Jason Eady "Watering Hole"

I love it in Texas. There is always something cool to do, and lots of great folks around to do it with. The days are a jangle of phone calls and meetings, scheduling and planning, and then out to the clubs! And so it was that last Sunday I walked into Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, TX, one of the oldest Texas Dance Halls. You need to visit the Texas Dance Hall Preservation Inc. to see how this tradition shaped Texas, and furthermore Austin, into the live music hub that it is.

When you attend a dance hall growing up, it is a multi generational social outing. As a little one, you dance on your Dad, or Granddad's shoes, or with your Mom or Grandma. It plants the seeds in you to embrace live music, to dance, to meet and greet, and it is a wholly joyous occasion. The tradition is alive and well at Gruene Hall. The band as I arrived? Jason Eady with a special appearance from Jamie Wilson! How wonderful to casually drop in and have the music be this hot! I stepped up to the bar, ordered a Michelob Ultra, and proceeded to sing along. Watering Hole indeed!

-Jessie

Band of Heathens "Talking Out Loud"

They walk with grace in the sunshine of their music. When it came to the attention of The Band Of Heathens that an $8 surcharge was added to ticket sales for the February 5th House of Blues Houston date, the Heathens did something very cool. They counter offered a ticket buy on their website, with an $8 voucher toward merch in the BOH store. They got some cool things there, oh yeah! Including a T that just says HEATHEN, bold as you please, white on black. I'm in!

What, you still haven't seen them yet? We are talking gospel, soul, roots, taste and touch rock and roll, earthy Americana music. Steeped in the flavors of the past, but anchored in right this minute. Mostly Texas dates ahead, with a spur in early March that takes them up to the Tennessee Valley, with a stop at the world famous Loveless Café in Nashville for the Music City Roots WSM live broadcast on Wednesday, March 10. So, even if you can't see them, you can hear them on the radio, or catch it on the web. Or check them out here!

-Jessie

Sean McConnell "Looking For A Good Time"

He calls it Lyric Driven Roots Rock. He has such a pure voice. And is a spectacular songwriter. Sean McConnell breathes fresh air into the Texas Music scene. He sets the bar really high. I was fortunate to attend an after party in May in Mattson Rainer's back yard celebrating the KNBT Americana Jam. Sean's turns performing stopped time. So very special.

Good news is that he is road doggin' it, and we await an album from him…hurry Sean, there is a hungry audience out here! We were lucky to have him at the Music Fog condo during MusicFest at Steamboat Springs, and we bring you "Lookin' For A Good Time," a tune that will be on the new album. Also, for a mindbender, watch his tour manager Derek Shampine shooting us with an iPhone while we were shooting Sean.

-Jessie