As the years have passed, and my taste in music, and my ability to relate to music has evolved, I have noticed how certain sounds, beats, and lyrical compositions that I once would have dismissed, now find their way into my daily listening.  It's no secret really that not everyone appreciates music in the same manner, and that what some might consider to be great listening, others might find simply unbearable.  This is where the beauty of music lies, the ability to invoke an emotional response.  I have, on many occasions, along with my TXRDR brethren, spoke about our individual tastes in listening indulgences, and I'm happy to say that we don't always agree on what each other is listening to at the moment. I feel that is what helps us deliver to you, the reader, a better understanding of where each of us comes from, and helps provide a much broader range of artistic offerings.  So, for today, I decided to offer up three selections, and yes, you might have already heard these tunes, I know I certainly have, but today, I ask you to take some time to really listen to the composition of each, and try and relate each to a point in your own life.  One you might love, one you might hate.  One may be too somber for you, while another might come across as too busy for your liking.  There again is where the power of music lies, you have a choice.  A choice to be filled with what emotions the artist is trying to convey, or to simply click on the next, never to listen to the previous again.  Well, without further ado, I give you a mid-week gauntlet so to speak.

    Our first selection is a very simplistic approach to music.  A woman and her words, spinning a very clear message, set to the steady rhythm of six-strings.

    While some may say that a performance like that is simply too little, and not their speed, I think it is simply a perfect offering that carries the artist's message directly to you.  A full band production on a big stage more your style?  Give this a listen then. Oh, watch the volume on this one, it recorded rather loud.

    Here again, this still might not be exactly what you are searching for.  The previous song displays a steady rhythm and thoughtful lyrics, in a more complete setting, which many can find very entertaining.  For the last offering, I give yo the newest release from what some might call a super-group of artists on this scene.  Let's check it out.

    Hopefully that song got those of you who weren't previously pleased, going.  With what I consider three very unique sounds and offerings, hopefully I have helped shed some light on those who might have still questioned just what exactly our scene is all about.  It is no one sound, no one style, or chord structure, or lyrical type, heck, that was really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this multi-named genre.  It has no clear boundaries, and hopefully never will.  It truly is undefinable.  It can be summed up by this:  it is what it is, and will always be what all of us want it to be, the kind of sounds that can be found on any radio once you leave the pavement, and venture onto those roads that are rich in history, the ones we like to call, Texas Red Dirt Roads.

For More on Nicolette Good: Click Here

For More about the Rand Rogers Band: click here

And to Here more from The Departed: Click Here

Adiós,

Aaron Bentley

aaronleebentley1979@yahoo.com

aaron@txrdr.com

Want to win tickets for 2 to Phil Hamilton's Annual Float Trip pilgrimage to the Frio River?  Fill out the form below to register! 

Here is what the winner will receive:

· 1 Primitive camping spot for 2 people for 2 nights on the Buckhorn Bar & Grill grounds for tent or RV. ( No RV hook-ups so a generator is required).
· 2 Limited Edition Philthy on the Frio Shirts
· 2 Philthy Koozies
· 2 All Access Passes for the concerts and the river float with Philthy and friends
· Tube Rental, shuttle fees and meals are not included in the prize pack

Ticket costs: $25 in advance and $35 at the door

Order tickets and primitive camping spots at www.philhamiltonmusic.com 

Schedule:

Friday, June 7th

· 12 p.m. to 2:30 Check-in at the Buckhorn in Leakey 4377 S. US Hwy 83 Leakey, TX 830-232-4755 to get wrist bands and registration. Must have receipt if you paid on-line with you at registration (or Philthy on the Frio certificate if radio winner). If you did not pre-register, cost at the door is $35 plus accommodations, tube rental and shuttle service (see info below).

· 2:30 p.m. Happy Hollow Shuttle pick up at the Buckhorn Bar and Grill for river float. Must rent tubes from Happy Hollow or bring your own.

· Approximately 2 hour float down the river. Shuttle will return you back to the Buckhorn Bar and Grill.

· On Your Own - Hang out at the Buckhorn or your cabin/campgrounds

· 8 p.m. Concert Starts with an acoustic performance from Erica Perry

· 9 p.m. Philthy Phil Hamilton takes the stage

Saturday, June 8th

Schedule Subject to Change. Philthy will announce changes Friday.

· 9-11 a.m. Breakfast

· 11 a.m. Meet at the Buckhorn for Saturday's Float

· Float until 5 p.m.

· Return to the Buckhorn Bar and Grill - On Your Own - Hang out at the Buckhorn or your cabin/campgrounds

· 8 p.m. Concert Starts with a performance from Ashley Lee

· 9 p.m. Mike Ryan performs

Sunday, June 9th

On Your Own or Nurse Your Hang-Over Float

· 11 a.m. Meet at the Buckhorn Bar and Grill for a short float

· 2 p.m. Return to Buckhorn and head home

· Check-Out

Every now and then checking out what your favorite artists are up to can lead you to some pretty incredible music from other artists. That is how I discovered Dylan Stewart. A few months ago I was checking into Mike McClure who, as a member of the Great Divide and the man responsible for bringing us The Damn Quails, has had my attention for years. After the work he did putting together Down The Hatch for The Quails I started watching Facebook for posts to see what other artists he was working with. Enter Dylan Stewart.

I had a chance to talk with Dylan recently and get a little insight to him and his music. I started with the ever popular "what made you want to be a musician" question we as writer's always resort to.

Dylan's answer: "Music." He went on to explain that as a kid his dad played music and wrote songs and that he would often sit with Dylan's uncles and play music and sing all night long and his mother sang in church. "Music was in my ears from an early age and I liked it."

His sound is best described as a combination of those he lists as influeneces. Mike McClure, James McMurtry, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Bob Dylan and Hank Williams. However as a lover and student of music Dylan also says that "a new influence is always right around the corner."

He is currently working with Mike McClure to finish up a full cd so I asked about his songwriting style.

He told me "Being a songwriter is like being a magician. Don't reveal your secrets or you will burn the experience for the audience. Songs can come from all over. They are always true feelings, just maybe not specific to exactly what I'm letting out. " He went on to say "I like how Townes and Bob Dylan do it. You know something's happening, you just don't know exactly what. It forces the listener to connect the dots and I think the best songs are done that way." Adding... "Don't you ever listen to Hayes Carll?" Point taken sir...

All I can say that is for people who enjoy good stories and well crafted songs, this is one place you should look. Dylan Stewart is not in the cookie cutter mold of country music. He is proud to be a different breed and making original Oklahoma music. Look for his acoustic album Pay The Fiddler that is out now and watch for his full band debut due out soon.

For more on Dylan Stewart go here

Til next time...

brandon@txrdr.com

@just_a_blogger on Twitter

Well folks, I am finally back. Spring break and a pretty heavy dose of writer's block sidelined me for a while but I am back in the groove and am feeling rejuvenated and inspired. That being said, let's dig in.

Probably one of the most all around talented people I have ever met is Javi Garcia. He hails from the south Texas hill country outside of Austin and fronts the band Javi Garcia & The Cold Cold Ground. Javi is not only a great singer/songwriter but is a very talented artist. He has designed T-shirts, posters and album covers for himself as well as many other musicians. Odds are that you have seen some of his work somewhere without even knowing it.

He is set to release a new CD called The Great Controversy the first week of April. I was lucky enough to hear it a few weeks ago and can not wait for the release. This album should be a game changer and make people take notice that Javi is taking his place at the front of the line. It is a soulful mix of rock, country, and americana that is unmatched by anything else today. With truthful gritty lyrics and a voice to match I picture the perfect blend of Mike McClure, Ryan Bingham and Will Hoge as you travel track to track on this album.

The video below is an acoustic version of "Stick To The Facts" one of the tracks you will find on The Great Controversy. Check it out and add this new album to your collection soon.

For more on Javi go here

Til Next Time...

Brandon

brandon@txrdr.com

brndn76@gmail.com

    December 1st, 2012 was a big day for me.  I say big, what i mean is huge.  On that day, the culmination of several weeks worth of work, not just on my part, but several others, was going to either pay off, or go bust.  That was the day we put on the Jammin' for Jennie benefit.  I was riding an emotional roller coaster in the days leading up to it to say the least.  Would we have support? Would everything be ready?  Am I crazy?  Will people come?  Lots of questions had been swirling through my mind at a fevered pace.  The line up was set, I had managed to, with one month's notice, and with strong support from Sommer and Wendi, been able to nail down a four set, five chair line-up of some seriously talented up-and-comers, and a few established acts.  But, were the people going to like everyone, and more importantly, were we going to make a difference.  I purposely set the line-up so artists who had never played together before, could now have an opportunity to share a stage.  All acoustic, no script, no rehearsals, what had I gotten myself into?  Then there was the other thing.  I booked a three seat for a group, a band I had never even heard play before.  Was this going to be a train wreck, or pure magic?

    So who was this mystery band?  Union Hill.  Never heard of them?  All I can say is, you are certainly missing out my friend.  Not only did they hit the mark, some have told me since, they stole the stage along with the show that blessed Saturday.  These guys were seriously special, why in the world have they not received any attention yet?  That was my thoughts after their first down-beat.  I was impressed.  I had taken a leap of faith, and it payed off ten fold.

    No strangers to the music industry, the members of Union Hill are by no means taking themselves too seriously.  Their music on the other hand, that is never in question.  Taking their experiences from other bands, projects, and life in general, Union Hill are packaging a product that will not only be pleasant to the ear, but intelligently crafted as well.  It's the best of both worlds really, smart, thought provoking lyrics, and a catchy beat all in a one stop shop.  Through infectious three-part harmonies, to well above average approaches to thier instruments, Union Hill quite possibly may the best thing you've never experienced.

    Sitting in on one of their practice sessions, I began to get a better feel for these salty musicians.  They possessed the grit of a seasoned touring band, and shared a comradery that is tough to find these days.  So when was this train going to leave the station for Union Hill?  With the band still in its infancy, forming just shy of a year ago, the road ahead seams clouded with mystery now, but it is a long road ahead for sure.

    Here's where you guys can come in and help.  For their first studio album, the guys have gone to using a Kickstarter. Not familiar with it?  It's real simple.  Albums and studio time are stupid expensive, and for up-starts, finding funding is almost impossible.  So you, the fans have an opportunity to be there from the beginning.  With a simple donation, you can actually help these guys reach the goal.  It really doesn't take much in the grand scheme of things.  Below I will post a link to their kickstarter page, and hopefully we can all help out.  Still think its sketchy?  I have personally donated to three different artists drives, and never found one single problem. 

    With a catalog of great, original music already under their belts, the boys of Union Hill have no plans on slowing down.   Living out the music they produce, I have faith that these guys will become part of regular rotations across the state in the next few months.  I'll leave you guys with a look at my favorite tune to date by these under-rated musicians. Oh, and in case if you were wondering, the benefit worked perfectly.  The music was supurb, the people were great, the atmosphere was amazing, and we raised a very good sum of money for a deserving family.

    Everyday we are presented with the opportunity to take chances.  Some good, some bad, others too risky, but most without a clear outcome.  How willing are you to stay in the game and take that chance?  Sometimes we are presented with opportunities that we may never be offered again.  That's the hard part, knowing what risk to take and at what time.  You don't have to be a risk taker to take a chance, just a person who doesn't want to watch life pass them by.  Be who you are, and chase those silly whims, because before you know it, they may be too far down a road that you cannot navigate you way back to.  Don't be a spectator in the game of life, get in there and live it.  This is Texas Red Dirt Roads.

To contribute to Union Hill's kickstarter: click here

For more Union Hill: Click here

Adiós,

Aaron Bentley

aaron@txrdr.com

aaronleebentley1979@yahoo.com