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John Batdorf
Wednesday October 15, 2014

September 30, 2014 12:03 am ⋅

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!

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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

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5th Annual Harvest Moon concert!
Friday 9/5/2014 with The Hat Trick
Mike Pritchard, Mark Wallney,
and Mike Boyd

July 16, 2014 11:49 am ⋅

Our 5th annual Harvest Moon party!

Sold Out!

Just like last year, this year’s event sold out in about 24 hours.  And the concert was well worth all the anticipation.  Mike, Mark, & Mike never sounded better!  Their vocals were spot-on, and the musicianship was unsurpassed.  And they performed several new songs they have never done in public before.  We can’t wait for next year!  In the meantime, check back here in the next few weeks for a few videos from this 5th annual Harvest Moon concert.

3rd Annual Harvest Moon House Concert

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 5 years since we first hosted The Hat Trick in our living room!  This concert is our 5th 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 when none other than the legendary Graham Nash (of Crosby, Stills, and Nash and The Hollies) joined The Hat Trick on stage 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:

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Wendy Colonna
Friday June 13, 2014

May 3, 2014 2:04 pm ⋅

Wendy ColonnaWendy Colonna is one of our favorite musicians. A blend of blues, rock, soul and folk, Wendy has a surprise waiting around the corner with every song. She will take you from sultry and slow, to rockin’ and rollin’, and everywhere in between, with an emotional delivery that few artists ever even attempt. She gets lost in her delivery, and believe me, you will too.

Naturally, we feel like all of our house concerts are “don’t miss” events. But this one was truly special. Accompanied by the versatile musical genius Cary Banks, Wendy lit up the stage, with emotive energy that matched the breadth and depth of her songwriting.  There’s just no one genre to contain this lady, and she brought us through a range of emotions and feelings, ranging from the upbeat joy of her surprise hit, “A Happy Song”, through the sultry recall of another era in “Dance With the Moon”, to the decidedly Texas-influenced “Texas Summer Love”.  As if that weren’t enough variety, she swung us to another shade of the musical spectrum with the ballad “Bring Me Water”, and definitely got the house rocking with “Dirty Things”.  And she kept us riding this roller coaster of emotional diversity all night long.

Wendy Colonna is on her way to a very special place, all her own, in the music industry.  If you haven’t hitched your musical exposure to her star yet, get on board now.  It will be a wonderful ride!

Visit www.WendyColonna.com to learn more.  If you would like to support Wendy and have special access to new music, videos, and other perks not available to the general public, you can support her directly at www.patronism.com/WendyColonna

Update on 6/12/2014 – Wendy’s song from the Coca-Cola commercial has now been released as a full-length single!  Get “A Happy Song” on CD Baby at this link: https://origin.cdbaby.com/cd/wendycolonna22

Breaking News!  Wendy has just announced that Starbucks Coffee has requested songs from her new CD, Nectar, for spin in their stores Nationwide.  How cool is that!  Be sure to listen for Wendy next time you’re in a Starbucks, and be sure to come to her HubCityMusic.com house concert June 13th!

MORE Breaking News!  Wendy was the featured guest on WFUV’s “Sunday Breakfast” show in New York City on Sunday 5/18. John Platt did a great interview, and Wendy played some of her favorite tunes. Give a listen! Here’s the link: http://www.wfuv.org/audio/archives/fuv-live/wendy-colonna-sunday-breakfast-2014 (Click the “Listen” button)

WOW! Still MORE Breaking News!  Coca-Cola is now airing an awesome animated television commercial in which Wendy both wrote and performs the music! Sweet! Watch it here:

Just released!  Wendy’s new “Dirty Things” music video.  This is a fun video!  Watch it here:

Here, in one of my favorite performances ever, Austin’s Wendy Colonna performs her original “Vacancy” at a previous HubCityMusic.com house concert.

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Christopher Williams
April 24, 2014

April 4, 2014 2:11 pm ⋅

Christopher WilliamsNashville singer/songwriter/recording artist Christopher Williams added a last-minute HubCityMusic.com house concert to his current tour, and an appreciative audience was treated to a host of new songs.  These newest songs are among the best CW has written, and has us waiting with great anticipation for a new CD!  Although no firm plans have been made for that new CD yet, it is surely highly anticipated.  In the meantime, we will post videos from this concert at the end of this entry.  It may take a week or two to get them produced, so check back every few days.

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 and performer, releasing a total of 11 CDs, to great fan and critical acclaim. An in-demand performer, 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, each person in the audience felt a personal connection to CW.

Here is the first of several videos we will post from this concert, a song he just finished (but started 15 years ago!) called “Know of Love”.  Beautiful!  (Watch full-screen in HD if possible, and be sure to turn the volume up.)

Here is the song that followed “Know of Love” in this concert, a song he wrote for his son called “Stone Water Wood Light”.  Watch full-screen in HD if possible, and be sure to turn the volume up.  Listen carefully for his quiet remarks after the applause.

This song is the most relaxing, reassuring song I can imagine.  Christopher’s newest, and for now his favorite, “Everything You Need”.  Relax and enjoy!

Here is a video of Christopher’s original “Good Thing” from a previous HubCityMusic.com house concert.

Visit Christopher’s website: www.ChristopherW.com

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Kelley McRae Duo
Saturday March 8, 2014

February 9, 2014 12:17 am ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

(to toggle music preview on/off, click the “compilation” at the upper right) —>

Kelley McRae DuoIn the last 2 years, the Kelley McRae duo has played over 300 shows coast to coast and traveled over 75,000 miles in their VW van. Along the way they encountered the people and places that inspired the songs on their recently released third album, BRIGHTER THAN THE BLUES.

Kelley’s music can be described as heartfelt Americana carrying a sense of hope and light, and she has found impressive fans: Paste Magazine gave her four stars, and WNYC’s ‘Soundcheck’ named her performance one of the year’s best.
(If samples of Kelley’s music did not start playing when you landed on this page, click “Kelley McRae compilation” at the upper right column of this page.)

Kelley McRae DuoThe duo has performed at such venues as The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, The Red Clay Theatre in Atlanta, and The Living Room in NYC, and has performed with The David Wax Museum, Kim Richey, and Rose Cousins, among others.

Previously residing in NYC, the duo is currently writing and recording new material in a cabin in the Nantahala Forest of North Carolina. In 2014 they are embarking on a seven week European Tour as well as headlining the TVFCU Stage at The Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga, TN on Friday, June 6th.

When adding our HubCityMusic.com venue to their resume, Kelley and Matt brought their “A” game, performing with incredible vocals and musicianship.  And they earned our respect in regard to their songwriting ability, as well.  Kelley and Matt are as well matched in regard to creative songwriting as they are in regard to vocals, instrumentation, and marriage.  This is one of those couples that was destined to find each other, and we are so glad they did!

Here is their HubCityMusic.com performance of their original “Brighter Than the Blues”

…and here is their HubCityMusic.com performance of their new original “Fair Weather”

Visit Kelley’s website: www.kelleymcrae.com

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

December 29, 2013 9:31 pm ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

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

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Brother Sun
Sunday Nov.10th 2013

October 1, 2013 2:50 pm ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

BrotherSunLogo238x182One thing I’ve learned about house concerts is that if you don’t ask, you will not receive.  I figured it was a long shot that we would ever get these headline performers from New York, Chicago, and Boston to come to our living room in Lubbock, but I asked anyway.  And guess what?  They were doing a concert in Austin in November, and were able to stop in Lubbock along the way!  Wow!

After main stage performances with standing ovations at both Kerrville and Falcon Ridge Folk Festivals in 2011 and sold out concerts throughout the US, this summer they earned not only return invitations to Kerrville and Falcon Ridge but also invitations to Old Songs Festival, Philadelphia Folk Festival and Kerrville Wine & Music Festival.

So, what an opportune time to come to Lubbock – right on the heels of the 2nd annual Lubbock Folk Festival.  And what a concert they put on, in what might be considered the crowning finale of a weekend of great music!  They were in fine form for an extremely appreciative and attentive audience.
The beautiful and creative Melissa Grimes, whose own Rockin’ Box 33 house concerts have served as a model for how to do house concerts right, was in attendance, and I must say I’ve never seen her more enthusiastic about a performance!  Now that’s a great compliment to these performers!

BrotherSun2-300x200This trio weaves three-part harmonies as well as Peter Paul and Mary or Crosby Stills and Nash, and they are each amazing songwriters as well.  The result is an astounding blend of music and message.  Fusing folk, Americana, blues, pop, jazz, rock, and a cappella singing, Brother Sun is an explosion of musical diversity and harmony, in the finest of male singing traditions.  Joe Jencks, Greg Greenway and Pat Wictor celebrate the amazing power of singing together, their rich voices blending on a well-crafted foundation of guitar, slide guitar, bouzouki and piano.

Brother Sun’s self titled album debuted at No. 2 on the Folk DJ Charts (it stayed on the charts for 8 months) and was named the No. 8 album of 2011 on FOLK-DJ, and their newest CD, “Some Part of the Truth” has just been released to rave reviews in 2013.

If the compilation of Brother Sun song samples didn’t play automatically when you came to this page, you can hear samples here:
[wpaudio url=”http://hubcitymusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/BrotherSunCompilation.mp3″ text=” Brother Sun samples compilation” dl=”0″ autoplay=”0″]

Visit Brother Sun’s website: http://www.brothersunmusic.com/

Date: Sunday November 10, 2013

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

August 19, 2013 1:30 pm ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

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:

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SOLD OUT! Tori Vasquez
Nationwide Fall Tour Sendoff!
Saturday August 10, 2013

July 16, 2013 4:58 pm ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

Tori VasquezSOLD OUT!  This was Tori’s only Lubbock concert in quite some time (before or after), and it was officially sold out 10 days prior to the concert date.

And Tori brought her “A” game with her!  Everyone who attended was treated to the very best Tori has to offer – the best of her amazing performance abilities, the best of her new songs, and yes, even a few of the best of her previously released songs.  In addition, Tori brought an intimate, engaging stage presence that shows just how comfortable she has become in her own skin.  It was a solo performance by a woman who clearly knows how to engage an audience without leaning on anyone else.  She was both inspired and inspiring!

The purpose of this concert was to give her Lubbock fans a unique opportunity to send Tori Vasquez on a Nationwide Tour of virtually every major city in the US!  And it all starts right here in Lubbock, back in Tori’s home town.

Tori has been given the opportunity to open for Blue October in a nationwide tour! East coast, West coast, you name the major city, and this tour will hit it – New York, Boston, Philly, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco Los Angeles – just to name a few!  From September 4th through late October (plus a final date of November 30th), Tori will be taking her music across the USA!

And it involves a big responsibility – as well as a big risk – for Tori, because she has sole responsibility for every aspect of her participation in this tour!  From putting together and paying her own touring band, to providing transportation, to hotels and meals, and everything else that goes in to a huge undertaking like this.  It all falls on Tori’s shoulders, including the financial responsibility.  This concert was Lubbock’s opportunity to help share that responsibility, and Lubbock stepped up to the plate, with donations above and beyond the cost of admission, including donations from some people who were not even able to attend!

This tour is in perfect timing with her new CD release, which will help her music find its way into the hearts and minds of literally thousands of new Tori Vasquez fans across the nation. But none of it will be possible without some kind of underwriting, and Tori needs our help to make it financially feasible.  It’s a small investment that each of us can make in someone we all believe in, which will pay huge dividends down the road. So many people brought more than the $20 admission, and 100% of all revenue goes directly to Tori in support of this tour.  Each of those who helped Tori through this concert have also helped the world discover her incredible talent that we all know and love so well.

Remember, this was more than just another house concert – it was Lubbock’s opportunity to say “We are behind you, Tori!  We love you, we support what you are doing, and we believe in you!”  And, believe it, Tori received that message, with gratitude and joy!

Tori’s new CD will be out soon.  Read more about her new CD and her new music in an interview with Tori below.

Be sure to check out Tori’s website at www.ToriVasquez.com

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Wendy Colonna
Friday June 21, 2013

May 28, 2013 4:23 pm ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅
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

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