What I Like About Texas
As Gary P. sings, it’s a Texas thing…
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Trifecta
No, I’m not talking about the celebrity-death trifecta, even though one happened recently with Art Linkletter, Gary Coleman, and then Dennis Hopper passing away on consecutive days. I’m talking about a Texas Music trifecta that I experienced this weekend.
Friday night at Poor David’s Pub to see the legendary J.D. Souther, and even though his music pretty much defined the southern-California country-rock sound of the 70’s that catapulted artists like the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt to super-stardom, J.D.’s from Texas so I can call his songs Texas music, by cracky.
Saturday night brought it back to true native Texas Music, with Tommy Alverson’s CD release party for his new record, Texas One More Time, at Fort Worth’s legendary Casa Manana.
And finally, Sunday night wrapped up the perfect weekend - the trifecta - with Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros at Joni Beard’s Clubhouse Concerts, in its new uber-cool venue, Mambo’s Tapas Bar in downtown Fort Worth.
A-list performers in intimate, great-sounding venues with friends, three nights in a row. It’s a cliche, but it’s true - it just doesn’t get any better than that.
Texas One More Time
I seem to say this a lot, but good golly, what a night! Tommy Alverson, his regular band members, and a few extra special friends threw one of the best CD release parties/concerts I’ve ever had the pleasure of attending, last night at Casa Manana in Fort Worth. Tommy and his new record label, Blue Boots Records, also out of Fort Worth, is a perfect fit and last night that perfection was on display. The band (with several friends sitting in to take it to the next level) was perfect, the sound and overall venue (Casa Manana is kind of like Bass Hall, but without the stick up its —:) was perfect, and, most importantly for me, the stage lighting was perfect so I got some great shots!
Dallas
Did you ever see Dallas from a DC-9 at night?
Well Dallas is a jewel, oh yeah, Dallas is a beautiful sight.
And Dallas is a jungle but Dallas gives a beautiful light.
Did you ever see Dallas from a DC-9 at night?
– Joe Ely
Larry Joe Taylor Texas Music Festival 2010
Larry Joe and Zack Taylor graciously allowed me to shoot Larry Joe’s 2010 Texas Music Festival last month, and after 5 days, 40+ musical performances, weather ranging from gorgeous to shitty, 8,800 shutter-snaps and experiencing one of the times of my life, I have culled the images down to the best hundred or so per day of the festival. If you were there I hope this will bring back fond memories; if you weren’t, I hope it will give you a sense of just how great this festival always is, and you gotta get it on your bucket list. It is a modern, Texan version of Woodstock, but you don’t have to be a kid, only a kid at heart to be in the family.
Tuesday night opening campfire and Wednesday performances:
California Spring Break 2010
My daughter Jennifer and I headed out for a quick spring break trip to southern California this week. My primary interest is following the Texas Longhorn softball team at the Judy Garmin Classic at Cal State Fullerton; Jennifer’s is to spend time with one of her closest friend, Mariza, who lives in Oceanside where her US Marine husband Frank is stationed at Camp Pendleton.
We arrived on St. Patrick’s day, so naturally our first event was a block party in downtown San Diego Wednesday night, where we hooked up with a couple of Frank and Mariza’s friends.
Mariza, Vince, and Jennifer
Thursday was dedicated to Longhorn softball, In-N-Out burgers for lunch, then more Longhorn softball, then a sushi dinner at a cool lilttle place called the Love Boat back in Oceanside.
Nadia Taylor scoring her walk-off solo homerun against Arizona State
Lunch at In-N-Out!
Shelby Savony (21) being congratulated on her go-ahead homerun in the Horns’ impressive comeback win over San Jose State. Down 8-3 at one point, the Longhorn offense exploded for 10 unanswered runs in the final 3 innings, to improve their season record to 22-4.
More photos from this trip on my Flickr site, stay tuned and I’ll try to keep posting updates throught he weekend.
Dallas
Given the nice day and pleasant temperature on a weekend for the first time in a long time, Bob and I went skyline shooting Saturday night, and I came up with a couple keepers.
Dallas Skyline from the top floor parking garage of Methodist Hospital in Oak Cliff
The “Merc;” Dallas Mercantile Building (here’s a little history of this landmark building).
Southside on Lamar - the old Sears Roebuck Catalog Distribution Center, restored and re-purposed to loft-condo residential living
Love and War and Beer and Music and Friends and Fun
Tuesday night at Love and War in Texas (Plano) was a celebration of Texas Independence Day with purebred Texas music all night long, from the opening set by Randy Brown, continued with Larry Joe Taylor and his band, and brought home by Tommy Alverson and band. More photos here.
Randy Brown
Larry Joe Taylor
Tommy Alverson
Looking for the Heart of Saturday Night
This week, the heart of Saturday night was at the Granada Theater in Dallas, where a triple-bill of some of the best Texas music being made these days was featured.
The Trishas started the evening with a high energy, foot stomping set that set the pace for the rest of the night. Later described by Bruce Robison as “beautiful in so many ways,” these ladies are indeed a pleasure for the eyes and the ears. It’s especially fun to see performers who are clearly having a blast, living their dream, and basking in the glow of the stagelights. These girls have got it going - you shouldn’t miss out on your next chance to see them.
Next up was Bruce Robison with his band, and he kept the high energy vibe set by the Trishas going with a set filled with his best known songs. He filled up the dance floor with his final song, “Wrapped,” and left the stage with everyone wanting more.
And then, the headliner - the Band of Heathens. These guys are a modernized, Texanized version of the Allman Brothers Band - tight, multi-talented, and not the least bit hesitant to turn on their inner jam-band selves. They played two hours straight, including two encores, and played from start to finish with an energy level that is hard to believe they can maintain from show to show. Several of my friends who attended the show had never seen them before and were instantly won over. They are redefining the “roots rock” genre.
A slideshow of more photos from this magical night can he reached here.
