A Bigger BlueLight

Found myself back at the ol’ Bluelight in Lubbock tonight. I hadn’t been in since the recent remodel. The place got a whole lot bigger with the same old vibe. The expansion took place as a wall was removed from the South end of the building- the adjoining wall between the light and what used to be the Tom’s daiquiri bar. Toms is still a thing don’t worry, it’s now however located on the North side of the Bluelight instead. The patio in the back of the Bluelight now joins the two and creates an amazing atmosphere. The remodel created much more space for patrons and gave the artists their own green room as well as a bigger stage.

Blaze Butler the Bass player for Mason and the Gin Line who opened the show tonight said that playing the new stage was weird but he liked it.

Mason Server and his band Mason and the Gin Line played for a little over an hour. They played much of the old music that their fans know and love. Songs like Pipeliner, Loose Tonight , and Portales brought the fans to their feet and onto the dance floor.

Next up was Daniel Markham to put on a rock show. In Daniel’s own words “an Alternative Rock Show.” I had heard many of the songs that he played as they were off his newest album, Just Like a Dream, an album i listen to regularly. Daniel brought a whole different feel and vibe with him to the establishment. Hearing his songs live , the tones and changes in his rhythm and the amazing lyrics behind the sounds made me love him even more.

Markham who began his career in music in the Lubbock scene has since moved to Dallas. He brought in the old school crowd tonight as well as several other musicians who came just to see him perform.

Singer/ Songwriter Stephen St Clair told me that Markham was one of his best friends. He said the drummer that Daniel was using tonight was actually part of the band Brandon Adams , another longtime Lubbock favorite.

Mason Server told me in his opinion Daniel Markham was a genius.

Drummer Matt Newsom and I discussd the matter – Newsom went on to tell me that Markham is the kind of songwriter and musician that after someone had listened for ten minutes or so, would contemplate later- “man that guy really had something magical happening tonight.”

Magic was what i saw on that big old Bluelight stage. I am just grateful that I had a front row seat.

Pancho.

Just Like A Dream

The full album release of Just Like A Dream is a sensational piece of art, from the 3 dimensional cover to the original songs that are pressed into each turn of the vinyl.

By a chance engagement at the Blue Light in Lubbock I first met Daniel Markham. I was introduced to him by Thomas Mooney an avid music fan and published author. Thomas pointed out today on X that the album even comes with a pair of 3D glasses however they may not be suitable for viewing the upcoming eclipse. To Thomas thanks for the advice, and also thanks for writing one of the greatest pieces of literature on the Caprock Music Scene in your book titled, The Lubbock Way.

Markham’s genre is sort of a gritty mix of rock and roll and gets quite heavy at times, a few of the songs on this album took me back to some of those elements of an 80’s hair band. The bass lines punch hard and the guitar gets hot. Daniel Markham’s lyrics are powerful and painful and leave you with the feeling of having heard what you were supposed to hear. I love the way a song can pull me completely into a laugh or a cry.

Daniel Has left the caprock for a time and now calls the DFW his home, y’all go check him out and pick up a record in your local music store. Don’t forget to stream his stuff on all the major services.

I’ve got the feeling he’s gonna be a big star sooner than later.

Pancho.

Viva Sangre

Mason Server has a saying “I was born where the dirt blows every day.” That saying begins the newly released song from Mason and the Gin Line, “Sangre.” It is the title track for the first full album released by the Mason and The Gin Line band. Born in a town just south of Lubbock, where cotton is still king, and hard work pays off. I can attest that the statement is true. Dust storms and grit have been a way of life for many West Texas Kids.

This morning Mason must be feeling like he is “the king.” For his hard work has paid off and another dream has come to fruition with the birth of the new album.

Earlier this year, the Gin Line released Terrible Lover and Leaves of Fall as singles. As a devout follower of the Gin Line Band I have heard parts and pieces of some of the other songs , but as I came alive this morning and reached for my telephone to begin streaming my music , I was in a magical disposition as I got to hear all 11 songs from start to finish.

I haven’t quite decided which one is the best as they all resonate within me. I can listen to any of these tracks and feel like it’s about me. I believe that’s what Mason was writing about when he wrote Sangre. That connection of people and cultures coming together as one.

As far as right now I think Boulder and/or Summertime will be my goto for the rest of the morning.

Sangre was produced and recorded in Austin at studio 601. Credits for this amazing album art goes to Zach Nelson.

Saturday 3/4/23 at the Blue Light in Lubbock, Mason and the Gin Line along with their friends the West Texas Exiles (who have also released an EP this week) are having their album release party. I plan to be there. More to follow.

Pancho.

I’m Comin’ Home

I always love to go but there sure is something special about coming home.

Last night I made the 100 mile Trek to the city of Lubbock, Texas to see who has been one of my very favorite musicians for the last three decades.

I have witnessed Robert Earl Keen perform his breed of Texas Country and Blue Grass more times in person than I have any other artist. Last night was bittersweet special. For 41 years Robert Earl has been out on the road and recently he announced that he is hanging up his hat. Robert Earl Keen is in a sense, “Coming Home.” Last night may be the very last time I will see him live. On a positive note, the imprint of his music will be with me for the remainder of my life.

My love of REK began after my brother shared with me the live #2 album. I have been hooked every since. At the Helen DeVitt Jones theater last night in Lubbock I am quite sure Keen performed every song from this coveted album. I felt like he played pretty much his entire catalog, he even included an encore after the main show was complete where he provided us his fans with 6 more of his perfectly written songs.

Robert Earl Keen and the Robert Earl Keen band are constantly working on new projects. Often they co-write with other songwriters. REK loves to promote new talent and especially his own band members. During the show last night Keen’s long time friend and band member, Bill Whitbeck played some of his own tunes, including a song he’s recently written about the historic Bluelight. Fitting since the show was in Lubbock, Tx.

Bill Whitbeck has played with the Robert Earl Keen band for 27 years

Besides his own timeless classics, Keen also played cover songs by Terry Allen, Steve Earl and his friend who he claims is always grouchy, James McMurtry.

I thoroughly enjoyed every note. There is something about a Robert Keen song. It is physically impossible to have a bad day when listening to Robert Earl Keen.

Packed my suitcase and I racked my brain
Bought a ticket on a late night train
Took a taxi through the pourin’ rain
I’m comin’ home to you

Thanks for the miles Mr. Keen you will be missed by music lovers every where.

Pancho.

A Night at the Light

Well… That Just Happened
Charlie Stout

Last night I witnessed perhaps one of the greatest moments in Mason Server’s career. Mason and the Gin Line put on perhaps their greatest performance to date. Texas Singer/ Songwriter and artist Charlie Stout and I had a short conversation after the event and in a description of the show, Charlie in his slow drawl simply stated, “Well… That Just Happened.”

The musical Gods were shining in the old Bluelight in the Depot District of Lubbock, Texas last night. I saw 3 bands and none of them were a disappointment. Besides just the bands I saw some good friends and made some new ones. Everyone seemed to be feeling the buzz in the room. The crowd was visibly entertained from start to finish. Blaze Butler, Mason and The Gin Lines bass player once told me, “The Blue Light is a wierd little place but it’s our place we like it.” All 3 bands that played there last night had the hometown advantage as they all had some beginnings in that little place that feels like home.

Eric Harrison, Marco Gutierrez with Blaze Butler

During the set, lead singer of the Gin Line Mason Server shared his heart and gave thanks to those who had helped him when no one else would to be able to get his start. During his song “Pipeliner” Mason called his producer, Eric Harrison and Marco Gutierrez of Dirty River Boys, now the lead of West Texas Exiles to the stage to sing the song with him. On the Mason and Gin Line album, Caprock Composition, it is Marcos voice that can be heard in the harmonies.

Cale and the 45s kicked things off last night, Cale has super talent. Cale is another Texas artist who plays country rock and plays it from the soul. At one point during Cale’s set I jokingly told Mason, “they are pretty good for an opening band.”Masons response was, “They are the bomb.”

The West Texas Exiles were next. They are a phenomenal mix of talent. The vibe seemed to flow more naturally for them than it had the night before at the Goldenlight and they found their sounds together on the ol’ Bluelight stage. Last night was only the bands second show together as the West Texas Exiles. A namesake that comes from one of the bands songs. The group played together as if they had been touring together for years.

The night was one of the best days I have had in a long time. There’s something about live music that sets me free. I can’t wait to get to do it all again, see ya down the road.

Pancho.