Tag Archive: music


DSA 3rd Saturday Showcase at Angela’s

Filed under: Communications, Current events, Dallas Songwriters Association, guitar, Music, showcases, Songwriting, writing — Leave a comment
June 23, 2017

Janelle Nichole

The Dallas Songwriters Association 3rd Saturday showcase on June 17 began at 7:30 with Janelle Nichole. Janelle is a young woman from Fredricksburg with a beautiful voice and a kind spirit. She entertained the diners with cover songs mixed with her nice original songs. She is currently working on funds for a cd. From the songs she played at Angela’s, the cd will be worth getting  – and putting the songs on your playlist when she’s on Spotify. It’s only a matter of when.

As host, Dan Roark went on after Janelle. I played a mixture of old and new songs, ending with my newest song, I Got My Ass Kicked in Nashville. The title is the first line of the chorus. The second line is “seems like all the way to St. Paul.” The first night I played it live, among the people that commented on it was a couple who happend to be from St. Paul. Go figure.

Rob Case

Rob Case ended the showcase with songs from his Last Call in Texas cd. Bayou City, Song about Texas, Last Call in Texas,  and Are We Even Yet? were some of the highlights. He said there were a few he didn’t care for as much, so he wasn’t going to do those. Rob didn’t tell us what they were though.

It was an evening of songs and stories about life and events past for a good appreciative crowd. Make plans to go to Angela’s on the third Saturday to hear more good songwriters in the showcase. On July 15, John Mason and Cat McGee will be co-guest hosting. The opening songwriter will be announced soon.

Keep writing the songs that are in your heart.

Peace be with you.

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Weekly Songwriter Challenge at Louisiana St. Grill

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April 6, 2017

Kevin Edwards

I had the pleasure of participating in the weekly songwriter challenge at the Louisiana St. Grill in McKinney. The challenge is hosted by Kevin Edwards and the Guitar Gallery on the Square of McKinney. You can sign up for the next week’s challenge by sending Kevin a text. He shares the event page to several Facebook pages, but you can find it on the Guitar Gallery’s page.

Ariana Ortiz

Edwards started the show by playing a few songs. Ariana Ortiz was the first songwriter of the evening. She  was filling in for one of the two people who had cancelled. Since she called at the last minute, she did not have time to write a song for the challenge. Ariana has a voice approaching what one would call sultry. Her lyrics added drama to her voice.

Dan Roark

Dan Roark followed Ariana. The crowd especially liked the Aardvark Song. Ray White followed me. Joe Watson followed White. Spencer Hamilton ended the performing part of the evening and began the song challenge. Then in reverse order – Joe Watson, Ray White, then me – we played our challenge songs from the prompt “I don’t do.”

Ray White

Each songwriter in the challenge circled two names on the list of their names. Kevin tallied up the votes. Spencer Hamilton was the winner of the challenge.

It was  an enjoyable evening. I plan to return on a future Tuesday. I’m going to try to write a song with the prompts each week as it goes along.

Keep writing the songs that are in your heart.

Joe Watson

Peace be with you.

Spencer Hamilton

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Reach For the Stars Talent Revue Competition – Week 12

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March 27, 2017

Jeff Stachowski

Friday, March 24, was the last week of regular competition in Little Anthony’s Reach for the Stars Talent Revue competition at Harbor Point Club and Grill. Regular  judges Dan Roark, Pete Corm (Party with Pete), Lonny Schonfeld, and Tonya Houston were joined by Rachael A. Gregory. Little Anthony, of course, was MC, and Tomas Pineda, Jr. manned the video camera.

Contestants on the last  week – in order of appearance – were David Burns, Linda Stone,

Linda Stone

Albert Eli, and Jeff Stachowski. Fill-in acts were Johnny Christian, Steven Perry (winner from week 11), Don Wall (also a semi-finalist) with Jack Lavender, Sheryl McGuire, Darren Rozell, Lonny Schonfeld, Michael J. (comedian), Ricky Cabug-os, Tomas Pineda, Jr., and Copperhead Taylor. Dan Roark closed the show.

The final week winner was Jeff Stachowski. Linda Stone and Albert Eli came in second and third, respectively.

More pictures will be found on my FB music page.  Next Friday begins the semi-finals. Come on out and see all of  the talented performers. Show begins at 8 p.m.

Albert Eli

Keep writing the songs that are in your heart.

Peace be with you.

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Shawn Phillips at Poor David’s Pub

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Kent and Glenna Skinner

Cyndy and I had the pleasure of seeing Shawn Phillips at Poor David’s Pub on Sunday, March 19. It was one of over thirty shows for PDP’s fortieth anniversary in 45 days, or close to that.

I saw Shawn Phillips every time he came through town with his band in the 7os and 80s. I saw him solo at the Greenville Avenue PDP location. And I looked forward to seeing him again.

Shawn Phillips

Kent and Glenna Skinner – the perennial opening act for Phillips, according to David Card – did, indeed, open the show. Kent began by himself, switching from acoustic 12-string to electric 12-string. Then Glenna joined him for the last few songs. They ended with a song in which the two characters of the song argue. She argues with the verses, he argues with instrumental guitar – interesting song.

After a short intermission, David Card introduced Shawn Phillips. My favorite song of his is Blunt and Frank. I was pretty sure he would play it, but I didn’t expect him to play it in the first three songs. Which he did.

Then he proceeded to play songs from throughout his forty+ year career. He also played songs from his forthcoming CD. Unfortunately, he didn’t have any of the new CDs with him. There was one song – I don’t remember the name – which he said was a band song. Using looping, he set up the song playing guitar, then bass. Once he had the back up parts, he grabbed another guitar and proceeded to play and sing the song. It was a great show. Check his website for the release of his new CD, Continuance.

Cyndy and I had to leave before he finished – it was a Sunday night after all. Shawn is a hell of a songwriter, and Poor David’s is the best place to see a songwriter.

Keep writing the songs that are in your heart.

Peace be with you.

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DSA 3rd Saturday Showcase at Angela’s

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March 21, 2017

Layne Elizabeth

The Dallas Songwriters Association third Saturday showcase at Angela’s at the Crosswalk on March 18, began with young songwriter, Layne Elizabeth. We have started a tradition of opening with a young songwriter each month. The content and poetry of Layne’s songs belie her young age. Her show is straightforward without displaying any pretense. If you have a chance to catch her show, it’s definitely worth the effort. Layne and her mother plan to join DSA. We will gladly accept them into our songwriting family.

Rio King followed Layne at 8:00 with his honky-tonk Americana. Rio takes you back to when country was

Rio King

simple and uncomplicated. Songs like Last Chance to Dance in Texas, inspired by the signs saying “last chance for gas.”

John Mason played next, with his thought-provoking, story-telling Americana songs. Stories of journeys, both literal and introspective. Leaving the audience with the last song wondering “Why I Call My Coffee Joe.”

I was host and came on after John. I started with my song for those on the

John Mason

autism spectrum, Hello Out There. I ended with the Hitchhiking Song.

Rckey Gene Wright was scheduled to play at 9:30 when I finished. However, he had an earlier gig that began and ended later than expected. As he arrived at Angela’s after finding a parking space, the crowd had dispersed, leaving a handful of people. Apparently, there was a lot going on in the area. Rickey and I visited for a while before I began breaking down the sound system. He will be back in a future showcase.

The April showcase will be on the 15th. Look for the line-up to be posted before too long.

Keep writing the songs that are in your heart.

Peace be with you.

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If It Wasn’t For A Woman

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March 10, 2017

Here is a song I wrote for women in response to the derogatory comments we have heard about them in recent times, played for a small group. I will be recording the song in the next month. Copyright 2017

Keep writing the songs that are in your heart.

Peace be with you.

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Open Mic Tales – From Around the World

Filed under: Communications, Current events, Music, open mic, Songwriting, Sound, writing — 1 Comment
February 28, 2017
Madalyn White

Madalyn White

There are nights at open mics that are full of surprises and guest performances. People who are traveling through town for whatever reason and find an open mic to play. Such was the case on Monday, February 20, at the Poor David’s Pub open mic, hosted by Mr. Troll. After Troll opened the show, Madalyn White, one of  two young performers playing that night.

Madalyn White, began by saying that she would do a song by her favorite band. Much to the surprise of the

Michael Freidman

Michael Freidman

audience – that band is the Grateful Dead. But at the same time, it was a comforting thought. Even more confounding was that the song she played was from one of the lesser knows albums. Madalyn is a young woman with a nice voice and a laid-back “Grateful Dead” attitude. Just saying.

Rob Case was next, followed by Michael Freidman. All he put on the signup sheet was Michael, so I have no idea if I spelled his last name right. Michael is from Baltimore. He had come to Dallas for a good deal on a couple of speakers for his studio. The Dobro he was playing might have been new as well. The loudness of the instrument seemed to surprise him. Next on the list were Roy Howell, Dan Roark, Alex Kovach, Ron Sexton, and M’Lynn Musgrove (a good young singer-songwriter).

Titus Waldenfels

Titus Waldenfels

Then came Titus Waldenfels. Titus is from Germany and was traveling through – which explains the “around the world” part. He is a very entertaining and interesting fellow. He played his first song on guitar. His second song he played on violin/fiddle. He preceded the song by saying that he had grown fond of country music in Texas. See the video on my Facebook music page.

John Mason followed Waldenfels. I had to leave during John’s set. But following Mason were Baylis Laramore, Joe Watson, Darren Rozell, Blake Edwards, Fiyad, Lori Mosely, and Mark Brandt. A good complete show. See other pictures – up to John Mason – on my music page.

Go out to an open mic tonight. You never know who you will see. But it’s bound to be highly entertaining.

Keep writing the songs that are in your heart.

Peace be with you.

 

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DSA 3rd Saturday Showcase at Angela’s

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February 23, 2017
Ireland Casteel

Ireland Casteel

The Dallas Songwriters Association third Saturday Showcase at Angela’s at the Crosswalk on February 18 began with Ireland Casteel. Ireland is a very good young songwriter.  Each month we will try to have one of our younger songwriters open the show to highlight them. A way to encourage them and help them receive feedback.

Buck Morgan followed Casteel with a mix of his originals and covers, ending with his song, Jimmy Loves

Buck Morgan

Buck Morgan

Jesus. Don Wall played next. He started off his set with his song, Corn Bread. Corn Bread was successfully entered in the DSA quarterly lyric contest. He played a lively set of country music. Host Dan Roark began at 9 p.m. and played a set which included Peace Be With You, and his signature songs, Chocolate Eclairs and Apple Fritters, and Supermarket Wreck of ’75.

Young & Rusty closed out the show with a full set including songs from their cd, Back Road Love. Sue Young and Rusty Nelson were special guests from

Don Wall

Don Wall

Austin. They are members of the Austin Songwriters Group. They played the title song from the cd as well as my favorite song, Where the Ferryboats Used to Run. They also played Angelitos – Little Angels from Sue’s cd, Gliding. It was a quite the entertaining set.

Dan Roark

Dan Roark

The audience was very receptive to the entire show and showed their appreciation. Don’t miss the next DSA third Saturday showcase on March 18. The lineup will be announced soon, but it will be a good show. Good music, good food, great desserts, reasonable drinks, and friendly staff.

Keep writing the songs that are in your heart.

Peace be with you.

Rusty Nelson and Sue Young

Rusty Nelson and Sue Young

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Reach For the Stars Talent Revue Contest – Week 5

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February 8, 2017
Tanner Usrey

Tanner Usrey

Last Friday, February 3rd, at Harbor Point Club and Grill in Richardson, was week five of Little Anthony’s Reach for the Stars Talent Competition. Regular judges Pete Cormican and Dan Roark were present, along with guest judges, Rev. KM Williams, and Drew “Spider” Minshew. Regular judge, Lonny Schonfeld, had a previous commitment.

Rev. Williams opened the show with his cigar box guitar blues. And he can play the blues. Darren Rozell,

Joe Watson

Joe Watson

winner from week four, followed the Reverend. Competing on Friday were Tanner Usrey, John Willis, Curtis McCullum, Linda Stone, Joe Watson, Cindy Lewis, and Renee Sheffield. Fill-in performers – other than Rev. Williams, were Spider Minshew, Felix Estrada and Tomas Pineda, Jr. First place winner was Tanner Usrey. Second and third place were Joe Watson and Curtis McCullum, respectively.

Come out this Friday for week six to see Tanner open the show. It’s always a great show and a fun time with great music, good food, reasonable drinks, and a friendly staff.

Curtis McCullum

Curtis McCullum

If you would like to perform or compete, call Anthony at 214-660-4799. I’ll be back to playing this week. I’m breaking out the ukulele and harmonica. Come on out and join us.

Keep writing the songs that are in your heart.

Peace be with you.

 

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Reach For the Stars Talent Review Contest – Week 4

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February 1, 2017
Darren Rozell

Darren Rozell

Last Friday, the 27th of January, was the fourth week of Little Anthony’s Reach for the Stars Talent Review competition at Harbor Point Club and Grill in Richardson. Regular judges, Lonny Schofeld, Pete Cormican, and Dan Roark were in attendance. Tin Man Travis, winner of week three, opened the show. Deano Isaacs, winner of week one, followed.

Contestants for the evening were Barry Healey, Darren Rozell, Jordan “Copperhead Taylor” Bearden, Linda Stone, and Sonya Wade. Fill-in performers were Joey Alcatraz and Tomas Pineda, Jr. with Dan Roark closing the show.

Darren Rozell won and will open the show this Friday. “Copperhead Taylor”came in second, with Sonya Wade coming in third. Darren performed original songs, as did the first place winners of three of the four weeks. After the winners were announced, Tin Man played a couple more songs with Brad Blackwood on harmonica.

The show this week promises to be as good as the previous weeks. Come join us, eat some good food and hear

"Copperhead Taylor"

“Copperhead Taylor”

some great music. The staff is friendly and there are shuffleboard and pool tables.

If you want to compete, call Anthony at 214-660-4799. There might be a couple of spots left.

Keep writing the songs that are in your heart.

Peace be with you.

 

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