(Hunter Hutchinson opens)The best introduction to Jon Wolfe is the basic yet not so simple fact that he’s a country singer and songwriter. And to learn his life story — from small town Oklahoma to the bustling big city commodities trading floor to the dancehalls and honky-tonks of Texas and Oklahoma to Music Row. Wolfe’s 2010 album “It All Happened in a Honky Tonk” introduced a modern country singer/songwriter whose music struck a perfect balance between the best country traditions and contemporary energy and vision. Warner Music Nashville re-released this album in 2013 as a Deluxe Edition. “I feel connected with the tradition,” Wolfe concludes. “There’s something a little bigger than just my dreams going on in country music. That’s why I feel so strongly about doing what I do.” And to make it all even sweeter, “I’m doing what I love.”
A Gruene Hall tradition, now in its 19th year, where hipsters, oldsters, suits, locals and drifters mix it up to start their weekend rite (pun intended!) This quintessential Friday happy hour celebrates the warmer weather with great beer prices, prize giveaways and the best in Texas tunes broadcast live by KNBT 92.1 FM Radio New Braunfels. There’s even a very special guest interview each week. Some that have stopped by for a chat have included Ray Benson, Steve Earle, Delbert McClinton, Radney Foster, Hayes Carll and Ray Wylie Hubbard. Good times!
(David Beck opens)Shinyribs is the continuation of Kevin Russell’s musical journey that began in Beaumont, TX when, at 14, he found his father’s guitar under his bed, along with a sewing machine, a billy club and a box of comic books. Luckily, he chose the guitar. Following his family’s oil boom and bust migratory path he landed in Shreveport, LA where he formed his first band. Picket Line Coyotes was a Husker Du meets Elvis Costello hybrid that lived and died between the “Arklatexabamassippi” borders much like their unfortunate animal namesake. That’s what took him to Austin where The Gourds were born from those Coyote ashes. That storied band of pumpkins came to an end after 18 years of good times and hard travelin’. From that point on Russell, has been riding high on the Shinyribs river of country-soul, swamp-funk and tickle. A Shinyribs show is an exaltation of spirit, truly something not to be missed. It’s a unique musical experience and an original expression of colorful musical heritage.