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The best in concerts and CDs in 2008
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| Music writer Jay Ross Martin picked the May Sounds of Texas Music concert featuring Marty Stuart as his favorite concert of 2008. |
By Jay Ross Martin IIITexas Music columnist
Well I hope everyone had a joyful and meaningful holiday season. I’m sorry about not having a column last week but I spent three days in Austin visiting my daughter and three days at St. Luke’s in the Medical Center having a physical done. With the deadline being early that week, I just didn’t have the time to write the column. Hopefully I won’t miss any more.
Well Austin was beautiful over Christmas as we visited my daughter Leslie and stayed at the legendary Driscol Hotel located on the corner of Brazos and Sixth streets. We ate great food at the popular 1886 Bakery at the hotel. The chef and owner of this cool restaurant also is the world famous chef of the 5-Star Driscol Grill. He was on the food network last week as a guest chef in the iron chef competition, competing against Iron Chef Bobby Flay. We also ate breakfast tacos at the famous Juan in a Million which was on the Travel Channel last week.
Well last Saturday local civic leader and music fan Debbie Glenn was on the air on KPFT 90.1 with Rick Heysquierdo of the Lone Star Juke Box Program. She promoted the 2009 Sounds of Texas Music Series as well as the upcoming city of Conroe First Thursday Free Concert Series which begins this April. After Debbie’s interview, Rick began listing his top 10 live shows for 2008 as well as his top 10 favorite CD releases for last year. I decided to do the same thing this week!
Well as for my favorite live performance I saw in 2008, it was the May Sounds of Texas show featuring Marty Stuart. Don’t be fooled by the Elvis haircut and the rockabilly suit, he is definitely an American musical treasure.
No. 2 on my list was the concert in Nashville at the 3rd and Lindsley Club featuring Americana Music Association “2008 Emerging New Artist of the Year,” Mike Farris. They call his music “Gospel Rock ‘n’ Roll for Catholics” and after seeing him I can see why.
No. 3 on my list was the Tom Petty and Steve Winwood Concert at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. These two veteran rockers proved they can still rock with the best of them.
No. 4 on my list was the Eli Young Band and Dave Matthews concert, also at the Pavilion. What a step up for Eli Young from the Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival to the Pavilion opening for the Dave Matthews Band who were beyond belief.
No. 5 on my list was last January’s Ryan Bingham and Joe Ely concert at Fitzgerald’s.
No. 6 on my list was the Gary Nicholson and Delbert McClinton Sounds of Texas Concert at the Crighton. Believe me Delbert and Gary proved 60 is the new 40 as they rocked the house.
No. 7 on my list was the Hayes Carll concert at 2008’s Cajun Catfish Festival.
No. 8 was the reunion concert at Cannery Row in Nashville during the Americana Music Conference by the legendary “cow punkers” Jason and the Scorchers. Think Dwight Yoakum on an overdose of amphetamines.
The Joe Ely and Sideshow Tramps at the City of Conroe First Thursday Concert in July and the Johnny Bush and Jessie Dayton, First Thursday Concert in June round out my list for 2008.
Amongst the best of the live shows for 2008 was the Crighton Players production of the “Buddy Holly Story.” Man what a great production! Also in the hunt was the fabulous Christmas concert held at the First Baptist Church featuring former Lone Star lead singer and songwriter, Richie McDonald. What a beautiful and joyous evening it was!
Well speaking of favorites, one of my favorite plays is coming to the Crighton Theatre. The play “Always Patsy Cline” will have performances on Jan. 31, Feb. 1 and Feb. 6.
The creator/playwright of “Always Patsy Cline”, Ted Swindley will attend opening night. The Old River Boys will provide the music for the play. On opening night after the play, the Corner Pub will feature Larry Butler and his band with special guest Mary McCoy, Jimmy Copeland “Paw Paw,” Jimmy Dry, Margie LeBlanc, Mary Allen-Keating and Debbie Glenn.
This production is being brought to Conroe by Gene and Betty Wolf of Sharity Productions with a portion of the proceeds going to the Humane Society.
Don’t forget the opening for the Sounds of Texas Music Series on Jan. 24 featuring the Del Castillo Band opening for the Los Lonely Boys. This one-of-a-kind acoustic show still has some good seats available. The Porter Davis Band will open outside the Crighton before the concert inside and after the show will close out the night at the Corner Pub. Call the Crighton at (936)441-7469 for more info.
Well the Corner Pub has Arthur Yoria tonight and the Brandon McDermott Band Saturday night. Tuts Saturday night has the blues/country rocking music of the Two for a Dollar Band featuring Tim Pruet on blues harp. This will be a new act for Conroe so check them out. Have fun and be safe.
Jay Ross’ Top 10 2008 CDs
Well my top 10 list for CD’s in 2008 are as follows:
No. 1 “Salvation In Lights” by Mike Farris
No. 2 is “Jubal Lee Young” by Jubal Lee Young
No. 3 is “Just Us Kids” by James McMurtry
No. 4 is “Sex and Gasoline” by Rodney Crowell
No. 5 is “Life, Death, Love and Freedom” by John Melloncamp
No. 6 is “Little Honey” by Lucinda Williams
No. 7 is “Same Old Man” by John Hiatt
No. 8 is “She Ain’t Me” by Carrie Rodriguez
No. 9 is “Trouble In Mind” by Hayes Carll
No. 10 is “Brighter Than Creation’s Dark” by The Drive By Truckers
Well Austin was beautiful over Christmas as we visited my daughter Leslie and stayed at the legendary Driscol Hotel located on the corner of Brazos and Sixth streets. We ate great food at the popular 1886 Bakery at the hotel. The chef and owner of this cool restaurant also is the world famous chef of the 5-Star Driscol Grill. He was on the food network last week as a guest chef in the iron chef competition, competing against Iron Chef Bobby Flay. We also ate breakfast tacos at the famous Juan in a Million which was on the Travel Channel last week.
Well last Saturday local civic leader and music fan Debbie Glenn was on the air on KPFT 90.1 with Rick Heysquierdo of the Lone Star Juke Box Program. She promoted the 2009 Sounds of Texas Music Series as well as the upcoming city of Conroe First Thursday Free Concert Series which begins this April. After Debbie’s interview, Rick began listing his top 10 live shows for 2008 as well as his top 10 favorite CD releases for last year. I decided to do the same thing this week!
Well as for my favorite live performance I saw in 2008, it was the May Sounds of Texas show featuring Marty Stuart. Don’t be fooled by the Elvis haircut and the rockabilly suit, he is definitely an American musical treasure.
No. 2 on my list was the concert in Nashville at the 3rd and Lindsley Club featuring Americana Music Association “2008 Emerging New Artist of the Year,” Mike Farris. They call his music “Gospel Rock ‘n’ Roll for Catholics” and after seeing him I can see why.
No. 3 on my list was the Tom Petty and Steve Winwood Concert at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. These two veteran rockers proved they can still rock with the best of them.
No. 4 on my list was the Eli Young Band and Dave Matthews concert, also at the Pavilion. What a step up for Eli Young from the Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival to the Pavilion opening for the Dave Matthews Band who were beyond belief.
No. 5 on my list was last January’s Ryan Bingham and Joe Ely concert at Fitzgerald’s.
No. 6 on my list was the Gary Nicholson and Delbert McClinton Sounds of Texas Concert at the Crighton. Believe me Delbert and Gary proved 60 is the new 40 as they rocked the house.
No. 7 on my list was the Hayes Carll concert at 2008’s Cajun Catfish Festival.
No. 8 was the reunion concert at Cannery Row in Nashville during the Americana Music Conference by the legendary “cow punkers” Jason and the Scorchers. Think Dwight Yoakum on an overdose of amphetamines.
The Joe Ely and Sideshow Tramps at the City of Conroe First Thursday Concert in July and the Johnny Bush and Jessie Dayton, First Thursday Concert in June round out my list for 2008.
Amongst the best of the live shows for 2008 was the Crighton Players production of the “Buddy Holly Story.” Man what a great production! Also in the hunt was the fabulous Christmas concert held at the First Baptist Church featuring former Lone Star lead singer and songwriter, Richie McDonald. What a beautiful and joyous evening it was!
Well speaking of favorites, one of my favorite plays is coming to the Crighton Theatre. The play “Always Patsy Cline” will have performances on Jan. 31, Feb. 1 and Feb. 6.
The creator/playwright of “Always Patsy Cline”, Ted Swindley will attend opening night. The Old River Boys will provide the music for the play. On opening night after the play, the Corner Pub will feature Larry Butler and his band with special guest Mary McCoy, Jimmy Copeland “Paw Paw,” Jimmy Dry, Margie LeBlanc, Mary Allen-Keating and Debbie Glenn.
This production is being brought to Conroe by Gene and Betty Wolf of Sharity Productions with a portion of the proceeds going to the Humane Society.
Don’t forget the opening for the Sounds of Texas Music Series on Jan. 24 featuring the Del Castillo Band opening for the Los Lonely Boys. This one-of-a-kind acoustic show still has some good seats available. The Porter Davis Band will open outside the Crighton before the concert inside and after the show will close out the night at the Corner Pub. Call the Crighton at (936)441-7469 for more info.
Well the Corner Pub has Arthur Yoria tonight and the Brandon McDermott Band Saturday night. Tuts Saturday night has the blues/country rocking music of the Two for a Dollar Band featuring Tim Pruet on blues harp. This will be a new act for Conroe so check them out. Have fun and be safe.
Jay Ross’ Top 10 2008 CDs
Well my top 10 list for CD’s in 2008 are as follows:
No. 1 “Salvation In Lights” by Mike Farris
No. 2 is “Jubal Lee Young” by Jubal Lee Young
No. 3 is “Just Us Kids” by James McMurtry
No. 4 is “Sex and Gasoline” by Rodney Crowell
No. 5 is “Life, Death, Love and Freedom” by John Melloncamp
No. 6 is “Little Honey” by Lucinda Williams
No. 7 is “Same Old Man” by John Hiatt
No. 8 is “She Ain’t Me” by Carrie Rodriguez
No. 9 is “Trouble In Mind” by Hayes Carll
No. 10 is “Brighter Than Creation’s Dark” by The Drive By Truckers
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