One day in Dallas

I never believed my crazy road trip days were over. I guess I just needed a reason to do something completely irrational like that. So, lets put the pieces of the puzzle together. I love music. I love live music. I love live music in Austin. I love Austin bands...of all types. My wife is from Dallas. We will make any excuse to go to Dallas to see her family, BUT the best excuses are MUSIC. My wife loves  The Roosevelts   (http://www.wearetheroosevelts.com/welcome-1). The Roosevelts are the product of a fine Austin band which has blossomed into something amazing.


Ok! So we find out The Roosevelts would be playing in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, and then Austin. For the hell of it I told my wife "We were gonna road trip it to Dallas and surprise the band." Threw the bags up in the car and hit the road. Got to Dallas in the evening and had the opportunity to hang out with her family, BBQ, and drink beer. HELL Yes! The next morning my wife decides she wants to explore a little before the bands performance the next day. Deep Ellum is the spot she chose. This is a bar/club district that is still expanding, and very nice to hang out at for a few hours.

















As we are getting ready to go see a part of Dallas my beautiful wife has never had the opportunity to explore as an adult, I get a text. The band is reminding me they have a show in Austin the next day and would love for us to go so when can catch up. My response is super simple 'Sorry guys, we are out of town and probably wont be back in Austin until late on the day of their show.' Good enough. The stage is set.


Off we go to Deep Ellum. We walk around, listen to the sounds, see some of the sights, and stop into a few places. It was some o the most damn fun I have had just hanging out with my wife since Vegas.

After a few hours of walking, drinking, and making new friends. We go back to the house we to change and head to the performance. Here is where I get serious folks.


The venue is called The Rustic (http://therustic.com/). This place is located right on the corner of Hwy 75 and Lemmon Ave. Super easy to get to, plenty of parking - Oh wait...we didn't drive, never mind. The restaurant/venue is gorgeous. The indoor area is huge, with tons of tables and seating, both in the bar area and kitchen area. It is split level. As you walk in the door you cannot help but to notice the large "U" shaped bar to your left and to the right, in the back corner, is the stage. As you travel through The Rustic you end up in their back yard. Here you see the rest of the stage. A huge outdoor side view of the tiny stage you saw from inside. Listen folks, when The Rustic says a show is rain or shine, there is now joking about that here. The back yard area wraps around to the back of the restaurant. Out here there is plenty of casual seating, table service, and an outdoor bar connected to the large bar from inside the restaurant.

Although we did not get a chance to eat, the prices seemed reasonable, and the menu was perfect for a night out with a date, with the office, or with some friends.

As we walked outside we passed by the front of the stage as The Roosevelts were preparing to sound check. Making it quite obvious he was surprised and shocked, the lead singer and acoustic guitarist James Mason greeted us with a smile. He then let his partner and lead guitarist Jason Kloess we had surprised them by showing up in Dallas. After a quick hello and an acknowledgment that the earlier message for being out of town was an awesome decoy, we found spot to enjoy the one of a kind performance that is The Roosevelts.

Although we have seen them many times. Their performances are never stale. It is never quite the same. The stable may be the same, but there is always an new thoroughbred ready to run every time The Roosevelts perform. The harmonies are amazing and the story telling through the song writing is epic and heartfelt. The two front men are always genuinely thrilled and excited to be doing their thing for the crowd and fans. This evening at The Rustic there seemed to be more fans then crowd. It didn't matter though, their were Two very happy fans that were thrilled to drive 3 hours into 'The Belly of the beast' for some 'Peaches'!

And the Texas peaches are mighty fine!



Laters

Up the road a little ways

So a little 45 minute/1hr drive north of Austin, Texas, located on IH 35 is Salado, Texas. I can not tell you what the town is known for...sorry folks of Salado. I can tell you there is a wicked, bad ass BBQ joint just located off the highway a few hundred yards or so, Johnny's Steaks and BBQ (http://johnnyssteaksandbbq.com/). Not only is the brisket mighty fine, but OF COURSE they have a stage out back!

I am not a food critic, but I like BBQ. Not that stuff smothered in sauces to hide the flavor of the meat and wood, but BAR-B-QUE DAMMIT!!! This brisket was great! It had flavor, it was moist, and it was just damn good. Oh yeah, we didn't have to wait in a line for more than an hour, we just had to drive the hour.

Out in the back is a rather large stage and a huge event area. I would say they could easily hold 1500. A covered VIP area with tables, a small grassy knoll for those who bring their own chairs, and a whole lot of dirt! A couple of beer tents in the very back make it easy to get your adult on and keep it that way.











What brought me way the hell up here for a performance is my wife's love for Pat Green (http://patgreen.com/). Also my love and pride in a local Austin musician on stage with Pat, my friend and bass player extraordinaire, Matt Slagle. While I managed to secure the photo opportunity from Matt for this show, it was my wife who I enjoyed watching, along with the other thousand or so folks.

But my cool surprise was the opening band.

The Warhorses (http://thewarhorsesmusic.com/) came onto the stage while the sun was still out and as the crowd was still filtering in. The Warhorses were a great progressive country band. Partially with that Americana feel, not scared to get their rock on, but definitely country. The Warhorses entertained the crowd and had folks moving up to the stage. I must say, with this large group of guys on stage and the excitement and love they showed to the crowd for what they were doing...this is a dangerous opening band. No doubt they could easily steal the show if the headliner is not on their A game.

I'll put it to you this way, I had enough enjoyment in The Warhorses performance that I worked with a buddy at a venue in Austin to get them booked closer to home. Look them up around your neck of the woods or take a trip.

So...Pat Green. What can I say and what do I need to say. He doesn't need my words, but I will share them anyway. Maybe there is one person out there who isn't sure. Pat Green really does have a great time on stage and with the crowd. Of course he has a hell of a backing band, but you can tell it's his charisma on the mic and in front of the crowd that helps make the show. This is what has brought me back for multiple shows. My wife loves his music ('Carry On' ALWAYS make her get out of her seat! A L W A Y S !!!!!) and Pat Greens ability to entertain.

Pat does a great job of bringing the crowd into his songs with his stories. Not VH1 Storytellers long, but quick little side notes. It's as if he is talking to you his friend as he reminisces about old times. It just makes you feel good and you can tell it in the crowd. Of course the crowd is going to have a good time, they bought the tickets! But you see, it is the interaction with the music that makes it fun and memorable. It makes it worthwhile and, well...that's the Green Effect!




















Laters