Barn Burner

What a barn burner it was. My Friday night in Lubbock to see live music. Tonight I found myself down on the front row of the Cactus Theatre, Summer Dean opened the show with her brand of Honky Tonkin that keeps me coming back.

If you’ve never heard her music you are missing out This Texas gal can write, and pick and belt it out. She has played her music as far away as Australia but she never forgets that Texas is her home.

Next up was Bruce Robison. Bruce has been one of my mainstay favorite songwriters for as long as I can remember, I mean before the Dixie Chicks became Just the Chicks, Robisons songs were becoming popular.. not only has the Chicks recorded his tunes, but the likes of George Strait recorded him, so did Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

Hearing Bruce sing the songs the way they were written was a bucket list event for me. I think I sang along to nearly everything he played.. He did throw a few new ones our way that are just as perfect and well calculated as his biggest hits. I smiled , I cried. Bruce’s brother Charlie Robison passed late last year, it totally got emotional this evening when Bruce Robison played one of brother Charlie’s songs- Sunset Boulevard.

Bruce Robison called Summer Dean back to the stage for a cover of the kristofferson penned, ‘Help me make it through the night.’

Bruce Robison with Summer Dean at the Cactus Theatre in Lubbock

After Summer sang her song with Bruce he called up John Fullbright who pecked out the piano as good as anyone else I have ever heard.

After a short intermission John Fullbright and his band played for well over an hour.. I fell in love with his musical styles and his ability. The Lyrics were truly inspired by the band of God. This little band from Tulsa was well received by the caprock crowd.

Lee and Fullbright

Steven Lee Fulbright’s guitarist was an amazing addition.. this guy really knew how to bend the strings and his talent completely complemented Fullbright in each and every way.

I couldn’t ask for a better way to kick off the weekend in the 806.

A real barn burner.

Pancho.

Pearl Snap Poet with Bad Tattoos

I am back at work this morning on my day job, but still on an emotional high from the wonderful weekend.

I finally got to catch BJ Barham and his band, American Aquarium live last night.

Yesterday, we made the 100 mile road trip from the oilfields of the Permian up onto the Caprock. American Aquarium played the historic Cactus Theater in the Depot District of Lubbock, Tx. It wasn’t Barham’s first time in the depot he commented, but it was his first night to play the Theater. Ordinarily, he would play the venue next door, the Blue Light Live.

The night began with a set list compiled of some of BJ’s slowest and saddest songs to date. Much of the setlist included songs from the bands latest album, Chicamacomico. As the night grew darker, American Aquarium bent their strings into an all out Rock N Roll show.

Barham’s presence on the stage was amazing. His whole heart and soul was placed into every single song he performed. You could feel each and every of his emotions drifting through the dimly lit theater.

Alden Hedges- Bassist and back up vocals

The entire band centered around what BJ Barham called the heart beat. As Ryan Van Fleet kept time and tempo on the drum kit , Guitar, Pianos, Organs and a steel guitar really brought these timeless songs to life.

Many of Barham’s songs have a somewhat personal sense to them. He himself has seen some hard times. He has battled addiction, and has seen plenty of loss over the years. He has a way to relate these experiences through his song. He makes a guy like me know I am not alone in this world.

After the show, the band stayed at the merch table and personally thanked any and everyone who stopped by. Bj is genuine and grateful for his fans. Sad songs make me happy. I am honored to have seen American Aquarium last night and to have been able to introduce myself to BJ. I was able to congratulate him on his accomplishments and to tell him a few of mine.

If you want a great ride, catch American Aquarium in the wild. In the meantime, support these guys by buying merch and streaming their sounds.

Pancho.

VFFV

“I have played in Lubbock before, but I have always dreamed of playing the Cactus”
Josh Fleming

Last Friday night, along with my little brother and favorite sister in law, I got to witness the Vandoliers Trio play live at the historic Cactus theatre in Lubbock, Texas.

Texas songwriter Summer Dean opened the show for the Vandos at the Cactus and did a perfect performance of her brand of Country music.

The Ft Worth based Vandoliers bring their own sounds to the Texas Music Scene, yet it’s a sound that resonates the heritage of Texas music no matter what genre you like. The band self describes this sound as cow-punk. In a Vandoliers song you can detect hints of Rock, Punk, Red Dirt, Country, blues and even Tejano. The lyrics that Fleming writes tell stories about where the group has been and where the group is going all the while spelling out Texas in heart and soul.

Originally the Vandoliers were formed as a six-piece band in 2015. Yet, the show I got to see was, The Trio, which was composed of the bands lead singer, guitarist and song writer Joshua Fleming, fiddler Travis Curry, and multi-instrumentalist Cory Graves. This threesome was so much fun to watch. The group took control of the stage and their energy kept the audience entertained all night long. Curry’s fiddle and Graves’ horns echoed amazing sounds throughout the acoustics of the old theatre. The music sounded as pure as if right from one of the groups albums with the full band in play.

VFFV – Vandoliers Forever Forever Vandoliers. Each of the band’s members wear this credo proudly as a tattoo.

Friday night the group played a mix of their own songs as well as a few punk covers. The band currently has 3 albums (“Ameri-Kinda,” “The Native,” and “Forever”) the group has also recorded several singles, its most recent, Waiting on a Train, was recorded mid pandemic in Bruce Robison’s Bunker indicates to me the possibility of another album coming soon.

Pancho’s Picks today by the Vandoliers are Cigarettes in the Rain and Every Saturday Night.

Give these guys a listen and follow them any where you stream your music.

Pancho.