Fine Line: December, 2007

Artwork Courtesy of the Boy-Child

So in a few hours the Fat Lady shall sing, ending 2007. Thank Gawd. It’s been an especially long, trying and sad year, full of major changes, great loss…and…well…some really good things thrown in the mix as well. Like this year’s Christmas with my family. I can’t even begin to express how special this year was for me, the first in several years that I was back with the family I so dearly love. However, it was also the first time in several years that I was without the family I’d come to know and love. Still, it was an amazing time.

I logged on to the Interweb about a grand total of 5 minutes or so since December 23rd. I’m just…ya know…tired of it. But I wanted to come on here, this last day of 2007, and thank some folks who are, not only near and dear, but without their friendship, inspiration and support these past few months, I might be in a fetal position somewhere, gently rocking and humming an old Backstreet Boys tune.

In no particular order, please accept my most humble thanks for all you do (and did) to keep my chin up: Danny Reid, Reid Robinson, Hal Samples, Frank Campagna, Kelly “The Gobbler’s Knob” Dearmore, Jeff Liles, Jayson Bales, Cari Weinberg, Bill Holston, my Dad, my brother Curt, Matt “Muffy” Hembree, Doug Burr, Rob Clark, Sam Machkovech, Hunter Hauk, Allison V. Smith, Bill Wisener, Alan Bond, Salim Nourallah, Tiffany Kieran, Alison Faye, Val, Ken Shimamoto, Steve “O” Smith, Macon Greyson, Zac Crain, EZ Eddie D, Josh Venable, Kate Mackley, Robert Wilonsky, Grimey, Hepola, Patrick “This is Texas Music” Nichols, my children, my four-legged children, and of course Cash.

There are more, sure. But the folks above really got me through some rough times, and for that I had to do one last 2007 shout-out.

It was one year ago tomorrow that I posted the Inside the Mind Reid and I did with George Gimarc. I haven’t really given much thought as to the direction or plan for this blog in 2008, but hopefully it’ll find more stuff like last year’s first post. I’m certainly not making any grand plans, nor big-ass resolutions, like the ones I made last year that barely (or never) came to fruition. This next year, I’m taking things one day at a time. Oh, and starting out the new year as a…ahem…vegetarian. Again. One. Day. At. A. Time.

Happy New Year – Stay Safe – See ya Next Year!

PS- ‘member when Radiant* got to play Times Square this past year? ‘Twas gold…GOLD I SAY!

…PS- I love you Hal Samples….

…this is a sure bet.

“…It’s the hap-happiest season of all”
“With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings…”

I freakin’ love this time of year. Most ‘specially when folks get a little punch-drunk-holiday-butt-Xerox’in’-Bloody-Mary-in the -Mornin’-drinkin’-in-need-of a-little-R&R-gettin’...time of year.

…I most enjoy my view, as a fly on the wall over at Frontburner, this particular time of year.

ENJOY!

Bumpersticker Armaggedon” by Cottonmouth, Texas

“Abstract Con Artist” by Jeff Liles Featuring Paul Slavens

“Inside the Mind” – A Sit-Down Chat with Jeff Liles

Music Video “More To Life”

Wil Seabrook “More to Life”
Directed by Ryann Liebl

‘Nuther Hal Samples

Tonight, tonight, tonight. It’s ON tonight. It’s another (4th, actually) Granada Holiday Bash. Yup. And it’s a good’un.

Thursday, December 20th
Granada Theater
8 PM – Flat People
9 PM – Robert Gomez
10 PM – Deathray Davies (1st damn show in over a year!)
11 PM – Salim Nourallah and the Noise
Doors at 7 PM – $10 – All Ages Welcome if Accompanied by Legal Guardian

This, my friends, is one helluva show.

Listen to Flat People

“1978″ – Salim Nourallah

“Clock In Now” – Deathray Davies

“Closer Still” – Robert Gomez

I’m really gonna miss this broad…

I think I’ve got the year-end blahs. I’m just plumb all-tired-out. It’s been one long-ass year, it has. So tired, in fact, that I dragged the girl-child down to Deep Ellum waaaaaaaaaaaaay too early on Saturday night. We stopped by Space so’s I could show her off to anyone hangin’ about, ate dinner at Monica’s, drove ’round and ’round looking for Sloppyworld, and by that time it was only 6-friggin’-30 or so. We were both under-dressed for the cold winds that blew through town that night, so we decided to make the trek back to North Dallas to change, and return at a more decent hour…ya know…like when Sloppyworld was actually open, and/or when the art shows were actually starting.

Our goal was an 8 PM departure. I awoke on the sofa, fully dressed, at midnight. The girl-child “didn’t want to wake me up.” So instead she borrowed my car and went to a party full of folks her own age. Sigh. So I missed the biggest performance (in my opinion) of the year. Sorry Jeff. I suck.

Both Sunday and Monday I was still down for the count. There’s still an ass-print on the left side of the sofa. So I guess the bottom line is, I got nuthin’ much to say. No photos to display, no concert rehash. Nuthin’. Unless you want a break-down of the 20 or so Tivo’d episodes of The Office and Curb Your Enthusiasm I embraced over those 48 or so hours.

Yesterday I dropped the girl-child off at Northpark so’s she could Christmas shop. I can’t believe how much that place has changed. I haven’t actually been inside for years. I spent many many many years there as a kid, then as a young “lady” and with my own kids. But I gave up malls years ago.

But enough about me.

Thankfully Chelsea (and her merry band of DC-9′rs) where out and about all weekend. Those kids and all their non-sleeping ways. This included some fun at Festivus. Sigh….

Zac just hipped us to the whaddup-world of Josh Venable. Just when my campaign began to bring Jeff Liles back to Dallas for good, Josh, it seems, took a job in L.A. Sucks for us. Doesn’t suck for La-La-Land. Congrats and God speed, my friend. Details on when, where and how you can bid your farewells can be found here.

If you visit the KERA Arts+Culture Blog, you’ll find a rather divine short film about the glorious tree situated over around Preston and Armstrong in good ol’ Highland Park. I’ve stood under that tree on many, many a chilly eve to watch it light up for the Holiday season. I’m a tree person, so I have formed a particularly loving relationship with this tree, even when it’s not the holiday season. Go watch it.

While I was sleeping? Huh? Really? The Eagle is back? Wilonsky says it’s so.

I always find myself cheered-up upon entering through the doors of The Sub-Rosa. So I stole the above photo Alison posted because I really, really, really love it. Fred took it. My birthday is this week. The only thing I’m asking from my children is that they attend the show at Space on Saturday, just 2-measly hours of their time. It’s important to me that they meet Fred. And that he meet them.

Details: (more forthcoming)

Here’s one particularly pleasing memory of 2007…’twas Jayson Bales, The Slack, Radiant* and Salim Nourallah live at Jovita’s in Austin…

Gavin Nourallah Performs with Jayson Bales – Live at Jovita’s (Recorded by The Fine Line)

6-10 PM Bring someone you love…

‘Nuther good thing happ’nin’ this eve…

There are a few folks out there whom I never question when it pertains to their musical taste. The Knob is one such unquestioned pal. If he likes it, 99.999% of the time, I like it too.

That being said, I plan to plant my ass at Bill’s Records this afternoon for one of The Knob’s picks, Ned Van Go. He interviewed ‘em here. Here’s a lil’ more history…

Ned Van Go’s members are a ragged crew made up of small town boys who are influenced by beer, desperation, good love, bad love and down home rock and roll. From breakdowns on the side of the road to raisin’ a ruckus during one of their songs, the boys of Ned Van Go are never boring. Their latest record “Marry a Waitress” stands out from even their earlier records because of its energy and simple “blue collar” feel. It tells stories of factory working, racism, love in prison, love in a small town and time running out on an aging musician. “Marry A Waitress” has been played by independent radio stations from coast to coast and all over the world-18 different countries, 18 stations alone in Australia, 5 in the Netherlands. Their music stands out because it can strike you as heartfelt, mean, raunchy and lovable all at once, and that’s just plain hard to pull off.

Saturday, December 15th
Brett Dillon hosts!
Bill’s Records
Finger food for this event provided by the nice folks at Quizno’s (located at 701 Commerce St., in front of the JFK Memorial)
2:45pm – Ned Van Go
3:30pm – Vic Pore
4:00pm – Jeff Scott
4:45pm – Guthrie Kennard
Free!

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Next stop, Kettle Art…

Holiday Prescence III Artists include; Josh Reames, Erica Felicella, Broose Dickinson, Ryan Thies, Amber Campagna, Misha Flores, Larry Carey, George Fowler, Donna Edwards, Tyson Summers, Issac Brown, Jayme Nourallah, Tori Pendergrass, Havi Frost, Cathey Miller, Autumn Beach, Justin Strickland, Janet Antich and more…

“Here and That’s Enough” by Broose

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Tune in for the last Dirty South Block Party show on KNON. Dayum, that show will be sorely missed. 10 PM.

Straight to the point DFW’s ( Dallas Fort Worth ) hottest underground radio show The Dirty South Block Party on KNON 89.3 FM is calling it quits in December. Bobo Luchiano, DJ Fish along with DJ Drop, Pikahsso, David and Kita Khat will be on the air no more. To Bobo and DJ Fish thanks for making me part of the show now I’m a part of DFW music history thanks to yall. It’s the beginning of a new era…VERB

Pikahsso allen Poe of PPT

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Das right. It’s a Festivus time of year, well that is if Reid finds the damn Festivus pole. Won’tcha come to our party tonight? Please?

Saturday, December 15th
Sloppyworld
Cottonmouth, Texas / Shanghai 5 / Laura Palmer / Hal Samples / Dukes of Dallas / Santa Rampage 07 / DJ Terry Sims
5-Bucks – BYOB
FLL Recommended and Sponsored – I’ll be there urging you to purchase a copy of Anti-Social Butterfly

Be there, fool. No excuses.

I awoke this morning in such a great mood. The girl-child arrived home from college early. Both children were safely tucked snug in their beds. Speck the dog was sleeping peacefully under the covers. Kitty was dozing on my feet. Then nature came a’callin’. For Kitty, that is.

I dunno what done crawled up her arse and died, but it came out and it wants answers. I bagged up that stench and took it all the way out to the trash and it’s STILL stinky in here. I’m getting the hell outta here….

“Dead Skunk” by Spitfire Tumbleweeds

I’m a little late on this, but screw you for noticing. The Scat Jazz Lounge opened with critical acclaim. No really. Critical acclaim.

Mi amigo Steve-O wrote about it. Read. He and his amigos talk about it. Most fun. Most fun, indeed.

By the way, this West and Clear blog is pretty, pretty, pretty good. I really like those guys. You should read it. I’ll even make it easy for you to remember by adding a link on my side bar. You’re welcome.

Cabe Booth has found himself with a wee bit of free time this next week. So rather than utilize that free time to catch up on All My Children or reorganize his sock drawer, he’s tossed out this little offering…

I wanted to see if anyone this year need a painting done for xmas. I do work very quick and my dock is clear as of tomorrow except a few other paintings that will be more involved and need more time to work over, probably after the holidays. SO for now I am looking to see if any of you need a band, pet, relative, loved one ect painted.
I do work cheap, $200-$500 depending on how many people are in the pic and how complex it is (elaborate backgrounds and such)
I usually gravitate towards the low end of my fee because:
a) I know most folks cannot afford $500
b) It takes a lot of extra detail to make me even think of pushing up the price.
c) I like actually making a sale.
d) It’s Baby xmas O’reilly’s b-day

If you need something, get with me quick, like next 24 hours. Otherwise I am closing shop to relax………..its been….a long year to say the fucking least.

so here are a few examples of what I do. I do not work in color for the sake of time constraints and the fact that I like black and white…so there. If you have your heart set on a color portrait, let’s talk after the holidays please.

I think I like that Preston Jones dude. He’s showin’ this side of the county line lots of luvin’….check it.

Work It Out the relationship song PPT

You should meet me at this lil’ shindig tonight. Really. You. Should.

Join us tonight, December 13th for our Deep Ellum Association Christmas Party. It should be a great party with live music provided by Frankie 45, Cricket Taylor, Elvis T. Busboy and Jim Suhler and more.

Please stop by and check out our new Deep Ellum Association Visitor Center at 2822 Elm Street and drop off your promotional materials. Alison Welsh is our new executive assistant administrator and will be happy to help you!

Happy Holidays everyone!

I’m truly blessed to have friends in my life that I can use to live vicariously through their adventures. It’s an even bigger bonus when said friends are immensely talented photographers. Here’s a glimpse into the life of Hal Samples…’bout a week’s worth. What can I say, the guy simply cannot sit still.

You still have time to getcher holiday photos shot by Hal. All you gotta do is ask. Even I can afford it.

Families, Weddings, Christmas, Astronautalis, PPT, Wilonsky, Los Angeles, Spores, Horse Heads, Dirt Doctors, Tania, Girl Talk, Cash, Debras, Crums, Friends, Travels, Work, Apartments, Black Angels, Sergio, CK, Butts, Store Tags…etc…

He has arrived. Bearing gifts.

Yesterday, the boy-child got to meet my hero, Jeffrey Liles. We were at SPACE and Jeff came over for a visit. ‘Twas a most delightful surprise. The boy-child must endure my, hour-after-hour-after-hour, gush about some of my favorite people, ad nauseum. Jeff Liles is the topic of gush on many, many a day. The boy-child finds my non-stop blather nothing short of annoying. However, yesterday I think he has a little more understanding as to my adoration for folks such as Mr. Liles.

Jeff placed a copy of his (Cottonmouth, Texas) reissued, Anti-Social Butterfly in my hot-for-it-hands yesterday. The moment the boy-child and I shut the car doors, the first disc was in the player. Rather than offer up my own review of this 2-disc set of brilliance, I’m going to tell you, verbatim, what the boy-child had to say. Keep in mind, the kid knows his music….much better than his old mom, that’s fersure…

Well into track 2 “Me and My Last 4 Bucks”, the boy says to me, “mom, this guy is amazing!” To which I replied, “yes dear, I know.” After a couple of more tracks he says to me, “I’ve never heard anything like this. This is genius, he’s such a tremendous writer.” To which I replied, “yes dear, I know.” I love being right.

We listened all the way home. I listened all the way to House of Blues this morning. I listened all the way to Lee Harvey’s to watch Reid get tipsy. I listened all the way back out north. I can’t get enough. The man can do absolutely no wrong on the mic. To make a long story short, I love him.

Contributing musicians on this album include more greatness like Dave Monsey, Reed Easterwood, Mike Jerome, Kenny Withrow, Zac Baird and Earl Harvin. Don’t get much better, my friends. No. It. Don’t.

So I’m most especially pleased to hip you kiddies to a lil’ shindig on Saturday night…one in which Jeff Liles has agreed to perform. I’m literally so freakin’ giddy, I can hardly sleep.

Das right. It’s a Festivus time of year, well that is if Reid finds the damn Festivus pole.

Saturday, December 15th
Sloppyworld
Cottonmouth, Texas / Shanghai 5 / Laura Palmer / Hal Samples / Dukes of Dallas / Santa Rampage 07 / DJ Terry Sims
5-Bucks – BYOB
FLL Recommended and Sponsored – I’ll be there urging you to purchase a copy of Anti-Social Butterfly

Be there, fool. No excuses.