What a weekend, ya'll. Friday night saw plenty of Action, but not in the traditional sense. We had a dinner for a friend who is now liberated. In the course of the dinner, there was entertainment. And this entertainment was AWESOME! She came into our private dining room and the enchanting music started and then she started and I was mesmerized! Belly dancing is so exotic, exciting and appetite encouraging! She moved, swayed and smiled throughout the 5 minute set and we were enthralled and enrapt! She was amazing. The dinner was great and the company was fabulous: Paige (newly liberated), Paula, GLJ, Jennifer, Ethan, Talitha, Karri, and a couple others. What a night! If you're ever in Austin and you want some good Middle Eastern fare, go to Ararat. The food is great and the music never stops. Saturday was a fun day, though cold and rainy. Just worked inside all day with the Boss, doing Video stuff, you know? But Saturday night, well, that's a different story. Got a bottle of the finest and went with the Boss to the Alpine House (where GLJ used to live) for a great big old party! The occasion was the imminent departure of Jen, one of the gals who lives there. She is leaving for a year to study meditation around the country. But first, she's going to Mardi Gras. The party was fantastic! Such nice people and great music... Johnny and his son played Beatles' songs and then Austin Family Jewels played a couple 3 songs. Then there were some drums and then Johnny and one of the Eggmen played Beatles' songs for 2 hours and everyone was singing. Didn't get home til early in the AM and we slept til 11, had coffee for breakfast then GLJ went to work and I went to play. Not really play, in that I worked all day, just not at my regular job. Sunday night, went to Cafe Caffeine to see QTN play. Filmed that one and was blown away by Brian and his beautiful music. Was touched by his songs. They really moved me. And everyone else. Home via Polvo's with GLJ then to sleep shortly thereafter. What a weekend. And the fun never stops here in Austin. What are you doing tonight?

You know, I've lived here in Austin almost my whole life and am so happy that there are still so many things here that, A, I didn't know about and, B, are fun and exciting. I'm referring to a little place called TC's Lounge on Webberville Road in East Austin. We went there on Monday night to record audio and video for Little Elmore Reed Blues Band, a four piece made up of some local heroes who have come together from their various projects to play on Monday nights as this project. Oh man, what a band! And what a club! My friend and business partner, Tim the audio magician, was running sound and recording audio while I and the Boss were running camera. We caught the first set, which ended about 1130, and we were hooked. The style is blues and man, is it dirty. Never seen four white boys play blues with such skill and feeling. Indeed, these aren't just any four white dudes. These dudes know the blues. Check out their myspace place and you'll know what I mean. The club, though, is without precedent. You walk in and it's like you've gone back in time to a juke joint or a gin house. I mean, dancing, drinking, shit talking and big smiles! I didn't know and man, it was fun! Come on down on Monday nights to TC's Lounge to see Little Elmore Reed. You'll be glad you did. We'll see you there. Last night was Thursday and I went to Cafe Mundi to catch the Austin Family Jewels. Because it WAS warm, they played outside and were mic'd up for sound! This 6 piece always plays with such style and glamour and emotion. You can feel the experiences as the various singers sing their songs. Driving songs, loving songs, crying songs and fun songs. Austin Family Jewels has it all! Catch em next time. This weekend should be fun. Don't know about much music yet, but there are parties, events and dinners with great people. It's supposed to freeze or something this weekend, which, in Texas, never happens. Yesterday, it was 80 degrees. Today, it's COLD!! Doesn't stop us! The music keeps rolling and so do we! What are you doing tonight?

Yes, we have been busy. Here at Austin Music Tonight, we do music. But music comes in many forms. Rock, singer-songwriter, over the net etc. What we have been focusing on is how to intergrate all the various forms of music into one platform where folks from around the world, YOU, can access all that we have in the comfort of your own home. So, yes, we've been out to see a lot of shows lately, but we've been focusing on our website; trying to get it up and running with plenty of content for you to peruse. Will keep you updated on the progress there. So, back to live shows in Austin: Went to Ruta Maya for the first time the other day to see Jonathan Bird perform his unique and moving brand of songwriting, straight from the land of North Carolina. He apparently is constantly on tour and my girl, GLJ, heard he was coming and took us both to see him. He had two sets but we only caught the first. But it was enough. He has this quiet appeal, a man who knows what he wants to say, and says it. He sings softly, but with passion and a subtle intensity that brings one to the point of one's seat, waiting for the next line, the next verse, the next story. I couldn't find a website for him but his name is Jonathan Bird from North Carolina. A couple days after that, went back to Ruta Maya to see and film a trio from Austin and Houston called Household Names. My man Santos met up with these guys while they were on tour with What Made Milwaukee Famous a couple months back. These guys have a refreshing sound that's modern and upbeat. Being a trio, the power was there for the feeling and one could easily discern each instrument as it struck its next note. No crowding going on up there, no! Household Names, soon to be a household name! Two weeks back, saw Austin Family Jewels, the artists formerly known as Damnfinos. They played their regular Thursday gig at Cafe Mundi on the Eastside. Oh, such sweet, beautiful music these gals and guys make. This show was filmed and the audio was recorded so at some point, it might behoove us to make a video of this set. These folks are shooting stars, folks. Take note and go see this band. You will love what you find! Will keep you updated as to websites, new shows, new videos and new opportunities. We love all you guys. Oh, by the way, what are you doing tonight?

Hey guys, welcome back! What have we been doing, you ask? Well get ready, cuz we been busy! This will be a short post to just sum up what's been going on...Arab League, Tia Carrera, Austin Family Jewels (formerly Damnfinos), What Made Milwaukee Famous, Attic Ted, Avenue Elle, and a host of other shows and events too numerous to mention. Xmas was cool, and fast! I like the family time and enjoy the food. But I'm glad it's over fast. It gets to be a bit too much, you know? We've had great weather here in Austin. Yeah, I'm rubbing it in! Also, though I didn't go to University of Texas, I was born here and do live here, so the fact that UT won the championship against USC was definitely a cause for celebration! After the game, me and the Boss went downtown to see the mayhem. Very rarely in the USA, do people spontaneously pour into the streets to celebrate anything, or demonstrate against anything. To have witnessed this firsthand is refreshing, cuz at least we now know that we are capable of mass action. Granted, people were going nuts over a football game; important, yes, but low on the order of priorities. But to know that people can go nuts, and effectively, safely and sanely, is benficial. It's nice to know that Americans aren't completely asleep. Maybe it's just in Austin, cuz from the majority of the rest of the country, I'm hearing zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. New Years Eve was great! Arab League played at Dina's house, much to the delight of the assembled infidels! All our people were there, and there was no reason to go anywhere else. What a night. GLJ and Paige were there; in fact, they participated in the show by playing the roles of copguardians! Arab League was "let out" of prison to do this one show and then, cruelly put back into isolation to serve the remainder of their "sentences." It was HOT to see two 6' tall HOT women in cop uniforms, swinging batons and generally looking HOT! Did I mention they looked HOT? Good. Arab League are lucky, indeed! Tonight is Friday, and that can mean only one thing: sushi! It's becoming our regular gig. Yes, yes, I know the world's oceans are being stripped of fish for this sushi and yes, I know this will be counterproductive to a progressive, forward strategy for peace and prosperity, but damnit! it tastes so good, and it makes me feel good. (sheepishly asks): do you want to eat with us? This is my attempt to co-opt you. Did it work? So, what are you doing tonight?

So, what did you do this weekend? We had a GREAT time! Went to the Damnfinos show on Wednesday and it was, as usual, incredible! Then Friday, at 710, saw Tia Carrera again and, let me tell you, this show is without precedent! It was the 18th time for us to film them and this was, by far, the best show of theirs that I have seen. For 55 minutes, the 3 boys in the band took the crowd on a journey. I still don't know where we went but you know, it doesn't matter. I'd go again! And again! Saturday night at Huston-Tillotson College saw the Hildegirls and the Djembabes. 3 words: Peace is Possible! It was an amazing experience to be in a room with 300 people, dancing and celebrating the joy and mystery of life. I don't know much, but I know what I like. These women are inspiring and motivational, but most of all, they set an example as leaders for the rest of us. By that I mean, we, the people, don't need a leader. Why? Because within each of us, we are all capable of leadership. When we all realize our full potential, and we strive to become what we are truly supposed to be, our so-called leaders will get out of the way, and the way forward will be revealed, finally, for all to see. I believe this. Do you? Sunday night, did something I've never done before: went Caroling. Elizabeth is the producer of this annual event and what a great show she puts on! Went with Gretchen to South Austin and met up with the peeps. It was cold; cold being a relative term in Texas, yes. But it was cold, like, 55 or so. But we persevered, and succeeded in spreading peace and love to a few lucky recipients who were taken aback that people were actually caroling. They hadn't seen that in a long time. Indeed, I never had. It was beautiful, ya'll! Much praise to Producer Elizabeth, Hosts Lori, Bill and Cassidy, Participants Stephen and Janice, Ruby, Michael, Reed and Lucy, Adams and Jill, Dree-Anne, Laura, Eva and Johnny, Ethan, and of course, my favorite caroler, Gretchen. What a night, what a weekend, what a month, and what a year, ya'll! In Austin, the fun never stops and the building of a better world continues in earnest. Be a leader, educate yourself and do what you can to make your world a better place. What are you doing tonight? Oh, since you asked, tonight I'm recording a country song with my friend Tim, the engineer extraordinaire! Even when it makes a million bucks, I'll still be here, blogging, letting you know about Austin Music Tonight. Cheers...

This weekend is looking great! But before we get to that, let's get to what we've done. On Wednesday, went to Flipnotics coffee space to see the Damnfinos! It's always a pleasure to see these guys, esp my favorite Damnfino, GLJ. Their special brand of music always fills me with happiness and joy. Their high and low harmonies, their mix of banjo leads, fiddle explosions and harmonica fills, coupled with the passionate singing of Gretchen and Elizabeth, is almost too much to bear. I can't wait for their CD! So, on to the weekend! Tonight, gonna see Tia Carrera at 710 again. Let's see, this will be the 18th time for us to film them. OCD, you say? Sure, I'll take that! But they rule! You just gotta see them to know them. Tomorrow, gonna see the Hildegirls at Huston Tillotson College and also some drumming by Djembabes. On a personal note, we've finished our DVD Promo and will have them printed this weekend. It's a long process, but it's worth it. If you want one, let me know. Would be happy to send one. That's it for this installment. What are you doing tonight?

Been awhile, eh? Well, I've been up to some things. Let me explain: Been working on a DVD and Menu for our production company and, well, we're not software programmers. The learning curve is steep on these programs and good things take time. Right? Right? Is this thing on? Have seen a couple shows in the past two weeks. First, Arab League played at a party on the South Side and it was aight... Not their best show but, as always, very entertaining. Then, this past Saturday morning at the Farmers' Market (downtown Saturday's AM) I was lucky and fortunate enough to catch The Damnfinos, a bluegrass outfit that have been together about 6 months. Formerly known as The Family Jewels, The Damnfinos braved the elements and with their beautiful music, coaxed the sun to come on out and join us in this wonderful city. At 10a, it was cold fingers on cold instruments. By 1130, it was sunny and warm and promising. I like to think their music had something to do with this evolution. I know that I was moved by their show. Led by Elizabeth and Gretchen, the charming and beautiful sirens of sound, The Damnfinos are an act to watch. They are getting it together to go into the studio and we hope that soon, the whole world will be able to share what the lucky people at the Farmers' Market got to experience on Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon was fun. This past wknd was the East Austin Studio Tour, where 50 or 60 studios opened their doors and let the people in to see the art and how it's produced. Props and kudos to all artists, patrons, facilitators and enthusiasts. Saturday night was so much fun! Met up with GLJ at Gallery Lombardi for the ProperGander birthday event. PG is a 7 year old magazine produced down in San Marcos, TX. I believe it is a collaborative effort between several artists. It's a fine publication. Stayed there about an hour, saw some fantastic art, met several nice people and saw StoneLar (sp?), a band led by Furley, an old hand from the San Marcos days. They were exciting, with 3 guitars and Furley's hypnotic singing. We, me and GLJ, then went to Jovita's, a restaurant by day and club by night, down on S. 1st. The place was packed, not a table to be had. GLJ looked around coolly and said: "I wonder if we'll be able to get a table?" She was looking over my shoulder as she said this and then she said: "Oh, there's one." GLJ is golden. We got our table, some drinks and then talked. Soon we were joined by others: Reed, Paige, Elizabeth. Then, the reason we went to Jovita's took the stage. The Gourds are a fantastic rockabilly act that's been around a while. These guys brought it strong and though it was cold outside, it was sweat and t-shirts inside as the 200+ crowd danced and screamed and laughed! What a night! On a personal note, I didn't film any of the shows I just described. Strange for me, considering that I usually only get to watch the shows thru the lens of the camera. It was nice to not only see the show and enjoy it, but also to dance. Hard to dance with a video camera, as no one likes shaky footage, esp Santos.