William Wright: July 2009 Archives

A few years ago (ok, more than a few) I found myself in New Braunfels visiting friends at the River Road Ice House. It was a typical hot Hill Country summer and the refuge found in the air conditioning that afternoon was a welcome break.

As luck would have it - a friend of mine was playing acoustic that afternoon there and on stage with him was Drew Kennedy. I'd not gotten the chance to hear Drew before and was looking forward to hearing a new artist.

I walked away that afternoon with, what is still to this day, one of my all time favorite songs - "Cincinnati". I've had the opportunity to stay in touch with Drew over the years and was so happy to hear that he'd be playing in Galveston. As my luck would have it though, I'm out of town with work for the next 10 days and have to miss his show.

This is where you all come in.

I've spoken before of my love of the Old Quarter and of the importance of live music and supporting those that make it. Drew will be joined on stage tonight by Rodney Hayden, another fantastic Texas musician. I'd encourage each of you to take some time and go give them a listen. Aside from being a music nut, I'm excited to see artists returning to Galveston to apply their trade, be it on canvas or via guitar. Support for it is so important for our little corner of the world.

Before the show, swing by Molly's Irish Pub and say hi to my new roomie Kristi - an Austin transplant to the island and then after the show (Old Quarter shows end around midnight), head on over to Yaga's to check out another friends band Honeybrowne.

See - I've got your Friday night already planned. Just send me pictures please.

Although I couldnt find a version of Cincinnatti online, here's a clip of another of his songs.
 

This should prove to be a...hot...subject. Pun obviously intended.

As most of us know by now, the smoking ban has passed in Galveston for a January 1, 2010 debut. We IBC'ers are a good mix of smokers and non, in fact I think the non-smokers are the minority (not to point towards the 3 smokers in our lovely group of course). In various reports and word of mouth it looks like this is a very comprehensive ban and I wonder if it might be a little too comprehensive. I've read where it applies to patios connected to restaurants which seems really heavy handed to me. I can understand the need for people who do smoke to still want to be part of the social interaction.

I've never smoked. Growing up with a dad dealing with lung cancer scared the hell out of me to ever try them (side note - dad's great and had a full recovery). But it's never bothered me that others do. I might not agree with it but it's their business to smoke if they want. As a business owner though I've mulled over the personal / professional reasons for supporting or not supporting a ban. Ultimately, I believe it's the business owners right to decide what is in their best interests. Selfishly though, I couldn't be more ok with the ban. I don't know if it's so much for health reasons as it is for general comfort and enjoying not smelling like a cigarette when I go home.

I've not spoken with the other IBC'ers on this and look forward to their contributions to this conversation, as well as our readers. So all that being said - what do you all think about the ban?
 

For those that got to hear our second installment of the IBC Radio Hour on KGBC today, I was again asked to put together a few songs for the show. A task I always enjoy doing for anyone willing to put up with my music addiction. We didn't get the opportunity to talk about the songs this time though and part of the joy for me when we do this is finding music that is somehow tied to the island.

So for a little more "behind the scenes" info on the songs I selected...read on.

Gordon Calcotte & Don Lee - "Galveston

I know absolutely nothing about these two (that's a hell of a way to start this Will...) but feel that their version of this song is among the better recorded (and I'd dare say better than Campbell's). The song was actually written by Jimmy Webb who would write some of Campbell's top songs. This version is just a little more warbly and raw. Not quite as polished up as the Rhinestone Cowboy's.

Shameless plug for t-shirt sales. Buy our IBC tribute to Glen / Galveston t-shirt by clicking here!

Hayes Carll - "Hey Baby Where You Been"

My first trip to the Old Quarter was 5 years or so. I was on a trip to Crystal Beach and was taken into town to see the Acoustic Cafe. Hayes was playing that night but at the time was just getting going. A year later he played the Golden Light in Amarillo in support of his debut album and I was hooked. From his time living in Crystal Beach to his current status of being one of the leading songwriters going, he's never distanced himself from the Gulf Coast and especially Galveston and Bolivar.

John Evans - "Ride Away"

I'm admittedly a little new to John's music. We have very close mutual friends however I've not had the opportunity to see him perform until this past week with their show at the Old Quarter. I'm a huge fan of that place but every once in a while do enjoy seeing a bit more of a rock and roll show than acoustic / folk. John did a tremendous job of playing a very lively fun electric show in such a hallowed cafe. He's going to be back here in a few weeks playing at Woody's. I hope to see you all there.

Blaze Foley - Election Day

I first ran across this song on Lyle Lovett's "My Baby Don't Tolerate" album. It's wonderfully creepy and mysterious and I had no idea it was a cover. Blaze Foley's story is a big one and you internet sleuths will be able to find out plenty on him. Of note for me though is that John Prine, Merle Haggard and Lovett have covered his music and that is big stuff for a pretty unheard of songwriter. The man was exceptionally talented.

He also had a love affair with duct tape. It's worth researching to get the rest of that story.

What songs come to mind when you think of Galveston Island? For me the Grand Opera, Old Quarter, Yaga's are all big impacts of my musical experiences here. I'd love to know what music gets you all through the day.