Category Archives: The Videos

Favorite videos

Jim Grabowske @ Artz Ribhouse (05/15/2011)

Posted on May 15, 2011 by Carole

Usually, the third Sunday of the month, you’ll find Bert Rivera and friends holding forth on the pedal steel at Artz Ribhouse. This Sunday, though, Bert had family obligations so he called on our friend Jim Grabowske to set in for him. We love Bert, but sure were happy to see Jim on stage.

If you don’t know Jim, check out the article in the Austin Chronicle written by Margaret Moser (Hank, Harry, and Jesse James) or our little blurb and pictures in the archive (Texas and Music – Jim Grabowske). Even better, if you don’t know him, make the effort to meet him. He’s a true talent, a Southern gentleman and great friend.

Don’t mean to slight the others on stage with Jim. Talk about talent!! Ray Tesmer on lead guitar, Howard Kalish on fiddle, Dodd Meredith on drums, and Brent Wilson on stand up bass. Besides great musicians, all of them are excellent vocalists.

Be sure to check out the video below of one of Jim’s favorites, “Rose Room”. (If it doesn’t appear below, just refresh the page. Been a little slow loading tonight.)

: Jim discussing how to play "something" with Ray
Jim Grabowske @ Artz Ribhouse (05/15/2011)

: A little bit of what is affectionately known as an "Austin Rehearsal".
Jim Grabowske @ Artz Ribhouse (05/15/2011)

: Jim G & Ray Tesmer
Jim Grabowske @ Artz Ribhouse (05/15/2011)

: And the band is ready! :)
Jim Grabowske @ Artz Ribhouse (05/15/2011)

: Ray Tesmer
Jim Grabowske @ Artz Ribhouse (05/15/2011)

: Brent Wilson
Jim Grabowske @ Artz Ribhouse (05/15/2011)

: Howard Kalish on fiddle. With the window behind him and Brent, a lot of pictures didn't turn out.....til later that is. :)
Jim Grabowske @ Artz Ribhouse (05/15/2011)

: Everyone Playing :)
Jim Grabowske @ Artz Ribhouse (05/15/2011)

: Howard and Brent
Jim Grabowske @ Artz Ribhouse (05/15/2011)

: Jim always seems to be concentrating so hard. :)
Jim Grabowske @ Artz Ribhouse (05/15/2011)

: Howard's pretty masterful on that fiddle. :)
Jim Grabowske @ Artz Ribhouse (05/15/2011)

: Dodd Meredith......vocalist and announcer :)
Jim Grabowske @ Artz Ribhouse (05/15/2011)

: Hard to get unique angles on the band when they're all lined up in a row. :)
Jim Grabowske @ Artz Ribhouse (05/15/2011)

: Ray
Jim Grabowske @ Artz Ribhouse (05/15/2011)

: Brent
Jim Grabowske @ Artz Ribhouse (05/15/2011)

: The "stage" is so small that Howard had to sing sideways to get to the mic
Jim Grabowske @ Artz Ribhouse (05/15/2011)

: Dodd's always hiding behind the drums and the mics :)
Jim Grabowske @ Artz Ribhouse (05/15/2011)

: Jim Grabowske or......as we've been known to call him....."The Master"
Jim Grabowske @ Artz Ribhouse (05/15/2011)

Posted in Artz Ribhouse, Jim Grabowske, Jim Grabowske Video | Tagged Brent Wilson, Dodd Meridith, Howard Kalish, Jimmy Grabowske, Ray Tesmer | 2 Comments

Sunset Valley Boys @ Evangeline’s (03/05/2011)

Posted on March 5, 2011 by Carole

The place to be the first Saturday of month is Evangeline’s Cafe in Austin. First, some of the best cajun food you will find in Austin……or any where else according to a certain truck driver we know that just happens to love cajun! :) Then, there are all the friends. If you haven’t seen someone you know for a while, you’ll probably see them there and have a chance to visit. Of course, added to all this are the Sunset Valley Boys and their friends playing and singing for our entertainment. To quote Curtis, Evangeline’s owner, “Old Austin didn’t die, it just moved south”. If this is what “Old Austin” used to be like, we wish we’d been here to see it.

: Gordon Fowler laying down some licks. :)
Sunset Valley Boys @ Evangeline's (03/05/2011)

: Sunset Valley Boys @ Evangeline's (03/05/2011)

: Sunset Valley Boys @ Evangeline's (03/05/2011)

: Bobby Leuders
Sunset Valley Boys @ Evangeline's (03/05/2011)

: Some of the friends at the show
Sunset Valley Boys @ Evangeline's (03/05/2011)

: Craig Park on steel
Sunset Valley Boys @ Evangeline's (03/05/2011)

: Sam Bentley
Sunset Valley Boys @ Evangeline's (03/05/2011)

: Polk Shelton
Sunset Valley Boys @ Evangeline's (03/05/2011)

: Charlie Irwin
Sunset Valley Boys @ Evangeline's (03/05/2011)

: Ken Simpson
Sunset Valley Boys @ Evangeline's (03/05/2011)

: Ralph Powers gave Sherman a break on drums
Sunset Valley Boys @ Evangeline's (03/05/2011)

: Sunset Valley Boys @ Evangeline's (03/05/2011)

: Since Sherman had a break, he decided to get the crowd going and joining in on the song.
Sunset Valley Boys @ Evangeline's (03/05/2011)

: Sherman Lindsay
Sunset Valley Boys @ Evangeline's (03/05/2011)

: Danny Britt
Sunset Valley Boys @ Evangeline's (03/05/2011)

: Danny Britt
Sunset Valley Boys @ Evangeline's (03/05/2011)

This video is of the band’s customary closing song where Ken introduces everyone and thanks all the guests.

Posted in Evangelines, Sunset Valley Boys, Sunset VAlley Boys Video | Tagged Bobby Lueders, Danny Britt, Gordon Fowler, Ken Simpson, Polk Shelton, Ralph Power, Sam Bentley, Sherman Lindsay | 2 Comments

Jim Stringer & AM Band @ Giddy Ups (03/03/2011)

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Carole

Jim and the guys are scheduled to play at Giddy Ups the first and third Thursdays through May of this year. That means we get to see one of our favorite bands close to home for a while. Of course, if we can get everyone to start showing up, they might do this longer. After all, Jim’s Country Jam will be celebrating it’s third year at Waterloo Icehouse next month and that started with an “experiment”. The Thursday shows are early shows (7pm to 10pm) so we don’t have the excuse of having to work the next day. :) Another reason to be there is that you never know who will be in the audience that Jim might get to join him and the band on stage. Tonight it was Jim Lutz, Jason Arnold, and Beth Chrisman. Sure hope we can all help support this live music!

: Jim Stringer & AM Band @ Giddy Ups (03/03/2011)

: Jim Stringer!
Jim Stringer & AM Band @ Giddy Ups (03/03/2011)

: T Jarrod Bonta. It's hard to get a good picture of T so we concentrate on listening to him play. :)
Jim Stringer & AM Band @ Giddy Ups (03/03/2011)

: James Shelton on steel and Johnny Mac keeping the beat
Jim Stringer & AM Band @ Giddy Ups (03/03/2011)

: Carl Keesee does a great job on bass.
Jim Stringer & AM Band @ Giddy Ups (03/03/2011)

: How cool for Jim Lutz to sit in on a couple of tunes
Jim Stringer & AM Band @ Giddy Ups (03/03/2011)

: Jason Arnold was great, too.
Jim Stringer & AM Band @ Giddy Ups (03/03/2011)

: Jim Stringer & AM Band @ Giddy Ups (03/03/2011)

: Jim Stringer & AM Band @ Giddy Ups (03/03/2011)

: Beth Chrisman was in the audience. We love her vocals.
Jim Stringer & AM Band @ Giddy Ups (03/03/2011)

: Jim Stringer & AM Band @ Giddy Ups (03/03/2011)

: Jim Stringer & AM Band @ Giddy Ups (03/03/2011)

Thought you might enjoy this “little” instrumental. Well, Jim and the guys make it seem easy, but maybe not for the average person. :)

Posted in Giddy Ups, Jim Stringer & AM Band, Jim Stringer/AM Band Video | Tagged Beth Chrisman, Carl Keesee, James Shelton, Jason Arnold, Jim Lutz, Jim Stringer, John McLoughlin, T Jarrod Bonta | Leave a comment

Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/25/2011)

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Carole

The best laid plans of mice and men…..and music lovers! :) We were meeting a friend at Mesa Ranch for dinner and to listen to Carl and Gene but the friend’s plans were changed by “real life”. So, we decided to eat, listen for a while, then head south to catch Sam Bentley at The Stardust. Well…..we ate…..and we made it to The Stardust to hear Sam…..just a lot later! The music and the people at The Mesa were just too good to leave! (be sure to watch the video below, too!)

: Carl taking care of the vocals and guitar
Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/25/2011)

: Gene taking care of the harmonies and bass
Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/25/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/25/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/25/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/25/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/25/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/25/2011)

: If we could only read Gene's mind on this......or maybe not! :)
Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/25/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/25/2011)

: I didn't catch this little gal's name, but she had the sweetest voice.
Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/25/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/25/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/25/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/25/2011)

: Mesa Ranch is ready for parties.....complete with crystal ball! :)
Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/25/2011)

: Our new friends! :)
Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/25/2011)

Carl does a pretty doggone good job on Rodney Crowell’s Ain’t Living Long Like This. The guys look like they’re having a lot of fun…..which makes it fun for the audience!

Posted in Carl Hutchens, Carl Hutchens Video, Mesa Ranch | Tagged Carl Hutchens, Gene Kurtz | Leave a comment

Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/19/2011)

Posted on February 19, 2011 by Carole

Have always enjoyed Mesa Ranch, but it’s close….really close…..to the office. So, even though the music starts early, we usually miss it because we head straight home after work. Nothing against Mesa Ranch! You’ll not find better food, friendlier people, or nicer venue in all of Austin. There’s just something about the call of a recliner after a long day of toiling over the keyboard! :)

We saw our friend, Gene Kurtz, was going to be playing at Mesa Ranch with Carl Hutchens……it was Saturday……and we’d had a chance to get pretty rested. Seemed like a perfect time to visit!! We’d never heard Carl, but Gene sitting in with him was recommendation enough for us. Besides, we knew Mesa Ranch didn’t let just anybody with a guitar play there….they have to have talent!

The place was packed with the dinner crowd and the bar was full of people waiting to eat dinner (well some were…..the rest were there for the music). The hostess let us sit at the “fence” around the bar right by where Carl and Gene were set up. It was perfect! We were even able to get a pretty decent video! Then, when we found Ms Del-Rio, the party was on. So much fun! And you can bet we’ll be back.

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/19/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/19/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/19/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/19/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/19/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/19/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/19/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/19/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/19/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/19/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/19/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/19/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/19/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/19/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/19/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/19/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/19/2011)

: Carl Hutchens & Gene Kurtz @ Mesa Ranch (02/19/2011)

Next time, we’ll sit just a little further back so we get more vocal and a little less guitar. But, whatever! Carl’s version of “Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground” was beautiful.

Posted in Carl Hutchens, Carl Hutchens Video, Mesa Ranch | Tagged Carl Hutchens, Gene Kurtz | Leave a comment

Dead Sweethearts Ball @ Ruta Maya (02/12/2011)

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Carole

Every year Valentines Day is set aside for lovers, except for one event…..the Dead Sweethearts Ball. The night is filled with murder and mayhem immortalized by some of the best musicians in town. The lovely Ms K keeps track of how many offed(?) as the crowd hoots and hollers at each killing. This year, the red hue of Ruta Maya added a special atmosphere to the festivities.

You never know in advance just who all will be taking to the stage but, the core band consists of Teri Joyce, Roger Wallace, Jim Stringer, T Jarrod Bonta, Lisa Pankratz, and Brad Fordham. ”Guests” this year included Ted Roddy, Jen Miori, The Carper Family, Suzanne Van Tassel, Brennan Leigh, Noel McKay, Ruby Dee, and……well, we’re sure we’re forgetting someone. :(

After the pictures, be sure to check out the video of Roger Wallace’s version of “Delilah” at the end. Looks like Roger was actually grinning…..an evil evil grin! :)