Live Music Is Always Fun

Well for the last couple of months I've been getting crap about not going out. so this other night I went out to Cheatham Street Warehouse to see Eddie Foster Band. (My boyfriend's cousin played with him).

I feel that Cheatham Street is one of the best venues to see a small intimate show. I felt like I was up on stage that night. We were able to speak with the people on stage, shout out requests and just have a good ol' time with the band. That is the most fun that I have had at a concert in a long time. I mean how many places can you go and drink out of a mason jar.

So in conclusion, if you haven't been there yet, you need to get your bum out and go see a live show there. You won't be disappointed.

Spring Break

Well folks, Tiffany has experienced the craziest spring break ever...and apparently the largest spring break in the state of Texas. South Padre Island! Apparently last saturday, they could see the crowd of people on the beach from SPACE! Isn't that crazy?! I'm only writing about this to complain about my 2nd degree sunburn, and let everyone know that South Padre is the best beach I have been to in Texas. And can I also just mention that Texas is awesome and people from Oklahoma, Georgia, and Louisiana were just a few that I noticed in the crowd! They came all the way to the very bottom tip of Texas for spring break, that's how much we rock. Can you imagine that road trip!? All the way from the top or east side of Texas down to the Gulf Coast...this is why people love this state. There was a beach party every day from around noon to five p.m. They played alot of crazy rap music, but I also heard some Cross Canadian Ragweed and Jason Boland...that made my trip to hear all the drunken college kids singing along to "Boys from Oklahoma," and knowing every word. Makes me happy to be doing what I do. The 5 hour drive was worth every bit of it...if you ever get the chance to get down to South Padre Island, go, it's worth the experience. The water there is alot prettier than in Port Aransas or Corpus Christi. Granted, we may not have beaches like California or Florida....but you can't beat a drive like that. Next time you're planning a road trip, make sure to get these CD's for the drive...it's kinda a Texas Road Trip MUST, not to mention some Texas Country originals.
I-35 Texas Country - Various Artists
Brewed In Texas Vol. 1 - Various Artists
Brewed In Texas Vol. 2 - Various Artists
Live at Billy Bob's - Cross Canadian Ragweed
Like It Used To Be - Randy Rogers Band
Pearl Snaps - Jason Boland & The Stragglers
Live at the Jolly Fox - Eli Young Band
The Honky Tonk Kid - Aaron Watson

Failure

Ryan Bingham was in town this past weekend, along with Joe Ely and I didn't go see them. I have failed at life.
Seriously though, had tons of people coming in the next day to the store telling me how great Ryan was - even had some that were going to make the trip to Luckenbach to see him that next day. If you haven't jumped on this train yet, you better catch it before its gone. Get you're copy of Ryan's Mescalito album NOW. You won't be disappointed. If you visit my page, I've got some of his lyrics up from a hidden track on the album - it's an amazing song, I love it.
I'm excited about the next LSM Magazine to come out - got lots of work to do, so that's all I've got for now!

Isis' adventures in Houston, pt. 1

Well if you didn't make it out to any of the Trent Willmon Boot Town appearances, you missed out. It was so much fun! Although the day didn't start off the way I wanted it, I wouldn't have traded this day with any one else.

My day started off with my alarm going off around 7. I got up, got all pretty, grabbed my coffee and was out the door. It was a little foggy but nothing I couldn't handle. It was a beautiful day and a great drive. I couldn't have asked for a better drive.....well until I got to Houston.

To give you a little history, I have lived in Texas 12 years and have never been to Houston. I managed to get lost 3 times and decided that toll roads are pointless. I was a little nervous and confused at times but I was brave and made it through with flying colors.

All of this was worth it though. I had the greatest time at both CD release parties. I met so many wonderful people and had a great time. If you missed seeing me Saturday, don't worry. I'm having another adventure on Monday! I will be at Music World from 11 to 1 and at the John Deere booth at the Houston Rodeo at 5:30. So you should totally come see me. You won't be disappointed. Trent put on a great show and is really a nice guy. So get off your bums and come see Trent and I at the Rodeo.

More adventures from the road to come!

I'm back...

I want to start off by saying that Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros were absolutely amazing last night!! Seriously, if you weren't there you missed out on some top notch music, some stellar dance moves, and me falling down 6 times...and standing up 7! Well, kind of. As Michael mentioned in his note, it's mandatory meeting night for all the LSM girls anytime Walt is playing at Gruene Hall...and with these girls, you're guaranteed a good time. A few of the crew were missing, for reasons I don't think are very valid excuses. So it was Clair, Megan, Resa, Jessica and I. We're a hell of a crew. Mama Dawg was also there - and Kim and Mattson were there. It made for a really fun night! We had a customer come into the store after hours, right before we were going to take our stroll down to the hall. He was hoping he could come in and get the new Paul Thorn CD, Long Way From Tupelo. Of course, we let him come on in and get it without hesitation...I can't let that sale go to waste, it's a great CD, I think it'll be one of my favorites for quite a while. Well he just happened to be going to see Walt Wilkins as well, and he was a great dancer! (I don't remember his name, but I want to thank him for the beer and the dance!) The guys put on a great show, probably one of the best shows I've been to so far this year...then again, you really can't beat Walt Wilkins. Along with the Mystiqueros, the show is so energetic, yet still so emotionally soothing. It's like I want to cry and dance around all at the same time! You really can't match a live music experience like that. On another note: I just want to rant about how annoying it is when there's a big group of people talking really loud, laughing, and carrying on about their business during a live show. It's so rude - if you don't want to listen to the music, and you just want to drink beer and be loud, go to a bar. Otherwise, shut up and let the man sing so that everyone else there can enjoy it.
Megan and I met some lovely random guys and got drunk with them, and she also fell down six times...but she sure as hell stood up seven! haha. So she was deemed the winner of the "7 times award" by Clair. By the way, for those of you who have NO idea what I'm talking about...this is one of our favorite Walt songs right now, track 12 from the new album Diamonds in the Sun. Great album - you should definitely check it out!
I'll post some pictures later...

Well folks, that's about all I've got for now...I'll be back soon though, don't worry.
-Tiff

Walt Wilkins and the DB

Tonight Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros are playing down the road from our store at Gruene Hall. Which is great. For everyone excpet me. I love Walt Wilkins and I think he has one of the top 3 bands in Texas right now.

But here's the deal. Everyone who works at LoneStarMusic is a big fan. And when a big group of people go out to a show together there's usually one who is the DD. Most people know that means Designated Driver. When Walt plays in town, I'm the DB. Never heard of that one? It means I'm the Designated Babysitter. All of Clair & I's normal babysitters are unavailable any time Walt plays because they're all at the show.

So if you're going to see Walt tonight at Gruene Hall, tell my wife and all of the LoneStarMusic employees I said hello. Maybe I'll see you at Gruene Hall somwhere down the road. You know, on a night Walt's not playing.

The Melodic, Mischievous, Meanderings of Mando

Ok-
It's offical I now have a new #1 cd, Bucket, by Mando Saenz. I always have enjoyed Mando's music, and I always knew the talent was there. But I was not expecting this record to have such an impact on me like it has. His chillingly smooth, entrenched voice draws me in like a warm bath. It literally forces me to stop what I am doing and listen. This go around its pure emotion pumping out of him. Songs like "Pittsburgh" and "In the back of your mind" are just a couple of the songs on the record that show what an immense growth he has had since Watertown. He wont be down this way anytime soon, but when he is you can bet I will be in the front singing along. Highely recommended.

New Paul Thorn

When we get a "popular" new CD in, we usually try to add it to our in-store play system. We use the album artwork and pick 3 tracks from the CD. Most of the time there are 3 that really stand out. Sometimes there's only one or two and picking those last tunes is tough.

Then there are CDs like Paul Thorn's new disc, Long Way From Tupelo. There are 12 tracks on the disc and on my first listen I had narrowed it down to 10. Then I really tried to be ruthless with the selections (I put on my radio programmer hat) and I got it down to 6. Still too many. So I put on my Clear Channel radio programmer hat and managed to get it down to 4. But that was as far as I could go. So our policy is 3 tracks at the most, and we now have two exceptions. Jerry Jeff Walker's Viva Terlingua and Paul Thorn's Long Way From Tupelo.

If you have a login on LoneStarMusic just navigate over to the Streaming Previews and you can check out my picks. Let me know how I did.

If you don't have a login on LoneStarMusic, what's the delay? It's fast, easy, and free. No blood test required.

Can You Live Without?

I just had such a cool evening. Of course watching KNBT doing a live recording of Roots and Branches with Ray Wylie Hubbard is always cool. He is the greatest. His stories crack me up. Even the ones I have already heard. This reminds me how much I really miss having it in our store. Tonight was like three different shows, only Ray was wearing the same clothes. I went specifically to watch Guy Forsyth (which was amazing - more on that later), but I got an extra treat.

First up was Lil Bit & The Customatics. I always enjoy a little juke joint music. Too bad that MWD and I sucked so bad when we took swing lessons way back when from Tiffany Snyder (Brian Hofeldt's, very patient wife). This band would be fun to dance to. They are in the studio now, so new a CD is in the works. Also, I really enjoyed listening to Lil Bit (nicknamed that by and elderly neighbor who couldn't remember her name) talk about how inclusive the San Antonio music scene is. I see an article coming . . .

Guy Forsyth stole the show. I mean that literally. I couldn't tell if Ray was speechless (doubt that, come on) or if Guy just didn't let him get a word in. I am guessing the latter. I did miss the usual banter that Ray steers through the show, but it wasn't really annoying because Guy is such an interesting story teller too. Like when he talked about learning to play because his Mom was always bringing home broken instruments including a particular plastic banjo in which he found this song. . .he talked about more things (he is a fast talker) than my brain could retain. The songs were flawless, but I am partial. He played "105" with only the harmonica and it ROCKED. He played a couple I had never heard (and loved) and he closed with my favorite (possibly ever, all time) song "Can You Live Without" which isn't available anymore, but is going to be on his next CD "Calico Girl". I just can't wait.

Last was Jon Dee Graham. Fun! Jon Dee Graham makes Ray Wylie Hubbard happy. I enjoy watching the two of them together. They are funny, like old friends who actually like each other, not like old friends who pretend to like each other. Jon Dee Graham's music is so raw. I love it. He did this song in spanish that reminds me of an imaginary character in my head, kind of like Tom Waits Hispanic cousin. He is obviously a fan of Don Henry Ford's and so am I! He is going to have a documentary made about him, so look for that soon.

Sometimes I forget, but I love my job.

American Songwriter Tour Comes To Texas

I'm a big fan of Jason Eady, and I think "Wild Eyed Serenade" is fantastic! Over the last few weeks he's been touring with The Wrights and Stephen Simmons on the "American Songwriter Tour." This week, the tour comes to us! They have shows scheduled for Houston, Austin, New Braunfels, Dallas and Fort Worth. I will definitely be attending the show at Gruene Hall on Thursday, February 21st! The show starts at 6:00 pm and best of all it's FREE!

For more information on the tour, visit wwww.jasoneady.com. And while you're surfing the web, pick up a copy of his latest cd, "Wild Eyed Serenade" at http://www.lonestarmusic.com/. See you at the show!

Launch Day

Today is launch day for all of our new features on LoneStarMusic. Also, the second installment I posted about earlier is now up. So far, so good. No screaming tech support problems yet. Of course, it's not quite 8am yet...

Billy Joe Shaver Contest

With much help from the fine folks at Fontana Distribution we're giving away a bee-youtiful canvas print of Billy Joe Shaver. Right now the contest is limited to our store in Gruene, but we're working on getting another canvas print so we can run the contest for our online customers as well. You can check out the picture here and here, but the best way to see it is to drop by the store and see it in person. There are plenty of good reasons coming up too with in-stores from Austin Collins and Bart Crow scheduled and we may just squeeze one between them with Level Route.

Weekly Round Up Round 2

Betsy and I will be taping our second attempt at a weekly round-up of Texas Music later today. I think I have some of the sound issues worked out. We'll see. It will be up on the site Tuesday morning so let us know what you think.

We'll also be rolling out our new My LSM features to all of our newsletter subscribers tonight, so tomorrow I fully expect to earn my Tech Support badge.

Gougers now at the plate

...and the video shoot is done and up on the site now. They played a new tune, "To Mock A Killing Bird".

Gougers On Deck

For those of you who saw our first ever attempt at video, we're moving on to version 0.2 this afternoon with the Gougers. They're playing a weekend set at Gruene Hall with Reckless Kelly and they've been gracious enough to volunteer to drop by the LSM Studios before load-in for a quick chat about their new record, Long Day For The Weathervane, and play a song or two. They self-released the disc back in October of 2007 and my personal opinion is that this will turn into a Ryan Bingham like story where before the end of the year a national label out there is going to pick up the band and this record (I'm looking at you, Paul Roper).

We hope to have the video up early on Saturday. Early enough that folks will feel compelled beyond all reason to hop in the car and drive to New Braunfels to see the Gougers and Reckless Kelly at Gruene Hall that very night. Of course, all of those inspired people will then be quite angry with me as both shows are already sold out. But as long as you're in town with nothing to do, I know of this record store....

GOSH

Dang, I'm seemed really angry after I re-reading my blog. Ok then on a lighter note, Tift Merritt also has a new CD coming out, and I can not wait! Oh! and can I get a what! what! for Teddy Thompson tearin it up lately. Thats all for now, except I'm pretty sure that I am going to loose friends after I say this, but Kinky? Come on, when I need someone to tell me to de-claw my cat, or how to make good bbq I will vote for him. Sorry, ....waiting for the backlash.

Tiffany is in the hizzouse

Alright folks, you asked for it, so here it is. Get ready for Tiffany's opinion! Ha...I tend to rant and rave a just a litte. Especially about Michael's singing. He called me from Isis's phone yesterday and left me a lovely message singing a song...which was later discovered to be Johnny Cooper's "Texas To You." I'm thinking Michael should set up his own in-store show to showcase his talent. So today is Singles Awareness Day, they love me! Every mushy love song in the history of mushy love songs is being played on the radio, so I popped in the Reckless Kelly "The Day" album.....good love sucks and it can kiss my ass music. (not to mention its still my fav. reckless album!). Ah, I have some new releases I'm really looking forward to: Hayes Carll Trouble In Mind, Austin Collins Roses Are Black, Paul Thorn Long Way From Tupelo, Bart Crow Desperate Hearts, and of course as Michael stated...the new Mike McClure. Also the Reckless Kelly, MMC, Cross, and RRB stuff in the near future. I have that gut feeling that this year is going to be a great year in Texas Music. I'm not sure what it is...the word is spreading and those people who deserve the recognition for making amazing, true music are finally getting noticed. This makes me so happy to be a part of this company and this music business. On another note, Pat Green is playing down the road at Gruene Hall tonight...heard it has been sold out for quite some time now, which is exactly why I'm not going ( Because I'm broke haha).
OH, if you want "The Day" by RK...I suggest you come see me in Gruene, there's only a few copies left!!
Good News: Kinky Friedman will be running for Governor AGAIN!!

Betsy is thinking

Ok-
I'm not too good at putting what's going on in my head onto paper (or a screen) so here is me trying....First off, I can be a very bitter person when it comes to certain music, VERY bitter. I personally think that we should round up all the "music" coming from up north and give it its own genre, "pop crap" or "hank williams would be crying" what do you think? I'm not much for bashing particular people, but I still do it sometimes. Like for example, Trace Adkins..really? This is not a joke, the man believes what he does is "country", another one...Hmm..Cowboy Troy..Shoot me! I just think that these people are what give good country music a bad name. Can I get a witness? What happened to the Faron Youngs, the Leftys? Do you honestly think Rascal Flatts were influneced by them? NO! they look up to Justin Timberlake. I really don't know when Nashville officially decided to kill music, but it did, brutally. Nashville has this really weird grasp on people, IF you do "make it" you get sucked up into the industry and turned into crap, people know this but still go and try it. I don't understand. Ok that is all for now...I will go take some deep breaths...thanks for your time.

Here comes sampler Vol. 3 . . .

I have two favorites that always come up when people ask me what I like about my job (besides the obvious - like the day Billy Joe Shaver played in our store and played with my baby - normal day at work). The first one is cutting the first check to a band. Even though it is usually not that big, they are usually pretty excited to get that first check. It makes me proud to support the indy bands. The second one is the new music sampler. It is a happy time of year - everyone wins! New bands get their music heard and customers get free stuff. The sampler is full of new music, usually bands that are on their first CD and new to LSM. A few names? Just a few: Marcus Eldridge, 80 Proof Band, Bo Cox, Josh Ward Band, Hunter McHithan Band, Rich O'Toole, Mary Cutrufello and many more. It is almost ready, folks. I said in the first quarter, so I am not late yet . . .

Because I'm one of the cool kids!

I feel pretty special being able to blog about the music I love! This company has given me so many opportunities including getting introduced to some of the finest musicians around. Because I can and feel like it, I am going to tell all you kids out there who my favorite artist is right now. That would be Hayes Carll. He has the most amazing voice and talent unlike anyone. His live shows have so much energy and feeling. Every time I see him, I feel like I have experienced what ever he may be singing about. So, all you peeps still reading this should either a. go buy one of his cds, b. pre-order his new cd "Trouble In Mind" or c. Go download his music from LoneStarTunes.com. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. So until the next time I feel the need to annoy all you guys out there in computer land with my random rants, just keep doin' what your doin'! ---Isis

Mac Daddy

Looks like we'll have some new music from the Mike McClure Band on April 1st. Streamline is the working title and the first track from the CD, "Take Me Somewhere Tonight", is available to preview at the MMB MySpace.

Welcome to the new (and marginally better) LoneStarMusic blog

We tried this a few years ago and ....meh. But now all of the cool kids are doing it so save us a spot on the bandwagon. What's that? The cool kids are also huffing all the gas in Texas? Save a mason jar for us!