THIS BLOG IS A LITTLE OLD, BUT THE MEMORY OF A GREAT WEEKEND IN TEXAS, BACK WHEN WE WERE LIVING IN NEW MEXICO..  I THOUGHT I'D KEEP IT AROUND FOR A LITTLE LONGER..

..With the kids on Spring Break, we got to take a trip to Texas a couple weeks back, although short, definitely SWEET.  A little business, a lot of pleasure, the weekend started with a 12 hour drive from NM to TX, which is annoyingly becoming a familiar drive.  Made it to Speegleville Saturday night, in time for supper at Granny's.  Got to visit the Cotton Club in Granger for the Sunday night jam session, which was a great taste of music the way it used to be.  Kristen and Kimberly both eventually made it up to the stage to sing along with the "Can't Hardly Playboys".. Good ol' time that night.  Monday we hit Southbound 35 and headed to Austin, where we decided to make the very most of our short time there.  Got checked into the room, got ready and headed out to our first stop of the night, Pipes Plus, to see Larry Hooper play some music.  Pipes Plus was a quaint little coffee shop type place, but not just your ordinary coffee shop.  This is Austin, people.  On every other table in this room sat a remarkable, and unique hookah.  For those who don't know: it's a large water-pipe with attached hoses, used for smoking this unique tobacco blend called Shi-Sha.  I figured "When in Rome", Right?  Willey and I decided to have the hookah waitress hook us up with the Double Apple Shi-Sha and we got comfy on the couch.  With coffee in one hand, and smoking hose in the other, a little "Background Music" by Larry Hooper, that set the mood for a laid back night...Very cool experience. Hooper and Hookahs are a match made in Austin.. I highly recommend everyone going to check this pair out, and YOU CAN coming up on April 10.  
The Shi Sha bowl was cashed, and Larry packed up the guitar (and new merch) but our night was not yet over... 
Next, we found the Saxon Pub, where Bob Schneider AND Adam Hood were  scheduled to play.  THIS IS A MONDAY.  AND EXACTLY WHY I LOVE AUSTIN. Any night of the week.  Anyhow, caught the last few "Amen's" of the Bob set, but heard enough to know we have got to catch another Bob Schneider show sometime in the near future. BUT Adam Hood was next, the room cleared enough to get a great table.  I had only heard a few songs by Adam before this show, so I was excited to see him live.  And, just as expected, was highly impressed, and intrigued at how deep this stripped down acoustic set was.  His style is his own.
Tuesday morning greeted us with a welcome rain, Daniel over at RadioFreeTexas.org was cracking us up playing rain songs and Texas songs when he saw Willey online.  After IHOP we headed over to Cedar Creek studio to watch JJ Soto lay down some guitar for Kimberly Kelly's upcoming album.  Very talented guitarist. Very nice guy.  It was fun to see Adam and Watkins behind the controls, recording an album is no easy job. But a very interesting process!  I was fascinated the whole day in the studio, an experience I'll never forget.  To be in a building where there is so much history, so many artists whose album covers graced the walls.  Watching and listening while Kim's album got fuller, and richer, and all the layers just came together.  Very excited for the release of that album.  Every time I hear it will bring me back to the memories of that rainy Texas day at Cedar Creek.
Woke up Wednesday morning, dreading the drive, but it gave me time to think about our next trip to Texas..  
Billsfest.  May 5 & 6.  Go to www.sterlingtalentgroup.com or www.billsfest.com for details!!!