Good morning!

It’s Tuesday, January 29. It seems like I was singing “AULD LANG SYNE”,

only a couple of weeks ago. Now here comes February! We’ve already had so

 many wonderful shows to kick off the year.

Micheal Hearne, Mike Roberts, and I had two great shows over the past weekend.

Saturday night we played a ‘house concert’ in Smithville, TX. hosted by Jeri Nell

and Walt Winslett,  The Mosaic House Concert Series. It was located right on

the corner of Main Street and Loop 230 in an old historic building, with the

first floor being a cool antique and artist store and upstairs their home, their living quarters, which they generously turned  a bedroom into a backstage green room for us and  moved furniture and set up chairs in the living room to provide an intimate  listening room, concert hall for 70. We had a full house of very enthusiastic

 Unicorn loving folks. I met people not only from Smithville, but from all around

 the area; Bastrop, La Grange, Paige, Giddings and Austin, they all came out. I saw some old faces I hadn’t seen in a while and met a lot of new ones, too. Thank you both so much for your generosity and hospitality and opening your home to all of us. It was a pleasure.  I hope we can do this again next year.

On Sunday, the very next afternoon, we found ourselves at old Gruene Hall for an

early evening show from 5-8pm. It was a beautiful day and the little historic tourist area of Gruene was swarming with people sightseeing,  shopping, and enjoying the gorgeous afternoon. Inside the old dancehall where we were playing the place was packed and more crowded and over flowing,  much more than usual. From the very first song it felt like everyone, the whole room, was with us and behind us, encouraging and cheering us on song after song.  And we played a lot of songs! It always feels good driving home after an energetic show like this one was, feeling like everyone had fun and enjoyed the show. Thanks for coming out and making it a memorable one for us. And thank you Tracie for inviting us to the historic Gruene Hall!

TONIGHT!!!!....TONIGHT!!!!...TONIGHT!!!!! …TUESDAY 29

I will be doing a Solo Show at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck in Houston.  It’s an early show. The music starts at 7:30. Come on out, have dinner, set back and hear some songs and stories. Let me know if you have any requests.  I hope to see you there tonight.

Peace    Shake

January 2019

The New Year began with a party for my friend Maggie Sweeney. We are old friends from our early years working down in Houston. We celebrated her birthday with friends and family at the Lago Vista Center. Only about 100 plus attended, ate and danced!  In that order! She is very popular!  Many friends and lost of music for her 65th birthday.  Thank you Maggie!

On Wednesday night I played at The El Mercado with The John Inmon Group, with Bobby Kallus on drums, Jerry ‘White Shoes’ Burns on bass, David Webb on keyboards, John Inmon on guitar, Rick Nation on percussion. WHAT A BAND!!!! WHAT A JAM!!!!

The next night Michael Hearne and I played before a couple of hundred people at the ‘Prestigious‘Dallas Country Club. Heck, they say it took Jerry Jones 15 years to get into the place...that long of a waiting list to get in.  We just walked in with our guitars!  It took less than 15 minutes.  I guess you have to know someone.  It was a great audience and a great night of music.

And then we played  Appelt’s Hall or as google says, Appelt’s Hill Gun Club Hall, in Hallettsville, TX for the David Ehler family and friends!  It was celebrating David’s 60 birthday and his beautiful mom Dolores celebrating her 90 birthday!  Lots of dancing going on and we got to see Shara Fryer, who just happens to be from Hallettsville as well.She was taking pictures and video's of all the family and friends dancing to the music!  Thank you Ehler family, what a great day!

Sunday’s ‘SONGWRITER SHOW’ @Bernhardt’s Winery with guitar legend John Inmon was SOLD-OUT!!! Thanks John, for getting out of your sick bed and driving to Plantersville, TX. to make the show.  Michael Hearne was down for the count with the flu and John stepped in for him.  John, you are a real trouper and a traveling dog. It will not be forgotten.

Last Sunday...

We performed at The Golden’s “OLIVE HILL House Concert”.  It was their annual Anniversary show.  Michael Hearne caught an early 5 am flight out of New Mexico to make the Sunday afternoon show. Gracias Miguel!!  I’ve known the hosts Frank and Judy Golden since my years in Houston. We go way back. With this concert we celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary. They are two silver hearts. We will be there for your 50th.

SHOW COMING UP

Jan. 26 at the Smithville, TX the Mosaic House Concert Series, sold out show

Gruene Hall DANCEHALL 5-8pm. no cover

Tuesday night SOLO DINNER SHOW @ McGonigals Mucky Duck

in Houston 7:30 show.

I will be @Threadgill’s North in Austin with Michael Hearne Feb. 1^st doing

 a ‘song swap’ Friday night Feb 1st , 8pm – 10:00

SoloShow @ J. P. Hops House, Houston,TX.  Feb. 9^th 8-10pm

AND....Don’t forget.....

Our annual Valentines Day Show with Michael Hearne and Mike Roberts@ Main Street Crossing!! ‘A Night of Love songs!’   Make your reservations now! www.mainstreetcrossing.com.  Check out the schedule at www.shakerussell.com

I hope to see you there!

Shake