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

Tag Archives: Paul Johnson

Joe Jencks
January 14, 2018

Joe Jencks is an international touring musician, award-winning songwriter and celebrated vocalist, known for his performances of musical beauty, social consciousness and spiritual exploration. Having penned several #1 Folk-songs including the ever relevant Lady of The Harbor, Jencks has become a fan favorite throughout North America. Joe is the co-founder of the Folk trio Brother Sun, which has previously played to a sold-out HubCityMusic audience.

From Festivals like Falcon Ridge, Kerrville, Mariposa, and Old Songs, to venues like Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, Joe Jencks has enthralled diverse audiences with his approachable style. Joe is noted for his unique merging of musical beauty, social consciousness, and spiritual exploration. Blending well-crafted instrumentals and vivid songwriting, Jencks serves it all up with a rich and unique baritone voice that retains a distinctive edgy richness.  Joe’s is one of those voices that, once you’ve heard him sing, you will instantly recognize his voice anytime you hear him again.

Joe’s music is story-based Folk in the vein of artists like Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, early Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, and the Kingston Trio (to name a few), although while managing to tell the story as well as any of the aforementioned, Joe’s melodies and tone are more melodic and musical than many of those. And you will definitely hear some of the Celtic influence of Joe’s Irish roots.

Joe’s newest Solo CD – Poets, Philosophers, Workers, & Wanderers – was released May 1st, 2017 to critical acclaim. The CD has spent several weeks at #1 on Sirius XM’s Americana Chart, and was also the #1 CD on the Folk DJ Chart for May, 2017 – with 4 songs in the top 10.

This was definitely a don’t-miss concert, and did not disappoint!  It was one of the few times most of us will have an opportunity to hear him live, particularly in a small-venue environment, and Joe was at the top of his game. That voice! Oh, what a voice! And his lyrics are incisive and on point. This was a wonderful evening!

 

Visit Joe Jencks’ website at www.joejencks.com

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

8th Annual Harvest Moon Concert
with Mike Pritchard & Mark Wallney
September 8, 2017

7th Annual Harvest Moon House ConcertBecause of beautiful weather, we were once again able to host our 8th Annual Harvest Moon concert outside under the full moon. It was a beautiful evening, and Mike Pritchard and Mark Wallney were in fine form with beautiful vocals and masterful guitar work!

It’s hard to believe this was our 8th Annual Harvest Moon Concert! It marks an anniversary of sorts for Claire and Paul, as the first one was about the one-year mark from when we started dating. Who knew that all these years later, we would be married and still celebrating love and life with our friends every Harvest Moon?!

And, of course, it wouldn’t be the same without another outstanding performance by our dear friends Mike Pritchard and Mark Wallney, who got this whole thing started in the first place with their better-than-original performances of Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon”, which they would always play with a dedication to Claire every time Claire and Paul went on a date anywhere Mike and Mark were playing. Their performance of this romantic and seasonally appropriate song sets the stage for a relaxing evening of undeniable musical and vocal talent.

So here we are at our 8th 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. There are a lot of special things about this 8th Annual Harvest Moon concert. For one, this will be our second Harvest Moon concert since we’ve been married, and the second Harvest Moon concert in our new home. Considering that our very first Harvest Moon concert was a surprise party for Claire, it’s nice how things have come full circle.

When: Friday September 8, 2017 at 7:15pm

Tickets: $20 each. (100% of all money received will go to our guest musicians.)

The general public is invited.

BYOB. Complimentary snacks and bottled water are provided.

Wendy Colonna
August 11, 2017

HubCityMusic.com house concerts was excited to again host Wendy Colonna in an intimate house concert on Friday August 11, 2017!  The weather was perfect for a backyard concert, as the entire yard was in the shade by the time the concert started.

Wendy opened strong with the song featured on her newest video release, “Girls Like Me”. (view video HERE)  The song selection was perfect for the entire concert, as Wendy played a great mix of her newest songs from “No Moment But Now” interspersed with a great selection of the strongest songs in her now-vast repertoire.  It was a perfect concert on a perfect evening, and a great reminder why we love this amazing singer/songwriter.

Wendy Colonna is enjoying the success of back-to-back critically acclaimed album releases, and as significant as that would be for anyone else, it’s just the tip of Wendy’s Good News iceberg!

Last summer she married the love of her life, Ryan Doty, and just a few weeks ago they welcomed their new son, Charlie into the world!  And between those two blessed dates, she created her newest, and most acclaimed album, “No Moment But Now”, all the while continuing to perform for enthusiastic audiences in multiple locations, including the 2017 Kerrville Folk Festival.  To say Wendy has been busy would be an understatement of the highest order, just as it would be to say she has been blessed on a personal and professional level.  She is beyond blessed!

“No Moment But Now”, has songs simultaneously featured on Apple Music’s “Hot Tracks” and “Breaking Singer Songwriter Playlist”, as well as Spotify’s “Fresh Folk” playlist.  Wendy is garnering critical acclaim from multiple outlets including the New York Times (describing her music as “ethereal”), and she was selected as a 2017 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Finalist.  The Austin American-Statesman long ago recognized Wendy as “Austin’s Best Singer/Songwriter”, and that word is now out around the nation.

Expect more great news and great music from Wendy in the near future, but right now, enjoy her intimate and personal house concert while you can, because big things are on the way for this extraordinarily gifted songwriter and performer!

Visit Wendy’s website: http://www.wendycolonna.com/

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.

Wendy Colonna
Friday June 10, 2016

Wendy ColonnaAfter almost 6 years of hosting house concerts, Paul Johnson’s house will see its last and final house concert on June 10th.  (Don’t worry, we are not quitting – we are moving! In the future, all of our concerts will be held in the new Paul and Claire’s house!  Now we can have the option of both indoor and outdoor concerts.)
We can’t think of a better entertainer to cap this great run of concerts than one of our all-time favorites, Wendy Colonna.

Wendy Colonna has long been 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 even attempt. She gets lost in her delivery, and believe me, you will too.

Wendy has achieved amazing success, releasing a new CD (“Nectar”) to national critical acclaim, having her music chosen by Starbucks for national play in their stores, and having her song “A Happy Song” chosen by Coca Cola to back a national TV and movie theater ad campaign. Other highlights of Wendy’s trajectory also include: selection as a Wall Street Journal pick for “Best Music Acts” at SXSW 2014; featured co-vocalist in the Grammy/MusicCares All-Star Showcase; and interviews on both NPR’s Beale Street Caravan and WFUV’s Sunday Breakfast (NYC).

But what matters most is how Wendy connects with her audience, and those of you who have attended one of her previous concerts at Paul Johnson’s house can attest. This will definitely be a “don’t-miss” concert!

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!

Concert information:
Wendy Colonna hosting the Farewell Concert at Paul Johnson’s house
Friday June 10th, 2016 at 7:15pm (doors open at 6:30)
Location: Paul Johnson’s house (address given with RSVP)
Tickets: $20 each (100% goes to our guest musician)
BYOB
Complimentary snacks and bottled water will be provided

Visit Wendy’s website at www.WendyColonna.com

P.S. Keep an eye on HubCityMusic.com, because before you know it, we’ll be posting an invitation to the very first concert at Paul & Claire’s house!  We are remodeling the new place now, and when we are finished you can bet we will invite you to our first concert of a new era!

Sarah McQuaid
Friday October 23rd

Sarah McQuaidClick here for more information or to RSVP

International performer Sarah McQuaid makes a rare Lubbock appearance on Friday October 23rd in an intimate HubCityMusic.com house concert.  All the way from England, Sarah has found a broad audience in the United States, and is in the midst of a nationwide CD release tour, introducing her fourth solo CD.  Entitled “Walking into White”, this newest release is receiving rave reviews.  Here are a few samples of the response this CD is receiving:

“Luminous … a soft but forceful record whose urgency is sometimes masked by the music’s acoustic serenity.” —The Boston Globe

“The more we spin this one, the better it sounds.” —BabySue

“Jaw-droppingly beautiful … tender and gorgeous.” —Invisible Ink Music Blog

We are extremely fortunate and grateful that Sarah’s schedule makes this concert possible.

Sarah’s voice has been likened to malt whiskey, melted chocolate and “honey poured into wine”. Her new album Walking Into White (2015) is her most honest and adventurous work to date, with a depth and texture of soundscape that are reflected in her beautifully crafted live shows. A captivating performer, she seduces her audience with cheeky banter and stories from the road, as well as with stunning musicianship; in her hands, the guitar becomes much more than merely an accompanying instrument.

You won’t want to miss her unique vocals and accompanying guitar, as well as the sound magic that accompanying sound technician Martin Stansbury brings to the room.  It will be an amazing performance!

Visit Sarah’s website here: www.SarahMcQuaid.com

Click here for more information or to RSVP

Admission is $20/person, with 100% going to our guest musician.
Concert information:
Sara McQuaid at Paul Johnson’s house
Friday October 23rd, 2015 from 7:15pm till 10pm (doors open at 6:30)
Location: Paul Johnson’s house (RSVP to receive directions)
BYOB
Complimentary snacks and bottled water will be provided

Click here for more information or to RSVP

 

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:

 

Heath Wright
Friday February 27, 2015

HeathWright-300x300Heath Wright is one of many South Plains College, Commercial Music Department, graduates who have gone on to some big accolades.

As the lead singer in Ricochet, Heath has performed on some of the biggest stages in the country, as well as having numerous Country top-40, top-20, and top-10 hits, including a #1 hit, “Daddy’s Money”.  He has also performed as lead singer in top band, Restless Heart.

Heath returned to West Texas to headline the 17th annual Scholarship Gala at South Plains College on Saturday February 28th, and thanks to our mutual friend Cary Banks, we have were given the opportunity to host a very special, intimate house concert for Heath on Friday February 27th!  What a rare opportunity to be in this environment, face to face in our living room, with a performer who is at home headlining concerts for thousands of people.

In spite of the biggest snow of this year on the morning of the concert, a good-sized group of people braved the weather to enjoy an energetic performance by Heath, Cary Banks, and percussionist and vocalist Chris Hempfling.  These three blended their talents beautifully!