STEAM Magazine South Texas Entertainment Art Music volume 3 issue 10 January 2015

If you're tired, you're not alone. A 2014 survey published in the medical journal BMJ found that 36 percent of people had experienced fatigue in the past week. Transient fatigue, mental or physical, is a normal reaction to overdoing. Maybe you stayed up late finishing a novel, or perhaps you've been working long hours, raising kids or exercising too hard. A number of lifestyle changes can relieve weariness and even reduce fatigue associated with some chronic conditions.

12 Energizing Habits 1. Listen to your body. Rather than trying to fight or ignore your fatigue, search for the natural remedy that's best for you.

Even though caffeine can temporarily enhance alertness, it won't correct the underlying problem.

2. Get enough sleep. More than 40 percent of American adults and teens fail to get a full night's sleep on weeknights, according to the National Sleep Foundation. While sleep needs vary, the average adult needs eight hours a night. Plan ample time to sleep and avoid sleep-hindering substances, including afternoon caffeine, and late-night alcohol, tobacco and other stimulants.

3. Say, “No.” This stress-survival skill can sometimes seem impossible, but do it anyway. Practice saying it in front of the mirror: “Thanks for asking, but that doesn't work for me.”

Excerpted from Mother Earth Living, a national magazine devoted to living wisely and living well. To read more articles from Mother Earth Living, please visit www.MotherEarthLiving.com or call (800) 340-5846 to subscribe. Copyright 2014 by Ogden Publications Inc.

4. Meditate. Done regularly, meditation has multiple benefits. Chief among them is the ability to reduce stress. Pranic meditation, a technique that uses breathing techniques and visualization, has been particularly effective at reducing fatigue and psychological stress, as well as improving sleep quality and quantity in breast cancer survivors. Studies show that mindfulnessbased stress reduction eases fatigue in healthy (but

speed limit, stressing out about it won't get you to your appointment any faster. Instead, appraise the situation. Is it that big of a deal? If your initial reaction was negative, can you rethink the situation? Accept what's already happened—ruminating only serves to perpetuate stress—and find ways to take responsibility and regain a reasonable sense of control. Tell yourself you can From Mother Earth Living, By Linda B. White handle what comes your way. These strategies are typically taught in cognitive behavioral therapy, which has proven effective at managing stress.

9. Balance social life and solitude. Loneliness is a risk factor for fatigue. However, the amount of socializing you need depends upon your personality. Socializing tends to recharge extroverts, while too many social events can be draining to introverts. Find the equilibrium at which you thrive.

10. Pamper yourself. Many of us put the demands of work, family and friends ahead of our own needs. We might even feel selfish when we take time for ourselves. In fact, self-nurturing can improve work and social relationships, as well as keep us functioning well. Each day, make time for a refreshing break. Curl up with a book, take a nap, soak in the bath or get a massage. stressed-out) individuals and those with chronic illnesses. For more on mindfulness, read Mindfulness 101: Live in the Present Moment.

5. Move your body. Moderate physical activity energizes, relieves stress and promotes nighttime sleep.

Even in the face of chronic illness, exercise has antifatigue effects—though it's a good idea to get medical clearance first. Studies support moderate aerobic exercise, resistance training, yoga, tai chi and qigong.

Start slowly and build over time. If you do too much too soon, you may feel sore, discouraged and weary.

6. Consider herbal allies. Herbs have long been used to cope with stress and fatigue. Studies indicate that both American and Asian ginseng combat fatigue in chronic conditions such as cancer. Research also supports rhodiola, eleuthero, cordyceps and schisandra. These adaptogenic herbs help us cope with stress and can help reduce fatigue. Find these herbs in capsule or tincture form at your health-food store.

7. Drink plenty of water. Dehydration also contributes to fatigue. Avoid soda and other sugar-sweetened drinks, which cause unhealthy blood sugar spikes and weight gain. Also keep alcohol intake to a minimum.

8. Think positively to reduce stress. Long-term physical and psychological stress can be exhausting.

If you've had the experience of doing the same task in both a calm state and a harried state, you know which one saps your energy faster. To reduce stress, change your attitude about a taxing situation. Viewing potential stressors as interesting, surmountable challenges can help, and learn to accept reality. If you're running late and stuck behind a car driving 10 miles below the

11. Prime your diet. Malnutrition— deficiencies of both macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals)— leads to fatigue. Maintain a varied whole foods diet to cover your nutritional needs.

Eating junk food, particularly sugar and refined carbohydrates, puts us on a bloodsugar roller coaster that ultimately robs us of energy. Also watch out for food intolerances and allergies, which can drain vitality; and don't skip meals—most notably, breakfast. *Energizing Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe (look for it on www.MotherEarthLiving.com) 12. Rule out illness. Call your physician if fatigue lingers longer than several weeks or interferes with your usual activities.

Causes of persistent fatigue include anemia, cancer, diabetes, depression, autoimmune disorders, sleep disorders, chronic infection, neurologic disease, heart and lung disease, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Our Advice: Relax with Yoga Restore energy with the simple yoga practice savasana. The translation of savasana from Sanskrit is “corpse pose,” which sounds morbid but is meant to suggest that we arise from this moment of disconnection feeling restored.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

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CONTENTS SOUTH TEXAS CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

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JEFF BRIDGES PHOTO BY DANNY CLINCH

JAN 2015 VOL. 3 ISS. 10 ART

MUSIC

3 A HAPPY & HEALTHY 2015

8 BOOK REVIEW

12 JEFF BRIDGES: FROM SCREEN TO STAGE

16 TROUBADOUR INSIGHTS

11 MARTIN MOLINA: BRIGHT COLORS & TWISTED NARRATIVES

ENTERTAINMENT

18 DANCEHALL SERIES: SCHROEDER HALL

ALWAYS IN STEAM

20 WRITER’S BLOCK

COMICS 6 CD REVIEWS 7 NEW MOVIES 8

9 ROBERT EARL KEEN: THE HAPPY PRISONER

18 LOCAL TUNES: CHRIS CARROLL TROUBLE & TIME

NEW CDS 8 QUICK READ 5

PUBLISHER RUSTY HICKS EDITOR TAMMA HICKS COMICS EDITOR ALLENE HICKS STAFF WRITERS RICK BOWEN, DALE MARTIN, TAMMA HICKS, JON-PAUL JONES CONTRIBUTING WRITERS J MICHAEL DOLAN, DEREK SIGNORE, ADAM DAWSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS ALLENE HICKS, RUSTY HICKS, JON-PAUL JONES, KEVIN MCDERMOTT TO ADVERTISE WITH US 361-904-4339 SALES@STEAMTX.COM SEE US ONLINE AT WWW.STEAMMAGAZINE.NET WANT YOUR CD, BOOK, OR SHOW REVIEWED? HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SUBMISSIONS@STEAMTX.COM

ALTERNATIVE WEEKLY NETWORK STEAM Magazine is published monthly by STEAM Magazine South Texas Entertainment Art Music in Corpus Christi, TX. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Views expressed within are solely the authors and not of STEAM Magazine. Typographical, photographic, and printing errors are unintentional and subject to correction. Please direct all inquiries to: submissions@steamtx.com

GLOW J. Michael Dolan (:21) Career success is not about having the right agent, the right manager, the right coach, or the right staff. What it’s really about is the extraordinary talent you have, stirring deep within. After that, it’s about your resolve to keep improving. After that, it’s about your tenacity to persist—day after day, year after year.

And after that you begin to glow...

It becomes about what you feel inside and letting it flow freely, with confidence; your songs, your script, your acting, your writing, your art, your great ideas, your vision for your business, and your big dreams for the future. And finally, after that, what matters most is a crazy burning desire to get your best work in front of as many people as possible...at any cost!

THE RIGHT TO SWEAT J. Michael Dolan (:13) Every single day we struggle to figure it out, effort to get it right, scrutinize the next step, analyze our next move, and risk everything to create something great from an idea or vision that’s stubbornly lodged between our Every man ears. The process itself is mentally gotta right to confronting, emotionally frusforge his own trating, and physically exhausting.

However it’s from the sweat of destiny. that exhaustion that our destiny is forged. Artists & treps are very —Bob Marley aware of this, and still they forge ahead, though it’s often difficult for others to understand.

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MISGUIDED

J. Michael Dolan (:13)

The life of an artist/trep is truly about self-motivation, self-discipline and self-reliance. Problem is, YOU are the worst person to consult when you’re deep inside the belly of the beast being devoured by doubt, and consumed with confusion. Amateurs are guided by their own self-righteousness, and insist they can handle it themselves. Pros know their limitations, and they're smart enough to know when to consult an advisor to help avoid occupational roadblocks, and sort things out during perplexing times.

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www.theawkwardyeti.com | www.lunarbaboon.com

Blues," with Gordon”Saxman” Jones quoting "Night Train” during the lonesome song. Harris weaves together Griot and Delta styles with his finger picking ostinato riff, mimicking the sound of an African Kora. Hook Herrera then joins him on harmonica for "J.Gilly Blues," a little ragtime tune about a rambling man. The band returns for the soul blues tale of deception -- "Tallahatchie" -- with Harris moving to gritty electric guitar. The title track aims to bring to light the tragedy of Fulton, a community in Richmond, VA that is older than the city itself. The Black town on the east end of the city endured for more than 300 years until its land was seized and the families living there were forcibly evicted.

Harris gives heartfelt readings of three classics. The first is the sinister Skip James tune "Devil Got My Woman," the playful "Catfish Blues," and "That Will Never Happen No More," a gem from pioneer of Piedmont blues Arthur “Blind” Blake. Harris does not mince words with his rebuke “House Negro Blues," and the sorrowful "Lynch Blues." For him and many others the scar of slavery remains an open wound.

WWW.COREY-HARRIS.COM

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CD

COREY HARRIS FULTON BLUES (DELUXE EDITION)

By Rick J Bowen, twitter.com/rickjbowen

Upon first listen to Corey Harris's music, you hear that his voice and guitar playing are not as flashy or as smooth as his contemporaries. But, as his music sinks in, you get a sense that this man has a deep intensity and genuinely lives and breathes the songs he is singing.

Denver-born Harris has been a globe-trotter, spending time in New Orleans and West Africa, searching for the roots of what he calls “True Blues.” His latest studio album, Fulton Blues, released in the spring of 2014, is an extension of his quest to refine the traditional blues formulas of Appalachian, Piedmont, and Delta blues styles, mixing them with modern themes and topical relevance.

The opening track features his full the band, The Rasta Blues Experience, on a Chicago-styled shuffle called "Crying

REVIEWS

GRAVEL ROAD EL SCUERPO (KNICK KNACK RECORDS)

By Rick J Bowen, twitter.com/rickjbowen

Seattle based Gravel Road learned many lessons in their five year apprenticeship with T Model Ford, chief among them being to play to one’s strength and seek out fine collaborators. The quartets album El Scuerpo, released November of 2014 once again finds them mining the caverns of the emerging genre that mixes the raw energy of garage and punk rock, the simplicity of delta blues with

RODNEY CROWELL TARPAPER SKY (NEW WEST RECORDS)

By Adam Dawson, www.thebrokenjukebox.com

Rodney Crowell does not need to write or record any more songs. If he simply stopped doing so, his legacy would still sit firmly among the upper echelon of songwriters in American history. Lucky for us he doesn’t feel the need to stop seemingly any time soon. Following last year’s Grammy winning duo album with EmmyLou Harris, Crowell released Tarpaper Sky. It never ceases to amaze me when someone who has been producing such great work for over three decades, continues to release records that do not seem forced or stagnant. Some of Rodney’s best work in my opinion has come long after his supposed peak in the 80’s. Albums like Fate’s Right Hand and The Outsider have shown that Crowell is still very much a master of his craft, and Tar-

a psychedelic seventies sonic known as Deep Blues. The nine tracks rest heavily on the shoulders of the stout rhythm section of Joe Johnson on bass and drummer Martin Reinsel who lay down dynamic entrancing grooves while the guitars push the envelope of compressed overdrive, mixed to perfection by audio genius Jack Endino at his Sound House studios in Seattle.

The opening track “Waiting For Nothing,” reveals slow burning tale of a lonesome man’s inner struggle. The groove gets swinging for the North Mississippi styled “Wolf On Down The Way,” and the heavy duty boogie “40 Miles.” The amazing Lisa Kekaula of the Bell Rays delivers a stirring performance as the first of two guest vocalist on the Junior Kimbrough gospel blues tune, “Lord Have Mercy.” Andrew Chapman leads the band through the sludge rock stomp fest “DD Amin,” and the eight minute epic “Asteroid,” testifies to the band’s first love of doom rock pioneers Black Sabbath. The jaunty “Flesh And Bone,” plays upon the popular fixation with zombies with marvelous tongue in cheek flair, and may qualify as the groovy new theme song for The Walking Dead.

WWW.GRAVELROADBLUES.COM

paper Sky is right in line with those records.

Rodney took the helm, producing this album, his first on New West Records and the sound ranges from straight country classic to Buddy Hollyesque throwback rock and roll. Being Rodney Crowell has its advantages when it comes time to have folks come sit in on a record, appearing on this one are the likes of Vince Gill, Ronnie McCoury, John Cowan, Will Kimbrough, Jerry Douglas, Fats Kaplin and many others. All of which add layers to the richness of the record.

Crowell’s lyrics and comforting vocal sound are still at the forefront of every track. On “Grandma Loved That Old Man” he offers a tribute to his grandparents in a way that paints them both in a good light while still acknowledging their human flaws. Later on the album, “Jesus Talk To Mama” offers a plea to Jesus, asking that the Lord reassure his mother that he will eventually be joining her in heaven. Crowell dips into the well of love songs for the tender hearted “I Wouldn’t Be Me Without You”, a straight forward declaration of undying adoration.

Tarpaper Sky does not have a bad song on it, which is exactly what we have all grown to expect from Rodney Crowell. I fully expect this album to find its way on to my top albums of 2014 as well as many other people’s list when the time comes. New West has scored again by signing a legend whose prime refuses to subside in any manner.

WWW.THEBROKENJUKEBOX.COM

JANUARY ALBUM RELEASES Tuesday January 6 Catfish And The Bottlemen The Balcony

BOOK REVIEW

Tuesday January 13 Blue and Gold Blue and Gold Dan Mangan + Blacksmith Club Meds David Bronson Questions Justin Townes Earle Absent Fathers Panda Bear Panda Bear Meets The Grim...

Adam Dawson, www.thebrokenjukebox.com

Todd Snider : I Never Met a Story I Didn’t Like If you have ever seen Todd Snider live, you are familiar with his story telling ability. Often on stage the banter between the songs is as entertaining as the songs themselves. After years of talking about it, Snider has now compiled a good number of these stories into his new book.

I Never Met a Story I Didn’t Like, is not really an autobiography, but rather a nonlinear collection of glimpses into Todd’s life, both in and out of the music business. The book reads in Todd’s on stage cadence and has the same comedic timing that he does during a live performance.

Some fans may think that because they have seen Todd live so many times they will not need to get this book and those people couldn’t be more wrong. Even the stories that appear in the pages of this book that I had previously heard him tell have a new life, including Todd admitting at times when he has embellished a story for the sake of

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the show. Classic Todd stories, from the time Garth Brooks nearly covered one of his songs, to the tales of Moondawg’s Tavern appear next to ones I’ve never heard before including Jimmy Buffett chucking fruit at Todd in anger.

The book is full of Todd’s encounters with his heroes over the last twenty years. While he has clearly taken a rightful place among them in the hierarchy of songwriters, when you read his accounts it is very obvious and endearing that he is still in awe of all of them. Making appearances in the book are the likes of Buffett, Prine, Kristofferson, Shaver and many more and Todd pulls no punches with any of them.

What allows Snider to be so honest about all of the people who appear in his tales is his willingness to do so when looking in the mirror.

Make no mistake, Todd has been no angel throughout the years and has even disappointed the aforementioned heroes, his friends, and

Dengue Fever Justin Townes Earle

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band mates along the way. He doesn’t try to hide from these facts either, but rather he owns his own missteps in a big way, which only adds to the authenticity of this book.

I’ve Never Met a Story I Didn’t Like is not an overly heavy read, in fact I finished it in one day, and neither is it a vanity project meant to draw attention to the greatness of the author. It is basically a chance for Todd to sit down and bullshit with all of his fans across the country all at once, and when you put it down you feel as though you may have been in a couple of these situations right alongside of him. I would highly recommend this one to anyone who likes to laugh and has an interest in any music not just Snider’s as well as to those of his that have been his fans for years.

IN THEATER’S THIS MONTH Thursday, January 1 The Gambler Friday, January 2 The Woman in Black 2 Angels of D...

[REC] 4: Apocalypse Friday, January 9 Selma Taken 3 Friday, January 16 The Wedding Ringer Paddington Blackhat American Sniper Friday, January 23 Strange Magic The Boy Next Door Mortdecai Black Sea

Drama

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STRANGE MAGIC ANIMATION/MUSICAL PG STARRING Kristen Chenoweth, Maya Rudolph, Alan Cumming STORYLINE A madcap fairy tale musical inspired by 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream.'

Popular songs from the past six decades help tell the tale of a colorful cast of goblins, elves, fairies and imps, and their hilarious misadventures sparked by the battle over a powerful potion.

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The Deepest Lake Absent Fathers

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Alex Calder Belle & Sebastian Derek Grant Disappears Fall Out Boy Hanni El Khatib Hidden In The Sun Joey Bada$$ Man Without Country Marilyn Manson Mikky Ekko Sick Feeling Siskiyou Sleater-Kinney The Decemberists The Sidekicks The Waterboys Viet Cong

Strange Dreams Girls In Peacetime Want To...

Breakdown Irreal American Beauty/American…

Moonlight Seven Seasons B4.DA.$$ Maximum Entrop The Pale Emperor Time Suburban Myth Nervous No Cities To Love What A Terrible World, What...

Runners In The Nerved World Modern Blues Viet Cong

Monday January 26 Cotillon Gaz Coombes The Phantom Band Xibalba

Cotillon Matador Fears Trending Tierra Y Libertad

Tuesday January 27 Corey Dargel Danny Kroha Doomtree Fifth Harmony Howlin Rain Jan St. Werner Mark Ronson Napalm Death No Spill Blood Pond The Dodos The Dø Ty Segall Venom Young Ejecta

OK It's Not OK Angels Watching Over Me All Hands Reflection Mansion Songs Miscontinuum Album Uptown Special Apex Predator - Easy Meat Heavy Electricity Man It Feels Like Space Again Individ Shake Shook Shaken Live in San Francisco From The Very Depths The Planet

category. I saw a show years ago about sleep and they did sleep tests on rats. They had the early riser rat, the night owl rat, and then this rat that couldn’t get a schedule and they called him the mutant rat. I said they got me, “the mutant rat”. But really you can’t sleep late in the music business; there is just too much stuff that you have to do. I have this horrible Cruella Deville of a mother-in-law who used to tell me that half the world wakes up at 6:30 and the other half at 7:00. So that’s what you have to do for interviews and whatnot, get up early. And if you’re doing TV? My goodness, you have to be there at like 4 o’clock in the morning!

did this song is Red Clay Ramblers and if they were around today they’d be a version of Mumford and Sons. They are a truly string band, had a whimsical musicality, and had an incredible writer Tommy Thompson.

The single we’re releasing first is Hot Corn, Cold Corn. We were having so much fun in the studio while we recorded this song and it holds the best memory I have of doing the album. We just laughed so hard, we were having such a good time.

Let me just say this: I think that all great records have a really great story and experience behind them. And I do think this is a great record; in fact, it may be the best record I’ve ever made. It holds together very well and I feel that this album brought together great people with lots of laughs and lots of good stories. It was a great musical experience!

STEAM I know that’s just ridiculous! Let’s talk about

STEAM

STEAM

Good morning! I hope I didn’t wake you; I know how some musicians are.

REK Good morning, well I don’t really fall into that

I have to tell you, I think that is just an awesome statement. I know there are a lot of people that go out there and make an album because they have to make an album, but this sounds like you made an album because you wanted to. Actually, it sounds like you’re a newbie to music and you still like it which is very impressive for someone who’s been in the music business for as long as you have.

your new album that’s coming out. We talked with Lloyd Maines a couple of months ago and he said that you recorded 25 songs for the new album. He also said that you didn’t take long to record, but you worked on it for close to a year.

REK Yep, we did. You know Lloyd is one of the busiest

REK Well, you know, I’ve never really wanted to do any-

guys that you’ve ever met. He does a lot of shows with Terry Hendrix and he has other projects too, but he produces so many records. But you know when you make a record it’s not much different than cooking. You put on your main course and as you go along to have to pay attention to it; add some spices, turn the meat, mind the temperature, and cool it down. If you don’t pay attention it won’t turn out quite as good as it should’ve, so with this record we worked on it every opportunity we could all get together. It was a whole lot of fun and a long process.

thing else, and I appreciate that. I think there are two things people should do: 1 I think they should do what they want and 2 I think they should live where they want, and if either one of those is not matching up; you need to make a change.

STEAM

With the album coming out February 10 on Dualtone Records, can you tell us your plans for touring and the show?

REK I think dates up on the website now and February is

STEAM I was really surprised that you didn’t write any

about full; the rest is filling in nicely too. We’re going to start on the East Coast and swing our way through Texas and beyond. We’ll be doing a lot of the Bluegrass Festivals as well. Now the first part of the show we’ll do songs from the Happy Prisoner, then take a little break, and come back with some highlights that people know me best for.

of the songs; they are all covers of old standards.

REK

Well, I didn’t want anybody to think I was trying to reinvent the genre. I just want people to know that I have a true love for Bluegrass music which goes back to when I was a young teen. What I wanted to do was play the kind of music I really love and put in as much passion as I could and pay homage to what I believe as being really great Bluegrass songs.

The Happiest Prisoner Words By Tamma Hicks, STEAM Magazine | Photo by Darren Carroll

STEAM With 25 songs recorded I’m going to guess that

REK Man, I can teach a whole class on what to do and not

there will be more than one album.

REK

The first CD has 15 songs and then if you get the deluxe version or the vinyl there’s an additional 5 bonus songs. We’re working with the remaining five as a top-secret plan.

STEAM That’s sound interesting! I saw that you brought in some big ringers for this. Lyle Lovett, Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), and Natalie Maines to name a few.

REK

Well first off, everyone in my band is a fan of Bluegrass. Rich Brotherton is an incredible flat-picking guitar player and Bill Whitbeck on stand-up bass, Marty Muse on Dobro, and drummer Tom Van Schaik, so when I went to them and said I wanted to make the Bluegrass record they were all in, albeit a little surprised. After that we just brought in the people we thought were really at the top of their game when it comes to Bluegrass.

STEAM

How did you come up with the album name, Happy Prisoners?

REK

It’s what my family and I call our pajamas, Happy Prisoners. You know, it’s what you wear when you get a big ol’ bowl of popcorn and watch a movie. I just thought that was kind of funny and represents Bluegrass music because there is this bittersweet happiness that you can’t extract from the music itself. And of course, banjo kind of makes everybody smile and it’s always upbeat and fast; although the theme is quite often tragic. I feel that I’m connected to Blue-

STEAM Last question and it’s one I really like to ask singer/songwriters; do you have any advice for people who are just getting into the business?

grass music in such a way that it makes me a happy prisoner of this type of music.

STEAM Do you have a favorite song off Happy Prisoner?

REK My favorite song is called Twisted Laurel, which is the least Bluegrassy song of the bunch. It’s not an upbeat song, it may be the sleeper of the album and you may just skip over it, but it has a lyric that rivals anything you find in great American poetry. The band that

to, although it is changing so fast that it’s hard to keep up with.

I worked in the oil field when I was going to college. I was a roughneck on a rig every year during the summer to pay for college. So when I worked in the oil field I would ask them, How tight do you want me to turn this nut? How tight you want me to close this lid? And the guy would tell me “as tight as you think you can and then one more time around.” So what I would say to anybody in general, about whatever it is you’re doing, and especially about music business and the songwriting business: do the best you can and then one more time around, because there are some people out there that are fabulously talented writers and the ones that aren’t quite as talented are really good with studio gear. You’re not just competing against people and music but against loops and sounds.

Lyrics aren’t as important as they used to be, so you need to dig deep and nonstop because that’s what people in the music business are looking for. I don’t think luck has as much to do with it as it used to; you have to work hard. Be ready to jump in with both feet and work your ass off. It is amazing. I go into the studio to work with these talented writers and there’s nothing there, but they take that nothing and turn it into something. And that is the future.

Happy Prisoner: the Bluegrass Sessions Due out 2/10/15 on Dualtone Records. Pre-order your copy @ www.robertearlkeen.com STEAMMAGAZINE.NET

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ENTERTAINMENT USS LEXINGTON TIME YOU EXPLORED WHEN WAS THE LAST THE BLUE GHOST? CHRISTI NORTH BEACH, CORPUS OPEN DAILY 9AM-5PM

ART ROCK N ’R ART MU OLL PHOTOGRA SEUM O PHY FS SHOREL INE BLV OUTH TEXAS, 1 D, CORP 902 N US CHR ISTI FIRST FR IDAY AR T PORT A RANSAS ISTS RECEPTIO N ART CEN PORT A TER, 32 RANSAS 3 N ALIS FIRST FR TER IDAY 1/ 2 5:30-7 :30PM FIRST FR IDAY AR TW DOWNT OWN CO ALK RPUS CH 1/2 RISTI

KEEP ON GIVING! Just because the holiday season is over doesn’t mean the local community food banks aren't still in need of your help!

Support your local community by donating: NON-PERISHABLE FOOD BABY AND TODDLER SUPPLIES MONETARY DONATIONS The Food Bank Of Corpus Christi 826 Krill Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78408 Alice Food Pantry 311 East Main Street, Alice, TX 78332

HOUSE OF ROCK, 322 STARR ST, CORPUS CHRISTI TUESDAYS OPEN MIC, BEER WEDNESDAYS WITH THE BAR NUTZ, 1/3 NINA DIAZ, 1/8 AUDIC EMPIRE, 1/9 THE HEROINE & GUESTS, 1/10 ROCKOHOLICS CALENDAR RELEASE PARTY, 1/11 CORPUS CHRISTI SONGWRITERS, 1/15 JOHNNY HOOTROCK, 1/16 TOWN HALL DEVILS, 1/19 AMERICAN AQUARIUM, 1/20 MILLIONAIRES, 1/22 INDEPENTENT THIEVES, 1/23 TWO TONS OF STEEL, 1/24 PINATA PROTEST, 1/31 AFTER DARK REVUE

Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley 724 North Cage Boulevard, Pharr, TX 78577

GIGGITY’S, 722 TARPON ST, PORT ARANSAS LIVE MUSIC EVERY NIGHT! SUNDAYS: ANTONE & THE ALL STARS, MONDAYS: OPEN JAM, TUESDAYS WITH PAUL TAYLOR BAND, THURSDAYS: FREE BEER BAND, 1/2 TYDIETZ, 1/3 SHELLY KING BAND, 1/7 UNCLE WILLY, 1/9 SELFIE, 1/10 RIPTIDE, 1/14 JIM DUGAN, 1/16 ALOHA DAVE, 1/17 LYRICAL BYNGE, 1/21 TIFFANY, 1/23 MATT HOLE, 1/24 TOODD DORN, 1/28 BILLY SNIPES, 1/30 RED GIANT, 1/31 JT COLDFIRE RED’S SPORTS BAR, 5114 CARROLL LN, CORPUS CHRISTI SUNDAYS - DJ, WEDNESDAYS - BENTO RAMON, 1/4 VINYL, 1/9 HARD CANDY, 1/10 PROFILE, 1/16 CATHOUSE, 1/24 VINYL, 1/31 HARD CANDY, 2/1 SUPER BOWL PARTY

San Antonio Food Bank 5200 West Old Us Highway 90, San Antonio, TX 78227 Donations can also be made at your local HEB; just ask your cashier!

SHORTY’S, 823 TARPON ST, PORT ARANSAS 1/2 TIFFANY, 1/3 JIM DUGAN, 1/9 MANDY ROWDEN, 1/10 RUBEN LIMAS, 1/16 INDEPENDDENT THIEVES, 1/17 SELFIE, 1/23 STEVIE START, 1/24 TY DIETZ & TONY SARACENE, 1/30 UNCLE WILLY, 1/31 BILLY SNIPES

OTHER STUFF

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South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center Corpus Christi

By Tamma Hicks, STEAM Magazine

Not too long ago we introduced

SELF PORTRAIT 2014 (above) *** ADAM 2014 (below left) *** EVE 2014 (below right)

you to Martin Molina, a bright and creative artist from Corpus Christi. As Martin prepares to graduate this spring with his Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) degree from TAMU-CC we decided to give you another look at his work.

STEAM When did you really begin taking an interest in art?

MM I began drawing when I was in middle school, during classes, and received many negative reprimands for not paying attention.

STEAM I know you’re an Army veteran. How has that affected your art?

MM My father was in the Gulf War and, after I graduated from college in 2005 with my degree in fine arts, I decided to join the Army too. In 2006 I enlisted into the U.S. Army infantry and served almost 5 years in active duty. I was stationed in Fort Wainwright Alaska as a company weapons repairer and a fire team leader of 1-5 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Charlie Company 25th Infantry Division. I was deployed in 2008-2009 to Baqubah, Iraq in the Diyala Province.

In 2009 I was injured while on a patrol and was sent back to the U.S. When I returned to America I was full of hate and shame for leaving my friends in Iraq, so I began taking painting classes at the University of Fairbanks Alaska. I started painting things from my nightmares, day dreams, and concocted a bunch of paintings involving grotesque figures using bright colors and twisted narratives. After I was honorably discharged from the Army I applied to graduate school, here in Corpus Christi, and was accepted. I now have the opportunity to create paintings and drawings full time.

STEAM In the two years since we first met, what have you been doing and when is your MFA Exhibit?

MM I have been teaching at TAMUCC for almost 2 years as a grad student and this spring semester will be my last semester before I graduate. My MFA show will open on April 17, at the Islander Art Gallery and feature mostly paintings, prints and draw-

ings. My current body of work grew mostly out of frustration, I started tackling the problem of form by using large geometric shapes and found that by over lapping squares and triangles I was able to construct depth and optical color mixing. I

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WHALE U BOAT 2014 (top) LAMP 2011 (middle right) TURTLE WITH THE LANTERN 2011 (above) BIRTHDAY CARD SHARK 2011 (bottom right)

have always had an obsession with color and the figure and now my challenge has been to combine the two and produce works that will encompass my personal struggles and allude to narratives that will spark an interest in the viewer, but not give them all the information, and allow them to still enjoy my work. I am very excited about my MFA exhibition.

STEAM I have a few favorites in your gallery, but for me the Turtle with the Lantern is creates very positive feelings. Where did this idea come from and what does it mean?

MM I created the Turtle with the Lantern as an idea I have for a Children’s book about an old weathered turtle that roams the earth, and his shell is an intricate labyrinth of houses and caves. This turtle never stops and his light is always lit. This turtle is a more polished version of me, because like everyone who wants to continue living in this world of evil and doubt, you always have to keep the thought of hope alive. Hope is the lantern and even though, for some moments of our life, our “lantern" may seem dim, we must always maintain its flame. The homes on the back of

the turtle are the places where our memories, fantasies, and thoughts live. We never lose them, although sometimes we neglect them; they make us who we are. We can never stop our journey through life. We can never stop our struggle and the feeling that the lives of our families, our friends, and the world rests on our shoulders. These experiences that we have connect us all. Sometimes they make us feel a lot older than we actually are.

STEAM I think you are wiser than your age.

Thank you for your time. Any last thoughts?

MM My studio is full of paintings and my mind is full of ideas. I don't consider this opportunity in STEAM Magazine as another notch in my belt; I consider it another member of the colony of accomplishments that will live forever in my shell.

Find more information and to see more of his incredible work at martinmolinaart.com

Ayers Street Music 3433 Ayers St, CC TX 361-960-2760

We Carry All Your Musical Needs www.ayersstreetmusic.com

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Troubadour Insights

ride.” If last year is an indication as to what’s next, Kacey has a very bright future in the music business.

Willie Nelson released several albums in 2014 and was also presented with his Fifth Degree Black Belt in the art of Gong Kwon Yu Sul, a modern Korean martial arts system.

"Really all my life Charles Atlas and Bruce Lee were on my mind," he told Men's Health. "It's a good form of exercise, especially as you get older. I went through school playing all kinds of sports. Then when I went to Nashville I got into some martial arts and kung fu and really liked it." The ceremony took place at Master Martial Arts in Austin two days before Willie’s 81st birthday. Will Willie ever slow down? It doesn’t seem likely that he will, not anytime soon.

Popular Texas artist Roger Creager and his crew pulled off a Guinness World Record for Largest Raft of Swim Rings/Tubes in 2014 in New Braunfels. Approximately 950 people joined him on the Guadalupe River just down the hill from Gruene Hall where he was performing a four night stand of soldout concerts. In order to qualify as a “raft” all the tubers joined hands and floated together.

Prior to setting the record, Creager performed a few songs acoustically on the banks of the river, among them were “River Song,” which went on to hit number one on the Texas Music Chart.

Kevin Fowler, another uber popular Texas artist, opened his private ranch in Wimberley to the public at the end of September for weddings, anniversaries and other special events. Because Kevin collects historic buildings, you’ll walk back into Texas’ past at Rustic Ranch. He has a dancehall, a log cabin built in the 1800s and a 95-year-old farmhouse among his treasured buildings. Kevin does much of

With Dale Martin

www.martinsmusic.com

Now that 2014 has come and gone, the music business saw many changes, some good and some bad. Several artists had bucket list experiences, performing shows on hallowed stages or having the chance to perform with one of their idols. One such artist is Kacey Musgraves, who had an amazing year complete with winning New Artist of the year and Album of the Year awards at the CMA Awards Show in Nashville. She spent much of 2014 defying the country music odds with her sound and message, and something tells me she’s just getting started.

Her song ‘Follow Your Arrow’ was a fan favorite, but country radio didn’t really support the song. The song stalled at No. 43 on the chart but people connected with it and it was a hit in her live shows. This was a song that didn’t beat around the bush with its message. Musgraves wanted her fans to know its ok to simply be whoever the heck you are. It’s that kind of candor and honesty she’s known for. The song took home song of the year honors at the recent CMA Awards and is the lowest-charting single to ever win that title, according to Billboard Magazine. Loretta Lynn is a fan of Kacey’s music and they performed Lynn’s “You’re Lookin’ at Country” on the CMA show. Musgraves admitted it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. “Getting to sing with her at the CMA Awards the same night that ‘Follow Your Arrow’ got song of the year was absolutely mind-blowing,” she said in a recent press release. “At this point, I don’t have a bucket list anymore. I’m just along for the

San Antonio/New Braunfels/San Marcos/Austin the restoration work himself when he’s not performing for huge crowds around Texas.

George Strait got his start playing in Texas honky tonks like Gruene Hall and Cheatham Street Warehouse. Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Ely, Todd Snider and Randy Rogers also got their start playing at Cheatham Street early in their career. In fact, the question is what Texas band hasn’t played Cheatham Street Warehouse and received words of wisdom and advice from owner Kent Finlay? Kent’s daughter Jenni is co-writing her father’s biography titled “Kent Finlay: Dreamer” with help from Brian T. Atkinson, author of “I’ll Be Here in the Morning: The Songwriting Legacy of Townes Van Zandt. Texas A&M Press will publish the book as part of their John and Robin Dickson Series. The book will draw from Jenni’s interviews with her father about his life and his contributions to Texas music. Atkinson will contribute info he got from his conversations with George Strait, Eric Johnson, Todd Snider, Randy Rogers and many more artists about Kent’s astounding influence in their career.

As I mentioned earlier, the music business has seen good and bad in 2014. The bad is that people aren’t buying albums anymore. Taylor Swift was the only act to sell a million copies of her new CD, ‘1989.’ More fans are streaming their music on their phones or tablets from websites like Spotify and Pandora. Swift made a bold move last year when she pulled her music from Spotify due to lack of royalty payments. With album sales down, labels aren’t signing new artists like they once were. More and more acts are deciding to self-release their music on small independent labels or just putting it out themselves. The ‘do-it-yourself’ business plan seems to be especially popular among Texas acts. It gives them complete control of their music, but also means they must promote the project on whatever budget they have. It will be interesting to see how things progress as streaming becomes more popular among the upcoming generation of music fans. I guess time will tell.

By Adam Dawson, www.thebrokenjukebox.com

“Play your music.” - Three simple words spoken by a beloved grandmother in the waning moments of her life. To some it may sound like a line from a Hallmark movie, almost too moving to be true. To Chris Carroll, it was that sentence that cemented her conviction to follow a passion that had been moving her since grade school.

The oldest of four children, Carroll was raised in St. Catherine's, a sailing town on the Canadian shores of Lake Ontario. Early on Chris was pegged by a teacher as a singer and performer, convincing her to join the choir in the 4th grade. At that point the fire was lit and Carroll would continue to seek out the stage as her place of refuge. While still a minor she began to sit in at a local venue dubbed, The Club, on guitar and vocals. The eclectic range of music she found herself immersed in on that stage, began to form what would later become her “style”, an intoxicating mixture of Americana, jazz, R&B, Blues and country that sets her apart from her female, countryesque contemporaries.

Prior to settling in to take care of her ailing grandmother and having that life changing conversation, Carroll spent a year planting trees across Canada and held down numerous day jobs, all the while eagerly grabbing whatever gig happened to be available. Those gigs included a two year run as the lead singer in what she describes as a “psychedelic jam band,” Buddhas Don't Box. Buddhas provided even more ingredients for the young Carroll to use in her musical kitchen, incorporating a range of covers from Nina Simone to the Grateful Dead.

Once music became her desired career, she began cultivating her songwriting chops both as a solo performer and working with a talented young local guitar player, Tim Kulakowsky.

Chris and Tim were playing 3-5 nights a week and more and more of Chris's original compositions were what the crowds desired. So, they entered the studio and quickly cut a 6 song EP entitled, Before and After. It was shortly after the release, of that now out of print, EP that Chris was offered a spot on the roster of Roger Marin's Cicada Festival held in her home town. Little did she know at the time, this gig would be just as influential to both her life and career as that conversation from a few years earlier.

Also playing the festival that weekend was

Texas singer/songwriter, Adam Carroll. The two spent the after show hours swapping songs and stories. Sensing a strong connection both personally and musically, Adam and Chris began getting to know one another via skype while living over a thousand miles apart.

Eventually Adam asked Chris to move to Texas and in 2013 they tied the knot.

Upon arriving in Texas, Chris already had a sack full of phenomenal songs and the obvious next step was cutting a proper record to showcase them. Alongside a fine band (Adam on Harmonica, Producer David Beck on everything under the sun, Kym Warner on mandolin, Dees Stribling on drums and percussion, and Bill Whitbeck on bass) Carroll dove into the sessions at Austin's Fast Horse Studios. The resulting record serves as a loud announcement of Chris Carroll's arrival on the Americana scene.

Trouble & Time is as diverse as the influences that have impressed themselves into Carroll's life over the years. She is completely comfortable singing a jazz bass flavored, conga driven track like the lead single, “Cause or Cure” as she is the more straight forward country tinged folk ballad, “Just Like That”. Carroll's lyrics are concise and entrancing, and the Canadian's delivery allows the listener to really settle into the songs regardless of which genre she happens to be channeling at the time.

In addition to the release of her debut album, Chris will be expanding her touring area over the next year. Whether she is sharing the stage with her husband or headlining the show, it is inevitable that she will continue winning over new fans every time one of her songs finds its way into any true music fan's ears.

SOCIAL: CHRISCARROLLSONGS.COM FACEBOOK.COM/CHRISCARROLLSONGS, & TWITTER.COM/CHRISCARROLLTX GET Trouble & Time: CDBABY.COM & CHRISCARROLLSONGS.COM SHOW INFO: 1/18/15 CHEATHAM STREET WAREHOSE IN SAN MARCOS TX

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S C H R O E DE R H A L L -

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his month I head down to southern Texas, to the town

that used to be called German Town, for a legendary dancehall that claims to be the second oldest in Texas. The town was founded in the 1840’s, but because supplies were limited the first store wasn’t built until 1887. In 1890 they opened the dancehall for the 182 residents.

So, if you have read this series from the beginning you will realize it is not the second oldest dancehall in Texas, but is still very old and historical.

The town changed its name in 1918 because of the antiGerman sentiments caused by WWI. They changed the name to Schroeder in honor of the first townsman to lose their life to the war. In 1925 fire destroyed almost the entire town leaving just the community center and Schroeder Dancehall. The original dancehall was a flat roof building about onethird its current size.

With a major remodel many years ago Schroeder Hall now has a pitched roof and can accommodate up to 1200 patrons. The original part of the building is the current dance floor with a full length bar in the back and a stage in the front.

The floor is in perfect condition, and there is plenty of seating on both sides of the dance floor for those who wish enjoy the music and libations without dancing.

Exiting out the side leads to a fenced off courtyard with picnic tables and an outdoor stage. There is also an un-attached building that hosts a small saloon with a couple of TV’s, so a person won’t miss an important game.

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While most of the dancehalls I visit have turned into ghost

towns, Schroeder has more than doubled in size. There is also many decent size cities and towns within a short drive. Goliad is the closest town with accommodations for those who want to make the drive and stay the night. It is about 15 miles away, or a person can drive about 17 miles the other direction and stay in the historic city of Victoria. There are plenty of people within proximity to keep Schroeder Hall busy. The nearest competition is about 80

miles away in Corpus Christi.

Since there is plenty of locals and no major competition Schroeder Hall is able to book the most popular country artists.

They offer live music Fridays and Saturdays, unless booked for a private event. Hopefully, in the next few weeks they will be offering live blues on Sunday after-

noons; something the manager is currently working on with sponsors. The January line-up features: Granger Smith, Aaron Watson, and Tim Hall.

Check out their website to buy tickets, directions, and the most up to date calendar of events.

Even though this was a long drive from my location in the Hill Country, I was very excited for the trip. It is one of those dancehalls that everybody seems to mention. It wasn’t un-

til I was leaving that I found out that the manager is legend himself. Stephen Dean is co-founder of the Texas Dancehall Preservation Society. He is also the author of Historic Dancehalls of East Central Texas, a book that can be purchased at Amazon. He has documented over 800 dancehalls throughout Texas.

The current owner, Doug Guller, is the owner of the chain of Bikinis Sports Bars. He also owns the dance-

hall we featured in November, Guller Hall. He is not looking to bring the Bikini girls in to change the feel of these dancehalls. He is working on preserving them and keeping them alive. He has an understanding of how the music scene is growing throughout Texas, and just not limited to Austin. Having someone who knows more about historic dancehalls

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than probably anyone else in Texas, Stephen Dean, is probably one of the smartJAN 2015 est decisions he made.

This is one of the largest and has more entertainment than any of the others I have visited. It is definitely a must visit. www.schroederdancehall.com

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Writer’s Block

By Forrest Lee Jr.

Tools of the Trade My signature Washburn Forrest Lee Jr Acoustic Bender is available and it's a songwriters tool as much as a great radio tour and session guitar. Please read on for some other cool writer tools.

Here's what I'm talking about. Just like all the other writers, I'm always on the lookout for tools out there to help me come up with interesting melodic and rhythmic twists. The Roger Linn Adrenalinn is one of the hottest writer tools around because it does a few things: it gives you a beat, and plug in a guitar... and viola! It tweaks the tone to the beat you've chose. So you come up with a cool rhythm pattern by hitting a single chord. I've even heard these "work tape" tones make it to the real major label record!

I had originally used the idea of an acoustic B bender equipped guitar for radio touring. I had to play pedal steel licks acoustically; very hard without a bender. Then a producer friend of mine wanted one to use for a friends record.

They wanted to do a lot of acoustic stuff, but it all had bender licks, so they needed an acoustic bender. Since his first record went to number one on the country charts, we have high hopes for this one.

So I went to work on the acoustic bend-

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er process. They did use it extensively on the record, and for all the radio gigs.

Then it dawned on me while I was on tour in Florida. I had the prototype with me. The boys in the band are all writers in our writer group.

And we often kick back after the show, crack open a cold beer and write. This time I had the Washburn with me, and I could play signature steel type licks right out of the gate! This lent itself to writing more Country style songs because I had the ability to hear what an arrangement might sound like with steel guitar. We ended up writing 3 songs that night. I've since used it for every writing appointment, and we always write 3 songs in the time it usually takes to write one.

There are several awesome writers tools out there that I suggest everybody at least check out. Try the Adrenalinn, Its cool and it gets you're groove on! Check out the Forrest Lee Jr Bender Acoustic from Washburn, the inner chord bends alone will give melody ideas a twist. And get a copy of Masterwriter (they have a demo to try). Also as fun as it is to scribble down ideas in a notebook or on the back of a napkin, make sure you have a laptop connected to the internet so you can Google

information sources . If you are writing about a specific subject, person or place, do your homework with search engines.

If you're on an airplane and you get a gut feeling, then the little white bag in the magazine pouch works pretty good... unless you need to use it for something else... I wrote an alternative country song about all my heroes on one. It was weird. I was in the airport and ran into Radney Foster and Ebo, and they were flying to Texas for a gig, as was I. We chatted for a few minutes and then hopped on our planes.

They headed for Corpus, I was flying to Dallas to play at Gilley's with Trent Willmon. I started thinking how many of us were living in Nashville, but flying back to Texas for gigs. There are LOTS of Texans in Nashville. Feeling my own mortality, I wrote a song about Stevie Ray Vaughn, Buddy Holly etc... and what Waylon must have felt after giving up his seat on that plane. I love the song even though it’s very dark subject matter.

Anyway, all of these things help speed up the writing process and get your creative juices flowing, with the exception of the airplane bag. Forget I said anything about that.

Forrest Lee Jr is a singer/songwriter, guitarist, and producer in Nashville, TN. He co-manages Loretta Lynn’s Coal Miners Daughter Recording Studio. His songs have been released by several recording artists, and used in hundred of films and TV shows. www.ForrestLee.com