Matt Hillyer and Jordan Hendrix

Story and photos by Mary Jane Farmer.. Click on links below for more photos

It was Shiner Sunday again this past Sunday, (May 27, 2018) and fans packed Love & War in Texas’ outdoor stage. Dancers hit the (new concrete) dance floor, friends gathered together  to catch up on old-times and break bread (and steaks and  chips and lots of other goodies) together, and waiters and busboys scooted around making sure everybody had all that they needed.

Playing were (opening) Bryan Adam Joyner, who brought fiddler Dan Nix with him; followed by all six members of Eleven Hundred Springs: Matt Hillyer on lead vocals, Steve Berg on bass, Jordan Hendrix on fiddle, Chad Rueffer on Guitar Ray Austin on steel guitar, and Christian Dorn on drums. Filled that stage! What a sound they bring. It defies genres; it engulfs you, makes you smile and (like Rusty Wier sings), makes you wanna dance; it has a full splash of Americana alonside smooth southern vocals. Hillyer has that Willie Nelson-type voice, and by that I mean: when you hear Willie you know who you are listening to. Hillyer is that way. No matter the song, when it comes on the radio, you just know you are listening to Matt Hillyer. Distinguishable!

Bryan Adam Joyner

Bryan Adam Joyner has his own style, both in writing and in delivery. His songs are of life on life’s terms, and his voice adds a depth to the more despairing ones. “I cried when he died” about his dad, for example. He is a song warrior that other musicians go hear and pay attention to.

There were a few longer-than-necessary hugs as people bade goodbye to Melvis and Kerry Brooks, our friends from across the big pond. They flew out the next morning.

And it was so good to see Brett Dillon back in action, after almost a week in a hospital with dabs of surgery.

All right, I didn’t get any decent pix of  Steve Berg. Thought I did, but nada. Next time, July 28, Steve, when I see the band at Heritage Hall in Paris.

Next week, Shiner Sunday is bringing the Read Southall Band to Love & War in Texas, Plano. No word yet on who is opening.

For Eleven Hundred Springs photos, click here

For Bryan Adam Joyner photos, click here

Mike & The Moonpies

Photos and blog-style story by Mary Jane Farmer — For more photos, click on the links below.

It’s still being called “Shiner Sundays,” these 4 p.m. Sunday shows at Love & War in Texas. Shiner Beer is no longer involved, however; but it’s been known by that name since the very first one. Just be glad it’s not being called “Sunday Funday” like so many other venues are calling their Sunday events, musical or not.

May 20, it was Mike & The Moonpies, a classic original rock country jazzy band based out of Austin and traveling the U.S.A. and the World. If you check out their schedule, (mikeandthemoonpies.com) you’ll see they will be in France and Italy in August for music festivals. Meanwhile, they are popping up all over the states until and after then.

Opening was Grace Tyler, don’t know much about her except that she showed up on American Idol recently and that she has a dynamite, powerful voice, which is not overpowered by gyrations and on-stage antics. There is a powerful lead guitarist in her fairly new band, along with drums and bass, and together, they made good music, country and rock.

Sorry, I got no really good shots of guitarist Catlin Rutherford of the Moonpies. I’ll work harder on him next time. I think it’s because he played so fast that he stayed out of focus for my camera. Yeah, I like that, let’s put that ball Catlin’s court!

If I have a criticism, it is that the sound was way too loud. Not just for me, for all those around me. I managed for quite a while, but then had to leave. (My hearing doctor said “You don’t have much hearing left, don’t ruin what you have!) Today, heading down to hear Eleven Hundred Springs and have earplugs in my pocket already!

For Mike & The Moonpies photos, click here:

For Grace Tyler photos, click here: