CSJ14_MFest_ad_Layout 1 2/15/14 3:47 PM Page 1 CSJ14_MFest_ad_Layout 1 2/15/14 3:47 PM Page 1 Contents Publisher FEATURES Grammys, Nutrition Corner: Not All Bugs are Bad . . . . . 8 Ribs and Border Radio ...... 11 "And the Grammy Goes to . . " ...... 12 Sarah and Shauna Dodds of Backstage Design Studio Hold 'Em…

2014 Festival Guide ...... 16 e tend to cover a wide variety of subjects in this 2014 Grand Poker Tournament ...... 18 magazine, all connected to this genuine music lifestyle. It’s a way of life, bound by a like-minded ...... 20 W community, sharing a common thread: enjoying things that are a Kevin Russell dishes with Jon Grossman little more grounded and real. Favorite Venues ...... 27 Hats off to Reckless Kelly, and Shauna and Sarah Dodds of Backstage Design Studio, on their Grammy award-winning collaboration, Long Night Moon. The 's artwork design was recently awarded the recognition of a lifetime, a Grammy for Best Recording Packaging.

So, a well-deserved CONGRATULATIONS to both the RK guys and "the Dodds sisters,” the latter of whom grace the cover of this issue. We couldn’t think of a better way to recognize their recent accolade for their incredible design and creativity. Just earning a Grammy nomination is quite an accomplishment (which they DEPARTMENTS also earned in 2012 for Reckless Kelly's Good Luck & True Love Artists Helping Others ...... 7 release), but bringing the prestigious award back to Texas this time comes with some real bragging rights. MY Other Gig: Hal Ketchum ...... 15

MY Rig: Justin Nelson ...... 29 How’d it happen, you may ask? Well, in my opinion, take two very talented, creative ladies and throw in the renowned Braun wit MY Vinyl: Midnight River Choir ...... 30 and cleverness, and there you have it. Just goes to show, if you Music Reviews ...... 33 surround yourself with good people, anything is possible. Read more in the interview by Mike Ethan Messick. Music Charts ...... 34 While we’re bragging on them, Dickson Productions has been fortunate enough to enjoy some great designs created by The MusicFest Magazine is distributed throughout the Southwest USA and directly mailed to all 50 states, several countries Backstage Design Studio, and we certainly appreciate Sarah and read by hundreds of thousands . DON’T MISS AN ISSUE! and Shauna hanging out this year at MusicFest. Of course, the Go to dicksonproductions .com or themusicfest .com for your FREE design (and light!) aren't the only reasons to buy the album; it subscription . Advertise to over 200,000 (hard copy) and over 300,000 (online) dedicated readers . Email us at info@themusicfest .com . features some of Reckless Kelly’s finest musical and to date. On The Cover: Grammy winners, Shauna and Sarah Dodds of Backstage Design Studio, photography by Chad Wadsworth. Music sensation Shinyribs also created a heck of a buzz as first- The MusicFest Magazine is: VIEW THIS ISSUE ONLINE! timers at the MusicFest this past January. In addition to the full theMusicFest.com Publisher/Editor in Chief: . John Dickson band version, the Dung Beetle Saloon audience so enjoyed SUBSCRIBE! For mail subscription Shinyribs’ captivating acoustic gig that they created a social Managing Editor: . Eleanor Sawyer inquiries, write to [email protected] Assistant Editor: . Lauren Danser Ellerbee media storm at the festival. Check out Jon Grossman's interview As you endeavor on your musical Project Coordinator: . Sarah Hearne with Kevin Russell, who provides some interesting insight. (Stay odyssey, do not just stop at reading this tuned: we’ll have more on other new, sensational bands who’ve Art Director: . Ron Crose/Pranamedia publication. We urge you to go online Graphic Designer: . Lisa Herbert and research your favorite artists and made their mark as well.) Advertising: . Sarah Hearne venues. Educate yourselves by reading these other respected and informative Contributing Writers: Mike Ethan Messick, Texas Hold 'Em Poker also fits well into this scene, especially when publications: Texas Music Magazine, Best the annual tourney at MusicFest lends a helping hand to several Kelly Dearmore, in Texas, Lone Star Music Magazine, and Jon Grossman, Jessie Scott, Country Line Magazine. No matter who charities. Many thanks to the firefighters, including Texas Fire Chief Wendy Jo Peterson, you are, or where you are, as readers of of the Year Clay Huckaby, and of course to the musicians who've this publication and devoted followers Lauren Danser Ellerbee helped to make this evening such a success for so many great of the music it supports, we all have causes through the years. See the related story in these pages. Photo Editor: . Jacy Meador something in common: an unfailing Photography: . Todd Purifoy, Carl Dunn, enthusiasm in our hearts for the craft- Chad Wadsworth, Crouch, ing of well-made music, and a quest for All being said, Dickson Productions is so very fortunate to be adventure that this authentic music scene Richard Clark surrounded by such good people, music, and all of the folks who has shaped and produced. TheMusicFest.com: . Pranamedia make it possible. Enjoy the festival season, its people, and the music this scene is so famous for. The MusicFest Magazine is published biannually by Dickson Productions, Inc. 6425 S. IH 35, Suite 150 PMB#293, Austin, Texas 78744. Copyright 2014 by Dickson Productions. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the USA. This magazine or its trademarks may not be reproduced Cheers, in whole or in part in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented without written permission from the Publisher. For subscription inquiries John Dickson write to [email protected]. Website www.themusicfest.com. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for views expressed herein by contributors or claims made by advertisers. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for care and return of unsolicited materials.

4 theMusicFestmagazine • 2014 

The MusicFest Contributing Writers, Extended Family Get Real For The MusicFest Magazine Jessie Scott is the director of Hill Jon Grossman is a native of Country Live, with venues in New York, Brooklyn, who splits his time between traveling and Washington, D.C. She is also heard on the the country and sleeping on a south Austin, TX radio weekdays from 10 am to 3 pm at KDRP, couch. His hobbies include sleeping, eating left- Austin/Dripping Springs—Americana Radio for overs, playing word games and slowly memoriz- the Texas Hill Country. She is a partner at Music ing the capitals of every state. He can be found Fog and a founding member of the Americana Music Association loitering at far-flung dance halls and beer joints year-round. He's where she still sits on the Board of Directors. While at XM Radio, her thrilled to be writing for The MusicFest Magazine, as it affords the channel, X Country, became the most listened to Americana music chance to put his obsessive logging and chronicling to good use. station in the world. Lauren Danser Ellerbee Mike Ethan Messick is is a native New Orleanian and LSU graduate, a , a singer, an occasional recording but she settled in Austin, Texas as soon as artist, an inveterate day-jobber and in recent she could. Her lack of musical talent fuels her years also a freelance journalist in the service enthusiastic appreciation for what others do so of nearly every major music publication in his well, and she feels very fortunate to be able to home state of Texas (including Lone Star Music, express her passion through writing. Lauren enjoys traveling and Texas Music Magazine, and the Texas Music Scene blog). Hailing from learning, as well as sharing time, food, and music with the ones Baytown, educated at Texas A&M, and gigging somewhere around she loves. the state on just about any given week, Messick lives just south of South Austin with his wife Codey and their growing family. Articles in this magazine are the opinions and experiences of other people. The MusicFest Magazine cannot be held responsible for the reliability of events, Wendy Jo Peterson, MS, RD press releases or news printed or the actions and occurrences during any events, press releases, or news printed. We do not confirm submissions from is a dietitian/nutritionist who specializes in promoters, public relations representatives, or outside news sources, but simply sports nutrition with a particular interest in provide postings as a community service to our readers. All collaboration or fueling the athlete in every musician. You can verification of such postings is the responsibility of the reader prior to relying find her tweeting about “good-eats” and healthy on such information for any action that may be taken on their behalf or on the living or catch her on the road working with behalf of others. We suggest you confirm the locations and lineups of promo- musicians to modify their 12 oz. nutrition plans! tions before attending any event listed.

Happy Birthday to an Austin Original: Cactus Cafe & Bar Celebrates 35 Years!

he Cactus Cafe & Bar is one of Austin’s great acoustic music traditions. The Cactus is an intimate live music performance venue, and since the cafe Topened in February 1979, the Cactus has acquired a national reputation, showcasing the top local, regional, national and international acoustic music acts on the circuit today. Billboard magazine listed the Cactus as one of 15 “solidly respected, savvy clubs” nationwide “from which careers can be cut, that work with proven names and new faces.”

Lyle Lovett, , , , and Ani DiFranco are among the singer- who fre- quently graced the Cactus stage early in their careers. Over the last 25 years, many well-known artists have performed at the Cactus Cafe, many to return time and time again to the Cactus stage. Among them: , , Butch Hancock, , Loudon Wainwright III, , Richard Thompson, Darden Smith, , the Dixie Chicks, , Iris Dement, , Suzanne Vega, , and the list goes on…

6 theMusicFestmagazine • 2014 It's All Good

Photo by Todd Purifoy. Artists Helping Others n the music world, you will find many hard-working artists who enjoy using their God-given talents and public image to help those in need. These humble individuals respectfully give their Itime and energy to charities that are near and dear to their hearts. Here are a few fun-filled events geared toward helping others. There are also many other charitable events that are either hosted by or BigSkiTrip.com involve artists in the Texas music scene and beyond. Please support their efforts to help others. Granger Smith Boot Walk 6th Annual Randy Rogers May 4th - 8th, 2014 Band For The Sake of the Shot Austin and Killeen, TX Golf Tournament www.bootwalk.com Summer/Fall 2014 Benefiting the Boot Campaign Weatherford, TX 6th Annual Reckless Kelly www.rrbgolf.com Celebrity Softball Jam Benefiting youth in Texas May 11th, 2014 FFA Dell Diamond, Round Rock, TX 4-H Fundraiser www.rkcsj.org Fall 2014 Benefiting the Reckless Kelly Charitable Youth Foundation www.elwebman.com/ronnysmith/ 18th Annual KNBT 92 1. FM Benefiting the Ronny Smith Memorial Buyers Group Americana Music Jam The MusicFest May 18th, 2014 January 5th - 10th, 2015 Gruene Hall, New Braunfels, TX Steamboat Springs, CO www.knbt.fm – www.gruenehall.com www.themusicfest.com Benefiting The Braunfels Foundation Trust Benefiting the Center for Texas Music History, Shriners Hospital for Children-Galveston, 4-H, FFA and more! 16th Annual Bowen Classic June 1st - 2nd, 2014 Dung Beetle Saloon Waco, TX @ The MusicFest www.wadebowen.com/classic January 5th - 10th, 2015 Benefiting The Bowen Family Foundation Steamboat Springs, CO www.themusicfest.com Benefiting the French Simpson Memorial Library

www.bigskitrip.com 7 Nutrition Corner: These unique recipes will Not All Bugs help you take in a couple are Bad billion bugs: By Wendy Jo Peterson Fermented Bloody Mary This spicy tomato juice will give your system a boost after a night of fun! ou might be surprised to find out The idea of tossing back a couple billion of these bugs daily may be hard to swallow, we actually have allies in eating. 1 ounce vodka but don’t dismay – it’s easier than you YMicroscopic bacteria, also known as 8 ounces tomato juice think. Just a serving each day of any of the probiotics, join forces with our bodies to Dash of hot sauce following foods will give you more than a help aid in digestion, absorption, immunity (yep, it is fermented) billion of these beneficial bugs and some support, and mental health. We once dined Worcestershire sauce positive changes: almost exclusively on meals that boasted (yep, it’s fermented, too) these bacteria; however, with the invention Kefir Splash of pickled okra juice of packaged foods we have stepped away (yogurt-like drink) Served with a cucumber spear, stalk from the art of fermenting foods. The process Yogurt of celery, and pickled okra of fermenting foods is perhaps something Kimchi Best when shaken, not stirred! your grandparents (possibly even your (stinky fermented cabbage popular in Korea) parents) still do today. How many folks have Sauerkraut Tart Cherry & Ginger family members who make homemade (German-style fermented cabbage) pickles? Pickled okra? Beer? Wine? Cider? Kombucha-tini Kombucha Enjoy the heat of ginger and the Sourdough bread? All of these boast the little (popular fermented drink, slight vinegar taste) microbes that are now being hailed for their recovery benefits of tart cherries in Chocolate healthy attributes. this spicy martini! Wine Probiotics have received ample attention Beer 1 ounce vodka over the past decade, particularly sources of Miso soup 3 ounces Ginger Kombucha fermented dairy – yogurts, kefirs, sour cream, (popular Japanese broth-based soup) 1.5 ounces tart cherry juice Twist of lime etc. But even if you don’t like dairy you can Sourdough bread still gain the benefits of these bugs. There Gently stir and serve! Pickled Okra, Cucumbers, and Peppers are ample benefits to eating fermented foods. Probiotics have been shown to If you’d like to try your hand at art of help shorten the duration of colds, boost fermenting as our ancestors once did, be immunity, increase absorption of nutrients, sure to pick up these books: The Complete help with digestive disorders, and if you’re Idiot’s Guide to Fermenting Foods and Wild feeling a little blue, you may want to reach Fermentation. You’ll quickly learn why not for these bugs to help boost your mood, too! all bugs are bad!

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Texas Music Scene Border Radio Now, Fine Lines Often Separate Chart-Success and Box-Office Dollars by Kelly Dearmore or almost two decades, the so- and propelled the three aforementioned art- called “Texas Music Scene” has ists into a higher realm of concert drawing Fbeen as much of an industry as it capability than ever before. has been a community of like-minded artists, fans, merchants and radio personnel. Such Other things that come with a commercial isn’t a negative distinction, as the commer- enterprise’s surprising success are saturation cial aspects of any type of insurgent, artistic and exploitation. More radio stations, espe- scene (see: 1990’s Seattle or the cially in smaller markets than , for exam- Outlaw Movement of the 1970’s and 1980’s) ple, began to play more Texas Country than require a great deal of greenbacks and mar- the larger stations could, due to less corporate keting muscle to keep the movement…well, playlist control. Added to these playlists were moving. As with any other industry, a com- slightly younger studs such as , pany (or an artist, in this case) can choose Jason Boland and Reckless Kelly. By 2006, from a myriad of avenues that might lead to their goals for success.

Over the years, several Red Dirt and Texas Country artists have found their path to well-deserved notoriety. The initial titans of the Red Dirt industrial revolution – Robert Earl Keen, , , Roger Creager, Charlie Robison, and , among only a few others – have built their lucrative brands by not only pulling in plenty of people to their concerts for many years, but also from the massive support received Gary and Micky Braun from regional radio stations that continue to on air at MusicFest. frequently spin their tunes. Photo by Richard Clark. Over the past few years, successful touring or a respected reputation hasn’t necessarily equaled copious radio spins, and time on the airwaves hasn’t proven to be the most prominent force driving fans to shows any longer .

It’s fair to say that from 1996 until 2010, an the likes of the and Cross artist who was successful in packing bars and Canadian Ragweed were seen at the top of theaters also saw substantial airplay on radio festival bills and bringing thousands of fans stations throughout the Red River region. In to the Billy Bob’s and Midnight Rodeo’s of the the late 1990’s, Dallas’ top-rated KPLX 99.5 state. Their were prevalent on playlists, FM (“The Wolf”) began mixing three “Texas as well. With the ascension of so many acts, Country” songs into their rotation alongside younger artists filled the voids. As the first the top hits of the day from Tim McGraw, decade of the new millennium came to a and . Keen’s “The Road close, names like Josh Abbott, Casey Donahew Goes on Forever,” Robison’s “Barlight,” and and would become both common Green’s “Songs About Texas,” allowed 99.5 FM on the radio and big-room marquees.

to call themselves a “Texas Country Station,” Continued page 26 Photo by Todd Purifoy. 

www.bigskitrip.com 11 Photos by Chad Wadsworth.

12 theMusicFestmagazine • 2014 "And the Grammy goes to..." BAckstage Design STUDIO Sarah & Shauna Dodds DRAW HIGHEST ACCOLADES FOR BEST RECORDING PACKAGE by Mike Ethan Messick

warded for accomplishments mostly sown in 2013, infinite-budget heavyweights like Jay Z, Metallica, and David and preceded by years and sometimes decades of Bowie. If that list doesn’t make it clear, let’s reiterate: their Aexperimentation, collaboration, and general butt- competitors were not limited by genre or scale and poten- busting, international stars, such as electro-rock pioneers tially included every single album that went to print in 2013. and pop sensations Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Also impressive? Sarah and Shauna Dodds beat them all, and snagged quite a few Grammys this time around. Rock legends it wasn’t even their first nomination (Reckless Kelly’s previous including Paul McCartney, Black Sabbath, and Led Zeppelin album, the 2011 project Good Luck & True Love, also earned a all got their due. So did Texas upstarts like the newly minted deserving nod). sweetheart and R&B - slinger Gary Clark, Jr. Joining them all was Sarah and Shauna Reckless Kelly has been a muse of sorts to the Dodds in recent Dodds of Backstage Design Studio. The two tall, striking years, sort of the DeNiro to their Scorsese (or maybe vice- brunettes in full L.A. glam mode grabbed the Gramophone versa … it’s not a perfect analogy), which gives them room statue for Best Recording Package – for Reckless Kelly’s album to improvise and innovate. The Grammy-winning Long Night Long Night Moon – to bring home to the Lone Star State. Moon package was built around a textured, painterly rendi- tion of a night sky brought to life by a small black-light flash- miraculous that a light tucked in the folds of the liner notes; shining it across quintessential business the surfaces revealed serene, intricate images. Their previous Grammy-nominated collaboration on Good Luck & True Love from Austin, Texas was tapped in to vintage carnivals and penny arcades, complete out in L.A. duking it out with a black and white filmstrip starring bandleader brothers with infinite-budget Willy and Cody Braun. And their first album with Reckless, 2010’s Somewhere In Time, was arguably the coolest of the heavyweights like Jay Z, bunch (lack of huge industry nominations notwithstanding), Metallica, and . with its battered--paperback aesthetic. These proj- ects are simultaneously the crown jewels of the Dodds’ career Not to overgeneralize, but the Grammy Awards – perhaps so far and the tip of the iceberg; they resemble each other even more so than their counterparts at the Oscars and only in quality of craftsmanship, each one distinct in what it Emmys – tend to award commercial success as much as evokes and how it succeeds. (maybe more than) the subjective, harder-to-define qualities of artistic success and innovation. Which makes it remark- Backstage Design Studio is a small operation with a ton going able, to the point of nigh miraculous, that a quintessential on. In some ways that’s a refracted reflection of their child- business from Austin, Texas was out in L.A. duking it out with hood. Art was an early obsession but, through a practical

Photos by Chad Wadsworth.

www.bigskitrip.com 13 Grammy Award-Winning Recording Package: Reckless Kelly's Long Night Moon

lens, an unlikely profession. Both girls had college-material first Grammy nod pulled into their radar (for smarts and were blessed with the stature and athleticism to his 2013 release Feeling Mortal); now that there’s a Grammy pay their way through college with basketball scholarships. on the mantle of their funky South Austin office, there’s no And as with many college-aged Texans over the last couple of telling who’ll be calling them up next. To sum it up, the Dodds decades, they became smitten by the raucous, down-to-earth are great with images … To expand upon their career, let’s see charms of the independent country-rock bands and singer- how they are with words. songwriters barnstorming any town with a sizeable popula- tion hovering around the drinking age. Visuals mattered, Q: What was the first major project that merchandise mattered, packaging mattered. The Dodds real- you did? ized this, and before long they mattered to dozens of artists, Sarah: I know the first real, full album that we did was the as much as a savvy booking agent or an adept sound guy that Randy Rogers Band’s Rollercoaster record. doesn’t need to set foot on stage to be a star. Q: That was a big breakthrough album for Household names have the luxury of downplaying their the whole Texas music scene. How did that Grammy success, but to behind-the-scenes strivers like the come to pass? Dodds, it’s worth shouting from the hilltop, or at least from Sarah: I was doing the com-des [communications design] the virtual hilltops of and and their own graphic design program at Texas State, and it was my fifth website. Even more so than their associates behind the mics and final year and I’d just moved into an apartment where and and keyboards, the art directors of the world can my next door neighbor happened to be Brady Black, and it parlay awards recognition into bigger projects and bigger was right when Brady had joined the Randy Rogers Band paydays. Among the chorus of musicians rooting for the as the player. We shared a patio, and he’d say, “Yeah, I Dodds on Grammy night – aside from Reckless Kelly, of course just joined this band, the Randy Rogers Band … I don’t know – were past and future clients Wade Bowen, Aaron Watson, how it’s gonna work out.” He left me this voicemail, said we’re the Randy Rogers Band, Bart Crow, Emily Bell, Whiskey Myers going to put out a record called Rollercoaster, maybe you and other acts up and down the Texas/Red Dirt totem pole. could come up with something awesome? So I sat down and Even ’s in the mix (for his album-length collabo- worked it up all weekend, printed up a [sample] print and ration with ), and the notoriety from their folded it into a jewel case, and stuck it on his doorstep so Continued page 19 

14 theMusicFestmagazine • 2014 MY Other GiG

Hal Ketchum's Other Gig The assumption that musicians do "nothing but music" could not be further from the truth. There are amazing accomplishments artists achieve and remarkable talents that go unnoticed. In this faction of musicians there are quarterbacks, yodelers, cheerleaders, What a ¼ mile of Cedar Strips looks chefs, charity leaders, bull riders and mountain like at The Porch in San Marcos, TX. climbers. Here’s to artists who continue to break barriers and set standards.

By Hal Ketchum like working wood: with sharpened tools, it rarely argues. There’s something tangible about standing back and looking Iat a good day’s work. I got out of high school in 1971, not college bound. I went to work for Tommy Gannon, the best house builder in the county. I carried lumber for two years before I drove a nail; my interest came from learning the trade, and my craft has led me to a level of fine woodworking. I think any musician will tell you that physical work provokes the next . My favorite wood to work with is truly whatever Steve Talley, Hal Ketchum, Ken Burrows is in front of me . All woods have different properties and personalities . Some woods argue; some are forgiving .

My last project was the building of a bar top for The Porch in San Marcos, TX. My friend, Steve Talley, called me and asked me to participate. We did a lamination of 1/2” x 2” cedar strips around an 18’ oval. We estimate a quarter mile of cedar strips, all glued, screwed and tattooed. My favorite day was laying the finish...those cedar strips jumped and danced, and . The wood was grateful for yet another life.

I think any musician will tell you that physical work provokes the next song. My favorite wood to work with is truly whatever is in front of me. All woods have different properties and personalities. Some woods argue; some are forgiving. Alder carves well and gives back what you expend. And since my favorite wood is the one I’m working with at the time, right now that would be reclaimed Eastern Cedar.

I’ve been restoring a gristmill built in 1888; it has become our living quarters. I just completed a kitchen with 2” cedar countertops, a cedar slab coffee table, and also two end tables. My next project will be an eastern cedar bed. I find joy in reclaiming fine lumber; it’s very gratifying...kind of like hearing an old song in a brand new light.

www.bigskitrip.com 15 Festivals WHAT TIME IS IT? IT'S MUSIC Festival TIME! hat better way to enjoy this time Hal Ketchum, Max Stalling, The Tejas Canadian River of year than to do it "festival style" Brothers, , Davin James, Music Festival Wwith your favorite bands, beer, and Chris Wall, Tom McElvain, Jamie Richards, May 10th, 2014 buds! Festivals are forms of celebration and Jake Martin, Keene Country Canadian, TX entertainment that date back centuries. www.thomasmichaelriley.com Folk Family Revival, Shannon Whitworth, More than just a means of merriment, Rosie Flores, K Phillips and the Concho Pearls, they offer a “sense of belonging” for all Larry Joe Taylor’s 26th Adam Hood, , Pat Green who attend; everyone leaves with lasting Annual Music Festival www.canadianrivermusicfestival.com memories and new friends. Whether April 21st - 26th, 2014 you’re a connoisseur of wine, lover of Stephenville, TX parades, expert turkey-caller, golf pro, Reckless Kelly’s Kevin Fowler, , Kyle Park, Cody washer-tourney champion, or strawberry Celebrity Softball Jam Johnson, , Randy Rogers Band, Wade guru, there’s a summer festival just for you. May 11th, 2014 Bowen, Sean McConnell, , Cheers to a celebratory season of music, Round Rock, TX Green, Jason Boland & the friendship, laughter, and life! www.rkcsj.org Stragglers, Reckless Kelly, Ray Wylie Hubbard www.larryjoetaylor.com Pasadena April'14 Strawberry Festival May 16th - 18th, 2014 Old Settler’s May'14 Pasadena, TX www.strawberryfest.org Music Festival Lone Star Jam April 10th - 13th, 2014 May 3rd - 4th, 2014 Homer’s Backyard Ball Driftwood, TX Austin, TX Shovels & Rope, Bob Schneider, North May 17th, 2014 Stoney LaRue, Wade Bowen, Jack Ingram, Amarillo, TX Mississippi Allstars, Dr. Ralph Stanley & The Roger Creager, Will Hoge, Cody and www.homersbackyardball.com Clinch Mountain Boys, The Devil Makes the Departed, Bart Crow, Josh Grider, Sam Three, Robert Randolph & The Family Riggs & The Night People, Casey Donahew Band, Tim O’Brien & , John Band, Reckless Kelly, Cory Morrow, Kyle Park, KNBT 92 1. Fullbright, The Gibson Brothers, Shinyribs, Charlie Robison, Sean McConnell, American Americana ’s Twang an’ Groove, Elephant Aquarium, The Damn Quails Music Jam Revival, Donna the Buffalo, , www.lonestarjam.com May 18th, 2014 Gaelic Storm, Della Mae, Wood & Wire, The New Braunfels, TX Deadly Gentlemen, St. Paul & the Broken 5th Annual Crude Fest www.gruenehall.com Bones, Humming House, Lily & Madeleine, May 8th - 10th, 2014 Red Wine, , Front Country, Katy Kirby Midland/Odessa, TX Josh Abbott Band, Casey Donahew Band, May 22nd - June 8th, 2014 www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org Aaron Watson, Roger Creager, Cory Morrow, Kerrville, TX 7th Annual Bart Crow, Mark McKinney, William Clark www.kerrville-music.com Green, Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights, Thomas Michael Riley The Damn Quails, Johnny Cooper, Larry Joe Music Festival Taylor, Ali Dee April 11th - 13th, 2014 www.thecrudefest.com Luckenbach, TX

16 theMusicFestmagazine • 2014 Fredericksburg West Fest 70th Annual Crawfish Festival August 29th - September 1st, 2014 Peanut Festival May 23rd - 25th, 2014 West, TX October 7th, 9th - 11th, 2014 Fredericksburg, TX www.westfest.com Floresville, TX www.fbgjaycees.com/crawfish-festival www.floresvillepeanutfestival.org Buda Fire Fest August 30th, 2014 28th Annual Gruene June'14 Austin, TX Music & Wine Festival www.firefesttexas.com October 9th - 12th, 2014 61st Annual Luling Gruene, TX Watermelon Thump Benefits the United Way of Comal County June 26th - 29th, 2014 SEPT'14 www.gruenemusicandwinefest.org Luling, TX Kevin Fowler, American Aquarium, Wade Texas GatorFest The Conroe Cajun Bowen, Earl Thomas Conley, Bri Bagwell, September 12th - 14th, 2014 Catfish Festival Vince Vance & the Valiants, Jimmy Butler, Anahuac, TX October 10th - 12th, 2014 Texas Unlimited Band www.texasgatorfest.com Conroe, TX www.watermelonthump.com www.conroecajuncatfishfestival.com 15th Annual Americana Music 42nd Annual July'14 Festival & Conference Cuero Turkeyfest September 17th - 21st, 2014 October 10th - 12th, 2014 Woody Guthrie , TN Cuero, TX Folk Festival www.americanamusic.org www.turkeyfest.org July 9th - 13th, 2014 Okemah, OK Larry Joe Taylor’s Yorktown Western www.woodyguthrie.com Rhymes and Vines Days - Ziegfest Music Festival October 17th - 19th, 2014 Viva Big Bend September 18th - 20th, 2014 Yorktown, TX July 24th - 27th, 2014 Stephenville, TX www.yorktowntx.com/western-days.htm Marfa and Alpine, TX www.larryjoetaylor.com www.vivabigbend.com PLUS'15 October'14 Keep on the lookout for August'14 these upcoming events! Texas Rice Festival Braun Brothers October 1st - 5th, 2014 The MusicFest Reunion Winnie, TX January 5th - 10th, 2015 August 7th - 9th, 2014 www.texasricefestival.org Steamboat, CO Challis, ID www.themusicfest.com www.braunbrothersreunion.com Music Festival Rio Frio Fest Kerrville Wine October 3rd - 5th & 10th - 12th, 2014 Spring Break 2015 & Music Festival Austin, TX Concan, TX August 29th - 31st, 2014 www.aclfestival.com www.riofriofest.com Kerrville, TX www.kerrville-music.com

www.bigskitrip.com 17 It's All Good 2014 Grand Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament All In for Charity and Fun By Lauren Danser Ellerbee

Photos by Jessica Crouch. Photo by Todd Purifoy.

"That’s the great thing about Tourney Champion. We finally ended at 2:00 am,” with Kyle Smith of San MusicFest: it doesn’t matter Antonio, TX being the stated winner. where you’re from or what you do, but the love of Texas Country/ Smith says, “I really didn’t know what time it was until the final end. I was Red Dirt/Americana music shocked that I won…I rarely play poker. This was actually my first tour- unites all of us together ." nament I’ve ever entered.” He goes on to say, “It was a great experience and I met some really amazing people from all over the country. That’s the great thing about MusicFest: it doesn’t matter where you’re from or he ever-popular Grand Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament, what you do, but the love of Texas Country/Red Dirt/Americana music held on the first day of the MusicFest 2014 this year, deliv- unites all of us together.” Tered what it promised: entertainment, nail-biting competi- tion, and big money for charity. Second place winner, Kevin Hurt of Lincoln, NE, agrees, saying, “When we were down to the final table, there were Red Dirt and poker fans Buda, Texas Fire Chief and event organizer, Clay Huckaby, says he real- from Texas to Canada. It was just really exciting for everyone.” Hurt is a ized an opportunity to do good, as well as have fun, was presenting relative newcomer to MusicFest, having only been able to go the last itself when year after year, impromptu but regular poker matches kept two after his regular attendee brother had been urging him on for sev- popping up. He approached John Dickson, MusicFest Producer, about eral years. “It is a great event and I wish I had started attending earlier.” the idea of an organized yearly poker tournament for charity, and “the rest, they say, is history,” according to Huckaby. Cody Braun has been a big Now in its fourth year, the tournament’s participants have raised more supporter of our poker tourney than $16,000 for various charities. Huckaby says, “We’ve sold out the and has played in the event each poker tournament every year and have raised a minimum of $4,000 year . Several other artists include each year.” There’s an 80-player limit, at $50 each. Often times, players Stoney LaRue, Brady Black of and sponsors donate additional money, too. “100% of the proceeds Randy Rogers Band, Charlie go to charity. Over the years the main recipient has been the Shriners Robison, amongst others . Burn Hospital in Galveston. Since we’ve started to raise more money in previous years, we have started to branch out to other charities,” Of course, this successful event wouldn’t be possible without those who including the Reckless Kelly Charitable Youth Foundation and various volunteer their time to make it happen. Huckaby says, “Every year I have local 4-H and FFA organizations. a large group of firefighters and friends who attend MusicFest with me. The last four years we have all donated our time to set up and run the Huckaby also says they’ve been fortunate to have so much support poker tournament, check-in participants, sell re-buys, and overall make and participation from MusicFest artists. “Cody [Braun] has been a big sure the participants have a good time...We also want to thank Shiner supporter of our poker tourney and has played in the event each year. Beers as the annual MusicFest Charity Poker Tourney sponsor. Shannon Several other artists include Stoney LaRue, Brady Black of Randy Rogers Ford and her staff at the Steamboat Grand have also gone above and Band, Charlie Robison, amongst others.” beyond to accommodate our needs.”

The 2014 Grand Texas Hold ‘Em did not disappoint. Once everyone was In addition to Clay Huckaby and his wife Angie, Dickson Productions registered and accounted for, the real fun began. “This year the top would like to thank the firefighters of the Buda Fire Department, nota- three winners went head to head for over two hours. They just couldn’t bly David and Sharon Weigand; Darren Kindall and the Kansas City, MO lose. We finally made a deal between the remaining two players: who- Fire Department; Kael Katsman and the Olathe, KS Fire Department; ever won the next poker hand we would declare the MusicFest Poker and friends Ray and Christy Ramos and Audrey Alcanter.

18 theMusicFestmagazine • 2014 Continued from page 14 BAckstage Design

Brady could see it when he got home.

Shauna: I’d just graduated with a degree in graphic design and nobody was hiring graphic designers, so I’m tending bar in my hometown. It’s a bar that has live music on weekends, meaning usually. Gary P. Nunn was com- ing in pretty frequently, Aaron Watson was there like once every two months, I think Eli Young Band played in the first week or two I worked there but they were already getting too big for that bar. I started building up contacts there, and I was doing all of my husband – well, boyfriend back then – James’ band’s design stuff. They were Front Porch Texas, and eventu- ally Matt Deaton & Front Porch Texas.

Sarah: And with Shauna, and the other sisters too, we’d always talked about how we were going to own a business someday. We didn’t know what it was going to be, but we were going to own one! And this started working, we started working, we were saying, “Let’s just do this.” Aaron Watson became sort of a star client early on; we started doing his . And we made the big move to Austin in 2005.

Q: So the Randy Rogers Band album ends up being huge, and Aaron Watson starts catching on, too … were the artists beat- ing down your door already at this point? The “actual” beginning to acquiring a Grammy Shauna: Well, for three or four years, we’d be at every show we could make it to. records to see how many actual record packaging designs Sarah: Yeah, and we were never really good at the we’ve done … We’re at something like 125. But, most interest- “schmoozing” thing, but we could make friends. And we’d hit ingly, if you put them in chronological order, Reckless Kelly’s some walls … You offer to do a t-shirt design for $50, but the Long Night Moon was our 100th cover. Yeah. printer will do it for free, and sometimes the musician doesn’t have any money anyway. We’re still highly appreciative of Q: Was this an extension of some child- anyone that comes to us. For years, we’ve hung up the phone hood interest? Did you always want to be and celebrated every time there’s a new client. artists? Because a lot of kids do, but even- tually let it go. Q: What were some of the other projects Shauna: Oh, absolutely, from the time we could wrap that came to you in your earliest days? our hands around a crayon. The bucket of crayons thing we Shauna: One of our friends, Mark Sanders, put an album joked about at the Grammys, that was a real thing … No new out. And then there was Britt Lloyd, and the Cody Gill Band, crayons, necessarily, but a whole bucket of old ones. Just this and then we met up with Cory Morrow and that turned out old red ice cream pail full of colors. And building a playhouse to be a pretty big deal where we did a couple of albums for out of old scrap wood with our dad, then we’d hang out in him. Vagrants & Kings was a great one, really cool to work on. there and make “grass salad” and mud pies. We were always creative, but we went to a really small school … Q: How many artists would you estimate that you’ve worked with by now, and about Sarah: My graduating class was 12 kids. what percent of that would be “Texas country/Americana” acts? Shauna: And just 17 in mine. And a guidance counselor Shauna: Overall, I think it’s somewhere around 150 artists who’d tell us all there’s no future in art. She’d say you need to and bands. Probably 90% are country/Americana/roots-rock, go into advertising, or you’d be good in psychology. So I went but we have had a handful of other stuff. We even did a to Schreiner University in Kerrville, and straight to the psy- reggae record packaging design this year, and a design for chology department, but I’m no psychologist. I switched to a Hawaiian pop artist. Also, we recently went through our English after a semester. I finally got to a point where I could Continued page 24 

www.bigskitrip.com 19 by Jon Grossman

espite the indelible imprint Kevin Russell has made on Texas music history, his signature sound might well be his belly laugh. Russell laughs like he sings, with his whole heart and Dan unabashed joy. That jollity fills the second Shinyribs long player, Gulf Coast Museum, one of the year’s best. With his former band and hometown heroes on an indefinite hiatus, and Shinyribs full speed a-headin’ to bigger gigs and better albums, Kevin and I sat down at Strange Brew on a gray Austin morning to talk about his first Steamboat, the upcoming album, the one-of-a-kind characters who make up his band, and some of the wisdom acquired from three decades — a lifetime — of making music.

20 theMusicFestmagazine • 2014 This year was your first at MusicFest. I spoke to , another artist who achieved Did it live up to expectations? success with one group then moved on to another I had expectations, but I had no idea what to expect. My one goal chapter, about starting over. After nearly three was to end up in Reckless Kelly’s room at four in the morning – I achieved that more than one night! (Laughs) Everyone I came decades of building up one band, how does it feel across seemed to really support each other and like each other. beginning again? I didn’t expect anybody to even know me, but the vibe all week I’ve got such a great thing going creatively with the ‘ribs, it’s was tremendously open and welcoming. I dug it. actually more exciting to do it again. This has been an all- consuming project for four or five years, taking any gig I could You guys really killed it, turned on tons of new fans. get at first, slowly building it up, and it’s just now starting to pay off. Did the crowd’s enthusiasm surprise you? I was pleasantly surprised, yes. I think the Shinyribs show is so entertaining that it doesn’t matter who the audience is. It could Cody’s recently opened up his be 20 metal heads in San Anton’, and as long as they give it a catalog for The Departed to play. Any thoughts on chance, they’ll dig the music and enjoy themselves. doing so with some Gourds material for Shinyribs? I’ll occasionally play a Gourds song, but it’s usually one I liked I heard last year’s show at Rio Frio Fest was killer. that never quite worked for them. The culture of our live shows When you’re onstage, gyrating and dancing, at times was not really conducive to the contemplative, subtler songs. I feel like I know when to pull those tunes out, which rooms are on all fours, do you ever actually feel people’s minds right for them. exploding in front of you? It’s great. (Laughs) Maybe a little like what Andy Kaufman The new LP is Okra Candy. How is it shaping up must have felt. It’s settled into a nice progression – at first it’s a spectacle, people are drawn in; they’re thinking, ‘Is this guy compared to Gulf Coast Museum (its predecessor)? They have their similarities. Stylistically it’s all over the map, but serious?’ But by then the music has taken ahold of them, and it leans a little more toward the soul side of things, less ukulele, they’re wondering what kind of music is this; and before they’ve more horn-based, danceable. answered that question they’re focused on the show. It’s not so easily classified, but it’s very accessible.

Photos by Todd Purifoy.

The Gourds had a similar energy, but not so accessible, a little Sounds like the Tijuana Trainwreck horns have been a dense, maybe a little too weird for the Texas crowd. The ‘ribs are good influence! musically maybe more consistent, catchy, all about the hooks, Absolutely. Mark Wilson on sax and Tiger Anaya on , easier to digest. fantastic players and consummate professionals. I can’t keep up with them sometimes (laughs), but it’s fun to try. Speaking of hooks, and digesting, “Sweet Potato” is one of Gulf Coast Museum's standout tracks. Any Any guest singers? insight on the lyrics? I’m hoping so. I love having other singers, especially females. Got to play with Jamie and Kelley from the Trishas at the Dung Beetle (Laughs) Well, it’s semi-specific. Food as a metaphor, Saloon this year; that was great. I guess. Exploring the sensuality of eating, we’ll say.

Kelley told me she’d love that gig, just backup, dancing.

www.bigskitrip.com 21 "Playing to the cameras. Striving for some image. You can find success that way, but it’s not that interesting. You’re not contributing to the culture, to the continuum. You’re oblivious to what came before you."

22 theMusicFestmagazine • 2014 Captivating the Dung Beetle Saloon at the MusicFest

My vision for Shinyribs is the whole Vegas act eventually, girls and Besides your musical success you’re a family man with horns, a whole production. Eventually! (Laughs) , a wife and three kids. Any advice for someone seeking to The band seems full of characters already. Winfield (Cheek, juggle both? Be very kind to your woman (laughs), because she’s a single mama keyboards) seems particularly peculiar. when you’re not around. When it comes to time with your family, He is! (Laughs) That is the only guy on earth who was both a waiter at quality is more important than quantity (and it’s more often in your Studio 54, and a member of ’s band at the . control). Put your phone away; really be there when you’re there. I’m That says it all right there. The black sheep of a blue blood, southern a stay-at-home dad when I’m not on the road, and I love it, taking family, Juilliard-trained. He’s lived many lives already. everybody to school, cooking. It’s a great life.

Keith (Lankford, drums) and I can read each other’s minds, most of the time. (Laughs) He’s sympathetic to the songs, a great listener. He can It sounds like your happiness is your success. Have you ever handle criticism, knows it’s not a personal attack. Jeff (Brown, bass) wanted more fame, more recognition than you’ve received? had a group, the No-Show Ponies, who I produced years ago. He has You can’t want them to like you. For years I wanted so desperately to an infectious enthusiasm. be a rock star, to be seen as a great songwriter. It’s this animal thing; I think audiences can read that. That seems to be a common trait in the band. A lot of performers nowadays are separated somehow, they’re not It is. There’s no tug of war here, everybody’s riding in the same direction. truly engaged. It’s a technical feat, and technically it’s good, but it’s boring. It’s harder with multiple writers. As the other writer in the room, any opinion you have can be misconstrued as biased. It creates this mistrust. An unhealthy competition. syndrome? Playing to the cameras. Striving for some image. You can find success There’s also something to be said for the benevolent dictator/Jeff that way, but it’s not that interesting. You’re not contributing to the Tweedy model for a band. Democracy can work, but you have to culture, to the continuum. You’re oblivious to what came before you. understand its pitfalls, to know our tendencies as people. If you can make it work, swallowed pride and all, it can be incredible. But most There have always been tastemakers, this cabal of people who decide groups don’t last long that way, if at all. what you’re supposed to like, and they cling to it, like ants on a stick in a bucket of water. I could never understand it. Did you see any new music at Steamboat that caught your ear? I just started trusting my own whim. What moves me is what’s good. I I did. The Midnight River Choir had fantastic harmonies, I was very don’t care if anyone else likes it; if I like it, that’s all that matters, right? surprised. Got to see Turnpike Troubadours, they were great. I’ve Motivate yourself from a place that has to do with the art, yourself, your known Evan (Felker) for a while now and I’m real happy for the success soul and share that. ‘This is where I’m at, check it out, isn’t that cool?’ they’ve had.

John Fullbright’s a newer artist I like a lot. And Parker Millsap, he’s Because music is joy, it’s pure joy and that’s what you should get out of it. terrific, got it all; he oughta blow up big.

www.bigskitrip.com 23 Continued from page 19 BAckstage Design take an elective art class, and two weeks later my professor asked me, “What are you doing in English? You need to be in graphic design.” She even helped me convince my parents.

Sarah: And that actually helped me, too. I saw the projects Shauna was bringing home and instantly thought, “Oh, that’s what I want to do, too!” They had a great program where I was at Southwest Texas, now known as Texas State of course.

Q: With this many projects under your belts, the biggest honors to date – two Grammy nominations, one of them a win – have been with Reckless Kelly. What is it about them that spurs your creativity? Shauna: They’re up for pushing the envelope, no doubt, but also that they’re like family. If we come up with an idea that seems insane, we know they’re not going to think it’s crazy. The second they tell us what the name of the album is going to be, we know what it should look like. Deep down I think they know too, but then we get to bring it to life.

Q: Where did you pick up with them, specifically? Sarah: Exactly. [Laughs] Shauna’s the one who’s uptight … Sarah: I believe it was [lead guitarist] David Abeyta who contacted us, after we’d done the Willie Nelson project. We’d Shauna: Reasonable. [Laughs] And Sarah’s unreasonable. been friends forever but here was the chance to work together. Q: A lot of people might mistakenly think Q: Could you give us an example of an art- that if you make art for a living it’s easy. ist who’s really hands-on with their album Or at least always fun. In reality, what’s design, versus another who’s willing to the hard part? just hand it over? Shauna: It’s really difficult to be creative on cue. Imagine Sarah: Hands on? Aaron Watson, all the way. He knows trying to write a song about something specific, and you exactly what he wants. He’ll draw the whole layout, send it need to finish it in an hour, and someone needs to like it. It over, we might show him something else, but really he wants doesn’t work every day. the professional version of what he drew up in the first place. He comes by it honestly; he grew up in an artistic household. Sarah: Or you can’t understand someone else’s concept, His mom is a fine painter. Hands off? That’d be Reckless Kelly. and they can’t understand yours, and Shauna and I can They believe in it, they understand it, but they’ll let us spread understand each other but that’s about as far as it gets. our wings. Q: On the upside, what’s the fun part? Shauna: We’ll meet about it, talk about it, then get started. Sarah: Simple … I get to design for a living. If I didn’t get There’ll be a little back and forth, occasional feedback, but we to do it as a day job, I’d still do it at night. If I’m not creating get to split off and get it done. something, I’m probably bored.

Sarah: Sometimes it’s little things. We’re talking about Shauna: And making a client happy. We’re blessed to do Long Night Moon, getting started on it, and Willy Braun just something that you can actually see. Not everyone gets to. says to us: “I want it to glow in the dark.” Sarah: If I go to Wal-Mart and see somebody in an Aaron Q: Between the two of you sisters, what’s Watson shirt, I get a little giggle. Or we go to a show, and the dynamic? Are there some specific per- there’s dozens of them. We helped make that. sonality contrasts that make you a good match as business partners? Publisher’s Note: A well-deserved nod to Willy Braun Shauna: Sarah’s the free spirit, and I’m the one who keeps for his creative concept and direction that played a major role her reeled in. in this stellar recognition.

24 theMusicFestmagazine • 2014

Texas Music Scene

The MusicFest Big Tent Photo by Carl Dunn.

Continued from page 11 doesn’t mean you’re a dynamic live per- Indeed, a flooded market will usually offer Border Radio former. I need to book bands that will make unpredictable results. Supply and demand, people leave Hat Tricks being blown away quality or quantity: now, more than ever, But over the past few years, successful tour- by what they saw on our stage.” such factors weigh heavily when a fan is ing or a respected reputation hasn’t nec- choosing who to see perform. essarily equaled copious radio spins, and Hypothetically, if Red Dirt/Texas Country is time on the airwaves hasn’t proven to be an individual company with multiple divi- Veteran radio promoter Tami Millspaugh, the most prominent force driving fans to sions inside of it, only a handful of elite acts who works feverishly to get her clients’ shows any longer. For that matter, talent have positive returns in both the Touring songs as many spins as possible, acknowl- buyers and venue owners often disregard Department and Radio Chart Department. edges that radio success and box-office placement on regional radio charts when Randy Rogers Band, Turnpike Troubadours victories are likely separate tools in an art- deciding which bands they will book for and Roger Creager, all serious draws when ist’s workshop. their prime slots. Tony Avezzano, the owner touring, finished with songs near the top “Radio creates awareness of the artist,” she says. “But activation of the artist’s brand "Radio creates awareness of the artist,” requires multiple impressions from radio, she says . “But activation of the artist’s TV, social networking, alternate online out- brand requires multiple impressions lets and touring.” from radio, TV, social networking, alternate online outlets and touring ." For something as complex and challenging as building a fan-base and getting people out to shows can be, Avezzano, as well as of Coach Joe’s Hat Tricks in Lewisville, Texas, of the Texas Music Chart for all of 2013. But others, go about their business in a tre- has featured The Departed, Brandon Jenkins residing in the Top 50 most-played songs of mendously organic manner. Market sur- and in recent months, last year also included tunes by Josh Ward, veys, radio-spins or magazine ads can only along with a number of lesser-known but John Slaughter, Mario Flores and Jason accomplish so much in these cases. When talented artists such as Mike Ryan. Whether Cassidy. Make no mistake – each of these faced with many factors, a venue’s talent or not a performer has songs on the radio artists is young and promising, but they’ve buyer often keeps things simple when it’s isn’t of much concern to him when booking not generated passionate frenzy in terms of time to decide. for a live experience. being known as a must-see live act, let alone as artists which pack-out the bars they play “I book with my eyes and ears, not by an art- “I want to hear someone live,” says Avezzano. in – not yet, at least. ist’s number of radio spins," says Avezzano. “If you have three Top Five radio hits, that

26 theMusicFestmagazine • 2014 Texas Music Scene Favorite Venues, Fantastic Shows Gruene Hall River Road Icehouse House Pasture Cattle Company New Braunfels, TX New Braunfels, TX Concan, TX gruenehall.com riverroadicehouse.com housepasture.com 4/25 … Ray Wylie Hubbard 6/06 … Justin van Sant Band 5/24 … Gary P. Nunn 5/03 … Sean McConnell 6/21 … Josh Abbott Band 5/08 … Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros Firehouse Saloon 7/04 … 5/09 … Delbert McClinton , TX 7/05 … Randy Rogers 5/18 … 18th Annual KNBT 92.1FM firehousesaloon.com 7/19 … Kevin Fowler Americana Music Jam 4/19 … Curtis Grimes 8/02 … Bellamy Brothers 5/29 … Bill Hearne Trio 5/09 … JB & The Band 8/08 … The Spazmatics 5/11 … John Slaughter Billy Bob’s Texas 5/24 … Micky & The Motorcars The Saxon Pub Ft. Worth Stockyards Austin, TX billybobstexas.com McGonigel’s Mucky Duck thesaxonpub.com 4/11… Cody Johnson Houston, TX 4/12… Wade Bowen mcgonigels.com Cheatham Street 4/17… Folk Family Revival 4/04 … Shake Russell and Michael Hearne San Marcos, TX 4/24… William Clark Green 4/18 … Max Stalling cheathamstreet.com 4/26… Kyle Park 4/19 … Guy Forsyth 5/01… Josh Grider (CD Release) 4/25 … Bonnie Bishop Luckenbach 5/08… Crooks 4/26 … Slaid Cleaves Fredericksburg, TX 5/29… Jason Eady and Adam Hood 5/03 … & Kelly Willis luckenbachtexas.com 7/04… Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic 5/16 … John Evans 4/27 … Jason Eady, Jamie Wilson and Friends 5/17 … John Fulbright 5/04 … Walt Wilkins, Josh Grider, Sam’s Burger Joint 5/31 … Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock and Drew Kennedy , TX 6/13 … Ray Wylie Hubbard 5/10 … Walt Wilkins and The Mystiqueros samsburgerjoint.com 6/20 … Songwriters Showcase with 5/17 … Mike and the Moonpies 6/13… Rodney Crowell Shake Russell, Terri Hendrix, 5/31 … Thom Shepherd and Coley McCabe Michael Hearne, and 6/01 … Walt Wilkins, Josh Grider, Granada Theater 8/09 … Bruce Robison and Drew Kennedy Dallas, TX 6/07 … Susan Gibson, the and the Band granadatheater.com Antone’s 6/22 … Jason Eady, Jamie Wilson and Friends 4/11 … Reckless Kelly and William Clark Green Austin, TX 7/05 … Thom Shepherd and Coley McCabe 4/25 … The Dirty River Boys antonesnightclub.com 7/06 … Walt Wilkins, Josh Grider, and Drew Kennedy The Blue Door Stubb’s Bar-B-Q City, OK Austin, TX Railroad bluedoorokc.com stubbsaustin.com Alpine, TX 5/02 … Slaid Cleaves 5/01… Drive-By Truckers railroadblues.com 5/03 … Terri Hendrix with Lloyd Maines 4/03… Cody Canada and The Departed Dosey Doe: The Big Barn 5/24… Mike and the Moonpies Nutty Brown Café The Woodlands, TX Austin, TX doseydoescoffeeshop.com The Rattle Inn nuttybrown.com 4/18 … The Dirty River Boys Austin, TX 4/16… Cody Johnson Band 5/27 … Jason Eady/Real Life Real Music therattleinn.com 4/23… Brandon Rhyder 6/06 … Bellamy Brothers 4/30… Jason Boland and The Stragglers 8/02 … Pure Prairie League Tumbleweed 5/07… Micky and The Motorcars 8/07 … () Stillwater, OK with Herb Pedersen tumbleweedok.com Wormy Dog Saloon 9/12 … Duo 4/04 … Stoney LaRue Oklahoma City, OK 4/11 … Wade Bowen wormydog.com Dosey Doe: Music Café Conroe, TX Brewster Street Ice House Schroeder Dance Hall doseydoescoffeeshop.com Corpus Christi, TX Goliad, TX 4/25 … The Mystiqueros with brewsterstreet.net schroederdancehall.com Special Guest Bart De Win 4/03 … Wade Bowen with Shane Smith 4/19 … Jason Boland and The Stragglers 4/26 … Kyle Hutton Band & The Saints 5/17 … Joe Ely Floore’s Country Store 5/18 … Paul Thorn Band The Marc Helotes, TX 7/12 … Gary P. Nunn Band San Marcos, TX liveatfloores.com 7/19 … Shake Russell and Michael Hearne themarcsm.com 4/19 … Robert Earl Keen 5/10 … Wade Bowen (Paul Thorn opener) Cain’s Ballroom Courville’s 5/16 … Turnpike Troubadours Tulsa, OK Beaumont, TX 7/04 … Justin Moore cainsballroom.com courvillesconcerts.com 4/05… Uncle Lucius 4/17 … Shinyribs Whitewater Amphitheater 5/23… Jason Boland and The Stragglers New Braunfels, TX whitewaterrocks.com Grady’s 66 Pub For more links and venues go to Yukon, OK www.themusicfest.com gradys66.com

www.bigskitrip.com 27 Visit www.Itunes.com/lIVeatbIllybobstexas for all live at billy bob’s texas titles

28 theMusicFestmagazine • 2014 MY RiG

Justin Nelson of Midnight River Choir: Tools of the Trade By Justin Nelson

ey folks, Justin Nelson here Pickups are Lindy Fralin Blues Special over- from a groovy little band wound pickups from Virginia. The neck is a Hcalled Midnight River Choir. It’s Strat-style with rosewood fretboard, locking an honor to be a member of the MusicFest tuners, bass frets, and the fattest strings I can family, as we journeyed up the mountain for find. There are great players that play softly the fifth time to join the festival again this and focus on nuances in volume, and there year. Now I get to shed my vanity and tell you are others that play harder and let the strings a little bit about my guitar rig and where my do the talking. If soft and easy playing is your influences come from. style, you probably won’t like my guitar.

I guess one could call me a “Fender Guy” even though I don’t really play any gear from Fender . I like combining things to fit my taste; for example, a Tele’ body with a Strat’ neck is my favorite combo . If it feels comfy, it doesn’t matter what the name on it says!

Besides a few lessons during my ele- I try to keep it pretty straightforward as far mentary years, I really didn’t have any musi- as effects pedals go. Most of my pedals come cal experience until middle school, when I from Sam Hanke at Old School FX out of signed up for percussion in the school band. Victoria, TX. This guy has a knack for building This was a great time for me, but three years pedals that are virtually indestructible and later, I found someone who was a much don’t degrade the natural tones of the amp. better drummer than I was. So I sought out Of the pedals on my board, the one engaged a new instrument when I was 14. Music has the most is the Old School FX pedal called the always been a part of my family, especially on Fat Penguin. It picks up the string noise for my dad’s side. I grew up listening to him play a cleaner, more responsive tone, at approxi- bass, lap steel, and 12-string at church and mately the same volume. other places, until my curiosity got the best of me. Soon I began fumbling around with All of these pedals are run in line from guitar Dad’s gear, plugging different guitars into dif- to input, instead of in an FX loop, because of ferent amps trying to see what kind of crazy the amp that it’s running to. I have had the tones I could manifest. pleasure of owning a Ceriatone Overtone Special for the past four years. This amp is I guess one could call me a “Fender Guy” my favorite one I’ve ever played because even though I don’t really play any gear from of its tone and reliability. Built as a clone of Fender. I like combining things to fit my taste; a Dumble Overdrive Special, the harmonics for example, a Tele’ body with a Strat’ neck is within the overdriven tones make this amp my favorite combo. If it feels comfy, it doesn’t sing – so much so, in fact, that I haven’t had to matter what the name on it says! replace the tubes once during the four years it’s been on the road and banging around in Ok, now for the rundown. My guitar is a the trailer. So if anyone is looking to buy a spalted maple Telecaster body with a mahog- boutique amp clone, check out Nik at ceria- any back. It’s heavier than a Les Paul, but tone.com for an amp list that would make any the sustain from the mahogany is worth it. guitar player shudder. In a good way.

www.bigskitrip.com 29 Music Midnight River Choir's VinylTop 10 Vinyls "I’m stoked that the fine folks at The Musicfest Magazine have asked us to share our musical addiction with you. It’s quite an eclectic list. I can’t pass a flea market, thrift shop, or record store without stopping to check for hidden or pushed away vinyls. It’s such a rush to find something new to listen to. As you read through our 'top tens' you’ll see some familiar names, but if you haven’t heard of any of the artists, check them out. Hopefully it’ll make you feel good too." – Eric Middleton

Justin Nelson Eric Middleton Bob Driver Mitchell Pyeatt 1. 1. Theatre of the Unheard 1. So Far 1. Star Turtle - Boston - Darrell Scott - Crosby, Stills, Nash, - Harry Connick, Jr. 2. Greatest Hits Vol 1 2. Retrospective & Young 2. Lonelyland - - 2. Dark Side of the Moon - Bob Schneider 3. Texas Flood 3. Shakedown Street - Pink Floyd 3. Dark Side of The Moon - Stevie Ray Vaughan - 3. Tres Hombres - Pink Floyd and Double Trouble 4. - ZZ Top 4. Revelator 4. Physical Graffiti - Jackson Browne 4. Toys in the Attic - - Led Zeppelin 5. Nashville Skyline - Aerosmith 5. A Piece of Your Soul 5. Hotel California - 5. LA Woman - Storyville - The Eagles 6. Revelator - The Doors 6. Do the Twist 6. Dark Side of the Moon - Tedeschi Trucks Band 6. Electric Ladyland - - Pink Floyd 7. The Meters - The 7. So Long, So Wrong 7. Songlines - The Meters Experience - Alison Krauss - The Band 8. Countryman 7. Electric Mud 8. Houston, We Have a 8. Continuum - Willie Nelson - Drinking Problem - 9. Mighty High 8. Master of Reality - Bad Astronaut 9. Under The Table and - Gov’t Mule - Black Sabbath 9. A Show of Hands Dreaming 10. Willy and the Poor Boys 9. Photographs & Memories - Victor Wooten - - Creedence - 10. III Sides to Every Story 10. Deep Into It Clearwater Revival 10. Moving Waves - Extreme - Larry Carlton - Focus

30 theMusicFestmagazine • 2014 Midnight River Choir's Top 10 Vinyls 32 theMusicFestmagazine • 2014 Music Reviews by Jessie Scott

Some Old, Some New, Long Night Moon Fresh Air Daylight & Dark Maybe a Cover or Two Reckless Kelly Midnight River Choir Jason Eady Cody Canada Reckless Kelly is ‘to the manor The first time I laid eyes on the While country radio is consumed Knowing someone through the born.’ Knowing that the seeds Midnight River Choir was at with pop and rock production, there collection of his art provides were planted for their music career The MusicFest in 2011. Living in is a new era of Neo Traditionalists insight into his spirit, phases, as they were growing up, for Austin, I had been hearing about quietly being born. I can't count and life path. I think being brothers Willy and Cody Braun and them as they were establishing how many times over the last few able to bring it year after year David Abeyta, who co-produced quite the buzz at Cheatham years that I have noticed people is what separates the artist this new album with the Brauns, Street Warehouse. I knew they yearning for real deal Country from the star, but in this case, every new year, and every new were happening. I just didn’t Music, whether on Facebook, in there is plenty of charismatic release furthers the destiny. They know how much I would like newspaper articles, or online on power to call upon, too. If chug down the road, a well-oiled their music until they appeared in bulletin boards. If only the new anything, it seems like Cody machine, playing music for the front of the Music Fog cameras at Jason Eady album, Daylight & Dark, Canada has been reluctant sheer passion of it. It is a joy to the Sheraton Grand Hotel during could be heard by the folks who to put himself center stage, savor the goodies on their new MusicFest at Steamboat Springs. are asking, “Whatever happened preferring to collaborate and album, Long Night Moon. Before we Whoa baby, the crew and I were to COUNTRY MUSIC?!” First off, share the spotlight with his dig into the music, a special note all instant fans of their snakey Eady has everything it takes to be band mates and his team. I am about the exceptional creativity of Texas jam. Last year during SXSW, a major star; personality, looks, happy to see him out front in Reckless Kelly is in order. You know I heard things were underway for voice, and chops. Do remember a new way with the release of they put a lot of thought into the next album. I had also heard that the march of time has brought his solo, acoustic album Some everything they do, producing a bit of divine inspiration was in real country sounds back into the Old, Some New, Maybe A Cover world class stuff. Long Night Moon, the works, as Monty Byrom of the limelight through the decades. Or Two, which was recorded live with its lunar motif, won the band Big House (and beyond), Who knows, maybe we will see this past summer at Third Coast 2014 Grammy for Best Recording was going to produce the album. another resurgence take place. Music in Port Aransas, Texas. Package. What’s contained within Seriously, there are some things Jason’s new album, Daylight & Dark, On it, he weaves revealing is sure to delight, too, as familiar that are brilliant concepts and picks up on the thread started by stories, singing some of the themes are further explored. Just sound great on paper, but in this AM Country Heaven, and marks a music he had been working on as on Good Luck & True Love, there case it exceeds expectations. return to producer Kevin Welch since Cross Canadian Ragweed is music of the quest for love, Byrom and MRC working who helmed both albums. He ended. Since you asked, yes, the rockin’, the road weary, and together is one perfect pairing. tasked Jason with being believable, on this album he even drifts the introspective. “Didn’t Mean Huzzah, the long awaited release authentic, of owning the music. back, creating solo versions To Break Your Heart,” “The Last of Fresh Air, the follow up to Eady digs deep into the country of some Ragweed classics. It Goodbye,” and “Every Step Of The Welcome To Delirium, is upon us forms, producing disarmingly is good to see him reclaim his Way” bring that undeniably solid at last. The well-crafted, tuneful simple, emotional, and pure music. birthright here. “250,000 Things” RK musicality. And best of all is contributions here build on their Check out “Lonesome Down and is touching, ever-poignant. “17,” that whenever Reckless Kelly puts already solid repertoire. This is Out,” “OK Whiskey,” and “One, Two, “Constantly,” “Brooklyn Kid,” and out a record, the payoff comes music which is at once physical Many.” Are you sensing a theme “Dead Man” satisfy. Then there when they deliver in concert. It and cerebral; it gives you space here? Daylight & Dark was recorded are some sweet covers, like “If is a consuming thing to attend to stretch out in songs like “Miles at George Bradfute’s Tone Chaparral You’re Ever In Oklahoma.” This a show. You can’t help but get Fly" and “Funny Thing.” There are studio just outside of Nashville, is an intimate glimpse into the caught up in the bright lights solid lyrics and solid grooves and with Fats Kaplin on pedal steel and mind of Cody Canada, and in and bold music. Reckless Kelly crazy good chops throughout. fiddle, guitarist Richard Bennett, a very real way, it transitions embodies everything that makes If I had to choose one album to drummer John Gardner, and bassist him for what’s to come, with this genre so special. Rolling down bring to a desert island right now, Steve Mack. A treat indeed! At the The Departed or under his own the highway, delivering amazing it would be Fresh Air. Take it with very end of the album dig into a trio name. Listen for the intros to shows, making it their own way as you on the road. It will make you collaboration, featuring the songs. They are worth the the years unfold. feel good. and Evan Felker. price of admission on their own.

www.bigskitrip.com 33 The Charts For the week of March 3, 2014 Through its website and physical store in Gruene, TX, Lone Star Music Brought to you by Lone Star Music: has played an integral role in supporting YOUR music scene for more The Great Americana Record Store than a decade. Visit lonestarmusic.com or call 1-800-TXMUSIC Americana Music Association Charts Lone Star Music Charts Texas Music Charts

1. Rosanne Cash - The River & The Thread 1. Whiskey Myers - Early Morning Shakes 1. Curtis Grimes - The Cowboy Kind 2. Hard Working Americans 2. Jason Eady - Daylight & Dark 2. Aaron Watson - July in Cheyenne - Hard Working Americans 3. Cody Johnson Band - 3. Josh Ward - Hard Whiskey 3. Lake Street Dive - Bad Self Portraits 4. Curtis Grimes - Our Side Of The Fence 4. Casey Donahew Band - Small Town Love 4. Parker Millsap - Parker Millsap 5. Brian Keane - Coming Home 5. Kevin Fowler - Love Song 5. & - 6. Kevin Fowler - How Country Are Ya? 6. JB and the Moonshine Band w/Angaleena Presley 6. Jason Eady - Daylight & Dark 7. Jeremy Steding - My Own American Dream - Black and White 7. Carolina Story - Chapter One 8. Eli Young Band - 10,000 Towns 7. Zane Williams - Little Too Late 8. Blackie And The Rodeo Kings - South 9. Cody Canada 8. Brian Keane - Bar Lights 9. Jamestown Revival - Utah - Some Old, Some New, Maybe A Cover Or Two 9. Cody Johnson - Dance Her Home 10. Various Artists: A Tribute To Jackson Browne 10. Walt Wilkins & The Mystiqueros 10. William Clark Green - Rose Queen - Looking Into You - Wildcat Pie & The Great Walapateya 11. Granger Smith - Miles and Mud Tires 11. Amos Lee - Mountains Of Sorrow, Rivers Of Song 11. Hard Working Americans - Hard Working 12. The Statesboro Revue - Huck Finn 12. St. Paul & The Broken Bones - Half The City Americans 13. Mark McKinney - Lonely Bones 13. - 12. Mark McKinney - Standing My Ground 14. Sam Riggs - Angola’s Lament 14. Robert Ellis - The Lights From The Chemical Plant 13. Sam Riggs & The Night People - Outrun The Sun 15. Cameran Nelson - 35 Runs Both Ways 15. Will Kimbrough - Sideshow Love 14. Reckless Kelly - Long Night Moon 16. Whiskey Myers - Home 16. - A Little Piece 15. Whiskey Myers - Early Morning Shakes (Vinyl) 17. Phil Hamilton - Hold On Tight 17. - Small Town Heroes 16. Charlie Robison - High Life 18. Randy Rogers Band - Speak Of The Devil 18. Will Hoge - Never Give In 17. Jason Eady - AM Country Heaven 19. Reckless Kelly - Every Step of the Way 19. Blue Highway - The Game 18. William Clark Green - Rose Queen 20. Deryl Dodd - Loveletters 20. Devil Makes Three - I'm A Stranger Here 19. Randy Rogers Band - Trouble 21. Uncle Lucius - Somewhere Else 21. Haden Triplets - Haden Triplets 20. Turnpike Troubadours - Diamonds & Gasoline 22. Green River Ordinance - Flying 22. Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings 21. Wade Bowen - The Given 23. - Give The People What They Want 22. Jeff Whitehead - Bloodhound Heart Jason Eady - OK Whiskey 24. 23. Girls Guns & Glory - Good Luck 23. Cody Johnson Band - A Different Day John Slaughter - Ghost Town 24. - Lucky 25. Wade Bowen w/Brandy Clark 24. Uncle Lucius - And You Are Me - Love in the First Degree 25. Whiskey Gentry - Holly Grove 25. Guy Clark - My Favorite Picture Of You 26. Michael Coleman w/Jody Booth 26. Whiskey Myers - Early Morning Shakes 26. William Clark Green - Rose Queen (Vinyl) - Radio Don’t Sound Like Me 27. Laura Cantrell - No Way There From Here 27. Thieving Birds - Gold Coast 27. Rob Baird - Same Damn Thing 28. Irene Kelley - Pennsylvania Coal 28. Cody Johnson - Six Strings One Dream 28. Kylie Rae Harris - Waited 29. Lucinda Williams - Lucinda Williams 29. American Aquarium - Small Town Hymns (Vinyl) 29. Mike and the Moonpies - The Hard Way 30. Rod Picott - Hang Your Hopes On A Crooked Nail 30. - Build Me Up From Bones 30. Ray Johnston Band - Crush 31. Lydia Loveless - Somewhere Else 31. Robert Ellis - Lights From The Chemical Plant 31. Josh Grider - White Van 32. Clay Mcclinton - Bitin' At The Bit 32. Scott H. Biram - Nothin’ But Blood 32. Dolly Shine - Should’ve Known 33. Fred Eaglesmith - 33. Kacey Musgraves - Same Trailer Different Park 33. Clayton Gardner - Table for Two 34. Blue Rodeo - In Our Nature 34. Lucinda Williams - Lucinda Williams 34. Brandon Rhyder - Leave 35. Sarah Jarosz - Build Me Up From Bones 35. - Southeastern 35. Clay Thrash - My Heart 36. - A Dotted Line 36. Slaid Cleaves - Still Fighting The War 36. Rodney Parker & 50 Peso Reward 37. Mandy Barnett - I Can't Stop Loving You 37. Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Dark & Dirty Mile - Things You Make Me Do 38. Deep Dark Woods - Jubilee 38. Hayes Carll - Flowers and Liquor 37. Mike McClure Band - Silver and Blue 39. Los Lonely Boys - Revelation 39. Turnpike Troubadours - Goodbye Normal Street 38. Aubrey Lynn England - Sad Little Girl 40. Reagan Boggs - Quicksand 40. Whiskey Myers - Road of Life 39. Charlie Robison - Brand New Me 40. Dirty River Boys - Desert Wind

The Americana Airplay chart represents Lone Star Top 40 is for all albums Each weekly chart lists the Top 40 the reported play of terrestrial radio sold online & in-store for the in order of spin count. The chart stations, nationally syndicated radio shows, week prior to March 3, 2014. is based on the total airplay or satellite radio and internet stations who spins at each reporting station. have agreed to submit weekly spin counts.

34 theMusicFestmagazine • 2014