I feel like a ran a mini-marathon last night! There is a lot so I'll just get right to it.

I arrived in North Richland Hills around 6:30 for the (FREE) Sounds of Spring concert series featuring Fishing For Comets and South Austin Jug Band, just in time to see FFC set up and take the stage. This was my first time to see them as a band (I have seen Camille Cortinas sing at Cretia's on Thursday night's a couple of times before, and I've seen Cas Haley play with Woodbelly a handful of times before) and was very impressed. Their music fits very well together...it is well arranged and complements Camille's (2 time DOMA nominated Female Vocalist of the Year) voice perfectly. They are scheduled to play the Granada Theater coming up on Friday, June 9, 2006 (opening for Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez) and you can bet I won't miss it. The sun was beating down on the stage throughout the FFC set enough to send me to the Red Jak booth, where they were passing out their energy drinks (regular & the low-carb unleaded version) for free. For their finale, they were joined on stage by Jonathan Pearce on sax, who simply puts it down...fun show all around!

Next up was South Austin Jug Band, whom I knew almost entirely by reputation. They are truly talented instumentalists playing music that soothes a bluegrass traditionalist's soul. They played a nice mix of fast and slow songs that showcased both their prowess up and down the fingerboard and their song writing (I am a sucker for a well composed song, if you haven't noticed). I would have loved to stay for the entire show, but I really had no idea where I was in NRH and wasn't interested in driving around the metroplex looking for something familiar on a friday night (especially with what else was going on in the D), so I followed Sam Romero's car back towards Southlake...which I know a little better (but not much).

Everyone involved in the Sounds of Spring series is to be commended! They have put together a surprisingly top rate & fan friendly concert series with some heavy hitting names on stage. If you are in the Southlake/Grapevine/NRH etc area on a friday evening, (check their calander first) and then go check out some Texas music for free at Green Valley Park (that is truth in advertising...the park is beautiful)!

Back in Dallas, I went straight to Club Dada ($5 cover), where Chris Holt was sitting in with Hard Night's Day, thouroughly entertaining everyone in the place. I got to see the 3rd set which featured A Day In The Life, Come Together, Sexy Sadie and a special performence of the Abbey Road album in a minute by Chris Holt to kick off the set! What can I say about Hard Night's Day that hasnt already been said? They put on a really fun show and you already know and love the music!

Somewhere between 10:30 and 11:00, Boys Named Sue took the stage (by storm) and blew me away. Talk about personality! These guys have stage presence to spare...they played a country fried rock and roll that got the whole crowd moving. Country hasn't ever been my first love, but last night was awesome! They have lots of upcoming dates on their page here, so check them out and I'll see you there. I honestly wish I had been able to stay longer...but I had my 3rd venue and 5th band to see.

I arrived at the Green Elephant ($7 cover) around 11:45 pm, just in time to settle in before Groovin Ground took the (backyard) stage at midnight for their 2 hour set featuring excellence on keyboards, a lock-down rhythm section, a shredding electric guitar player, an extremely charismatic frontman and a helmet that was not of this world (I would try to describe it, but you would think I was a complete lunatic...look for the video soon). They had me up on my feet dancing around the picnic tables and bobbing my head when I rested my legs (8 hours after the marathan started...my dogs were BARKING! I got to meet most of the guys after their set, and they had a laptop on hand, so I was able to show them the pics/vids I got right on the spot. A really fun time if you like to jam out and dance at shows. They are scheduled to play the Lakewood Bar & Grill tonight with A Partial Freakout...check them out!

Tonight is just as bad (in the good way)...so many great linups all over town. I recommend any of the following (you can't go wrong with any of them):

Sons of Herman Hall

Liquid Lounge (Happy 21st Bop!)

Poor Davids Pub (Look for me at this one!)

Firewater Bar & Grill

Lakewood Bar & Grill

There are lots of other cool shows going on tonight too...check out the full listings page.

Have fun! Be safe! See you there!