Hub City Music HubCityMusic.com House Concerts in Lubbock! Twitter @HubCityMusicCom

Tori Vasquez with special guests
Micah Vasquez and Kenny Harris
July 15, 2011

Here’s a genuine TREAT for those of you who were not able to attend Tori’s July 15, 2011  HubCityMusic.com house concert.  This is a video of her consummate and moving cover of Eva Cassidy’s Autumn Leaves.  Her vocal on this track is emotion-evoking and technically flawless.  And the interplay between Micah’s bass and her guitar is beautiful!  To hear this, listen with good speakers if possible! (on a laptop, use headphones or earbuds.)

Tori Vasquez
Tori Vasquez has also played at House of Blues in both Dallas and Houston

It’s one thing to come from a musical family, but Tori Vasquez seems to have channeled all of that multi-generational talent into one little body, and the result is astounding!  Seeing her for the first time is like watching an episode of America’s Got Talent/The Voice/American Idol/Name-Your-Favorite-Talent-Search-Show, and when you see this pretty, unassuming, shy woman walk up to the microphone, you are suddenly amazed at the mature, textured, bigger-than-life voice that comes out.  Even more impressive is the fact that this woman is singing her own original songs, and these songs are so good that they feel instantly familiar and relevant, reflecting a wisdom with words beyond her years, and tunes that quickly hook your ears.

Actually, many of Tori’s songs are co-written with dylanesque Kenny Harris, and this is a combination that really seems to work well, with Tori pulling Harris toward broader appeal, and Harris adding an edge to the collaboration.

Last year Tori released an EP, produced by Clif Magness, with five songs.  That EP earned Tori a shot at the national Mountain Stage NewSong Contest, in which she was named a national finalist as the Southwest Regional winner, and earning her a trip to New York for the finals.  See the video of her New York performance on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8hdGPQ_28k

Since last year’s EP release, Tori and Harris have been continuing to fruitfully collaborate.  The result is a new EP coming out this fall.  This new release (entitled “I Remember Well”) is being produced by Jon Taylor, and the new EP will reflect a maturing Tori Vasquez.  Tori speaks of becoming “more musical”, and says “I write more through my music than I do lyrics.”  Thus the value of a talented lyricist like Harris.  Six new original songs are planned for this new EP, and the production will be simpler than her first EP, to better showcase the fundamental qualities of her voice and songs.

Tori performed songs from both EPs at this HubCityMusic.com house concert on Friday July 15th.  Also performing with her was bassist extraordinaire, Micah Vasquez, and friend & collaborator Kenny Harris joined her in several songs, as well.

As with all our HubCityMusic.com house concerts, admission is $20, and 100% of all proceeds goes to our guest musicians.  Advance RSVP is requested and appreciated, but not required. Last minute guests welcome! BYOB. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Listen to Tori’s music and visit her website at
www.torivasquez.com
www.myspace.com/torivasquez

Here are Tori and Micah performing her original “I Love the Night” on YouTube

View Tori’s appearance at the Mountain Stage NewSong Contest here:

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

Christopher Williams – May 5, 2011

Christopher wants to thank everyone who attended his HubCityMusic.com house concert on Thursday May 5th.   Many of you have already requested a return visit from Christopher, so we are certainly going to make that happen sometime in the future!

Here’s a video from a previous concert, Christopher Williams singing “Your Love”

I first saw Christopher Williams in Durham’s Coffee House more than a decade ago.  At the time he already had a CD, which includes one of my all-time favorite songs, Hope For Morning.  Since that time he has published 10 CDs and toured all over the U.S., opening for, and playing with, noted perChristopher Williamsformers such as Jars of Clay, Arlo Guthrie, Phil Keaggy, David Wilcox, 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.

Listen to Hope For Morning by Christopher Williams

Listen to a sample of his many musical styles on his website:  http://www.christopherw.com/

Note – We will start the concert promptly at 7:15 pm.  Even if you stay afterward to buy CDs, get autographs, and visit with Christopher and other guests, you can expect to be out no later than 10 pm.

Tara-Leigh Cobble – April 16, 2011

Thanks to all who attended our April 16th house concert featuring Tara-Leigh Cobble!
It was almost a sell-out!  Everyone who atended had a great time, and Tara-Leigh said afterward that this was one of the best house concert audiences that she had ever had.
Tara-Leigh proved herself to be an amazing songwriter, an engaging story-teller, and an incredibly talented singer.  She engaged her audience more intimately than anyone expected, even learning the names of many of the people there by asking questions of audience members throughout the evening.   We laughed, we cried, and we were drawn in to the back-story behind each song.
Listen to Somehow Stay by Tara-Leigh Cobble
Listen to more of her music here: http://www.reverbnation.com/#!/taraleighcobble
“God did not call me to be a rock star. He called me to express my salvation through music. And there is a vast difference. He made it very clear to me from the start that if I intended to follow Him, I should never expect more than having to drive 8 hours to play for 10 people who don’t know who I am and who don’t care. They might not buy the CD, and I might have to sleep in my car that night, before I get up and do it all over again the next day.
It was very clear that this was not going to be about me. So I’m trying hard to remember that. I fail miserably at it most of the time.  Sometimes, when I start to think I’m really cool, God allows me to trip and fall flat on my face, so that I’m eye-level with those feet that need washing. It’s humbling. I honestly had to look back at that whole day and say, “Thank You, God, for answering my prayer and for reminding me that it’s not about me.”

Here is a link to two songs from Tara-Leigh’s house concert on April 16th:

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