Steve's work has been recorded by artists like Kevin So, Emily Kaitz and Slaid Cleaves, who calls him, "A great unsung songwriter of Austin." He's had music in two films and appeared in two more, including the 2004 release "Barbecue: A Texas Love Story." Brooks is also a journalist in Austin. A master of words as well as music, he was featured on TV's "I've Got a Secret" as six-time World Pun Champion. He says that making puns is good for his writing. "Punning keeps my mind limber. No one should work with words unless they can also play with them ... Language is like Play-Doh," he muses. "I love to bend and shape it in new ways, and occasionally eat it when no one's looking." When he's not in a coffeehouse or a beer joint, you can catch him behind a pulpit, guest-preaching on topics like songwriting and spirituality. If there's a common thread to Steve's songs, it's that we can change the world when we look at it from a different angle - or from several angles at once. Steve puts it a bit more poetically, "A single new star rearranges a whole constellation." Lucky Boyd is one of those honest performers who bring a plethora of talents to his craft. His original songs and arrangements sprawl across a limitless expanse as wide as the Lone Star State, spinning diverse tales of broken hearts, American pride, feeling the blues, poking fun at life, or just rocking the night away at a roadhouse bar. His influences of southern rock, country, Gulf Coast blues, rootsy folk music and even gospel blend into his own unmistakable sound ("Texa-billy" per his manager) that has helped him garner a strong regional following. Lucky's talents are being noticed, and in a big way. The Lucky Boyd Band won two of six major awards at the 1999 Acoustic Jammy Awards in Houston, including Boyd being named Best Male Vocalist. The band was also a featured performer at Galveston's 2001 Mardi Gras - with Boyd penning Galveston's Official 2001 Mardi Gras song, "Houston, We Have A Party". In concert, Lucky Boyd will bring an audience to tears with a shimmering, delicate ballad, or his hilarious satirical outlooks on everyday life, then have them shouting and stomping along a minute later with a twangy, country-blues rocker. Lucky Boyd's music glides through the subconscious with the ease that your feet slide into a well-broken-in pair of snakeskin cowboy boots, leaving a satisfying feeling that lingers after the last chord has been played. As his name suggests, the only thing standing between Lucky Boyd and national recognition is a lucky break! Lucky and his wife Jinelle are also the founders of MyTexasMusic.com. Comedienne Marcy Rae, alias Sweet Mama Cotton, is so much more than simply funny; she is a talented musician, singer and songwriter, as well. Some of Marcy’s material is parody; she combines her blues talent with comedy in her performances. Marcy’s musical interests are diverse, but all these influences have combined to produce a musical approach that is inclusive of all forms of music. Her blues repertoire includes standards such as “Stormy Monday” and “Down Home Blues”, as well as classics from the jazz/blues era of Bessie Smith and Sippie Wallace. She also rocks out on Chuck Berry style tunes and some funky dance tunes like “Shaky Ground”. Her diverse background has expanded her repertoire to include classic standards, folk, rock, and country music as well as blues. Mixed in with the wide variety of cover material is a healthy dose of her original music. Since her professional debut as a musician, she has played on bills with Ray Campi and the Rebels, Jackson Browne, The Blasters, Blood Sweat and Tears, and Rose Maddox. Marcy also spent some time as keyboard player for The Drifters on a tour through the South. While living in Houston, Marcy has shared the stage with many of the Blues Legends of Texas, including Pete Mayes, Texas Johnny Brown, Trudy Lynn, Lavelle White, Jimmy “T-99” Nelson, Oscar Perry, Clarence Holliman, Carol Fran, Earl Gilliam, Grady Gaines, Trudy Lynn, Carolyn Blanchard, and Mark May. She has also been invited to perform with Bob Margolin and Pinetop Perkins on several occasions, and at the all-star jam band at the W.C. Handy Awards. Marcy Rae, aka Sweet Mama Cotton, presents a confident statement of affirming blues. As her “motto” states, Marcy plays “new Texas blues with respect for tradition”.
Showtime @ 9:00 pm
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May 11, 2007 - Friday
Texas Songwriter Showcase
Some of the best singer songwriters from around the state of Texas grace the JPHH stage on the second Friday of each month. The featured artists for this evening's showcase are Hank Woji and Saylor White. Hank Woji: This Jersey born singer songwriter has quietly been building a strong catalog of work and an avid following since his move from Manhattan to Houston. Hank's music draws compar-isons to Arlo Guthrie and Cat Stevens. He was recently a finalist in the 2007 South Florida Folk Festival Songwriting Contest and the Suwannee Springfest 2007 Songwriting Competition. His first CD, Medallion, released in 2005, combined elements of folk, blues, and rock with Brasilian, Cuban, African and Indian rhythms. Hank's new CD is scheduled for release in July 2007.
Saylor White: Saylor started writing his own music the first day he got a guitar. His songs are like the "black gold" that spews from the oil fields of his East Texas youth.He has written over two thousand songs in his thirty years of word crafting, including "Dress of Lace" recorded and performed by Nanci Griffith and Lyle Lovett. Saylor has recorded two CDs, That's Just The Way It Goes, an autobiographical account of his fromative years, and Graven Image, a collection of lifetime experiences.
Michael Pope: Co-founder and co-host of this showcase, Michael has been writing songs for a few years now. Many of his original's are open tuned, 5 finger picking, folk jazz instrumentals, but his lyrics are strong and reflect his life's experiences. Michael has one CD to his credit so far.
The Texas Songwriters' Showcase is the longest running showcase in Houston. These songwriters will take to the stage to entertain you with colossal musical talent and wide-ranging experience ... you will not be disappointed. Host Michael Pope
Showtime @ 9:00 pm
NO COVER