Nightflying: Notes from the Pub

    Rock 'n' Roll is the most brutal, ugly, vicious form of expression - sly, lewd, in plain fact, dirty…rancid smelling, aphrodisiac…the martial music of every delinquent on the face of the earth…
            ---Frank Sinatra

    Greetings and fair weather to you all. It is now 4:28 in the a.m. of this decidedly fm day, as I finally sit down to pen these last few tidbits of musical mirth and mischief. Of course it's always 4:28 a.m. on - gasp - Print Day - when this column gets ink, and after toiling away for the past month I always wonder just where the time went. But then, that's simply the nature of doing a monthly publication…especially one such as Nightflying that gets spread into these six states that we lovingly refer to as "the mid-South" (Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri and Oklahoma…) But then there's a wealth of musical talent and hundreds of venues to keep up with in this region, so we keep on keeping on. As we have pointed out we are in our 30th year of doing this, and if we stop we'll have to actually find real jobs and that, folks, simply wouldn't cut it.
    Regular readers - and I use the term "regular" loosely - all know the drill. But since this issue will travel to the annual SXSW in Austin, we have to write this for all the new folks who'll encounter this publication for the first time. (You can't leave anything virgin, you know…)
    It was twenty four years ago that we joined with a dozen other publications from around the country to create South By Southwest. Who'd of thought that here we'd be nearly a quarter century later still doing it? (On that note, who'd have thought that this region of the country - the Bible Belt so to speak - would have supported an all music alternative publication such as this for 30 years?!)
    Speaking of SXSW, we are most proud this time around to be featuring a very exciting band at the annual Nightflying showcase at the conference. For the slow amongst ye, the band on the cover - The Pope County Bootleggers - is our featured showcase entry at SXSW 2010.
    This group was picked from a list of thousands of applicants for the slot, as were each of the acts awarded showcases at the festival. Various criteria, of course, is involved with the choices, but the words talent, charisma, ability, personality, creativity and perserverance all ring true in the selections. And of course, the magic word - Luck - plays a major role in anything even remotely connected with the music bidness, though I've always thought that humans create our luck by staying at it and paying attention to karma.
    All I'm saying is that any artist who goes through the process necessary to actually achieve a showcase at SXSW has a lot on the ball to begin with. 'Aspirational energy' is what I call it, for lack of a better term, and I think it plays a major role in any success in any field.
    But musicians are born with an extra dimension of their soul. Indeed, if you ask any musician why they do it they'll tell you they have to do it. They don't know why, and really don't spend time even wondering why.
    It's just there.
    My take on it is that musicians and other artists are, essentially, the conduits through which God speaks to regular people. Creating the arts is born of a need for humans to find stress relief, and arts of all flavors exist as a medium to help people achieve that: Stress Relief…the single most important medical necessity for good health for everyone…….

In Particular…….
    With the warm weather arriving we are very excited, for it means that the outdoor festivals are about to begin, and this region is truly blessed with some excellent ones: Jazz & Heritage in New Orleans; the Beale Street Music festival in Memphis; the myriad blues, rock, country and folk festivals all around Arkansas…and of course, the mighty and magical Wakarusa that moved to the Ozarks last year, will be happening in early June.
    Add to these, it seems that nearly every community has its own city festival, and every single one involves music shows.
    Another thing we like about this time of year is that all the outdoor venues start gearing up for the season…taking the music outside under the stars where God meant it to be.

    It's time…

    And we're ready…


In Central Arkansas….
    Grumpy’s Too will be the place to be on St. Patrick’s Day. Every year they throw a whopping St. Patrick’s Day bash, complete with free munchies, drink specials and that wild Irish Reggae band 1st Impressions. You haven’t heard real Irish Reggae until you’ve heard this band let loose. And when Grumpy hisself is kissing the Blarney Stone things get crazy. (Of course, Grumpy is usually kissing somebody’s Blarney Stone on a nightly basis…)
    And the thing is, there is absolutely no cover charge as Grumpy hates them. He’s willing to throw huge blowout parties and foot the bill himself so all his friends can come hang out with him. He does it for your love, plain and simple.
    Also set to appear at Grumpy’s in the next several weeks are Ryan Couron, Tim Meitzen, Dean Agus, Steele Jessup, Barrett & Colby, Chris Henry, Kickback, Matt Leiblong, GoodTime Ramblers, Barrett Baber and Colby, Shannon McClung and more.
    For bookings at Grumpy’s Too call (501)225-3768…….

    The White Water Tavern continues to pack the house for their excellent live music program. Set to appear are Dave Raymond & Present Company, Big Silver, Those Darlin’s, Brock Zeman, Two Cow Garage, Patrick Sweany, The Smiling Dogs, Joe Buck, Iron Tongue, Zucura, Gringo Star, Big Boots, J Roddy Walston & The Business, The Evening Rig, Paleface, The Moaners, Austin Lucas, Duwayne Burnside, Thomas Jones & Flathead, Adam Carroll, Michael O’Connor: Hard Times, The Damn Bullets, Fayetteville’s Ben Miller Band, John Paul Keith, Jack Oblivion, The Dirty Streets and a bunch more.
    You can, of course, check all the dates and details in our Sound pages later on in the paper…but you know that by now.
    It’s a great sounding wooden room, perfect for really setting the tone and especially good for recording.
    For bookings and directions call Matt White at (501)375-8400…….

    There’s a new music venue in Central Arkansas. Enter the Town Pump, on Rebsamen Park Road, a very cool little bar that’s open every day and night, serves really excellent food and has a full bar. Live bands perform on Thursday through Saturday. In addition there’s a very cool covered and screened outdoor smoker’s patio with full service.
    Add to all this Debbi T and her Ts Tunes Karaoke work out every Tuesday night.
    I caught up with my old partner in crime Apple Kahler the other night and had a fine time. By day Apple is a school teacher, and by night he’s a bonerfide musician. Being used to working with kids gives him a distinct advantage, too. To wit: many bar patrons, shall we say, let their inner child run wild when in club mode, and folks like Apple simply know how to switch gears to become surrogate parents when need be.
    The Town Pump has been there for several decades, but goes on and on like the Energizer Bunny. They only recently started a regular live music program so get on by there and let ‘em know how much you appreciate it. They’re keeping derelict musicians off the streets and aim to do the same for/with you.
    On the roster in the coming weeks are The Bluehaze Band, Runaway Planet, a gala St. Patrick’s Day bash with Debbi T doing her karaoke duties, Fayetteville original performer Tiffany Christopher, Mikey, JR and Andy Warr, Adam Faucett, and more.
    See the Sound pages for the dates and details.
    For bookings contact Dane at the club in the afternoons at (501)663-9987…….

    Rumba Revolution, aka The Rev Room, has a line-up in the coming weeks that is truly excellent.
    Look for the likes of The Randy Rogers Band, The North Mississippi Allstars, Hill Country Revue, 88 Keys, Kidz In The Hall, Donnis, Izza Kizza, a St. Patty’s Day party with Tragikly White, BoomBox, Chris Knight, 100 Monkeys (my ex-wives?), the legendary Indigenous, G-Love & Special Sauce, Charlie Robison, Saliva (!), Since October and Anchored.
    In addition, every Monday is now Open Mic night so if you ever wanted to do it onstage here’s your chance.
    The restaurant side serves up delectable island cuisine, has a full bar and a cool full-service outdoor deck facing the river.
    And the entire building is famously wired for sound.
    It’s exactly what Chris King and Suzon Awbrey wished for when they relocated from the wilds of Fayetteville to LR.
    For bookings contact Chris King at (501)372-1151…….

    Down at the other end of the Market is Chris and Suzon’s other restaurant-club, Sticky Fingerz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, which has one of the strongest live music programs of any nightclub in Arkansas.
    On the bill in the coming weeks are The Gettys, The Spring Standards, Jenny Owen Young, Tigercity, Wave Machines, The Silent Years, Mickey & the Motorcars, Badhand, The Breakthrough, the living legend John Lee Hooker, Jr. in person, Suckers, Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson, Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers, Anuhea, Jonathan Wilkins, Analogue Transit, The Green, The Lucious Spiller Band, Two Tons of Steel, Mockingbird, Holly GoLightly & The broke Offs and much more.
    And every Wednesday check out the Lucious Spiller band.
    Sticky Fingerz is a smoker-friendly establishment, which just fine by me as I still feel the need to support the American tobacco farmers. (And when you consider how much our gubmint taxes all things tobacco, I must be doing it for my country…)
    To reach the club call (501)372-7707, and for bookings call Chris King at (501)372-1151…….

    I had a ball at Cajun’s Wharf the other night, checking out Dr. Brian Austin’s band 7-Toed Pete. The place was packed and the band was into it. As mentioned before, this is a party band and this crowd was here for just that. The music went nonstop, as did the energy of this band. If you like to dance and let your hair down, check them out next chance you get........

    Caught a great set by Jeff Coleman working solo at Cregeen’s Irish Pub the other night. Jeff is a wondrous musician. Solo he’s quite thoughtful and introspective. With his band The Feeders he’s a rock ‘n’ roll animal…it’s like a multiple personality thing…as at other times he’s a very strong piano man, as when he’s playing at Sonny Williams Steakhouse in the Rivermarket.
    Being an Irish pub, Cregeen’s will be rockin’ on St. Patty’s Day. Jeff and His Feeders along with Steve Bates will be holding down the stage. If I were you I’d plan to get there early, too, as it’ll be tough to get in the place, let alone even hope to find a seat.
    Other artists set to appear at the club are Rob Moore, Hell’s Kitchen, Grayson Shelton and more…
    For bookings call (501)376-PINT. Now I ask you, is that an appropriate phone number for an Irish Pub or what?!!!

    Whatever your plans for St. Patty’s Day, you’ll probably end up at MidTown later on. After all, that’s what MidTown thrives on…the late night bar-worker crowd. Face it, any club that advertises itself as “where the bands come to get off after they get off from their own clubs” is going to be a fun place.
    Coming up at Midtown are dates with Mammoth Orange featuring Michael Goodrich, The Chilly Rose Band, Peter, Paul and Pelphrey, Gringo Star, Joecephus & The GeorgeJonestown Massacre, FreeWorld, Whurm! and more. Whurm! is the band of Mister Joey Farr, an old friend and one of the highest calibre musician-entertainers in the region.
    MidTown is open each and every day until 5 a.m.
    For bookings at MidTown, contact Conan at (501)372-7110 or email him at moeman03@comcast.net…….

    Don’t look now, but Denton’s Trotline in Benton has become a bonafide music venue. They’ve been at work constructing a roof over that patio and generally expanding the room for months now.
    Mr. Wes Jeans played there recently, as did Black Oak Arkansas.
    In the coming weeks are Mr. Michael Burks, Little Creek, Dry County, Stillhouse, a concert featuring The Joe Pitts Band (fresh back from a European tour, Sweetwater, Mister Lucky, The Gettys, The Lyle Dudley Band and Mister Michael Shipp.
    In addition, Big John Miller hosts karaoke every Wednesday.
    It’s an easy drive, too. Just take the Congo exit in Benton and the Trotline is right there next to I-30.
    Bands looking for bookings should call Robert Denton at (501)315-1717 in the afternoons…….

    Set to appear at West End in the coming month are Letters In Red (an exceptional band), Alizé, The Seth Freeman Band, Pop Tart Monkees, Goldy Locks, Bombay Black and Crisis.
    This is a great dance room as well, with a massive sound and light system, a large dance-floor and a comfortable ambience overall. It is open every day, has a bazillion tvs for sports action, and they live, eat and breathe sports of all kinds.
    There’s an overflowing bar, it’s smoker-friendly, and they serve their full menu until 1 a.m. 7 days a week.
    For bookings call (501)224-7665…….

    The Markham Street Grill checks in with their usual excellent line-up.
    It is open 7 days a week, has live music about half the time, and is a total sports bar in every sense.
    The food is great, the service is top-notch, and the bar is always well stocked.
    It features free Wifi, a multitude of tv screens and serves up all things sports, and serves the full menu late into the night.
    Set to appear in the coming weeks are Four On The Floor, Hell’s Kitchen, White Collar Criminals, The Shannon Boshears Band, Brown Soul Shoes, Big John Miller, Kickback, Paper Toys and more.
    See the Sound pages for all the listings and dates.
    And they also feature a special late-nite happy hour from 10-12 nightly.
        For bookings call (501)224-2010…….

    Counterpoint is the all-nite bar in North Little Rock, and hence is busy all night every night. There’s live music every Saturday, Karaoke with Larry P on Sunday, Free pool, darts and ping pong every Monday, Karaoke with Debbi T every Wednesday, a live dj on Thursday, Funky Fridays with Debbi T every Friday…on Tuesday they want you to come and entertain them…
    On the bill in the coming weeks are Embrace The Crash, Keystone Kings, The Gettys and GinRiver Outlaws.
    And look for a mammoth Super Bowl Blowout at the club on Super Bowl Sunday.
    For bookings call Cheryl Drennan at (501)771-5515…….

    The Bamboo Club in Morrilton has shelved the greasy fried stuff and has created a truly delicious home-made pizza that’s worth driving a while to get.
    I got to hear a great set recently by Clover Blue featuring Rachel McBride, and they rocked the house. Rachel is one helluva singer, and plays a mean harmonica as well.
    Coming up, look for the likes of Gil Franklin & Company, MasonSutter, Southbound (featuring Seth Freeman!), Razzin’ Kain, Jason Greenlaw & The Groove, Risky Bizzness, Mark and Joe Bob…and in early May look for the illustrious Judge Parker, with Seth Freeman sitting in.
    The Bamboo Club is open for lunch and dinner, has pool tables, a great bar, and features all the sports you can imagine on the big screens.
    For bookings contact Clay Griffey at (501)354-9990 in the afternoons.
    The Bamboo Club is located at 1111 W. Broadway…

In Hot Springs….
    The Spa is going great guns these days, with the Oaklawn season in full gear. The town is hopping on a daily basis and absolutely HOT at night. Every club in town is maxing out, too, and considering the economic BS of the last 18 months it's a welcome treat. Even the cops seem to be enjoying this boon Hot Springs is having, which is saying something.

    I caught a great set with Heavy Suga' & The SweeTones at the Big Chill recently. This band is tight and makes great music, and they obviously have built themselves a strong regional following. (I say that because I frequently see folks from Little Rock and Fort Smith at their shows, and even from as far away as Memphis.)
    Live music at The Big Chill is every night they're open - Monday through Saturday - and there's seldom any cover charge. The food is good for bar food, the bars are well-stocked, and the crowd that hangs there is a trip by itself.
    In the coming weeks look for the likes of Levon Walkin (every Monday), Grant Pierson & Joe Hall, Tabor & Young, perennial fave Dayton Waters, Kasey Kimmons, Trey Johnson & Dave Almond, Brian Bearden, Jocko, The Terry Black Band, Heavy Suga' & The SweeTones, and a great deal more.
    Check out the Chill's sportsbar basement (complete with pool tables, arcades, huge-screen tv and full bar), and their cool outdoor wraparound deck.
    The folks are friendly, and the music is always top-notch, and there's simply no telling who might sit it with the bands.
    For bookings call Gina or David at the club at (501)624-5185…….

    Caught a great set by The Hump Night Blues Band at Odie's. This is a very fine band across the board, and Tony Nardi's left foot is astounding to witness. Indeed, that foot on those Hammond pedals is my favorite bass player in the world. They call themselves a blues band, but there's a lot of hard-core steady rock 'n' roll involved.
    And Odie's is the perfect venue for this band, too. With its laid-back atmosphere, very fine food, exceptional bar service and downright friendly atmosphere, it stays packed when the right band is there.
        Hump Night hosts the blues jam each and every Thursday, and all real musicians are welcome to sit in.
    On the bill in the coming weeks are Wallace Poole, The Juvenators, The John Calvin Brewer Band, NTO, the 2009 IBC Winner JP Soars and The Red Hots, Three Time Fool, Heavy Suga' & The SweeTones, Bow Legged Rooster, The Midnight Shuffle Kings, Zac Harmon (for Derby Night), One Bent Minute and The Chris Watson Band.
    In addition, every Friday and Saturday Paul Dotley plays the Happy Hour slot (5-8) before the bands appear.
    Odie's also has a free shuttle to and from the track, as well as handicapping tips by Mark The Magician on a daily basis. (He's great, too…listen to his picks and you will win at the track…no if, ands and buts about it.)
    Odie's is just south of the track on the left going south…or on the right going north…funny how that works out… Look for the enormous parking lot full of cars and barbecue trucks.
    For bookings contact David Hughes at (501)620-3596…….

    Maxine's has a great line-up in store for the coming weeks. Look for shows by Hosta, Canja Rave, Landrest, Playing With Karma, Afternoon Delight, Shotgun Lover, Finding Jimmy Hoffa, Ali Harter, Athel, My Gold Mask, River City Tanlines, Giggle Party, The Woes, Paul Sammons, The Memphis Belles, Burlesque, Big John Bates & The VooDoo Dolls, The Reverend Deadeye, Mountain Sprout, Jack Stafford Foundation, Birds & Batteries, Brian Martin, China Rocks!, Carsick Cars, P.K. 14, AV Okubo, Committed To Freedom Fundraiser, Mega Karaoke and much more.
    Maxine's is one of the venues for the upcoming Valley Of The Vapors Independent Music Festival. See the entire itinerary in our Concert section.
    For bookings contact Bill Solleder at (501)321-0909…….

    Lucky's is a 7-day-a-week rock 'n' roll bar, featuring live bands on weekends, really top-notch bar food, myriad food and drink specials, a primo stereo for dancing, pool tables, arcades and a virtual party going day and night.
    Coming to the club in March are Billy Jones, House Arrest, Crash Meadows, After Eden (see the feature on this band elsewhere in this issue), Romallice, Clover Blue and many more.
    And Lucky's is only one part of the triple threat of Joe and Penny Gargano's empire.
    On one side is The Porterhouse, a superb restaurant specializing in great steaks, seafood and deserts. On the other side is Belle Arti, an authentic Italian Ristorante, complete with a full bar and two grand pianos.
    For information and reservations, call Lucky's at (501)622-2570, The Porterhouse at (501)321-8282, and Bela Arti at (501)624-7474…….

    One of my favorite clubs in Hot Springs is Smyly's Crab Shack out on Lake Hamilton. Here the band Legend performs every weekend, and they are an excellent group of players.
    Legend is comprised of Mike Tabor on vocals and guitar, Chuck Young on vocals and percussion, Scott Vise on vocals and guitar and keyboards, and Jerry 'Huey Bob' Hubert on bass.
    Smyly's is cool unto itself, too. On Wednesday is their all-you-can-eat Crab Legs; on Thursday it's a 10 oz. ribeye dinner for only $10.95; and on Friday it's all-you-can-eat catfish for $10.95…
    A private club, Smyly's can stay open until daybreak, and has a spacious outdoor patio-deck right on the water, complete with docking facilities. In the Summer they put live music and karaoke outside under the stars where it should be.
    Membership fees are nominal.
    For information and directions call (501)525-0446…….

    Another late-night bar in the Spa is Bogart's, downtown in an old train station. Bogart's is open 7 days a week, has several full bars, and a kitchen that serves until 4:30 a.m.
    There are live bands and karaoke on weekends, pool tables, a mechanical bull, a killer sound and light system, and this is where the townspeople tend to congregate when the other clubs close.
    Set to appear in the coming weeks are Alizé, Riff Raff, Crossroads, The Hard Times Band and a great surprise for Derby Weekend.
    It is a private club for liquor law reasons, but the membership fees are nominal, and joining is a matter of basically signing in and paying the fee - which is good for a year.
    Check it out in the old train station on Broadway.
    For bookings and information call (501)623-5152…….

In Fort Smith….
    Things are breaking loose in the Fort these days. With the warm weather filtering in the outdoor shows are only weeks away, and we’re SO ready for it.

    I’m proud to report that after several months of uncertainty, the illustrious Second Street Live is up and running…or will be by the time you read this. It’s a fantastic facility, with no holds barred when it comes to engineering and equipment, and by all indications Fort Smith, and the Altered State in general have gained a remarkable new music venue. See our Sound section for the inaugural shows and general info.
    It is located just off Garrison Avenue about two blocks from the river. We’ll have pictures and a complete run-down on this events center in our next issue so watch for it.
    Meanwhile, there are quite a few excellent shows in the coming weeks. Look for Ruthie Foster, Del Castillo, Toucan Jam, Gary Hutchison, Johnny A., Stanley Jordan, Sam Bush and The Blue Fiddle. And that’s just for starters.
    Second Street Live is at 101 No. 2nd. To reach them by phone call Dick Renko at (479)782-5483…….

    Caught a truly exciting show at Hero’s recently, featuring Petrafried. This 4-piece band is fronted by veteran player Tom Ware (guitar, fiddle and vocals), his son Anthony (bass and vocals), Adam Robertson (keys and vocals); and Jenks Smith (drums and vocals). Now I’ve known Tom for many years and watched him perform in many capacities and lots of different bands. He’s always on top of his game, whether as a sideman, soloist, sound engineer in great demand (indeed, Tom is the engineer at the aforemtioned Second Street Live)…but I’ve never seen him turn it on like he did on this show.
    As I said, it was exciting, and the club patrons were mostly on their feet…not so much dancing, but rocking to a great concert. After several songs they would literally jump up from their seats and scream and yell. (At one point I was the proud recipient of a pitcher of beer in the back from some guys sitting behind me, knocking it off the table as they jumped to their feet. They apologized and got me a towel as they went for another pitcher…and even offered me a pitcher to make up for it…)
    When you get the chance you have to check this band out. Petrafried is one of the best. Make a point to request something original for a treat.
    For bookings call Tom at (479)719-8931…….

    Heros has a full roster in the coming weeks. Look for 15 Keys, The Crumbs, Cold Forty Three, Copesetic, Strangers TC Sunrise, Brave Soul, Cadillac Jackson, Beans & Cornbread, Jim Dick & The Pocket Aces, Wizard Boots and more.
    Check out our Sound listings for the dates and details.
    For bookings at the club call (479)784-5055…….

           R. Landry’s was the site of another excellent show that’s high on my list. The event was Gary Hutchison’s 7th annual 50th birthday party and what a blast it was. Gary, of course, is a guitar monster, and his band, Oreo Blue, is easily one of the hottest 3-piece acts you’ll see anywhere. On this night, however, Mr. Kirby Kelly was sitting in and the two drove each other to new musical heights. (I’ve seen syndrome before with Earl Cate and Coco Montoya…mutual inspiration…)
    How good is he? Kirby Kelly won the 2009 Guitar Center’s King Of The Blues contest, beating out more than 4,000 other players from around the world. He’s that hot.
    Throughout the evening the two would seemingly forget that any of us were there at all…each dwelling in their own musical nirvana from the musical synergy enveloping that stage.
    Kirby will be returning to the fort on March 25 for the season opening of La Huerta’s outdoor patio, once again at the invitation of Oreo Blue. Write this one on your calendars and DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW.
    R. Landry’s has a whole lot of fine music on the roster for the next month. Look for Oreo Blue with Chris Cameron, The Blue Fiddle (featuring the aforementioned Tom Ware), Kory Montgomery, Majave Shave, Rob & Shannon Caloway, JJ & The Giants, Sarah Hughes, Grace Askew, some guy named robb, Reese Neal, The Chris Cameron Band, The Automatic Writing, 3-Penny Acre, Travis Linville, Women Rock The Fort, with Leah & The Mojo Doctors, JoJo’s Kitchen and Pam Camp, and many, many more.
    R. Landry’s is one of my favorite music venues…not just in Fort Smith, but in General.
    To reach them by phone, call (479)783-2505…….

    Old Town of Fort Smith checks in with a fine calendar of music for the coming weeks. On the bill are George Hughen, The Hosty Duo (in a rare upstairs show), Wes & Karl, Tabitha Graves Jazz, Effron White, George Hughen with Tom Ware, Brandon White, Acoustic Refugees, Roger Alan Wade, Strangers ‘Til Sunrise and Sequoyah Rain.
    This neat little hole-in-the-wall bar has been a favorite music venue for 4 decades. Think of the sound energy and vibes this building has soaked up…
    For bookings call (479)782-1999…….

    On down Garrison, The Hangin’ Judge Saloon reports in with a great line-up of rock ‘n’ roll. On the bill in the coming weeks are Milestone, Square One, The Bannister Brothers Band, Subdue, HedTripp, Quadra Jet, Ollie’s Trashcan, Judge Parker (just back from a European tour), Kickstart and blues queen Wanda Watson (she of the Monster Voice)…
    The Judge is open Tuesday through Sunday, with the one day off for rehab purposes. (Believe me when I say that it’s necessary… I had a day-off once myself and I highly approve of the concept…)
    For bookings call (479)494--0000…….

    A new place on Garrison is Webby D’s. This club will feature music on weekends and special occassions, and on the night I was there the place was jam-packed.
    Coming in March are the bands Ollie’s Trashcan, Dayton Waters, The Bannister Brothers, Milestone and Hedtripp. There are pool tables, arcade games, a large well-stocked bar, a very fine stereo system, and they’re open every day.
    For bookings call (479)651-7555…….

    We’re counting the days until Neumeier’s Rib Room and Beer Garden reopens and it won’t be long. The only dates thus far released are shows with Jason Boland & The Stragglers, The Klocks and Velcro Pygmies. Bill assures me that he’s booked thoughout the Summer, though, and that it will once again be a season of excellent music appearances. The man knows music.
    This is only The Rib Room’s second season, but on most nights it was Standing Room Only at the nightclub. Methinks this will be the case again this year.
    For bookings and info call Bill at (479)494-RIBS…….




In NW Arkansas….
    Things in our vaunted Northwest Corner are coming alive, now that the warm weather is upon us. All of the outdoor venues are getting in gear, and bands have even been playing outside when the weather permits. (Of course, that’s still a rare occasion…but it can happen periodically…)
    George’s, of course, is one of the premier music rooms in Arkansas…and I dare say in the country. With two stages, jumbotrons to watch and monitor each room, concert-level sound systems and lighting, two outdoor patios and music-loving owners that feature some of the best bands in the world on a nightly basis, you can’t go wrong.
    Congratulations, too, to the club for being nominated by the Country Music Academy as one of the best music venues in the country. It’s up against Billy Bob’s of Fort Worth, Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace of Bakersfield, CA, Cotton Eyed Joe of Knoxville, TN, and Wild Bill’s of Duluth, GA. This honor is quite exciting, and well deserved, being singled out from the thousands of clubs in the country by such a prestigious organization only lends creedence to everything we’ve been saying about the venue. All I can add is that in my opinion, it’s about time.
    In the coming weeks look for the likes of Paper Tongues, Jarris, Mountain Sprout, Big Uns, Earl’s Garage, Lord T. & Eloise, Apt. 5, BKI, Wrought doing its tribute to Rage Against The Machine, Two Cow Garage, Tumbledown, Andrew Anderson, Sammus Theory, Pretty Boy Convoy, Knowing Hand, Ayurveda, Open Addiction, Kevin Fowler (!), Speakeasy, Charliehorse, Full House, Bill Dollar & Loose Change, SilverStone, Signum AD, Trampled By Turtles, Beans & Cornbread, Finn Riggins, Hosta, Ctrl+Alt+Del, Judgement Day, Zach Gump, Wade Ogle, Jason Paul, A Good Fight (last year’s NF SXSW showcase band), Even Heroes, Brandon Whittle, ROTC, The Bel Airs, Tiffany Christopher, Big Smith, 1 Oz. Jig, G Love & Special Sauce, Giant Panda, Guerilla Dub Squad, The Nace Brothers, Shooter Jennings, Shindig Shop, Oreo Blue and Monte Montgomery, among others.
    For bookings contact Brian or Harold at (479)527-6618…….

    Boomer’s Time Out up in Bentonville has closed. The owners tell me that when they had the bands on weekends they couldn’t get another person in the place, but during the week all they did was pay the light bills. Chalk it up as yet another casualty of the recession.
    It was fun while it lasted…

    The Greenhouse Grille, on South School, is a beautiful room. See Anna VanHorn’s excellent feature on the venue elsewhere in this issue.
    Do make a point to experience it, though. You’ll be glad you did.
    To wit, this restaurant/nightclub is being operated by people who love music and really know what they are doing…both in the music department and the kitchen.
    On the bill in the coming weeks look for Matt Smith Jazz, Jed Clampit, harpist Beth Stockdell, Dave Malm on St. Patty’s Day, The Alex Lewis Trio, Miles Ralston, Tiffany Christopher with Jonathan Byrd, The Walter Savage Trio, Raja, Sarah Hughes, The Grace Askew Band, Pat Pathoumthong, 3-Penny Acre and more.
    They are also in demand for their excellent catering, providing meals for bands that play at The AMP, Walton Arts Center and so on.
    For bookings call (479)444-8909…….

    Speaking of Walton Arts Center, the good folks there have been really stepping out lately. A quick look at our Sound pages will bear this out.
    On the bill in the coming weeks are Jamey Johnson, Joe Bonamassa, Bearfoot, and Some Jazz A While, featuring the poetry of Miller Williams and the music of The Walter Savage Trio.
    For information call (479)443-5600, or check out waltonartscenter.org…….

    The Smoke & Barrel Tavern checks in this issue with a very fine list of performers.
    In the coming weeks look for Shannon Wurst with The Swamp Family Band, Slow Trucks, Amo Joy, Guta, Cletus Got Shot, The Phosphenes, Matt Smith, Brent Amaker & The Rodeo, The Rox, Devil’s Promenade, Kris Lager and Jeremiah Weir’s Electric Blues Band, Crazy Neighbor, Lucio Presents Grown Folks Night, Scott Leeper, Daniel Francis Doyle, Perpetual Werewolf, Charliehorse, Power Animal, Flatland Travelers, Funkotron, Epiphany and much more.
    There is no word yet on the progress of their micro-brewery, but methinks it will be soon.
    The Smoke & Barrel is open 7 days a week.
    For bookings call (479)521-6880…….

    Ryleigh’s Boom Boom Room checks in this issue with a very fun line-up. Look for dates with Jason Paul & The New Wine, Calling Tokyo with Army of Byrds, The Plaid Jackets, Hex, Left Of Center, The Revolving Doors, Andrew’s Eye and more.
    For bookings call Travis at (479)445-2100.......

    The various outdoor venues in Northwest Arkansas are all gearing up right now to let the sunshine in, and there are many of them. Both Jose’s have excellent skylit facilities, as does Herman’s Rib House, Powerhouse Seafood, and Rogue Pizza. And of course The AMP is the premier outside concert venue in the state.
    I am told to expect a list for next issue, but one grand date has been publicized thus far: A dual bill with The Cate Brothers Band and Mr. Levon Helm on April 22. Levon is an old friend and I’m always excited when he rolls into Arkansas. Last year he got a croupe enroute to The Altered State, and was completely unable to sing. Knowing Levon, that was the challenge it took to get him to redo his trip down South…sort of, ‘I’ll be damned if I’ll be shut out in 2009…I’ll do it again in 2010…’
    Levon doesn’t like airplanes so any tour has to be done riding on the tour bus. It has something to do with the fact that his one-time manager and close friend, Dayton Stratton, was killed in a plane crash many years ago. Dayton was concert promoter Randy Stratton’s father. Randy has stayed active in the music business but looks twice at any aircraft before he boards…
    Wouldn’t you?

    That’s about all the time left to chat so I’m going to close this one out.
    Be sure to get out and support live musicians every chance you get. We have a wealth of talent in our region, and as long as we can foster it, it will continue to entertain us…

View previous Notes From The Pub.

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