Category Archives: houston

Mac’s & Joe

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So, I’m over in the ‘hood that is the Third Ward today. At Mac’s, which is apparently for sale, if anyone wants to get into the beer business in the middle of the ‘hood. I was there to order some kegs, they have good prices and deliver and pick up for super cheap.

I park and get out of my car, and who’s right there,… on his bike…

Yes, Little Joe. So I had to chat with him for a while, always a linguistic challenge. Apparently, he owns a lot right behind the store. He comes in looking for some punch concentrate, some that will last him.

So, later I stop by the Continental to pick up a few things. Pete says, “Do you know why he owns a lot there? Because he burned down his house. That bastard,” he said lovingly, “was in here last night asleep on the back couch with a lit cigarette in his hand.” I was humored. Oh, Little Joe.

-b

Downtown

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Saturday Evening, I was sitting in the skyview bar of the new Hilton Hotel in downtown Houston (24th floor) with Allen Hill. Just musing on the fact that My Sister and nieces were at the Nutcracker ballet earlier in the day. My mom was at a show at the Verison Theater, and I was attending the Bill White Reception in the 4th floor ballroom.

Downtown is once again a happening place.

I ended up at M bar later that night. Interesting for half an hour, but I was happy to leave.

Spent the whole morning and afternoon at the swap-n-bop at the Continental Club in nearby Midtown. Great weather outside (a bit cold, but nice and sunny). Got to show many people the new Charley’s Big Top Lounge. It was interesting to get different people’s reactions. All liked it, but what elements they noticed and commented on was interesting to hear.

‘Nother Friday

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Well, what was an I-guess-I’ll-make-it-an-early-night turned into a late night of club hopping.

I started at the Continental Club for the Light Rock Express happy hour. Molly & the Ringwalds picked up a private gig, so they were the stand-ins. It was fun to watch peoples’ reactions as they came in. I think they should do a tour of Holiday Inns in the 713 and 281.

Before I left the CC, I listened to a bit of The El Orbit’s new Holiday Album (cover art by Beans Barton). It’s a fun and good CD. Many family members can expect it for Xmas. Pete said it’s the second full-length Christmas CD he’s recorded. We were wondering how many musicians had done that. (Someone do the research for me).

I then headed over to Rudyard’s for the Starr Project performances. Continue reading →

Flower Man

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http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/features/2088557

I was planning on going to help out on this project. Would have been fun. Damned Flu.

-b

Sept. 8, 2003, 9:21PM
Artistic ‘Flower Man’ gets new house, paint job, too
By ANDREW GUY JR.
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle Paint cans sit on the ground, tops popped off, brushes dipping in and out. Sledge hammers lift and fall, crushing the dilapidated columns on the porch and the tile floors in the entrance. Workers scatter, lifting, squatting, brushing, sweeping.

“Yeah!” the Flower Man answers.

The door is painted.

Bright yellow.

“This is the only yellow that will bring out the life of this dead house,” the Flower Man says. “And it brightens up this corner.”

Continue reading →

Tuesday night out

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Last night I first went to Rodney Crowell’s CD release party at the Continental.  The Chronicle had a huge photo and front page story in the Houston section.  Likely over 200 people there.  Huge variety of fans.  Many hadn’t been to the CC before.  It was a great show.  This was the band’s first gig together, but it was tight.  Everyone enjoyed.

Then I made my way to Walter’s Ice House on Washington to see Tub Ring from Chicago.  I hung out most of Sunday with a few friends and the guitarist from this band.  Very nice guy.  Apparently Walter’s got a sound violation recently and the show almost didn’t go on.  There was a cop there when I showed up, but he wasn’t sure it was there that was the loudest (Mary Jane’s across the street sounded louder, and Silky’s was issuing noise as well.)  The Walters parking lot had more people in it than the inside because the band that was on was INSANELY loud.  There was absolutely no reason to be using half of the volume issuing from their stacks.

Tub Ring was definitely eclectic and punkish.  With one under-ager appearing to be Chris Farley trying to slam dance with himself.  The band was very animated including the keyboardist who both jumped on and slammed the keyboards against himself.  Entertaining, if poorly attended.

-b