Austin, Texas.. ..I walked into the Continental club with my friend Rosie Flores. I wanted to hear the band Heybale. I met Redd, the guitarist, long ago and was looking forward to hearing this band he was in when he's home in Austin. One of the other bands was playing when we walked in. They were good, but I had come to hear Heybale. I went outside to get a bite to eat and started yakking away to folks. Soon Heybale set up and I realized I missed the first 4 -5 songs! I headed back in and heard the band. I swear angels started singing, and the clouds parted, and heaven woke up! ha! www.heybale.com. The seratonin levels of everyone in the audience was up a full 10 points --or however you measure seratonin or endorphins. The room got turbo-joyful is the best way I can explain it. Musicians from all genres come to pay their respects to HeyBale. Redd Volkaert and the guys are amazing musicians. Redd was a great guitar player way back when I met him in the 70's, so I was looking forward to hearing him again. I had no idea HOW good he was! That goes for the rest of his bandmates. I bet many of you know these guys. They are truly the cream of the crop. The members of Heybale are each pedigreed up the ying yang. They've each played with, and/or still currently playing in, some of the most well-known bands when they aren't home in Austin. (Redd Volkaert/elec guitar, Earl Ball/piano, Gary Claxton/vocals and rhythm guitar, Kevin Smith/bass, Tom Lewis/drums .. Plus they bring in their equally talented friends -when in town- to join them) You don't have to be into country music to appreciate what they do. I am just a lil Folkie, but I love good country music .. the real deal. I got an appreciation of country when I was in bands in San Jose in the 80's and got to play with some great players. When you hear a band that is so tight and so equally over- the-top talented and happy to be playing music together, something magical happens. That goes for any genre. Tom put Heybale together nine years ago to enjoy keeping busy when home... and they have been playing Sundays at the Continental ever since. You HAVE to hear them live. It knocks you out. They're so tight, they take instrumental breaks that go wayyy outside the box. They try to throw each other off, but they never do.. . you know? They know each other well. They have fun. They play old covers that bring all memories back alive. They play originals you can start singing right away because they are such great brain-sticking songs. Their harmonies are solid. They aren't afraid to play ballads (certain death to some bands) so their reportoire is a wonderful mix of everything from beautiful ballads to crazy, pounding, driving, melodies... KILLER syncopated honky tonk rhythms that force you to dance (O lordy... Earl, on piano is amazing. I was bouncing off the walls when he played this one song. I thought I had died and gone to SyncOpation Heaven!) Each song is put out there with such conviction and tight confidence. AND, best part is that there are no solo attitudes up there at all. Just the love of playing music together. . whew. I'm now a certified "Heybalian". If you are ever in Austin go see Heybale at the Continental on Sunday nights..or wherever they're playing and please tell them San Diego Sooz Sez Hi.