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#322 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Fri Nov 6, 2009 4:51 pm
Subject: Reminder: House Wine tonite & Radio news 		guitarfrog59
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After an inspiring evening of Gram Parsons songs, I'm looking forward to a lovely night for music on the porch, fortified by a little vino tinto (not to be confused with fortified vino). In addition to my own ditties, you'll probably hear me do some songs by friends of mine that I've been working into my sets, like Jeff Tveraas, Paula Held, Dave Hooper and Effron White. House Wine is behind P. Terry's burger stand at S. Lamar and Barton Springs Rd. There's a small parking lot behind the building and more on the street.
 
In other news, Chasing Grace is now available at Waterloo Records. Radio listeners can still call in to KUT and KGSR and request songs - Folkways and Eklektikos on KUT would be 'specially nice. I'm told that one DJ at KGSR responded to a request with a "Steve Who?" Request lines: KUT 471-2345. KGSR 390-5477. Song Titles: Walking With the Elders • Will I Ever Love That Way Again? • Iowa Wind • Paradise • One Good Year • Dark Side of the Heart • The Other Shoe • Bottomless Love • Riding Out the Storm • Love is a House • One More Shot of Whiskey • Precious. Thanks for all your support.
 
FRIDAY, NOV. 6, 7 TO 10 p.m.
HOUSE WINE
408 Josephine Street, 322-5210
 
FRIDAY, NOV. 13, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
SOUTH AUSTIN CD RELEASE w DANNY SANTOS & CHRIS GAGE
ARTZ RIB HOUSE
2330 S. Lamar @ Bluebonnet, 442-8283
 
SATURDAY, NOV. 14, 8 to 10:30 p.m.
NORTH AUSTIN CD RELEASE w DANNY SANTOS
THREADGILL'S OLD NO. 1
6416 North Lamar, 451-5440
www.threadgills.com
 
 

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#321 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Sun Nov 1, 2009 5:03 am
Subject: Wine Bar, Gram Parsons and did I mention CD Release? 		guitarfrog59
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October was so quiet, I had the feeling I was in the old album by The Flatlanders: More a Legend Than a Band. November's another story. My most exciting shows, of course, will be my two CD release parties for "Chasing Grace": Friday, 11/13 at Artz Rib House and Saturday, 11/14 at the original Threadgill's. I'll be sharing both shows with my old vato Danny Santos, who's releasing his long-awaited "Say You Love Me Too." We'll be sharing a backup band, and more: I co-wrote two of the songs on Danny's disc. And joining me at the Artz show will be the multi-talented Chris Gage, who produced "Chasing Grace."
 
For you South Austinites, I'll be making a debut this coming Friday, 11/6 at House Wine, the comfy wine bar that feels more like a coffeehouse, behind P. Terry's burger stand at S. Lamar and Barton Springs Rd. The night before, 11/5, I'll be singing a song at the third annual Gram Parsons Birthday Hoot at Threadgill's World HQ, in the beer garden, at South First and Barton Springs Rd.
 
Radio listeners: Starting this week, you can call in to KUT and KGSR and request songs from "Chasing Grace." Request lines: KUT 471-2345. KGSR 390-5477. Song Titles: Bottomless Love • Dark Side of the Heart • Iowa Wind • Love is a House • One Good Year • One More Shot of Whiskey • The Other Shoe • Paradise • Precious • Riding Out the Storm • Walking With the Elders • Will I Ever Love That Way Again?
 
FRIDAY, NOV. 6, 7 TO 10 p.m.
HOUSE WINE
408 Josephine Street, 322-5210
 
FRIDAY, NOV. 13, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
SOUTH AUSTIN CD RELEASE w DANNY SANTOS
ARTZ RIB HOUSE
2330 S. Lamar @ Bluebonnet, 442-8283
 
SATURDAY, NOV. 14, 8 to 10:30 p.m.
NORTH AUSTIN CD RELEASE w DANNY SANTOS
THREADGILL'S OLD NO. 1
6416 North Lamar, 451-5440
www.threadgills.com
 
 

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#320 From: Steve Brooks <steve@...>
Date: Sat Oct 17, 2009 3:29 pm
Subject: Reminder: Rocking Rover's Tonight w Mandy Mercier 		guitarfrog59
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There's a very happy puppy in Bubbaland this morning. Me, I'm waking up in time for the Red River Shootout and to tune up for Rover's tonight. BTW, I'm doing a lot of my storytelling on Facebook these days, so you're welcome to friend me if you'd like to be in closer touch.

SATURDAY, OCT. 17, 9 to midnight
STEVE BROOKS w MANDY MERCIER
BB ROVER'S PUB
12636 Research Boulevard (facing Jollyville Rd., next to the Mongolian Grille)

and just down the road...
FRIDAY, NOV. 13 - CD Release Party at Artz Rib House
SATURDAY, NOV. 14 - CD Release Party at Threadgill's Old No. 1

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#319 From: Steve Brooks <steve@...>
Date: Tue Oct 13, 2009 5:42 am
Subject: At Rover's This Saturday w Mandy Mercier 		guitarfrog59
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It's great to be on the road again. I've been singing for old folks in Kansas, preaching to Unitarians in Oklahoma and watching the buffalo roam across the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in the Osage Nation. My last stop is here in Fayetteville, Arkansas, which is a throwback to the Austin of thirty years ago.

But no rest for the wicked. For one thing, my puppy misses me. I drive home Friday, and after watching the Horns thrash the Sooners, I'll be playing at my old hangout BB Rover's this Saturday night. With the lovely and kickass Mandy Mercier, who always cooks up a musical storm when we're playing together. I've been writing furiously the last 1000 miles, so I'll have some new songs to try out, as well as songs from the upcoming release of "Chasing Grace."

In the meantime, saying a prayer for Leslie...

SATURDAY, OCT. 17, 9 to midnight
STEVE BROOKS w MANDY MERCIER
BB ROVER'S PUB
12636 Research Boulevard (facing Jollyville Rd., next to the Mongolian Grille)

and just down the road...
FRIDAY, NOV. 13 - CD Release Party at Artz Rib House
SATURDAY, NOV. 14 - CD Release Party at Threadgill's Old No. 1

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#318 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:16 pm
Subject: Brooks News: Tom Delay, Added CD releases, HAAM Benefit Day and more 		guitarfrog59
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BARD ON THE WIRE
News Hot Flashes from Steve Brooks
 
Tonight's the season premiere of Dancing With the Stars, whose white-dwarf-studded cast includes future felon Tom Delay and former felon Michael Irvin. Don't you think that calls for a waltz? You can see and hear my newest song,"Dancing With Tom Delay," at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csJ9SHOLraQ.
 
First part of October, I'll be touring through Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. For folks who are wondering when I'm playing in Austin again, mark your calendars for Oct. 17:
Saturday, Oct. 17, B.B. Rover's Pub, 12616 Research Blvd.
 
In other news, I've added a second CD release party with Danny Santos to the second weekend in Nov., for those of you who live north. Here are both of 'em:
Friday, Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m., Artz Rib House, 2330 South Lamar Blvd
Saturday, Nov. 14, Threadgill's Old No. 1, 6416 North Lamar Blvd
 
Lastly, this Tuesday will be a wonderful chance to dine out in Austin and help musicians like yours truly, who get healthcare through the Healthcare Alliance for Austin Musicians. Sept. 22 is HAAM Benefit Day, when more than 90 HAAM musicians will be playing all over town, and stores and restaurants will donate 5 percent of their revenue to HAAM. You can read a full schedule for the day at http://www.myhaam.org/. Last year's HAAM Benefit Day raised $150,000 including matching grants. HAAM member-musicians (more than 1,600 served) have access to regular, cost-effective medical, dental and mental healthcare services provided by Seton Family of Hospitals, St. David's Dental Program and The SIMS Foundation - with many saying HAAM is changing their lives and saving their careers. In its four years, Health Alliance for Austin Musicians has raised more than $1 million, including through fundraisers and annual events such as the Corporate Battle of the Bands and HAAM Benefit Day, to support its primary goal: to maintain the health of the city's hard-working, professional musicians who help make Austin such a dynamic place to live and work.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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#317 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Wed Sep 9, 2009 9:19 pm
Subject: "Chasing Grace" CD Parties & Still on the Hill House Concert Saturday 		guitarfrog59
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The good word from Oasis is that "Chasing Grace" will arrive around Oct. 1. The official release will be in November - I invite you to mark your calendar now:
 
STEVE BROOKS CD RELEASE
Friday, Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m., Artz Rib House, 2330 S Lamar Blvd, Austin
You'll get to hear two CD releases for the price of one. The evening will be a joint CD release with my old vato Danny Santos and his new platter, "Say You Love Me Too." His disc includes two songs that I co-wrote.
 
**************************************************************
 
I don't have any public gigs in Austin the rest of this month, but I want to invite you to check out some amazing friends of mine from Arkansas, who will be playing a house concert this Saturday. Still on the Hill is a high-energy, progressive bluegrass duo that spins stories straight out of the Ozark hills. Their latest album, "Ozark," is a collection of true tales from old-timers they interviewed. Learn more at www.stillonthehill.com. If you're interested in going, here's the info:
 
Onion Creek House Concerts, Saturday Sept.12th at 7:30. Doors open at 7.  For reservations  and directions, email hosts Tom & Vicki at onioncreekhouseconcerts@... or call 512-809-1915.
 
**************************************************************
 
Lastly, thanks to those of you who have contacted me about lessons. For those of you who might be interested, here's another description of what I'm teaching. Feel free to pass it on to friends who might be interested.
 

PRIVATE GUITAR AND MANDOLIN LESSONS - SOUTH AUSTIN

Got a guitar in the garage? Been telling yourself for years you’d learn to play it someday? Or have a child who loves music, and is ready to learn an instrument that will enrich them for the rest of their lives?

 

Austin folksinger and songwriter Steve Brooks, with over 30 years of musical experience, is offering private lessons for beginners on acoustic guitar and mandolin. Depending on a student’s interests, he can tailor lessons to cover folk, country, pop, blues, Celtic or bluegrass. Rates are $20/half hour at his studio, near Ben White and Manchaca Rd., or $30/half hour for in-home instruction at any location in South Austin. For more information, contact Steve Brooks at steve@... or (512) 440-7668.




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#316 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Sun Aug 30, 2009 6:59 pm
Subject: CD Milestone and Offering Guitar/Mandolin Lessons 		guitarfrog59
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No local gigs to report the next few weeks, but I have a couple of other pieces of news. On Thursday, after a couple of painstaking months designing the artwork, I shipped off "Chasing Grace" to Oasis CD, which is manufacturing the disc. I have three weeks to make space for the boxes and start planning the official release events. For those of you who pre-ordered "Chasing Grace," I'll be shipping it to you as soon as it arrives. The rest of the world will get to see it a couple of months later.
 
The other news is that I've started offering lessons in guitar and mandolin for beginners. If you or kids might be interested, you can read the details below. If you know someone who might be interested, feel free to forward this info along to them. Start working on those calluses!
 
Steve
 

 

PRIVATE GUITAR AND MANDOLIN LESSONS - SOUTH AUSTIN

 

Got a guitar in the garage? Been telling yourself for years you’d learn to play it someday? Or have a child who loves music, and is ready to learn an instrument that will enrich them for the rest of their lives?

 

Austin folksinger and songwriter Steve Brooks, with over 30 years of musical experience, is offering private lessons for beginners on acoustic guitar and mandolin. Depending on a student’s interests, he can tailor lessons to cover folk, country, pop, blues, Celtic or bluegrass. Rates are $20/half hour at his studio, near Ben White and Manchaca Rd., or $30/half hour for in-home instruction at any location in South Austin. For more information, contact Steve Brooks at steve@... or (512) 440-7668.


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#315 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Thu Aug 6, 2009 6:58 pm
Subject: View My First Video, then Help to Save Live Music in Austin 		guitarfrog59
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I'm sad to report that my Friday shows at the New World Deli are no more. Many thanks to those of you who came to listen and support them - we had good crowds two of the final three weeks.
 
With extra time on my hands, I've posted my first YouTube video. "Austin Outlaw" sings about the plague of noise enforcement that's been shutting down live music across our fair city. The good news is that you can do something about it. City Council is looking at setting up a Music Department. For the first time, it would give the music industry a voice in city government. Unfortunately, the idea is opposed by one of our most powerful lobbies: the police union, which says we can't afford it. I believe that City Council can find the money if hundreds of music fans flood it with letters. So I invite you to check out my video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzfrqR3AiqQ. And then, I urge you to write our City Council at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/council/groupemail.htm - one email will go to all 7 council members. You can send a copy to the City Manager, who comes up with the budget: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/connect/email_marcott.htm.
 
The talking points are simple:
* Music brings a billion dollars a year into Austin's economy. The estimated cost of the department is $330,000.
* Our industry is in crisis. The recession is making it harder and harder for musicians and clubs to stay afloat. Getting shut down by arcane rules is making things worse.
* The city already gives away tens of millions in tax breaks to retailers, real estate developers and chip factories. Musicians aren't asking for handouts - just the right to keep making a living. We need a department in city government to cut through the bureaucratic red tape, so we can go on doing it.
* The city's Live Music Task Force spent a year looking at the issues, held 17 public meetings, and recommended a music department. There's been plenty of discussion. Now, it's time for Council to act.
* I'm a live music fan, and I vote!
 
If you're still feeling energized after you write City Council, you can also sign the Save Austin Music petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/austinmusic/index.html. As of today, it had 1232 signatures.
 
Feel free to pass this info along to any music fans on your email lists. The more of us they hear from, the better!
 
Peace through Live Music,
Steve
 
 
 

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#314 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Fri Jul 24, 2009 5:39 am
Subject: Friday and Saturday shows 		guitarfrog59
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FRIDAY, JULY 24, 7 to 10 p.m.

HYDE PARK FRIDAYS

STEVE BROOKS with KERRY GROMBACHER

NEW WORLD DELI

4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe), 451-7170

www.newworlddeli.com

Coming Up:

August 7: Patterson Barrett  

 

SATURDAY, JULY 25, 9 to 11:30

STEVE BROOKS

B.B. ROVER'S PUB

12636 Research Blvd., 335-9504

Don't let the address fool you. Rover's faces Jollyville Rd., just north of Kerbey Lane Cafe and Krispy Kreme, next to the Mongolian BBQ

No cover. Tips gratefully accepted. Or just buy us a beer.

 


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#313 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Tue Jul 21, 2009 12:29 am
Subject: Kerry Grombacher my guest at the Deli this Friday; BB Rover's Saturday 		guitarfrog59
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I'm still looking for a few more good weeks at the Deli (I'm shooting for One Good Year, but I've got to start somewhere). This week, my guest is contemporary cowboy singer and former Austinite Kerry Grombacher.
 
Back in the Nineties, Kerry and I traded cities. I moved here from New Orleans, while he married a New Orleans girl and moved to the Crescent City. Now he mixes cowpoke and Creole with songs like "Wild West Mambo," about the year Buffalo Bill brought his Wild West Show to New Orleans. And he's a master lyricist, evoking a classic Ansel Adams photo in "Moonrise, Hernandez, NM." Check him out at www.kgrombacher.com.
 
If you live up north, you can also hear me this Saturday at B.B. Rover's, the house of a hundred beers. You can listen to my latest, "Austin Outlaw," a heartfelt tribute to local noise ordinances.
 

FRIDAY, JULY 24, 7 to 10 p.m.

HYDE PARK FRIDAYS

STEVE BROOKS with KERRY GROMBACHER

NEW WORLD DELI

4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe), 451-7170

www.newworlddeli.com

Coming Up:

August 7: Patterson Barrett  

 

SATURDAY, JULY 25, 9 to 11:30

STEVE BROOKS

B.B. ROVER'S PUB

12636 Research Blvd., 335-9504

Don't let the address fool you. Rover's faces Jollyville Rd., just north of Kerbey Lane Cafe and Krispy Kreme, next to the Mongolian BBQ

No cover. Tips gratefully accepted. Or just buy us a beer.

 


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#312 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Fri Jul 17, 2009 2:50 pm
Subject: At New World Deli tonight with George Ensle 		guitarfrog59
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Thanks to those of you who let me know you found last week's reminder helpful. Here's this weeks:

 

FRIDAY, JULY 17, 7 to 10 p.m.

HYDE PARK FRIDAYS

STEVE BROOKS with GEORGE ENSLE

NEW WORLD DELI

4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe), 451-7170

www.newworlddeli.com

 

Coming Up:

July 24: Kerry Grombacher

August 7: Patterson Barrett  


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#311 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Mon Jul 13, 2009 5:51 am
Subject: Hyde Park Friday with guest George Ensle 		guitarfrog59
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Thanks to those of you came by the Deli last Friday. We finally had a killer night, with about 50 listeners, and your enthusiasm spilled over into the show. It was simply our best performance yet. Dave Dunn doubled on the washtub bass, Jim Stanley blazed through guitar leads on songs he'd never heard, and we closed the night with a singalong on my amphibious gospel song, "The Great Green Frog." Several more Fridays like that, and I can quit looking over my shoulder. Thanks, too, to those of you who told me that getting a Friday morning reminder was helpful. I'll keep sending them, but out of respect for your Inboxes, I'll keep 'em brief.
 
For folks who have yet to check out HPF, this Friday provides another great opportunity, when my guest will be George Ensle. If Wikipedia has an entry for "singer-songwriter," it ought to have a picture of George. There's nothing flashy about what he does, but his aw-shucks manner disguises a craftsmanship that never puts a word or a note out of place. Flawless fingerpicking, a warm voice and painterly story songs about family and Texas eccentrics - he's the whole package. He's been performing since the 'Sixties, and just released his sixth album, "Build a Bridge," on the Houston label Berkalin Records. Check him out at www.georgeensle.com.
 

FRIDAY, JULY 17, 7 to 10 p.m.

HYDE PARK FRIDAYS

STEVE BROOKS with GEORGE ENSLE

NEW WORLD DELI

4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe), 451-7170

www.newworlddeli.com

 

Coming Up:

July 24: Kerry Grombacher

August 7: Patterson Barrett  


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#310 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:23 am
Subject: Hyde Park Friday Tonight w David Patrick Dunn 		guitarfrog59
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In my efforts to promote Hyde Park Fridays more effectively, I'm experimenting with sending out a reminder the day of the show. If y'all feel this is too much of a good thing, I invite you to let me know - I can always go back to sending out just one notice a week. If you find the reminder helpful, I invite you to let me know that, too. Thanks for listening.

 

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 7 to 10 p.m.

HYDE PARK FRIDAYS

STEVE BROOKS with DAVID PATRICK DUNN

NEW WORLD DELI

4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe), 451-7170

www.newworlddeli.com

 

Coming Up:

July 17: George Ensle

July 24: Kerry Grombacher

 


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#309 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Tue Jul 7, 2009 4:29 am
Subject: Friday Oops 		guitarfrog59
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...and before any sharp-eyed readers catch my typo, here's the corrected info on this Friday:
 

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 7 to 10 p.m.

HYDE PARK FRIDAYS

STEVE BROOKS with DAVID PATRICK DUNN

NEW WORLD DELI

4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe), 451-7170

www.newworlddeli.com


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#308 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Tue Jul 7, 2009 4:14 am
Subject: Dunn Deal at the Deli this Friday 		guitarfrog59
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My apologies to those of you who got a big blank space in last week's email and wondered where the info about Purly was. I'd included it in a spiffy little graphic, but for reasons that Yahoo Customer Care can't explain to me, the picture was not included in the message that went out to most of you. If anyone can recommend an email list service that works better than Yahoogroups, I'm ready to migrate. In the meantime, it's back to text-only emails.
 
If you've been curious to check out Hyde Park Fridays, the next three weeks would be a great time to come by and listen. It's summertime, and the livin' has not been easy. The last few weeks, we haven't had enough listeners to cover the New World Deli's expenses, and the plug might be pulled on the series after this month. Which would be a shame, because you'd miss the chance to hear folks like my guests the next three weeks: George Ensle, Kerry Grombacher, and this Friday, David Patrick Dunn.
 
When David is not tending bar at B.B. Rover's Pub, and combing his signature muttonchop whiskers, he's writing songs that range from witty to heartfelt. He twists phrases in unexpected and delightful ways In songs like "An Armageddon Affair," a love song about the end of the world. We've swapped many a tune out at Kerrville, where the side of his bus is fitted with a tap and a keg of microbrew. Check him out at www.davidpatrickdunn.com.
 
Peace through Music,
Steve
 

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 7 to 10 p.m.

HYDE PARK FRIDAYS

STEVE BROOKS with THE FLYIN' A's

NEW WORLD DELI

4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe), 451-7170

www.newworlddeli.com

 

Coming Up:

July 17: George Ensle

July 24: Kerry Grombacher


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#307 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Tue Jun 30, 2009 4:50 pm
Subject: Purly Gates this Friday, and shows in Fredericksburg and Farmer's Market 		guitarfrog59
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My favorite thing about Hyde Park Fridays is getting to do shows with folks I've wanted to gig with for years. The multi-talented Purly Gates is a part-time Therapy Sister and singing cowgirl who slings guitar, banjo, accordion, ukelele, washboard and other homemade percussion instruments. She's equally at home in a classroom, a retirement home or a cowboy gathering. And did I mention her good taste in music? Which is to say, she's the only singer with the cojones to perform my aerobic yodeling song "Yoga Lady." Give her a listen at www.purlygates.com.
 
You can also hear me at two other shows this weekend. Saturday morning, I'll be singing for Independence Day at the Sunset Valley Farmer's Market. And Thursday night, I'll be out of town, in Fredericksburg, at Hondo's on Main. If you have friends in that part of the Hill Country, feel free to pass this note along to them - it's a rare chance to get a dose of South Austin folk.
 

THURSDAY, JULY 2, 7 to 10:30 p.m.

STEVE BROOKS

HONDO’S ON MAIN

312 West Main, Fredericksburg

http://www.hondosonmain.com/contact_map.html

 

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 11 a.m. to noon
STEVE BROOKS
SUNSET VALLEY FARMER'S MARKET
Toney Burger Center
3200 Jones Road at Pillow, or
290 West between Brodie Lane and Westgate Blvd in Sunset Valley.

 

 
 
 
 

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#306 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:03 pm
Subject: Honky-Tonkin' at the Deli this Friday with the Flyin' A'si 		guitarfrog59
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After a side-splitting show with the Therapy Sisters last week, I'm ready for a different sort of musical therapy, with honky-tonk heroes The Flyin' A's. I first got to know Stuart and Hilary Claire Adamson when we all played at a Canyon Lake beer joint called Buckeye's Beer & Bait. They're a husband-wife duet with tight harmonies and high energy - it oughta tell you something that their two dogs are named Conway and Loretta. We've written a couple of songs together this year, and you can hear those and many more this Friday at the New World Deli. You can do some listening ahead of time at www.theflyinas.com. The band name, by the way, is also a brand name - the kind you scorch onto the hide of a longhorn - registered to Stuart's family.
 
As I mentioned last week, June 30 will be the last date for pre-ordering "Chasing Grace" and giving me the chance to thank you by name in the credits. Pre-orders will also get your copies of the CD a month or two before it goes on sale to the general public. You can pre-order by clicking here.
 
Peace through Music,
Steve
 

FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 7 to 10 p.m.

HYDE PARK FRIDAYS

STEVE BROOKS with THE FLYIN' A's

NEW WORLD DELI

4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe), 451-7170

www.newworlddeli.com

 

Coming Up:

July 3: Purly Gates

July 10: David Patrick Dunn

July 24: Kerry Grombacher


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#305 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:43 pm
Subject: This Friday: A Codependent Solstice with The Therapy Sisters at the New World Deli 		guitarfrog59
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With city officials and grumpy neighbors doing their best to shut down live music in Austin, we can all use a little music therapy, and this week, my guests at the New World Deli will be Austin's docs of yocks, The Therapy Sisters. Lisa Rogers and Maurine McLean use humor to poke around our brains and body politics, with jazzy tunes and lyrics like scalpels. They did a couple of Codependent Christmas shows with me during my earlier days at the Deli. In 2004, The Sissies backed me up on my Bushwhacked CD, and Lisa and I put on a joint release party for our election-year albums. I've been a slacker about writing satire since the good guys won, so I'm looking forward to hearing their latest.
 
Several satellite Therapy Sisters have also been joining me as guests: Marilyn Rucker last week, and Purly Gates, of whom you'll hear more in a couple of weeks.
 
Latest news on my upcoming CD, "Chasing Grace": It's mixed and mastered, and I'm aiming to ship off the artwork by the end of the month. June 30 will be the last date for pre-ordering the CD and having your name printed in the credits, with a big Gracias. You can pre-order by clicking here, and ny continuing thanks to those of you who have already done so. You won't have to wait much longer - and more important, I think you'll find it worth the wait.
 
Peace through Music,
Steve
 

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 7 to 10 p.m.

HYDE PARK FRIDAYS

STEVE BROOKS with THE THERAPY SISTERS

NEW WORLD DELI

4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe), 451-7170

www.newworlddeli.com

Coming Up:

June 26: The Flyin' A's

July 3: Purly Gates

July 10: David Patrick Dunn


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#304 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Tue Jun 9, 2009 3:49 am
Subject: New World Deli this Friday with Marilyn Rucker & Todd Hoke concert Saturday 		guitarfrog59
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I'm home from the Kerrville Folk Festival, bleary-eyed and happy. And I'm happy about the Hyde Park Fridays I have coming up this month at the New World Deli. Each Friday, I get to swap songs for three hours with one of my favorite musicians. My guests this month will be especially fun, starting with this Friday, June 12.
 
Marilyn Rucker is a female version of Tom Lehrer or Mark Russell, a comic songstress who tickles the ivories and your funnybone. She honed her chops as a member of The Therapy Sisters, She and I have written a lot together in years past, from songs like "Let the Men Buy the Beer" to skits for Esther's Follies. Oh, and then there's the song we concocted for Emily Kaitz' 40th birthday party, where everybody wore pajamas. I'm looking forward to swapping our old songs and hearing her latest. You can hear her at http://www.myspace.com/marilynrucker.
 
Coming up as my guests later this month will be The Therapy Sisters themselves, and the country-rock sounds of The Flyin' A's.
 
I also want to put in a plug for a friend's show - which is where I'll be going to listen and heckle this Saturday night, June 13 . Todd Hoke was one of my Austin co-conspirators before he moved off to North Carolina four years ago and went to nursing school. His songs are plain-spoken, gritty and direct, which is why he can also pull off some mean Townes Van Zandt covers. And why he's done two albums with producers Ray Wylie Hubbard and Chris Gage. Todd's wife Meg and I have a long-running domino grudge match that stretches back to the Kerry-Bush debates of 2004. Todd's been back in Texas this month for Kerrville, and before he heads home, he's playing a house concert for two of my Kerrville kampmates, Austin Kessler and Connie Gray. To double your pleasure, George Ensle is opening. Hear Todd at http://www.myspace.com/hoketodd, where you can also watch his video for "Daddy Drove a Poop Truck."
 
Peace through Music,
Steve
 

FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 7 to 10 p.m.

STEVE BROOKS with MARILYN RUCKER

NEW WORLD DELI

4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe), 451-7170

www.newworlddeli.com

Coming Up:

June 19: Therapy Sisters

June 26: The Flyin' A's

 

SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 7:30 p.m. (potluck dinner at 6)

TODD HOKE with GEORGE ENSLE opening

MOUNTAIN HOUSE CONCERTS

9013 Lockleven Loop, Austin

$15 Suggested Donation

512-930-2422 or 512-656-7226

Map: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Austin&state=TX&address=9013+Lockleven+Loop&zipcode=78750

http://www.myspace.com/mountainhouseconcerts

 

 
 

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#303 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Thu Jun 4, 2009 12:02 am
Subject: Playing Contest Finals this Friday at The Bugle Boy in La Grange 		guitarfrog59
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I'm home from Kerrville for a couple of nights, to catch up on sleep and laundry and frolic with Molly. Oh, and to play Friday night in a battle of the folksingers at the Bugle Boy in La Grange. You might remember that back in March, I won a once-a-month performance contest at the Bugle Boy. This Friday, the winners from the past six months will each play two songs on the stage. Doors open at 7, and the show is from 8 to 10.
 
I'd be tickled to have a cheering section, and even have a couple of passenger seats in my car open if anyone would like to ride along or carpool. If you want to drive on your own for a Friday night getaway, The Bugle Boy's at 1015 N. Jefferson St. Head East to La Grange on Highway 71. Take the exit for U.S. 77, heading right towards town. The Bugle Boy is a big quonset hut on your right, just around the bend. You can find a map here, and more info at www.thebugleboy.com.
 
As you can guess, I won't be playing at the New World Deli this Friday. But you can mark your calendars for my guest artists for the remaining Fridays in June:
 
June 12 - Marilyn Rucker
June 19 - The Therapy Sisters
June 26 - The Flyin' A's
 
Win or lose, I'll head back out to Kerrville Saturday morning for the final two nights of the festival. There are songs to be sung, watermelons to be slaughtered and midnight oil to be burnt. I'll see y'all this Friday or next, or around a campfire on the Quiet Valley Ranch.
 
Peace through Music,
Steve
 
 
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 2:31 PM
Subject: Best of Showcase & Brian Burns



Entertainment Guide

website    print schedule    support us


Fri 6/5
Door 7 PM
Show 8 PM
Close 10 PM

Buy Tickets
$12

Best of Showcase
Featuring all Sunday Showcase finalists
from the Winter/Spring season

 
  
 
Tonight is the night we feature all of our finalist from our Sunday Showcase events. This is a judged event and one performer will be selected as our winner and will receive $250 and an invitation to perform at the 5th anniversary of the Bugle Boy in January 2010.

This week's judges are Connie Mims, Peggie Jones, and Courtney Delaney.

 

 

We are now accepting artist sign ups for 2009 Showcase Sundays!


The Bugle Boy
1051 N. Jefferson St.
La Grange, Texas 78945

venue ph: 979-968-9944
ticket ph: 800-838-3006


--
Change your info? Stop the emails? Easy! Just click this link


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#302 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Wed May 20, 2009 3:01 am
Subject: Dave Hooper Joins Me @ Deli this Friday 		guitarfrog59
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Part of the fun of my new Friday gig at the New World Deli is that each week, I get to swap songs with one of my favorite musicians. This Friday, Dave Hooper and I will also play some of the many songs we've written together over the years. Dave's a California transplant who has a voice like Johnny Cash and writes some of the prettiest folk melodies I've ever heard. Coming up next month - after the Kerrville Folk Festival - my guests will include The Therapy Sisters and The Flyin' A's.

 

While I'm off at the Fest, you can hear Joel McColl and his band Midlife Crisis at the Deli, on Friday, May 29 and Friday, June 5.

 

For those of you who didn't make it to the Pun-Off, this year's turned into an extraordinary event. Saturday morning, we were about to begin in O.Henry's backyard when the rain rolled in. Then the rain washed over. Then it washed us out. As of noon, we'd decided to cancel the competition, for the first time in 32 years. Save for one volunteer, Julia Balinsky, whose name shall go down in the legends of wordplay. Julia dragged her bedraggled self across the street and talked the downtown Hilton into giving us a ballroom. Folks started Twittering, and an hour later we had as large an audience indoors as we've ever had outdoors. The rest of the contest went off without a hitch. So here's a plug for the Hilton - these folks did their part to Keep Austin Weird, and we punsters will be forever grateful.

 

Onward, Through the Frogs,

Steve

 

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 7 to 10 p.m.

STEVE BROOKS with DAVE HOOPER

NEW WORLD DELI

4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe), 451-7170

www.newworlddeli.com

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#301 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Tue May 12, 2009 10:57 pm
Subject: Pun-Off Weekend and Dana MacBride at the Deli 		guitarfrog59
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This is the big weekend, when you can either run screaming out of Austin or you can run down to the O.Henry Museum and set up your chair in the shade. I'll be emceeing the 32nd Annual O.Henry Pun-Off, one the annual events that keeps our fair city weird. If you're not ready to leave the air conditioning, you have another option this year: You can watch a live webcast at www.punpunpun.com, from noon to 6. On Friday morning, you can also tune your radio to hear me and some of my punning co-conspirators plugging the Pun-Off. We'll be on KLBJ-AM, 590, from 10 to 11 a.m.
 
Between Pun-Off appearances, I'll be playing at the New World Deli this Friday night with special guest Dana McBride. Dana hails originally from Oklahoma City and worships at the feet of Woody Guthrie, so we'll surely be doing some Woody tunes. When she's not solo, she sings with the Wildflower Peace Train Band and works as a go-go dancer with the Freddie Steady Five.
 
The following Friday, if you're not already off to the Kerrville Folk Fest, you can hear me with guest Dave Hooper, one of my favorite songwriting buddies. The following morning, I'll head out to the Festival myself, for two weeks of R&R, sunstroke, music and debauchery. My Hyde Park Fridays will pick up again after the Festival, with more great guests.
 
Peace through Music,
Steve
 
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 7 to 10 p.m.

STEVE BROOKS with DANA MACBRIDE

NEW WORLD DELI

4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe), 451-7170

www.newworlddeli.com

 

SATURDAY, MAY 16, noon to 5

O.HENRY PUN-OFF

O.Henry Museum

409 East 5th St. @ Neches

Bring lawn chair, blanket, sunscreen and sense of humor

Info and webcast @ www.punpunpun.com

 

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 7 to 10 p.m.

STEVE BROOKS with DAVE HOOPER

NEW WORLD DELI

4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe), 451-7170

www.newworlddeli.com

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#300 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Thu May 7, 2009 2:59 am
Subject: Pun-Off Warmup at Deli Friday, Rover's Saturday with Danny Santos 		guitarfrog59
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Thanks to all who made my Big Five-O show a special one, especially to Dave Hooper, Seymour Guenther and Thom Moon 10, for playing some guest tunes. It's already starting to feel like old times, except that now, you can get a margarita to go with your Reuben.
 
This Friday at the Deli will be a warmup for the O.Henry Pun-Off. My guest will be Joel McColl, who fronts the band Midlife Crisis when he's not helping to emcee the Pun-Off himself. So in-between songs, we'll be doing some warmup rounds for the big day of word wrangling and verbal abuse. The Pun-Off itself will be on Saturday, May 16.
 
Saturday night, I'll be playing for folks at the north end of town, at B.B. Rover's Pub, the house of a hundred beers. My guest will be my longtime vato Danny Santos. We'll be doing some of the songs we did in Switzerland a year ago, and songs from Danny's new album - two of which, we wrote together. His Swiss girlfriend is in town, so he'd better bring some cheese.

 

Onward, through the Frogs,

Steve

 

 

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 7 to 10 p.m.

PUN-OFF PREVIEW

STEVE BROOKS with JOEL MCCOLL

NEW WORLD DELI

4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe), 451-7170

www.newworlddeli.com

 

 

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 9 to 11:30

STEVE BROOKS with DANNY SANTOS

B.B. ROVER'S PUB

12636 Research Blvd., 335-9504

Don't let the address fool you. Rover's faces Jollyville Rd., just north of Kerbey Lane Cafe and Krispy Kreme, next to the Mongolian BBQ

No cover. Tips gratefully accepted. Or just buy us a beer.

 

FRIDAY, MAY 15, 7 to 10 p.m.

STEVE BROOKS with Guest TBA

NEW WORLD DELI

4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe), 451-7170

www.newworlddeli.com

 

SATURDAY, MAY 16, noon to 5
O.HENRY PUN-OFF
O.Henry Museum
409 East 5th St. @ Neches
Bring lawn chair, blanket, sunscreen and sense of humor
www.punpunpun.com

 


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#299 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Mon Apr 27, 2009 6:00 pm
Subject: Plugging in Again at the New World Deli, Starting Friday with Big Five-O Birthday Show 		guitarfrog59
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I'm Deli-ted to report that I'm officially returning to a regular weekly gig at the New World Deli, a decade after Hyde Park Unplugged pulled its last plug. Starting in May, I'll be playing every Friday night, and each week will be a different show. That's because my format will be to have one musical guest each week. We'll jam and swap songs, and you'll get to hear some of the best songwriters and performers in town, up close and off-the-cuff.

 

I'm kicking things off this Friday, May 1, with a show to celebrate The Big Five-O. No, I'm not talking Hawaii (cue The Ventures). I'll be hitting the half-century mark on May 2, and Friday's show will be a musical retrospective of the first fifty. I'll be playing autobiographical songs and telling the stories behind them. I'll also be playing some songs from my heroes, folks like Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson and Al Grierson, that have had a big influence on me and my songwriting. If time permits, I hope to have some drop-in performances by friends I've written and played with over my years in Austin.

 

The following Friday, May 8, I'll kick off my guests with my old friend and fellow Pun-Off emcee Joel McColl. Joel's band, Midlife Crisis, will also be playing at the Deli one Friday a month, when I'm out of town. From there, I'll be heading north to my first show of the year at B.B. Rover's. See you out and about, on the far side of fifty.

 

Onward, through the Frogs,

Steve

 

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 7 to 10 p.m.

THE BIG FIVE-O

STEVE BROOKS

NEW WORLD DELI

4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe), 451-7170

www.newworlddeli.com

 

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 7 to 10 p.m.

STEVE BROOKS with JOEL MCCOLL

NEW WORLD DELI

 

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 9 to Midnight

STEVE BROOKS w guest TBA

B.B. ROVER'S PUB

12636 Research Blvd., 335-9504

Don't let the address fool you. Rover's faces Jollyville Rd., just north of Kerbey Lane Cafe and Krispy Kreme, next to the Mongolian BBQ

No cover. Tips gratefully accepted.

 

 


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#298 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Fri Apr 17, 2009 3:42 am
Subject: New World Deli Friday Update and more 		guitarfrog59
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The bad news is, my contest streak has been interrupted. No win at The Bakehouse last Monday, and "Austin Found" was not selected as one of the five finalists for Austin's theme song. But big thanks to the folks who showed up to support me at The Bakehouse. The good news is, guitar master Jeff Tveraas will be joining me at the New World Deli this Friday night - and though you won't get to vote for "Austin Found" online, you'll get to hear it live. Along with killer Margaritas and the best Reubens in town. You can also hear it next Wednesday at Mesa Ranch, where they promise that the gig will actually happen.
 
Steve
 
 
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 7 to 10 p.m.
STEVE BROOKS w JEFF TVERAAS
NEW WORLD DELI
4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe)
451-7170
 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Happy Hour show)

STEVE BROOKS

MESA RANCH SOUTH @ THE CLARION INN

2200 S I H 35, 916-8787

www.mesaranchaustin .com

Directions: From I-35, exit at Oltorf and head West on Oltorf. Once you cross I-35, take a immediate right onto Live Oak. Mesa Ranch is on your right, next to the hotel. If youʼre coming East on Oltorf, take the last left turn before you hit I-35, which puts you on Live Oak.


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#297 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:16 am
Subject: Late-Breaking Contest News - Cheer Me On Monday Night at The Bakehouse, Manchaca Road! 		guitarfrog59
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Howdy, South Austin Friends & Fans,
 
Besides winning in La Grange a couple of weeks ago, I tried out a homegrown contest just around the corner from my house. The Bakehouse, at 5404 Manchaca Road (between Ben White & stassey) has been having "South Austin Idle," a songwriting version of poetry slam. It's organized by Steve Power, who's a fine songwriter in his own right. Every Monday night, ten performers face off, with the winner selected by a vote from the audience. The night I tried, I came in second. That pleasantly surprised me, since I was 20 years older than most of the other contestants, and the only contestant playing country material and not wearing black. What surprised me even more was getting a gift certificate for a meal, which is better than some real gigs I've played in Austin.
 
Turns out my performance was good enough to get me into a Playoff, which will be held this Monday, April 13, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. The prizes are 25 hours of free studio time and a dozen sets of strings, and a paying gig at The Bakehouse. So if you're a free Bubba or Bubbette on Monday and would like to cheer me on (and vote for me), please drop on by. You can find out more about the contest at http://www.stevepower.us/southaustinsingersongwriterc.htm. The finals will also be webcast, so if you'd like to see them from the comfort of your computer room, tune in to www.liveonlocation.tv. You won't, however, be able to vote.
 
BTW, my heartiest apologies to anyone who came out to hear me at Mesa Ranch last Wednesday. I'm sorry to report that they double-booked the Happy Hour, and when I got there, another band was already playing. I'm informed by an apologetic owner that the guilty staffer is no longer doing the booking, so this mixup should not happen again when I next play there, April 22.
 
See You in Bubbaland,
Steve
 
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 7:30 to 10 p.m.
SOUTH AUSTIN IDLE PLAYOFFS
THE BAKEHOUSE, 5404 Manchaca Rd.
 
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 7 to 10 p.m.
STEVE BROOKS w special guest TBA
NEW WORLD DELI
4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe)
451-7170
 
 
 
 

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#296 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Mon Apr 6, 2009 5:14 pm
Subject: Mesa Ranch Happy Hour moves to Wednesday, New World Deli next week 		guitarfrog59
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It's been contest time the past few weeks. A couple of Sundays ago, I won a songwriter's shootout at the Bugle Boy in La Grange, tying for first place with Grace Pettis. It was a beauty and the beast kind of thing, and both of us advance to the finals on June 6. The next night, I was runner-up in a weekly contest at The Bakehouse on Manchaca Rd. This weekend, I entered a song in a contest for the Austin Convention and Visitor's Bureau - they're offering a $1000 prize for the best Austin theme song. I wrote a tune called "Austin Found" with Alton Rex, and we recorded a nice demo at Jeff Tveraas' studio in Oak Hill. If we make the top five, y'all will get a chance to listen and vote online. In the meantime, you can hear the newest song at one of the gigs below.
 
This month, I'm trying out Wednesday happy hours at Mesa Ranch, for a change of pace. My return to the New World Deli went so well that I'm playing another Friday this month, and may be starting a regular Friday night show there in May.
 
In other news, Chris Gage handed me the finished mixes for the album last week. Next steps are mastering, artwork, and finally, manufacturing. There's still time to pre-order and get thanked by name in the album credits, by clicking here. A big thanks to those of you who have supported this project already. I think you'll find the finished product worth the wait.
 
Peace through Music,
Steve 
 
 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Happy Hour show)

STEVE BROOKS

MESA RANCH SOUTH @ THE CLARION INN

2200 S I H 35, 916-8787

www.mesaranchaustin .com

Directions: From I-35, exit at Oltorf and head West on Oltorf. Once you cross I-35, take a immediate right onto Live Oak. Mesa Ranch is on your right, next to the hotel. If youʼre coming East on Oltorf, take the last left turn before you hit I-35, which puts you on Live Oak.

 

FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 7 to 10 p.m.
STEVE BROOKS w special guest TBA
NEW WORLD DELI
4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe)
451-7170
 

 

 


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#295 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Sat Mar 28, 2009 1:48 pm
Subject: Mesa Ranch Tuesday & Three Mile Island: 30 Years Later 		guitarfrog59
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First, the show:
 

TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Happy Hour show)

STEVE BROOKS

MESA RANCH SOUTH @ THE CLARION INN

2200 S I H 35, 916-8787

www.mesaranchaustin .com

Directions: From I-35, exit at Oltorf and head West on Oltorf. Once you cross I-35, take a immediate right onto Live Oak. Mesa Ranch is on your right, next to the hotel. If youʼre coming East on Oltorf, take the last left turn before you hit I-35, which puts you on Live Oak.

 

Next, the column. You can read it here, since the Statesman declined to run it this morning. It's about the anniversary of an event that changed the world - and my life. As Jim Hightower would say, it made me radio-active. You're welcome to forward it:

 

            It was a muggy spring morning in Pennsylvania, thirty years ago, when my mom jostled me awake.

            “They’re leaking uncontrolled radiation from Three Mile Island,” she said. “I think we’d better evacuate.”

            On the radio, a spokesman for General Public Utilities was insisting we were in no danger. The next moment, the Governor was advising pregnant women and preschool children to get out. I started packing.

            As we rolled through the woods and pastures of home, I was wondering whether I would ever see them again. It all looked normal, but we were fleeing poisons we could not see.

            On March 28, 1979, a stuck valve at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant leaked enough water to expose the uranium fuel rods and begin a meltdown. Up in the control room, no one was aware, until alarms started going off – so many that operators could make no sense of them. Two hours and 22 minutes into the accident, someone  closed another valve and stopped the leak. Sixty minutes more, and I would not be here to tell my story.

            One disaster was averted. Another one was just beginning – a disaster of democracy.

Within weeks, GPU announced plans to restart Three Mile Island Unit 1, a twin reactor untouched by the accident at Unit 2. No one asked Pennsylvanians for permission to risk our lives a second time. No one had to. Uncle Sam licensed nukes, and he pre-empted all state and local laws. Nuclear power was radiation without representation.

            It was also lemon socialism. Not only had the U.S. government paid for the R&D, but taxpayers would pick up most of the tab if one of the plants blew itself up. Under the Price-Anderson Act of 1957, a utility had to cover only the first $60 million of damages. Today, it’s $300 million.

            Several groups of citizens challenged the license for Unit 1. Against long odds, we delayed the restart for six years – with unwitting help from GPU, which found the reactor’s tubes riddled with pinhole leaks, like a car with a bad radiator.

            While we were buying time, local officials tried the ballot box. In 1982, two-thirds majorities in Dauphin, Cumberland and Lebanon Counties voted to keep Unit 1  closed. But thanks to pre-emption, the referendums were ignored.

One year after election day, I joined eight other activists to blockade the gates of the plant. A jury found us guilty of obstructing a public highway, but announced that we had convinced them that Three Mile Island should stay shut.

Unit 1 finally reopened in 1985. A year later, natives of the Ukraine were not so lucky as we had been. Seven years later, the cleanup of Unit 2 was pronounced complete.

            I consoled myself that we had lost the battle of Three Mile Island, but we had won the war. After the accident, no new order for an American nuclear plant was ever placed again.

            Until this decade. After a couple of generations, every bad idea comes back around, whether it’s invading small Asian countries or building nukes. Some of the same companies have profited from both, like Bechtel and KBR.

Thirty years later, the industry has new designs, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has streamlined the licensing process, so that no citizens can slow the steamroller. The sales pitch has changed. Instead of too-cheap-to-meter, it’s no-greenhouse-gases. One thing hasn’t changed. There’s still no permanent place to put the waste.

            But the biggest change in thirty years is that renewable energy has come of age. Wind turbines match or beat nukes in cost-per-kilowatt-hour, and solar prices are dropping. Conservation is cheaper still. Utilities are paying customers to insulate houses and buy better light bulbs instead of building new power plants.

            Today, I live in Austin, on the cutting edge of clean energy. City Council has voted down a new nuclear reactor – so far. But the nuclear industry counts on our memories being lethally short. In retelling those terrifying days of 1979 and their agonizing aftermath, I’m hoping we never forget Three Mile Island. I was there, and I will always remember.

 

Steve Brooks is an Austin musician and journalist, and former Assistant Director of the Three Mile Island Public Interest Resource Center.

 

 


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#294 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Tue Mar 17, 2009 1:58 am
Subject: St. Paddy's, Musicians Marching for Peace and more 		guitarfrog59
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Thanks to all who made my return to the New World Deli a night to remember and a night to reminisce. There will be more Deli shows upcoming. In the meantime, if you're looking for a show this week where you can actually find a chair, you can hear me two different evenings at Mesa Ranch. If you're looking to hoist a pint for St. Patrick's Day, I'll be singing some Irish favorites on Tuesday, alongside my usual Texas and South Austin fare. Saturday, I'll be backing up Paula Held on the Mesa stage.

 

In-between, on Saturday morning, I'll be joining the fourth annual Million Musicians March for Peace - marking the sixth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, and reminding our new president to make good on his promises to pull us out. Musicians - and fans - will gather in front of the State Capitol from noon to 1. At 1, we'll parade to City Hall, where a rally and concert will run from 1:45 to 4 p.m. I'm hoping Bill Oliver brings his portable PA in a shopping cart, so we can plug in and provide some rolling thunder through the streets of SXSW.

 

If you'd like to get a taste of last year's march, you can check out a video at http://instrumentsforpeace.org/blog/, where I'm performing "What Would Molly Do?"

 

Steve

 

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Happy Hour show)

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Happy Hour show)

STEVE BROOKS

MESA RANCH SOUTH @ THE CLARION INN

2200 S I H 35, 916-8787

www.mesaranchaustin .com

Directions: From I-35, exit at Oltorf and head West on Oltorf. Once you cross I-35, take a immediate right onto Live Oak. Mesa Ranch is on your right, next to the hotel. If youʼre coming East on Oltorf, take the last left turn

 

SATURDAY, MARCH 21

MILLION MUSICIANS MARCH FOR PEACE

Noon to 1 - State Capitol

1 to 1:45 - March to City Hall

1:45 to 4 - Rally and Concert at City Hall


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#293 From: "Steve Brooks" <steve@...>
Date: Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:54 am
Subject: New World Deli Friday and More 		guitarfrog59
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When it rains, it pours - there are some words we haven't heard in these parts for awhile. I'm looking forward to Friday's what-goes-around-comes-around return to the New World Deli in Hyde Park, and to chowing down on one of their big fat Reubens. Then I have some more casual shows down South. Here's the skinny, even though I won't be.
 
Steve
 
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 7 to 10 p.m.
STEVE BROOKS w PAULA HELD
NEW WORLD DELI
4101 Guadalupe (Corner of 41st of Guadalupe)
451-7170
 
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 11 a.m. to Noon

STEVE BROOKS

Sunset Valley Farmer's Market

Saturday, Aug. 4, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Toney Burger Center

3200 Jones Road

on 290 West between Brodie Lane and Westgate Blvd in Sunset Valley, Texas.

 

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Happy Hour show)

STEVE BROOKS

MESA RANCH SOUTH @ THE CLARION INN

2200 S I H 35, 916-8787

www.mesaranchaustin .com

Directions: From I-35, exit at Oltorf and head West on Oltorf. Once you cross I-35, take a immediate right onto Live Oak. Mesa Ranch is on your right, next to the hotel. If youʼre coming East on Oltorf, take the last left turn before you hit I-35, which puts you on Live Oak.

 


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