{Cypress,TX} – January 23, 2012 – WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding Marketplace, is excited to announce Third Floor Strings has been selected to receive the prestigious WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012 for Ceremony Music!
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We are happy to announce that Third Floor Strings is one of the very best Ceremony Musicians within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ for 2012.
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To learn more about the Bride’s Choice Awards™, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM OUR FRIENDS AT THE TEXAS MUSIC OFFICE:
Contact: Casey Monahan, Texas Music Office, Governor’s Office (512) 463-6666
For a list of all nominees, please visit: http://www.grammy.com/nominees
The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences 53rd Annual GRAMMY® Awards
For recordings released during the Eligibility Year September 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010.
Compiled by Casey Monahan, Stephen Ray, Amber LaFrance, Katelyn Orr, and Ambika Singh
Arcade Fire (The Woodlands)
-Album of the Year for The Suburbs (Merge)
-Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for Ready to Start (Merge)
-Best Alternative Music Album for The Suburbs (Merge)
ARS Lyrica Houston (Houston)
-Best Opera Recording for Hasse: Marc’ Antonio E Cleopatra (Dorian Sono Luminus)
Devendra Banhart (Houston)
-Best Recording Package for What Will We Be (with Jon Beasley) (Warner Bros.)
Joseph Banowetz (Denton)
-Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with Orchestra) for Kletzki: Piano Concerto In D Minor, Op. 22 (Naxos)
John Beasley (Denton)
-Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual of Group for Positootly! (Resonance)
Beyoncé (Houston)
-Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for Halo(Live) (Columbia/Music World Music)
-Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for Telephone (with Lady GaGa) (Streamline/KonLive/Cherrytree/Interscope)
Ryan Bingham (Austin)
-Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media for The Weary Kind with T Bone Burnett (New West)
Carol Burnett (San Antonio)
-Best Spoken Word Album for This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection (Random House Audio)
T Bone Burnett (Fort Worth)
-Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media for Crazy Heart (New West)
-Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media for The Weary Kind with Ryan Bingham (New West)
Guy Clark (Monahans)
-Best Contemporary Folk Album for Somedays the Song Writes You (Dualtone)
James Cotton (Austin)
-Best Traditional Blues Album for Giant (Alligator)
David Crowder Band (Waco)
-Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album for Church Music (Sparrow/Sixsteprecords)
Steve Earle (San Antonio)
-Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media for This City (Geffen)
Roky Erickson with Okkervil River (Austin)
-Best Album Notes for True Love Cast Out All Evil (ANTI-)
Patty Griffin (Austin)
-Best Traditional Gospel Album for Downtown Church (Credential Recordings)
El Güero Y Su Banda Centenario (San Antonio)
-Best Banda Album for Enamórate De Mí (A.R.C. Discos)
Grupo Fantasma (Austin)
-Best Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album for El Existential (Nat Geo Music)
Ty Herndon (Dallas)
-Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album for Journey On (FUNL Music)
Sara Hickman (Austin)
- Best Spoken Word Album for Children Healthy Food For Thought: Good Enough To Eat
(Hickman contributed two selections) (East Coast Recording Company)
Buddy Holly (Lubbock)
-Best Historical Album for Not Fade Away: The Complete Studio Recordings and More (Ume/Hip-O Select/Geffen)
Intocable (Zapata)
-Best Norteño Album for Classic (Sony Music Latin)
Israel Houghton (Houston)
-Best Gospel Performance for You Hold My World (Integrity Music)
-Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for Love God, Love People (Integrity Music)
Jewel (Stephenville)
-Best Female Country Vocal Performance for Satisfied (The Valory Music Company)
Norah Jones (Dallas)
-Best Female Vocal Pop Performance for Chasing Pirates (Blue Note)
Miranda Lambert (Lindale)
-Song of the Year for The House That Built Me (Columbia)
-Best Female Country Vocal Performance for The House That Built Me (Columbia)
-Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for Bad Angel (with Dierks Bentley and Jamey Johnson) (Capitol Records Nashville)
-Best Country Song for The House That Built Me (Columbia)
-Best Country Album for Revolution (Columbia)
Lecrae (Dallas)
-Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album for Rehab (Reach)
Little Joe Y La Familia (Temple)
-Best Tejano Album for Recuerdos (TDI)
Alan Lomax (Austin)
-Best Album Notes for Alan Lomax in Haiti: Recordings for the Library of Congress, 1936-1937 (Harte Recordings)
-Best Historical Album for Alan Lomax in Haiti: Recordings for the Library of Congress, 1936-1937 (Harte Recordings)
Johnny Mathis (Gilmer)
-Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for Let It Be Me: Mathis in Nashville (Columbia)
Juan P. Moreno (Houston)
-Best Tejano Album for Sabes Bien (Q-Vo)
Willie Nelson (Austin)
-Best Americana Album for Country Music (Rounder)
Pinetop Perkins (Austin)
-Best Traditional Blues Album for Joined at the Hip (with Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith) (Telarc)
Joe Posada (San Antonio)
-Best Tejano Album for In The Pocket (Baby Dude)
LeAnn Rimes (Dallas)
-Best Female Country Vocal Performance for Swingin (Curb)
Poncho Sanchez (Laredo)
-Best Latin Jazz Album for Psychedelic Blues (Concord Picante)
Sunny Sauceda Y Todo Eso (San Antonio)
-Best Tejano Album for Homenaje A Mi Padre (Solstice)
Allen Shamblin (Austin)
-Song of the Year for The House That Built Me with Tom Douglas (Columbia)
-Best Country Song for The House That Built Me with Tom Douglas (Columbia)
Esperanza Spalding (Austin)
-Best New Artist
George Strait (San Antonio)
-Best Country Song for The Breath You Take (MCA Nashville)
Chris Tomlin (Austin)
-Best Gospel Song for Our God (Sparrow)
Tortilla Factory (Austin)
-Best Tejano Album for Cookin (Tortilla)
Jimmie Vaughan (Austin)
-Best Traditional Blues Album for Plays Blues Ballads and Favorites (Shout! Factory)
Cedric Watson et Bijou Créole (San Felipe)
-Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album for Creole Moon: Live At The Blue Moon Saloon (Valcour)
Kirk Whalum (Houston)
-Best Pop Instrumental Album for Everything is Everything: The Music of Donny Hathaway (Rendezvous Music/Mack Avenue)
-Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for We’re Still Friends (with Musiq Soulchild) (Rendezvous Music/Mack Avenue)
-Best Gospel Performance for He’s Just Been That Good (with Lalah Hathaway) (Rendezvous Music/Mack Avenue)
-Best Gospel Song for It’s What I Do (with Lalah Hathaway) (Rendezvous Music/Mack Avenue)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Casey Monahan, Director
Texas Music Office, Governor’s Office
(512) 463-6666
music@governor.state.tx.us
http://EnjoyTexasMusic.com/
For more information about the Texas Chapter of the Grammys,
please visit http://www.grammy365.com/chapters/texas-chapter/
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE NOMINEES – YOU MAKE TEXAS MUSIC PROUD!!
Engineer Billy Hillman at HillTrax Recording Studio
Exceptional service (including help from experienced professional musicians with arrangement and writing input as well as professional advice on recording and mastering techniques from the Chief Engineer throughout the whole project) and customer satisfaction rank on the same level as affordability. The friendly people at HillTrax understand the needs of today’s musicians and their low overhead approach is geared towards an unparalleled return on your investment. They are able to help you through the whole process including writing, arranging, recording, mixing, mastering and reproduction of your finished project.
HillTrax Studio has recorded, mixed, mastered and released several projects (i.e. Bri Bagwell, Shane Barnhill, Neil Austin Imber, Micah Sims, etc.) and is looking forward to partnering with you on your next artistic endeavor. No matter how big or small your project, you can rest assured that you will get the ‘preferred’ treatment at HillTrax Studio.
Click here for more detailed information (incl. studio gear list).
Sweetgrass Talent is very excited to announce that Texas Country singer and real-life cowboy Todd Fritsch is scheduled to team up with Houston singer Dixie Trahan and the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra to perform the “Saddle Up” Concert at the magnificent Stafford Centre in Stafford, TX.
Saddle Up Concert Poster
Story courtesy of Nancy Mills of The Mills Agency:
What’s a cowboy concert without a real-life, genuine cowboy? The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra has thought of everything.
Although he won’t ride in on his horse, Todd Fritsch, a cattle-ranching cowboy and chart-topping country music singer-songwriter will perform at the Orchestra’s February 21 “Saddle Up” cowboy concert scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Stafford Centre. Also taking the stage is fellow Nashville recording artist Dixie Trahan.
Fritsch took his “Texas Talkin’” single to the top of the HotDisc charts in 2008 after finishing #1 on the same chart in 2007 with his fan favorite ballad “First Date For The Last Time.” Both songs are on his “Sawdust” CD. A popular performer at The Hideout at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™, Fritsch has opened for notables like Lee Ann Womack, Joe Nichols, Marty Stuart and Ronnie Milsap. He has also performed at the CMA Music Festival.
Although Fritsch is a relative newcomer to the country music scene, he’s an old hand when it comes to being a cowboy. Born and raised on his family’s ranch in Willow Springs, Texas, this down-to-earth, self-labeled “country-to-the-bone” cowboy is as comfortable riding and roping as he is in delivering his strong baritonelyrics under the big lights.
“I don’t ever want to leave ranchin’ behind,” says Fritsch. “It’s who I am; it’s what keeps me real and in touch. But I want the music, too. I’ve made some real good friends in Nashville who believe in me and the music that I make….five years from now I want to be playin’ in front of 50,000 people and be #1 on Billboard’s Country Chart.”
This marks the second time that Todd Fritsch and the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra have teamed up for an event and everybody involved seems very exciting about the upcoming re-union. Todd and his band will perform some of his fan favorites and a brand new song that will more than likely become his first single release of his upcoming new album.
“Returning to work with my friends of the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra is a real treat; we’ve had so much fun the first time around that I immediately jumped at the opportunity to do this again. Playing again at the Stafford Centre is also exciting as we had opened for Ronnie Milsap in 2007 at this outstanding venue. It just sounds so good ….” says Todd. “It will be the perfect kick-off for our Houston Rodeo season this year.”
Dixie Trahan (www.dixietrahan.com) has been singing for as long as she can remember. Growing up as a “preacher’s kid,” she was surrounded by talented musicians both inside and outside her family. When her dad decided to evangelize through music, she spent a year performing in Branson, Missouri with her family. At age 17, Trahan went solo and has traveled from Texas to Canada sharing her music with fans.
“Country music has just always been a constant for me,” says Trahan. “Something about a great country song…you just can’t help but sing along! ….This will be an awesome event ….. I have been to multiple events of the FBSO in the past and always wanted to work with them, now I get a chance to do just that and I am also looking forward to working with Todd…”, says Dixie during a recent interview.
In 2006, Trahan traveled to Nashville to record her self-titled debut album – a charming, yet polished collection of songs that showcase her vocal prowess. Most often compared vocally to Alison Krauss, Trahan has been carving out her own niche in the Texas music scene. She was one of six finalists in the 2009 Houston Press Music Awards “Country” category.
The backup band for both artists will be made up of professional musicians Billy Hillman (guitar), Joe DeLeon (drums & percussion), Kenneth Trahan (acoustic guitar, piano & harmony vocals) and Robert DiBlanco (electric bass, upright bass & harmony vocals). Sound Engineer Tim Weaver will ensure high fidelity sound quality throughout the performance.
Both artist’s current CD’s will be available for purchase during intermission and during Meet’n'Greet in the lobby after the concert.
In addition to songs by Fritsch and Trahan, FBSO’s February 21 “Saddle Up” cowboy concert features fun TV and movie songs that evoke the old West and give a nod to the cowboy culture. Tickets are $5 to $25 each and children 12 and under are free. Advance tickets may be purchased at www.fbso.org or by calling 281.276.9642. The Stafford Centre is located at 10505 Cash Rd in Stafford.
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When: February 21, 2010 at 02:00pm
Where: Stafford Centre, 10505 Cash Rd, Stafford TX
Tickets are $5 to $25 each and children 12 and under are free
For more information, please visit:
Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra – Web, Facebook
Todd Fritsch – Web, Facebook, MySpace
Dixie Trahan – Web, Facebook, MySpace
Once again, Todd Fritsch and his band will be performing at the beautiful and historic Sengelmann Hall in Schulenburg, Texas on Wednesday, October 25, 2009.
Besides a great selection of Todd’s past hits and cover songs, they will also be doing Todd’s brand new songs, an exciting selection of music recently recorded by Todd in Nashville. “Calls I Haven’t Made” and “In A Song” are ballads, “Love Never Goes Out Of Style” is a honky-tonk tune, and “My Kinda Crowd” is an up-tempo barn burner. (Make sure you vote for your favorite by clicking here!)
Get your Thanksgiving holiday started out right with a great night of dancing and music at Sengelmann Hall! Tickets are $10 and are available ahead of time by visiting the Sengelmann Hall website.
Date: Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Time: 9:00pm – 10:45pm
Location: Sengelmann Hall
Address: 531 North Main Street, Schulenburg, TX
To book Todd for your own special event, just contact us. We’ll be happy to provide you with more information.
Texas cowboy / singer Todd Fritsch has added some of the new material he recorded over the last couple of months in Nashville, TN to his live show set list.
“Calls I Haven’t Made” and “In A Song” are ballads that bring out the best in Todd’s voice and suit his vocal style very well. “Love Never Goes Out Of Style” is a honky-tonk tune that can compete with the best of them and “My Kinda Crowd” is an up-tempo barn burner guaranteed to be well received by Todd’s fans.
This selection of songs represents some of the new material Todd and his team of industry veterans have been working on during his recent visits to Nashville and are expected to be included on his forthcoming album release in 2010.
Sweetgrass Talent is pleased to announce the expansion of our roster with the addition of Frances Jurek, trumpeter. Frances’ crystal clear sound and attention to detail marks each of her performances, whether as a soloist, in a small ensemble, or in an orchestra. Frances has many years of performance experience, and has both her Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Masters Degree in Music. She has studied trumpet with John Harbaugh, Rachel Epley, and Dr. Karl Sievers, among others.
Besides her classical work, Frances also enjoys jazz, having performed around the United States at the University of North Texas Jazz Festival, Wichita Jazz Festival, Notre Dame Jazz Festival, and the Festival of the States in Washington, D.C. In addition, Frances performed with the Borealis Brass in Rome, Italy, as part of the Fondazione Adkins Chiti: Donne in Musica. She has achieved success as a private instructor, master class clinician, and performer. In addition to her solo and small ensemble work, Frances is a member of the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra. She performs regularly in and around the Greater Houston area.
For a special touch at your next event, why not call on Frances and her trumpet? You’ll be glad you did!
Sweetgrass Talent is pleased to announce the expansion of our roster with the addition of Cooper Wade, country singer and songwriter. Cooper’s ability to interact with a crowd is a testament to his years of performing in both the classical and popular worlds.
Cooper went to college on a percussion scholarship, earning a Bachelor’s Degree of Music in Percussion with a minor in Piano and Voice. He loves being on stage and is not afraid to incorporate a variety of instruments into his show. His most recent addition is a studio size marimba, which he introduced during a performance of Jimmy Buffet’s smash hit “Margaritaville” at Mo’s Place in Katy, Texas.
Cooper’s shows are high energy and encapsulate music from the more traditional side of country to the Texas music scene to his original compositions. His first-rate band, Unclaimed Freight, is made up of musicians who are capable of playing anything he throws at them, including the occasional rendition of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” to the delight of his youngest audience members.
Musicians, songwriters and record producers always wonder what the most important ‘ingredient’ to a hit song is – there are several different views on this topic.
One thing most people will agree on is the fact that well written lyrics play a huge part in the success of a song. A great melody and hook-line (a melodic “chunk” that is repeated throughout the whole song) are certainly considered key ingredients to a successful song on the pop charts. But at the end of the day the phenomenon known as ‘the groove’ will ultimately decide the fate of most popular songs (just ask any bass player or drummer).
Wikipedia defines groove as “… is the sense of propulsive rhythmic “feel” or sense of “swing” created by the interaction of the music played by a band’s rhythm section (drums, electric bass or double bass, guitar, and keyboards). The term is mainly used in the context of genres outside of Western art music, such as funk, rock music, power groove, fusion, and soul.
While some musicians have called the concept of “groove” a subjective and elusive notion, they acknowledge that the concept is well-understood by experienced musicians at a practical, intuitive level. Funk and Latin musicians refer to “groove” as the sense of being “in the pocket”, and jazz players refer to groove as the sense that a jam session is really “cooking” or “swinging.”
Musicologists and other scholars began to analyse the concept of “groove” in the 1990s. They have argued that a “groove” is an “understanding of rhythmic patterning” or “feel” and “an intuitive sense” of “a cycle in motion” that emerges from “carefully aligned concurrent rhythmic patterns” that sets in motion dancing or foot-tapping on the part of listeners. “ (Copyright by Wikipedia / excerpt from Wikipedia.com)
Although groove is very hard to explain, it is fairly easy to ‘feel’ whenever a band’s rhythm section is in it. A groove happens when the drummer and bass player , along with the rhythm guitar player and keyboard player (being the other two pieces of a typical popular band’s rhythm section) fall into rhythmic patterns that add up to one ‘undeniable feel’ that will make most audiences want to move (i.e. dance, snap their fingers, bop their heads, etc.). Although groove has been described as something individuals feel differently, the effect of a solid groove can be experienced when watching the audience’s reaction and movements at any good band’s performance.
Consider this: when you get closer to the stage of any open-air venue, what is the first thing that captures your attention? From a distance it is usually hard for anybody to make out the vocals or intricate facets of the lead players’ lines, but you will be able to hear the drums and bass hopefully creating the ‘groove’ that will draw your attention to the music. Coincidence? I don’t think so 
A good groove can make the difference between between a hit record and a regular song – just look at the liner notes in your record collection and you will find out that there are certain rhythm sections that could be considered ‘hit machines’ because of their undeniable grooves: in country music you can make the case for drummer Eddie Bayers Jr. and bassist Michael Rhodes being the No.1 team; reggae music featured Robbie Shakespeare and Sly Dunbar as their predominant groove machine; Motown music was heavily influenced by geniuses such as James Jamerson and Uriel Jones (The Funk Brothers); the Beatles were certainly blessed with the exceptional talents of bassist Paul McCartney and drummer Ringo Starr; rock music owes a lot to groove masters such as Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham or Toto’s Jeff Porcaro; popular music was heavily influenced by rhythm sections like Sting and Stewart Copeland; the Muscle Shoals Rhythm section has achieved worldwide recognition for their outstanding work – case in point, an awful lot of a song’s potential to be a hit is related to its potential to ‘groove’ or ‘swing’ and record producers all over the world have been paying close attention to this fact throughout the history of popular music.
The next time you listen to your favorite music, try to pay some attention to the rhythm section work to ‘detect’ the groove – it is a lot of fun and might give you a whole new appreciation for your favorite artist’s work.
Until next time, keep groovin’ -
Robert DiBlanco
Hector Aguero, Jr., Music Director - Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra
Auditions for the 2009-2010 Season are scheduled for August 22, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. To schedule an appointment time, please send an e-mail to Griff Miller II, the Director of Auditions, at audition@fbso.org or call 281-276-9642.
Immediate openings for non-paid vacant positions include:
* All String Sections (Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass)
* Principal Harp
Rehearsals are held every Tuesday evening at the First United Methodist Church , 3900 Lexington Boulevard , Missouri City , unless otherwise noted. Regular concert season performances are held at the Stafford Performing Arts Centre, with additional performances at Sugar Land Town Square and First United Methodist Church – Missouri City .
To learn more about the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra or to schedule an audition at any other time, please send an e-mail to the Director of Auditions at audition@fbso.org or call 281-276-9642.
The news just keeps getting sweeter for country singer/songwriter Dixie Trahan. One of six finalists who recently made the ballot for the annual Houston Press Music Awards in the “Country” category, she is living the dream that began when she was a child.
Growing up surrounded by top-notch musicians, Dixie and her family traveled around the United States and Canada, sharing their music with fans from coast to coast. They had a show in Branson, Missouri for a year, and Dixie was featured on several record albums, becoming a seasoned music industry veteran by the age of twenty.
In 2006, Dixie traveled to Nashville to record her self-titled debut album – a charming, yet polished collection of songs that showcase her vocal prowess. Most often compared vocally to Alison Krauss, Dixie has been carving out her own niche in the Texas music scene. She has been interviewed most recently for the Houston Chronicle and OnlyKaty. Besides her amazing voice, Dixie’s friendly, girl-next-door personality captivates everyone she meets.
When asked what her future holds, Dixie replies: “I’d love to have a mega-hit someday, who wouldn’t? But as long as I’m able to do what I love and love what I do, I’m a happy girl!”
To hear samples of Dixie’s music, please click here.
To book Dixie, please visit our contact us page.
To vote for Dixie in the Houston Press Music Awards, please click here.
Sweetgrass Talent is pleased to announce that Danielle Reich, jazz singer extraordinaire, has joined our family of fine artists. Danielle’s sultry voice is a welcome addition to the Sweetgrass family, extending our roster into the fascinating world of jazz.
Danielle has a degree in classical vocal performance from the University of Florida. This training shows in her performance technique – her phrasing, intonation, and enunciation are impeccable. She has worked with some of the finest jazz musicians in Houston, honing and perfecting her skills as she goes along. She is frequently described as having the “authentic sound of a 1930s and 40s era singer.”
Her songs include favorites made famous by Leonard Cohen (such as “Hallelujah” featuring Danielle with Erin Wright, guitar and Thomas Helton, bass), Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, and other American popular artists. She also loves French music and has incorporated songs by Jacques Brel and Edith Piaf to her set lists, in addition to a smattering of Spanish and Italian songs.
Danielle appears regularly at venues such as the King Biscuit Patio Cafe, Vintropolis Wine Bar, The Tasting Room Uptown Park, and Ouisie’s Table. Her group performs at other venues as well, including community events such as the First Saturday Arts Market. She was one of several Houston musicians featured on the Deborah Duncan show in August of 2008.
To read more about Danielle, please visit her artist page.
Houston born singer/songwriter Clay Farmer is no stranger to awards and accolades. He has been the recipient of the “ULTIMATE COUNTRY ACT” award of the Houston Press in 2006 and 2007. Releasing two studio albums (“Clay Farmer” and “Another Day”) and two live albums (“Live at the Armadillo Palace” Part 1 and 2) on his own Hobo Soul label have made him a force on the Houston music scene. Clay was also chosen to be one of the featured performers in a TV ad for the 100th birthday celebration of Blue Bell Creameries in Brenham TX. His music is a pleasing mix of Americana and traditional Country music influences and his sophisticated writing abilities have caught the ears of the music critics all over Texas.
Performing with a stellar band behind his very entertaining stage presence makes a Clay Farmer concert an event everybody will enjoy.
Clay has recently relocated to Colorado to explore additional avenues, but reassures everybody that he will still be back in Texas for some shows.
Now is your chance to find out! Héctor Agüero, Jr., Music Director for the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra, has agreed to let one of his conducting batons go to the highest bidder at the group’s upcoming concert and fundraising event on June 7, 2009 at the Stafford Centre. Mayor Leonard Scarcella of Stafford will be the celebrity guest auctioneer.
In addition to taking home the prized baton, the winner will receive a conducting mentoring lesson from Maestro Agüero. This lesson will help prepare the fledgling conductor for their debut as they conduct the “Star Spangled Banner” at the 2009-2010 Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra season opening concert.
Besides the conductor’s baton, there will be many other silent auction items including the chance to sit with Mayor Leonard Scarcella of Stafford in his box for a concert; a signed and game used jersey and bat from Carlos Lee of the Houston Astros; a guided bay and gulf fishing trip for four; and much more! For a complete listing of auction items, visit fbsoauction.blogspot.com
After the frenzy of bidding, sit back and enjoy the music of this country as Maestro Agüero and the Orchestra bring you works from some of the greatest American composers. Featured works will include “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin, “Fanfare for the Common Man” and “Simple Gifts” from “Appalachian Spring” by Aaron Copland, “First Essay for Orchestra” by Samuel Barber, and “Variations on a Southern Gospel Tune” by Monte Keene Pishny-Floyd.
Ticket prices range from $5 – $25 and may be purchased on the Symphony website or at the Stafford Centre box office on the day of the performance. The Stafford Centre is located at 10505 Cash Road in Stafford. For more information, visit www.fbso.org or call 281.276.9642.
You don’t have to go far to experience great symphonic music. Héctor Agüero, Jr. and the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra end this season with a myriad selection of the music of America. The concert will be held Sunday, June 7 at 2:00 p.m. at the Stafford Centre in Stafford, Texas.
Sit back and enjoy the music of this country as Maestro Agüero and the Orchestra bring you works from some of the greatest American composers. Featured works will include “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin, “Fanfare for the Common Man” and “Simple Gifts” from “Appalachian Spring” by Aaron Copland, “First Essay for Orchestra” by Samuel Barber, “Variations on a Southern Gospel Tune” by Monte Keene Pishny-Floyd, Composer-in-Residence, and more!
Pianist Stephen W. Jones will be the soloist for “Rhapsody in Blue”. Mr. Jones has performed extensively throughout the U.S. and has been on nationally broadcast radio and television programs including KUHF and KUHT. Although he recently completed his final season as the principle pianist for the Moores Opera Center, he will be performing in Mozart’s “Lucia Silla” and “Grapes of Wrath” with them this season.
In addition to great music, there will be an auction including several items, such as Héctor Agüero, Jr.’s baton and the opportunity to conduct the “Star Spangled Banner” at the 2009-2010 season opener; the chance to sit with Mayor Leonard Scarcella of Stafford in his box for a concert; a Carlos Lee signed and game used jersey and bat; and more! For a complete listing of auction items, visit fbsoauction.blogspot.com.
Ticket prices range from $5 – $25 and may be purchased on the Symphony website at http://www.fbso.org/ or at the Stafford Centre box office on the day of the performance. The Stafford Centre is located at 10505 Cash Road in Stafford.
Photo Credit: Melissa Webb
Sweetgrass Talent is pleased to announce that singer/songwriter Celeste Terrell has joined our family of fine artists. Celeste brings a special blend of soul, country, and rhythm & blues to our line-up.
Celeste is one of Houston’s premiere performing singer-songwriters. She combines a variety of material from her debut album “Live Your Dreams”
Celeste has played at such venues as: Bojangle’s Blues Bar in Seabrook, TX; Claudio’s Italian Restaurant and Piano Bar Kemah, TX; Sansone’s Houston, TX; JP Hops House Houston, TX; The Elegant Hogg Houston, TX; Mojo Risin’ Coffee House Houston, TX; The Last Concert Cafe Houston, TX; West Alabama Ice House Houston, TX and Blanco’s Houston, TX.
For a sampling of Celeste’s music, please visit her website at www.CelesteTerrell.com. We’re sure you’ll agree that this wonderful lady is one talented singer-songwriter!
Anyone who’s ever had a performance or played a gig in a dimly-lit concert hall or bar knows that it’s nearly impossible to see your music or read your charts without some form of light. We purchased a couple of these stand lights for ourselves and friends – and decided that this product should definitely go under our “groovy products” category.
For about $20, you can purchase this telescoping Mighty Bright Triple LED Music Stand Light
We also suggest looking into getting the Mighty Bright AC Adapter
If you decide to get one of these lights – or if you already have one – please let us know what you think. If you have other suggestions for “groovy products” that we should feature on this site, please contact us and let us know. We’d love to hear from you!
You’ve probably heard about Twitter in conversation or on the news – you may even already be using it yourself. If you’re not, you should definitely consider signing up. According to Nielsen Wire, Twitter grew from 475,000 unique visitors in February 2008 to 7 million in February 2009, a whopping increase of 1,382%!
So, what’s all the hype about?
Setting up a Twitter account takes about 5 minutes. All you need to do is come up with a username and password, then fill in your website address (if you have one), add a “bio” in 160 characters or less, choose your location and language, and presto – one Twitter account ready to go!
You can search for other Twitterers from your own address book, or do your own research to find those with similar interests. Here are a few online directories I’ve used to help find people on Twitter: Just Tweet It, WeFollow, and Twitter Grader. If one of your contacts isn’t already using Twitter, just wait a week or two – with the amazing growth rate of Twitter, they might have joined by then!
Tweets (much like status updates on Facebook and MySpace) are limited to 140 characters. Think of them as text messages. Not only does it take less time for you to SEND messages to your followers, but it also takes less time for you to READ messages.
Tweeters (users) can twitter via mobile phones – by web or text messages – and information is disseminated very quickly. Other Tweeters can retweet (forward) messages, which can help spread whatever message you are Tweeting.
Twitter is also light-hearted and fun. There is a whole different terminology and even the most serious minded people seem to crack a smile as they tweet about everything from tweetups to tweeple, creating their own twistory as they go along. For more Twitter terminology, click here.
One expert on the topic of social media is Sarah Evans. She authors a great blog about PR and social media called PRSarahEvans.com. You’ll find plenty of good information on her site, but to help you get started, I found these two excellent articles about Twitter: How to Build Your Twitter Community and How NOT to Build Your Twitter Community.
Now that you’ve got the tools to get started, go forth and twitter away… soon, you will find yourself part of an ever-growing community of tweeters creating your very own online twistory… Be sure to tweet us at twitter.com/SweetgrassMusic – we’d love to hear from you!
If you would like to read more about Twitter, here are a few books to check out:
- Twitter Power: How to Dominate Your Market One Tweet at a Time
by Joel Comm (foreword by Anthony Robbins)
- Twitter Revolution: How Social Media and Mobile Marketing is Changing the Way We Do Business & Market Online
by Warren Whitlock
- Twitter Tips, Tricks, and Tweets
by Paul McFedries (available May 11, 2009)
(P.S. If you’re STILL not sure if Twitter is for you, click here for a great article by Ariel Publicity explaining why musicians should use Twitter.)
Dixie Trahan will be performing this Sunday, April 5 from 11:00 a.m. until noon at the Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival. Known for her powerful vocals, this charming Southern songstress puts on an exciting performance that you won’t want to miss! Besides material from her self-titled debut album (listen to samples here), Dixie pays tribute to some of the greatest women of country music including Patsy Cline
The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival kicks off on Saturday, April 4 with a Floating Art Parade, showcasing artwork created by local businesses and organizations. For more information, visit www.woodlandsartsfestival.com .
Dixie Trahan packs a powerful punch with her amazing voice
Need a break from your everyday routine? If you’re looking for a great atmosphere, tasty food, and a top notch singer, look no further. Dixie Trahan will be appearing at Pappasito’s Cantina at 10409 I-10 W. at Sam Houston Tollway this Thursday, March 26 from 4:30 – 7:00 P.M. Backing Dixie will be her incredible band, made up of veteran musicians including Skeeter Trahan and Robert DiBlanco.
Dixie’s set list will include such popular songs as Jolene, Atlanta, Seven Year Ache, and Bubbly, as well as selections from her self-titled debut album like I Would Have Missed You, Miss Me, and Too Far Gone.
Come on out to Pappasito’s and enjoy the show – you won’t be disappointed!
