Artists
The purpose for this page is to give information about artists that I for so reason or another think I got somthing to say about.
Jason Kesler is a great songwriter/singer/guitarist/keyboardists and the front of the band Jason Kesler and the Outlets. Check out his website at www.jasonkesler.com. He writes new better and deeper songs all the time and if you watch close you're bound to learn something. Jason has been kind enough to play keyboard and sing with me on occasion and that I seriously consider to be one of the greatest privileges I have had as a musician, if you are a Jason Kesler fan give him a little more attention it is worth it and if you are not a fan you should be.
Keary Joe Crisp I would generally describe as playing alt-country but with more of a pop sense to it. He has brilliant, very high quality songs. That are done in a fairly common style as far as chords and subject matter, but with what I would say is a different approach to them, making the subjects more personal and common as opposed to vague and supernatural like. While the chords and rhythms are given more room to breath (break, change, wonder, whatever). He also just happens to be a great harmonica player and harmony vocalist, performing occasionally with other local bands and soloist. (Keary and I are currently working on some stuff together so if you sit real still and keep real quite we might come out and dance a gig for you.)
Chris Laney drums, bass, mandolin, guitar, song, and singing, he does it all. He is currently the drummer for JK and the Outlets, and is restarting Abilene Strip with himself in the singer/songwriter/guitarist chair. I think of Chris kind of like the Carrollton music scenes Crash Davis, he's been around and seen a thing of two, and he has sure taught me alot about what it is I do.
Matt (Brefmint) Williams man can he play that guitar. You know alot of people can play fancy fast lead and make you think they are good, but they start playin' chords and you know they are full of it. Then alot of people can rock on the chords but can't run on the old fretboard (I must raise my hand here), but Brefmint does it all and does it well and with taste. He can write a mean song too. He has one song that he says doesn't have a name that I love, it gets me everytime.
Steve Abercrombie the skinny white boy with funk in his head. He plays a mean bass with Magnolia and alot of other people. He also plays mandolin and guitar and writes songs and sings them like a grown boy should. I think everyone should checkout his solo record Monkey Stuffed with Catfish, it is just something you need to hear (watch for Mp3s).
Jason Panko the host with the most, he leads the open mic at The Corner Cafe on Thursdays. He is also by far one of the coolest people in Carrollton, who supports the local music the way more of us should, and I hope he is not offended it took so long but that boy can play the fiddle, the guitar, and probably a slue of things he's got in the basement, where's my gun.
Dusty Pace my favorite bass player in the world. Ok, maybe that is a strech, but he really is an awesome bassplayer. I still remember when he played regular at the open mic, songs about girls with monks and monks with girls is what I remember. I have also seen him do some cool stuff with a sax (very Dead Poets Society), and I heard he is learning the violin. He also does sculpture and painting and I think pretty much anything that is art.
Josh Barker the bass for JK and the Outlets, gettin' tone like it was on sale and growin' facial hair like it came in the mail. He also sings some cool backup vocals in the band, and has the best sign shop I know of Sign Depot baby.
Michael Butler sometimes my jaw drops and I salivate a little too much when I watch those cool ass guitar licks, but usually I just crack that uncontrollable smile that good music brings. Magnolia is a great band, and from Michael you can get all kinds of cool CDs, I recommend them all but take the time to sit with a pair of headphones. He also owns and operates Butler Sound Studio, if you want to record check it out, whatever you play I will bet a dollar Michael can help you do what you want. He also plays bass in Gently Worn Coats, is a great songwriter and can make a cool CD all by himself with so many sounds on it you'll flip your lid.
Walt Entrekin what's that Jazz, why that's Walt playing drums with his shirt off. Walt is a fine drummer and I love the little jazzy right hand ride stuff and the broken snare rolls. He writes songs too, but he seems content to watch us make asses of ourselves.
Wes Dogget probably the best solo show I have ever seen. I was really moved when I saw Wes play at The Burrito Jones, but I have missed his last two or three performance, I always hear about them the next day or the next week please let me know if you know where and when Wes is playing.