s garnered shines in the co-writing with Wake Eastman, Mike Blakely and Jan Landry (Apache Songs) to name just a few who've lent their talent to the lyrics. The amazing musicians and back vocals, all talented artists in their own right, are too numerous to mention. Grab a copy of the CD and you’ll see what I mean. And it’s all been pulled together for our listening pleasure with the help of Casey Hubble, Kurt Baumer, David Helms and Stefano Bertolotti.  This collection comes from his heart and he wants to touch yours.

This Country Angel gives the album 5 HATS

You can purchase your copy (and any of his other CDs)  by clicking HERE. It will soon be available at My Texas Music

OUT OF THE CHUTE - John Arthur Martinez!

You know the saying 'anywhere a truck driver eats, you know the food has got to be good'? Well, that's how I felt about John Arthur Martinez when I first heard about him. He's a good friend and has done projects with my friend Mike Blakely. Anyone Mike associates with just has to be good, in my opinion. Mike only works with the best. With that in mind, I knew I had to get to know more about jAm. Yep, that's how he writes it and what his friends call him. It's a nod to his writing-major past... after the poet, e.e. cummings.

Born in Austin, TX, John Arthur Martinez grew up listening to his relatives harmonize on mariachi ballads.
Trying to head in a more traditional direction, he graduated from Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in English and broadcast journalism (and minors in speech and philosophy) and then entered  graduate  school  at  the  University  of  Arizona  in  Tucson. But he couldn't stay away from music and continued to hone his song craft in college town coffeehouses. From there it's pretty much been a steady climb. He has nine albums including a live album and has appeared on two Christmas albums. His tenth album - 'You Play My Heart' was released on Saturday (I'll have a review tomorrow). jAm lives in Marble Falls TX with his family.

Let's pull the gate for John Arthur Martinez!

I’m going to step back in time for a moment with this interview and apprise some of you of something you did not know. jAm was a contestant on the first season of Nashville Star, coming a close second to winner, Buddy Jewel and ahead of one of today’s hottest female vocalists, Miranda Lambert. Great company to be in.

You had already released thre albums, ‘Spinning Our Wheels’ and ‘Stand Your Ground’ and On the Border (with many former Asleep at the Wheel veterans). Why did you make the decision to do Nashville Star? And what’s the most important thing you learned about yourself from the experience? I really didn't want to enter what I first thought was a frivolous contest, but after pressure from a local fan, a call from the talent buyer Hill's Cafe, the host venue for the local competition, and encouragement from my wife, Yvonna, I took the leap of Faith.

Do you remember what your first career decision was after coming out of Nashville Star (2003) and did the show have any impact on what has brought you to this point? My first decision was to sign with Stuart Dill of Refugee Management, who handled Jo Dee Messina at the time, and while Stuart is really a great guy and a nice person, for business purposes he chose to hand me off to a new partner in his firm named Norbert Nix, who wasn't in a financial position to devote to my career at that time. They bailed on me just as my new album was being released by Dualtone Records and distributed by Sony. In hind sight that may not have been the wisest choice because Stuart Dill had steered me toward The William Morse Agency, even though they weren't passionate about booking me like another agency had shown. But this all said, the limelight from Nashville Star has led to an international fan base that is still with me; many of these fans book me for private house concerts all over the map.

Your solid in your Texas roots and it shows in your music. What is it about Texas music that makes it so special? Texas brings many influences to the mix. Six flags flew over the Lone Star state and the mix of the German settlers, the Mexican culture, the Austin scene, the singer-songwriter culture, and more work together to create many unique artists like Willie, like Lyle, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Buddy Holly, ZZ Top, George Strait, Janice Joplin etc.

Your journey has a long list of great influences. Who do you think are some of the current artists that will continue to influence future performers? That's a hard one as I'm influenced by many, but I'd have to say that I'm most influenced by the serious singer-songwriters like Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Walt Wilkins, Rodney Crowell and others like them.

You’ve recorded with some great people in Texas music, been awarded Record of the Year in 2005 and 2010 as well as Entertainer of the Year in 2006 with the Texas Music Awards and other nominations. You are highly respected in the Texas music industry. Those are all great reasons to walk a little high in your boots. What keeps John Arthur Martinez grounded? My Faith, my wife, my love of small town life.

You parallel your varied music styles to a menu – ‘It all comes out of the same kitchen’. Is there anything new on ‘You Play My Heart’ we might not have seen on the menu before? There are two tracks entirely in Spanish, something I didn't do on Purgatory Road or Lone Starry Night. Plus it includes only the players from Central Texas and the Texas Hill Country. Furthermore, I had a hand in most of the mixing and engineering, all of which give this album more of an organic feel.

You had your first poem published at the age of 9, you have a Bachelors in English and you continue to write – reinforcing the singer-songwriter are the best match with oneself as an artist. Does a song come all at once or do you have to work at it over a period of time? Can you give us examples of your songs that hit either of those marks? Usually it's a simultaneous process but sometimes the lyrics come first and on occasion the melody first. On this song "You Play My Heart" that I co-wrote with Jan Landry, the melody and the lyrics came together quickly. On "Emmylou's Guitar" it evolved over time, but again the lyrics and the melody were written simultaneously.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received you would pass on to other artists? 
My mentor Kent Finlay, from the San Marcos, TX area told me to write about what you know!

I want to thank jAm for taking the time out of a very busy schedule to do this for us. Tomorrow, I'll have a review of the brand new CD - You Play My Heart. I hope you'll come back.

You can find all of jAm's former albums currently on his page at My Texas Music To pick up his new CD, check out his website... www.johnarthurmartinez.net
Country Blessings!

THE PARTY LIST - Sept. 28th

Thank you all for your patience yesterday while I got some computer issues straightned out. I'm sorry I was unable to post the Thursday night parties as there were some good ones. But that does not discount the FUN to be had THIS WEEKEND.

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. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out.

Let's Get This Party Started!

TEXAS

Friday:
4th Annual PAWLESSFEST- Gainseville. See separate post for details
                                Awesome 2-day event for a great cause!
John Arthur Martinez - The Badu House - Llano - 8 p.m.
Byrd and Street – Southwest Regional Folk Conference – Austin 7 p.m.
                     This is at the Holiday Inn midtown – Tickets are $10
Jean Synodinos – Southwest Regional Folk Conference – same as above.
Randy Brown – 4^th Annual Rib cook-off – Pottsboro – 8 p.m $10 donation at the gate.
                     Gates open at 10 a.m. for this event. Make it an all-day Party!
Casey Hubble – TX Heritage Music Festival Silver Jubilee – Kerrville –
                    Casey will also present a Free Songwriting workshop!
Jeff Keith Band – Auslander Biergarten and Restaurant – Fredricksburg – 7 p.m.
Chad Johnson Band – The Saxon Pub – Austin – 12:30 a.m. – Tix $5

Saturday:
John Arthur Martinez – Hondo’s on Main – 8 p.m.
Byrd and Street – Dahlia’s Café – Liberty Hill – 6:30- 8:30 p.m.
Scotty Thurman and the Perfect Trouble Band – Nocono VFW Post 8558 – 9 p.m.
Mike Blakely – Hunter’s Swap Meet – Hills of Texas Taxidermy – Llano – Noon
                       W. C. Jameson, and Woody Eastman join Mike
Casey Hubble – Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo – Pasadena –
Michael Landau – The Saxon Pub – Austin – 9 p.m. – Tix $15 Advance/ $20 door

　

Sunday:
John Arthur Martinez - Silver K Cafe' - Johnson City - Noon


Tuesday:
Byrd and Street - Tom's Tabooley - Austin- 7 p.m.
                         % of restaurant proceeds benefit Health Alliance for Austin musicians
Matt Dunn – Love and War – Plano -

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

Concerts and Events - Week of July 16th

All engagements listed are as I receive them from the performers newsletter or direct chat. Clicking on their name will send you to their website for updated information.

DIMITRI'S RAIL

Wednesday July 18 - concert pub north
Saturday July 21 - dynamo bbva compass stadium
Saturday July 28 - curtain club - dallas tx

RANDY BROWN
Tuesday July 17 - Railhead Smokehouse (with Cody Johnson) - Willow Park TX 7:30-10:30
Friday July 20 - 76th Scurry Country Rodeo Dance - Snyder TX 9-midnight
Sunday July 22 - Hullabaloo Diner (with Amos Staggs) - College Station TX 6-8 p.m.

MIKE BLAKELY
Thursday July 19 - The Badu House (with Woody Eastman) - Llano TX  7p.m.

And while Mike and I have your attention, have you heard about the AWESOME  cruise coming up in February 2013? Wow! Here's the info you need:
Our trip is a 5-night cruise to Cozumel, sailing from Galveston on the new Carnival ship, Triumph.  Prices start at $520, which includes all meals.  And... if you attended our last music cruise, you will get another $50 per person off your fee!  Mike Blakely, john Arthur martinez, Kim Carson, Sonny Lemaire, and ED BRUCE!  Fun at sea, and live music, too!  For more details, here's the LINK 


 To book your cabin, email mike@texasmusiccruises.com.




THOMAS MICHAEL RILEY
Saturday July 21 - Night in Old Fredricksburg - Fredricksburg Market Place - 9 p.m.

There's still time to get your tickets and hotel reservations for the Red-Neck River Music Festival. July 27th and 28th at Buckhorn Lake Resort - Kerrville TX Other performers include Tommy Alverson, Chris Wall and Brian Burns. Click on Tommy's link above for all the details!

Tommy will also be participating in the Fall Music Cruise September 22nd - 29th. Click on Brian's link for the information.

Party hard, Keep it Safe and...
Country Blessings!

Entertainer of the Year Nominee- John Arthur Martinez

I've already told you about Pauline Reese, one of the nominees for Entertainer of the Year. So for our final nominee in this category, we look to Marble Falls, TX.

I’ve been hearing the name John Arthur Martinez for years. Among the many who have played weekend gigs with Mike Blakely, John was the first name I came to know. Aside from the two of them doing an album together back in 2007, ‘Blakely-Martinez’, they’ve also appeared on ‘A Texas Hill-Country Christmas’ and ‘Austin’s WB – Holiday Songs Benefiting the Austin Children’s Center’.

John Arthur Martinez has a velvet tone to his voice. The lyrics wash over you, creating a sense of peace. Whenever I hear him sing, I want to be sitting next to a camp fire somewhere with friends. Where the stars shine bright above, the beer is cold and the music makes you content to be just where you are… in that moment.

John made his first appearance in 2005, winning Record of the Year (‘Home Made of Stone’). The song can be found on his ‘Lone Starry Night’ album, which also features ‘The Armadillo Song’ – the official song of MTM Armadillo eZine. He was also nominated for Entertainer of the Year.

He took home the Entertainer of the Year award in 2006 beating out, among others, his buddy Mike. In 2008, John and Mike were nominated as Vocal Duo/ Group for their ‘Blakely-Martinez’ album. Another nomination was not forthcoming until 2010, when he won Record of the Year for ‘Utopia’, from his ‘Purgatory Road’ LP.

This year he’s back in the Entertainer of the Year category and up against Mike. Will this year be a repeat of 2006 for John? Whatever the outcome, I know one thing for certain. We are going to be enjoying his music for a long time.

Country Blessings!

Entertainer of the Year nominees - the list begins

Because we are on the final countdown to Saturday night’s festivities, I’m going to spotlight the nominees for Entertainer of the Year.

This does not mean there isn’t awesome talent in the other categories. There are! And as this blog grows and I’m able to get into the nominees earlier, my ultimate goal is to give every one of them their turn at the Country Angel Spotlight. For now, let’s begin this week’s roll call in the order by which they are posted on the Texas Music Awards nominees’ page.

Today, we’re talking about Mike Blakely. Y’all know how I feel about Mike. He has been a dear friend for over twenty years, long before I realized what a pull Texas music had for me. By spotlighting Mike today, I’m also going to be able to touch on some of the nominees in other categories because Mike has worked with so many of them over the years.

Let’s start with the fact he has worked with nearly every veteran in the Texas music industry. In fact, he has worked with two out of his four competitors for this award. Pauline Reese served up harmony vocals on the Ghost Town Council CD… a compilation of several multi-talented artists. The other is his buddy, John Arthur Martinez. Mike and John have co-written together several times and were up for Vocal Duo in 2008 for their ‘Blakely- Martinez’ album.

Another from the list is Jeff Posey. Jeff is nominated for the Academy Award of Distinction for the Mighty Rider album.

Growing up, my mom always told me “you’re judged by the company you keep.” If that’s true, than Mike is keeping company with some of the best in the business and is being judged accordingly by repeatedly joining them on the Texas Music Award nominations list.

Country Blessings, my friend.