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Tag Archives: Melissa Grimes

hONEyhoUSe
November 2, 2017

hONEyhoUSe is an amazing all-female band with a huge following! A little bit folk/rock, and a whole lot of passion and soul is the hallmark of their music.  Their message is peace, love, and joy, and seamlessly melds musical genres with their original creations embracing blues, soul, folk and Americana into one sweet hONEyhoUSe of music.

As mentioned, hONEyhoUSe has a huge following, so in an unusual arrangement, we teamed up with Melissa Grimes’ Rockin’ Box 33 and Uncle Bill’s Music Barn (Van & Leslie Shaw) to host hONEyhoUSe on two consecutive nights. Our concert was Thursday November 2nd at Uncle Bill’s Music Barn in order to accommodate as many people as possible in an indoor venue. This was followed by Melissa’s Rockin’ Box 33 concert on Friday November 3rd. This way both concerts were able to be hosted indoors during this cooler time of year, and giving people a choice of either night (or both) to attend.

Sure enough, both events were sold out to very appreciative audiences!  If you ever get the chance to see hONEyhoUSe perform live, be sure not to miss it!  One of the most entertaining bands ever!

 

For more information about Melissa Grimes’ Rockin’ Box 33 house concert series, go to www.rockinbox33.com

Find hONEyhoUSe at their website www.honeyhouse.me or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pg/hONEyhoUSe.me

Washuntara III
Saturday June 1st, 2013

Washuntara IIIOne of the best things about hosting these house concerts is all the friendships that have been born and strengthened through this experience.

This includes each of you who have attended these concerts and become either new friends or closer friends, and it also includes those musicians who have shared our time and space and food and drink, along with their music and personalities.

Our friend Washuntara is one of those special relationships.  So when he completed his last concert of this tour and it was time to head back to California, he decided to take a little detour along the way to spend some time with us in Lubbock. This visit was not for the purpose of a concert, but since he was here anyway, he wanted to share our time and space by hosting an impromptu HubCityMusic.com house concert for all his friends and fans in Lubbock.

It was short notice, but all our friends who attended can attest that this was perhaps Washuntara’s best HubCityMusic.com house concert yet.  Although a bit weary from his recent tour, he ended this chapter on a high note, literally , as his voice soared with an edge honed sharp from all the recent concerts, and his guitar work reflected a precision perfected by practice.

Having written literally hundreds of songs, Washuntara was able to pull out fresh material that we have never heard, as well as a few familiar favorites.  And we were treated to the first-ever performance of a new song that he just wrote, ” Step Into The Sun”.   Click the link below to see this awesome new song!

The result was an engaging performance that was decidedly low key and intimate, and yet full of energy.  Here is what one attendee, Terry Johnston, wrote on her Facebook wall about this concert:   “What an AWESOME Concert I went to last night!!   WASHUNTARA did a house concert for HubCityMusic.com at Paul Johnson’s house.  Washuntara is an Australian Singer/Songwriter and he is one of the BEST I’ve ever heard!”  All we can add to that is a hearty “Amen!”

Listen to Washuntara’s brand-new original song, “Step Into the Sun”:
(be sure to change to HD if you have a fast connection)

 

We will post other new videos from this concert soon.

Click here to see more videos of Washuntara, and read the review of his previous HubCityMusic.com house concert.

Washuntara – An Encore Performance!
Saturday February 23, 2013

Washuntara returned for an encore HubCityMusic.com house concert on Saturday February 23rd, and an appreciative audience fell in love with both his music and his message.

WashuntaraHaving written literally hundreds of songs, there was no lack of material to choose from, and Washuntara played a completely different set for this encore performance.  Remaining consistent, though, was his high energy and positive message.

This Australian has shared the stage with the likes of Paul McCartney, the Eagles, the Moody Blues, and many more.  Well-known in Australia and Europe, Washuntara is making a name for himself stateside as well, particularly for his song-writing ability.

His song “She’s Tough”, performed at this concert, is playing in the background.
(or if not, can be heard by clicking   at the upper-right of this page).

Here is what one of our guests had to say after Washuntara’s previous concert:
“Last night Jack, Dusti, Chad, and I attended the most amazing concert I’ve EVER seen!!  Washuntara performed a house concert at Paul Johnson’s that  completely blew me away. His message of peace, love, and kindness is SO powerful and it touched me so deeply I just have to share it with you guys! Go to his website at washuntara.com and listen to his music and message! You’ll be hooked, too! Peace and Love to All Ya’ll!”  – Marti Dillon

(watch a video below, from his previous concert)

Return to our website in the next few weeks for links to some video from this concert.  In the meantime, enjoy some of the links below.

For more information about Washuntara (and more videos), go to our previous Washuntara page (http://hubcitymusic.com/?p=700), or visit www.Washuntara.com

Here’s a video of Washuntara performing his original “I Could Be Persuaded” at his previous concert:

Christopher Williams
Friday January 25, 2013

We were blessed to again host Nashville singer/songwriter Christopher Williams on January 25th!
It was an awesome concert, probably one of the most flawless live performances we’ve ever seen!  Christopher was in top form, and his musicianship was only matched by his personable demeanor.  He drew us in with stories of his parents, his son and wife, and his life, and how all these relate to the songs that he brought to life that evening.

Here is a video of his new original song, “Good Thing”, from this concert.  This is a new song and is not on any of Christopher’s CDs yet.  It’s an awesome song!  Enjoy!

 

Christopher WilliamsAfter hosting our very first Harvest Moon concert as a “test run”, we decided to begin hosting a regular monthly series of house concerts, and Christopher Williams was the first musician we booked for this series.  So this concert began our third year of house concerts with a  return visit from the guy who helped get all this started.

Christopher first performed in Lubbock more than 15 years ago, at Durham’s Coffee House, and since that time has gone on to become a prolific songwriter, releasing a total of 11 CDs, to great fan and critical acclaim.  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 many other well-know performers.  It is an honor to have someone of CW’s stature perform in the warm, intimate environment of our HubCityMusic.com living room.  Although he remains as down-to-earth and accessible as ever, Christopher is no stranger to celebrity and success.

Christopher earned accolades as the Southeast Regional Round winner for the 2011 Mountain Stage NewSong contest, and in 2010 his song “Anything But Fail” won the Independent Music Award for Best New Contemporary Christian Song, at the same time as his live CD “Something As Simple” was nominated for Best Live Recording in the Independent Music Awards.

But it is his direct connection with his audience that makes Christopher such a compelling performer.  By the end of the evening, you will feel like you know CW personally, and you have become his friend.

Click this link to learn more about CW and listen to his music at:
www.christopherw.com

Washuntara – November 17, 2012

“He’s rockin’- a definite two thumbs up!” – Sir Paul McCartney

If you missed Washuntara in his HubCityMusic.com house concert on Nov.17th, you missed a great time!

But don’t despair – We have an opportunity to bring Washuntara back for an encore concert on Saturday February 23rd!  

Washuntara has enjoyed phenomenal success in his home country of Australia, with a #2 hit, as well as critical and popular acclaim in Europe and Asia.  He has shared the stage with Paul McCartney, The Eagles, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Moody Blues, and many more.  Now he is bringing his music and philosophy to the United States, and we are amazed and honored that he would want to bless us with a private concert in our own living room here in Lubbock.

More than just a musician, Washuntara brings a message of love, peace, hope, caring, and sharing, through music, poetry, and philosophy.  His is not a religious message, but you cannot help but be influenced to be a better person by his contagious enthusiasm for all things good and true.

All expectations were exceeded as Washuntara was a great storyteller, as well as personally engaging everyone who was there.  By the end of the evening, we were all hooked on Washuntara’s loving personality!  Here’s what one concert-attendee wrote afterward: “Last night Jack, Dusti, Chad, and I attended the most amazing concert I’ve EVER seen!!  Washuntara performed a house concert at Paul Johnson’s that  completely blew me away. His message of peace, love, and kindness is SO powerful and it touched me so deeply I just have to share it with you guys! Go to his website at washuntara.com and listen to his music and message! You’ll be hooked, too! Peace and Love to All Ya’ll!”  – Marti Dillon

So go to his website, or browse the links below.  We are sure you will want love Washuntara’s music and his message.

“Introducing Washuntara” video:

Here’s a poem and a new song from his “September Gift” video:

Here is his October video update, mentioning his upcoming HubCityMusic.com house concert, along with a sneak preview of his newest song, “I Will Not Be Silenced”:

Here’s the first song of Washuntara’s that I ever heard.  This is the song that prompted me to invite him to come to Lubbock.

For more information, go to Washuntara’s website: http://www.washuntara.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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Karla Davis performed live on NBC’s “The Voice”
on Monday and Tuesday (4/9 & 4/10/2012)

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 pagehttp://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!

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

Andy & Jessica Eppler – The Prairie Scholars
November 26, 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

An interview with Andy Eppler of The Prairie Scholars

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.