No better jams

Than Jelly...at the Moontower in way south Austin, Texas, also known as Awesome, Texas.

A quick note about Moontower (http://www.moontowersaloon.com/).

Located just a block south of Slaughter Ln, on Manchaca Rd. The Moontower Saloon is a small little house with restrooms, a pool table, and a bar. Out back (or front as you come in off the road) is a huge covered deck with another bar. Next to the deck, and attached to the back of the house, is a modest little stage. We will talk about this momentarily. The yard area is ridiculous. Tons of seating, fire pits, horseshoes, corn hole, volleyball courts, and parking for days.

Now the stage...and the performers ... Jelly (http://www.jellyellington.com/). 

What is a conglomerate of amazing talent is stunning. With front man Johnathan Ellington doing things on guitar that is aurally electric and a voice that some how floats threw the air but cuts sweetly into your heart. Be damned if this bunch doesn't have some blistering talent.

The crowd stayed in some sort of daze during the first set. With just Johnathan "Jelly" on stage  doing it as an acoustic set with his percussionist/drummer.  It was subtle, but sweet. The crowd enjoyed it with applause and cheers...but the second set.

Full band, fiesty crowd, and some Sunday Funday rock-n-roll. With the crowd on their feet the mixture of covers done originally (Stone Temple Pilots) and originals done creatively was exactly what the thirsty, hot crowd needed and wanted. 

Listen to me... Go get Jelly and enjoy the jams!

Laters

Sunday, Bloody....Mary?

Kicking it at The Moontower Saloon (http://www.moontowersaloon.com/) in far, south Austin. For those who don't know it's like this.

First - It is 21 and up.

Second - Moontower Saloon is located just off of Slaughter Ln in south Austin, Texas. I think they even had themselves incorporated and renamed that spot of land Awesome, Texas! Whatever they call it, you should go visit. Visible from the road with a single long driveway leading into the venue/park/facility. There is ridiculously ample parking in several lots behind Moontower. You really never have to worry about parking, or leaving it overnight. The staff and management is very considerate when it comes down to the safety of all.

As for the bar/venue - It is a very small house with a moderate sized bar, restrooms, a few tables, and a pool table. Step out of the bar onto the gorgeous covered deck that has plenty of seating and another bar. Stepping out from the deck into the yard reveals a small, but nice stage, attached to the back of the bar and a HUGE seating area. Rows of tables, fire pits, and a satellite deck with more seating, flow outward. Farther away from the stage, moving away from the bar towards the street, you find a play area with games such as washers, corn hole, and horseshoes. There is also another nice pair of restrooms out there. Off to the side of the bar and behind the facility are a couple of very nice, sand volleyball courts. For all it is worth, this is your day drinking, fun with friends, night time, hang out spot to end them all!



On Sunday the 21 and up is lifted during the early afternoon hours. This is great for those that want to enjoy the company of friends and family in a social environment. Maybe watch some football...and maybe enjoy the amazing Bloody Mary bar! This thing was awesome!
Get your glass of Tito's and scoot up to extavagant, fix it any way you want it-season it-spice it-dress it-load it, Bloody Mary bar that can't be topped this side of Las Vegas! You have to see it to believe it.














Now, even though I was in awe of the Bloody Mary bar and enjoying myself with that, there was also music. Lucky for us the musical portion started around 4pm. Very important as kids are exiled at 6pm.










Carson Alexander (https://www.facebook.com/carson.alexander.16) and Jarrod Johnson (https://www.facebook.com/jarrodjohnsonmusic) provided the musical entertainment on this particularly beautiful Sunday afternoon. Now from what I understand, these two fellows are not actually a duet and they did not play as such, but their individual distinctiveness kept it fresh the whole time we listened.


Each would alternate singing a song and the other would play rhythm or solo. The different voices played well. Jarrod was definitely the more country of the two. Playing and singing more of the country that is loved and not the "Bro/pop" country that is haunting the radio. Carson, on the other hand, sounded like he had the full choir behind him with his harmonizer. Playing tunes that were a little more Americana, Carson had an edgier sound to him.

For everyone gathering around the fire pits, enjoying their drinks, it proved to be the perfect background music to an stellar day. The conversation flowed beautifully among strangers and the music kept everyone smiling.




Cheers to a Bloody Mary the next Sunday, and hope I see you there.


Laters

Open letter to Moontower

Moontower Saloon (https://www.moontowersaloon.com/) stands on the far south edge of Austin. Located in Awesome, Texas, Moontower has become the standard to which any other outdoor venue in Austin should strive to be. Not all can accommodate the sheer amount of acreage this place has, so it would be impossible for everyone to copy the Moontowers winning recipe. They should all try though.

It is a 21 and up venue, but I think there is a money way for them to optimize that crowd slightly, other outdoor venues are doing it with success. Something there for Moontower to learn from. The parking is ridiculously plentiful. There are sand volleyball courts off in the distance, but not to far from the bar. A snazzy little outhouse to keep you close to the action...without having to walk through the crazy packed, small little farmhouse that is the indoor bar. A H U G E covered patio with an outside bar. Food trailers on the perimeter along with some horse shoe and washer pits an the far backside of the seating area for the stage and socializing. 

The stage is a small fare that is attached to the indoor bars building. Big enough for a 4 piece and a tight fit for most anything else. The seating for the crowd out from the stage allows for a small area to dance, if the music moves you, and lots of seating. With picnic benches lined up THE RIGHT WAY to allow folks on both sides of the table to socialize and watch the bands. Fire pits are scattered around with seating around them to keep warm and be social as well. A large deck springs up just off of stage left and is private from the masses, but still right there in the mix. 

In all Moontower Saloon has hit on the formula for out door music, fun, and people!

This particular musical evening was an accidental beauty. I went to see the crowd pleaser Bobby Bookout and was blown away by the phenomenal Robert Johnsons Soul!











Dear Moontower Saloon,

I am sorry that you double booked this particular evening. I know and understand that shit happens. Bobby Bookout (http://www.bobbybookout.com/) is one of Austins young guns that is blowing people away with his song writing and singing ability. Nice to have someone this young be able to respect the blues this well and have a band that bad ass back him. Looking forward to his new album coming out in 2016.

Robert Johnson's Soul (http://www.rjsoul.com/) is the epitome of "WOW!" and "What the hell did I just experience?" His talent with a guitar should not be surprising looking at all. The talent that Austin has had and is still cultivating, shouldn't be surprising, but Robert Johnson is! His mix of the rock covers are electrifying and his talent to pull out that blues rock is inspiring. Can't wait to catch another set from him and his devil be damned band.

But Moontower...you DOUBLE BOOKED! Take it from me and make this a lesson learned...
HOORAY FOR YOU MOONTOWER SALOON! Your accidental eff up was joy to all in attendance. I know this because I listened to all around me. The old and the new.

The fans from far away and close by. Robert Johnson's Fans were thrilled to see him...and when they asked about Bobby Bookout, they stayed, appreciated, and enjoyed. They found something new. The fans of Bobby Bookout asked, "Who the hell is this?" Then they shut up and listened when Robert Johnson's Soul began to play. The found something new!

So how about it Moontower Saloon? The Moontower Music Series sounds like a bad ass deal to me. Maybe you should try this more often...except without pissing off the bands with this type of surprise. Two bands with similar styles. Split the 3 hours...(because if you ask them they will say they can do 3 hrs, they will say they want to, but give them the option of a shared bill with some other amazing talent to showcase themselves and gain a new fan base...now that is very appealing. This is what the fans of the Austin music scene would love! And at a place where it is comfortable and easy to stay for 4 hours or more....

If you listen you can hear us lining up.



Laters

The Coldfire was HOT

Another weekend in Austin, and no it was not a new place, but a great place. It may be a familiar setting, but there were new friends and always memories to be made. Moontower Saloon in far south Austin...now known as far south Awesome, Texas.

Moontower Saloon (http://www.moontowersaloon.com) is a 21 and up facility. Be prepared to show you ID's upon driving in, but the bartenders may ask as well. There is TONS of parking. There are beach volleyball courts. The indoor bar area has a pool table and some tables for seating and a couple of TVs. Outside on the covered patio there is another bar that provides service 360. There are several tables on the patio for seating and a side view of the stage that is attached to the back of the building.


Here is where it gets really cool. You step down from the patio and there is tons of room, rows of tables, fire pits, another deck area. There are some very swanky pot o potties towards the back along with some washer pits. There are some food trailers as well (cash only please). Trees, tress, and lots of big beautiful trees. There is plenty of grass to just enjoy, and when there is music, there is not really a bad spot at the Moontower.

As for music, my beautiful date and I managed to land on the Moontower during a performance of JT Coldfire. Oh My God this guy is hot. We came in during the last half of his first set. He was doing some rip roaring covers and doing some things with his guitar to make music that you have probably never seen anyone do before...live.









We settled in with some wonderful Lonestar Beers and proceeded to be knocked out of our boots. JT Coldfire was performing covers and doing them well. Doing them well is a sad understatement for the  jams JT threw down. If you are going to do covers, do them, do them well, and make them your own. And for the love of all that is good and evil in the world...DO NOT KARAOKE the damn cover song(s)!

JT Coldfire (http://www.jtcoldfire.com) definitely did not. I can't even name everything he did because he did everything. Rock, Country, oldies, goodies and everything in between. But the mash-ups he did with the covers was the heart of what I call some damn fine music to entertain for the evening. It was great to hear the crowd singing along to their respective favorites, people dancing and mixing it up where there was room, and everybody appreciating the deep voice and smoking hot guitar work of JT Coldfire.







I will throw in a side note here - The entire set and whole evening was so fun, that I will make my trip there to see JT Coldfire again. I will and take friends, and make him some new fans every chance I get. BUT... I have heard the originals (lucky enough to score a CD from the kindness of JT) and that is where JT Coldfire REALLY shines. Find him on the net, seek him out on stage, wither way...covers or originals, that is one hot Coldfire you will love!



Laters

yes..they are my photos dammit!

By the light of the Moontower

A couple blocks on the south side of the Slaughter Ln and Manchaca intersection, in Austin, Texas, there is a little ol' bar called the Moontower Saloon (http://moontowersaloon.com). Nestled among the trees, situated on a couple of acres with PLENTY of room to roam. Bring your dog, bring your friends, and bring on the good times, just don't bring the kids.

There are washer pits (poor mans horseshoes) and I suppose there might be horseshoe pits also, but I haven't paid attention. There is a bar outside, a bar inside, a couple of food trailers and ample amounts of seating in the form of picnic tables and benches. There is also a stage outside for music on any given long weekend. For the most part there is decent parking, but be prepared to pay a couple of bucks in one of the satellite lots behind the Moontower Saloon.

The bar staff is good and attentive and there is ample security for the overindulgent. I will state this in the most simple terms. DO NOT FUCK AROUND and get to soused, they will throw your ass out and I promise you the local law enforcement is and will be waiting. Bring a DD (and I don't mean your girlfriend) have know worries and have a great time.

The stage is just to the right of the bar, a fire pit for those cool Texas nights, and seating all around. This is a great spot to sit down and catch your favorite local band if you are lucky. If you are unlucky then you get to catch some great local talent anyway. It was a lucky night for me and a few friends as we drove up and parked there was a familiar sound rolling through the cool Texas evening air.


The rocking, blues sound of Bobby Bookout (http://www.bobbybookout.com). Whether you like rock, blues, or a hint of that Texas country sound, Bobby Bookout should be an audio destination for you. On this evening it seemed that there were more than a hundred folks hanging out and taking in that Austin sound. Bobby is in the middle of recording his second full length album and is very happy showcasing some of those tunes to an eager crowd. With some folks in the crowd that are military friends of Bobby's it is a wonder that the crowd thoroughly enjoyed songs like 'Guns Drawn' and the Johnny Cash sounding 'Home'. You really need to look up Bobby Bookout's web page, go to a show, and see what you can do to help support the creation of the new album and continue to support live, local Austin music.

Like the crowd on this cool Texas night, I left the Moontower, we all left happy. Bodies warm from the fires burning and our souls warm from some great music. Don't think ANYTHING will ever beat a great Texas night with some great Texas music. Stop into the Moontower and you tell me.

Laters