Tori Vasquez with Micah Vasquez
Saturday May 19th

Posted on April 22nd, 2012

Tori Vasquez with Micah Vasquez Saturday May 19th – click here to view invitation and/or RSVP

Tori Vasquez returns from EuropeWe are so excited that Tori Vasquez is performing a return engagement for our HubCityMusic.com house concert series!

Tori is just back from a European tour with Blue October.  Their 11-day tour took them through Germany and the United Kingdom, playing in venues ranging from large concert halls to the Hard Tori Vasquez - sights of EuropeRock Cafe.  Tori said the entire trip was so good it was hard to pick a favorite part, but she really enjoyed singing and performing for a different culture half a world away.  And no doubt her audiences enjoyed her just as much as she enjoyed them!  What a great opportunity, and certainly you will see more opportunities of this nature in Tori’s future.

And what an honor that with such exciting opportunities in her life, Tori is excited about her upcoming house concert for us!  She has been busy writing new songs, and has about 5 new songs that she can’t wait to share with us.  Some of these songs are from her continuing collaboration with Kenny Harris, and some are solo efforts by Tori.

Let’s pack the house again for what is sure to be a memorable concert!

Concert information: Tori Vasquez with Micah Vasquez HubCityMusic.com house concert Saturday 5/19/2012 Location: Paul Johnson’s house (Address is on the invitation/RSVP link) Doors open 6:50pm, Concert starts at 7:15pm. We ask that everyone be seated by 7:10pm. Admission $20/person. BYOB. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres served at intermission.

Tori Vasquez with Micah Vasquez Saturday May 19th – click here to view invitation and/or RSVP

See her newest video at http://torivasquez.com

Here is a video of Tori and Micah from last year’s HubCityMusic.com house concert.  Listen with good speakers if possible! (on a laptop, use headphones or earbuds.)

Follow us on Twitter @HubCityMusicCom

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Karla Davis performed live on NBC’s “The Voice”
on Monday and Tuesday (4/9 & 4/10)

Posted on April 10th, 2012

Karla DavisUpdate 4/10/2012 – Karla performed LIVE on “The Voice” this Monday (4/9) and Tuesday (4/10).  

As awesome as she was, the competition was equally awesome, and in the end, it came down to a difficult decision by coach Adam Levine.  Unfortunately, Karla did not advance to the next round, but we are proud of you, Karla, for taking this opportunity and making the most of it!

We are looking forward to a return visit to Lubbock, TX by you and Gabby! 

And a special message to Karla from all your fans in Lubbock - You did great, Karla!  Hope you took it all in and enjoyed it like you did when you performed your house concert here in Lubbock.  We love you and we’re proud of you, Karla!

 

Update 3/26/2012 – Karla Davis wins her ”Battle Round” and heads to the Live Shows on NBC’s The Voice!

After making it past the Blind Auditions and landing a spot on Adam Levine’s team, Karla Davis took the next step tonight, winning her “Battle Round” against Orlando Napier tonight on NBC’s “The Voice”!  Singing “Easy Like Sunday Morning”, Karla’s unique voice carried the day.  Way to go, Karla!

See the full video of Karla’s Battle Round win here: http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/video/orlando-napier-vs-karla-davis-easy/1392788/

Update 2/20/2012 – KARLA DAVIS MAKES ADAM LEVINE’S TEAM ON ”THE VOICE”!

Karla Davis, who hosted a HubCityMusic.com house concert here in Lubbock in August (see review near the bottom of this page), has made it past the blind auditions, and is officially on the show!  Appearing on the Blind Auditions episode that aired Monday 2/20, her rendition of “If I Die Young” turned coach Adam Levine’s chair from the first lines of the song.
Congratulations, Karla!

Time constraints did not allow the producers of the show to telecast the full song, so go HERE to The Voice website and click on Karla’s link midway down the page to see her full performance, as well as the coaches’ comments following.  You can also download the song on iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/if-i-die-young-voice-performance/id503317260.  The more people that download the song, the more attention Karla will get from the show’s producers, so spend the $1.29 and help Karla!  Less than 24 hours after her audition show aired, Karla already has one of the highest iTunes ratings!

Here’s a link to exclusive footage of Karla and Carson Daly’s interview with her just prior to her audition: http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/video/behind-the-voice-karla-davis/1386643

Find out more about Karla’s debut on The Voice on her website, www.karladavismusic.com, and at her official The Voice web page, http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/karla-davis/ 

For all of the fans still without Karla’s debut album, “Here I Am”, order yours now at www.3chordentertainment.com or download on iTunes.  Her new CD titled “360″ will be released imminently, and can be pre-ordered on this website now, along with official Karla Davis t-shirts.

Good Luck throughout the show, and best wishes from all your friends and fans!  We are very proud of you Karla!

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Brandon Gwinn with Mark Morgan
Friday April 6th

Posted on April 6th, 2012

Brandon Gwinn worship leader at Experience LifeOn April 6th friends of HubCityMusic.com were blessed by a performance by well-known musician and worship leader Brandon Gwinn, who was joined by accomplished guitarist Mark Morgan, who also plays with popular Christian band “A Road Less Traveled”.

They performed a mix of original worship songs and secular covers.  Many of the worship songs were originals written by Brandon, including several new songs he has recently written.

Brandon is well-known to Lubbock music fans from his appearances at the Cactus Theater,  and also as worship leader with the Experience Life worship band.  Mark is also a member of the eLife worship band.

Brandon’s versatility as a musician is completely across the spectrum. As a regular cast member of the Cactus Theater, Brandon has performed shows based on the music of the ’40s, ’60s, and ’70s, plus various “Tribute” shows. (He has said in another interview that his favorite Cactus show, as a performer, was a tribute to The Eagles.)

But what really has Brandon’s full attention now is his role as worship leader at Experience Life church.  Brandon has been leading worship over the last 13 years in both Lubbock and San Antonio. Brandon has been with Experience Life since the official launch of the church on September 9, 2007.

God has definitely grown Brandon in every way over the past few years. Having spent much of his ministry career in smaller congregations, the explosive growth of Experience Life has meant constant challenges and a deepened dependence on the grace of God. Brandon’s heart for worship ministry is centered around encouraging others to grow in their relationship with Him. He spends much time coaching, encouraging, challenging and discipling his praise team members to new levels of intimacy with God. He can also be found at local coffee shops and restaurants playing and singing a mix of original worship songs and popular secular covers.
No matter what the venue, for Brandon, the magic is in the message, and connecting with the audience through the message in the music.

Mark Morgan is an accomplished guitarist and has playing with the Experience Life Worship band for the past couple of years. He is also the lead guitarist for a popular local christian band called “A Road Less Traveled”. Mark spends his days teaching guitar lessons and gigging nights with several different local bands.

HubCityMusic.com made video and audio recordings of the concert, and this concert will be offered on DVD when the video and audio are mixed and produced.  Watch this space for an announcement of the availability of the DVD in perhaps about June!

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Tara-Leigh Cobble Friday March 23, 2012

Posted on March 23rd, 2012
About a year ago, Tara-Leigh Cobble hosted the second-ever HubCityMusic.com house concert to an enamored audience. Well, Tara-Leigh loved us as much as we loved her, and we recently received the following email from her:

“I’m making a pass through Texas in late March, and I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than make a return to your living room. Your house concert was my favorite tour show of 2011. I’m not kidding. It was FANTASTIC in every way!”

Now, that’s a compliment of the highest order! What an amazing compliment to our HubCityMusic.com audience and supporters, because Tara-Leigh plays a lot of concerts in a year, in a lot of great places! So it was with great anticipation on her part as well as our audience when Tara-Leigh returned for a special house concert on Friday, March 23rd.

And there was no disappointment, as Tara-Leigh immediately engaged the audience with a combination of banter, stories, interaction, and of course music.

If you haven’t experienced Tara-Leigh’s personal way of interacting with her audience, you need to find a way to see her. Because the stories Tara-Leigh tells are as engaging as her music. She just completed her second book, “Crowded Skies – Letters to Manhattan”, which is a companion to her newest CD, “Morning’s War”, and Tara-Leigh treated us to both excerpts from the book and songs from the CD as she wove together an evening of songs backed by the stories behind the songs.  You can discover both her CDs and her books at her website, www.taraleighcobble.com.

To see a review and video from Tara-Leigh’s 2011 HubCityMusic.com house concert, go to the bottom of this page and click “Older Posts”

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Mountain Stage NewSong contest regional winner
Christopher Williams February 10, 2012

Posted on January 6th, 2012

HubCityMusic.com hosts another Mountain Stage NewSong contest regional winner!

Thanks to Christopher Williams for an awesome HubCityMusic.com house concert on February 10, 2012!  CW was in top form, and he has a way of engaging the audience like no one else.  It was truly an evening to be remembered!

Here is the first video we’ve posted from this concert.  At Paul Johnson’s request, Christopher dusted off an old song that he rarely plays anymore – his own original Hope For Morning.  So, you get to share the magic!

Christopher Williams has recently received several awards and national recognition

It seems that many of our HubCityMusic.com house concert hosts are receiving recognition, and Christopher Williams, February’s HubCityMusic.com house concert host, is among them!

Karla Davis, who hosted in August, won 1st place in the national Country Showdown Finals, is now part of Adam Levine’s (of Maroon 5) team as a contestant on NBC’s hit show “The Voice”.  November host Andy Eppler was on this year’s Grammy ballot, and July host Tori Vasquez had just been named the Southwest Regional Round winner for the prestigious 2010 Mountain Stage NewSong contest, earning her a trip to New York City for the finals.

This year on Friday February 10th, Singer/Songwriter/Percussionist Christopher Williams made a return visit to Lubbock for a repeat HubCityMusic.com house concert, with similar honors under his belt. Last fall, Christopher earned accolades as the Southeast Regional Round winner for the 2011 Mountain Stage NewSong contest, earning a trip to the finals in New York City’s famous Winter Garden venue.

The Mountain Stage NewSong award certainly opens the door to broader recognition, and is another among many awards and recognition “CW” has received. In 2010 his song “Anything But Fail” won the Independent Music Award for Best New Contemporary Christian Song, and his live CD “Something As Simple” was nominated for Best Live Recording in the Independent Music Awards.

Christopher has just released his 11th CD, “Stone Water Wood Light”, and this concert is part of his CD Release Tour.  He hosted one of our first HubCityMusic.com house concerts last May, and he is excited to be back with this new CD release.

Christopher has toured all over the U.S., opening for, and playing with, noted performers such as Jars of Clay, Arlo Guthrie, Phil Keaggy, David Wilcox, Bebo Norman, and others. Christopher is a songwriter, storyteller, and entertainer – offering songs that are honest and confessional, yet never overbearing; and performances that engage audiences with an appealing mix of intense passion and humor. With “lush guitar work, and sweet soaring vocals,” (Boston Phoenix) punctuated by the percussive vulnerability of a single African djembe hand drum.

Visit CW’s website and hear samples of his many musical styles at: http://www.christopherw.com/

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SOLD OUT!
Kenny Maines house concert
January 21, 2012

Posted on December 1st, 2011

Kenny Maines performed an awesome HubCityMusic.com house concert on Saturday January 21, 2012 to a packed, sold-out house.  Accompanied by special guest, fiddler Blake Whitmire, Kenny and Blake kept everyone spellbound throughout the evening with spectacular musicianship and vocals.  Thanks, Kenny and Blake!  Video will be posted soon, so check back for a sample of their performance.

Kenny Maines needs no introduction to Lubbock music fans.  As a member of The Maines Brothers Band, Kenny has been a singer/songwriter his entire life.  Reaching great commercial success during the 1970’s and 1980’s, The Maines Brothers Band recorded a total of eight albums, two of those for Mercury Records in Nashville, Tennessee.  The band shared the stage with Alabama, Reba McIntire, Barbara Mandrell, Ronnie Milsap, Dr. Hook, The Judds, and many other artists of the era.

Known as a consummate musician, as well as music fan and a bit of a music historian, Kenny hosted the PBS series “StoryTellers & MusicMakers” on KTXT-TV.  (http://storytellersandmusicmakers.com/home.html)  In two seasons, Kenny interviewed a number of musicians whose careers were shaped by West Texas, and whose careers have shaped the West Texas music scene.  Of course, few of these have had more influence than Kenny Maines himself, both in West Texas, as well as on a national and international level.

But more than anything else, Kenny loves connecting with an audience.  As he said in his own words:  “If Ed McMahan knocked on my door tomorrow and gave me a check for ten million dollars, I swear it wouldn’t change me at all.  I would continue to do the same thing I am doing now.  I would just have a lot more fun doing it!  I can want for money, love and stuff.  But, one thing I truly need is to play my music, look out into the crowd and notice someone is listening.”

Find out more about Kenny and purchase his latest music at http://www.kennymaines.com/

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Andy & Jessica Eppler – The Prairie Scholars
November 26, 2011

Posted on November 26th, 2011

(After you read this story, be sure not to miss next one – “An Interview With Andy Eppler”)

UPDATE – This just in on Andy’s Facebook page:  “My name is on this Grammy Ballot!  I’m up for Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Performance.  I won’t win but it’s nice to be on the list.”

What a cool thing!  And what a shame if you missed our Thanksgiving weekend HubCityMusic.com house concert featuring Andy and wife Jessica (The Prairie Scholars) up close and personal.  They put on a fantastic show, and everyone who came had a great time! 

The Prairie Scholars, husband and wife team Andy and Jessica Eppler, perform together blending Andy’s darkly poetic Texas folk with Jessica’s driving and haunting rock melodies.  Honest, aggressive and passionate The Prairie Scholars document in their music a journey out of the flatlands and into the shadowy world in search of a home.  Jessica, a Sweetwater, TX native, moved to Levelland, TX upon enrolling at South Plains College.  She quickly earned the respect of her peers with her captivating songwriting and classically inspired musicality.  While at school she met Andy who had also been making a name for himself as a prolific songwriter by incessant recording and performing in nearby Lubbock, his hometown.  Soon the two were married and began producing material.  Andy released three solo albums (There is No Underground 2007, Dark Places 2008, Disease in the Heartland 2009), which gained him not only a hearty following of keen thinkers and art lovers but also glowing international reviews.
Jessica performed in the band Clandestine Amigo in venues all over the south plains and finally released a live recording in 2009 (Clandestine Amigo). The new album by The Prairie Scholars is titled Strangers in the Modern Era and is available for free as a download at www.prairiescholars.com

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An interview with Andy Eppler of The Prairie Scholars

Posted on October 24th, 2011

Andy EpplerOne thing to know about Andy Eppler is that he looks at the world through different eyes than most of us.  That unique view of the world and his sharp sense of humor show up clearly in this short interview.  Enjoy!

An Interview with Andy Eppler of The Prairie Scholars, by Paul Johnson with HubCityMusic.com:

Paul: You grew up in Lubbock, and like many native sons, found greener pastures elsewhere. Now that you’ve been away for a while, has your perspective changed any?

Andy: I have not changed in any perceivable way. I certainly haven’t grown either as a person or as an artist. I’m even wearing the same pants and shirts and what not… that’s how little I’ve grown. When I went to get my drivers license renewed the lady at the counter just looked at my old license for my height and then glanced up at me for just a split moment before she said “That looks about right”…. That is how little I’ve grown.

Paul: A lot of people subscribe to some variation of the theory that there is something about Lubbock that seems to inspire musical expression. Do you agree, and why or why not?

Andy: I think, in general, the people in Lubbock are genuinely disinterested in art. This has two effects. First, it builds a stronger feeling of community between the select few people there who really do love art. We treasure these. Second, because the crowds are so uninterested in quality art, it forces the artist to be that much better. The artist ends up getting used to working harder for the most meager attention in Lubbock and so when they go touring they knock everybody dead.

Paul: How has Lubbock influenced you as an artist?

Andy: It made me tough and it taught me to go my own way.

Paul: How do you feel when you come back to visit?

Andy: I feel good. I come for special events and great gigs… and that’s the only time I come to Lubbock. I stay just a little while and see my friends and I leave before I get mad about how they are treated by some college kid who never heard a rock and roll song before. I stay in Lubbock just long enough to remember the good times.

Paul: Is it something you look forward to?

Andy: I love playing at the Buddy Holly Center every year and following it up with a special concert the next night in the Tornado Gallery. It’s always a good combo for us and we always have a great time. All our friends come out and we are usually inspired to play a great show.

Paul: Is there anything you’d like to say to your friends in Lubbock?

The show is intended for adults only. There isn’t much tough language but we would still probably have an “R” rating. Lots of shooting and stuff in the songs.
Beyond that, this show will be best enjoyed by folks who really enjoy a well written song. That’s our focus.

Paul: Anything to say to those who may not be familiar with you?

Andy: Go to http://andyeppler.com and download our album: “Prairie Scholars: Strangers in the Modern Era” for free from our homepage.  That’s the cheapest and simplest way to test the waters.  Plus it makes the $20 ticket seem like a pretty good deal.

Paul: Free music?!  That’s got to be the best deal I’ve ever heard!  So there you have it, folks, go download their album for free, and use the money you save to attend The Prairie Scholars’ HubCityMusic.com house concert on Saturday November 26th!  Click here for concert info or to RSVP.

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Cary Banks and Steve ‘Guitar’ Williams
October 22, 2011

Posted on October 22nd, 2011

Fresh from his recent appearance with the Maines Brothers Band at their sold out reunion concert at the Civic Center Auditorium, Cary Banks brought along his good friend Steve ’Guitar’ Williams to perform a very special HubCityMusic.com house concert on Saturday October 22nd.  As the saying goes, “A fine time was had by all.”

For a peek at what you missed, we’ve posted a video of Cary and Steve performing their own arrangement of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” on YouTube.

As a member of the Maines Brothers Band, Cary toured the country at the height of their success and popularity, appearing with Alabama, Ronnie Milsap, Reba, Barbara Mandrell, Dr. Hook, The Judds, Brooks & Dunn, Steve Wariner, Jerry Jeff Walker and a many more.  He was inducted into the West Texas Walk of Fame and has performed on stage with such well known artists as the Dixie Chicks, Tom T Hall, Pat Green, Richie McDonald, Bo Diddley, Joe Ely , Terry Allen, Terry McBride and many others.
As a performer, Cary always stands out as the
individual on stage who seems to be having
the most fun!

Cary is also a prolific songwriter, and his songs have been recorded by The Maines Brothers Band, Jerry Jordan, Floyd Brown, Cheyenne Ward, Jeremy Crady, and many others. His song “Lay It Down” won first place in a Los Angeles Songwriters Showcase Song contest. He was awarded a Silver Telly Video Award as artist and co-host of the Public Broadcasting Television Series “Story Tellers & Music Makers”, and has appeared on Austin City Limits, Texas Connection, E! Entertainment TV television.

Cary is currently Chairman of the Creative Arts Department at South Plains College where he has taught and mentored many of today’s popular artists, including Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks, Heath Wright of Ricochet, Matt Jenkins, Jedd Hughes and Megan Laurie.

 

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SOLD OUT!
Second Annual Harvest Moon Concert
September 10, 2011 with The Hat Trick
Mark Wallney, Mike Boyd, and Mike Pritchard

Posted on September 10th, 2011

It’s our 2nd annual Harvest Moon Party!

SOLD OUT!

This concert is our annual celebration of life, love, and friends, at the time of each fall’s Harvest moon, the full moon closest to the Autumnal equinox.  Often, the harvest moon seems to be bigger or brighter or more colorful than other full moons, so it’s a great time to enjoy a romantic concert.  And it marks the beginning of the change of seasons, reminding us of the passing of time, and how important it is to share our time with those we love.

 

The inspiration for this extra-special house concert is taken from Neil Young’s song “Harvest Moon”, which The Hat Trick performs better than ‘ol Neil himself.
 No disrespect to Neil Young, but let’s face it, Mike Pritchard’s voice is so much smoother and stronger than Neil’s warbly falsetto, and Mark Wallney’s guitar mastery is similarly superior.   Their performance of this romantic and seasonally appropriate song sets the stage for a relaxing evening of undeniable musical and vocal talent by Mark Wallney, Mike Pritchard and Mike Boyd.

The Hat Trick needs no introduction to Lubbock music fans, as these guys are literally musical legends in Lubbock.  All three have musical chops and talent that anyone can appreciate, a point well-proven recently when none other than the legendary Graham Nash (of Crosby, Stills, and Nash and The Hollies) joined The Hat Trick onstage to perform with them!  As Mike Pritchard would later say, “It was surreal performing “Bus Stop” with they guy who wrote it!”  Mark Wallney added “Wow, we are still excited about the show and honestly fulfilled one of our childhood dreams, playing with one of our greatest music heroes. Most of you know that CSN is one of our biggest influences that even got the Hat Trick started in the first place.”

You can be sure that The Hat Trick will bring their very best to this “Harvest Moon” concert.  Let’s pack the house for them!  The show is Saturday, September 10th, and starts at 7:15pm. Admission is $20, with 100% of all proceeds going to our guest musicians.  Advance RSVP is required for this show, as it is SOLD OUT.
BYOB. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served.

SOLD OUT!  All available seats are SOLD OUT.  Thank you for your interest.

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    Tara-Leigh Cobble - Somehow Stay
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