Fine Line: July, 2007

I just remembered, I think Cas is in the final 10 on tonight’s America’s Got Talent. Tune in. And fercryinoutloud vote for the man. He’s one of the most deserving artists on earth.

A fleeting semi-clean moment with Speck…

I’ve got absolutely nothing musical to talk about. Well, with the exception of high props to 90.1 KSYM, the only thing that keeps me sane whilst driving about town.

I’ve also had some of my favorite oldies in the CD changer like The Lonelies original EP (my favorite), old Macon Greyson, Joyful Sinners, Thrift Store Cowboys, Broose and an oldie Happy Bullets CD.

Other than that, all I really have to talk about is unpacking, and freakin’ rain. Up until yesterday, it has rained every single stinkin’ day since June. Every-stinkin’-day. Now it’s not bad enough that I’ll be hurling myself off a bridge or anything, no, no, the problem I have with it is that our back yard is a mud pit. And up until this past weekend, because of the rain causing the inability to get out the ol’ lawn mower, the grass was about a foot and a half high. Again, normally I wouldn’t care, but it’s the dog (Speck) that is making my life a living hell. For you see, his hair is longish and he’s a boy, so he likes to go out into the mud pit and stick his entire face into it. He likes to roll and frolic in the mud and water. Then he likes to come back through his doggie-door and roll and frolic on my off-white furnishings. Everything in the living room is now wrapped in dozens and dozens of sheets…sigh. Then I feel bad for getting mad at him, when what the hell is a poor dog to do? I tried teaching him to use the toilet, but he just kept falling in. I’ve pleaded with him to use the kitty litter box, but kitty will have none of that. So I spend a great deal of time during my days bathing the dog in the kitchen sink.

I have managed to do a little wandering about and have come across some great little antique/junk shops. I’m kind of a freak when it comes to architectural antiques and what-nots, so when I found the fabby place that offers-up 17th and 18th century iron gates and such, well I found a place to hang.

I’m still job searching, but let’s not go there right now, m’kay?

TFG is off on bidness, traveling to places ’round the country where it’s not raining. So I sit here by my lonesome with only a doggie and a kitty to talk to this week. However rather than trying to conjure up interesting topics for conversations with pets, I think I’m going to get in the car and just drive. I’ve been wanting to hit Wimberley and get a gander of Canyon Lake. What the hell, right?

If anyone is performing in Austin or thereabouts, drop me a line and I’ll come watch adoringly and clap enthusiastically…

My baby-girl-child turned 18 today. I can’t believe it. Eight-freakin’-teen. She’s in the mountains with her dad. I wish she was here. I want to hug her and never let go.

Happy Birthday my darling child…

“Shirt” by Menomena.mp3 (The girl-child loves Menomena)

Photo by Allison V. Smith

Darling, oh-so-precious and infinitely talented Cabe Booth just done turned a year older. In his usual fashion, Cabe is throwin’ a shindig worthy of a drive from San Antone tonight at The Double Wide with 3 of my very favorite bands:

Saturday, July 28th
The Double Wide
Bobogoblin (12:30 – 1:30) / Happy Bullets (11:10 – 12:10)/ John Freeman (10:15 – 10:50)
Doors at 10 PM – Don’t Be Late – Gifts Encouraged (hee)

Art by Cabe Booth

I am a Dallas native. In my teenage years I have been a National Junior Olympic Fencer for 4 years and a DJ for KNON in the 80′s (at the time I was the youngest DJ in the country) with a show called Audio Abuse. During those years I spent my free time skateboarding at the clown ramp with other local dallas skaters (Phillips, Hollenbeck, Roach, Wilkes, Craig Johnson etc.) and hanging out at the Twilight Room (and all its incarnations) and Theater Gallery.

After graduating from Lake Highlands High School I spent 2 years at UT in Austin attempting my horrendous mistake of business school. After the University politely asked me to leave in 1989 I spent a year in Dallas before deciding on a career in art. I arrived in Denton in 1990 and enrolled in the visual art school there. While in Denton I joined the infamous Delta Lodge. I spent most of my time organizing concerts at the house or in the backyard with bands like Vibrolux, Hagfish, Tripping Daisy, Brutal Juice and Baboon with quite a bit of time upstairs drinking Natural Light and smoking Basic cigarettes in my room while doing large paintings or murals in the house.

In 1991 I was given the task of booking Fry Street Fair, a job I continued to do until 2004. I have always treasured that job and feel it was one of the most important things I have ever had the pleasure of being involved with. But as all things do, it has changed over the years and different forces came into play which eventually convinced me to voluntarily step down from the job in 2004 to allow the younger kids at the Delta Lodge to enjoy the thrill of booking the event like I had enjoyed for so many years.

I graduated in 1995 with a BFA in Fine Arts and moved back to Dallas to work in band management and booking. I was the booking agent for Love Swing, Vibrolux and Tablet for 2 years or so until the bands either moved on or signed with major label.

After that I returned to concentrating on my art. After a couple years of mild depression and little work, the Curtain Club called me to start doing band portraits for the new venue. Starting in 1998 I began painting detailed portraits of many Dallas headliners. Since starting, I have painted well over 150 portraits for the club which now coat the walls inside.

Using a style of broken wood panels I also began creating large multi panel images of aircraft and flight, mainly centering on WW2 aviation. In 2003 I was offered the job of doing large 4′x4′ portraits at what is now Nokia Theater in Grand Prairie. This added client finally allowed me to become self-sufficient as an artist (something I never thought possible).

Since starting at Nokia I have painted over 50 autographed panels including artists such as Ringo Starr, White Stripes, Elvis Costello, Chris Rock, Willie Nelson and many more (If you see a band playing there, then there is a 95% chance the have a portrait.) All of these paintings are unfortunately hung in the backstage area and not visible to the public….

Happy birthday love, I hope it’s the greatest!

“Disquieting Letter” by the Happy Bullets

I can’t think of a better venue to enjoy some of Texas’ finest artists. Check this darlings…

On August 4, 2007, Mack’s Yasgur Productions will present a concert series at The Majestic Theater located in downtown Dallas, TX. There will be 4 individual concerts and each one will be filmed in High Definition and recorded in 5.1 surround sound. Each performance will be available on DVD with an accompanying CD of the soundtrack.

This evening will also be the basis of a documentary that will be produced for broadcast. We will have interviews done by other artists that will add insights to the featured artists.

The concert/documentary is intended to be a series and will repeat on approximate 4 month intervals.

The choice for the Majestic Theater was carefully selected due to it’s natural beauty and history. There are no bad seats in the place and they are the most comfortable seats around! With approximately 1500 seats going on sale around mid May, they won’t last long. For advanced tickets, CLICK HERE.

The format for the show is having Bob Livingston introduce each band. Bill & Bonnie Hearne, along with Micheal Hearne & SXSW will open the show and feature Bill & Bonnie. Next will be Gary P Nunn followed by Rusty Wier. Each set will last approximately 45 minutes. The finale will be Michael Martin Murphey and will last around an hour and a half.

Jeff Mack has also put together some true greatness here. Video interviews with the artists that rock.

Bottom Line:
Saturday, August 4th
The Majestic Theater
Bob Livingston / Bonnie & Bill Hearne with Michael Hearne & SXSW / Gary P. Nunn / Rusty Wier / Michael Martin Murphey
PURCHASE TICKETS
Be there or be square baby!

John Dufilho says not to ever miss The Sons of Hercules…not…ever. So I might have to put the unpacking on hold for a few to check out this positively divine show at Sam’s Burger Joint tonight.

“What’s Done is Done.mp3″ by The Sons of Hercules

All ages – Doors at 8 PM – $5.00 Cover

KatieMac alerted me to a nomination nod for this year’s Dallas Observer Music Awards. Too bad this blog has sucked for the last couple (or more) months. Course all the local DdFW music blogs are nominated, others certainly more worthy. One that wadded my panties, but what can I say? Nothing nice, that’s fersure.

Definite worthy votes should be directed towards SamMach (BigDlittled.com), as Sam is still posting away DdFW news, show picks et al even from his new digs out in the great Northwest. He’s done a bang-up job with his (the newest) music blog.

Chris Cantalini (GorillavsBear.net) is another contender that should be feared by other nominees. He’s absolutely one of the greatest guys I’ve ever met. Plus, he knows his sh*t and blogs away out of love of the tuneage.

Whomever he is (WeShotJR.com)…or has he shown his face to more folks than just SaMach and Kris Youmans? Anyhoo, the anonymous one runs a pretty tight ship over at his blog. Pretty intellegent, indepth entertaining stuff, plus he leans towards some of the really cool underground stuff that needs luvin’ too.

Tough choices, those three. Good luck there.

Otherwise, there are numerous *yawn* non-surprises. Lots of same ‘ol, same ‘ol’s like many of the years past. However, I was pleased to notice some fresh blood on the ballot, including Amy Curnow (Best Female Singer), Johnny Lloyd Rollins (Best Album, Best Indie Rock), JD Whittenburg (Best Album), Smile Smile (Best Song, Best New Act), Sarah Jaffe (Best New Act, Best Female Singer), Tame…Tame & Quiet (Best New Act), Ghosthustler (Best New Act), Maren Morris (Best Country/Roots), Calhoun (Best Folk/Acoustic), Ryan Hamilton (Best Male Singer), Eric Neal (Best Instrumentalist), Picnic (Best Producer), just to name a few.

As Kate noted, there are some odd nominees in head-scratch-worthy categories, like Best New Act holds Black Tie Dynasty and Radiant*, don’t get me wrong I absolutely adore both of these bands, but new acts they ain’t.

Thank goodness my boy Doug Burr took a category or three including Musician of the Year, Best Country/Roots, Best Male Singer…sweet. It’ll warm the cockles of my heart if that boy finally takes home a prize.

I’d sure love to see Sons take home Best Live Venue for a change. And why the hell is GTR on there?

I’m also tickled pink to see TXMF under Best Label. Nice. Really nice.

More sweet nominations (at least for me) that make-a-me-smile: The Mumbles (Best Cover/Tribute Band), DJ Sista Whitenoise (Best DJ), Best Experimental/Electronica is another tough choice, as all the nominees are tre magnifique, Woodbelly (Best Funk/R&B), Shanghai 5 (Best Jazz), THe BAcksliders (Best Blues) and of course PPT nominated a few times as well.

Go on over and take a look-see at all the nominees, sharpen your number 2′s and vote.. All in all, every category has solid nominees, worthy of the 3-5 minutes it takes to make your selections. If you need help in deciding…

“Promenade” by Doug Burr

“85 Feet and Falling” by Sorta

“These Tears Could Rust a Train” by The Theater Fire

“Roscoe” by Midlake

“We Know Where You Sleep” by The Paper Chase

“Tender” by Black Tie Dynasty

“That Girl” by Radiant*

“Sad Song” by Smile Smile

“Giant Babies” by Record Hop

“Miss Sugar Pie” by Johnny Lloyd Rollins

“Dead Man in a Motel” by Shanghai 5

I’ll post more audio/video later…gotta hit the gym now…kiss, kiss…

I’m trying my hardest to distance myself from promoting DdFW shows since…well…since I don’t live there no mo’. But every once in awhile you’ll see a lil’ sumpin’ sumpin’ when it’s put on by folks I’m particularly fond of…like Rich…

DALLAS, TEXAS – SUSHISAMBA’s newest and most original party – SAMBAROCK – is hosting cyber auditions for an electric guitarist to play alongside a line-up of local and national DJs. After sunset SAMBAROCK serves up a mix of sonic pyrotechnics fusing classic rock anthems with tribal Brazilian beats. Following auditions one lucky musician will be selected to rock out every Friday night with a series of adrenaline inducing sets from 10pm-close.

The Dallas Observer’s Club Editor, Richard Lopez, is hosting auditions through SUSHISAMBA’S MySpace account (www.myspace.com/sushisambarestaurants) from July 19th-21st, Thursday through Saturday. To enter, musicians simply send a link to their demos and a brief resume. On Friday, July 27th SUSHISAMBA will invite Richard’s top five finalists for a live audition alongside DJ Mike.

SUSHISAMBA is located at Galleria Dallas, 13270 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1165. Reservations can be made by calling (214) 866-0214. For more information, visit www.sushisamba.com.

Hotness himself just saved me a small ounce of sanity. Me thinks me remember SaMach mentioning John Dufilho was a San Antonioin in his earlier years. Dang, that’s reason enough to love this fair city.

So John lays out some stuff for me to check out and I’m feeling refreshed and hopeful already. So here’s the plan Stan…

Saturday, July 21st
The Mattress Factory
Buttercup and More!

“Hot Love.mp3″ by Buttercup

Now for the visuals…

Artists and musicians and DIY venues and it’s all early! Sigh…I didn’t think it possible, but I truly love John even more than before…FINALLY something to report around here other than I-35 and dang boxes piled up to the ceiling.

We finally filled the cars with the last of our belongings and made the trek down I-35 one more time this past weekend. Reality has really done a number on meownself. It occurred to me that, not only do I reside in a town I know virtually nothing about, I don’t know one single solitary soul. Nary a friend, nor an acquaintance. How, I asked myself, does one go about meeting new friends? Me. A middle-aged mother?

The new digs is situated on an older street. And by older, I mean the median age range is around 70. So no particularly good pickin’s there. I joined an all gals gym and have had a couple of chits and chats about equipment and weather and what-not. I’d think to myself, “self.” I’d say, “I could be friends with this gal.” But I think one might find me inquiries “please, please be my friend…please…” a little, how you say, creepy.

I’m looking for a job too. What better way to meet people, right? However, my exit-pointing, chicken-or-beef peddlin’, peanut slinging experience as a career flight attendant doesn’t seem to impress.

For the life of me I can’t figure out what’s what with the music scene here in S.A. So I’ve put out the call to my favorite local station, KSYM 90.1′s program director, Randon Martinez about some audio brain-pickin’ to get a feel for what’s goin’ on here. If the good man agrees, look for an “Inside the Mind” with Randon soon..which reminds me, I miss Reid.

“Dead Man in a Motel” by Shanghai 5

…more later…

Gawdammit…

I thought I should bring this matter to your attention. This morning at 7:00 AM my van was parked on Prairie Street near Ross & Fitzhugh Ave. I’m playing a solo show at AllGood Cafe tonight w/ Laura Harrell and Jim Suhler for a songwriters swap so my equipment was inside and ready to go after work. I awoke to a woman banging on the door saying that she saw three hispanic guys around the age of 20 stealing my van. I called the Dallas Police less than two minutes after they left but it took the DPD an hour to show up. When the officers arrived they mentioned it was a shame that they had not shown up earlier because they probably could have caught them.

My van is a 1999 turquiose blue Dodge Grande Caravan, w/ Texas liscense plate # FO3-MCV There are also stickers on the back for Lone Star Beer, Elm Street Bar and Keep Dallas Safe. There are also a couple of real bullet holes in the back and on the drivers side. Inside were my Feder Hotrod Delux tube amp, and my orange Gretch Electromatic hollow body guitar.

To make matters even worse, my band Spector 45 and I are leaving for St. Louis Monday to begin a two tour of the Southern US. Anything anyone can do would be helpful at this time.

If anyone knows anything, drop Frank Sr. a note, please.

Dallas-area Artists and Musicians Planting the Seed to Make Art Conspiracy an Official Dallas Fixture

July 15th Fundraiser Will Focus on Dallas Photographers, Help Art Conspiracy Obtain Official 501c3 Status

DALLAS, TX – For the past two years, the Dallas-based art collective, Art Conspiracy, has put on successful guerrilla-style events that unite Dallas-area artists and musicians for a good cause – now Art Conspiracy is making it official by becoming a 501c3 organization.
At 7:00 p.m., Sunday, July 15, at the Sons of Hermann Hall, Art Conspiracy will present Seed, a fundraising event that will pave the way for Art Conspiracy to become a permanent part of the Dallas arts community.

Seed will feature auctions of four images apiece from10 well-known Dallas photographers including Polyphonic Spree video director, Hal Samples, Nathan Schroeder, and Dana McGuire. Participating photographers have been been given the theme “Dallas: Through Your Lens.” Starting bids for the photography will be $20 -$40.

Music will be provided by area bands Mom, Beauxregard and Handclaps & Harmonies. Seed will also feature one-of-a-kind t-shirts bearing art work from previous Art Conspiracy contributors.

“Seed is representative of the amazing art scene that’s growing and thriving in Dallas,” said Erica Felicella, Art Coordinator, Art Conspiracy. “Over the past few years, the changes have been phenomenal and Art Conspiracy is an event that showcases Dallas talent and fosters a sense of community in the arts and music scenes while re-investing in the local arts economy.”

Proceeds raised by Seed, will be used to help Art Conspiracy obtain its 501c3 status, so the collective can be officially recognized as a non-profit organization. Gaining official 501c3 status will make it easier for Art Conspiracy to operate as a nonprofit organization and in turn will make it easier for the collective to support other community arts groups.

“During the Seed event, we will announce the beneficiary for the blockbuster Art Conspiracy benefit in December,” says Kris Youmans, Event Coordinator, Art Conspiracy. “We want our donation to have an impact and provide arts and music opportunities to the people in Dallas who need them the most.”

About Art Conspiracy:

In the past two years, Art Conspiracy has hosted events that have raised over $22,000 for The Children’s Health Fund and La Reunion, an artist residency in Oak Cliff. Art Conspiracy’s mission is to bring area artists and musicians together in historical settings to raise money that will be reinvested in the local arts economy.

Seed/Art Conspiracy organizers and participating artists and musicians are available for interviews. If you need more information, please contact Cari Weinberg at cari@artconspiracy.org or 214-794-3510.

Art Conspiracy Presents…Seed Details:

Date: 7:00 – 11:00 p.m., Sunday, July 15
Location: Sons of Hermann Hall, 3414 Elm Street (at Exposition)
Dallas, TX 75226-1720

Participants: 10 Dallas Photographers, 3 Bands

Admission: $7
Benefiting: Art Conspiracy’s 501c3 Filing Efforts

I’ve decided that Phil Lee and I shall be pals for life. Not only is the man talented and he’s documenting one of the world’s greatest bands on video and the interviews he’s compiled (and compiling) are with some of the best-of-the-best in the DdFW music scene….now it seems that our kiddos shall begin their freshman year in college, come fall, on the very same campus. Sweet. See ya at Parent’s Weekend my friend.

Here’s a rough cut preview of what Phil’s is working on, along with the original post about it below. Enjoy…

Spot Doc – Rough Cut 4

Photo Courtesy of Ken Shimamoto & Matt Albright

So there’s this guy, Phil Lee, and he’s producing a 10-Year Anniversary Documentary DVD following the 10-years of an extreme FineLineFave, Spot. He’s already posted a bit here and there, including “Moon June Spoon” live at the Wreck Room last month. It’s lookin’ pretty freakin’ sweet, so I’m going to place my order today.

If you’n's a Spot fanatic, then you might drop Phil a line with memories, photos, live recordings and/or whatnot and maybe he’ll use it in the documentary…and maybe not…but…maybe.

I’ll keep you posted as to how things continue to unfold…be excited…I sure as hell am…

“Moon June Spoon” by Spot

Makes me long for cowtown….