Last fall I was able to spend a week down in Texas, mainly around San Antonio. I had my itinerary: eat at as many bbq joints as I could and listen to as much live music as I could… oh, and attend the work convention I was there for as well! My first stop was the town of Gruene (pronounced “Green”), which is about a half hour outside San Antonio on the way to Austin. It was in Gruene that I discovered where they can spread my ashes, Gruene Hall. Many of you reading this have probably been there, but for those who haven’t, it is worth the trip. What a great place for live music. I was fortunate enough to be there on a day when they were hosting an all-day party called the Texas Style Musicfest, part of the

Ray Wylie Hubbard

weekend-long Gruene Music and Winefest. The Hall is fairly open, and they have a courtyard area you can escape to for a break and to sample the “grape juice.” Music started early; it had to, nine acts were scheduled. This is a place that loves music so much it won’t allow for a lull in the action. Two separate stages bookend the crowd in the middle of the hall, so there was never a break in the music! When one band ended you just turned around! I met Gregg Geil there just as the music started and was treated to performances by Micky & the Motorcars, Bleu Edmondson, Randy Rogers Band, Seth Walker, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Carolyn Wonderland, Brandon Rhyder, Tom Gillam and Tractor Pull and Stoney LaRue. You can tell these musicians love what they do and love being around each other. Charlie Sexton came down from Austin to sit in on drums for Tom Gillam. What a great event at The Americana Music Taj Mahal.

Seth Walker

On the other end of my trip I was able to visit another of Americana’s “Holy Sites”, Floore’s Country Store on the far outskirts of the San Antonio area. On the bill for the evening were two bands whose most recent CDs I was able to review, Texas Sapphires and Band of Heathens.  The musicians in these bands are the kind that can play anything and switch instruments frequently. I swear some of them could probably play “Flight of the Bumblebee” on a yard rake. The Sapphires show pays homage to classic country-western delivered in their own high energy manner by the guitar and voice of Billy Brent Malkus, the sweet voice of Rebecca Lucille Canon and the musical versatility of “Slim Bawb” Pearce.  And this was the opening act?! Most of you who visit this site have heard of Austin’s Band of Heathens, one of the best bands on the Americana scene today. The band boasts three excellent songwriters each of whom bring a slightly different sound to the band. Each handle vocal duties as well, giving the band a broad range of song styles delivering something new and fresh with just about every song they perform. The songwriting and vocal duties are handled by the trio of Gordy Quist, Colin Brooks and Ed Jurdi. They’re a rock solid band and delivered a great show.  If they come anywhere near you do yourself a favor and check them out.  Heck, they’re worth traveling across the country to see!  Unfortunately I had to leave the next day and return to the land of Kid Rock and White Stripes (not that there’s anything wrong with that…!)

Related posts:

1. Bruce Robison – It Came From San Antonio