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.