June 28, 2012 Island Moon A 11

By Ronnie Narmour

ronnienarmour@gmail.com

Three Chords and the Truth

Live MusicThursday, June 28Clay McClinton @ Back Porch Free Beer Band @ Tarpon Ice House Antone & the All Stars @ Scuttlebutt’s Local Licks @ House of Rock Pear Ratz/ Oaje Rissu/ Richie Allbright @ Brewster Street

Friday, June 29Tommy Alverson @ Back Porch The Cuveralls @ The Sea Wall Scarecrow People @ Executive Surf Club Duke E. Brown @ Dr. Rockits Blake Sparx @ Scuttlebutt’s Ray T & the City Crew @ Flats Lounge Rae Ann & the Barroom Profits @ The Gaff

Saturday, June 30Gary P. Nunn @ Back Porch Buster Jiggs/ Neil Edwards @ House of Rock Profile @ The Sea Wall Stuart Burns @ Lisabellas Rotel & the Hot Tomatoes @ Brewster Street Ruben V @ Dr. Rockits Emily Dale @ Scuttlebutt’s John Cortez Band @ Executive Surf Club

Sunday, July 1Open Electric Jam w/ Rockin’ Ricke @ Tarpon Ice House 10 Years with Fair to Midland/ Kyng@ Brewster Street Ice House Donations for Dogs @ House of Rock Josh Heinrichs/ 77 Jeffersons/ Weakday Boys @ Dr. Rockits

Monday, July 2Open Jam w/ Antone Perez @ Doctor Rockits Acoustic Monday w/ Neal Edwards @ House of Rock

Tuesday, July 3Tiffany Tuesday @ Tarpon Ice House Antone & the All Stars @ Doctor Rockits Open Mic w/ Rev. Matt Martinez @ House of Rock Corey Smith/ Rich O’Toole @ Brewster Street

Wednesday, July 4Cruise Control @ Back Porch

Transisordale/ Mama Tried/ Cassette Tape @ The Gaff

Mr. Mo’s Blues Jam @ Tarpon Ice House Open Mic @ Executive

Surf Club Albert Simson @

Vernon’s Brightly Feathered Ones

@ House of Rock Hilda Lamas @ The Sea

Wall Lil Egos @ Dr. Rockits

Thursday, July 5Six Market Boulevard @

Back Porch Free Beer Band @ Tarpon Ice House

Antone & the All Stars @ Dr. Rockits Roger Creager/ Rob Baird

@ Brewster Street Scream of Prayer Tour (8 Bands) @ House of Rock

Friday, July 6Tejas Brothers @ Back

Porch Ray T & the City Crew @

Flats Lounge Spazmatics @ Brewster

Street Bar Nutz @ House of

Rock Hilda Lamas @ The Sea

Wall Lil Ego’s @ The Texan

Reno & the Groovebusters @ Dr. Rockits The Groove @ Executive Surf Club

Saturday, July 7Larry Joe Taylor @ Back Porch

Benefit for Lee Guerra Pratt @ Flats Lounge

Mike McClure @ Third Coast Theater

JB & the Moonshine Band @ Brewster Street Trisum @ The Sea Wall

Forty Pound Dog @ The Texan

Another Level @ Dr. Rockits

Reely Rotnz @ Executive Surf Club

Sunday, July 8Open Electric Jam w/ Rockin’ Ricke @ Tarpon Ice

House Battle of the Bands @ House of Rock

Mike Guerra & John Lopez @ The Sea Wall

Johnny 5 & Beer Gnomes @ The Texan

Monday, July 9Open Jam w/ Antone

Perez @ Doctor Rockits

Acoustic Monday w/ Neal Edwards @ House

of Rock

OK folks, here we go one more time. June marks a three year anniversary for me with this column. In case anyone is counting, this is 3C&T number 84, one more in a series of a million. It’s about time I thank all you guys for your great positive feedback and my sponsors for sticking with me month after month. But right now, times a wasting… let’s roll.

I’m not a band; I’m a freak show…First of all, I want to share a weird exchange

I had with someone who calls himself Bryce “The Govna” Graves. I got an press release from him advertising something called the Hellzapoppin Sideshow Revue, “The World’s Greatest Show in Hell” to be held at Theo’s Billiards on July 21. The show featured such acts as Maryanne the Dame of Danger, Zamora the Torture King and Mr. Buggles the Wonder Dog. There was a sword swallower and someone who worked with lots of glass, fire and machetes. The promoter promised, “You’ll witness strange, odd, and unusual feats of mind over matter and death defying stunts.” I was working on my live music calendar at the time and thought, “I think Theo’s Billiards might have bands. I’ll reply and see if they want me to list them in my music box.” Well, I immediately got an email back from The Govna saying, “Ronnie, thanks for your interest but I’m not a band, I’m a freak show. Do you need flyers or what?” Now, as someone who’s worked closely with many bands through the years, I can attest I did consider a lot of them freak shows…but always a band first. Still, I may have to check out “The Govna,” band or not.

The Dust Devils

Last weekend I saw some great shows at the Back Porch. Kevin Higgins and his fabulous Dust Devils rolled into town from up Austin way and rocked our socks off. I still think Higgins is one of the best unsung songwriters on the circuit today. And the band had one of the hottest musicians around on this trip--Will Owen Gage (San Antonio, TX) was in the house, this time playing drums. I first met him when he showed up at the Ice House with Mitch Webb and the Swindles a few years ago. The young Gage, age 26, is one of those prodigies who started playing professionally at age 11. He is one bonafied monster on guitar and a heavily sought after sideman. The Dust Devils will be back at the end of August.

Joe King Carrasco & the CrownsLast Saturday, none other than Joe King

Carrasco and the Crowns graced the Back Porch with their presence. Actually, this act did have a little freak show in it. First of all, the great Texas journalist, Joe Nick Patoski, was present and introduced the band in his golden turban and best sideshow banter. Back in the day, Patoski managed the band and is married to the Crowns’ keyboardist, Kris Cummings. Just having Joe Nick in the room takes the Austin weird vibe to the next level. Joe King pulled out all the stops for this show. Though he now lives in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, he has been on tour in Texas for the past month and his entourage

was huge. He even had his old bass player of many decades, Chuggy, running sound for him.

Joe King hit the stage running (actually jumping) and never stopped. Clad in his best crown and cape, it was maddening energy from get to go. It had all the feel of Raul’s circa 1980, except none of us looked like we did in 1980. But, that didn’t stop us. We may have a few more miles on us now, but our generation defined “Party Weekend” and this was our night to shine. Joe was on fire. He jumped up on tables, played his guitar behind his head, walked through the crowd, and worked it like the consummate pro that he is. I’m not Joe-King, (pun intended), this was one great show!

DO NOT MISS LIST

This weekend at the Back Porch…

I’m going to throw a lot at you right now, so you may want to take notes. One show that I have been really looking forward to is Clay McClinton (Austin, TX) at the Back Porch tonight (Thursday, June 28th). Actually, McClinton is the son of Delbert McClinton... no pressure Clay. You father only pioneered the Texas Roadhouse sound and is the living definition of “Texas Honky Tonk.” Actually Clay has released three CD’s and has become quite a respected artist in his own right. I’ve yet to see Clay perform but I wouldn’t miss this show for love or money. Tomorrow night (June 29) Texas troubadour, Tommy Alverson (Ft. Worth, TX) is at the Porch. Alverson has shared the stage with Texas musicians Willie Nelson, Johnny Bush, Johnny Gimble, Jerry Jeff Walker, Clay Blaker, Gary P. Nunn, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Radney Foster, and Steven

Fromholz, as well as Robert Earl Keen, Pat Green, Charlie Robison, Dale Watson, and singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale. That’s a whole lot of big time name dropping right there folks. Alverson is the real deal and has the pedigree to prove it. Saturday night (June 30) Gary P. Nunn (Austin, TX) returns to the Porch. In case you’ve been hiding under a rock somewhere on Mars, Gary P. wrote the National Anthem of Texas (London Homesick Blues) and has a dozen CD’s out since 1983. Real deal Texas icon comes to mind.

Fourth of July Weekend…

The Gaff in Port A is having a Fourth of July throw down with Transistordale (San Antonio, TX), Mama Tried (Galveston, TX) and Cassette Tape. Transistordale is one of our favorites and their all original repertoire is loaded with such gems as Fat Girl Swimming in the Water, Reynosa and She’s Bustin’ Out. Mama Tried is a little more on the country and bluegrass side of roots and has played the island several times now to an ever growing fan base. Also, on the Fourth, the big horn dance band Cruise Control (Corpus Christi, TX) will play the Back Porch. On Friday, July 6th, The Tejas Brothers (Ft. Worth, TX) will bring their Texas Tornado sound to the Porch. Those guys are a blast… bring you dancing shoes. And finally, on Saturday, July 7th, Mike McClure (Stillwater,

OK) will play the Third Coast Theater in Port A. McClure has released 10 recording since 2001 and is a major contributor to the Oklahoma Red Dirt scene.

On the horizon…I’ll go into these shows in greater detail next

week but just be aware on Thursday, July 12th there are THREE noteworthy shows: Uncle Lucius (Austin, TX) will be at the Porch, Stoney LaRue (Stillwater, OK) is at Brewster Street and the Sons of Fathers (Austin, TX) will be in Corpus at Cole Park for the Bay Jamming Series. On Friday, July 13th, there are three more good shows to watch for: the Latin Gypsy Combo will play in Roberts Point Park for the Sunset Sounds Outdoor Concert Series; the rockabilly filly, Rosie Flores (Austin, TX), will be at Dr. Rockits; and one of my new favorite bands, blacktopGYPSY (Dallas, TX) will be at the Porch. Really guys, take my word for it, you DO NOT WANT TO MISS blacktopGYPSY. They have three ladies fronting the group who are incredible. One of them, Heather Stalling, is married to Max Stalling who will be at the Porch the next night, Saturday, July 14th. Finally, I’ve got to mention the great Vallejo (Austin, TX) will bring their powerful sound to the Executive Surf Club, also on the 14th. This is all good stuff.

And that’s the truth!

Tonight

Free Beer Band Every Thursday (7:00 pm)Open Jam Every Sunday

With Rockin’ Ricke (5:00 pm)

321 N Alister * (361) 749-2337

Tif fany DuckworthEvery Tuesday (7:00 pm)Mr. Mo's Open Blues Jam

Every Wednesday (7:00 pm)

COLD BEER, HOT MUSIC

Live Music Every Friday

Mon-Sat 10am- 2am

Sun Noon- 2am

Lee Guerra Pratt Benefit July 7

The GaffBeer ● Pizza ● Belt Sander Races (361) 749-5970

Moby Dicks

517 South Alister StreetPort Aransas, Tx

Seafood, Steaks & Oysters

Tiki Bar

Lisabellas Bistro & BarCelebrating Coastal Cuisine

361-749-4222Now Open Mon- Sat

Bar opens at 2pm withGrilled Pizzas & Specialty Drinks

Casual Dining at it’s Finest

Come Visit Our New Location

5009 Hwy 361 Port A @ Cinnamon Shores

Private Dinner Parties, Personal Chef, Weddings

OPEN10-5

DailyLunch

Specials

~

f acebook .com/ fe lde rga l l e r y

132 W. Cotter PortASat. 7/7 Larry J oe Taylor

THurs. 6/28 Fri. 6/29 Sat. 6/30

ClayMcClinton

Tommy Alverson

Gary P.Nunn

Joe King Carrasco played the Back Porch in Port A on June 23rd.

Clay McClinton plays the Back Porch tonight. (Thursday June 28th)

The Dust Devils played the Back Porch on June 22nd.

Transistordale will play the Gaff on the Fourth of July.

blacktopGYPSY will play the Back Porch on July 13th.