About Debbi Walton:

About Jeff Whitehead:

When you hear Jeff Whitehead, whether he is rockin’ with his band at a smoky Texas dancehall, or just pickin’ a guitar or piano at home, you’ll notice one thing: he cares a hell of a lot about the song. His 2009 debut album, “Outlaw in My Mind”, introduced Texas music fans to his honest, heartfelt brand of songwriting. On the record, Jeff teamed up with producer and Texas music chart mainstay, Granger Smith, to showcase his lyrical prowess with great country rhythms. If you want to say that “Outlaw in My Mind” got his feet wet, then his sophomore effort, “Resting Easy”, is certainly proof that he has jumped head first into the deep end. When asked about the new EP, Jeff says, “I’ve grown a lot since my first album and I’m really excited to get these new songs out there. I hope people are able to connect with something on the record.” Based on responses from recent live shows, Whitehead has hit the mark.

Growing up in College Station, he never imagined he would be making his way, traveling from town to town, playing music for a living. Though always an intense music fan, his world was consumed by numerous other activities, mainly baseball. Through his teenage years, year round baseball teams and raising and showing livestock with the FFA left him without much time for anything else. In 2004, Jeff began attending Texas A&M University. It was here that music took the place of all his previous endeavors. While supposed to be studying, Jeff instead began studying the great songwriters: Dylan, Townes, Steve Earl and the like. During his sophomore year, Jeff happened across a copy of American Songwriter Magazine and found their renowned Lyric Contest. Though he had never written a song, he figured he would take his shot at it. After writing 5 songs, he mailed in his efforts and waited. A month later, he received a call from the magazine and the voice on the other end was telling him that he had won first place the international contest for his song “Coffee and Dreams” (now featured on the album “Outlaw in My Mind”). Along with having his song published in the next issue of American Songwriter Magazine and receiving a Martin Guitar, Jeff received the most dangerous thing you can give to a songwriter: validation. With this new found energy, he focused everything on the song. It consumed every aspect of his life.

During his last two years of college, Jeff spent his time honing his songwriting skills and playing to college bars. At this point, he didn’t know much about the music business, but he knew one thing: that Austin seemed to be where everything was happening. After recording “Outlaw in My Mind”, with blind faith and ambition, Jeff graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Wildlife Biology and moved to Austin the next day.

Now, with hundreds of shows under his belt and an upcoming EP, this year is sure to be an exciting year for Jeff Whitehead and Texas music fans alike. Keep an eye out for this guy; I know he’ll be on my radar.

About Betty Soo:

Change is good. Sometimes, you just need a little shake-up to get things to how they always ought to have been. With Heat Sin Water Skin, BettySoo adds some welcome edge and grit to the heartbreaker ballads and bell-pure vocals she’s come to be known for.

Teamed with seasoned producer Gurf Morlix (Lucinda Williams, Mary Gauthier, Slaid Cleaves), BettySoo has made a record worth sitting up and paying attention to. Her vocals are striking, the players strong, the sound gripping, and the lyrics compelling.

Her first studio efforts (Let Me Love You, 2005; Little Tiny Secrets, 2007, Never the Pretty Girl EP, 2007) were well received by critics, earning praise locally and nationally – even securing her performance opportunities overseas. And she’s not slowing down any time soon. Since their release, she has earned multiple songwriting awards (including Kerrville New Folk, Wildflower Festival, and Big Top Chautauqua Songwriter of the Year) and has proven herself a strong, engaging, often hilarious live performer.

Joining her on Heat Sin Water Skin are Todd Wilson on organ, Gene Elders on fiddle, and Dave Terry on drums. BettySoo and Gurf handled the guitar and vocal parts themselves. As for genre, she’s still nestled in the folk-rock world, but she is bringing something new to her listeners. “There’s a little gospel, some straight-ahead folk, a bit of twang, and maybe even a familiar oldie with a new twist. Be ready for a surprise.”

Then again, not much about BettySoo isn’t surprising. People are surprised just to see her take the stage. Plain-faced, petite (clocking in at exactly 5 feet), and freckly, people don’t have any idea what to expect – they certainly don’t expect such a large voice and moving songs. “I guess Asian-American singer-songwriters aren’t that common,” she comments, “at least, not in Texas.”

And, of course, there’s the whole issue of her name. How did a second-generation Korean end up with such a classic southern name? Is it a stage name? “No,” she answers, laughing, “I guess I’m just lucky that way. It’s right there on my birth certificate. Soo is my dad’s middle name, too. Yep, he’s a boy named Soo.”

If you’re listening at all, you’ll never shake the sound. It’s honest – real music played by real people. The melodies will inspire, the words may haunt, and the rhythm will undoubtedly have you miles away from your chair. The music is undeniable – nothing short of a genuine celebration, bubbling up from the cracks in the street like west Texas oil.

The band is the Ghosts Along the Brazos and the idea is simple: Play and write music that you believe in, and others will believe in it too. Don’t inflate it with smoke and mirrors, and don’t water it down in search of conventional success. Play what speaks to your heart, and it will speak to theirs too. It’s been less than a year since the Ghosts arrived on the Austin, TX scene, and they’ve quickly charmed their way into the hearts and minds of a town steeped in timeless American music, and not always quick to shower praise.

In Texas Renegade—the moniker their first guitarist bestowed on them at a high-school party—Bertelsen handles lead vocals, songwriting and guitar. Mandolinist/guitarist/backing vocalist Tyson and bassist Eli picked up their instruments at 20 and 19, respectively, after ditching fiddle lessons at age 13.

But they’re hardly a batch of late-bloomers. Bertelsen’s voice, which could earn him honorary Braun brother status in Reckless Kelly, carries the nuances of a practiced, yet intuitive singer. With mandolin and harp as frequent lead instruments and Tyson’s harmonies, Texas Renegade creates a soulful, rootsy country-rock blend that places them squarely in the Americana realm; which is only fitting for a band whose formative influences include the Wallflowers, John Hiatt, Counting Crows, Emmylou Harris, the essential Texans and the classic rock their parents played.

I’m a Texas artist based in Austin and I just released “Toe Tapper”, my first full length album. www.lucascookmusic.com or www.reverbnation.com/lucascookmusic

I was born on 9-11, which was always an awesome day…until 9-11 but It’s okay…I heard they killed Osama! I’m a singer/songwriter, recording artist, front man and I pretend to know how to play piano, but I don’t know how to play. My friends think i’m hilarious and i’m also a good friend to good people. I’m ridiculously silly, creative and random. I also speak very fluent Spanish and I will blow your mind with my cooking.

I’m always open to meeting new people, especially people in the music industry (cheers) and funny, interesting, educated people. Or if you’re not so educated, but you’re still funny, I would like to meet you as well.

I’m a firm believer in karma, first impressions and gut feelings.

]]> http://gizbug.com/sws/?feed=rss2&p=885 0 http://gizbug.com/sws/?p=845 http://gizbug.com/sws/?p=845#comments Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:38:57 +0000 npd http://gizbug.com/sws/?p=845

Mark Jungers is no stranger to the Americana roots music scene. He’s been playing it for years- since well before the term “Americana” was coined- because in his world, country, roots rock, folk, and bluegrass music need not be mutually exclusive. Mark and his band play what is the heart of Americana: gutsy, unpretentious music filled with spirit and spontaneity.

Mark Jungers was born and raised in a small farming community called Bird Island, Minnesota, about 80 miles West of Minneapolis. When his father died young, Mark and his brothers were left to carry on the family farm…or lose it. It was then that the steadfast work ethic of the American farmer was instilled in Mark. But his musical drive would not be denied. He would often sneak up into the hay barn late at night to play guitar and write songs. To this day, the family farm thrives, as does Mark Jungers’ songwriting.

Mark was in a number of bands in his youth before graduating in Minneapolis with a degree in electronics and sound engineering. Soon thereafter, he moved to Austin, Texas. There, Jungers soon became a major player in the mid 80′s Austin music scene, playing with such bands as Straight Up, Hell’s Café, and The Masons. In the fall of 1994, he left Texas for New Haven, Connecticut to join his then wife-to-be, Joy, while she finished her education. It was there that Mark was finally able to concentrate on his songwriting, for himself rather than for a band. But being without a band did not last long: He was soon adopted to front the Motel Preachers who went on to win Best New Band, and second place, Best Country Band in New Haven before he and Joy, homesick, returned to Central Texas in July of 1997. They continue to make their home in Martindale, Texas, on the San Marcos River.
The songwriting continued and he soon formed what is now Mark Jungers & The Whistling Mules: Mark singing lead vocals and playing rhythm guitar and harmonica; Adrian Schoolar on lead guitar, dobro, and harmony vocals; Wes Green on mandolin, fiddle, and harmony vocals; and Josh Flowers on upright bass.

Their first CD, Black Limousine, was intended to be a mere chronicle of their musical efforts. Three reprints later, much airplay, and a strong Texas following made way for their second release, Standing in Your Way, which also earned great reviews. One For the Crow was born from necessity: Mark and the band still had much more to say.

The uniqueness and variety of Mark Jungers’ music is well demonstrated by the bills the band has shared. They have played with The Derailers, Gary P. Nunn, Slaid Cleaves, Slobberbone, Sisters Morales, Roger Creager, Trout Fishing in America, Billy Joe Shaver, Charlie Robison, Cooder Graw, and the list goes on…

Mark’s commitment to the art of songwriting is evident throughout his recorded catalogue. His songs, real and honest, capture the American Spirit. Hearty musicianship only adds to the experience. His albums are masterfully arranged and produced, exemplifying Lars Goransson’s well deserved title as Best Producer in the 2004 Austin Music Awards. Mark’s music will capture national attention… or something’s terribly wrong.

Nicolette Good owes interstate I-10 a lot of material, and she’s got the lyrics to prove it. The 2011 Readers’ Pick for best musician in San Antonio Magazine has done most of her best writing behind the wheel. She plays at the intersection of Americana and indie-folk, which has led fans to call her “melancholy, but hip,” and “the Veruca Salt of country music.”

A music student since the age of 5, she studied piano through college but ultimately found the guitar, her voice, and the pen and paper to be more compelling (and portable).

As a songwriter, she leans heavily on the subtle twists of a story that keep listeners on tilt. 41Entertainment said it best, “Nicolette writes like butter melts.” With influences as diverse as Neko Case, Joni Mitchell, Gillian Welch, and the Felice Brothers, her music is at once rich and haunting. She earned an honorable mention in the American Songwriter magazine’s March/April 2011 lyric contest. As a singer, she has been called “exacting” and “strong as radishes.”

Nicolette self-produced her debut mini-CD at a recording studio / yoga den / sustainability compound called The Farm (R.I.P.) with session players backing her up, including Grammy-award winning Joe Reyes on solo guitar. During that time, the San Antonio Current named her its 2010 Best Singer/Songwriter.

After the mini-CD was completed, she needed a band to bring the recording to life. So, she turned to Craigslist, where she found electric guitarist Jesse Basham, an East-Texas transplant, who miraculously shared her eclectic, indie-infused influences.

After her first CD release in March 2011, Nicolette was picked to perform as a Regional New Folk Ballad Tree Performer at the Kerrville Folk Festival, and was a semifinalist during the 2011 Songwriter Serenade competition in Hallettsville, Texas.

The documentary-reality television show, Troubadour, TX, spotted her in 2011 and made her a cast member of the 22-episode series. She played the show’s series premier performance at the Kessler Theatre in Dallas, and has given audiences a taste of what it’s like to be an independent musician.

She’s shared bills with Austin’s Bettysoo, David Ramirez and Lincoln Durham, and Denton’s Doug Burr and Seryn, to name a few.

She writes music every day—yes, usually while driving.

Nicolette can be heard as an acoustic/electric duo playing Texas venues such as Uncle Calvin’s, the Olmos Bharmacy, the Whip In, Casbeers at the Church (R.I.P.), Tantra Coffeehouse and the Anderson Fair.