The new song is the first single off the upcoming album “Up Here In The Saddle” which is scheduled to be released in April 2012.

Shane Barnhill during a live show in December 2011

Texas Native Shane Barnhill grew up listening to his dad writing songs and playing guitar, so music has always been a part of his life. He began playing guitar when he was 9 and began his singing career at 14 when he performed at the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo. Shane’s love for the stage was instantaneous and to this day remains very obvious. His dedication and perseverance not only show in his music career but also in his work ethic as a paramedic/firefighter in his hometown.

At age 14, Shane wrote his first song, “Shattered Pieces” which was just a stepping stone for the many years of inspiration brought forth through the songs he has written since.

His first album, “Just Gettin’ Started” was recorded at Houston’s famous Sugar Hill Recording Studio and was released in April 2007. Shane’s popularity and reputation grew rapidly and he started doing more live shows. It was during one of those shows that Shane met Joe DeLeon, a drummer who had previously toured with Country Star Doug Supernaw. Shane took advantage of the opportunity to invite Joe and bass player Robert DiBlanco to join him on his regular gigs at local favorite hangout T-Bone Tom’s on Sunday nights. From there, he was introduced to seasoned fiddle player Todd Parsons and lead guitarist Chad Ware. Shane knew he had found his “Dream Team”.

His next album was recorded at HillTrax Studios in Huntsville, Texas, where he worked with owner Billy Hillman, one of the best guitar players in the business. Shane was also introduced to singer Dixie Trahan who recorded harmony vocals for his album. After hearing Dixie’s voice, Shane was convinced she was the perfect vocal match and they teamed up to record “Two Lovers in the Night” as a duet. The album also features Joe DeLeon, Robert DiBlanco, Allen Huff (keyboard player for Roger Creager and Doug Supernaw) and studio musicians Tim Crouch and Robbie Springfield.

“Outlaw Angels and Hill Country Nights” features 8 tracks showcasing Shane’s range from Traditional Country sounds all the way to Outlaw Country (“Turn It Up”) and was released on December 2, 2011 . The first single “Still Sexy” will be released to Texas Music Radio stations in early 2012.

Currently, you can download Shane’s music on CD Baby and iTunes. You can also hear his songs on ReverbNation, Facebook, Myspace, and YouTube.
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WeddingWire™, the nation’s leading marketplace serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 reviewed wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. WeddingWire also offers a comprehensive suite of online planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire is the only all-in-one marketing platform for businesses online and on-the-go. WeddingWire offers one simple solution to build a professional network, improve search visibility, manage social media and reach mobile consumers. Businesses that advertise with WeddingWire appear on WeddingWire.com, ProjectWedding.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Brides.com and Weddingbee.com.
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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).

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

Grofé (Ferdinand Rudolph von Grofé), a New York City native, came from several generations of musicians. His mother was a cellist and his father was a singer. Ferde played several instruments, ranging from brass to strings. This helped him immensely as an arranger for Whiteman. (Grofé was also assistant conductor and pianist for the group.)

He put the wide range of knowledge he gained into every one of his works. The Grand Canyon Suite, the most popular work of this ingenious colorist, was composed in 1931 (and premiered by Whiteman) after Grofé had travelled extensively in Arizona. This grandiose music inspired by his travels shows he was profoundly impressed by the Grand Canyon.

Each movement, “Sunrise,” “The Painted Desert,” “On the Trail,” “Sunset,” and “Cloudburst” features a unique orchestral color. Many orchestrator’s tricks Grofé used became standard fare for Hollywood movies, especially westerns. This music may sound familiar even if you’ve never heard it before: its offspring are in countless westerns. However, there is another place you might have heard it – remember Walt Disney’s True-Life Adventure series? In 1958, the most spectacular film of that series was produced: “Grand Canyon,” which combined Grofé’s “Grand Canyon Suite” with some of the most astonishing cinematography of that era! It was one of Disney’s biggest artistic triumphs, and still well-worth seeing.

As to the Grand Canyon itself, whether you have seen it or not, go to the National Park Service Grand Canyon website and on the right hand menu, go to “In Depth.” Next page, from the lower-left menu, choose “Photos,” and then choose General Photos of Grand Canyon. From there, you can take your own photographic tour of one of our most awesome national scenic treasures.

Click here to purchase the orchestral score of this exciting work.

To listen to this music, check out the recording below:

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.

“Gypsy” life is stereotyped as happy, free, and devil-may-care, but their history is one of the saddest of all. By about the year 400 they left northwest India in large numbers, migrating toward Europe by way of Persia (even then they were in demand for their music). Along the way, some of them established a short-lived, small kingdom, destroyed not long after it was established. After that, they were stateless, as they remain to this day. Around the year 1000 they came to Turkey, then Greece. They arrived in Europe in the 14th-century, and got to Hungary, often associated with their music, in the 15th century – in time to be blamed for the plague. Right up until the 19th century they were persecuted and murdered in one country after another; from England to Spain to Sweden, everywhere; male or female, they were accused of witchcraft, cannibalism, or general criminality, and burned or hung without trial. In Austro-Hungary in 1721, the Emperor, Karl VI, decreed that all Roma in his empire should be exterminated. As late as the early 19th century there were “Gypsy-hunts” in Germany. After Hitler came to power, the Roma (Gypsies) were more persecuted than the Jews. Very few of them survived the Nazi death-camps; Auschwitz was a grim summation of their history to that point. For a detailed look, check The Patrin Web Journal – Timeline of Romani (Gypsy) History online. The name “Gypsy” came from them being mistakenly called “Egyptians,” corrupted eventually to “Gypsy.” There were few bright spots, but one was Hungary, during and after the reign of Empress Maria Theresa of Hungary – she made laws favoring Gypsies. Within a few years, Gypsy music flourished in Hungary, and János Bihari (1764-1827) and his little orchestra made the music widely popular. It became known as Hungarian music, and was the music that inspired Liszt, Brahms, Johann Strauss, and many others to compose “Hungarian” Dances, Rhapsodies, and so forth. Not until Bartók’s and Zoltán Kodály’s (1882-1967) folk-song research did true Hungarian Magyar come to light, music quite different from the highly ornamented and florid Gypsy style upon which Ravel based his very beautiful and powerful Tzigane.

In Tzigane he captures the essence of Gypsy (Roma, Romani) culture and history. All of that pain and suffering as well as the joy of Gypsy freedom is poured into their music, every time a Gypsy violinist plays. However fast and joyful Gypsy music might seem to be, there is always a tinge of deep sadness, and the slow music cries out with passion. One finds all of this, the entire Gypsy gamut of emotion, style, and technical wizardry in the fantastic and difficult Tzigane of Ravel. Listen, relax, imagine yourself in front of a campfire – perhaps a fortune-teller is there…a dance begins…for a brief time, share the sadness, happiness, and passion of the Gypsy life…

For an excellent recording, check out:

“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.