Grand Stafford Theater

The Band of Heathens CD Release Show w/ Haley Cole & Dillon Myers
2013-10-10 21:00 - 23:55 (America/Chicago) | TX
THE BAND OF HEATHENS

Since emerging as a favorite new live band out of Austin TX in the late 2000s, the Band of Heathens has toured relentlessly, building a devoted following and landing on some of the finest stages in music. Over three studio albums and hundreds of shows each year, they’ve evolved as a group and broadened their sound.
Their most recent studio album Top Hat Crown & The Clapmaster’s Son spiked the already potent punch with a dash of jammy psychedelia. And their four-disc, twovolume, live DVD release called the Double Down – Live in Denver (Vol. 1 & 2) features the band’s live variations and extensions of original material mostly from their last two studio albums. The rich and righteous vocal harmonies and legendary live shows that set TBoH apart from the beginning have just gotten better.
In 2012 The Band of Heathens experienced the first lineup change in 4 years with the departure of Colin Brooks, Seth Whitney, and John Chipman. So going forward, songwriting frontmen Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist are complimented by the rhythm section of drummer Richard Millsap, bassist Ryan Bowman and keyboard player Trevor Nealon. With a growing resume of key shows and broadcasts to their credit, (Bonnaroo, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits TV Show and ACL Festival among them), the slightly rejiggered Band of Heathens has never enjoyed so much renown or optimism.
The band got its start in late 2005 when a group of likeminded songwriters established residency gigs on the same night of the week at Momo’s, a club on Austin’s famous Sixth Street. Friendship, sit-ins and harmony jags gelled into something quite rare: a band with multiple front-men, each with enough humility and passion to invest in the larger project. The sum transcended the parts, and very quickly, word spread about TBoH’s special chemistry. The strong voices up front all played a role, whether as leaders or locked together in harmony.
The show’s-the-thing focus led them down a somewhat unorthodox path: launching their recorded career with two live discs, “Live from Momo’s” and “Live at Antone’s”, released in 2006 and 2007 respectively. The Heathens took their time getting their first studio album out, but when that eponymous debut was released in 2008, they proved they could write and record a coherent statement that measured up to their show. They followed relatively quickly with One Foot In The Ether toward the end of 2009. Both shot to the top of the Americana chart and remained there for months, a longevity rare in any format of music.
Top Hat Crown & the Clapmaster’s Son, released in 2011, stretches further, without breaking faith with the feel and integrity that got the Band of Heathens this far. The positive reaction from fans and critics vindicated the group’s hopes that the album would show growth. Blurt magazine said that “in a crowded roots rock field, (their) diversity sets them apart.” And “it would have been easy for [them] to play it safe on Top Hat Crown & the Clapmaster’s Son,” said Pittsburgh’s Daily News. “But they decided to tweak their formula a bit and the results are truly memorable.” And American Songwriter ruled it “an album that begs to be listened to from start to finish.”
The Band of Heathens has been honored as Best New Band at the Austin Music Awards, and has been nominated in various categories at the Americana Music Awards over the past few years. The Wall Street Journal’s Jim Fusilli called theirs the best set at South By Southwest 2009. And the rest of the press has been equally effusive: The Dallas Morning News calls them “a must-see show.” Maverick magazine says they’re “magnificent.” For The Chicago Tribune, the band felt “refreshingly different,” and The New York Times called their show at Brooklyn’s Union Hall “hungry, unflagging and lean.”
The Band of Heathens continues to be distinguished by creative collaboration and their epic live shows, which have earned them a strong fan base of folks who appreciate improvisation and a good jam, but crave a great song. And while songwriting and vocal duties are chiefly handled by the guys at the front of the stage, they are decidedly a five man band, benefitting from the equal input of all. It is truly a band that needs to evolve to survive, and the fans have rewarded that growth at every turn.
The Band of Heathens on Facebook | The Band of Heathens on Twitter | Official Website
HALEY COLE

I could tell you where Birch, Texas, is but that would also require you to know where the other two towns are that surround it. Let’s just say it’s not easy to find, which is appropriate because talent like Haley Cole is not easy to find either.

Haley was born into a family full of talent and grew up singing alongside her parents and 3 sisters. By the time she hit 16, she was equipped with a guitar and the determination to make a music career happen for herself. Inspired by the hard work of her blue collar family and instilled with the same ethic, Haley began performing anywhere she could find a microphone. Starting out at local venues, it wasn’t long before she found herself on well-known stages like Hurricane Harry’s, Dosey Doe’s, and the former Texas Hall of Fame. In her short time on the Texas Music Scene, Haley’s incredible voice and clever lyrics and composition has elevated her to opening for the biggest names in the industry such as Drew Womack, Bart Crow, Ryan Beaver, Max Stalling, Brandon Rhyder, The Rankin Twins, Bri Bagwell, Jason Eady, Folk Family Revival, Jason Cassidy, and Mickey and the Motorcars, just to name a few.

Haley’s kind heartedness, fun personality, and love for her fans leave a lasting impression on every stage she plays. Haley dreams of being the next Miranda Lambert, and has every ounce of talent needed to do so, but she is also very humble about her career in music. She says “If I make it, great, if not, at least I can say I gave it my all, but either way I will keep creating honest music for the fans I cherish as long as they continue to listen.”

Haley released her first professional project on February 22, 2013. The seven song self-titled EP, all originally written, is a cornucopia of Country, Americana, and folk with a touch of rock and bluegrass flavors. Her album features Drew Womack, one of the biggest songwriters in country music, on the amazing track “Devil in Disguise” and look out for her forthcoming single “Satisfied” on a radio near you next month. Do yourself a favor and check out Haley Cole’s album on iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby.com, Spotify, Facebook, and her website www.haleycoleband.com – because just like Birch, Texas: talent like Haley Cole is hard to find.
Haley Cole on Facebook | Haley Cole on Twitter | Official Website
DILLON MYERS

Dillon Myers is a southern/rock/country/rock singer/songwriter originally from Dallas, TX who has made Aggieland a home for himself in the past few years after spending a year living in town and playing around the area.
Dillon Myers on Facebook

Big Texas Nights feat. The Bigsbys w/ Austin Meade
2013-10-09 20:00 - 23:00 | TX
Doors open at 6PM for Happy Hour ($2 wells and domestics) and music starts at 8pm. Get there early, beat the cover (starts at 8pm), get some great drinks & enjoy live music with us!
THE BIGSBYS

“The best songs come from the people and stories you know best, from the things you’ve experienced.” – Alex Smith

True Story, the new album from The Bigsbys, consists of stories that are all a little bit true.

The Bigsbys play original roots rock music. It’s muddy and blue with a soul-filled center. Gritty, yet easy on the ears… This music is more of a feeling than a product.

The Bigsbys have toured 9 states and counting in support of their True Story album on top of a full-time Texas schedule.

Four guys from East Texas make up The Bigsbys. Alex Smith(Guitar/Lead Vocals) has been writing songs for the better part of a decade. Brad Hobson(Lead Guitar/Vocals) brings a blues-soaked Gibson SG to the group and gives the tunes a sound like no other. Russell McClendon (Bass) lays chunky, funky beats down and Nick Odom is featured on drums. The bands sound is all their own, and their ability to entertain any crowd separates them from the pack of bands touring today.

The bands first studio album “True Story” features 10 original compositions by the band. True Story is available now on ITunes, Amazon and Lonestar Music.
The Bigsbys on Facebook | The Bigsbys on Twitter | Official Website
AUSTIN MEADE
Austin Meade is a young artist who has recently stepped onto the scene. His music is honest and catches a wide range of attention. With classic influences like Croce and Cash as well as many modern Red Dirt and Blues influences such as Cody Canada, Adam Hood and Sean McConnell, you can find Austin’s music somewhere in the middle. Live shows are exciting and keep listeners interested.
Austin Meade on Facebook

Mushroomhead w/ One-Eyed Doll & Signal Rising
2013-10-06 19:30 - 23:55 | TX
Tickets for this concert can be purchased here.
Grand Stafford Theater, Rock Signal Productions & Rock 103.9 present:
MUSHROOMHEADMushroomhead – are one of the most unique and adventurous alternative metal bands working today. Known for their stunningly theatrical live show and artsy masks, this innovative band has forged new ground in the rock world and influenced many other bands to push the envelope and bring art into rock. Formed in the early-1990s in Cleveland Ohio, the band’s combination of metal, rock and atmospheric elements has struck a chord with thousands of fans worldwide.
Mushroomhead have been performing incognito since 1993, when drummer Skinny founded the band. The band was meant to be a side-project so they wore masks to go unrecognized, but after only a few shows they developed a rabid and loyal fan base in Cleveland. Mushroomhead released their 1995 self-titled debut album independently and it went on to became an underground hit. This was history in the making because the band really had no proper distribution. Superbuick followed in 1996 and M3 in 1999, all released via an underground street effort. After the band felt its image and hyper-melodic, heavy style of music was being diluted by other bands jumping into this space, the band started to change their look to reflect nothing out there. After a brief stint on Eclipse Records, a move to Universal Records saw the release of XX (a combination of the past independent releases) in 2001 and XIII in 2003. The band’s last album sold over 200,000 units in the USA alone.
Mushroomhead released Savior Sorrow for the pioneering rock label, Megaforce Records (Metallica, Anthrax, Ministry, Warren Haynes, Bad Brains) in 2006. Mushroomhead released “Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children” in the Fall of 2010 and it debuted at #44 on Billboard charts.
It can be said that Mushroomhead’s musical ascendance was a singular, original, aesthetic of eight guys decked out in matching jumpsuits and artsy masks, playing unbelievable, unsettling music. No other band was wearing masks and jumpsuits and purveying this type of ultra-melodic, ultra-dynamic music at the time – Mushroomhead sounded like nothing else. The band’s merging of metal, atmospheric elements, rock, and theatrics mixed with a punk DIY attitude has inspired and spawned other bands. Even though Mushroomhead’s music is rock-leaning in thought, the group remains firmly committed to pushing the envelope and trying new things. Influences range from the driving rhythms and breakneck turns of Pantera, to the dark melodies of Faith No More, to the atmospheric stylings of Pink Floyd, but all done in Mushroomhead style.Mushroomhead on Facebook | Mushroomhead on Twitter | Official Website
ONE-EYED DOLLDescribed as Strawberry Shortcake meets Gwar and Valentine’s Day meets Halloween with the visual impact of Japanese Anime, One-Eyed Doll is an award-winning Austin, Texas power rock duo with a loyal global fan base and extensive international press exposure. For several years in a row the group has swept the SXSW Music Awards in categories such as Best Punk Band, Best Metal Band, Best Goth Band, Best New Band, Best Acoustic Guitarist, Best Electric Guitarist, Best Producer, Best Drummer, Best Songwriter, Best Female Vocalist and more. The group has independently released three full-length albums, appears in Revolver, Guitar World and Guitar Player magazines and has left several tours from the USA to New Zealand in its wake including major anime conventions (DragonCon, AniMix, IKKiCON, Anime Overload, ShadoCon, etc.). Blazing the band’s wildfire buzz amongst their growing legions of religiously crazed fans is One-Eyed Doll’s cult leader: the impossible-not-to-love Kimberly Freeman, whose punishment is so sweet you’ll beg for more.
One-Eyed Doll’s core members are the iconic Austin, TX wild child guitarist Kimberly Freeman and drummer Jason Rufuss Sewell: AKA “JUNIOR”.Freeman and Sewell have been working together in the studio since 2006. As Kimberly’s career-long record producer, he became an integral part of the band’s unique sound and even played instruments on the albums. With this experience in mind, Jason joined as drummer in late 2009.One-Eyed doll claims four commercially released albums. Another has already been completed, this time produced by multi-platinum industry icon Sylvia Massy.One-Eyed Doll on Facebook | One-Eyed Doll on Twitter | Official Website
SIGNAL RISINGRock that will snatch you up….draw you in! Signal Rising (formerly Linus) came together to create music that our fans connect with. We are a regional touring rock band based out of College Station, TX. Signal Rising has exploded on the scene over the last three years playing dates with national touring acts Ten Years, Fair to Midland, Earshot, The Hectic, Flyleaf, Static X, Pat Travers, Skidrow, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, The Last Place You Look, Deuce,New Medicine and Saturate. Using monstrous guitar riffs, explosive drums, enthralling bass lines and soaring Vocals to draw in new fans at every concert, club gig, and acoustic show!Signal Rising on Facebook | Official Website

JR & The Starlights
2013-10-05 20:30 - 23:00 | TX
JR & THE STARLIGHTSProfessionally involved in the music and entertainment business for 40 years with extensive experience in all categories of the music industry,touring, production,musical arrangement and composition as well as studio recordings, radio interviews. Always maintaining high standards for production and entertainment. Joe Arias Jr. has also earned the professional recognition of many magazine publishers throughout the state of Texas including that of Mr. Jesse Hernandez (Tejano Entertainment) out of Austin TX.. Also that of his friends and true followers. Jr. has always had a special talent for producing special music qualities in his guitar style, band, and music. With a smooth and special touch to his playing, he tends to enchant his audiences time to time with Blues, Jazz, Rock, Texas Blues, soul, funk and from smoothness to hard driving and energetic guitar sound. His fine artistic playing has earned him confident recommendations from Highly Respected Veteran Performers and Club Owners, as well as his friends and fans through out the State Of Texas.

Free First Friday feat. The Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival
2013-10-04 18:00 - 23:55 | TX
Grand Stafford Theater is proud to host Mic Check’s 2013 Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival FREE of charge from 6pm – 11pm with an after party concert to follow. Don’t miss this state-wide event, one night only for FREE on First Friday.
TEXAS GRAND SLAM POETRY FESTIVAL

The Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival is a 2 day poetry feast featuring 42 poets with the gumption to compete for the Title: Texas Grand Slam Poetry Champion and a $1200 Grand Prize. It is the answer to those who are hungry clutching a Sunday morning back row pew of worry with prayers for poetry. We hope that the Drought for a statewide poetry slam has come to a conclusion. We invite everyone to return and are proud to present to you the 3rd Annual TEXAS GRAND SLAM POETRY FESTIVAL.
For festival passes, schedules, and poet registration, please visit their official website below.
TGSPF Facebook Event | TGSPF on Facebook | Official Website & Registration Link

First Friday Magic & Illusion Show: Spectacular! --- CANCELLED
2013-10-04 15:00 - 17:00 | TX
THIS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR THIS FIRST FRIDAY ONLY AND WILL RESUME ON NOV 1ST.
Spectacular
Spectacular is a magic and illusion stage show featuring the magic of Cameron Rivers, extraordinaire. The stage show features illusions of all sorts including slight-of-hand, prop magic, and large-scale illusions.
Big Red Drum Entertainment presents a brand-new entertainment venture sure to provide a night of fun-filled memories.
Presenting, Spectacular featuring the magic and illusions of Cameron Rivers. Cameron is a Professional Illusionist who has entertained crowds from Dallas/Ft. Worth to California to Houston and many stops all over the U.S. and Texas in between. He has held many residencies at Renaissance Fairs and Festivals, as well as providing private shows for close to a decade now. Always practicing his craft, Cameron has studied magic, juggling, card tricks, slight-of-hand, large-scale illusions and many forms of entertainment over the years. He is always adding new facets to his toolbox. He was also a founding member of the Aggie Order of Illusionists at Texas A&M University. He still serves as a very active former member and a mentor at the National level for the chapter.
This show is produced to give the audience member every possible advantage in enjoying a full-scale illusion stage show. Cameron has a way of presenting his craft to the audience that makes guests feel involved from curtain up til the last trick has been performed. Audience participation is a must! You will be fully entranced by the magic going on all around you.
The show will start at 3 pm this First Friday at Grand Stafford Theater. From 3-4 pm there will be a cocktail hour featuring many talented magicians performing up-close floor magic. Rope tricks, cups and balls, juggling, rings, and table magic are just some of the many skills that might be on display.
If you can’t make it right at 3 pm, DON”T WORRY! You can still make the stage show. Cameron Rivers will take the stage at 4:15 every performance to perform a full scale illusion Spectacular featuring large scale illusions you will find in many Vegas-style magic shows.
Spectacular is sure to become a popular addition to the monthly attractions at First Fridays in Downtown Bryan, TX. We hope you will consider enjoying a night of magic with us. Its going to be a night you will not forget and want to experience again, we promise.
Tickets will be available at the door. Adults are $8. Children 6-12 are $5.
Community support for endeavors such as this are a must. If you’d like to see more attractions like these, please get out on First Friday and enjoy the show.
Spectacular on Facebook | Official Website

Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights w/ Oil Boom & Megafauna
2013-10-03 21:00 - 23:55 | 106 S Main St, Bryan, TX, 77803, United States
JONATHAN TYLER & THE NORTHERN LIGHTSContrary to doomsayer rumor, rock music doesn’t need saving. But a wake-up call is long overdue, and this is it. Actually, not just a wake-up call, but a joyous reunion of rock with its oft-forgotten prodigal twin, the roll — with papa blues and mama soul along for the ride, too. All of which makes Pardon Me the perfect introduction to one of the most electrifying young bands in America — or at least the next best thing to experiencing Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights live. Literally. Don’t be fooled by the good Southern manners implied by the title of Pardon Me, the major-label debut by Dallas’ Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights. The walloping roundhouse punch of Pardon Me’s lead-off title track and everything else packed into Tyler and Co.’s Texas-sized can of rock ’n’ roll whoopass. “Hey!” Tyler shouts after the opening salvo of guitars lands like a gauntlet slap across the face. “Can you hear me? Can you feel me, coming through your stereo?” Then comes the coup-de-grace, a shot of Hendrix-laced adrenaline plunged deep into the listener’s heart and soul by a diabolically persuasive Dr. Feelgood. “Maybe it’s been too long since rock ’n’ roll turned you on,” sneers Tyler, with equal measures of promise and threat. “So pardon me, just let it set you free.” And that’s when things get loud.JT&TNL on Facebook | JT&TNL on Twitter | Official Website
OIL BOOMOil Boom has a new 7” coming out. But rather than talk about it, the trio of rock enthusiasts would prefer to wax humorous on their preferred method of music consumption. “Did we make sure this was actually seven inches of music,” asks singer/guitarist Ryan Taylor. “I don’t want to catch hell from the audiophile contingent of the garage rock community.”
All jesting aside, the DFW mainstays couldn’t be more excited about their latest foray into the realm of vinyl acetates and lacquer coated discs. The group is riding an impressive wave of buzz after their last EP, Gold Yeller, garnered a generous amount of critic praise not to mention extensive radio play across the Lower 48. But not ones to rest on their laurels, Oil Boom are set to unleash another pair of earworms just in time to make your best of summer soundtrack playlists. The A side, “45 Revolutions Per Minute,” a clever nod to the speed at which the actual song will be played, bursts out of the gate with a Hives like fury and never relents. The song encapsulates much of what makes the group stand out: barnburning riffs, hooky choruses and a rhythm section not afraid to throw their sonic weight around.
And on the flip, there’s “The Fiftease,” a wry take on rockabilly culture with an old-school Motown bass groove and an indie-rock guitar coda that could wind up stuck in your head like musical Pomade. The two songs couldn’t be more different and that’s just fine with the Boom. Says Taylor, “Our influences are so diverse and even contradictory sometimes, that it’s really hard to pin us down in one style or another. But we’re all about variety, so that’s perfectly cool with us.”
In drummer ace/engineer Jordan Richardson (Son of Stan, Epic Ruins) the group had the ear of both a longtime friend and supporter of the band since its inception in 2010. “We always wanted to work with Jorts, so when the opportunity came up it was a no-brainer,” says drummer Dugan Connors. “You hear people talk about someone’s enthusiasm being infectious, but in Jordan’s case, it really is.” Recorded in Justin, TX, at the Swamp (AKA Electric Barryland), the band found its recording haven in a place quickly becoming synonymous with great Texas music.
Look for this 7” needle to drop on August 13th, 2013 A.D. And with plans to record a full-length this fall and a robust tour schedule, Oil Boom just keeps on spinning.Oil Boom on Facebook | Oil Boom on Twitter | Official Website
MEGAFAUNAMegafauna formed after established Brooklyn shredder Dani Neff packed her bags for Austin, TX. After four years of playing and touring, Megafauna has become one of the most sought after rock experiences in Austin. Megafauna has embarked on 12 tours throughout the US and Europe.Megafauna on Facebook | Megafauna on Twitter | Official Website

Big Texas Nights feat. Stefan & The C-Otters w/ Daniel Gonzales
2013-10-02 20:00 - 23:00 | TX
Doors open at 6PM for Happy Hour ($2 wells and domestics) and music starts at 8pm. Get there early, beat the cover (starts at 8pm), get some great drinks & enjoy live music with us!
Stefan & The C-Otters

Stefan Cotter was born in 1986 in Morgantown, WV. He has been playing music since 1995 when his father handed him a trumpet and taught him to read music. Stefan received his first guitar in 1998 and has been playing in bands since 2000. He studied Classical/Jazz Guitar Performance at West Virginia University for 6 years before moving to Tyler, TX in 2010.
Jacksonville, Texas native and C-otter drummer, Jakeb Ham, is an educated and trained musician. A teacher of the arts, Jakeb has played in bands and toured extensively throughout Texas and the Southwest in the past.
Groovemeister bassist, Cam Holley, and percussionist Shane Swan round out this most deliciously tight rhythm section. The band rocks!
In Texas, Stefan & the C-otters, perform at a wide range of venues, including: Clicks, Stanleys BBQ, Fresh, Coffin Shop, Java Jams, Tara Winery, Fast Freddies, The Barn, Fredonia Hotel, Red Goose Saloon, Villages Marina and many others. Stefan & the C-otters are guaranteed to bring an awesome collection of original songs to your venue, festival, party or event.
Stefan & the C-Otters on Facebook | Official Website
DANIEL GONZALESDaniel Gonzales is a singer/songwriter out of Dallas, TX currently living in College Station. You can usually find him playing around town with soothing melodies and smooth song writing, this is an up-and-coming artist to keep an eye out for.Daniel Gonzales on Facebook

KEOS 13th Annual Volunteer Jam
2013-09-29 13:00 - 20:00 | TX
KEOS 13th Annual Volunteer Jam
Sunday Sept. 29 1-8pm
Admission $10.00 at the door.
Proceeds to KEOS for Operating Funds for one of only a few nationwide and the ONLY ALL VOLUNTEER Radio Station in the Brazos Valley!
www.keos.org
Performers:
Joey McGee
Coby Tate
Jeff Cooper
Mark Jungers
Mike Ethan Messick
Matt Harlan
Karan Chavis
Silent Auction from 1-5pm Winners announced at 6pm and must be present.
OUR MISSION:
KEOS is committed to the creation of radio broadcasting by and for a public of diverse cultures, ages, income levels, and backgrounds.
KEOS provides musical, cultural, and informational programming that celebrates and expresses the diversity of the community. It provides a voice for groups in the community that may otherwise go unheard, sustaining a forum for alternative points of view on local, national, and international issues, with particular awareness to women, students, labor, minorities, and other public interest constituencies.

Downfall 2012 w/ Myra Maybelle, Dimitri's Rail & Saint Carmen
2013-09-28 21:00 - 23:55 | TX
DOWNFALL 2012Downfall 2012 has shared the stage with Hed(pe), The Hunger, Twisted Sister, Alice Cooper, The Damned Things, Fair to Midland, Dirty Wormz, and numerous other national acts. The band has won metal band of the year from Houston’s Radio station 94.5, and has been nominated for multiple categories yearly from The Houston Press Music Awards.
The first single off of “Every Man for Himself”, “Divinity”, is currently in rotation across the US and Canada, on FM, satellite,college and internet radio stations with the video for “Divinity” set to drop mid March 2013.
With a ferocious live show, growing radio airplay and Issue 2 slated for release April of 2013, Danny Gil, Boo Rogers and Casey Bowen have the take-over underway.Downfall 2012 on Facebook | Official Website
MYRA MAYBELLEWe all come from a long line of musicianship. Will and Camo were formerly members of Behold the Great Throne. After BTGT departed ways Will,cam, and former guitar play of sea of wolves luca, decided to launch a new project with no limits. Night after night the booze clanked the walls shaked and and music littered the air. We had minor set backs, but we shook them off and rose out of the ashes and found the Norwegian pancake-c lo green, and former Transcend before Azalia bassist Michael Brammer, to form what you would call powerhouse band “Myra Maybelle”. Music is love. Friendship is key. And family is everything.Myra Maybelle on Facebook
DIMITRI’S RAIL

Dimitri’s Rail was formed by lead singer/songwriter Paul Ehmer. They released their first EP with Universal Music Group/Fontana “Wake Up” through Indie Extreme / Desert Highway Records in 2010. The title track, “Wake Up”, received airplay on major market radio stations KTBZ 94.5 The Buzz in February of 2010, reaching #51 on the national play list for the station. The band continued to sustain a top 10 national ranking on the Clear Channel New Music Network which is used to select artists for national airplay. With this success, Dimitri’s Rail received airplay nationally with the single “Will Never Break” from their upcoming release of their national debut album.
Dimitri’s Rail on Facebook | Dimitri’s Rail on Twitter | Official Website
SAINT CARMENSaint Carmen is a hard rock band with a modern sound and face-melting intensity; A new breed of ‘mainstream’ rock that knows no limits. Things started kicking off when the band found it’s current line-up in September 2012. With Avery Krueger on lead vocals/guitar, Dylan Cash shredding out the lead guitar, Buck Blackerby on bass, and Jake Bellamy smashing the skins and singing the back-up, Saint Carmen was built on a recipe for a hellacious wall of rockin’ sound.Saint Carmen on Facebook | Official Website

Zeale w/ GOBI & Lance Lane
2013-09-27 21:00 - 23:55 | TX
ZEALEZEALE is an emerging Hip-Hop/Indie artist from Austin, Texas. Often playing chemistry with the genres of Hip Hop, Indie Rock, and EDM, ZEALE seeks to create a hybrid of music with depth. ZEALE is currently working on his debut EP featuring the sounds of AWOLNATION, Dwight Baker, CJ Eiriksson and more.Zeale on Facebook | Zeale on Twitter | Official Website
GOBIThe story of GOBI begins in west Texas, in the far border town of El Paso, where Justin Dillon and Phil Arciniega first met. The two would venture across the border every weekend spending countless nights dancing in the clubs and Discotecas on “The Strip” in Ciudad Juarez. There the thriving grooves and uptempo beats would take them on many sleepless nights and instill an unstoppable curiosity and desire to create electronic dance music. GOBI’s hybrid of EDM mixed with lyrically driven hooks, has been compared to “RATATAT fronted by Zack De la Rocha”, and has gained GOBI the reputation for turning any room into a dance party. The band’s highly anticipated debut LP is set to be released in the fall of 2012.GOBI on Facebook | GOBI on Twitter | Official Website
LANCE LANELance Lane is a songwriter/mc/instrumentalist residing in Austin, TX.Lance Lane on Facebook

The Wheeler Brothers w/ The Dirty Guv'nahs & The Docs
2013-09-26 21:00 - 2013-09-27 02:00 | 106 S Main St, Bryan, TX, 77803, United States
THE WHEELER BROTHERSMaking music continues to be a family affair for Wheeler Brothers. The Austin, TX quintet traces a personal lineage of rock, folk, roots, Americana, and blues on its second full-length album, Gold Boots Glitter [Bismeaux Records], cooking up an irresistible and inimitable gumbo of styles in the process. Marching forward from 2011’s critically acclaimed Portraits, the group—Nolan Wheeler [vocals, guitar], Patrick Wheeler [drums], Tyler Wheeler [bass], A.J. Molyneaux [guitar, lap steel, back up vocals], and Nathan Rigney [guitar, backup vocals]—opens the door even wider for everyone to join the family. Gold Boots Glitter began to stomp to life while the band was on the road supporting Portraits. Holed up in a Wichita hotel for two blisteringly cold days in early 2012, the boys began sharing ideas for what would eventually become their next batch of tunes. “That was when we really started working together on music,” remembers Nolan. “It was freezing outside so we bunkered down and got to work on some songs. This album truly began out there on the road.” Returning to their ranch in Texas hill country to record, the collective vision started to take shape naturally. Located an hour outside of San Antonio, there isn’t any cell phone reception on the secluded ranch, but there’s lush wilderness to jog through and a lake perfect for a refreshing swim. The atmosphere definitely allowed the musicians respite from the hustle and bustle of touring. Simply put, trivial distractions didn’t exist. “There’s just something about removing yourself from the city and getting out into the country,” Nolan smiles. “Nobody’s cell phone worked! We had to climb up a mountain to get service, but it was so beautiful. We were able to fully immerse ourselves in the process.” Local Austin singer-songwriter Drew Smith definitely encouraged that immersion as well. This time around, Wheeler Brothers enlisted Smith’s production talents behind the board. Together, they further fine-tuned the band’s signature sound as they cut everything live in unison. “It was our first time collaborating with a producer,” the singer goes on. “His background resembles ours. He understands mixing genres and implementing different elements into one thing. We have similar personalities, and we were all working towards the same thing.” That cohesion shimmers on “Sleep When I’m Dead.” A finger-picked twang kicks off the song with Southern-fried flavor before it rolls into an anthemic and amplified refrain. He reveals, “It’s a rock ‘n’ roll song with a little Americana and rockabilly. Lyrically, it reflects on some of the late nights you spend in barrooms on tour. You’re always up past two or three in the morning and driving to the next gig or hotel to go to sleep.” Elsewhere on the record, “Cigarette Smoke” billows with a calculated blues chug, while “You Got A Lot of Love” boasts a dreamy melody and Nolan’s soulful delivery. “Straight & Steady” channels both bluegrass flare and raucous energy. Touring informed and inspired pensive and poetic “My Time.” A soft strummed ukulele and slide guitar round out this vivid rumination on missing home. “It’s also about being on the road and away from somebody you love,” Nolan continues. “You’ve got to understand one another in order for it to work if you’re going to be away from somebody you really care about. You might miss home and your family, but touring and the people you meet out there are truly inspirational at the same time.” Wheeler Brothers have certainly spent their fair share of time on the road. Along the way, they’ve opened for The Avett Brothers and appeared at festivals including SXSW, Austin City Limits, and many others. For 2013, they’ve got Lollapalooza, Firefly, Newport Folk Festival, and more on the horizon. They made their national television debut on Last Call with Carson Daily and received widespread acclaim from tastemakers including Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, AOL Spinner, The Washington Post, Elmore Magazine, and The Austin Chronicle to name a few. In addition, with “Portraits,” they swept the “Austin Music Awards” at SXSW 2012, winning “Best New Band”, “Best Roots Rock Band”, Nolan Wheeler for “Best Acoustic Guitar”, Tyler Wheeler for “Best Bass”, and A.J. Molyneaux for “Best Miscellaneous Instrument” for lap steel. Meanwhile, their label, Bismeaux Records was named “Best Local Label”. At the end of the day, Wheeler Brothers are welcoming everyone to put on Gold Boots Glitter and become a part of their musical dynasty. “We consider the listeners our extended family,” Nolan concludes. “We want people to feel like they’re a part of our music. To have their support is the most powerful thing in the world. They’ve brought us here, and they’ll be a part of this family forever.”— Rick Florino, February 2013The Wheeler Brothers on Facebook | The Wheeler Brothers on Twitter | Official WebsiteTHE DIRTY GUV’NAHS“Youth may be in their blood, but tradition guides their instincts”, reveals M! Music and Musician’s Magazine. “The Dirty Guv’nahs are wise in the ways of rock n’ roll beyond their tender years”. The swell of grassroots momentum for this 6-piece rock n’ roll collective from Knoxville, TN is undeniable. “The Guvs” have been steadily growing their fan base across the country, selling out shows in theatres and bars alike, and making standout festival appearances at Bonnaroo, Wakarusa, and SXSW, to name a few. The band has also shared the stage with a diverse and notable list of major artists, including Wilco, Zac Brown Band, Levon Helm Band, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Train, Dr. Dog, and Chris Robinson. After two independent releases and relentless touring, The Dirty Guv’nahs’ new album, Somewhere Beneath These Southern Skies (Dualtone Music) raises the bar significantly for this explosive ensemble. Somewhere Beneath These Southern Skies was recorded in Nashville, TN with producer Ross Copperman and Grammy winning engineer Richie Biggs (The Civil Wars). Somewhere Beneath These Southern Skies marks another successful milestone for The Guvs, showcasing an energetic blend of rock and soul interwoven with a distinctive modern edge. The result is a joyous 14-track offering that combines honest, heartfelt lyrics with gritty and passionate musicianship. Standout tracks “3,000 Miles”, “Don’t Give Up on Me”, and “Temptation” exemplify the band’s keen ability to effectively infuse traditional rock sounds with contemporary relevancy. Upbeat foot-stompers like “Good Luck Charm” and “Can You Feel It” conjure the familiar American rock feel that The Dirty Guv’nahs began fashioning on their 2010 Release Youth Is In Our Blood. The Dirty Guv’nahs’ unlikely genesis took place when band members were introduced through a mutual friend, nicknamed “The Guv’nah”, who eventually became the band’s namesake. Their following grew quickly and after a string of sellout shows in their hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, they were offered their first performance slot at Bonnaroo. That concert led to a recording opportunity in December of 2009 at roots-rock mecca Levon Helm Studios, and the band hasn’t looked back since. The Dirty Guv’nahs’ live show is led by the soulful holler of frenetic front man James Trimble. Brothers Justin and Aaron Hoskins’ lay down a sturdy foundation of tight rhythms on bass and drums (respectively), while Chris Doody’s thick Hammond organ and bluesy piano along with Michael Jenkins’ and Cozmo Holloway’s tasty guitar stylings round out the group’s sound. The result is accurately described by a recent review in Music Connection Magazine: “The Dirty Guv’nahs don’t just play music; they capture the human experience through song.” Relix Magazine was so impressed with The Guv’s live show; they recently made the group one of their “On the Verge” artists for March 2012. Upon witnessing the band’s blue-collar approach, they commented, “Musicians today that don’t want to connect with their fans are just missing the whole point. The Dirty Guv’nahs are grassroots all the way.” The Guvs grassroots success story received its most recent validation when the band funded their new album entirely through Kickstarter donations from fans. The band raised 100% of their target funding in 3 days, prompting recognition of the Guv’nahs campaign in Billboard Magazine, and went to work creating an album that is sure to stir the hearts and shuffle the feet of their organic fan base. Somewhere Beneath These Southern Skies is a riveting collection of songs for a new generation of listeners starving for a fresh and authentic rock n’ roll music experience.The Dirty Guv’nahs on Facebook | The Dirty Guv’nahs on Twitter | Official Website
THE DOCS

A new bold sound of rock from College Station, TX introduces a modern, energetic style of music intertwined with a familiar, classic rock tone. The Docs encompass all shades of rock, from alternative and grunge to 70’s rock. The four members fuse these different genres of rock together to create a timeless masterpiece.
The Docs on Facebook | The Docs on Twitter | Official Website

Big Texas Nights feat. James Pardo and The Federales
2013-09-25 20:00 - 23:00 | TX
JAMES PARDO AND THE FEDERALESDrawing from personal experience and the experiences of those around him, as well as looking at the world through his own looking glass, James crafts songs about love, loss, joy, pain, hate, and occasionally…optimism. This doesn’t mean to imply that he’s not fun to be around. In fact, James can normally be found with a smile on his face. With roots in traditional country music, but not content to stay in one place for too long, his music runs the gamut from country, to roots rock, folk, R&B, & Americana. Simply put: It just depends on his mood & time of day, as to what may surface musically. From San Antonio, by way of Sinton TX, James has been playing music in the bars & clubs in TX for close to 20 yrs. If you’re looking for a dancehall band that will swing from the rafters and sing songs about floating rivers and drinking beer…you’d better search somewhere else. But if honest songwriting, with thought and effort placed in to music and lyrics and musicians conscious of the audience and their presence, then don’t be afraid to stick around and listen.James Pardo on Facebook | Official Website

Kinky Friedman's Texas Liberation Tour
2013-09-22 20:00 - 22:00 | TX
KINKY FRIEDMANThis tour stop includes a performance, reading and book signing along with an auctioning off of a three bottle set of his Man In Black Tequila during the show to benefit Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch. Limited amount of meet & greet tickets sold separately from the performance tickets available soon!Like so many cool people in the boom generation, Kinky Friedman first saw the world through the Peace Corps in the sixties. Kinky did his PC time in Borneo as an agriculture extension worker, wherein he introduced the Frisbee to the natives and taught farming techniques to people who had been farming successfully for thousands of years. But it was in Borneo that Kinky began to write the tunes that would propel the rest of his life.
Kinky had formed his first band, King Arthur & the Carrots while a student at the University of Texas, prior to his Peace Corps stint, but when he returned to the states, he really got serious with his second band, Kinky Friedman and The Texas Jewboys, the unit for which he is most famous, musically.
For his first album, Kinky released ‘Sold American’ in 1973 for Vanguard Records. His repertoire mixed social commentary (‘We Reserve the Right to Refuse Service to You’) and maudlin ballads (‘Western Union Wire’) with raucous humor (such as ‘Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in Bed’). His ‘Ride ‘Em Jewboy’ was an extended tribute to the victims of the Holocaust, and one of his most famous tunes from this session, ‘They Ain’t Makin’ Jews Like Jesus Anymore,’ is still on many hip playlists.
In the mid-’70s, Friedman and the Jewboys toured with Bob Dylan & the Rolling Thunder Revue. By 1976 he had recorded his third album, ‘Lasso From El Paso,’ featuring appearances by Dylan and Eric Clapton. The Texas Jewboys disbanded less than three years later, and Friedman moved to New York, where he became a Sunday night fixture at the legendary Lone Star Cafe. His performances, often featuring guests like Robin Williams and John Belushi, were equally legendary.

During the seventies, Kinky set several high water marks in his early performance career. In 1975, Friedman and the band taped an Austin City Limits show which was never aired. According to the show’s executive producer, Terry Lickona, this was the only time in the show’s long history that an episode went unaired. Lickona told the Austin Chronicle “I’ve seen it many times – I think it was a great show, and it might be as offensive today as it was back then.”
Kinky was a musical guest on Saturday Night Live in October 1976, the first year of SNL, and he claims to have been the first full-blooded Jew to take the stage at the Grand Ole Opry. Apparently, this is true.
Starting in the early eighties, Friedman shifted his creative focus to writing detective novels, after a bizarre incident at an ATM machine. Kinky spotted a woman being robbed and dashed to her rescue. The episode unleashed Kinky Friedman the private detective and sparked a series of detective novels that have become world-famous. Featuring a fictionalized version of himself solving crimes in New York City and dispensing jokes, wisdom, recipes, charm and Jameson’s whiskey in equal measure, the books are written in a straightforward style which owes a certain debt to Raymond Chandler, though Kinky has also quite fairly been referred to as the “Mark Twain of Texas.”
Kinky continued to tour throughout the eighties, this time in support of his novels, and a series of international publishing deals took that touring around the globe. During this period, his musings began appearing in such places as the New York Times, Playboy and Texas Monthly (where he later began a regular column).
Ebooks and audio books (read by Kinky, himself) of all his great detective novels are all available on line.
In 1986, Kinky took a break from writing and touring to try something new – politics. He ran for justice of the peace in his home town of Kerrville, Texas. Though he lost the race, he did discover a passion for politics. It would be another eighteen years, but he would revisit that arena.
In the nineties, Kinky began branching out with more personal writings, as he wound down the detective series. Since then he has discussed everything from social mores (‘Kinky Friedman’s Guide To Texas Etiquette: Or How To Get To Heaven Or Hell Without Going Through Dallas-Fort Worth’) to armadillos (‘The Great Psychedelic Armadillo Picnic: A “Walk” In Austin’). He’s even written a hit children’s book (‘The Christmas Pig: A Fable’).
In 2004, the Kinkster returned to the political field, this time daring the state of Texas to think big and elect him governor in 2006. Running on a shoestring budget, with help from folks like Jesse Ventura and his Minnesota team of political handlers, Kinky garnered over a half million votes – not good enough to win it, but good enough to influence Texas politics long onto the future. Kinky was the first candidate in the history of the state to make it onto the November ballot as an Independent candidate – astounding, considering his campaign motto: “Why the hell not?”
Kinky has become a darling of the cable news set, with appearances with folks as diverse as John Seigenthaler and Bill O’Reilly. He has also become a favorite featured speaker for all types of political events, left and right of the aisle.
In February 2007, Sustain Records released a compilation of the songs of Kinky Friedman sung by other artists called ‘Why the Hell Not…’ The compilation includes contributions by Dwight Yoakam, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, and Kelly Willis, and is one of two Kinky tribute albums available today. More recently, hot rising star Jesse Dayton recorded a full cd of Kinky songs, which has been getting enormous interest in Nashville and around the US.
Meanwhile, Kinky continues to “spit out books like sunflower seeds,” with one currently available at his tour stops, ‘Heroes of a Texas Childhood,’ and a brand new co-write with old pal, Billy Bob Thornton, called ‘The Billy Bob Tapes – A Cave Full Of Ghosts’ (foreword by Angelina Jolie) now in stores everywhere. Even more exciting is the upcoming co-write with Willie Nelson, due in the fall of 2012, and titled, ‘Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die.’

As if he needed to be more legendary, Kinky has now been immortalized on stage, with a play called ‘Becoming Kinky….the World According to Kinky Friedman.’ Written by Ted Swindley, who created the long-running hit ‘Always….Patsy Cline,’ the work is in previews in 2012, starring the afore-mentioned Jesse Dayton.
As the summer of 2012 heats up, Kinky has just finished the first leg of his fourth major tour in the last three years, Kinky Friedman’s BiPolar Tour. It followed his Springtime For Kinky Tour of middle America, his Go West Young Kinky west coast tour, and his tour of Australia with another legend, Van Dyke Parks, which some were tempted to call, Asunder Down Under, but which was a huge success. In the works for 2012-2013 are a Russian movie production of one of his detective books, KIll Two Birds And Get Stoned, another fantastic co-write with a good friend (details of which cannot be released yet), and a full Euro-tour and Aussie tour. Meanwhile, the Kinkster, who has not officially ruled out another shot in the political arena, insists he be addressed by his proper and rightful title: ‘Governor of the Heart of Texas.‘ The boot fits. And he’s wearing it.
Kinky Friedman on Facebook | Kinky Friedman on Twitter | Official Website

Larynx w/ Should've Been Cowboys & Joe Teichman
2013-09-21 21:00 - 23:55 | TX
Tickets for this concert can be purchased at the door for $5.
LARYNXAfter humble beginnings in the small town of College Station, Texas the Band now known as “Larynx Music” began what they thought would be a slow and steady growing process. Playing their original music at various open mic nights, and other events in the college town home of Texas A&M University, Larynx’s music went viral and made it way across the map… On Monday August 20, 2012 Larynx Music recorded their first single “The One” along with “Circles” for their First EP ” Cosmic Love ” at ” New Fiction Studios” in Dallas, Texas with Producer Bryan David. This platform propelled their music off the ground like never before… Larynx Music seeks to inspire and to make the listener feel the pleading vocals, and thoughtful arrangements of every song. Their music will surely tap at you heart until you let them in.Larynx on Facebook | Larynx on Twitter | Official Website
Should’ve Been CowboysShould’ve Been Cowboys is a 4-man rock band based out of College Station, TX.Should’ve Been Cowboys on Facebook | Should’ve Been Cowboys on Twitter | Official Website
JOE TEICHMAN
Joe Teichman is a singer-songwriter based out of College Station, TX, a very pivotal view for the up and coming music scene in the state. Joe has been playing for the past four years and is nowhere near through. He has had many full band shows around College Station with the “Cool Arrows” but also many acoustic shows consisting of himself and mandolin player, John Terry, traveling the state to cities and towns such as, Dallas, Plano, Dripping Springs, Johnson City, Breckenridge, Austin, Georgetown and even Lampasas, TX. Dates are being added so come catch a show and let’s have a good time!
Joe Teichman on Facebook | Official Website

Homebrew Live feat. Predominant Mortification, Solomon & Birth at the Massacres House
2013-09-20 21:00 - 23:55 | TX
Rock 103.9 and Lone Star Metal present Homebrew Live featuring local and regional rock & metal.
Tickets for this show will be available at the door only for $5.
PREDOMINANT MORTIFICATIONStarted around August of 2006 as a one man band. But shortly after starting, Cody obtained a full band. Only one recording of these days exist as a demo. After dealing with line up change after line up change, Ryan Moss and Johnny McKenna joined the band in 2007. Not long afterwards, both Ryan and Johnny left the band. Neither were from hard feelings. Since the departure of 2 members, Cody went on to tour and play shows as a one man band. Toured with such bands as VITAL REMAINS and Deterioration. In November of 2009, Bloodgurgled Suffocation, the band’s first full length, was released. Things slowed down in 2010 because Cody started to finish school. In 2011, Cody started re-recording older songs and writing new songs. With a new sound that will crush faces, worldwide.Predominant Mortification on Facebook
SOLOMON5 piece band from Houston, TX. We love playing music and meeting new people at shows.Solomon on Facebook
BIRTH AT THE MASSACRES HOUSEBAMH is a one-man metal band from Bryan, TX.BAMH on Facebook

Foxtrot Uniform w/ Hunter McKithan and The Offenders, Brandon Aguilar (formerly of Blue Bear) & Madison King
2013-09-19 21:00 - 23:55 | TX
FOXTROT UNIFORMBand members always seemed to leave, so it only seemed right that Kenny Uptain and Kelly Test (Cooder Graw, Polyphonic Spree) turned their band into a duo. After being thrown out of country bands, and losing their best bud of a bass player to the working world, they decided to go the route of the 2 piece rock and roll band. After recording their first full length album, “Huj! Huj! Hajrah!” in the living room of Test, and playing close to 200 shows their first year, the two felt the need to expand. In September of 2012 the duo became a trio with the addition of Dallas musician Zack Busby (Slow Roosevelt, The Burden Brothers, Descender). Adding many layers and depth to the band’s already full sound, Zack plays the parts you might find yourself humming instinctively. In January of 2013 the group has seemingly filled out their lineup with the addition of Fort Worth area songstress, Katie Robertson. Keep an eye and an ear out for this newly structured, always evolving Texas band.Foxtrot Uniform on Facebook | Foxtrot Uniform on Twitter | Official Website
HUNTER MCKITHAN & THE OFFENDERSHunter McKithan & the Offenders are a rising force with well-seasoned songwriting skills to back up their gifted musical and instrumental talents. With roots buried deep within the genres of blues, alt. country, americana, soul, and a major influence of old-fashioned American rock and roll, it’s extremely hard to describe exactly what brand of music you’re hearing coming from whatever stage or stereo system the Offenders are occupying. But one thing is for sure. It refuses to go unnoticed. And what good is music once it’s been labeled anyway? The guys released their debut album, ‘Shape of it All,’ late in the summer of 2007 and have sent several songs to the top requested lists – including the number 1 song of 2008 on radiofreetexas.org, ‘Fallin From High.’ The band spent much of 2009 gearing up for the release of their much anticipated ‘Lee Road Sessions’ EP to be followed up with a full length album of entirely all new material. Now, after teaming up with famed producer Mike McClure, the third record is complete and will be released January 18th, 2011. ‘Not Broken Yet’ is a 13 track (12 new, 1 re-recorded) album of material unlike anything you have ever heard from Hunter McKithan & the Offenders. Be sure to grab a copy of the album and catch a live show next time they’re in your area.Hunter McKithan on Facebook | Hunter McKithan on Twitter | Official Website
BRANDON AGUILAR (FORMERLY OF BLUE BEAR)Brandon Aguilar is a singer/songwriter from Dallas/Fort Worth who formerly sang & played guitar in the band Blue Bear.Brandon Aguilar on Facebook | Brandon Aguilar on Twitter
MADISON KINGMadison King in her own words – “I write songs. Then I play them. Eventually I sing them too. Unless I’m ‘jamming’.”
Recently, this talented Dallas based singer-songwriter celebrated the release of her highly anticipated debut full-length, Darlin, Here’s to You, which counts among its backing performers such area mainstays as Ryan Thomas Becker, as well as members of The King Bucks, Homespun Remedies and Here in Arms. “It’s a relatively swaggering effort, reliant mostly on King’s gritty, and yet somehow comforting, coo.” (Pete Freedman of the Dallas Observer Music Blog).
Preceding the release, a Deep Ellum mural was painted in June that immortalized King’s image well before the album’s arrival.
When Madison is not writing, playing, singing or jamming, you may find her down around her home club, the City Tavern.Madison King on Facebook | Madison King on Twitter | Official Website

Big Texas Nights feat. The Britt Lloyd Band
2013-09-18 20:00 - 23:00 | TX
THE BRITT LLOYD BANDWhen The Britt Lloyd Band merged in 2003, the thirst for new, edgy, and intriguing music in Texas and the South was on the rise. Despite a market attraction to a mainstream sound across Texas, both rock and country music resided in the BLB’s bones, and the crossroad of the two served as a rendezvous point for the band’s gathering. Thus, the answer that so many looked for in a new and innovative sound found its home in the ears of a fast growing number of the BLB listeners. Today, The Britt Lloyd Band continues to maintain a harmonious tie between country and rock, and continues to attract droves of faithful fans through both touring and radio. With the release of the debut record “Unlabeled” in early 2006, the singles “Chokin’ On Air” and “Day In, Day Out” have made leaps up the Texas Music Charts, rising to within the top third of the charts. The record was also ranked in the top 100 Texas Music Albums of 2006. With the release of “The Ink” in late 2008, they have imprinted their name in the Texas Music scene and with the first single “That Kind” reaching the top of the Texas Music Charts and the Best in Texas number 61 most spun songs of 2008, it looks like the future is very bright for the BLB. Fans also have their opportunities to witness the BLB’s energy-packed shows at many major venues and events around Texas. New and returning listeners alike are amazed and wowed by the energetic sound that the group offers and they are quick to tell you that this group has just the right chemistry, and edge to entertain. Equipped with a commanding voice, catchy guitar hooks and riffs, and creative songwriting, Britt fronts an experienced ensemble composed of hard-driving, steady drums, technical and tasteful bass lines, and filling harmonies that will leave fans starving for the encore. Sharing the stage and working with artists such as Jack Ingram, Stoney Larue, Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers Band, Kevin Fowler, Charlie Robison, Phil Pritchett, Honeybrowne, Bleu Edmonson, Eli Young Band and Mickey And The Motorcars, the BLB continues to put skins on the wall and establish itself more and more as a household name. With sweeping momentum, new sponsorships, and enthusiastic backing, The Britt Lloyd Band is quickly gaining the reputation and clout that guarantees them not to disappoint or lose speed any time soon.The Britt Lloyd Band on Facebook | The Britt Lloyd Band on Twitter | Official Website

Midnight River Choir w/ Haley Cole Band and Matt Fracht & The Contraband
2013-09-14 21:00 - 23:55 | TX
MIDNIGHT RIVER CHOIR

The story of Midnight River Choir is proof that sometimes great bands just happen. One night, four strangers ended up on a late night float trip down the Guadalupe River. As they made their way down the river singing songs, the beautiful harmonies floated into the heads of sleeping campers. The next morning, the boys overheard a man telling a friend that he was “awakened by a midnight river choir.” That was all it took. Eric Middleton (lead singer and guitarist), Justin Nelson (lead guitarist), Jeromy Yager (bassist), and Mitchell Pyeatt (drummer), realized the magic of their combined talents and began writing and performing together under that River-God given name.
The formation of Midnight River Choir was nothing short of a force of nature that now translates seamlessly during their live shows. This band needs no labels or comparisons. Their music speaks volumes about who and what they are. Their lives have been woven together by a strong thread of energy both on and off stage. That energy is raw and natural and soaked up from the earth through their bare feet. They believe that what you get is what you give and they give everything they have to their crowds. When that kind of energy lands back at the feet of the boys it is something of supreme intensity. And no one ever forgets it.
Midnight River Choir on Facebook | Midnight River Choir on Twitter | Official Website
HALEY COLE BAND

I could tell you where Birch, Texas, is but that would also require you to know where the other two towns are that surround it. Let’s just say it’s not easy to find, which is appropriate because talent like Haley Cole is not easy to find either.

Haley was born into a family full of talent and grew up singing alongside her parents and 3 sisters. By the time she hit 16, she was equipped with a guitar and the determination to make a music career happen for herself. Inspired by the hard work of her blue collar family and instilled with the same ethic, Haley began performing anywhere she could find a microphone. Starting out at local venues, it wasn’t long before she found herself on well-known stages like Hurricane Harry’s, Dosey Doe’s, and the former Texas Hall of Fame. In her short time on the Texas Music Scene, Haley’s incredible voice and clever lyrics and composition has elevated her to opening for the biggest names in the industry such as Drew Womack, Bart Crow, Ryan Beaver, Max Stalling, Brandon Rhyder, The Rankin Twins, Bri Bagwell, Jason Eady, Folk Family Revival, Jason Cassidy, and Mickey and the Motorcars, just to name a few.

Haley’s kind heartedness, fun personality, and love for her fans leave a lasting impression on every stage she plays. Haley dreams of being the next Miranda Lambert, and has every ounce of talent needed to do so, but she is also very humble about her career in music. She says “If I make it, great, if not, at least I can say I gave it my all, but either way I will keep creating honest music for the fans I cherish as long as they continue to listen.”

Haley released her first professional project on February 22, 2013. The seven song self-titled EP, all originally written, is a cornucopia of Country, Americana, and folk with a touch of rock and bluegrass flavors. Her album features Drew Womack, one of the biggest songwriters in country music, on the amazing track “Devil in Disguise” and look out for her forthcoming single “Satisfied” on a radio near you next month. Do yourself a favor and check out Haley Cole’s album on iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby.com, Spotify, Facebook, and her website www.haleycoleband.com – because just like Birch, Texas: talent like Haley Cole is hard to find.
Haley Cole on Facebook | Haley Cole on Twitter | Official Website
MATT FRACHT & THE CONTRABAND
Matt’s music is a highly refreshing tribute to true Texas country music, juxtaposed to the abundance of “pop country” so prevalent in this day and age. Behind every outstanding frontman is an incredible band. In accordance with this standard, Matt Fracht is supported by a diverse and versatile group of musicians known as The Contraband that wholly complete Fracht’s dynamic sound.
Matt Fracht on Facebook | Matt Fracht on Twitter | Official Website

Only Beast w/ Genuine Leather, Race To The Moon & Magic Girl and Her Ex-Husbands
2013-09-13 22:00 - 23:55 | TX
Tickets $5 available at the door the day of the concert.
Only BeastSometimes people say things about Only Beast. Here are some of those things:
“An explosive mix of punk, melodic rock and blues. Their live performances are sure to melt your face off, make your ears bleed, and give your musical soul the nitrous-oxide high it was looking for.”
– Nathan Hudgins, Heights Funk Collective
“Anti-matter in leprous hands. They will summon demons and use them as coffee tables to prop their feet on.”
– Stephan B. Wyatt, The Illegal Wiretaps
“Houston rock oddballs Only Beast have a unique almost prog-ish kinda sound that is hard to describe, but the band is so magnetic to watch you become mesmerized just the same.”
– Kelly Minnis, Ex-Optimists
“22nd century schizoids.”
– Clark Armstrong
“Drummer John Salinas and guitarist Peter Bernick spent several years working together in various instrumental bands before deciding to try working with a vocalist. Who they got was Danielle Renee, a waify ball of fire with a huge voice able to match Bernick’s Cure-ish guitar wail and the progressive thunder of Salinas’s drums.”
– Jef With One F, Houston PressOnly Beast on Facebook
Genuine LeatherGenuine Leather is a rock band from Austin, TX.Genuine Leather on Facebook
Race To The MoonRace to the Moon, based in Houston, TX, draws on its punk and indie rock influences to create driving, sophisticated music. Four recent transplants to the Houston area joined forces with a shared love of Wilco, Dinosaur Jr., and high energy live performance to create a charging rock and roll band. Race to the Moon started its journey in June 2012 and is gaining steam, bringing a boost of punk rock energy and dynamic songwriting into the local Houston indie scene. Their first EP is set to be released in July 2013.Race To The Moon on Facebook
Magic Girl & Her Ex-HusbandsMagic Girl is the nom de plum for Southern born and bred singer-songwriter Mary-Charlotte Chavez. Magic Girl sets picture portraits of characters from Fly-Over Country to song, the downtrodden and the triumphant. The music follows in the folk and classic country tradition of the 1960’s but with a modern lyricism. And the voice…tough as nails, supple as willow and sexy as Saturday at 2 AM. Magic Girl’s stay in Texas came to an end in the fall of 2010 and she now resides in Long Beach, CA. She hopes to return to Texas in the future, but until then, she is trying to conquer Southern California with her southern sass and brass. Magic Girl has one self-recorded album, ‘Petunia Mailbox Demos’, as well as two records, ‘Poor Man’s Queen’ and ‘Dove and Raven,’ both released under Sink Hole, TX Inc. ..Magic Girl on Facebook

Green River Ordinance w/ Hudson Moore & Andrew Ripp
2013-09-12 21:00 - 23:55 | 106 S Main St, Bryan, TX, 77803, United States
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GREEN RIVER ORDINANCE
This fall season marks the 10th Anniversary of Green River Ordinance as a band. In 2009 and 2010, GRO saw tastes of much sought after success: 2 Top 40 radio singles, songs on over 20 TV shows (“So You Think You Can Dance”, “The Hills”, “The Young & Restless”), 2 music videos on MTV and VH1, tours with American Idol winners David Cook & Kris Allen, Goo Goo Dolls, Collective Soul, Train, Lifehouse, and many others. GRO’s Original Song “Rise Up” was featured on the AT&T Team USA 2010 Winter Olympics Soundtrack alongside Mariah Carey, 3 Doors Down, Train, Rascal Flatts.
Green River Ordinance on Facebook | Green River Ordinance on Twitter | Official Website
HUDSON MOORE

You don’t top a chart by accident, certainly not in Texas – you top a chart through hard work and talent. Thanks to an abundance of both, that’s what Hudson Moore did; topping the Texas chart in December of 2012 with his debut single. Written and co-produced by Hudson, the aptly titled ‘Fireworks’ not only rocketed all the way to the top spot… it stayed there for two weeks.
It’s been a fun ride for the 22-year-old Ft. Worth native. Since starting as a teenager, Moore has played the famed stages of Texas and Oklahoma, from Billy Bob’s Texas and Gruene Hall, to the Austin City Limits Festival and South By Southwest (SXSW). Hudson’s self-penned songs are firmly rooted in country, though they’re equally influenced by rock and pop. Further, his fiery blues-inspired lead guitar work adds an additional dash of Texas grit to that genre-crossing blend of styles.
In addition to rocking clubs on his own, Hudson has been a busy show opener, warming up crowds for legends like ZZ Top, Alan Jackson, Jerry Jeff Walker and Michael Martin Murphy, as well as other heavyweights like Pat Green, Josh Abbott, Chris Young, Kevin Fowler, Stoney LaRue, Reckless Kelly, and dozens more. 2013 will see Hudson expand his fan base even further as he books more headlining dates and continues to open shows for mainstream artists, including Multi-Platinum ® superstars Rascal Flatts and Trace Adkins.
Hudson’s accolades in the press match his successes on the airwaves and the stage: The Country Music Association named him to the “Who’s New To Watch” list for 2013 in the CMA Close Up magazine. That honor comes on top of recognition from Country Line magazine, who dubbed him “Artist Of The Month” in November of 2012, and from CMT, who named him one of the “Top 10 Bands To Watch” at the SXSW Music Festival in 2011.
So far Hudson Moore’s music has not only been a hit on Texas radio, in print, and in the clubs, it’s also made the leap to the silver screen. In 2012, he was commissioned to score an original song for the movie Sweetwater, starring one of country music’s hottest stars, Jason Aldean. The song, co-written with songwriter and producer Wally Wilson, “The Cold Gray Light Of Dawn” lit up cinema speakers to the delight of thousands when the film premiered at the world-renowned Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. Sweetwater isn’t Hudson’s only place in the movies, either: His song “Make It Through” is slated for use in an upcoming Hallmark children’s movie, set to be distributed this spring to major retailers nationwide.
Few artists that rise from the Texas dirt are able to straddle that line, to be both contemporary enough to appeal to Nashville country fans and yet still accepted and respected by their Texas and Oklahoma peers. Hudson Moore is one such artist. “I don’t see myself restricted to Texas and Oklahoma. That’s where I come from and I have tons of that in my blood, but I have a lot of Nashville influences, as well as some from artists in other genres and even from the UK. I want to take my music as far as it can possibly go.”
One way that Hudson plans on taking his music further is by giving it away. He explains: “We recorded a bunch of new tunes in the same session where we cut ‘Fireworks.’ We have about ten new tracks, and the plan is to release an EP and give it away for free. I’m really excited about it, and I think people will dig it.“
“I want to grow my audience – that’s it,” says Hudson. “I want to gain more fans and have the adventure of being able to tour and bring my music to people. That’s part of the fun: making new fans, making people happy with your music and watching them have fun at the shows.”
The future is bright for this tireless young artist. In Hudson’s eyes, every day is just one more chance to write another song, hop on another stage, and change another stranger into a fan.
It’s only been 3 years since Hudson Moore burst onto the scene. And if you thought those three years were action-packed, just wait until you see what’s next.
Hudson Moore Ordinance on Facebook | Hudson Moore on Twitter | Official Website
ANDREW RIPP
Andrew Ripp creates music that pushes the boundaries of genre stereotypes, blending the energetic beats of pop music into a soul culture and adding the depth and groove of soul music into a pop culture. Since beginning his career in 2005, Ripp’s songs and records have successfully impacted a diverse and growing audience including true music lovers: fans that appreciate the nuances of a well crafted album, and easy listeners: fans who simply want to hear a catchy tune.
Having an awe-inspiring voice is one thing, but knowing how to use that voice to share lyrics and emotion in a way that moves those who hear the songs is quite another. Ripp has grown in this over the years as a respected songwriter with the voice of an artist. Won’t Let Go comes on the heels of Andrew Ripp celebrating a #1 album on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart in 2010 with his album She Remains The Same, which was the follow-up to his debut album in 2008 Fifty Miles to Chicago. Ripp, who is originally from Palatine, IL and now resides in Nashville, TN, is no stranger to the national music scene beginning his career as a songwriter and co-writing half of Ryan Cabrera’s 2005 album You Stand Watching, including “You Shine On,” which landed on Billboard’s Hot 100. Ripp has had a hand in writing songs that have been featured on American Idol, One Tree Hill, and Live To Dance.
Since his last release, Andrew spent time writing and writing, not just creating a few songs and depending on his voice to carry the album. “The good ones,” Andrew says, speaking of excellent artists, “they leave space in the songs.” And over the last two years, Andrew has learned that skill. Having moved to Nashville with his wife at the encouragement of fellow musician and mentor, GRAMMY nominated artist Dave Barnes, Andrew settled into the songwriting town and began to hone his talents and grow as an artist, musician, and songwriter.
His new album, Won’t Let Go, is full of the picks of the songwriting litter, with songs that resonate with the hearer as well as the creator. Working with award-winning producer Charlie Peacock (Civil Wars, Amy Grant, Holly Williams, Switchfoot) Andrew handed full control to him, allowing the songs to drive the recording process, not trying to turn the songs into something they weren’t. You can hear that too- the wrestling, the release, the emotion, the growth of the songs to a new sound that somehow feels familiar.
The album blends the work of Andrew himself with many other award-winning musicians, songwriters, as well as Peacock and engineer/mixer Richie Biggs, having had a hand in co-writing all 11 tracks. Ripp is deeply proud of what was created, though the price of hard work didn’t come without its own challenges and trials. Won’t Let Go will be the album that reminds us we don’t have to figure it all out, just show up. “I did the work,” Andrew says, “I gave it everything I have. As I wrote this record, I was writing these songs for me as a way to help me process what I was going through but as the songs came to life, I realized that these stories were for everyone because we all go through hard times and sometimes just knowing you’re not the only one can offer a moment of hope.”
Won’t Let Go documents some of the hardest times in Andrew Ripp’s personal and professional life but through hardships come hope and love and no one captures those emotions better than he does on this album. Stand out tracks include the single, “Cool Ya (Nobody Loves You Like I Do),” a catchy tune on the idea that no matter where you are, you are loved; the moving ballad “Just Enough” about how we are all given just enough hope along the way to make it through struggles in life; The up-tempo “When You Fall In Love” that depicts the security of a love that feels just right; the title track “Won’t Let Go,” that has become an anthem of sorts on the road for Ripp about staying strong through all of life’s challenges; and the albums close, the poignant “Rescue Me,” which features GRAMMY Award winner Vince Gill, and perfectly caps off Ripp’s journey of hitting rock bottom but ultimately discovering the inner strength he needed.
“A good analogy I was given is: Our lives are like waves, they are always moving. No matter how good or bad things are, you can guarantee it won’t be like that forever,” said Andrew. “We embrace the beauty of the sunshine because there was rain. We feel joy because we had pain. I’ve decided to learn to love the difficult times because there’s no escaping them, and that’s when we grow.” This is a theme that plays throughout Won’t Let Go and one that many listeners will relate to.
A touring artist as well, Andrew’s live performances continue to move the audience in just the right ways. Crowds don’t want him to leave the stage when the show is over, and he’s not sure he’s ready to leave either. He has opened for and toured the country with artists including Jon Foreman, needtobreathe, Will Hoge Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, and Robert Randolph and the Family Band. Ripp continues to tour around the country in support of his forthcoming release Won’t Let Go, for the audiences that have supported him throughout the years as well as the new ones he continues to steadily make along the way.
“This album is rooted in the idea of hope and love,” Andrew says, “and it is meant to speak life.” Audiences can hear the depth of those messages in every lyric; in every note. Great songs deserve a great record and what has been created with Won’t Let Go is just that- the record that other musicians will respect, fans have waited for, and newcomers will fall in love with.
Andrew Ripp on Facebook | Andrew Ripp on Twitter | Official Website

Big Texas Nights feat. The Southern Backtones w/ Craig Kinsey
2013-09-11 20:00 - 23:00 | TX
THE SOUTHERN BACKTONESThe new year will herald the release of Southern Backtones 4th album (ZenHill Records) which fuses the best parts of the prior three albums with the Backtones mature voodoo-rock sound into a delightful psychedelic, Spaghetti Western patois.
“Los Tormentos de Amor” (1998): Clever surf-punk ditties played with precocious passion, all owing allegiance to a strong “whatever-a-billy” or “Spaghetti Western” influence. Quite the classic, the album has become an underground jewel and sells for upwards of one hundred bucks.
The Formula (2002): A furious denial and overthrow of the pearl button, greaser-roots-rock heritage. Punk-ish songs of superficial lust gone wrong dove-tailed with South-of-the-border, Tex-Mex crooners.
The third album, simply self-titled “Southern Backtones” (2007): A dark cinematic embracement of Brit-pop and psychedelia in a philosophical search for more bohemian influences. Songs “Forever” and “Everything” were featured in the indie feature film “Drop Dead Sexy” starrring Jason Lee and Crispin Glover. Music Video “Forever” (produced by Zenfilm) has had international airplay on MTV2, MuchMusic Canada, CNBC and more.
“Cinematic songs begging for a movie to live up to their promise.” San Francisco Bay Times
“Brooding paeans to loves won, lost, and unrequited infused with smart, poppish melodies. The only way some of this stuff could get any beautifully darker is if it grew black wings and flew away.” Fort Worth Weekly
“Southern Backtones is not Southern rock. It is a sea of expansive, dark rock with the unmistakable, vampy touch of David Bowie and the indigo mood of Echo & the Bunnymen.” Houston Chonicle
“The musicianship and songwriting are top notch… Highly recommended.” Exclaim.ca (Canada)
“The songs are rich-sounding, well-crafted rockers with plenty of rootsy and modern influences. But the lyrics are provocative and thoughtful in surprising ways.” ASCAP.com
“This moody, ethereal retro-tinged modern hard rock act (think U2, Nick Cave, The Cult) from Houston, seems primed for massive underground success.” connectsavannah.comThe Southern Backtones on Facebook | Official Website

Blue Bear w/ Friendly Savages, Penny and Sparrow & Sisi Berry
2013-09-07 21:00 - 23:55 | TX
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BLUE BEAR

Blue Bear is a 5-piece indie/folk band based in Austin, Texas. Following in the footsteps of their biggest influences, Fleet Foxes and Grizzly Bear, Blue Bear has quickly gained a reputation for their infectious melodies and impeccable four-part harmonies.
Band founders, and former high school classmates, Brandon Aguilar and Jeremy Holmsley started the band in the Summer of 2011, quickly recruited another former classmate, Casey Arthur, and played as an acoustic trio for several months, performing at open mic venues in Austin. The three recorded the first EP in January and by February of 2012, the full band performed for the first time (with yet another former classmate, Jeremy Wilkinson, on drums and Holmsley on bass). They quickly recruited bass player and vocalist Khoury Moore, not only to hold down the bass, but to add a fourth harmony.
In May of 2012, Blue Bear won The Recording Conservatory of Austin’s 6th Annual “Unsigned Artist Competition,” after competing against bands from across the country in an online vote-getting contest, as well as a final 4 showcase in front of industry reps. In June, they were handpicked to be the featured band at The Art Institute of Austin’s “Summer Studio 2012,” a week of master classes and workshops for high school students interested in pursuing audio engineering, photography, graphic design, and more.
Blue Bear has mesmerized crowds all over the central Texas area with their unique sound and intricate harmonies. They are quickly building a dedicated fan base in the Austin area and are currently working on their second EP.
Blue Bear on Facebook | Blue Bear Band on Twitter | Official Website
FRIENDLY SAVAGESFriendly Savages is a young, up and coming folk/rock band based in Austin, TX. Over the last year and a half, the group has made big waves in the Austin music scene with their catchy melodies, haunting lyrics, and high-flying vocals. In 2012 they were called “Austin’s newest folk rock buzz band” by the Austin Chronicle. Building on the success of their full-length debut album, “O, Joshua!,” Friendly Savages has made a name for itself as “one of the best groups working in Austin today” (The Horn). Take a few minutes to listen to the album and you’ll understand what the buzz is about–the songs are at turns funny and thoughtful, happy and sad, simple and profound. The band wields a musical and lyrical depth which is rare in today’s folk/rock scene. Or in any other, for that matter. As Back Down South put it, “they’re a band you just need to be listening to, ok?”Friendly Savages on Facebook | Friendly Savages on Twitter | Official Website
PENNY AND SPARROW

Penny and Sparrow are Andy Baxter and Kyle Jahnke, from the heart of Texas. Previously roommates, the duo makes music influenced by The Swell Season, Bon Iver, Mumford and Sons, and others. They also love musicals.
Penny and Sparrow on Facebook | Penny and Sparrow on Twitter | Official Website
SISI BERRY

Sisi Berry is a local singer/songwriter from College Station, TX. She has recently moved to Austin to record her debut EP under the name Stella.The North coming out this December after a long trek around Europe playing plazas, coffee shops, bars, rooftops, metro’s stations, and street corners.
Sisi Berry on Facebook

FREE First Friday Concert feat. Ghosts Along The Brazos w/ The O's & Votary
2013-09-06 20:30 - 23:55 | TX
Grand Stafford Theater presents: First Friday Free Concert Series:8 PM – Doors open 8:30 PM – The O’s 9:45 PM – Ghosts Along The Brazos 11:15 PM – The Votary
GHOSTS ALONG THE BRAZOS

If you’re listening at all, you’ll never shake the sound. It’s honest – real music played by real people. The melodies will inspire, the words may haunt, and the rhythm will undoubtedly have you miles away from your chair. The music is undeniable – nothing short of a genuine celebration, bubbling up from the cracks in the street like west Texas oil.
The band is The Ghosts and the idea is simple: Play and write music that you believe in, and others will believe in it too. Don’t inflate it with smoke and mirrors, and don’t water it down in search of conventional success. Play what speaks to your heart, and it will speak to theirs too. It’s been less than a year since The Ghosts arrived on the Austin, TX scene, and they’ve quickly charmed their way into the hearts and minds of a town steeped in timeless American music, and not always quick to shower praise.
You will surely dance, you will often laugh, and you will inevitably be awed by the musical prowess of twenty-somethings playing far beyond their years.
Katie Holmes is the newest Ghost and is a welcome addition, bringing not only her exceptional fiddling ability but also her singing and songwriting to the group. Connor Forsyth on Piano and Hammond B3 is a wunderkind, a player that truly commands attention. As a member of another young Austin favorite, The Belleville Outfit, he honed his chops touring the country, and now splits his time between the Ghosts and the legendary Ray Price’s touring band. You may also recognize bassist Kristopher Wade and guitarist Gregory Harkins from one of Austin’s brightest swing/jazz outfits, The Marshall Ford Swing Band, and the interplay between Forsyth, Harkins, and Wade might well be worth the price of admission alone. Drummer James Gwyn rounds out the 5-piece, another in-demand young Austinite who splits his time touring with country legend, Junior Brown.
Together, The Ghosts are on a journey. And if you’re in earshot, you’re probably coming with them. They’re a veritable force, a band with contagious energy, churning out a joyful noise with obvious glee. That’s what the commotion is all about, that’s the celebration, and wherever The Ghosts are tonight, that’s what you’ll find.
Ghosts Along The Brazos on Facebook | Ghosts Along The Brazos on Twitter | Official Website
THE O’S

We started our group in the summer of 2008, and after having known each other through all of our other groups (Polyphonic Spree, Young Heart Attack, Slick 57, Rose County Fair, Hi-Fi Drowning, etc), it was an easy upstart and took no time jumping in head first. We both had songs that we felt needed to be played but no band to use as an outlet. Three months later, we entered the recording studio and recorded an EP which ended up being half of our first album “We Are The O’s” (2009 Idol Records).
We have since toured relentlessly all across the US, UK, Europe, and even jaunted to Hawaii, hi-fiving friends and fans alike; just trying to keep ourselves out on the road and creating new music for good people. In 2011, we recorded our second album with the Grammy award winning Stuart Sikes. Entitled “Between The Two,” we decided to play every instrument on the album and had Stuart man the helm. It was liberating and excited and brought us further than we had been before.
We hit the road again jumping back and forth across the great ponds, made music videos, bought and broke vans, bought and broke gear, ate poorly, ate well, had fun and not so much fun, met amazing people, learned a lot about life, forgot a lot of things, slept a little, bought and wore out hundreds of pairs of pants and shirts, resoled our cowboy boots countless times, played with incredible artists, performed on TV shows, talk shows, radio shows, festivals, clubs, bars, restaurants, several different countries and continents, swam in clear water, dredged through the gulf, and other countless, endless adventures to name.
We did this all as we have always, to make good music for good people.
And into the future we go with “Thunderdog”, our third studio album to be released in July 23, 2013. We decided to record the majority of the new album, at the recommendation of our great producer, Chris “Frenchie” Smith, in Tornillo, TX at the legendary Sonic Ranch Studio. It’s a state of the art, top notch studio where we could stay on site, eat on site, and record without distractions (other than the delicious Sonic Ranch “Salsa de Roja” that lead to many debates on whether or not anything would taste good without it afterwords…) We finished up the album at The Bubble in Austin, TX and look forward to getting it out the door and into everyone’s hands!
See you folks on the other side and we look forward to the ride.
The O’s on Facebook | The O’s on Twitter | Official Website
VOTARYVotary is a four-piece pop band hailing from College Station, TX. Votary began as an acoustic trio in a dorm at Texas A&M University. After performing at coffee houses and open mic venues for a year, Votary introduced two new members and became the full band that performs today. Soon after becoming a full band, Votary won the Texas A&M Battle of the Bands competition and quickly began gaining popularity in the College Station area. Votary is currently recording their first album which is set to be released in the Spring of 2013. Votary’s sound has been compared to Ben Rector, Parachute, and Ben Folds. The bands current lineup is: Jack Thweatt-Vocals/Guitar, Travis Thompson-Keyboards, Michael Burgess-Bass, Conner Wright-Drums. Some of Votary’s past shows include: Tri-Delta Gameday at Wolf Pen Creek, Theta Fiesta, Elephant Walk at TAMU, and Relay for Life.Votary on Facebook

First Friday Magic & Illusion Show: Spectacular!
2013-09-06 17:00 - 19:00 | TX
Spectacular
Spectacular is a magic and illusion stage show featuring the magic of Cameron Rivers, extraordinaire. The stage show features illusions of all sorts including slight-of-hand, prop magic, and large-scale illusions.
Big Red Drum Entertainment presents a brand-new entertainment venture sure to provide a night of fun-filled memories.
Presenting, Spectacular featuring the magic and illusions of Cameron Rivers. Cameron is a Professional Illusionist who has entertained crowds from Dallas/Ft. Worth to California to Houston and many stops all over the U.S. and Texas in between. He has held many residencies at Renaissance Fairs and Festivals, as well as providing private shows for close to a decade now. Always practicing his craft, Cameron has studied magic, juggling, card tricks, slight-of-hand, large-scale illusions and many forms of entertainment over the years. He is always adding new facets to his toolbox. He was also a founding member of the Aggie Order of Illusionists at Texas A&M University. He still serves as a very active former member and a mentor at the National level for the chapter.
This show is produced to give the audience member every possible advantage in enjoying a full-scale illusion stage show. Cameron has a way of presenting his craft to the audience that makes guests feel involved from curtain up til the last trick has been performed. Audience participation is a must! You will be fully entranced by the magic going on all around you.
The show will start at 5 pm every First Friday at Grand Stafford Theater. From 5-6 pm there will be a cocktail hour featuring many talented magicians performing up-close floor magic. Rope tricks, cups and balls, juggling, rings, and table magic are just some of the many skills that might be on display.
If you can’t make it right at 5 pm, DON”T WORRY! You can still make the stage show. Cameron Rivers will take the stage at 6:15 every performance to perform a full scale illusion Spectacular featuring large scale illusions you will find in many Vegas-style magic shows.
Spectacular is sure to become a popular addition to the monthly attractions at First Fridays in Downtown Bryan, TX. We hope you will consider enjoying a night of magic with us. Its going to be a night you will not forget and want to experience again, we promise.
Tickets will be available at the door. Adults are $8. Children 6-12 are $5.
Community support for endeavors such as this are a must. If you’d like to see more attractions like these, please get out on First Friday and enjoy the show.
Spectacular on Facebook | Official Website

The Octopus Project w/ Scientist & Atarimatt
2013-09-05 21:00 - 23:55 | 106 S Main St, Bryan, TX, 77803, United States
THE OCTOPUS PROJECTThe Octopus Project has been releasing joyous party music since 2002, all the while touring the world both on their own and as handpicked support for artists as diverse as Aesop Rock, DEVO, and Explosions in the Sky. They’ve earned a reputation as a band that creates exceptional experiences through elaborate multimedia experiments, lavish album packaging, and the intensity of their extremely fun, extremely loud live shows. The band plans to hit the road again in August in support of Fever Forms.The Octopus Project on Facebook | The Octopus Project on Twitter | Official WebsiteSCIENTISTScientist is from deep in the heart of Texas. In early 2011, Brandon DuBois and Jesse Schaefer began writing their debut, World EP. Produced by grammy nominated band, After Edmund, the band recorded the five song EP over the course of twelve months. Inspired by The Killers and Passion Pit, the record consists of five songs that are pop rock to the core and wrapped with an electronic bow. Scientist is constantly in The Lab working on new videos and responses to The Experiment, a feature where people submit cover videos of Scientist songs, and in return, Scientist covers one of theirs. Along with that, nerd glasses and pocket protectors are given out at every show, and anyone who tags Scientist in a nerdy picture will end up on the website. The Scientist boys can be found in the Mobile Lab on tour promoting World EP with their captivating live show, complete with instrument switches, electronic breaks, and crowd participation.Scientist on Facebook | Scientist on Twitter | Official WebsiteATARIMATTAtarimatt is a Bryan/College Station local musician who makes songs by reprogramming multiple Synthcarts from old Ataris. You must see it to believe it.Atarimatt on Facebook | Official Website

Big Texas Nights feat. K Phillips & The Concho Pearls w/ Little Brave
2013-09-04 20:00 - 23:00 | TX
K Phillips & The Concho Pearls

“If you don’t know K Phillips, you should start now. ” Kyla Fairchild, Publisher – No Depression
On K Phillips debut American Girls, the West Texan champions the desperate, the sleazy and the broken, with small-town murals that glimpse into the jealousy of a sheriff, lovers that freeze to death and a crude lothario that misquotes dead poets. He prefers bygone rock sounds, leading his band on resonator, mouth harp, banjo, guitar, Hammond B3 and Piano, the latter being his primary tool. “The piano playing came out of necessity. I wanted to write country ballads, Motown grooves and gospel music and it’s not the same on the guitar,” he says, drawing from southern soul and rock as well — his heroes garnered from classic rock radio’s key kings like Leon Russell, Billy Preston and Gregg Allman.
Until 2006, Phillips was content working as a sideman even though he’d been writing since grade school. But when a close friend and a love interest drowned in two separate accidents, he feared ‘the rule of 3’ and made a decision not to leave “with these song inside.” The young startup label, Rancho Azul, approached Phillips (now living in Austin) to make an album, and his handpicked dream team of Texas musicians, including Bobby Keys of The Rolling Stones, Rick Richards of Joe Walsh and Jimmy Pettit of The Flatlanders — cutting the album live in 4 days.
Phillips is quickly drawing attention to his Texas spin on southern soul that backs lyrics that range from dark to humorous to plaintive. Though there are some desperate characters, as a writer he doesn’t want to take himself too seriously. “I get a kick out of out of the ridiculous and the lighthearted, and I don’t want to be afraid to be a little weird, a little fragile or a little dirty,” he says. “I got that from Warren Zevon. I always loved how his songs and characters could be absurd or sardonic but at the same time achingly beautiful.”
– Kim Fowler
K Phillips on Facebook | Official Website
LITTLE BRAVELittle Brave is the alias of Stephanie Briggs. Stephanie has been performing since 2000, first in Rodger Wilko releasing 3 albums, then as Stephanie Briggs releasing 2 albums, and now as Little Brave. She released her third album, “Wound & Will,” on March 5, 2011, under the moniker Little Brave. She is currently set to release her EP “Wild,” produced by Matt Noveskey of Blue October, in September of 2012. To celebrate the release of the “Wound & Will,” Stephanie decided to create an event unlike any other. She called it “Wound & Will: The Musical.” The San Antonio Current said, “This was easily the best show I’ve seen so far this year, and it wasn’t about the confetti: it was about the songs and the vision of a top-notch all-around artist the regional music scene should be proud of.” She is an award-winning graphic artist as well, winning the Lonestar Music Awards Best Album Art in the year of 2010 for Cross Canadian Ragweed’s “Happiness And All The Other Things.” She also co-wrote several songs on that album. Stephanie is featured on the first season (2011 – 2012) of Troubadour, TX, which will airs nationally on the CW Network. The show follows Texas songwriters on their journey in music and writing.Little Brave on Facebook | Little Brave on Twitter | Official Website

Black Pistol Fire w/ Leopold and His Ficton & The Docs
2013-08-31 21:00 - 23:55 | 106 S Main St, Bryan, TX, 77803, United States
BLACK PISTOL FIREBlack Pistol Fire is a Canadian Rock and Roll duo that split’s time between Toronto, Ontario and Austin, Texas. Their wild and energetic rock-and-roll sound has been described as a mix of classic southern rock and garage punk, garnering comparisons to early Kings of Leon, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Black Keys, and Clutch. It’s clear that the band’s sound spans many different eras and sub-genres, relying on a classic rock and roll sound that has been updated for our modern times.Black Pistol Fire on Facebook | Black Pistol Fire on Twitter | Official Website
Leopold & His FictionNaked, stripped down and aching with adrenaline is the rawness of Leopold and his Fiction. A revolving group of friends led by Detroit native Daniel James (lead vocal/guitar), their essential make up sprouted from collaborations made on the road in the whirlwind cycle of touring. From San Francisco to LA to Austin various musical adventures had come and gone, until James found a common vision in the musicians he’d met along the way. Their seminal force is the catalyst for soul-drenched, bare-bone rock ‘n’ roll that shakes with the power of ’73-era Stooges while seducing with the rhythm and blues of Motown. Originally formed as an outlet for Daniel James to exercise his virtues gained from years in Detroit, Leopold and his Fiction absorbed pieces of the Motown catalog along with the protopunk resonance of Iggy’s Stooges and molded them into a personal version of the rock ‘n’ roll dream. “I lived a heavily drug-induced, alcohol-crazed lifestyle that I thought you needed to live to get to the top of an industry whose facade is fueled by such,” says James. “It wasn’t until I moved far away and met this family of musicians, that I found who I really am, it’s where I need to be.” James balanced his raw, naïve energy and became a founding member of country folk rock act Cowboy and Indian, enjoying a successful run playing festivals including Austin City Limits and recording a full length album. “Vocal harmony and traditional folk is one side of me,” says James, “but I need to release this direct surge of energy.” Composed and redefined on and off stage, Leopold and his Fiction is a beast in all its glory when plugged into their amplifiers and fully cranked. It’s as if they, themselves, are connected directly into an electric socket. “The band elicits a power when it’s time to perform that is unable to be harnessed in any other medium short of a fist fight,” says James. “Whether that’s on stage or in a recording studio it’s almost hard to contain it. It’s more life than I’ve ever felt before.” It was that sonic fever that landed the group recent support slots for The Cult and ZZ Top. When James was younger he wrote songs about escaping, and long trips through a desert, never really looking back, always pushing forward. With Leopold and his Fiction the songs have naturally matured. “Leopold is a fictional entity that gives me a vehicle to discover these characters,” says James. “For me, it is similar to writing a novel by cultivating very specified personalities in various and often ominous situations with different outcomes.” The songwriter claims to have gone through a rebirth since coming to Austin. It’s where he fell in love, quit drinking and had a daughter. “With nothing blanketing my receptors I can let down my guard,” he says. “I’ve never been more vulnerable and, in a way, never more fearless. It’s very honest and liberating.” For the past year Leopold and his Fiction have been working with Grammy-nominated producer Chris “Frenchie” Smith (The Datsuns, Slayer, Jet, The Dandy Warhols, etc…) in recording and capturing a captivating musical journey that is as relentless as it is inspiring. “Frenchie saw our show and listened to our records,” says James. “He was very blunt and said, ‘I’m confident I can make you guys shine!’ He brought a lot out of me and the band. The energy was very positive and the songs are confident, edgy and packed with emotion.” Amidst the band’s hook-filled party rock James was also able to refine his more melodic Neil Young / Jackson Browne side. “When I was really young and spent all my time listening to records, I would dedicate my attention to songs that facilitated my emotions,” says James. “Sometimes ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,’ other times “Going to California’. The best music for me explores a demographic of both introversion and extroversion. It’s a craft just like any other. I have to work at it rigorously over and over until I find the combination that works best for the song.” The next Leopold and his Fiction album promises a full pallet of artistry from America’s deep, dark underbelly and rootsy fabric to a revival of an Rn’B-tinged, backwoods charm. It goes back to the days when Motown and Stax loaded singles with a hip-shaking groove on the A-side and a ballad in 6/8 on the B-side that could be crooned under the moonlight.Leopold & His Fiction on Facebook | Leopold & His Fiction on Twitter | Official Website
THE DOCSWhen the Docs are playing, the sheer energy coming from the stage will pull you in, and the aura they create in the room will keep you riveted. Pulling from a wide range of influences and diverse backgrounds, they evoke the full range of emotion in their audiences with a raw, passionate sound that fuses the soft, harmonious tones of traditional Southern music and the aggressive energy of progressive rock. This is a tight-but-loose four-piece band that stretches and pushes the boundaries of current rock and roll. But The Docs didn’t start out as a high energy, in-your-face modern rock band. Each member brought his musical influences and professional background to the mix.The Docs on Facebook | The Docs on Twitter | Official Website

The Rocketboys w/ Driver Friendly & The Lonely Hunter
2013-08-30 21:00 - 23:55 | 106 S Main St, Bryan, TX, 77803, United States
THE ROCKETBOYSOn their recent recordings “20,000 Ghosts” and “Wellwisher,” The Rocketboys perfectly married themes of unity and brotherhood with rich, soaring rock, lifting the band to national critical acclaim. The band supported its releases with lengthy tours and multiple festival appearances. Almost inevitably though the rigors of the road took their toll, eventually rupturing the band’s momentum in the winter of 2010-11. Three members of the sextet of college friends from Abilene, Texas left to focus on other endeavors, and the split nearly ended the band. The resulting hiatus did have its upside, allowing front-man Brandon Kinder a window both to release a solo EP (under the name “The Wealthy West”) and to pen the theme song for The Discovery Channel’s new hit show “Bering Sea Gold.” However, in the end, the three remaining members (Kinder, keyboardist Justin Wiseman, and bassist Josh Campbell) agreed they weren’t at peace letting their collaborative venture cease to exist. The initial hurdles of rebuilding, though difficult and disheartening, began to give way to new-found inspiration. Though the song-writing process drastically changed as a result of the reduced lineup, with less proverbial “cooks in the kitchen,” a more broad, dynamic range of ideas and visions than ever fermented and flourished. The end result and forthcoming album is Build Anyway. Recorded in their home studio and mixed by CJ Eiriksson (U2, Live, Phish), the album chronicles the emotions through the brokenness in abandonment to the search for peace and closure, both personally and musically. Build Anyway is set for a June 5th release followed by national touring in Summer 2012. “What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.” – Kent Keith (made famous by Mother Teresa)The Rocketboys on Facebook | The Rocketboys on Twitter | Official WebsiteDRIVER FRIENDLYDriver Friendly is a high energy indie rock band with a distinct hornline and a touch of synth which combines to create a sound that grabs the attention of listeners and refuses to let go. Intense, energetic performances that produce an unmatched live music experience. What rock and roll should be.Driver Friendly on Facebook | Driver Friendly on Twitter | Official WebsiteTHE LONELY HUNTERThe Lonely Hunter is a rock band originally from College Station, TX. Despite the town’s profound country music background, The Lonely Hunter has developed an original sound that has drawn crowds all over Texas. Most of the guys hail from the Dallas area and have spent their younger years around the big city scene. Now that they are in Central Texas, these guys have been a driving force in the local scene, and have begun to branch out into the surrounding cities. Their sound can be defined by their beautiful melodic textures. In their latest self-titled release, The Lonely Hunter worked with Producer, MD Thompson, to create a 6-song EP that grabs you by the ear and holds you by the heart. The Lonely Hunter believes in music with a purpose and a meaning, and their on-stage performance shows nothing else.The Lonely Hunter on Facebook | The Lonely Hunter on Twitter | Official Website

The Eastern Sea w/ Buxton & The Caldwell
2013-08-29 21:00 - 23:55 | 106 S Main St, Bryan, TX, 77803, United States
THE EASTERN SEAAt times, it’s easy for The Eastern Sea to forget that Austin, Texas is home. While the band’s roots are firmly planted in the Texas Hill Country, their dynamic prose-pop travels from location to location, effortlessly moving between distant settings and their own, still somehow foreign, neighborhoods. Created in 2005 as the bedroom project of songwriter/vocalist Matthew Hines, The Eastern Sea quickly developed into a live band and released The Eastern Sea, a collection of two eponymous EPs, in 2008 and 2009 respectively. Songs such as “The Snow” and “The Name” attracted the band’s first national press and led to several festival appearances (SXSW, CMJ, FPH Summerfest) and a pair of national tours. Starting in 2010, The Eastern Sea began work on their first official LP, Plague (WhiteLabBlackLab), which was recorded to tape by Matt Smith (Ola Podrida, Golden Bear) at HOTTRACKS!!! in Austin. The completed Plague, mastered by Jeff Lipton at Peerless Mastering (Bon Iver, Andrew Bird), represents The Eastern Sea’s most cohesive collection of songs to date. Musically, it combines the hypnotic rhythm of post-rock, the playful melodies of traditional American folk, and the dynamics of contemporary progressive indie-rock. While ornate percussion lies at the heart of Plague, the signature slow builds of poly-rhythm in songs such as “Wasn’t for Love” and “The Match” serve as a launch pad for melodic bass, shimmering keys, finger-picked electric guitar, and expressive trumpet. Lyrically, Hines’ boldly present vocals weave a revealing autobiographical narrative, developing themes of change, transition, and powerlessness over the course of twelve songs.The Eastern Sea on Facebook | The Eastern Sea on Twitter | Official Website
BUXTONBuxton is an indie/rock band from Houston, TX.Buxton on Facebook | Buxton on Twitter | Official Website
THE CALDWELLThe Caldwell is an American Rock band from Houston, Texas. The band formed in 2013 after frontman James Essary wrote the bands first album, Modern Love.The Caldwell on Facebook | The Caldwell on Twitter | Official Website
