Live Music from the Highland Lakes

Live from the Highland Lakes!

Local venues attract top talent for live performances

By Connie Swinney

As Reckless Kelly launched their performance on April 9 on the Burnet square, resident Angela Moore and her family basked in the breathless thrill that comes with front row seats.

“When you’re outdoors, you can feel the music and go with it,” she said. “You can sway to the music. You can dance. It’s all good.” Moore served as co-chairwoman of Bluebonnet Festival organizers who invited the band to perform.

Down to Earth

“We knew we were going to get up close,” she added. “It’s an earth-moving experience.”

Like hundred of others around the outdoor stage, the Moores have followed the group, known for a rockin’ Red Dirt and Texas country sound, since their debut on the national stage in the 1990s.

“The two front men, Cody and Willy Braun, are from Idaho, and we’ve been following them since they moved to Austin,” she said. “My grandkids were up there singing. We teared up when Willy looked at my granddaugther and flicked the (guitar) pick to her.”

Outdoor concert performances have become a staple of the Hill Country with renowned and award-winning artists accepting invites to play venues off the big city path.

In the 1990s and 2000s, the likes of David Allen Coe, Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson, honky tonk legend Joe Ely and Jimmie Vaughan made it a point to rock the crowds under the stars in the parks and rural concert venues in the Highland Lakes.

“It’s small town. Like a lot of Texas music artists, they don’t sell themselves to the Devil like going to Nashville,” Moore explained of their accessibility. “They don’t have a big label telling them what to do.”

A Bit of Soul

One such artist who has succeeded in both worldwide and local stages is John Arthur Martinez. He is well known for his appearances and second place win in the first year of the nationally-syndicated Nashville Star. The show aired for six seasons on USA Network in the early 2000s.

Since then, the singer/songwriter has recorded several albums, including a studio album for Dualtone Records, which produced a single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

Martinez,who grew up in the Hill Country, has chosen to reside and perform close to home, along with international gigs, due to the local appeal and support from both residents and visitors.

“It’s the fans that have enabled me to make a living. This area is a draw for people just aesthetically,” Martinez said. “Fans plan their vacations to come here and some to come see our shows.”

When at home, Martinez performs regularly at Trailblazer Grille, 216 Main St. in Burnet.

“It’s nice to see the regulars who come support those shows on a weekly or monthly basis,” he said. “They know that I’m sharing a bit of my soul. When they react to it, it means I’ve connected to some experience they’ve had as well.”

Martinez and fellow singer/songwriter Pauline Reese perform at the venue the fourth Tuesday of the month. He and local musician Mike Blakely perform the second Thursday of each month.

Popular country musician Aaron Watson connected with an audience at Burnet’s Haley-Nelson Park during a live performance in 2017. Courtesy photo

“Those shows also lead to national and international (bookings). We’re still booked to go to Europe next year in May and June,” he said. “Performing locally is still an amazing experience.

“I surround myself with the most talented people available,” he added. “That’s the calibar of music we’re bringing to the stages here.”

Intimate Appeal

Brass Hall owner Norman Lucas shared insight that talented performers continue to accept invitations to perform live in small town venues not only for the fans but for their own search for “serenity.”

“They love the scenery for sure, without a doubt, the serenity of the area because you have a mixture of the hills, waterways, for sure small town charm,” Lucas said. “When you’re in a smaller setting, you’re actually listening and watching people sing your songs and watching how it

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emotionally affects them.”

The venue, known for an ecclectic mix of talent, is nestled in the heart of Marble Falls at 909 Third St.

“One of the cool parts of our venue is our shows are very intimate,” Lucas explained. “The average artist can fully engage their fans. In a bigger venue, you typically tune out your audience.”

Live performers through the years have included AJ Castillo, Slim Thug & Zro, Sub Dudes, Jon B, Stoney LaRue and Wade Bowen, attracting hundreds of fans.

“We started bringing in big acts in 2016,” he said. “What’s unique around here is it’s very diverse. Whether it’s metal, hard rock, country, hip hop, R&B, Tejano or Latin, there’s a huge fan base here.”

Audience experience as well as quality live performances have compelled musicians to appear and keep live music venues thriving.

“It’s embedded in a Texan’s DNA to love live music,” Lucas said. “The great part about live music is when you see an artist have a special moment up close. When they lose themselves, that’s what you’re going for.”

Brass Hall owner Norman Lucas posed with country music star Wade Bowen, who performed live at the venue, located in downtown Marble Falls. Courtesy photo

Proudly serving the Highland Lakes Area. It is our honor to be a part of these wonderful communities since 1908.

136 E. Washington • Burnet, TX 78611 • 512-756-2191 www.fsbburnet.com

The Highland Lakes Squadron, chartered in 1992, is a branch of the Commemorative Air Force which was founded in 1957. We are a working museum, dedicated to preserving vintage WWII aircraft. We are open to the public 3 days a week, and we can arrange field trips and special events; Donations are accepted to the cover costs of HLS CAF public events and provide educational experiences throughout the community. HIGHLAND LAKES MUSEUM HOURS: Wed. 1pm - 4pm • Sat. 10am - 4pm • Sun. 1pm - 4pm Located at the airport in Burnet Texas Highway 281 South, 2402 S. Water Street