Madison's Mistletoe Jam!

Wow! What a night! It truly was an honor to share the stage with the likes of Robert Frith, Mike Zito, and Todd Howard. Great show guys! I sincerely can't get enough of Robert's amazing songwriting, Mike Zito's wonderful playing and bluesy voice, and Todd Howard's unbelievable guitar skills! We even were pleasantly surprised with an appearance and short performance by Tracy Byrd! The crowd was unbelievable and, (even with the competition of the Cowboys game on the big screen), very attentive and welcoming. 

I was also extremely impressed with little Bryce Shaver's set. Way to go, my friend! Bryce is an up and coming guitarist and vocalist, and can blow the crowd away even at the age of twelve. I think I speak for everyone who played that night when I say, we all wish we could play and sing that way at your age. Keep it up bud, you're going places!

I'd like to thank Madison's management for such an awesome venue and amazing night, and of course for inviting me to play. The sound technician did a wonderful job making us sound good and we couldn't have done it without you! I'd also like to thank C.C. Mckinnis for booking my act for the show. It was an honor to be deemed worthy to play with such great talent!

 

Of course I have to save a special thank you for Barbara Hickey for making my set so great! I met Barbara at the Oasis Coffee House in Bridge City a few months ago, and boy can she play! You're the best girl! Love you! 

 

New Music From Recent Studio Sessions

Hey, everyone!  I've posted some new music as a sneak peek on what's going to be on my debut CD. Check out the music player in the side-bar and give a listen to Christmas Time, My Mother's Prayers, Boston Avenue, Shallow (re-titled from Swallow), and working titles of Bring You Down and Song For My Muse. Early demo versions of other songs are also still on the player.

These are first drafts of my vocal and guitar tracks only, with plans to add further instrumentation and acoustic lead tracks for several of the songs; exactly what and where is still in the works. While these are works in progress, I'm very pleased with how things are going.

Give a listen and let me know what you think! Meanwhile, I hope to see you at one (or both!) of my upcoming shows, booked back-to-back for Dec 17th @ Oasis or Dec 18th @ Sanderson's! I'll be playing live versions of all of my newest music!

Bit by The Barking Dog

Fans may have noticed a venue change for my scheduled show of December 17th.  The show's been moved from The Barking Dog in Orange, TX to the Oasis in Bridge City, TX.  Its still a joint show with Nice Modern Gentlemen and Pardon Will... same time, same music, different venue.

I love to play at Oasis, of course, and it's going to be a great show.  But I am still disappointed that I'll not be playing at The Barking Dog.  It's a venue I have played before, at its old Beaumont location anyway, when it was under different management.  And it's another cool little coffee house venue that has the potential to be another showcase of local talent.  I was sincerely looking forward to introducing my fans to the place.  Unfortunately, after booking my first show at their Orange location and already putting time and energy into marketing the show, the new management surprised me and the other talent by insisting we agree not to play any other venue within a certain mile radius and number of days prior to my scheduled show date.

Sorry guys.  No can do.  I do understand your intent, but let's be realistic: you're not Cynthia Woods Pavilion and I'm not Keith Urban (yet!).  However, I'm doing this full-time and need to work when and wherever I can.  It's how I pay my bills.

More importantly, though, I object on principle.  Local venues should be supporting local talent, period.  It's win-win for everybody.  The more local talent has access to perform at a variety of venues, wherever the venue, the greater the following they can develop; and they'll bring that following back to your venue the next time you book them!  It's a mentality based on abundance, not scarcity; where the bigger you make the pie means more for everybody, and there's no arguing over who gets the biggest individual piece.

I sincerely wish everyone at The Barking Dog the very best of luck.  Their success will benefit all of us.  And if they ever change their position on handling local artists, I'll be open to playing there again.

Show last night @ the Oasis!

Had a great show last night! Can't wait to do it again. Thanks so much to all who came out, and I hope to see those who didn't next time! Gotta thank Doug Ballard for always letting me play at such a cool joint, and for all his support. Love ya big brother!

Night of 1000 Guitars! A Christmas Day Event!

Wow what an opportunity! I'm going to be playing a short twenty minute set at Madison's Christmas night. I'll be playing with the likes of Robert Frith, Todd Howard, and many more! These are the guys I've seen live and listened to growing up! What an awesome experience!  Doors open at 5:00pm, with music throughout the evening.

Show Dec 11 @ Oasis!

Last time was a blast! Can't wait for tonight's show! Hope you all come out and support local music and business!

Acoustic Show @ Oasis Coffee House & Cafe November 20th!

Photo by Maddie Moss

My newest venue is a cool little coffee house in Bridge City, TX called Oasis... and it truly is.  This little jewel is owned and operated by Doug Ballard, just about the nicest barista you'll likely ever meet.  Not only does he support local music by hosting regular shows Friday and Saturday nights and an open mic night twice each week, he also displays the work of various local artists whose work can be bought right of the walls.  Very cool.

The place has a great, laid-back vibe that's perfect for hanging out with friends, grabbing a sandwich, and listening to good music.  I've been joining local musicians for regular jam sessions at the place for several weeks now and have been having a blast!



And best of all...

I'll be performing a live acoustic set at Oasis on November 20th and I'm really excited!  This will be my first of what I hope will be many "official" shows here and I hope all of you will come out to enjoy a night of good music.  You really must experience this great new place to hang out and have fun!  Hope to see you there!

Live Again @ Sanderson's November 6th!

Photo by Maddie Moss

Wow!  What can I say?  You guys are just the best!  Thanks to everyone who came out for my show at Sanderson's in October.  It was a great showing for my first appearance at the place and, since we packed the house, they booked me for another show on the spot!

So, if you missed the October show, I'm back at Sanderson's for another performance November 6th!  Come join us for another night of great food and music.  I've got a growing list of favorite covers and hope to be playing a never-heard-before tune I'm in the process of writing.  Don't miss it!

P.S.
I've been working with Maddie Moss on print media the last couple of weeks and she has created some awesome stuff.  This post's photo is one of hers she took during a recent photo shoot.  This girl has got some serious talent!  Thanks for making me look good, Maddie!

Next show October 16th @ Sanderson's!

Join me for a night of great food and good friends Saturday, October 16th at Sanderson's, Nederland, TX.  Have your fill of the best steak and ribs in Southeast Texas while listening to a mix of blues, indie rock, progressive country, and some of my original music.  Show starts at 7:00pm!  Come hungry and bring your friends!

Show tonight @ the Logon!

Don't miss tonight's show!!  I'll be opening for Retroactive.

Here's the scoop:

Thursday January 28, 2010 at 7:00pm
The Logon Cafe
3805 Calder
Beaumont, TX

Retroactive
with Erik Autrey and Alex Rozell

Retroactive is a Rockabilly/Classic Rock/Oldies band out of Jefferson County. Playing an eclectic mix of well-known classics combined with lesser-known gems, Retroactive creates a "good time" feeling for the audience. Made up entirely of current or former Lamar University students plus a teacher at the university, the band exudes a love for the roots of rock n roll, with selections from the '50's to the early '90's.

Myself, I'll be playing some new tunes I penned recently, along with a few fan favorites.  Hope to see you there!

NYE @ The Barking Dog

"That was one helluva show Thursday night, Guys! We can't wait to do it again! :)"

                                  - Geaux Local SETX

Hey, I was glad to do it!  We had a great show and the place was packed.  What more could you ask for?  Oh yeah, make it for a good cause!  The show was a benefit for the Southeast Texas Food Bank!  Way to go, guys!

Kudos to my fellow artists that performed during the evening:  The Shammies, The Kangaroos, Purple, The Get Down, and Over the Atlantic.  You guys were great.

Thanks to everyone for coming out!  You guys are the best fans a guy could ask for!  Peace!