Not SXSW

I went to Austin, TX this year mostly for the alternative music festival that happens in the shadow of SXSW. My first day (last Thursday) began at Threadgill's World Headquarters just across the river from downtown with Joe Ely, a long time favorite of mine. His solo acoustic set was riveting as always. He was followed by the Stone River Boys, new to me, who were very entertaining. Finally, the group I primarily came to see, Warren Hood and the Hoodlums took the stage. Warren is the prodigal son of Champ Hood, long time member of Uncle Walt's Band as well as playing with Kelly Willis and Toni Price, who attended the prestigious Berkeley School of Music. He plays primarily fiddle with a number of groups including the Waybacks and Little Feat. He and his group were fabulous. I was fortunate to meet his mother, Elizabeth, and told her that I was a big fan both of Champ and, now, Warren. The whole series at Threadgill's was sponsored and filmed by Music Fog.

My evening was spent at Opal Divine's Penn Field, my favorite venue, watching the likes of Romi Mayes from Canada and Carrie Rodriguez and meeting up with the gang from KNON radio. It was there that I found out about a KUT radio showcase (official SXSW) the next morning (Friday) at the downtown Hilton, featuring John Hiatt and the Court Yard Hounds, sisters Emily and Martie of the original and current Dixie Chicks. It was in the lobby and great except for the brevity-three songs from John and two from Martie and Emily due to technical problems.

After a delightful lunch with a friend at Red's Porch looking out over the hill country, I was off to Yard Dog, a funky art gallery on S. Congress with the worst venue of my festival for a mid afternoon concert by Justin Townes Earle, son of Steve. Views of the stage were hard to come by, and the sound was bad-far too may chatty cathys would didn't listen to the music. Most of these shows only last for 20 minutes which is why I like Opal Divine's with 40 minute sets. The evening was spent at the East Side Show Room, east of I35 for the Ruby Jane Show (this was a regular concert-two 45 minute sets). I met her mother, Jobelle, who is Ruby's biggest fan! This young girl is 15 years old and as good a fiddle player as I've ever seen. She has already toured with Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel, played with Alison Krause as well as Warren Hood and Phoebe Hunt from the Belleville Outfit. This show was great! What a future this young girl has!

My third day, Saturday, was greatly effected to a severe weather change-Friday was 74 degrees and today was in the mid forties with 30 mile an hour winds making it feel like the thirties. It worked out well as I spent the entire afternoon at Jovita's inside (many of these venues do outside concerts) and saw some outstanding music. The music ranged from rock-Chuck Prophet, folk/bluegrass-Chatham County Line, black roots music-Carolina Chocolate Drops, to alternative country-Deadstring Brothers. All of those groups were great! On top of that, the food was excellent also. The evening brought me back to Opal Divine's in spite of their outdoor venue because of the groups that were scheduled. They moved inside into a small room which was not good, but I still saw Arty Hill from Baltimore and Sarah Borges from Canada as well as the Kansas Jayhawks go DOWN-rock, chalk, Jayhawk!

It was back to Opal's for lunch on Sunday before going to Jim Franklin's (legendary Armadillo World Headquarters artist) art opening. I had time to catch the Rizdales also from Canada who were great! I wish I could say the same about Jim's art show! After that, I hit the road back to Dallas. As Dallas Wayne says "and the road hit back!" I have never seen so much traffic on I35! Ahh well, back to reality.

Grimaldi's Pizzeria

I can't get enough of this great pizza! I ate there last night and had a great wine as well. They also have the best Caesar salad in Dallas. The wine was the 07 Red4, a syrah blend from Vina Robles vineyards. From the glass price, I'm estimating it will be $18-20 at retail.It's $16 on their website. I'm tracking it down as we speak!

Django Reinhardt Festival-Ft. Worth, TX

I went to the second night of music at the seventh annual Django Reinhardt Festival at Arts Fifth Avenue in Fort Worth. It turns out to located in the neighborhood where both of my grandmothers and my great grandmother lived a long time ago. It was my first time back in over forty years!

Back to the music! The first act was Gypsy Moon, a husband & wife duo of very accomplished gypsy jazz guitarists, but I chose last night to see Slim Richey and his band Yo! Gadjo. As usual, they were fabulous, all very accomplished musicians. The biggest treat of the evening, however, was being introduced to a 14 year old fiddle prodigy, Ruby Jane Smith from Mississippi now living in Austin, TX. She is as accomplished a fiddle player as I have ever seen, including the likes of Phoebe Hunt, Warren Hood and Sid Page. The group also included Dennis Ludiker on mandolin, who is the reigning Texas fiddle champ! What music! This is the first time I have thoroughly enjoyed an entire show of strictly instrumental music. My friend that I met there loaned me her CDs from the previous evenings act, The Texas Gypsys. That may be another post!

This was a perfect evening, starting off with a wine tasting at Put A Cork In It also in Ft. Worth close to TCU. Then great music with two women, a lovely friend and a young music phenom-it doesn't get any better than that!

Women Stars of Wine & Food

A great event is coming to Dallas on 2/28/10 at the Fashion Industry Gallery in th f.i.g.Building on N. Akard between Ross & Munger from 6-9pm.

The Dallas chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier event features wine women from California & Texas along with food from over 20 Dallas chapter chefs and culinary professionals.
The California guests include:
Dolores Cakebread, Cakebread Cellars
Amelia Ceja, Ceja Vineyards
Kathryn Hall, Hall Wines
Robin Lail, Lail Vineyards
Joy Sterling, Iron Horse Vineyards
Janet Trefethen, Trefethen Family Vineyards

Tickets are $45 in advance, $50 after 2/26 or at the door and are available online at www.LDEdallas.org See you there!

Excellent wine value

A new find: Santa Julia 05 Tempranillo Reserva from Mendoza Argentina. Another bargain from Dallas Fine Wines on Oaklawn near Lemmon in Dallas, TX

Excellent Bluegrass and Then Some in Dallas

Last night, I went to see the Greencards at Poor David's Pub in Dallas, TX and was treated to a night of killer instrumental work along with wonderful vocal harmonies. If you haven't heard or seen this group, you are really missing some spectacular music! They consist of a couple from Australia who are the primary vocalists while playing various stringed instruments and a fiddle player from Britain; they just added a guitar player from Atlanta, GA.

During the second set, we were treated to two unbelievable instrumental pieces which included the fiddle player and banjo player from Cadillac Sky, a group my son's uncle is very excited about. All in all, it was a fabulous concert played before a very enthusiastic crowd. They have a new album out-check it out: http://www.thegreencards.com/

Great California Cabernet

I recently had the opportunity to taste the '99 Wattle
Creek Cabernet from the Alexander Valley. At that age, most of the tannins are gone leaving a glorious wine to my taste. I was able to buy a couple of bottles at a very reasonable price, but it is my understanding that the supply is dwindling also due to its age. I'm hoping to get at least one more bottle!