Island Moon June 17, 2011B 8

worked it. This was a fun kick-off party for the festival. The crowd of perhaps 300, was all hardcore Delbert fans and the show had me thinking of the old days when he’d play Soap Creek Saloon in Austin and would flat rock the house. Trust me, Delbert still has it and I’ve been going to his shows since Mother Blues in Dallas circa 1973.

We bowed out of the Friday shows with Cory Morrow and Casey Donahew. I did hear from a reliable source that Donahew was excellent. (By the way, I apologize for misspelling his name in the Moon and CC Magazine.) Instead I stayed in Port A and caught Houston March-man (Austin, TX) at the Back Porch and Transistordale (San Antonio, TX) at the Tarpon Ice House. Transistor-dale also played the official festival “after party” at the Sugar Shack in Rockport on Saturday night. They are definitely a very cool band to see.

On Saturday we made it back to Rockport early to catch Willis Alan Ramsey (Dallas, TX) at 1:00. I had only seen him perform in Austin a couple of times in the 70’s. I remember how good his one and only record was back then (it still stands up today) and I was excited to see him 35 years later. Even though he suddenly stopped in the middle of two songs to scold the soundman, his tal-ent was undeniable and his sound is all his. He played his hits like Northeast Texas Women, Spider John and Dream Walkin’, plus a bunch of songs I’d never heard before…and was impressive. It was well worth the wait.

Next up was Ray Wylie Hubbard (Wimberley, TX). Ray had his 18 year old son, Lucas, on lead guitar and drummer Rick Richards with him. Hubbard is a great

storyteller and a funny guy. He’s got a bluesy cerebral style that’s like listening to Lightning Hopkins at Wil-liam Blake’s house. He sings of snake farms and dark places, of drunken poets and life’s ironic scenarios and makes it believable, not to mention incredibly entertain-ing. I once drove 16 hours, from San Antonio to Gaines-ville, Florida, and played Delirium Tremelos pretty much the whole way. I think Ray Wylie hung the moon and his performance at the festival didn’t let me down. He will be playing at the Third Coast Studio in Port A on June 25th.

After Ray Wylie, we opted out of the Gary P. Nunn show since we had seen him play at the Porch recently, and found refuge from the heat behind an old bait store right on Fulton Bay and chilled until it was time for Guy Clark to perform. Guy Clark is the main reason I went to this festival. He’s the real deal and I hadn’t seen him in years. I used to tend bar at the Texas Chili Parlour in Austin in 1976 making those mad dog margaritas he writes about in his song Dublin Blues. I’ve been a fan of his songwriting genius ever since. He was joined on stage by Nashville guitarist, Verlon Thompson, who has accompanied Clark for over 10 years. When Guy Clark took the stage, he looked like 100 miles of bad road. He’s lost three toes to diabetes, had cancer, a knee replace-ment and his body is beat down. He moved slow and didn’t smile. Guy Clark just seemed tired. But when he sang songs like Desperados Waiting on a Train or Ran-dall Knife or Boats to Build, he harnessed his real power and never sounded better. I kept thinking of Townes dur-ing the whole set. I’ll never forget this show or this festi-val. I had a great time.

By Ronnie Narmour

ronnienarmour@gmail.com

Three Chords and the Truth

I’ve seen more music in the last two weeks than I know what to do with…and it’s all been great! Ku-dos goes to the Rockport Music Festival on a successful and classy first time event. Promoter, Tommy Moore, did a great job of bringing a first class music festival to our area--without a hitch--and should be commended. And hey, don’t for get about Ponty Bone on the 4th of July at the Tarpon Ice House…woohoo! That’s gonna be some party. But right now time’s a wasting…let’s roll.

West Side Horns

The legendary West Side Horns (San Antonio, TX) played the Back Porch on June 4th. This is more than a band, it is the music that helps to define the sound of

San Antonio. Formed in 1961 by the late great Rocky Morales, the “Horns” have now evolved into their third generation of musical genius. Still on hand since the be-ginning, Spot Barnett (tenor sax) and Arturo “Sauce” Gonzales (Hammond B-3), gave the crowd a lesson in real deal Texas R&B (“with a Big Red and jalapeno afterburn”). This is a lesson that the late Doug Sahm taught every day of his life. It was Sahm who gave this ensemble their moniker and toured and recorded with them for decades (Juke Box Music and Last of the Real Texas Blues Bands; Antones Records). I had the honor of being their agent from 1995 until Sahm’s death in 1999. When you talk of the Westside Horns, it is only fitting to mention the Memphis Horns or the Muscle Shoals Horns in the same breath…they are that good.

My heart swelled when the band broke into numbers by T-Bone Walker (T-Bone Shuffle) and Clifford Scott (Honky Tonk). Second and third generation “Horns” members Al Gomez (trumpet), Henry Rivas (tenor sax and vocals) and Joe Jama (bass and vocals) did a fine job of maintaining the bands strong musical lineage. I am proud this band lives on. To quote Joe Nick Patoski, “The breadth of their repertoire, always coolly dance-able, and a pedigree of those they quote from, under-score a greater, bittersweet truth… when the Horns final-ly hang it up, this kind of sound will be gone for good.” Also, to quote my mentor, the late Clifford Antone, when the “Horns” were on stage at one of his many an-niversary celebrations at the historic Antones Nightclub in Austin years ago, “This is as good as it gets.” He was right and believe me, he would know.

Rockport Music Fest: Delbert McClinton, Willis Alan Ramsey, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Guy Clark

The Rockport Music Festival, held last weekend, was phenomenal. I can’t say I’ve ever been more comfort-

able at a music festival. Although it was a little pricey, the VIP member-ship deal was the way to go. I got to see “mem-bers only” performanc-es by Delbert McClin-ton and Malford Milli-gan on an outdoor stage overlooking the ocean with an open bar, free dinner and comfortable seating. It didn’t suck. Delbert put on the killer show you’d expect him to. He had the whole front of the stage lined with cougars and he

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Sisters Morales

After Guy played, we ducked out of the Jerry Jeff Walker festival finale and headed back to Port A to see the Sisters Morales (San Antonio, TX) at the Back Porch. The sisters are breaking up soon to pursue solo careers. I adore this act and didn’t want to miss it. Sis-ters, Lisa and Roberta Morales, have a unique blend of traditional Mexican and bluesy rock, sung with an angel-ic harmony that only two sisters can create. Their long time guitarist, David Spencer, is a bonified monster and the combination of these three talents is tight and power-ful. They will be back to the Porch on August 12th for one of their very final performances as the sisters.

DO NOT MISS LIST:Joe King Carrasco & the Crowns

I’m not joke king, it’s going to be a party weekend. Joe King Carrasco and the original Crowns will play the Back Porch on June 18th. Ay Ay Ay Hoy Hoy Hoy!!! The king of Tex-Mex now lives in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and is only playing a few Texas gigs (Austin, San Anto-nio, Houston, Dallas…and Port A.) and he only comes around about once a year. Plus, Joe has assembled the original Crowns with Kris Cummins (organ), Brad Kizer (bass) and Mike Navarro (drums). You would be a fool to miss this show. Raul’s lives!

And that’s the truth!

Live Music Tonight

Live Music Every Friday

Guy Clark played the Rockport Music Festival on June 11th. Photo by Carol Elliott.

Friday, June 17thCarol Elliott @ Tarpon Ice House (6-8)

blacktopGYPSY @ Back Porch

Mike Milligan & the Altar Boys @ Tarpon Ice House

Rich Lockhart Band @ Hooks B-B-Q

Five Card Draw @ Brewster Street

Acoustic Breeze @ Coffee Waves

Scarecrtow People @ Executive Surf Club

Vive Le Vox, Switchblade Jesus @ House of Rock

Saturday, June 18thJoe King Carrasco & the (Original) Crowns @ Back Porch

The Ones @ Tarpon Ice House

Speed (2 pm) @ Hooks B-B-Q

Rich Lockhart (acoustic) @ Hooks B-B-Q (noon)

Stuart Burns @ Coffee Waves

Rick Cates @ Scuttlebutts-Seafood Bar and Grill

Mike Milligan and the Altar Boyz @ Dr. Rockits Blues Bar

Metal Shop @ Brewster Street

Lionize/ Bertha/ Switchblade Jesus @ House of Rock

The Weekenders @ Executive Surf Club

Sunday, June 19thAcoustic Open Jam @ Tarpon Ice House

Rich Lockhart (noon) @ Hooks B-B-Q

Tin Can Phone @ Dr. Rockits Blues Bar

Tuesday, June 21stScarecrow People @ Executive Surf Club

Clarissa Serna @ Revolution Bar and Grill

Open Mic w/ Rev. Fred @ House of Rock

Wednesday, June 22ndThe Bar Nutz @ Dr. Rockits Blues Bar

Thursday, June 23rdThe Ones @ Back Porch

Reckless Kelly/ No Justice @ Brewster Street

Carlos & the Groove @ Flats Lounge

Ballabajoomba Poetry Slam/ John Cortez @ House of Rock

Bri Bagwell & the Banned @ Executive Surf Club

Friday, June 24thCarol Elliott @ Tarpon Ice House

(6-8)

Tejas Brothers @ Back Porch

Nick Burleson @ Hooks B-B-Q

Tony Perez Band @ Brewster Street

Amigos @ Executive Surf Club

Outlaw Nation/ Jiffy/ Flatbroke @ House of Rock

Saturday, June 25thTommy Alverson @ Back Porch

Jul & the Chrome Wheels @ Tarpon Ice House

Dave “Bottlehead” Miller @ Hooks B-B-Q

Spark in the Dark @ Coffee Waves

Girls In a Coma @ House of Rock

Rick Cates @ Scuttlebutts-Seafood Bar and Grill

Ray Wylie Hubbard @ Third Coast Theater

Rotel & the Hot Tomatoes @ Brewster Street

Girls in a Coma/ Sonidos Del Barrio/ Pinata Protest @ House

of Rock

John Cortez Band @ Executive Surf Club

Sunday, June 26thAl Barlow, Bo Porter & Jimmy Lee Jones @ Tarpon Ice House

Chrome Wheels (noon) @ Hooks B-B-Q

Tuesday, June 28thScarecrow People @ Executive

Surf Club

Clarissa Serna @ Revolution Bar and Grill

Open Mic w/ Rev. Fred @ House of Rock

Thursday, June 30thLyrical Bynge @ Flats Lounge

Graham Wilkinson @ Executive Surf Club

John Cortex @ House of Rock

Friday, July 1stCarol Elliott @ Tarpon Ice House (6-8)

Davin James @ Back Porch

SpinFX @ Hooks B-B-Q

Willie Nelson/ Jamey Johnson/ Randy Houser/ Lee Brice @

Concrete Street

Trysum @ Executive Surf Club

Saturday, July 2ndGary P. Nunn @ Back Porch

Larry Martin Sweeney @ Tarpon Ice House

Two Rivers Trio @ Hooks B-B-Q

Cruise Control @ Executive Surf Club

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The West Side Horns played the Back Porch on June 4th. Photo by Miles Merwin.

Joe King Carrasco and the Crowns will play the Back Porch on June 18th.

Delbert McClinton played the Rockport Mu-sic Festival on June 9th. Photo by Carol Elliott.

Ray Wylie Hubbard played the Rockport Music Festival on June 11th.

Photo by Carol Elliott.