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.

Hump Day with Six Sons of a Gun

First of all, so sorry for being SO late on this. You know the old J.O.B deserves it's day in the sun. So with out further adieu, let's get to it.

Thanks to everyone that came out to the show to support great live music in Austin! It means so much to us that you are so gracious and willing to take time out of your personal life to share it with us. I also want to thank Mr. Craig Kotfas for getting things started early. Look forward to seeing and hearing from Craig next time at The Cat. Maybe this activity will inspire him to get So Sad Robot back on the stage!

Some of you may know that we posted some studio work up on the myspace page, check it out : www.myspace.com/sixsonsofagun. We still need to do some editing to the tracks, but will make them available for download or CD's at the show soon.

We featured some new material this show with a transposed to D version of One More Goodbye, by Texas' own Randy Rogers. This was a special request song that, until I realized I could sing it in D, was going to end up on the cutting room floor. We also debuted two Beatles tunes and a song by one of my favorite artists, Hawkshaw Hawkins. I'm not sure if it's the music or the name. Maybe Amber will let me name our next son, Hawkshaw. . . maybe the dog . . .or. . . maybe the fish? . . . we did have to say goodbye to Ronda Milsap (whole other story)

Misty was nice enough to shoot some pictures, so enjoy. We will be back at The Cat for the continued celebration of Hump Day on March 19th. I'll have just returned from the great family trek to Taos for a week of skiing. I'll try to bring a little of that mountain beauty back with me. I always enjoy coming back from Spring vacation. The trees start to bloom and the grass gets green and it's cool beer and warm nights until Dec. 1,

I LOVE TEXAS

Shows:
March 19th - Hump Day at the Mean Eyed Cat
March 28th - NXNW Brewery with Special Guest, Mateo Ellis

Hump Day at The Mean Eyed Cat

The whole show can be wrapped up in one word: SUCCESS

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, to everyone that made it out to the show. I also want to acknowledge those people that posted on myspace and sent out their own e-mails advertising the show. I've always been a firm believer in the power of numbers and it really did pay off last night. Even if you didn't get a chance to come to the show, your continued support of this project is greatly appreciated.

The show started off with my good friend Craig Kotfas. Craig and I have been friends and fellow song writers for about 8 years. Craig released his album, Best Case Scenario, a few years ago and did a stint with his band, So Sad Robot. He got every one's attention with his witty songs like, Make-up Sex and Uncle Satan along with his more personal songs about the trials and tribulations of growning up white and middle class. Craig is really great and we will be hosting more shows with Craig in the future.

Right after the 6:55 Missouri Pacific number 909 passed the back 40 of The Mean Eyed Cat, Six Sons of a Gun hit the stage. It was the first time that I had stood at the front of the stage with a guitar in a while. It was a great feeling to be up there and I was happy that now my load-in time has been cut in half, since I don't have to carry all those drums anymore.

We started out with one of my favorite tunes by the legendary Buck Owens, My Heart Skips a Beat, which in all actuality was the first time that we played that song as a band, minus the quick rehearsal at sound check. Right after that first tune, I knew that we could put the show on autopilot and just let the music flow. I was much more relaxed than I thought that I would be and I only broke one string on the second to last song in the first set, which is an accomplishment since I usually break at least two in rehearsal.

Everyone in the crowd was GREAT the response to the performance was AMAZING. I have to also thank the Little Sixes for coming up on the stage for the final song to cut a rug with us. It's always nice to appreciated with dancing girls.

I personally want to say thank you to the band members, without their involvement this project wouldn't exist. Each of them did a great job and worked on the music and really helped me bring my vision of this band to the stage and for that I am truly grateful.

Looks like the whole gang will be celebrating hump day again on Wednesday Feb. 20th same place, same time. We are going to be working on some new music, so please come back by, grab a beer, sit under the oak tree and enjoy some great live music

Thanks!
Six Sons of a Gun!

I had some friends taking pictures, so I'll post those when I
get them. Please e-mail me any pictures that you might have.

sixsonsofagun@gmail.com

20 Questions with Six Sons of a Gun!

Get to KNOW THE BAND:

Singer and Rythmn Guitar - James Downing
Bass Guitar - Randy Chaffin
Vocals and Lead/Rythmn Guitar - John Veron
Drums - Duane Hamilton

20 Questions - Duane Hamilton
1. Full Name? F Duane Hamilton

2. Instrument(s) that you play? Drums, that's it

3. Where were you born? Austin, TX

4. Who have you played with in the past or are currently playing with?
Stoney Edwards (1 1/2years), Rusty Wier (9 years), Tish Hinojosa(1 year), Ryan T Briggs(1 year) , Buddy Miller (2 years), Champ Hood & Walter Hyatt(off and on 3 years), Whiskey Drinkin Music (3 years)

5. A Favorite Classic Country Song. "How Can I Say I Love You, When You're Sitting On My Face"

6. Favorite Beer and or Mixed Drink. Heineken

7. A Favorite Local Band? Miss Leslie and Her Juke Jointers

8. Best Live Show? John Fogerty Austin Music Hall

9. A Favorite Movie(s) Godfather 1 & 2

10. A Favorite Song Writer. Leroy Preston (original Asleep at The Wheel drummer/songwriter, I was in "Whiskey Drinkin' Music" with Leroy...great songwriter)

11. Is file sharing really detrimental to the artist or to the record industry?
Naw, I don't write tunes, so I see no big deal !!

12. Which President, Living or Dead do you most relate to? Bill Clinton, I believe I am as full of shit as he is.

13. What kind of tree would you be? Peach

14. If you had written these 20 questions, what question would you have asked?
What is the Capital of Idaho? there ain't no ho, like an Ida-ho, except maybe a Dallas Ho

15. Beach or Mountains? Beach

16. Last book that you read? "Simple Genius" by David Baldacci

17. The Beatles or the Rolling Stones? Beatles

18. Favorite William Shatner roll (TV or Film) The one in real life where he got away with killing his wife in the pool

19. What mutant power would you like to have, other than the ones you already have? The power to win friends and influence people...right!!

20. Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner? Dinner

20 Questions - John Veron
1. Full Name? John Veron

2. Instrument(s) that you play? Lead Guitar

3. Where were you born? Lake Charles, Louisiana

4. Who have you played with in the past or are currently playing with? Currently with Six Sons, as well as my own band, The Fireball Show

5. A Favorite Classic Country Song. Return of the Grievous Angel

6. Favorite Beer and or Mixed Drink. Miller High Life and good whiskey on the rocks

7. A Favorite Local Band? One-Eyed Doll, Okervill River

8. Best Live Show. The Broken Social Scene and Calexico at the Howlin Wolf, New Orleans, 2004

9. A Favorite Movie? The Manchurian Candidate (Frank Sinatra version)

10. A Favorite Song Writer? Gram Parsons

11. Is file sharing really detrimental to the artist or to the record industry? No. There is absolutely no correlation between file sharing and profit loss. Example: Radiohead offered their latest album for free online months ago, and the physical copy (released this week) debuted at number one! On top of that, major label contracts are weighted so that artists make very little off each record they sell, and they have to pay back the cost of recording and promoting their record before they can actually start turning a profit. Meanwhile, the record label pockets the vast majority of sales revenue right out of the gate. This means that in order for the average major label band to make even a dime off record sales, they have to go platinum at least. Record sales are down because mainstream music, frankly, sucks right now. There's plenty of music selling great that is being made outside of this flawed system that exploits artists. If you're going to buy an album, buy it from the artist themselves.

12. Which President, Living or Dead do you most relate to? Teddy Roosevelt. When Teddy was 23, he was camping in North Dakota and some bandits stole his boat. He tracked them through the Badlands for two weeks, beat the holy hell out of them, got his boat back, and turned the bandits into the authorities. He's also the only person I know of who's won both the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Nobel Peace Prize. Teddy Roosevelt didn't take shit from anybody.

13. What kind of tree would you be? This is the lamest question ever. Who knows enough about trees to answer this? Cedar, I guess, because I like sneezing.

14. If you had written these 20 questions, what question would you have asked? I'd have asked me where I left my keys, so you could help me find them.

15. Beach or Mountains? Beach

16. Last book that you read? A great collection of Phillip K Dick short stories.

17. The Beatles or the Rolling Stones? The Stones, except the stuff after Mick Taylor left the band. But if you only count the albums he made with Mick Taylor (Let it Bleed, Get yer Ya-Yas Out, Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main St., Goats Head Soup, Its Only Rock n Roll) then the Stones are the best band ever.

18. Favorite William Shatner roll (TV or Film)? Why even ask this? The man is Kirk, hands down (though that Twilight Zone episode with the monster on the wing of the plane was pretty damn great).

19. What mutant power would you like to have, other than the ones you already have. I'd like the power to watch someone do something and instantly be able to do it myself. It's cool enough to be really helpful in life, but not so "super" as to get me locked up and dissected by the government.

20. Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner? Dinner. You can have anything for dinner, including breakfast.

20 Questions - Randy Chaffin
1. Full Name- Randy Chaffin

2. Instrument(s) that you play?- Bass guitar & autoharp

3. Where were you born? Lake Titicaca, Peru

4. Who have you played with in the past or are currently playing with? Leon Russell, John Denver, Willie Nelson, Clint Eastwood, Larry Gatlin......

5. A Favorite Classic Country Song.- Take This Job & Shove It

6. Favorite Beer and or Mixed Drink- Kool-Aid

7. A Favorite Local Band (that you don't already play in!)- None yet.

8. Best Live Show - Perry Como

9. A Favorite Movie(s) - Big Trouble In Little China

10. A Favorite Song Writer - Millie Vanillie

11. Is file sharing really detrimental to the artist or to the record industry? - If viruses are attached to the files, I would have to say..... maybe not.

12. Which President, Living or Dead do you most relate to? - Richard M. Nixon

13. What kind of tree would you be? - Tree of forbidden fruit.

14. If you had written these 20 questions, what question would you have asked? - Why so many questions????

15. Beach or Mountains? Death Valley.

16. Last book that you read - Owners manual to my big screen TV

17. The Beatles or the Rolling Stones - The Monkeys

18. Favorite William Shatner roll (TV or Film) - Far too many to choose from, but if you put a gun to my head, I would have to say......Priceline.com

19. What mutant power would you like to have, other than the ones you already have. - The power to change diapers without lifting a finger.

20. Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner? Yes please

20 Questions - James Downing
1. Full Name- James A. Downing III

2. Instrument(s) that you play?- Guitar and Drums

3. Where were you born? Austin, Tx

4. Who have you played with in the past or are currently playing with? Pleasurecraft, The New Luddites, Junaita Dewpaw, The Hohums, A Band Name Sue, Shelli Coe Band, The Bill Rice Band

5. A Favorite Classic Country Song.- Crying Time

6. Favorite Beer and or Mixed Drink- Jack and Coke

7. A Favorite Local Band? A Band of Heathens

8. Best Live Show - Hands down! Cowboy Mouth

9. A Favorite Movie? Close and Counters of the Third Kind

10. A Favorite Song Writer - Ben Folds

11. Is file sharing really detrimental to the artist or to the record industry? - F the man, share files, go see live music. Support the Artist not the machine!

12. Which President, Living or Dead do you most relate to? - Kennedy, seriously! I'm a peace keeper and Marilyn Monroe would have been puddy in my hands!

13. What kind of tree would you be? - Texas Live Oak

14. If you had written these 20 questions, what question would you have asked? - None!

15. Beach or Mountains? Taos, New Mexico

16. Last book that you read - A painted House

17. The Beatles or the Rolling Stones - Beatles

18. Favorite William Shatner roll (TV or Film) - TJ Hooker

19. What mutant power would you like to have, other than the ones you already have. - To really play the guitar!

20. Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner? Breakfast!