Going Back to Freddie's!

This post is a little out of order, but I wanted to post it because I'm super excited about our continued relationship with Freddie's. If you haven't had a chance to drop by, then you are certainly missing out.

With everything moving North these days, I'm always happy to talk about and promote resturaunts and businesses South of the river. I grew up in South Austin and can remember when MOPAC ended just across the river, directing you to exit at Rollingwood/Bee Caves, to make the hoop around and head over to South Lamar via Barton Springs. Never did we think that resturant row would pop up in the mid 80's on Barton Springs or that so many great eateries and drink joints would open up on South 1st. The only resturaunt that I can remember, that was on South 1st back in the day, was La Reyna where my dad introduced me to Huevos Rancheros at the ripe age of 7. While that is a hearty breakfast that I'm more than happy to comsume at age 37, it's not exactly what you want to see when your 7!

Regardless! Back to Freddie's. We played our first show there back on the 25th of May, which also marked the exit show for our good friend Widgeon Holland. Widgeon was here from Europe where he lives full time on a small island off the Northern coast of Africa called Lanzarote . . yeah, I agree, must suck for him! Anyway, Widgeon and I have been friends since high school at James Bowie where we both chased the same girls and had the same "thoughts" about our music teacher . . .hope she's not reading this, or maybe I do . . .

This was another show that feature the keyboard stylings of Mr. Mateo Ellis, also a longtime friend of Widgeon Holland and who might also have a mutual "respect" for said teacher. Mateo has become a regular on the stage with Six Sons of a Gun and he will be pulling solo duty at our next show at Waterloo at Circle C. Mateo and I have spent a lot of time in other projects and this is the first sucessful "come togetherings" that we had musically minus the adhoc shows that we do with Widgeon downtown.

So based on our performance at Freddie's, we were invited back to play some more shows for the summer and we encourage you ALL to come out and support the band and this wonderful eatin place just a hop skip and a jump from downtown Austin. You can enjoy the music, washers off the back deck, great food and THE BEST frozen margarita in town. Seriously, if have have the means, I highly recomend picking one up.

Check the myspace calendar for upcoming shows, send me an e-mail at sixsonsofagun@gmail.com to get on the mailing list for upcoming shows or just shoot me a quick note about your life and what-not and I'll do the same.

Wednesday at NXNW

Wednesday it was time to entertain on the North side of town, so we did that at NXNW Brewery as the sun shown bright behind us, back lighting the show like some bizzar Kubric sceen from A Clockwork Orange. Acutally it wasn't quite like that but it was a little bizzare, a little rock and roll and a whole lot of fun.

The weather has been really HOT these last few days and I'm under the impression that we aren't destine for a freak cool front any time soon. But in the wake of this Texas heat, the humidity level hasn't been that bad and the pavillion tempurature while warm, never seemed really hot. I even enjoyed a nice walk in the hood with my kids tonight. Something that I haven't done in a few months.

This week we shared the stage with Mateo Ellis and my very good friend and trumpet player, Dr. Jonathan Hoyle. Hoyle plays with a little outfit called Casa Del Swanko that does a pretty regular gig at the Tree House down on South Congress. It was great to have Dr. Hoyle with us. We played together in A Band Named Sue and I always appreciated that extra "swing" that is applied to the music when he playes. It was just darn good.

We also had a special guest on the drums, our new drummer Deano. This was Deano's second show with us and we are really excited that he's part of the crew. We will certainly miss Duane, but are very anxious to see what kind of tom foolery Deano will bring to the stage.

We will be down at the Mean Eyed Cat next wednesday and will be playing from 8:00 - 10:00 to try to let some of that sunshine break before we take the stage. Check the myspace calendar at www.myspace.com/sixsonsofagun for upcoming dates and times!

Waterloo Ice house at Circle C

We did it!

Yes sir, we really did it . . the whole lot of us! I'm talking about the successful performance by Six Sons of a Gun, the Beta 5 version of the ever popular band Six Sons of a Gun . . .what does all that mean? Well a few weeks ago I booked the band at Waterloo Ice house only to find out that I was the only member in the band that was available for the gig. John was on his way to LA, Duane's son was graduating from High School (congratulations Dylan!) and Randy was in Houston with Rick Hornyack. So I pulled together my musical resources and got Mateo in on keyboards, Kerry to come in on bass and Deano on drums.

Now some of you know and some of you don't, that we will be experiencing a grand exit from Duane Hamilton. Duane is going to take a short sabbatical for some rehabilitation on his lower extremities (keep it clean!) and then go full time with local Honky Tonker, Weldon Henson. Randy is going to take a less dramatic exit at the end of the summer to go full time with Rick. Randy will still be playing a few shows with us through the summer and I'm sure that he'll come back from time to time as will Duane if I get in a pinch and they aren't working. Super Kudos to Duane for helping me get the band this far. Thank ya LARGE!

So I stripped out the "hard" songs and built a two hour set for our show at Waterloo. We arrived early to set up for our 8:00 show, fresh from a "first time" rehearsal the night before. We kicked it off with a little Hawkshaw Hawkins and made it all the way through and ended with a little Chris Knight.

We really enjoyed ourselves and I think the audience was please. We had a great turn-out from the ladies at Child's Way School, where my sister is a teacher and there was even an appearance from my next door next door neighbors!

We managed to pull off the show minus a few glitches here and there, but we had a great time and the staff at Waterloo was amazing. The beer was cool and flowing and the after-show appetizers were just what the doctor ordered. We will be continuing our shows at Waterloo Ice house on Fridays towards the end of the month. Check the calendar on the myspace page and add us as a friend.

3 Shows in 4 Days and one Thing to Say . . ."Man Was It HOT!"

This was a real crazy week for Six Sons of a Gun. We kicked it off Tuesday, with our new residency at Nuno's North. There was a discussion about playing indoors because of the heat, but Nuno's patio stage was so inviting that we just had to take advantage. I've always said, (being a drummer from time to time) that a drum riser ALWAYS legitimizes a stage, and when you combined a killer stage with a killer patio and atmosphere . . it's just a recipe for success. This was the first time that we had played live in a while so being on stage again was a great feeling. We knocked out 3 sets, wrapping up around 11:00 and then ended the night knowing that we would be doing it all over again the next night at The Mean Eye Cat.

Wednesday at The Mean Eyed Cat we got things started with Craig Kotfas on the acoustic guitar playing his signature song, "Make Up Sex" and one of the best versions of "Behind Close Doors" I've ever experienced. John, Randy and I joined him onstage for his ever popular "Uncle Satan" and his "Margaritaville" parody song about going to school at Texas State, (that everyone still calls Southwest Texas). Six Sons of a Gun hit the stage around 7:30 with special guest, Widgeon Holland sitting in on a little of the old "weedily weedily weeee" on the guitar. I've played a lot of shows with Widgeon in the past and this was one of the very few times that we played guitar together verses me playing drums with him. I was really happy that he sat in with us, it was nice to share that chemistry with him on stage from a very different perspective. The next night I sat behind the kit with Widgeon at The Chuggin Monkey and it was one of the best shows I've played with him. It's just fun to shake things up once in a while.

So Thursday the boys took a break from Six Sons of a Gun and Widgeon and I played, but then we all met back on stage at Freddie's, this time with or good friend Mateo Ellis on keys. Again, another hot Texas Friday afternoon, but the show must go on, so we started out with a little Hawkshaw Hawkins and ended with Willie on the other side. A great night in South Austin,. . .Texas Heat, Frozen Margaritas and great country music. . . .DONE!

This week we will be kicking it off at Nuno's on Tuesday and then it's Way Down South for the FIRST! music show at Waterloo Icehouse at Circle C. I'm so excited about this show. Waterloo is a Austin tradition and we are just so happy to be part of continuing that tradition. Show starts at 8:00 and we'll be recognizing the Graduates of '08.

Another Perfect Wednesday at The Mean Eyed Cat

We had another great show at The Mean Eyed Cat. The crowd was a little stronger later in the night, but a night on stage is better than a day at work. We got started with a quick birthday shout out and the promptly moved on to the first set. Thanks to everyone that came out to the show. We really appreciate your support.

We've got a full schedule of shows from NXNW to Freddie's on South First. There are plenty of opportunities to come out to the show and support Austin music. If you are looking for a happy hour show, then meet us at The Cat. Mid week dinner, with a side of live music? We'll see you at Freddie's. Or if you are looking for a top notch meal and some great home brewed beer, then you have to grab your friends and enjoy a great time with us at NXNW.

Thanks to Craig for opening for us and having the were with all to remember to bring a camera.

Thanks Craig!

Up Coming Schedule -
Wednesday - 5.21.08 - 7:00 to 9:00 The Mean Eyed Cat
Friday - 5.23.08 - 6:00 to 9:00 Freddie’s Place on South First
Saturday - 6.07.08 - Private Party
Wednesday - 6.11.08 - 6:00 to 9:00 NXNW Brewery
Wednesday - 6.18.08 - 7:00 to 9:00 Then Mean Eyed Cat
Wednesday - 6.18.08 - 7:00 to 9:00 The Mean Eyed Cat
Wednesday - 7.02.08 - 6:00 to 9:00 NXNW Brewery
Wednesday - 7.16.08 - 6:00 to 9:00 NXNW Brewery
Wednesday - 7.23.08 - 7:00 to 9:00 The Mean Eyed Cat
Wednesday - 7.23.08 - 7:00 - 9:00 The Mean Eyed Cat
Saturday - 8.02.08 - 8:00 - 12:00 Tuff's Tavern Pflugerville
Friday - 8.08.08 - 6:00 to 9:00 NXNW Brewery
Wednesday - 8.27.08 - 6:00 to 9:00 NXNW Brewery

Home made Brew and Home Made Parties

It's been a while since I had a chance to post something up on the blog, and I'm sure to hear it from the better half about how I haven't updated my son's blog, but have managed to keep up with the band. . . barely!

Anyway we played some great shows in March and are looking to have another great one next Wednesday the 16th at The Mean Eyed Cat. I won't go into a lot of detail about the NXNW gig other than I really want to thank everyone for coming out and supporting this band. It really means a lot to see familiar faces at each gig. I think that it went over really well and I'm hoping for some repeat appearances for all of our North Austin fans.

The following Sunday found us at Duane's daughters house where Pete and Billie Joe invited us to play for their daughters birthday party. I really love these types of gigs where everyone really has a chance to hang out on a nice Sunday, drink some beer, eat great BBQ and listen to the joyous sound of screaming kids sliding down a two story blow up water slide. If I hadn't had other plans and was feeling a little better, you would see pictures of me partaking of the elements!

Anyway, we look forward to entertaining you on Wednesday. Music starts early with Craig Kotfas at 6:30 and Six Sons of a Gun at 7:00ish until around 9:00. Come out early and experience this great weather.

Upcoming Shows:

April 16th, Mean Eyed Cat

May 21st, Mean Eyed Cat

May 23rd, Freddies Place on South 1st

www.myspace.com/sixsonsofagun

First Day of Spring

So we had another great show at The Mean Eyed Cat. I really want to thank the whole staff down there, they have been so great to us. But, as much as I love the cat, we are going to be taking the show up North to North By Northwest for a evening of great music, great food and some stellar micro brew. This will be our first official show at NXNW and once again we are asking all our fans to please come and support this project and help us make a lasting impression so that we can continue to provide great music in some of Austin's greatest venues.

We got started with Craig Kotfas on the acoustic guitar for a few numbers and then did some quick stage management and got things started around 7:15. We were blessed to have Joel Weinstein on the pedal steel and dobro guitar. I wanted to start with something that had a good grove and was fun to rock, so we started with Move it on Over. We did feature an experimental version of El Paso by Marty Robins which we have been working on for a while. The response from the audience was refreshing and we will continue to work on the song.

For the second set we invited my very good friend Carolyn Rupert to come up and sing Harper Valley PTA. Carolyn has been working on this song for quite some time and while she tries desperately to try to rehearse with me, I continue to challenger her to just knock it out on stage. Challenged accepted and defeated, she did a great job. We also invited Ryan T Briggs to come up and perform a few song with his guitar player. I'm looking forward to seeing those guys in full force sometime soon.

Once again, thanks to everyone that was able to come out to this show. If you came for five minutes or for five beers you will certainly leave a lasting impression on the journey that is this project.