Melvis, Merrol, and Kerry

It was old-home-week at One Eyed Jack Saturday night (9.8.12) with Merrol Ray & The Regulators taking the stage. Merrol, just in case you haven’t heard him, is among the primo guitar players in the universe, just to be conservative about it. Add Jacob Shipman on the second electric guitar, Jeremy Lee Key on bass, and Jason ”the beast” Thompson who could rock out by himself with style. The Regulators always bring an A-1 time to the audience.

Merrol said they have been working on several new songs, and they performed some of those, including a great cover of a Rev. Horton Heat, complete with the grim intended, and even some from as far back as Merrol’s original band “Miles From Nowhere.”

Old home week was the key of the night, with our friends from across the big pond, Melvis and Kerry Brooks, having made their way back to Texas. They have three weeks to absorb as much Texas music as they can, and will be taking back to England with them a few T-shirts and CDs. In Texas, they are wearing their cowboy boots, but said they don’t wear those in the U.K., it’s more of a costume over there, not the lifestyle statement we know so well in the Lone Star State.

Old home week brought Robby and Danielle White to the One Eyed Jack, too, Robby having a night off from his gig schedule. Cassidy and Rusty, Tammy, Raymond, Mona Sue, Rachel, Ginger, Ray — so many people who just enjoy getting together over some great music, a beer or soda, a pool table, and a dance floor.

Watch the Scene In Town live music calendar to keep up with who is coming to the One Eyed Jack next. They have live bands on Saturday and acoustic musicians on Thursday. Always remember, and never forget, those nights!

For some more photos, click here

Jeff Hopson

I’m going to reserve writing a full review on Jeff Hopson for the future, but for now, let me say that this man is making some waves in the Metroplex and Texoma. He jumped in at the last minute, when asked, and played at One Eyed Jack Saloon Thursday night (March 22)

Jeff is unashamedly an avid fan of Willie, Waylon, and the boys, i.e. country music from when country music was really country music. His writing, his blend of original and cover songs, and his delivery all reflect that admiration and the influences that the legends had on his life and his music. And Jeff’s voice carries all that the  songs and lyrics promise, with strength and emotion seldom heard in macho males’ voices.

Jeff is hosting an open mic series every Thursday night at Dawgs & Hawgs in McKinney, and will be playing there Saturday night (March 24) as part of the Three Fools On A Stool trio made up of him, Randy Gartman, and Kevin Clark. He also co-hosts an open mic on Tuesdays at the great little Richardson bar, Tavern on Main Street, with Ed McGory. Jeff shows up at other venues around the area, sitting in when asked and being a part of the appreciative audience otherwise, and has been part of several song-writing contests in the area.

I’ve already asked One Eyed Jack to bring him back. Treat yourself — check this unique singer/songwriter out, there or wherever you can catch him.

Meanwhile, next Thursday (March 29), One Eyed Jack will have Mark David Manders at the mic — another incredible performer. This Whitewright venue is also bringing the Pear Ratz to town Saturday (March 24) to celebrate the venue’s second anniversary.

For more photos of Jeff Hopson, click here:

John David Kent, 2009, at Loose Wheels Texas

John David Kent & The Dumb Angels (I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — they aren’t dumb at all, just angels!) have a song that’s climbing the Texas chart. It’s not new to those of us in the North Texas area, it having received a lot of airplay last year, but now it’s gone Texas. “My Girl” also took a top honor in 2010 on CMT’s Pure Country network as a pick of the week, voted by the public. It’s success inspired the band to again release “My Girl,” and now it’s spreading across Texas similar to wildfires across the prairies.

Now, JDK/TDA are on the move again. Since “My Girl” has been rereleased, John David has been busy touring the state and visiting radio stations, with remarkable progress. “My Girl” moved up to No. 34 on the Texas Music chart last week, and It will be interesting to see how much further it moves on up when the new chart comes out Monday (March 29).

John David, Jamey Gleaves, Jason Andrew, Michael Graska, and Tony Kent rocked, boogied, fiddled, drummed, guitared, pianoed, and otherwise countried the triangle stage at One Eyed Jack in Whitewright. It’s a friendly venue, packed to standing room only, even with the enclosed outdoor patio — totally perfect for this American band.

Jason is Whitewright born-and-bred, raised to play the fiddle bluegrass/gospel style by a grandfather, Louis Franklin, and a family of musicians. He and his Nashville-based, studio-favorite uncle, Larry Franklin, have hosted a fiddle contest in Whitewright for years. Since joining the Dumb Angels, his fiddle and stage styles have developed to totally blend with that of the rest of the band, swirling and whirling around with Jamey, John David, and Michael. Jamey and Michael have rock n’ roll in their blood, as does John David, having played together for years as leaders of the Dallas band Salute. John David was formerly with his Greenville High School friend, Ben Kweller in “Radish,” a band that toured the U.S. and made appearances on Letterman and Conan.

The D.A.’s have just completed a new album with a May 17 release date. The band played one of the new songs on this CD, “I Wanna Be,” a sweet ballad accented with beautiful cross-harmonies between Michael and John David.

John David Kent & The Dumb Angels are rooted in county music, geared toward true down-home values demonstrated in their earthy but lively rock-inspired arrangements.

Here’s links to pictures taken at One Eyed Jack (by Mary Jane Farmer), at KHYI (by Mark Bickham and Mary Jane Farmer), the official “My Girl” video, a video taken at Hank’s Texas Grill “Sweet Emotions” (by Mel and Dale Arnold, and to their own Website.

For more pictures, click here

Video:  “My Girl”

Video: “Sweet Emotion”

Website John David Kent

Story and pix by Mary Jane Farmer,   SceneInTown.com

Thursday night (Feb 10, 2011) at the One Eyed Jack club in Whitewright was just about like most other nights there — friendly, fun, with great music presented by two artists, and one sit-in.

Ed Burleson played about three hours of acoustic music, with The Will Callers’ Ryan Littrell sitting in on lead guitar.

Ed Burleson

Littrell had the night off, thanks to or curses on  North Texas’ extreme sleet and snow that seems to have usurped the area for the past two weeks. The Will Callers were to have opened for Reckless Kelly that night, but it was canceled due to the weather, leaving Littrell free to play with his old friend, Ed.

Burleson is one of those who keeps the country in country music, and does it with a flare unique, whether he’s playing solo, acoustic, or with his full band.

Sitting in on one song with Ed was Whitewright resident Jodi Beck, who belted out a mix of lead and harmonies both fun and fantastic.Crowds at the One Eyed Jack regular Thursday night acoustic sessions are always attentive, and so many use the time to catch up on their friends’ comings and goings — an alternative to Facebook — real time visiting (although some were still texting others around the room.). Ray and Ginger Miller host a place that combines a “at home in the living room with friends” feel with good music and friends you may not have met yet.

One Eyed Jack is on U.S. Highway 69, just north of the downtown area and south of Bells.

How about it, Jodi? Will you be there?

Ryan Littrell

Ed Burleson and Jodi Beck

Jason Andrew and James Bailey

The One-Eyed Jack family, that is.

There’s too many photos, but I couldn’t decide which ones to leave out, so, here goes.

Photos:

I walk into the One Eyed Jack, Whitewright’s number one and maybe only honky tonk, and walk into a roomful of hugs, smiles, good friends, friends I haven’t met yet, and good music. It ‘s that kind of place.

Thursday night was no exception. Jason Andrew, James Bailey, and Ryan Littrell were, well, it wasn’t exactly a song-swap in the traditional sense of the style, but more of an impromptu band, three incredible musicians there for a night of music and good times.. All of them were on vocals, with Jason on fiddle and switching to guitar and James and Ryan on guitar, also. Ryan played his guitar, lap-slide style for a couple of songs.

Can’t say much more than this. Go to the photos and the videos, which were  taken with a Flip, and so unfortunately the sound isn’t incredible. Sorry  ‘bout that, but they are great in showing just how much fun people were having. Enjoy and Merry Christmas.

Robert Earl Keen’s “Merry Christmas From The Family.” Birddog and James singing with help from Jodi and Kaitlin. And James Bailey singing “An Empty Glass.”