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Kinky Friedman & Jesse Dayton warm up the crowd on a chilly night in Downtown Sulphur Springs!

 

 

 

 

Friday night, March 1st?  Some might say it’s kind of risky to plan an outside concert to be held on a downtown Courthouse Square in Sulphur Springs, Texas when it’s officially still WINTER!  Well, the way the weather patterns have been acting lately, the consensus was to take a chance, knowing it could have played out many different ways.  After all, it is Texas!  It was a little chilly, with highs around 50 and sunny for the afternoon. The winds died down at dusk, and the show went on as planned!  My estimates were numbers approaching 500, if you took into consideration those attending the VIP gathering at the soon to open Swamp Pots Restaurant, on the square across from the Hopkins County Veterans Memorial.  The entire downtown filled up nicely, with many folks patronizing the local restaurants before & after the performance by Kinky Friedman & Jesse Dayton.  They performed some great tunes, off their many CDs, including cuts from Kinky’s new release, Bi-Polar Tour!

 

Yes, a bit chilly, but well worth it to hear Kinky update everyone on what he’s been up to, both musically and politically.  When asked about autographs, Kinky responded by saying, “I’ll sign ANYTHING, except bad legislation!”  And, speaking of politics, rumors were leaked that Kinky may be running for the Texas Governor’s office once again.  We’ll keep you all posted as we learn more on this.  All in all, a wonderful event, so THANK YOU to all who showed their support by braving the colder temps!  There were even some strategically placed 55 gallon drums with fires of their own, as warming stations around Sulphur Springs newly renovated Downtown Courthouse Square, complete with their already famous see-through restroom facilities!  Kinky also brought plenty of his OWN brand of tequila to warm folks up—Man In Black.

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Janet Robin Rocks the House!!

How do you describe Janet Robin?  “Energized” is a word that comes to mind.  “Accomplished” is another good word, especially when describing her guitar playing!  Pure ENTERTAINMENT sums up the whole package, when you combine that energy with her room-illuminating smile & presence, singer/songwriting delivery, and awesome guitar-playing skills.  What a wonderful talent showed up in Winnsboro, Texas last night!!

Janet Robin hails from Los Angeles, California, and is very popular in Europe as well as the United States.  If you missed the show and would like to learn more, click the link and visit her website.  You may pre-order her next CD, to help bring it press, while checking out her impressive credentials and accomplishments!  In the meantime, check out a few pictures from last night’s Crossroads’ performance, compliments of Wildernest’s Jim Willis.

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Those in attendance were treated to an opening performance from Winnsboro’s own rising star–17 year old Tyler Lenius.  I, too, was invited to participate a few times during the evening, which was truly awesome!  Let’s find a way to bring Janet Robin back…I believe she enjoyed our down-home East Texas flavored hospitality!  Maybe a future Wildernest MusicFest?  Your comments are always welcome.  ~Gus Gustafson

What you need to know about Janet Robin

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Coming all the way from Los Angeles, California for the show…quick stop in Houston Friday night, then to Winnsboro on Saturday!

Check out Janet, shreddin’ it!!

Music audiences around the world have seen and heard Robin’s guitar work as a former touring member of the Lindsey Buckingham Band (Fleetwood Mac), Meredith Brooks Band and Air Supply. As a youngster, she was a student of Randy Rhoads.

Her abilities as a guitarist have garnered the admiration of many, including singer-songwriter Michelle Shocked, who called Robin “one of the best guitarists.” She has shared the stage recently with Monte Montgomery, Heart, Colin Hay and other artists.

Robin’s new album, “Everything Has Changed,” produced by John Carter Cash, was released on May 1, 2012, and she’ll have it with her when she comes to Winnsboro on February 16, 2013!!

Winnsboro’s own Tyler Lenius, the 17 year old up-and-coming guitar player/singer/songwriter, will be the opener for this show, so come on down and show your support…tickets available online, or call Gus @ 903-342-1854.

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Sponsorships sought!!

 

 

Sponsoring a Crossroads Music Concert event was never as appealing as it is right now!  www.CrossroadsMusicCompany.com

Here are some reasons:

  • Since the write-up in Southern Living Magazine 9 months ago, Crossroads website page-views have increased substantially
  • “Hits” broke the 100,000 mark, PER MONTH, from May 2012 on…
  • Crossroads Music Company is still the reigning Business of the Year for the Winnsboro Chamber of Commerce, until the next banquet announces its next winner.  We are also featured in this month’s Texas Highways Magazine, with a wonderful article capturing the essence of Winnsboro’s magic.  On top of all that, Crossroads has been inducted into the County Line Magazine’s HALL OF FAME, for winning “Best Live
  • To keep the excitement going, we’re re-inventing the website, and adding another reason to visit–the “Store,” which will offer tickets, merchandise, and music by the artists that performed on the Crossroads stage [that choose to participate].  This feature should be in place by February 2013.
  • Crossroads just celebrated its 7th Anniversary, with a show put on by Adler and Hearne [co-founders] a few weeks back…this event & SEVEN [the other December show] were both videotaped, and there will be plenty of footage posted.
  • Videos from past concerts will also be available in the Crossroads YouTube library, which is extremely valuable, since a sponsor’s stage banner will be visible for 3+ minutes while someone is viewing a live performance of a song performed on the Crossroads stage.
  • The new design for the website will feature one or two main banner ads on the top of the home page, with additional banner ads along the right-hand side

Sponsorship opportunities are as follows:

  • Louisiana Crossroads Band: www.crossroadsfans.net January 26th; $500
  • Global talent – Janet Robin; http://www.janetrobin.com  February 16th; $500 [taken]
  • Global talent – Kinky Friedman; http://www.kinkyfriedman.com March 1st; $1,000
  • Global talent – Emily Elbert; http://www.emilyelbert.com April 20th; $500
  • Slaid Cleaves – http://www.slaidcleaves.com/  June 22nd; $500
  • Other acts we’d like to bring back include, but not limited to, Billy Joe Shaver; Rhett Butler [playing at Bass Hall on January 25th];  Guy Clark, SEVEN, Terri Hendrix, Sara Hickman, Billy Joe Shaver, Wildernest Spring MusicFest, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Robin & the Bluebirds, Buddy Flett, Druha Trava, Jimmy LaFave, etc…

Sponsorship would include:

  • Consider triangulation, or dual sponsorship opportunities, by adding one or two related businesses to the mix for increased benefit.
  • Your banner [provided by you] hung on the stage, seen by patrons at the show, and included in videos & photos, many of which receive much exposure on the internet, including YouTube.
  • 30 day website banner ad–front and center on the Crossroads Home page– which would LINK to your website and be seen by thousands
  • Your logo, as a sponsor, on all the promotional posters, and a blurb in my email blasts, maybe promoting a special YOU may have going, etc…My email addresses are approaching the 2,000 mark, all of people that have signed up to receive, and actually OPEN and READ the emails.  Now that I’ve switched to Word Press for the website, and GOOGLE for the email management, I’ll have tracking results for you on all this.
  • We will also be able to determine how many people click on your link from the banner ad, and transfer over to your website, so the banner ad should most likely include some special…
  • Also included with your sponsorship package will be concert tickets for the event you are sponsoring.  The number will be determined when you signup for your sponsorship package.

Please let me know as soon as possible, since I need a sponsor in place for this month’s event, and will still honor a full 30-day banner ad.

Gus Gustafson

 

SEVEN’s Breakout Performance was STRONG!

Normally, I’ll blog about a great show within 48 hours or so, but this particular show needed a week to really reveal itself for what it was—UNBELUCKINFIEVABLE!  It has been the talk of East Texas, and all that TALK is quite positive!!

 We knew going in that we were going to be entertained by a group of seasoned professionals on the Crossroads Stage, and the hype & anticipation created an even higher level of excitement.  SEVEN brought all-original concert-level performance material, some of which was hard to contain within the four walls of the Winnsboro Center for the Arts building, but–for the most part–the sound was well balanced & the song presentation was very STRONG!  This whole experience was like having a full house of close friends, all gathered in support of their musical family, eager to be a part of the latest chapter in the lives of a handful of musicians whose bios read like a ‘who’s who’ in a Music’s Hall of Fame entry!  In fact, I’ve included the bios sheet, for those who have yet to read about the members of SEVEN.

SEVEN’s Bio sheet…IMPRESSIVE!

The band SEVEN–Opening Night [including a glimpse of Crossroads’ host, Gus]

 Common with ALL large performance productions, a few glitches are ironed out along the way, and—as the evening unfolds—MAGICAL MOMENTS show up!  This was true for SEVEN’s  historic launch as well.  The band broke the show into three pieces, transitioning  from the first to the second set with an “unplugged” acoustic grouping.  If you were paying attention, you could ‘feel’ the band gel with one another, and BAM! came the MAGIC!  The playful bantering between Ovid Stevens & Bubba Keith was unrehearsed, entertaining, and just right for the night…it was like having a group of celebrities performing a private concert in your own living room!  By the time they performed their future hit song, “Don’t Give Up,” the roof was about to LIFT OFF!  Stay tuned for some video clips, as I post to the Crossroads’ YouTube library [still transitioning all the components from one website to this new one].  Also, check back from time to time for SEVEN updates…we’ll be monitoring new developments and sharing them here!  If you’re not already signed up for email updates, please take time to register.  I do NOT share my list with ANYONE ELSE, and try to limit my email blasts to one a week. ~Gus

 

7th Anniversary Concert Hit the Spot!

Kate, Lynn, Lindy and Warren

Adler & Hearne, with Special guests Kate & Warren

Two very significant shows for December!  One has come and gone, but will NOT be forgotten–The 7th Anniversary of Crossroads Music Company & Listening Room!  Suffice it to say that they ALL continue to evolve & grow as musicians/singers/songwriters, and East Texas is fortunate to have access to this extremely talented family and their entertaining skills!  However, we get them less and less as the National touring dates increase in number.  This includes Warren Jackson Hearne & The Le Leek Electrique Band, and their touring, and NOW Kate Hearne increasing her appearances…rumor has it that during the Wildernest MusicFest in October, Kate & Vanessa Peters worked out some tour dates for EUROPE in the Spring!!!  Just plain KEWL, that’s all I can say about that!

I’ll have more to say about where Crossroads is heading, after I blog about the Historic SEVEN concert on December 29, 2012.  This is a show you do NOT want to miss.

Also, keep an eye aimed at the new Crossroads Music Company website.  January marks the opening of the Crossroads store, which will include available music from the performers that have taken the Crossroads’ stage over the last seven years.  There will also be merchandise for sale, and more concert ticket sales will be made available online as well.  2013 will hopefully see the remodeling of 204 Market Street, and maybe some extra cool Wildernest events!  ~Gus

 

December’s Historic Events!

Crossroads is planning to end 2012 with a BANG!!  It’s been fun being the Winnsboro Chamber of Commerce “Business of the Year” and we even took part in the Annual Christmas Parade!  Every year we have an anniversary show, and this year we’ve moved it to December 15th–Our 7th Anniversary Event featuring Adler & Hearne, with Warren Jackson Hearne & Kate Hearne.  It is quite fitting featuring Lynn Adler & Lindy Hearne, since they are the co-founders of Crossroads Music Company.

December 29th will be another historic event, featuring a brand new band–SEVEN–sure to gain GLOBAL attention once the world recognizes its members!  Fame is no stranger to these seasoned professionals, and you’ll just have to take the time to read the bios in order to confirm my rantings!!  Trust me, the list is TOO LONG to include in this shout-out!  I’ve listed the bios on the website, within their calendar event.

Two great shows, that make GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFTS!!  🙂

Ray Wylie Hubbard was FANTASTIC!

Winnsboro was hopping on a Saturday night, thanks to a visit from Texas legend Ray Wylie Hubbard.  Ray told stories and mixed in some of the old classic tunes with his newer compositions, performing to a very attentive crowd!  Dustin Welch warmed up the crowd, and is really evolving into his own style, with plenty of thought-provoking lyrics & solid guitar/banjo pickin…put it all together, and you end up with a full night of awesomeness!

Ray Wylie certainly put on a show!

Ray mentioned that in January, he’ll be performing on Late Night with David Letterman—stay tuned for the date, but I believe January 9th was mentioned.  Anyway, it certainly seemed like Winnsboro was the perfect place for Ray to be this evening, and we were Blessed with another wonderful performance!  Wife Judy was along on this trip, and she took some good pictures to document the night.  When she shares ’em with me, I’ll share them with YOU!  ~Gus

Remedy Stick Rocked the House!!

Richard shredded the guitar, while Owen kept the pace on drums, with Sparx on bass keeping everyone flowin’ all night long!!  Sparx is home-grown Winnsboro, returning to share with family & friends where his music has evolved.  All I can tell you is how tight these three were, as they performed a mixture of originals from the new CD, and covers that many musicians would not even attempt to tackle—Richard played “Black Magic Woman” with such style & precision, I liked it BETTER than when Carlos Santana performs it!!!

Gus joins in the fun with Sparx, at the beginning of the night, playing “Crossroads!”  Photo by: Michael Alford Photography.

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Sparx & Owen, keepin it TIGHT!

 

Anyway, Remedy Stick graciously presented two wonderful sets of music to an appreciative crowd, and gifted everyone with a copy of their debut CD–totally cool!! ~Gus

Remedy Stick CD release party!

Hi ALL!

What the email blast failed to mention was that the first 30 ticket holders get a complimentary CD…this will include those that are first through the door tomorrow night, or that purchased advance tickets via phone/credit card…

Hope to see you all tomorrow night!!