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Kenny Maines “Magic Train”
CD Release concert
Friday January 24, 2014

KENNY MAINES PLAYS TO A SOLD-OUT AUDIENCE for his CD release house concert!

(to toggle music preview on/off, click the “Compilation” to the upper right) —>Kenny Maines

The first month of the new year has been a busy one for Kenny Maines!  Fresh on the heels of the release of his new CD, “The Magic Train“, Kenny hosted two CD release concerts.  The first of these was a sold-out, intimate solo acoustic HubCityMusic.com house concert on Friday 1/24, and the second was at the Cactus Theater on Saturday January 25th with a full band CD release concert, accompanied by the musicians who participated in the making of the CD.

Paul Johnson’s house was packed to capacity (62 people!) as Kenny delivered not only the music, but the story behind the music.  In this intimate setting Kenny had plenty of opportunity to interact with the audience and share the stories behind these new songs, and how they all fit into the “Magic Train” theme of this new CD.  Needless to say, both Kenny and the audience loved the close, personal interaction that is so characteristic of house concerts.

These concerts fall at the end of a week that included the big screen release in Lubbock of Kenny’s film debut in the leading role of the action-packed movie “The Arroyo” on Monday January 20th at Lubbock’s Premier Cinema.  The movie will remain on Lubbock screens for at least two weeks, and Kenny participated in several Q&A sessions through the week.  Conceived, co-written, and directed by Lubbock native Jeremy Danial Boreing, “The Arroyo” also features another well-known Lubbock musician (and HubCityMusic.com alum) Junior Vasquez, along with notable performances by David Armendariz and Lubbock actor Glenn Polk.  Boreing is highly complimentary of Kenny’s performance, saying “In the end, Kenny Maines made this movie happen.  I enjoyed his work ethic.  I’d have to say Maines proved he could be an honest-to-God movie star.”

Kenny Maines The Magic TrainMovie star qualities are one thing, but Kenny’s songwriting and performing talent are what brought him to our collective consciousness in the first place, and that is where Kenny’s heart remains.  He is proud of “The Magic Train“, noting that the CD weaves a musical story of love, adventure, life, death and redemption, from the first song to the last, and he is excited to share that story in these CD release concerts.  Hop on board “The Magic Train”, and (if you haven’t already) buy a copy of this new CD!  It is available on Kenny’s website (www.KennyMaines.com) and on iTunes.

Here is a video of the last song (not including encores) of the night, “The Revival”:
(if music is playing, be sure to stop it before watching the video, by clicking “Magic Train compilation” at the upper-right near the top of the page)

Click here to visit Kenny’s website

Click here to see the trailer for “The Arroyo”

Kenny Maines performs at a HubCityMusic.com CD release house concert for his new CD "The Magic Train" - 1/24/2014

Kenny Maines performs at a HubCityMusic.com CD release house concert for his new CD “The Magic Train” – 1/24/2014

Sold out again!
Fourth Annual Harvest Moon Concert
Friday 9/20/2013 with The Hat Trick
Mike Pritchard, Mark Wallney & Mike Boyd

Our 4th Annual Harvest Moon party!

3rd Annual Harvest Moon House Concert

It sold out again, this time in only 24 hours!  It’s become a tradition – our 4th Annual Harvest Moon Concert with Mike Pritchard, Mark Wallney, and Mike Boyd, aka The Hat Trick.  And they were in top form, perhaps the best they’ve ever been!  It was a musically perfect evening, with a magical aura that seems to accompany the Harvest Moon.

This concert is our 4th 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.

TheHatTrick2No 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.”

Here is a video of their performance of “Helplessly Hoping” from their 2013 HubCityMusic.com Harvest Moon house concert:

Here is a video of these guys performing “Harvest Moon” at the prior year’s HubCityMusic.com annual Harvest Moon house concert on 9/29/2012:

Wendy Colonna
Friday June 21, 2013

Wendy Colonna

Wendy Colonna – voted Austin’s “Best Singer Songwriter” (Austin American Statesman)

Wendy Colonna combines the heart and soul of her Louisiana roots with the funky refinement of her current Austin domicile, and the result is a sophisticated, sexy, soulful sound that is all her own, yet remains accessible and inviting.  A masterful songwriter, her poetic lyrics have an interesting edge that connote meaning beyond words, and her delivery – which can vary between melodic and gritty – brings them home with soulful style. 

A multi-year regular at the Buddy Holly Summer Showcase, Wendy has performed two annual HubCityMusic.com house concerts at Paul Johnson’s house, each time sharing the kind of intimate evening that can only occur in the eye-contact environment that is unique to the house concert format.

Here is a video of a wonderful song, “Vacancy”, from Wendy’s recent concert:

This is a video from Wendy’s HubCityMusic.com house concert last year:

A review of this song on Amazon.com:
Wendy Colonna is one of those artists that must be seen live to really appreciate the depth of the soul she brings to her music. “Shine” is a great example – you haven’t experienced this song until you hear it live. There are a few versions of it on YouTube, each different from the others, based on who she has accompanying her at any given time. But any version of a great song is still great, and that is certainly true with “Shine”. It has a rocking, rolling, rhythm & blues fundamental that is spiced up with some of Wendy’s back-home Louisiana influence.

Beyond the pure musical appeal of this song is a message that is worth hearing. This song was inspired by a quote from Turkish poet and activist Nazim Hikmet: If I do not burn If you do not burn If we do not burn How will darkness come to light?

Certainly a message we can all take to heart – If we do not spend ourselves burning brightly, how else will darkness disappear?

This level of excellence in both music and message is compelling, and makes this song a worthwhile addition to your musical and philosophical libraries.

Visit Wendy’s website at www.WendyColonna.com

Cary Cooper house concert
Tuesday August 14, 2012

We teamed up with Van Shaw, who has another House Concert venue here in Lubbock called Uncle Bill’s Music Barn, to host this concert.  What a great venue!  Van and his wife Leslie have created a musician’s paradise, with a stage, lighting, and professional sound system, as well as a great venue for the audience.

Cary CooperCary Cooper was in top form, and the audience appreciated hearing not only selections from her CDs, but a number of new songs as well.  This concert was planned in conjunction with Cary’s travel to the Rocky Mountain Folk Festival in Lyons, Colorado, and Cary introduced two new songs that she is entering in the prestigious Songwriters contest at the festival.  (I think both have a great shot at winning!)

Thanks for blessing us with a wonderful evening of music and stories, Cary!

Recently cast in the TV show, “Troubadour, TX”, Cary Cooper sings of life from the perspective of a lover, a mother, a daughter and a friend. Her songs will make you laugh, cry, think, and most of all celebrate your place in the world.

In early 2011, Cary was spotted by the producers of Troubadour, TX, a new TV docu-drama that premiered in September 2011 on the CW network. Along with several other Texas songwriters (including her husband, Tom Prasada-Rao), Cary was cast on the show. Part of her appeal is the unique songs she’s been writing on her cute little pineapple ukulele. Cary picked up the uke in the summer of 2010 and it blew open the door to a brand new batch of songs that are featured on her newest CD, “Pink Umbrella”, which was released in the fall of 2011 coinciding with her main stage set at the Kerrville Wine & Music Festival and the debut of Troubadour, TX.

A multi-dimensional artist, Cary brings honesty and clarity to her music, and subsequently to your heart.

See more about Cary and listen to samples of her music at www.CaryCooper.com

For more information about Troubadour, TX and Cary Cooper, go to http://troubadourtx.com/artists/carycooper/

For more information about Uncle Bill’s Music Barn visit www.unclebillsmusic.com.

Austin’s Wendy Colonna
Friday June 22, 2012

Wendy Colonna
Wendy Colonna – voted Austin’s “Best Singer Songwriter” (Austin American Statesman)

What an awesome concert!  Wendy Colonna brought keyboardist extraordinaire (and amazing musician in his own right) Dave Madden with her and rocked the house with soulful, bluesy rock!  Some have said this was the best HubCityMusic.com house concert yet!  And it was truly an amazing concert.

A young woman who has decidedly come into her own, the dark-eyed Colonna fills her musical space with a throaty voice, deep-down retro roots and soul. Indeed, Colonna’s seriously strong pipes and songwriting prove that age does foster wisdom and practice does, indeed, make perfect. “My writing is influenced most by songwriters whose work is so nerve-strikingly personal and universally accessible. . . Jackson Browne, Carole King, Marvin Gaye, Randy Newman, Willie Dixon, Leonard Cohen, Ray LaMontagne and countless others. They touch your soul and let you bring your own stories and characters to the music.”

Learn more about Wendy and hear her music at www.WendyColonna.com

Tori Vasquez with Micah Vasquez
Saturday May 19, 2012

Tori Vasquez returns from EuropeWe were so excited to have Tori Vasquez perform a return engagement for our HubCityMusic.com house concert series!

This concert came right after Tori’s return 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 still excited about the house concerts she performs for us!  She has been busy writing new songs, and shared some of these new songs with us.  Some of these songs are from her continuing collaboration with Kenny Harris, and some are solo efforts by Tori.

In the space of less than a year since her last HubCityMusic.com house concert, Tori has matured and grown both musically and as a stage presence.  Her stories were as endearing as her songs, and her songs were transfixing!

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.)

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