You are invited to enjoy the unique music of Lubbock’s own Desert Pearl on Saturday April 27^th, 2013 @ 7:30 pm.

Admission-$10.00 at the door

           Desert Pearl is a seven piece band that performs original music along with a variety of bluegrass, folk, and country. British born Joe Gillis, the founder of the group, has performed with groups such as the Prairie Heirs of the Palo Duro, a traditional cowboy band that toured Germany in 1998, The String Technicians who were on the Texas Commission For the Arts Touring Roster, and as a solo singer/songwriter with two recording projects, “Moon Over the Palo Duro”, and” Lost Angel Diner”. All these musical influences are infused with the sounds and talents of the members of Desert Pearl.

Juli Handley sings lead and harmony and also plays guitar, piano, and hand percussion. Two sixteen year olds, Patrick Herzog on guitar and mandolin and Clarisa Ham on violin and vocals are two of Lubbock’s finest young musicians.

Amy Carroll, an original member of the group, sings lead and harmony with her crisp, clear voice, Darryl Lemons supports the groups sound with his steady bass runs and Justin Handley is a master of effects on his electric guitar. You will also enjoy the old time fiddle sounds of special guest Jim Bob Clary of Idalou.

 Desert Pearl has performed at venues that include The Gem Theater in Claude, The Home Mercantile in Nazareth, The Grill on Rt 66, in Groom, Lubbock Arts Festival, 4th on Broadway, and the Apple Butter Festival. With one recording project under their belt, “Psalm 33″, a new all original CD is on tap for this year.

Elliott Rogers was born in Osceola, Arkansas and grew up in Albuquerque NM. He fell in love with bluegrass music at an early age by hearing local bands like the Big River Boys and the Clear Ditch Ramblers. His trio in High School opened for Doc Watson. “That was a mighty big deal for me and pointed me in the direction I took with music.” That path led Elliott to Austin Texas after a hitch in the Army at FT Hood. There he worked for years with songwriters like Townes Van Zandt, George Ensle and Blaze Foley, and recorded with Lyle Lovett , Nancy Griffith and Robert Earl Keen on Robert’s first album, ‘No Kinda Dancer’
“Along with everything else, we hosted a weekly Musician Night at the Soap Creek Saloon and had a great time in Austin.” Elliott’s songs have won awards and have been recorded by Jill Jones, the Bluegrass Patriots and Sons and Brothers. Elliott brings driving rhythm guitar, smooth lead and harmony vocals and contributes original material to Ranch Road 12.

“Don’t worry it’s all taken care of” said the deep thinker.  “What do you mean?” said the slow thinker.   The deep thinker said, “We’re all going over to Uncle Bill’s Music Barn at 6pm for a fabulous dinner and some great music.”  The slow thinker’s thoughts got even slower but he was able to say, “What fabulous dinner and great music are you talking about?”

The deep thinker took a deep breath and said,  “We have reservations at Uncle Bills for a catered dinner serving Prime rib, Chicken breast, and Portobello mushrooms; with salad, roasted potatoes, green beans, and desert, coffee and tea (BYOB)!   There will also be three musicians playing who were awarded prizes at the West Texas Folk Festival: Phlip Coggins, the Best Performer; Daniel Fluitt, the Best Songwriter; and Charlie Stout, the Best Entertainer.  This will be the premier event of the weekend before Christmas.”   The slow thinker asked “How many seats did you reserve?”  The deep thinker said, “I reserved a table for six at $25.00 a head.”  “Wow” said the slow thinker.

That’s right folks, we’re opening up for one night to feature the contest winners for your enjoyment and it’s only $25 per person to cover the food.  It will be a catered, sit down dinner with a concert attached.

For reservations email Unclebillslbk@hotmail.com or call Silas at 806-535-6290.

Each night the Festival will feature a guest host plus a lineup of performing artists. Tickets each night will be $15.00 and proceeds will be given to the performers.

On Thursday, November 8th with host Mike Pritchard, the performers will be True Blue, Daniel Fluitt, Wesley Hildreth, Greg Goodnight & Katherine McLamore, Melissa Jones & Stephen Jones, Lone Prairie, Papa Duct Tape, Ed Davis, Brandon Adams, and Lacy Jo Davis

On Friday, November 9th with host Chris Smith, the performers will be Tommy Reece, Easy Does It, TTU’s School of Music, Celtic Ensemble, Irish Set Dancers, Caprock Morris, Special guests from the TTU Vernacular Center, and Curtis Peoples

On Saturday, November 10th with host Cary Banks, the performers will be John Calhoun, Philip Coggins, Charlie Stout, Run Silas, Kate Hearne, Allie Leigh, Colton Borg, John Potess, Kellsie Wallace, Tyler Hendricks, Karleigh Porterfield, and Adam Urbanzyk.

Gates will open at 6:00pm for Meet and Greet. The concerts will begin at 7:00pm and end at 10:00pm.

The Festival Committee will be presenting awards for the weekend’s best performances.

Categories include:  Best Original Song, Best Individual Performance, Best Group Performance, Best Instrumental Performance, Best Vocal Performance and Best Overall Entertainer.

For ticket information and to join our mailing list, please email unclebillslbk@hotmail.com.

Tickets will also be on sale at Ralphs Records .  (A limited number of student tickets will be on sale at Ralphs for $5.00)

Cary Cooper - Tuesday, August 14, $20, 7:15 pm

Refreshments available. BYOB. Limited seating; click here to RSVP.
Check out Cary’s music at www.carycooper.com.

Hosted by Paul Johnson & Van Shaw. HubCityMusic.com & Uncle Bill’s Music Barn are working together to host Cary Cooper at Uncle Bill’s Music Barn.

Seating is limited, so please RSVP to assure your seat, and to allow us to plan hors d’oeuvres.

Here’s the info from HubCityMusic.com. Recently cast in the TV show, “Troubadour, TX”, Cary Cooper sings of life from the perspective of a lover, a mother, a daughter and a friend. Her songs will make you laugh, cry, think, and most of all celebrate your place in the world.

Cary Cooper

In early 2011, Cary was spotted by the producers of Troubadour, TX, a new TV docu-drama that premiered in September 2011 on the CW network. Along with several other Texas songwriters (including her husband, Tom Prasada-Rao), Cary was cast on the show. Part of her appeal is the unique songs she’s been writing on her cute little pineapple ukulele. Cary picked up the uke in the summer of 2010 and it blew open the door to a brand new batch of songs that are featured on her newest CD, “Pink Umbrella”, which was released in the fall of 2011 coinciding with her main stage set at the Kerrville Wine & Music Festival and the debut of Troubadour, TX.

A multi-dimensional artist, Cary brings honesty and clarity to her music, and subsequently to your heart.

For more information about Troubadour, TX and Cary Cooper, go to http://troubadourtx.com/artists/carycooper/

The Hard Road Trio - Saturday, July 14, $15, 8 pm.
Refreshments available. BYOB. Come early for a good seat.
Steve Smith and Chris Sanders and Anne Luna
www.hardroadtrio.com & www.desertnight.com (575-649-1595)

Stories abound where the prairie meets the hills – modern/retro harmonies and groove in original and traditional Americana and Bluegrass music. Life-long musicians Steve Smith (vocals, mandolin, mandola and guitar) and Chris Sanders (vocals and guitar) have captured audiences across the country with the depth of their songwriting and the power of their distinctive voices.

Recent appearances include Pickin’ in the Pines, Bighorn Mountain Festival, Swallow Hill in Denver, Durango Bluegrass Meltdown, Albuquerque Folkfest, Wildflower Concerts, Berkeley’s Freight and Salvage and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass.  Steve and Chris are in demand as teachers and clinicians including Camp Bluegrass, Hill Country Acoustic Music Camp, California Coast Music Camp and Zoukfest.   They welcome the exciting groove of Anne Luna (bass, vocals) – she has appeared with April Verch, Spring Creek Bluegrass and recorded with Kenny Maines and Alan Munde.

Their music grows from Steve’s love of bluegrass rooted in his native Virginia and the beauty of choral singing ever-present in Chris’ Minnesota childhood. Together, their north/south blend of Bluegrass and Americana provides a unique heartbeat and lilt underscored by Anne’s driving bass. The Trio is set to release their new recording of original material in Feb ’12.  Watch for “Monticello”

“Steve Smith is undoubtedly among the best mandolin pickers in the known universe, and combined with Chris Sanders marvelous vocals and steady rhythm guitar, they light up a room like the New Mexico sun.” Mike Shirkey, GoodFolk Productions.

Their latest CD Signs Along the Road (Jan. ‘10) is receiving national and international airplay and has found its way onto folk, roots and bluegrass charts climbing to #30 on the Billboard Cashbox charts.

“…the best work yet from Smith, Sanders and Hard Road.  Above it all soar two impassioned singers whose individual vocal gifts are periodically transformed into choruses of alchemical harmony”.
Bruce Bergethon, Host of Acousticity, WGLT, Normal, IL

“Signs Along the Road refuses any one label, except perhaps that of good, evocative music.”  Bluegrass Unlimited, June ‘10

Kem Watts, Saturday, April 28, $20, 7-10 pm.
Catered briquette dinner with all the trimmings. BYOB.
www.kemwatts.com

Kem Watts and Willie Nelson

Singer/Songwriter Kem Watts and her band, Kem and the Pistols, are coming from Austin, Texas, to perform a house concert at Uncle Bill’s Music Barn on April 28th. Kem is another featured musician playing at the Barn who grew up in Lubbock.

Austin singer-songwriter Kem Watts grew up in Lubbock, following the family musical heritage of her father, Dennis Watts, and her brother, Dary Watts. Kem says, “I was raised in Lubbock, Texas, and grew up in a family of musicians. I have been singing since I was a young girl. However, I got a late start in picking up the guitar. I first began writing songs acappella in my early 20′s shortly after moving to Austin, Texas. I had things to express so I figured I better get with the program and learn how to play an instrument so that I could get my point across the way I heard the melodies in my head. I picked up the guitar and taught myself to play in 2006 and haven’t stopped yet. I have many mentors and friends that continue to guide and support me along the way, and for that I am blessed! I write about nature, love, life, and I have been told by many people that my songs tell a story! I just do what comes from the heart and there is nothing better than sharing music with your friends. I hope you enjoy!”

Kem tours Texas three times a year and has also toured Quebec with her good singer-songwriter friend, Emilie Clepper. Kem has shared the stage with many personal friends, including Earl Poole Ball, Monty Montgomery, John Inmon, Ponty Bone, Van Wilks, Paul McLaughlin, Dale Watson, and more. Kem and her four-piece band, Kem and the Pistols, perform regularly in Austin. You’ll also often find Kem performing at various musical festivals. Drop on by for a great show!