Flanfire

In no chronological order, let me see what I can do here. May as well start off with the budding MOVIE STAR -- Evan Butts and The Daze opened for The Steps at Threadgill's on one starry night. These young rockers (who can also play some salsa) are featured in the movie "Will," shot here in Austin and due out next spring. But, WOW, look at the wonderful Mary Cutrufello stepping down from the stage at Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe to visit with Flanfire's own mom (who will celebrate her 97th birthday in May in Dulac, Louisiana, where she is being honored for missions work with the Houma Indians some seventy-five years ago.

Suzanna Choffel; Mario Matteoli and Cayce Marsh are in AWE of drugstore cowboy Paul Minor -- all at Lambert's.

I also remember stopping by Lambert's two or three nights -- once to catch an amazing set from Dustin Welch with his "string quartet" of Brian Standefer on cello, Tricia Keefer on violin, and Joe Beckham on string bass. That same evening, though, Suzanna Choffel and in particular the amazing Laura Scarborough (aided by Eldridge Goins and Johnny V) flat out smoked all of the salmon, barbecued the beef and pork, and fried all of the potatoes in the downstairs kitchen -- the same way she has been smokin' the competition in Famecast.

Gina Chavez and Tricia Keefer at La Palapa; Al Sato joins Byrd and Street at Quality Seafood.

And speaking of food, I just had to mention that I stopped by Quality Seafood on Airport to catch the first of what will be for now a weekly Wednesday show by Tommy Byrd and new grandma Kathy Street. That same evening I went over to La Palapa, where Gina Chavez and her full band were warming up for her upcoming trip to Washington, DC. Tommy is an accomplished artist as well as a topnotch songwriter -- and what better excuse could one have for eating 25 cent peel and eat shrimp than to hear this duo entertain?

Burton Lee and Sarah Stollack (with the Lonesome Heroes); Clyde and Clem (or is it Clem and Clyde?) and those nasty Shake Em Ups at the Hole in the Wall!

What's a month of music without a little levity? Clyde Clow and Clem Clowan and Whiskey Business sing songs of cocaine and (of course) whiskey, backed by the fabulous Skewrl on bass, Ole Red on banjo, Boxcar Stanley on washboard, and Smokin' Guns on harmonica (they all sing some) -- great songs like "Whiskey Jesus" and "Cocaine Habit Blues." The boys also announced a coloring contest -- winner to be announced at the end of April. On another evening I caught a little of Leo Rondeau (memorably, he brought Brennen Leigh up for one glorious song -- almost as good as his own stuff) and then the Shake 'Em Ups -- no hi-jinks there! Somewhere I recall that the beautiful Landry McMeans had broken (??) her wrist and brought in the peripatetic Burton Lee to play on pedal steel the parts she normally plays on dobro. Good thing she did not break her singing voice!

And speaking of pickin' and sangin', the South Austin Jug Band has a new CD out (to be reviewed here soon!) with some wonderful songs (and great picking) from James Hyland [photo], Brian Beken, and Dennnis Ludiker as joined by Matt Medford and Joe Kidd (and the handsome Joe Beckham on the Board!). One recent night at Momo's they played songs from "Strange Invitation" that really touched the heart -- this could be the best work they have ever done (with no disparaging the four charter members no longer on stage). The boys could be in for bigger and better (or so it is said) things with this record -- they play again on Friday night at Threadgill's downtown, and that ought to be a night to remember. Otherwise, you will just have to drive a ways or wait till May 1 at Shady Grove.

Also at Momo's one night, Raina Rose brought her pals Vanessa Lively (new CD review coming) and Danny Schmidt (ditto!) on stage for songwriters in the round. I opted to throw in a photo of Carrie Elkin and Melissa Greener, who were in the house to listen (and Carrie to sing with her man Danny just a little).

Flanfire -- Bringing LIFE to Austin music.