Thanks to McGuckin Entertainment PR, my wife and I had the chance to see Eleven Hundred Springs play an outstanding early set at Antone's last night. This was the first opportunity we've had to see Eleven Hundred Springs live, and we came away very impressed.

Matt Hillyer's lead vocals were crisp, as was his guitar work. Aaron Wynne played a mean pedal steel with a very business-like manner. Fiddler Jordan Hendrix cut some energizing solos from beneath his cloud of cigarette smoke. Bassist Steven Berg played a rhythmic slap bass. Drummer Mark Reznicek (formerly of The Toadies) provided a steady beat while staying out of the spotlight.

Eleven Hundred Springs played most of the songs off its 2004 Palo Duro album, Bandwagon, as well as some earlier fan favorites. The unquestionable highlight of the evening was "The Rock Island Line," which featured free-form solos by Hillyer, Wynne, Hendrix, and Berg. Hendrix seemed to really respond to the audience's encouragement, turning his energy level up a notch on each solo turn.

Eleven Hundred Springs will return to central Texas in early July, with a show at Floore's in Helotes on July 8 followed by an open-invitation float down the Guadalupe River from Bulverde to Blanco.

Legendary cowboy poet and songwriter Michael Martin Murphey is preparing to host his 19th annual WestFest, a 3-day celebration of Western culture and tradition. This year's event is in Snowmass Village, Colorado, and features performances by Dan Seals, Craig Morgan, Don Edwards, Shane Owens, and a host of entertainers. Michael Martin Murphey will take the stage daily, with songs from his new album, Storm Over the Rangeland, as well as more than three decades worth of hits. Passes are available for all 3 days ($79 each) or for single days ($35 each). What better way to spend a summer weekend than enjoying the Rockies with some of the country's top cowboy singers and artists?

Got a chance to catch a couple of informal shows this weekend…

On Friday I packed up the whole family for the 100-yard trek to the Alligator Grill, where Black Water Gospel played an acoustic set out on the deck. Featuring the impassioned vocals of Juan Gutierrez, Black Water Gospel—with its full-length debut set for a September release on Fat Caddy Records—is one to watch this year.

After a weekend in the Dallas area for a family reunion, what better way to celebrate survival and a return to Austin than another evening of live music?

On Monday, less than two hours after arriving back home, my friend Jason and I headed to Tambaleo's for a songwriter swap featuring Austin Collins, Daniel Makins, and Gordy Quist. Tambaleo's offers the perfect laid-back yet upscale atmosphere for a relaxing evening of musical give-and-take. Collins, though outclassed on guitar by his colleagues, turned in the evening's best vocal performances. Makins features an easy-going folk style that stirs up memories of hometown family and friends. This marked the first time I'd seen Quist, and he thoroughly impressed me with his stylistic range and top-notch improv skills on guitar.

If interested, you can catch Black Water Gospel, Austin Collins, Daniel Makins, and other artists at Jovita's on Friday, June 24 for Fat Caddy's inaugural South Side Musical Festivus.

posted by Patrick  # 6/14/2005 0 comments

My friend Jason and I saw Bob Schneider's new experiment, Texas Bluegrass Massacre, at Threadgill's last night. Bob admitted midway through the show, "I have no idea what bluegrass is." Well, that's OK. Texas Bluegrass Massacre is not quite bluegrass, not quite rock; more like a high-energy jamband. Whatever you want to call them, TBM is a blast.

With 8 musicians on stage, it's difficult for anyone to really stand out. But Warren Hood wowed the crowed on fiddle and mandolin, and Jeff Plankenhorn consistently amazed with his versatility on dobro, guitar, and vocals.

Also impressive was opening band Rodney Parker & 50 Peso Reward. Playing from their debut album, "Blow the Soot Out," this 5-piece group from Denton turned in a powerful set despite having to stare into the setting sun.

Several months ago Dan Rather filmed an extended interview with honky tonk hero Billy Joe Shaver. It finally airs tonight on "60 Minutes Wednesday," which starts at 8 EDT/7 CDT.