TURNTABLE TUESDAY - ALIVE & WELL - Mark Allan Atwood & Brimstone

The 1960's are timeless... and Alive and Well in this newest (fourth album) release from Mark Allan Atwood & Brimstone. Twelve tracks of incredible artistry showcase Atwood and his com-padre's (otherwise known as Brimstone) consisting of Matt Nunn (bass/ vocals), Rich Tulp (drums), Jason Nunnenkamp (lead guitar/ vocals) and Mitch Connell keys/ vocals) at their finest.

Alive and Well manages to showcase a variety of sounds and techniques while carrying contradictory common threads of simplicity and passion. In one breath you can close your eyes and think you are lost in the emotion-tugging voice of Bob Dylan to a lighter Arlo Guthrie style. Then you are jerked to reality by the heart-pounding notes in Vulture Tree. Every note on this CD is pure and from the heart. Except for Loser (co-written with Heath Childs), One Horse (Heath Childs & J.J. Guidry), Crazy About Me (Mike Ethan Messick) the remaining nine tracks were written by Mark Allan Atwood. Bart Crow appears on One Horse. Track 8 caught me by surprise. The opening licks set me up to sing along with Bad Moon Rising but I'm Trouble is a more contemporary view.

Whether you are searching for the perfect party tune or want to sit alone and contemplate life, you will find the perfect track. Yes, the sixties are Alive and Well.

You can keep up with Mark Allan Atwood & Brimstone:
Web:  http://www.markallanatwood.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/markallanatwoodbrimstone
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkAllanAtwood
Reverbnation:  http://www.reverbnation.com/markallanatwood





You can purchase any of the albums:
MyTexasMusic: http://www.mytexasmusic.com/markallanatwood/
CDBaby: http://www.cdbaby.com/Search/TWFyayBBbGxhbiBBdHdvb2Q%3d/0

MERRY CHRISTMAS! - Some friends share their Favorite Christmas Songs

I want to take this time to wish all of my friends in this crazy business a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We do what we do every day not for fame, nor glory but for the

LOVE!

So share the LOVE this Holiday Season! 

SING for all the WORLD to HEAR!

~ Country Blessings!

I asked some of the artists I've met this year to share their favorite Christmas song! 

Pauline Reese chose two favorites with personal ties this holiday season:

"I'll Be Home for Christmas" 

"Two Step 'Round the Christmas Tree" - Michael Martin Murphey

Kenny Harrell likes

"Blue Christmas" - Elvis Presley

Mark Allan Atwood shared three of his favorites:

"The Christmas Song" - Nat King Cole

"Rockin' 'Round the Christmas Tree - Peggy Lee

"Blue Christmas" - Elvis Presley

                                                Gary P. Nunn shared:

                                                   "Oh Come All Ye Faithful"

And my dear friend of almost twenty years-

W. C. Jameson

He likes them all. 

With this post, I send blessings for love and happiness as we close out 2013 and look forward to all 2014 has to offer!

Remember to check back here when planning your New Years Eve festivities.

Regular postings will resume the second week in January.

2013 WALLBANGER BASH TOY DRIVE - The Mule Barn

Yes, folks, we have come to that time of year when we MUST recognize there are those less fortunate than us. Not only recognize, but DO SOMETHING. Many events like this will be popping up across the country. If you are in the Justin, Texas area put this party on your To Do list for Sunday night. Spread the love and cheer to others while taking note of that warm fuzzy feeling washing over you - and I guarantee the feeling will not be solely alcohol-induced! 

TURNTABLE TUESDAY - Mark Allan Atwood

I know I'm running behind today. I've been blessed with a head cold and scratchy throat and just don't feel up to working. But I can't let this day go by without introducing you to one of my favorite men in Texas music.

Mark Allan Atwood is a compassionate, soulful singer/ songwriter. And like most of us who would give the shirt of our backs, it's been known to bite him in the butt here and there. But one thing never changes - his dedication to the people in both his personal and professional life. Often those lines are blurred, as they should be when you have to count on both teams to get you through the incredible journey of an artist's life.
Whether he's hitting the road with his band, Brimstone, or performing solo (where you're apt to see his girlfriend/ manager Candice Wagner in the audience) Mark pours everything into each strum of his guitar, every lyric that passes his lips. There is a reason he is the TMA2013 Male Vocalist of the Year, recipient of the My Texas Award 2012 and Rising Star Award 2010.

His current album, Burned at the Crossroads, delivers twelve tracks of soulful, hippie, honky tonk ballads and dance tunes sure to please anyone who takes the time to listen.  I had a problem picking just one track for Turntable Tuesday. But after listening to all the tracks, I'm going with GHOST. A haunting ballad and a fitting tribute to troubadours past, GHOST tells about the feeling of being surrounded by them as he performs. You can hear the song on his website or better yet, clicking on the album title will take you directly to the BUY link where you can order the full CD and enjoy them anywhere. Whether you need something to dance to or snuggle with your best someone, Burned at the Crossroads belongs in your CD collection.

Mark has several gigs coming up:
Nov 6 - Poodie's Hilltop - Spicewood - 8 p.m.
Nov. 15 - Filthy McNasty's - Fort Worth - 9 p.m.
Nov. 19 - Floyd's Cajun Seafood and Texas Steakhouse - Pearland - 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 21 - Back Forty Smokehouse - North Richland Hills - 7 p.m.

Go check him out. You'll be glad you did!
Country Blessings

THE PARTY LIST - May 2 - 8, 2013

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 – 2
Lorrie Morgan – Dosey Doe’s Big Barn – The Woodlands – 8:30 p.m.
Kevin Russell – Dosey Doe’s Music Café – Conroe – 8:30 p.m.
Mike Blakely- The Badu House – Llano – 7 p.m.
/w/ W.C. Jameson & Guest: Smokey Wilson
Walt Wilkins & The Mystiqueros- Gruene Hall – New Braunfels
Brigitte London – Luckenbach – 5 p.m. No Cover
Aaron Watson - Denim & Diamonds - Wichita Falls -


Friday – 3
Asleep At the Wheel – The Western Club – Navasota - $30
Karla Bonoff – Dosey Doe’s Big Barn – The Woodlands -
/w/ Nina Gerber 
Shane Howard – Melody Ranch – Waco
Mike Blakely – Hilltop House Concerts – Kerrville –
Hosts: Marty & Paula Reynolds. Still a few seats left.
Email: paula.r@rmrpar.com to reserve your spot. $15 + covered dish
Pam Tillis – Arlington Music Hall- Arlington
/w/ Lorrie Morgan
Lauren Alexander – Banita Creek Hall- Nacogdoches
Proceeds Benefit the Nacogdoches Animal Shelter
Pat Green – Floore’s Country Store – Helotes
Ray Price – Gruene Hall- New Braunfels
Doug Moreland – Luckenbach – 4 p.m.
Rob Donnelly – Mule Barn – Justin -


Saturday – 4
AUSTIN WALDORF SCHOOL MUSICFEST – Nutty Brown Café & Amphitheatere
2- 11 p.m. Artists include: Ray Wylie Hubbard and Bob Schneider
Follow the Nutty Brown Café link for Tickets!
Asleep at the Wheel – Sorrel Canyon Ranch – Brownwood - $100
Fundraiser – No minors
Susan Gibson – Austin Acoustical Café – Austin –  7 p.m.
     Phillip Gibbs opens  - Presale Available thru – Friday $12/ $15 door
Lisa Loeb – Dosey Doe’s Big Barn – The Woodlands – 8:30 p.m.
Rhett Butler – Dosey Doe’s Music Café – Conroe – 8:30 p.m.
Randy Brown – Mule Barn – Justin -
Rickey Pittman – Sam Houston Folk Festival – Huntsville
Stewart Mann & the Statesboro Revue – Floores Country Store – Helotes
Bo Phillips – Gruene Hall – New Braunfels – 1 p.m.
Charlie Robison – Gruene Hall- New Braunfels – 9 p.m.
Mark Allan Atwood – Love and War – Grapevine – $8
Bellamy Bros. – Tilden Lions Club – Tilden
Brian Bax Band – Buchanan’s Mudfest – Robertsville MO
Colt Ford – Hardin Co. Music Fest - Kountze
Aaron Watson - Lone Star Jam 2013 - LBJ Library Lawn - Austin
Aaron Watson - 59th Annual League City Lions Club TX Music Festival - League City


Sunday – 5
Kelly McGuire – Russ & Sandy Records House Concert – League City – 2-5 p.m.
Contact Sandy@sandyrecords.com or 713-857-1346
or purchase on www.redfishisland.com (Kelly’s website)
$20 – Must have reservation to attend!
Rickey Pittman – Sam Houston Folk Festival – Huntsville
Ruby Jane Smith – Gruene Hall- New Braunfels – 12:30 p.m.
Susan Gibson – Luckenbach – 1 p.m.
/w/ Walt Wilkins, Shelley King
Bill Lewis – Luckenbach – 5 p.m.
The Tejas Brothers – Love and War – Plano - $12
w/ Jamie Davis & Soul Gravy

Monday – 6
Bo Porter – Luckenbach – 5 p.m.
George Ensle- Poodies Hilltop – Spicewood – 6:30
Texas Music Showcase w/ guest: Greg Whitfield 
Not to mention the BEST Steaks!

Tuesday – 7
Walt Wilkins & The Mystiqueros – Dosey Doe’s Big Barn – The Woodlands – 8 p.m.
Richard Vidmer – Luckenbach – 5 p.m.
Jerry Kirk – Poodies Hilltop – Spicewood – 4 p.m.
Cole Burris – Poodies Hilltop – Spicewood – 6:30 p.m.
Eric Hisaw – Poodies Hilltop – Spicewood – 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday 8
ShAnnie – Luckenbach – 5 p.m.


ELSEWHERE:

Thursday – 2
Brantley Gilbert – Oak Mountain Amphitheater – Birmingham AL
Bellamy Bros. – Kewadin Casino/ Dream Makers Theater – Saulte St. Marie MI
Colt Ford – Anderson Co. Fair – Anderson SC
Eli Young Band – Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park – Live Oak FL

Friday – 3
Brantley Gilbert – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater – Charlotte NC
Billy Dean – Diamondz Bar & Grill – Jerome ID
Colt Ford – Soul Kitchen – Mobile AL
Aaron Watson - Choctaw Casino Resort Events Center - Grant OK


Saturday – 4
Brantley Gilbert – Time Warner Cable Music Pavillion – Raleigh NC
Eli Young Band – Williams Brice Stadium – Columbia SC
No Shoes Nation Tour with Kenny Chesney & Kacey Muscgrave!
No Justice – El Reno Burger Day Festival – El Reno OK
Oak Ridge Boys – Alabama Theater – Myrtle Beach SC
Shooter Jennings – Knott Co. Spring Trailride – Leburn KY

Sunday – 5
Eli Young Band – Lynchburg College Turner Gymnasium- Lynchburg TN

Monday- 6
Billy Dean – 12th Porter – Nashville TN

Tuesday – 7
No dates found

Wednesday  - 8
Asleep at the Wheel – Stanhope House – Stanhope NJ - 8 p.m
Keith Anderson – 3rd  Lindsley Bar & Grill  – Nashville TN

MARK ALLAN ATWOOD

Our Spotlight artist and Male Vocalist nominee for his vocals on Burned At the Crossroads today is Mark Allan Atwood. Mark comes to the Texas Music Awards category with a solid understanding of what it means to be a great songwriter and performer. With his dad's love of traditional country, his mom's vocal abilities from the 50's/ 60's and picking up his own choices in music genre's along the way, Mark is like a giant snowball rolling down the mountain. Like most musicians, everything he has come in contact with along his life's journey has influenced the sound he delivers in the now.

His current album, Burned At the Crossroads, showcases a classic Arlo Guthrie style voice beautifully in songs such as Strong Enough and She's Good. 

This is not Mark's first time on the TMAs. He was awarded the Rising Star in 2010 and the My Texan Award in 2012.

Good Luck & Country Blessings!