James McMurtry @ Gruene Hall

Last Friday, Tricia (aka Ruth Ann) and I had a one-day road trip to see James McMurtry at Gruene Hall. We first went to my dad’s place on Canyon Lake. Hung out and chatted. The water is very high and the gates are wide open, so we went down the 306 side of the river.

James McMurtry (photo by Cynthia Kinney)We met up with Faithe, who recently moved to San Antonio, at the Grist Mill and had a nice meal. We noticed that James was eating a few tables away. Tricia had a chat with him for a while, and we all said hi before we left. He mentioned we should go down to the river to check it out.

The Guadalupe was flowing over the bridge just down the street, and quite a torrent it was. We headed back and caught the Ded Ringers. We both quite like this young band from Austin. Good songwriters for being so young.

Most of the perimeter and picnic table seating was taken when we went in, so we stood back from the stage near the sound board. Becky (aka Lynn) and several other friends (including James’ girlfriend) showed up during the opening band. Between sets a very tall boot wearer asked us if there was “any reason we were standing here?” It being the implication that we were blocking he and his wife’s lazy asses view in the back of the room.

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Sax Houston

I was talking to one of my sister’s friends.  She commented that she’d just returned from Austin and there were lots of street performers, and lamented the lack of them in Houston.  I was puzzled.  I’ve noticed lots of buskers (of varying quality) throughout the downtown area, and a few in the medical district along … Read more

Jagged Little Clarkson

I got up early and rode my bike a few miles to pick up some Doc Marten boots offered on the Heights/Montrose Freecycle. I’ve been needing new boots, and now I have two “new” pair. Excellent. When the radio popped on this morning, it said it was 83 and when it gets a little warmer … Read more

Yellow Magic Orchestra does the Tighten Up

I’m flipping the channels waiting for my left overs to rewarm in the microwave oven, and I hit the Turner Broadcasting Station. There’s a Japanese band performing the Tighten Up, Archie Bell’s #1 hit from the Summer of 1968. Yellow Magic Orchestra. A song I’ve seen Archie sing at the Continental Club. As they zoom … Read more