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Tag Archives: Junior Vasquez

Tori Vasquez
May 13, 2017

We are always so excited to host Tori Vasquez in a rare, intimate solo house concert! Most of you know Tori as the youngest daughter of Lubbock musicians Junior and Mickie Vasquez, and indeed Tori has made a name uniquely her own in the Lubbock music scene.

Having been pulled away from Lubbock by her burgeoning music career, Tori is now based out of Austin, with her husband Shannon Smith.  Although recently focusing on performing with their band The Battlin’ Nelsons, Tori is taking a one-time break from that format, instead choosing to come back to Lubbock to perform an intimate and rare solo house concert on Saturday May 13th, at Paul and Claire’s house.

Tori has chosen a set list that includes some old covers and originals that she hasn’t played in a long time, interspersed with some new songs you may not have heard her perform.

Join us for this rare opportunity to hear Tori solo in her home town, in an environment that is more close up and personal than any other.

Visit Tori’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ToriVasquezMusic/

 

John Batdorf
with Junior Vasquez opening
March 9, 2017

Claire and I were thrilled to again be hosting our good friend and musical legend, John Batdorf on Thursday March 9, 2017.  And we were just as excited that Junior Vasquez was again opening for John, just like he did at the Lubbock Municipal Auditorium back in 1975!

We are all a “little” older now, and the music is even better than ever!  John is recording a new CD as we speak, so got to hear some of his latest, unreleased songs.

John Batdorf is an American singer-songwriter, solo artist, and one half of Las Vegas Rock and Roll Hall Of Famers, folk-rock duo Batdorf and Rodney, and folk-rock band Silver. He’s also a successful film and TV composer, session vocalist, and inspirational musician in the substance recovery community.

In 1967, as a gifted teenage singer-songwriter, John Batdorf, ventured to Los Angeles, crammed in a Lincoln Continental with six of his friends, to become immersed in the formative and iconic musical era symbolized by Laurel Canyon and names like Richie Furay, Stephen Stills, Chris Hillman, Lubbock’s own Al Perkins, David Crosby, Roger McGuinn, and so many more.  These went on to form some of the most influential bands of all time, and John Batdorf was part of that transformation as a founding member of Batdorf and Rodney, followed by Silver.  If you grew up in that era, you will recognize many of their songs.

Since that time, John Batdorf has remained a prolific songwriter, and is a far more accomplished musician now than even at the height of his success in the 1970s.

Only once in the eight year history of our house concerts have we offered an opening act, and that once was when Junior Vasquez opened for John Batdorf in March 2015.  It’s taken two years to get John back, and we could not be happier that once again Junior was able to open for him, just like he did in 1975.

 

This was an amazing concert! In spite of the fact that John had missed some immediately previous engagements due to flu-like symptoms, he was able to rest and recover a few days prior to our concert, and his performance was as inspiring and musically perfect as always.  There are few musicians who play and sing with the precision that John brings to his performances.  Never a missed note.  Add to that the emotional range that he brings, and you begin to understand why John Batdorf is one of the finest musicians in the industry today.

John Batdorf
Wednesday March 4, 2015
(with Junior Vasquez opening)

P1060923-Adjusted - 300x230In 1975 John Batdorf headlined a concert as Batdorf & Rodney in the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum. Opening for them that night was Junior Vasquez and Peyote. Many of you were at that concert. If you loved the Eagles, Crosby Stills & Nash, and America, you should know that Batdorf and Rodney were part of that whole music scene.

Now 40 years later, history has repeated itself, as John Batdorf again headlined a Lubbock concert, which again was opened by Junior Vasquez. These two great musicians have each evolved over the years, but their music remains as complimentary as ever.

This is the first HubCityMusic.com house concert to ever have an opening act.

The weather outside was frightful – snow and freezing sleet all afternoon the day of the show.  But the fans braved the weather and showed up anyway, and John and Junior provided a magical evening of music and conversation.  For Junior Vasquez, this was a rare opportunity to perform all original songs, and he showed that his songwriting ability is as polished and professional as his singing and guitar work.

And when John Batdorf took the stage he demonstrated a commitment to excellence in vocals and guitar play that is second to none.  Seriously, you won’t hear a more flawless performance than John delivered on that snowy night in the warmth of our living room.

Watch this page for videos from this concert, to be posted soon.

Wednesday March 4, 2015
at Paul Johnson’s house

Click here to see our previous post about John Batdorf.

Visit John’s website and Facebook page:
www.JohnBatdorfMusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Batdorf-Music/279578037051
https://www.facebook.com/Soundtrax2Recovery

Visit Junior’s website and Facebook page:
www.myspace.com/therealjuniorvasquez
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Junior-Vasquez/80815053180

Watch John’s newest video on YouTube:

 

John Batdorf
Wednesday October 15, 2014

John Batdorf retro - 240x306

If you loved America, Crosby Stills & Nash, Dan Fogelberg, Loggins & Messina, and the Eagles in the 1970’s, chances are you also heard a group called Batdorf and Rodney. Great songwriters, with a sound very much like the above groups, Batdorf and Rodney had two very successful albums in the 1970’s before going their separate ways.

We were blessed to have this opportunity to host a rare mid-week house concert featuring John Batdorf of Batdorf and Rodney.
John has continued to write, play, and record since those early days, and his music is better than ever.  And even if you’ve never heard of him, trust me, John is an amazing musician and songwriter.  If you missed this HubCityMusic.com house concert, you missed one of the best-ever concerts we’ve had the pleasure to host!

P1060923-Adjusted - 300x230

 

Some notable background – In 1975, John Batdorf visited Lubbock when Batdorf and Rodney played a concert at the (then) Lubbock Municipal Coliseum (now City Bank Coliseum), and shared the stage with opening act Peyote, headed by local music legend Junior Vasquez.

John & Junior - 300x225

So in a full-circle sort of coincidence, John and Junior once again shared the stage, this time to close out John’s house concert, performing an impromptu duet of “For What It’s Worth”.  What an incredible experience it was to see those two on the same stage together almost 40 years later!

Watch for a video of John Batdorf and Junior Vasquez performing “For What It’s Worth”, on this page in a week or two.

Visit John Batdorf’s website:  http://johnbatdorfmusic.com/soundtraxlyric.html
Find him on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Batdorf-Music/279578037051

Junior Vasquez Debuts All-new Original Songs
June 17, 2011

What an amazing concert this was!  Junior and Mickey set the most intimate mood,
and the songs were amazing!  Even the most loyal Junior Vasquez fans have never
heard a concert like this one!

Junior VasquezWell-known musician Junior Vasquez has spent the past year or so writing a cache of all-new original music.  Before considering a second CD of all-original music, Junior has been looking for just the right venue to introduce this all-new original music to his fans.

So for Junior Vasquez, HubCityMusic.com’s House Concert format is just the right environment at just the right time.

“It’s a musician’s dream,” Junior says, “an intimate environment without the smoky, noisy distractions of the bar scene.  A place where both the audience and musician can be comfortable.”

Junior will be introducing not only all-new original music in his June 17th house concert in Paul Johnson’s home, he will also be performing original tunes from his first CD, “It’ll Turn Around”.  (available on iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/itll-turn-around/id359346482)
He will also be sharing the back-story behind each song.  It’s an opportunity to get to know Junior at a personal level, to hear the life-stories that have brought him to this new musical beginning, after having traveled such a long and winding road to get here.  For Junior Vasquez, these original songs have come from a fresh creativity and enthusiasm, and mark a contrast to the homogenous “standards” that the usual venues in the Lubbock scene seem to demand.

Of course, with two sets to fill, there will still be a place in this concert for some of Junior’s favorite covers to be woven in with his original songs.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity to introduce this new, original music in this environment,” says Junior.  “This will be the first time this music has been played in public, so not only is this a great opportunity for me, it’s a great opportunity for people to hear my new music for the first time.”

BYOB – complimentary Hors D’oeuvres will served between sets.

Go to Junior’s website at www.myspace.com/therealjuniorvasquez