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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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2nd annual West Texas Folk Festival
Thursday 10/7 – Saturday 10/9

September 28, 2013 1:01 am ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

2013WestTexasFolkFestiva-600x540

Tickets available at Ralph’s Records or at the door.

Van and Leslie Shaw are happy to again host the 2nd Annual West Texas Folk Festival, from November 7th through 9th, at their beautiful Uncle Bill’s Music Barn venue in far south Lubbock.  Located behind their residence at 150th and Louisville (one block west of Indiana), Uncle Bill’s Music Barn is in a peaceful and spacious country environment, with a comfortable, inviting interior that is laid out perfectly for musical performances such as this folk festival.

Hoping to eventually reach the status of more prominent folk festivals (such as the Kerrville Folk Festival), Van Shaw recognizes that every giant tree was once a sapling.  “We want to grow this event and make it self-sustaining” said Shaw, noting that last year’s debut event was satisfyingly successful for a first-year event.

One of the keys to that success is the expertise brought to the event by each night’s musical hosts, and Shaw has filled those slots with some well-known West Texas musicians who can not only draw an audience, but have the connections to bring in musicians who can keep that audience enthralled and entertained.  This year’s nightly musical hosts are Mark Wallney (Thursday), Curtis Peoples (Friday), and Jenni Dale Lord (Saturday).  And each of them has brought talented lineups to their respective nights’ performances.   “I just want everyone to have a good time and enjoy great music, in a comfortable environment,” said Shaw.   “I feel the best way to do that is to not micro-manage, and let it take on a life of its own.”

More info:

www.UncleBillsMusic.com or email unclebillslbk@hotmail.com

Details: The 2nd Annual West Texas Folk Festival runs Thursday, Friday & Saturday, Nov.7th-9th, 2013. Doors open at 5:30 each evening, with performances starting at 6pm. Venue: Uncle Bill’s Music Barn, 15002 Louisville Admission $10/person/night ($5/person/night for students with valid ID) Tickets available in advance at Ralph’s Records, or at the door each night of the festival. BYOB for attendees age 21 and over

Festival hosts this year are: Event hosts: Van & Leslie Shaw Thursday’s host – Mark Wallney Friday’s host – Curtis Peoples Saturday’s host – Jenni Dale Lord

Thursday confirmed performers: Mark Wallney, Today’s Special, Sterling Massat, True Blue, Brandon Word, Derek Bohls, Chris Albright, Mike Pritchard, Mark Walney, Darren Welch, DG Flewellyn

Friday confirmed performers: Curtis Peoples, Andy Wilkinson, Dallas Owens, Lori Sealy Concept, Sterling Masat, Pickin on the Plains, Curtis Peoples Collective, Elliot Powell

Saturday confirmed performers: Jenni Dale Lord, Alex Sanchez, School of Rock – Acoustic Ensemble, Hayley Burton Trio, Brian McRae, Wade Parks Band, Kent Mings, Thomas Radcliff

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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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Washuntara III
Saturday June 1st, 2013

May 27, 2013 4:40 pm ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

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.

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Jenni Dale Lord
Saturday April 20, 2013

March 29, 2013 2:53 pm ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

Jenni Dale Lord brought two awesome sets of her own original music to our HubCityMusic.com house concert on Saturday April 20th!  19 original songs – 6 from the soon-to-be-recorded new release from the Jenni Dale Lord Band, along with an intimate look at the stories behind the songs.  She was accompanied by Tony Garcia and Kevin Long.  It was such an intimate evening, and you really missed something special if you weren’t here.
Jenni Dale Lord

What a pleasure to host Jenni Dale Lord for this concert!
After rocking the ‘live music capital of the world,’ Austin, Texas, for over a decade, Jenni Dale Lord has returned to her roots in Lubbock to claim her place in the West Texas music scene where she first began her career, and she has really made a name for herself in the music world.

It has recently been revealed that one of her songs, “All Along” (from her self-titled debut CD), is under consideration by a music publishing / licensing company run by a TV music supervisor.   Every one of the songs on this CD is written by Jenni Dale, and each of these songs contains a lyrical and musical sensibility that is extraordinary.  The lyrics are tight, concise, and never forced, being at the same time credible and emotionally involving.  The music is accessible and familiar, without being derivative.  Songwriting talent like this does not go unnoticed, and when the right people notice, you will see big things happen fast for Jenni Dale Lord.

There is an element of pure country in Jenni Dale’s music, but her songwriting and performances are an amalgam of country, rock, blues, folk, and more, making her style unique and all her own.  Click the “play” arrow on each of the songs below to hear a few cuts from her debut CD “Jenni Dale Lord”. Each of these songs is completely different, and gives you an inkling of her versatility and musical range.

[wpaudio url=”http://hubcitymusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/All-Along.mp3″ text=” ‘All Along’ by Jenni Dale Lord” dl=”0″ autoplay=”0″]

[wpaudio url=”http://hubcitymusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Willie.mp3″ text=” ‘Willie’ by Jenni Dale Lord” dl=”0″ autoplay=”0″]

[wpaudio url=”http://hubcitymusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Smile.mp3″ text=” ‘Smile’ by Jenni Dale Lord” dl=”0″ autoplay=”0″]

Be sure to “Like” Jenni Dale’s Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/JDLmusic

See Jenni Dale’s website at www.jennidalelord.com

There’s a nice story and interview with her at http://theoutlanderproject.com/post/44652795516/sami-vox-outlander-artist-jenni-dale-lord

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