Love that Rennie Hoochie Mama

It's been a great weekend. Friday, I had dinner with the folks. Yesterday, I jammed all day with Andrew and Michelle, working out songs for our next CD, Real Men Wear Kilts. Then last night, we had a killer Rennies Night Out.

It's amazing how well the RNO has come together. Last summer, Stacy was saying she wanted to meet some of the Texas Rennies. So we picked a date and started publicizing the first Rennies Night Out. I ran out of time, but next thing I know, Stacy is running the show with incredible results.

Last night, there were folks from Houston and Dallas as well as Austin, all gathered together at Ruta Maya Coffee House with a couple dozen other folks. Everyone was out talking, laughing, drinking, and having a grand ol'time. What a great community! Stacy was all aglow. I mean she pretty much brought this group together, and look what's happened since.

Well, aside from having fun chatting there was also some live music. I love listening to live music when I get off my arse and go find it. So this was a big treat for me. The first band there was some decent Alternative background music, but in general I didnt' get into it. But the band after them... OY!

The band was called the Texas Eastside Kings. They were a bunch of old black men playing good blues. Now, when I say "good", I mean non-contemporary Stevie Ray Vaughn junk (I'm not a fan of his style), but the stuff that makes ye groove... and dance... Mmm! Jeremy said it best, "how can you call it the blues when it makes you feel so good?"

But that's what it did. Straight from the heart. I had to buy the CD. Number one, to support the band and number two, cuz I dug the music. Well, I got a winner! Their self-titled CD, Texas Eastside Kings is awesome! Raw and packed full of bluesy tunes that make your heart sing.

Now what I find REALLY cool about the band though is what they have to say on the back of the CD. Basically, after WWII, Austin was one of the top places to go to listen to the Blues. Many of the Blues legends would come to East Austin and play in the clubs there. The guys on this CD were some of the folks who played back up for these Blues legends, and it shows in songs like "Hoochie Mama" and "You Hurt Me", plus many other great tracks on this CD.

Left Ruta Maya high with adrenaline, crashed late, and started recording more for Real Men Wear Kilts. Ahhh, sometimes I miss having leisurely weekends.