Guy Clark Biography

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In November of 2016 we were in Austin during the annual Book Fair — it's a big deal. We attended a panel discussion on Tamara Saviano's book, "Without Getting Killed or Caught". We of course bought a copy at the fair. The book was only just released.

The panel told stories of Guy's life, loves and music with funny musings and songs by his friends Joe Ely and Terry Allen. In the photos the panel is left to right: Moderator: Mike Hall, Tamara Saviano, Joe Ely & Terry Allen - Book Fair Panel for "Without Getting Killed Or Caught", Tamara Saviano's biography of Guy Clark.

I can't recall which theatre held this. It was either the Statesman or the next door Paramount on Congress just south of the capitol.

This note cribbed from a Facebook posting September 9, 2020.

Austin in November

These photos are from our Austin trip in November of 2016.

Here's an album of the Purgatory Players (a Sunday morning gospel(ish) group) at the El Mercado on S 1st.

Here's an album of the band "The Flatland Calvary" who we saw opening for Robert Earl Keen at the Fiesta Gardens.

Here's an album of the anniversary party for Mystery Mondays at the El Mercado.

Here's an album of FingerPistol at the White Horse Tavern.

Halloween at Mystery Mondays

Mystery Mondays at the El Mercado south is always an opportunity to discover Austin talent. This week it was a Halloween party with Richard Bowden (fiddle or violin?) as the mystery guest. Jaimee Harris was in the audience and came up on stage to sing a Townes Van Zandt tune with Christine Albert. Bill Kirchen kept the music rockin' and David Carroll got lots of cheers in his hillbilly outfit -- the mangled teeth made roaring a hee-haw and singing a challenge.

Next Monday is an anniversary celebration and the unveiling of an award for the late Sarah Elizabeth Campbell who started the tradition years ago at the now defunct Artz on Lamar. We'll be there.

Here's some photos from the show.

Viva La Vida Parade, Austin

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Here's some photos from the Viva La Vida (translation: "Live Life" or "Hurray for Life") Parade in Austin Texas on October 29, 2016. The parade is a celebration of the Day of Dead (November 1) which is a traditional holiday in Mexico and Central America to honor those who are dead and gone but not forgotten. It's held after Halloween but has nothing to do with that holiday!

We're usually in Austin during the winter but this year we plan on being in SE Asia visiting with my brother Paul and his wife El hence this second visit in 2016.

The parade was around noon and we watched on Pecan St (aka 6th St) in the entertainment district not too far from the famous Driskill Hotel. There were lots of folks dressed up as painted skeletons, some in costumes to celebrate the Aztec heritage. I understand it's one of the biggest Day of Dead parades in the US. I'd guess there's something as large in San Antontio which has a larger Hispanic community.

The parade ended with some low rider cars that bounced about and jacked up different corners.

We've never been to anything like it and would recommend you check it out if your get a chance.

Rizdales at Richmond Hotel

Saturday afternoon at the Richmond Hotel with the Rizdales with Big Tobacco & the Pickers. An afternoon of Classic Country Music Appreciation. Great show by both bands.

Here's some photos of the show.

Larry Quinton 75th Birthday Bash

My oldest brother Larry Quinton had a (late) 75th birthday bash in Stayner this summer with family and friends. Kate and I were there and enjoyed an evening of blues (food and booze too!) under a warm summer sky. The rain stayed away and several of the family got up to sing with Larry and join in the music. Kate and I butchered a version of "Family is Family" ... the zippity do dah side of the blues.

All the best Larry, happy birthday and may you have many many more with family and friends close beside you.

Here's some photos from the event.

River Rock

Some photos from the St Marys River Rock Festival August 13, 2016 St Marys.

Home County Music and Arts Festival

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The Home County Music and Arts Festival is held every year in Victoria Park, London, Ontario. We attend without fail and look forward to enjoying sunny days packed with great music. This was another good year.

The festival started back in the 1970's when I was still a student at Western.

Here's some photos from the event.

Trestle Bridge Event

The St Marys Memorial Hospital Foundation hosted a fund raisers appreciation event on the trestle bridge over the Thames. Some nibbles, some drinks and a perfect evening to enjoy the long evenings around the summer solstice with friends.

Here's some photos from the event.

Stockholm, Sweden

Kate and I were in Stockholm Sweden in May/June of 2016 for her annual KBS conference. It's a beautiful old city on the water. This photo album captures some of the sights.

Austin Texas

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Tall tales and adventures in Austin Texas 2016. We visited twice -- once in February/March and then again in November. This photo album is a good summary of our adventures in February and March.

The slogan, "Welcome to Austin! Now go home", is because the city is getting crowded with record growth. People like us ruining the place.

Guero's Taco Bar

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More of our Austin Adventures from February and March of 2016.

Guero's Taco Bar on South Congress is a short bike ride from our vacation stay while in Austin. These are some pictures of the music held under the live oaks at Guero's. It's a great place to hear live music especially on a sunny weekend afternoon.

Another special event is the weekly KDRP Sun Radio Live Broadcasts held each Wednesday (you can stream them live).

An especially special event is the KDRP Larry Monroe Tribute held just before SXSW.

El Mercado

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The El Mercado is one of our favorite places to be on a Monday night in Austin TX. These are some photos from our winter long stay in February/March of 2016. Mystery Monday's were anchored by Christine Albert with Bill Kirchen and many fine guests including Butch Hancock, Marvin Dykhuis, Jimmie Lafave, Sophia Johnson, ...

Cactus Cafe

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The Cactus Cafe is a long running (mostly) folk club on the drag at UTX. We were there a few times this year. The very special event is the Townes Van Zandt birthday bash organized by Butch Hancock which we were able to attend this year.

Misc/Music

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These are a grab bag of music events from our winter long stay in Austin. Starts with Shovels and Ropes fronting for Jason Isbell (I really love his recent albums) at the Moody ACL Theatre, and ends with the Rizdales at C-boys. Includes lots of great entertainers.

Strange Brew

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Strange Brew is a coffee shop with a very nice stage area where we get to see some really great music (it's a place where people actually listen to music -- if you're in a chatty mood they'll ask you to leave). It's a short drive from our vacation stay and really the best place in town for the kind of music we like.

These pictures are from January to March of 2016 when we saw Joe Ely with Joel Guzman, Adam Carroll with his wife Chris, James McMurtry solo, Marvin Dykhuis and other guests with the Purgatory Players for Sunday Brunch, Terri Hendrix with Lloyd Maines and the rest of the band, Alejandro Escevedo with his band and more...

Saxon Pub

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The Saxon Pub is a bar on South Lamar in Austin. David Grissom is pictured -- he's a guitar wizard; a session musician who has played with lots of people. We saw Ray Benson as a guest with Sunny Sweeney and Brennen Leigh. Bob Schneider's show was amazing.

Continental Club

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The Continental Club is a hole in the wall on South Congress we've been to many times. There are usually a bunch of acts each night with some on very late -- well past our bed time. I've posted photos already of Whitney Rose who played an early show. There's also photos of Toni Price and Cornell Hurd.

Mystery Monday

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Another magical Mystery Monday​ at the El Mercado. Last night was hosted by Bill Kirchen with stalwarts David Carroll on bass and Bobby Kallus on drums. Special guests were Warren Hood on violin and Sophia Johnson on guitar (she must think we're stalking her).

But the evening turned especially magical when Butch Hancock was called to the stage and then even more so when Butch's son Rory took the stage with him and handled the electric. The shots of Bill and Rory playing together (literally together) are memorable!

Our friends from Ann Arbor said it was the best event of their music soaked long weekend in Austin. There was magic on the stage that's for sure.

Brennen & Sunny w Sophia

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Sunday afternoon Catfish House Concert - Brennen Leigh and Sunny Sweeney with Sophia Johnson. A great way to hear live music and stories by talented singer/song writers.

Many thanks to Catfish House Concerts

Tom & Tara Dunphy

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Sunday night in Austin at C-Boys on south Congress. One of those infamous hole in the wall bars with Tom and Tara Dunphy of London's Rizdales playing.

Tom & Tara w Dale

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We got to see Tom & Tara Dunphy of the London band, the Rizdales, sing a couple of tunes with Dale Watson at the Ameripolitan Revue held today at the ABGB just a short bike ride away.... the Canadian invasion!

Sunny & Brennen

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Tuesday is often a slow night, but not in Austin. We caught Brennen Leigh and Sunny Sweeney at an 8:00 acoustic show at the Saxon Pub -- we biked over, it's a short ride from our vacation stay. It was basically a song swap with Sophia Johnson (who we had seen with Whitney Rose) playing along. This was probably the best show we've seen so far with an appreciative audience who listened to the music ... far too often bars are loud and noisy as patron shout at one another over top of the progressively louder music which attempts to drown out them out.

They sang some very funny songs like one about being a "trophy" wife, wanting to be a old lady driving a really big car real slow. And classics like "Honky Tonk Angels".

What made the event extra special was a guest appearance by Ray Benson who started off with a finger pickin' blues number by Mississippi John Hurt. He then brought the house down when he played his favorite song: Guy Clark's Dublin Blues. I've know about Ray Benson but had him pegged as a silky toned swing artist. He really opened my eyes to another side which I really liked and will need to explore.

We talked with Sophia, she's a Brit and has only been in the country a year or so, nevertheless she has a tattoo of Texas on her arm. We asked about her playing with Whitney Rose, she said sure and there's her husband over there who drums for Whitney who we had seen in Gruene over the weekend, and by the way did you see Whitney here tonight? And my band is playing at the Whitehorse later this wee. Small world here in Austin.

Brennen and Sunny gig around town and we already have plans to see them again. I wonder who we'll bump into there?

Whitney Rose

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Thursday night found us at the early show at the Continental Club where Whitney Rose performed songs from her two albums, some covers and some new tunes.

I didn't know about this artist before this trip to Austin and was very impressed with what I saw. She sings true country with classic melodies and an incredible delivery. She has a powerful voice with a great range. Her version of "Stand by Your Man" was a real stand out. You might fit her in the Ameripolitan genre or just classic country.

I was also pleasantly surprised to discover that Whitney is Canadian -- PEI and Toronto only lately in Austin. In some ways she reminds me of another Canadian, Lindi Oretga, who has a similar style.

The band she's performing with are all excellent players as well but I didn't catch their names. But no, it's not those guys from the Mavericks who perform on her second album "Heartbreaker of the Year".

This is a performer to watch out for. She's going places and should do well.

Joe Ely

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Kate and I got to see Joe Ely with Joel Guzman at Strange Brew here in Austin. Some great tunes that can move you to tears in a great venue where people actually listen to the music.

We'll be there again for more concerts.

2016/01/09 Jan den Boer

Our dear friend and cousin Jan den Boer passed away recently. Jan was Kate's first cousin and a life long chum. Kate and I have collected some of our photos into an album which should be shared -- see below.

The obituary, which ran in the Toronto Star and the Portage Daily Graphic (Portage la Prairie was Jan's childhood home) reads:

JANICE MARGARET den BOER (nee RITCHIE) In loving memory of Jan den Boer who passed away peacefully at McNally House Hospice in Grimsby on Saturday, January 9, 2016. Jan was born in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, but spent most of her adult years in Ontario where in addition to years of working in marketing, she enjoyed cooking, golf, fashion and shopping. She was the beloved daughter of the late Elmo and Dorothy ("Dot") Ritchie and loved sister of Jack Ritchie of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Jan will be greatly missed by her family: nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins and her many, many friends. She will be forever remembered for her kindness, generosity, ready smile and sense of humour, as well as the strength and bravery with which she faced her illness. A special thanks to the staff and volunteers of McNally House Hospice for their ongoing support and compassionate care and to other medical staff who provided exceptional care. Donations in Jan's memory may be made to McNally House Hospice. www.mcnallyhousehospice.com A private celebration of Jan's life will be held at a later date.