2019 Concerts

January 5th, 2019 (7 PM) - Sad Daddy

Sad Daddy is the union of four Arkansas based musicians bringing their own unique styles and backgrounds together to create beautiful music. Sad Daddy is Brian Martin on guitar , Melissa Carper on bass, Joe Sundell on banjo , and Rebecca Patek on fiddle .

Don't be fooled by the banjo and fiddle, this is not bluegrass. In fact their music is difficult to fit into a category. It is certainly grounded in Americana, most of the songs are original compositions, and there is definitely an influence of traditional/Appalachian music. Bottom line, their music is their own unique blend of all of the above.

Sad Daddy played their first house concert ever at Sycamore Creek in 2011. We LOVE Sad Daddy and you will too! But don't take our word for it, watch these videos:

Mountainside

Don't Be Messin' with my Mojo

A.M.

February 16 (7 PM), 17 (2 PM) 2019 - Shake Russell & Michael Hearne

Shake Russell, Mike Roberts, Michael Hearne

Shake Russell and Michael Hearne first played at Sycamore Creek in 2014. The Saturday night concert filled up very quickly. We are anticipating the same demand and so we already scheduled two concerts:: Saturday, February 16 @ 7pm and Sunday, February 17 @ 2pm.

For more than three decades, Texas singer-songwriter Shake Russell has been entertaining audiences throughout the region with his unique, Americana style of folk-rock. A prolific songwriter, Shake has written or co-written hundreds of melodies. Through the years, Shake’s songs and albums have frequented the Billboard charts, including favorites “Deep in the West,” and “You’ve Got a Lover.”

Weaving sophisticated harmonies through his songs and drawing from various genres, Shake created a style of folk-rock that is uniquely his own. His repertoire consists of a blend of love songs, ballads, and waltzes, skillfully balanced with lively rockabilly tunes and soulful rhythm and blues pieces. His lyrics are imbued with beautiful imagery, catchy phrases, and inventive similes and metaphors. But it is the rich, melodious voice of Shake Russell that breathes life and spirit into the lyrics.

Shake teamed up with Michael Hearne several years ago when Michael moved to the Hill Country. How do you say "Acoustic Southwestern Americana Musical Guitar Genius" in just two words? Michael Hearne, that's how. Since the 1970s, this native Dallas Texan has strolled down a musical path inspired by the great folk and country singer-songwriters who typify and have characterized the Americana "roots" scene. He is a songwriter's songwriter, cut from the same cloth that propels an artist on a committed journey to experiencing life as a series of creative events and fulfillments. His New Mexico anthem, "New Mexico Rain," was recorded by his uncle and aunt, Bill and Bonnie Hearne, and country music legend Johnny Rodriguez.

We feel certain that all of you are familiar with these artists, but just in case you need to hear some samples of their incredible songwriting skills and musicianship, here are some YouTube samples:

Shake Russell - Deep in the West

Michael Hearne - Evergreen

Shake Russell - You've Got a Lover

Michael Hearne - New Mexico Rain

March 9th (7 PM), 10th (2 PM), 2019 (7 PM) - John Gorka

We are ecstatic to have John Gorka join us March 9th & 10th to help celebrate the 10th Anniversary of concerts at Sycamore Creek. We have been working with John’s booking agent for several years to bring this fabulous artist to Sycamore Creek and now it is happening.

Thomas first became aware of John Gorka in1984 when he saw him compete in the Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Competition, where he was selected as one of the 6 award winners. We never miss an opportunity to see him in concert.

John has toured with many of our favorite artists (Eliza Gilkyson, Nanci Griffith, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Cheryl Wheeler, Patty Larkin, and Cliff Eberhardt, just to name a few). In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine called him "the preeminent male singer-songwriter of what has been dubbed the New Folk Movement." His finely honed lyrics, skilled musicianship and unique sense of humor come together to make him one of the most entertaining artists touring today.

Here are a few links to YouTube videos of John's performances;

I Saw A Stranger With Your Hair

Jack's Crows

Tattooed

Let Them In

April 6th, 2019 (7 PM) - Jonathan Byrd and the Pickup Cowboy

“...a folk singer with the heart of a rock 'n' roll band.” — K. Oliver, Free Times

Jonathan Byrd and The Pickup Cowboys are musical gunslingers, vaudevillian hucksters, and old-fashioned tent revivalists. Between heartbreaking ballads and heart-lifting sing-alongs, the Cowboys entertain and get audiences involved in the show.

Byrd is a preacher's son, a Gulf War veteran, and an award-winning songwriter from Chapel Hill, NC, known for literary, outsider songs that have become campfire favorites. The Chicago Tribune called Byrd "one of the top 50 songwriters of the past 50 years."

Joined by Renaissance man Johnny Waken (The Pickup Cowboy) on guitar, saw, and mandolin, Byrd shares the often-missed, always poignant tales of the small people that make the world such a big place.

Jonathan Byrd, also known as JByrd, is a 2003 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Award Winner and the writer of one of my (Thomas') favorite songs of all times, "The Ballad of Larry" about a down and out veteran and a piano, but as it is with all of JByrd's songs, it is about so much more. The complexity of his songs is simply stunning. Combine his songwriting gifts with his skills on the guitar and then add The Pickup Cowboy and you better be ready for the ride. This is going to be one heck of a show.

Jonathan is a Kerrville favorite, and there is little doubt that this show will sell out in a VERY short time. If all these glowing compliments haven't convinced you that you want to attend this show, give a listen to "The Ballad of Larry" on YouTube (https://youtu.be/Le5ztJM0ikc) And if that doesn't convince you, go to his website and check out some of his other music.

May 4th, 2019 (7 PM) - Javier Chaparro and Salud

A native of Lima, Peru, Javier Chaparro began his formal study of violin at the National Conservatory in Lima. He has been with the Sinfonica Nacional in Lima, the Fine Arts Theatre Orchestra in Mexico City, the Austin Symphony and currently holds the post of Concert Master for the Brazos Valley Symphony. As a guest artist he has performed solo and chamber music recitals in United States, South America, and Europe. Over the years he has built quite an eclectic musical career performing Latin, Jazz, Gypsy, Pop and Country Western music as a band leader and a sideman.

Javier has been the featured artist in film and documentary soundtracks including The Alamo, Spy Kids, IMAX’s Ride Around The World, Loaves and Fishes and PBS’s Hansel Meith. Besides the love for his music and his family, he is an avid horseman and accomplished trainer.

That should be impressive enough for you to sign up immediately to see this incredible artist - BUT WAIT, there is more. Check out the folks who will be accompanying him;

Paul Glasse was lured to Austin Texas by his love of Texas Swing. He has been inducted into the Texas Swing Hall of Fame. He has won the International Mandolin Championship as well as a host of other kudos.

Mitch Watkins discovered the guitar at age 13. His musical journey has taken him down many stylistic pathways, and to the far corners of the globe. His rise came when his critically acclaimed jazz fusion group Passenger toured with Leonard Cohen.

Laura Mordecai spent her formative years playing drums in her father's Dixieland jazz band and percussion in pit orchestras for musical theatre. She has performed with Steve Miller Band, Beto and the Fairlanes, The Austin Pops Orchestra, Libby Kirkpatrick and others.

Pat Harris is the bassist for Salúd. He is also a multi-talented songwriter, and composer with musical roots in classical, jazz, and American traditions. Pat maintains an active and multi-genre performance schedule. Pat teaches at Concordia University and has numerous recordings of his original works.

September 21, 2019 (7 PM) - Beat Root Revival

Starting off the 2019/2020 concert season at Sycamore Creek, we are proud to present the high-energy, charismatic duo, Beat Root Revival, comprised of multi-instrumentalists Ben Jones from Kent, England and Belfast native, Andrea Magee. The duo has been taking American audiences by storm with their utterly original combination of folk, rock, country, and traditional Irish sounds.

Originally from England and Ireland, Ben Jones and Andrea Magee came to the USA 4 years ago like their ancestors before them, looking for a new life and to share their music far and wide. With just a guitar, a Bodhran and a hunger in their harmonies and songs, Austin, Texas became their adopted home and they have developed an ever-growing fan base gigging regularly while writing prolifically. In those few years, the band has garnered respect and attention wherever they traveled throughout the country due to their amazingly positive attitude.

Andrea and Ben keep a full touring schedule and in addition to their solo shows, they have been on multiple national and international tours with well-known performers. Just last month they toured with and opened for the actor/musician, Jeff Bridges, out in California and previously they toured and opened for Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, Jonathan Jackson from ABC’s Nashville series and the Grammy award winning Brian Setzer. As the opening act they elicited every bit as much crowd reaction as the headliner! You know that when that happens, something great is going on. With their unique sound, hypnotizing live presence, and astonishing work ethic, Beat Root Revival is unquestionably a band to have on your radar.We first saw them perform at the 2019 SXSW showcase we co-hosted with Paul Barker at El Mercado and were blown away!.

Whether it’s one of their own songs which have a lot of meaning and passion behind them or their unique covers of songs by other musicians such as The Beatles or Fleetwood Mac, we are sure you’ll enjoy their music. Take a listen to one of their new songs, “Up,” or to their version of the classic Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks song, “Dreams.”

There’s a lot more info about this duo at their website, www.beatrootrevival.com.

October 5th, 2019 (7 PM) - Danny Schmidt

Named to the Chicago Tribune's list of the "50 Most Significant Songwriters in the Last 50 Years," Austin, TX-based singer/songwriter Danny Schmidt has amassed a cult following for his poetic, poignant lyrics. With a craftsmanship and emotional depth drawing comparisons to Leonard Cohen and Townes Van Zandt, and with fantastical narratives reminiscent of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Salman Rushdie, Schmidt is considered a preeminent writer. Sing Out Magazine proclaimed that: "Schmidt is a force of nature: a blue moon, a hundred-year flood, an avalanche of a singer-songwriter. His songs are a flood of poetry, mythology, folk wisdom, and surprise. He is perhaps the best new songwriter we've heard in the last 15 years."

Performing solo most often, armed with just his voice, his acoustic guitar, and his acute insight and commentary, Schmidt’s an authentic timeless troubadour, one man sharing his truth in the form of songs, in unadorned and intimate fashion. The understated effect can be powerful. As songwriter Jeffrey Foucault put it: “Everything about the man is gentle, except for his capacity for insight, which is crushing.”

Danny just released his 10th album/cd - Standard Deviation. Quoting Danny, " I'm more proud of this album than any I've made previously, and I'm thrilled that I'm finally able to share it with you all."

Those of you who attend Fischer Fest, will recognize the festival anthem, "Company of Friends" https://youtu.be/NBhbsFTqXvE as a song written by Danny. Visit Danny's website to listen to more of his music. Don't be surprised if some special guests join Danny for this concert.

Danny Schmidt is one of our favorite performers. He is an awesome singer songwriter and a very skilled musician. On top of that, he and his wife Carrie are incredibly supportive of emerging songwriters AND they may have the cutest daughter on the planet.

And did we mention that Danny is a Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Award Winner?

November 2nd, 2019 (7 PM) - 2019 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Award Winners

Pictured top to bottom:

Daniel Neihoff (Paducah KY) - www.danielneihoff.com
D. B. Reilly (New York City, NY) - www.dbrielly.com
Lisa Bastoni (Northampton, MA) - www.lisabastoni.com
Scott Mulvahill (Nashville, TN) - Unable to participate in the tour due to previous commitments
Aaron Smith (Harrison, AR) - www.aaronsmithsongs.com
Liv Greene (Washington, DC) - www.facebook.com/livgreenemusic

Click on the links to their websites to hear a sample of their music.

Many people consider the Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Competition to be the soul of the Kerrville Folk Festival. Every year since 1972, songwriters have been invited to submit two songs to be considered for this prestigious competition. From the 800 submissions, 32 artists are invited to come to the Kerrville Folk Festival and perform their songs before an adoring and enthusiastic audience. A panel of professional touring singer songwriters selects six “award winners” from the 32. Each fall those six award winners are invited to participate in a tour of central Texas,

This year, 5 of the 6 award winners will join us at Sycamore Creek Concerts to share their incredible songs and musicianship.

December 7th, 2019 (7 PM) - Ruthie Foster

We LOVE Ruthie Foster, and we expect you do too, in fact we know you do by the number of inquiries that we have received regarding this concert.

She is the full package, an incredible songwriter, an AWESOME vocalist, and a musician extraordinaire!!!

A Grammy Nominee and a member of the Texas Music Hall of Fame, Ruthie tours internationally and is in high demand on the festival circuit. She is one of those artists requiring only her first name, RUTHIE!!

Gail and I have been trying to book Ruthie for several years. We are SO excited to share this magical evening with those of you who are fortunate enough to secure reservations.