Parker Millsap

We went with Jackie in April to see Parker Millsap at Antone's.  She got this picture. Antone's is ensconced in a new venue on East. Fifth.

Rodriguez

Some real stories are so much like fairy tales that they seem like fiction. In the SXSW film festival in March we saw "Searching for Sugar Man" and walked out of the film (1) charmed by the early seventies recordings of Rodriquez we'd never heard before; and (2) amazed and almost disbelieving of the story in the documentary (which is, however, pretty darn accurate as far as I can tell). You can catch up on the story here or check out the movie site here. But last night we caught up by attending a Waterloo Records in store and then a sold out packed concert at Antone's. All I can say is that I wish I'd had his records when I was buying Dylan and Janis because they feel like a piece of that era that was always missing.

Pianorama

Five keyboards and a drum set. That was the kit for Marcia Ball's Pianorama on Sunday at Antone's. There were more piano players than keyboards and some trading around ensued. Riley Obsborne, far right, and Marcia and another player sitting in are providing rhythm and bass here while Floyd Domino solos.

If We Don't Like Something We Have a Concert

Last night there were several concerts around Austin to benefit a group trying to return long-time DJs Larry Monroe and Paul Ray to local public radio station KUT after they were laid off. We went to Antone's where the lineup of blues was nothing short of amazing. This is a picture of Grammy winner blues man (and 'super harp') James Cotton (seated) blasting a tune. (Taken with iPhone by FFP.) I don't know what will happen with the fan dispute over the radio executive's decision. But this was a legendary concert. KUT should see if they can't harness this force for their own good. Someone, it might have been Jim Franklin, legendary poster artist who did some MC work, said "If we don't like something in Austin, we have a concert." There are worse recipes for peaceful coexistence. I usually think it's an empty phrase but some nights I think we really are the Live Music Capital.