UNSUNG MAGAZINE VERSE 005 JUNE 2025

AUSTIN GILLIAM AND THE WELL FED TEXANS

VERSE 005 | JUNE 2025 | GTX | NBTX

NOT THE FLASHIEST OF FEATHERS, BUT ONE OF A KIND.

Curators WORD

PUBLISHER Indictus2 Holdings, LLC

CURATOR Casey Frank

VISIONARY Scott Foley PRINTING Sundance Print Centers

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e’ve been counting down the months, daydreaming through deadlines, punching the clock with one eye on the horizon. Why? Because this is the season we live for. The one where time stretches just a little slower, the days get longer, the sunsets linger and the heat comes on thick.

It’s the time of year we get to exhale. To unwind, relax our shoulders and reset.

Welcome to the dog days of 78130 - where we don’t shy away from the sun. We let it beat us down and we beat it right back with two-steppin’ flip flops and a cold beer sweatin’ in a Villa koozie. That’s why people come here. That’s why they stay. It’s the charm of a place that doesn’t pretend it’s easy - it just makes it worth it.

So let’s embrace it. All of it.

Because here, in this sun-drunk slice of Texas, the music doesn’t take the summer off.

It leans in harder. Our pickers, storytellers, singers and songwriters are out there under high noon, wrestling slick guitars they can barely grip, pouring out their voices like they’re exhaling through a honey straw. They’re banging out songs on sweltering stages and in dancehalls with no A/C, chasing down some high we’ll never understand.

It ain’t glamorous. It’s blistered and bone-tired. But they keep showing up - because it’s who they are. And if we get too busy complainin’ about our thighs stickin’ to the seats or the humidity wrecking our hair, we’ll miss it. We’ll lose something real. Something that only happens here - music born from sweat, grit and South Texas soul.

@unsungtx unsungtx.com EDITORIAL OFFICE 1190 Gruene Road New Braunfels, Texas 78130 830-708-2411 info@unsungtx.com

And hey, venues - do your part. You want the music to keep coming back? Meet ‘em halfway. Toss a fan their way. Keep the water cold. Slide ‘em a discount on somethin’ stronger when the night winds down. Treat your musicians like gold and they’ll leave their guts on your stage every single time.

Friends, go on - take the heat.

It’s the only way we know.

And damn, do we know how to do it right.

LET’S COLLAB We are excited to explore potential collaborations and would love your input.

If you have a favorite Unsung artist you’d like to see featured, a live music venue you frequent, or would like to spotlight influential behindthe-scenes individuals in the music industry, please visit unsungtx.com.

We look forward to hearing your recommendations.

XO,

CONTRIBUTOR Sheri Swartz

Sheri “Songbird” Swartz is a Texas-born, award-nominated songwriter whose work spans Christian, Country, Rockabilly and Pop. Active in the music industry since the ’90s, she’s served as the Austin coordinator for the Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI), founded SAP Music for artist mentorship and hosted the Songwriters Helping Songwriters Conference, connecting hundreds of creatives with industry pros. A familiar face in both Nashville and Texas songwriting circles, Sheri continues to champion songwriters at every stage.

©2024 Unsung®. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the curator.

Information provided to Indictus2 Holdings, LLC is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. The publisher will not be responsible for any omissions, errors, typographical mistakes or misinformation within this publication.

For permission requests, please write to the curator at info@unsungtx.com.

Celebrate the heart of New Braunfels’ music scene with this limited-edition t-shirt from Frog Hollar Outdoor, a locally owned family business. Designed in collaboration with Austin Buck and Haley Rutledge of CoPilot Creative Co., this shirt pays tribute to the iconic venues that make our town sing.

Even better? 5% of every sale goes directly to School of Rock New Braunfels, helping nurture the next generation of lokal musicians. Grab yours today and wear your love for lokal music loud and proud!

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20 LENS ON LIVE: SCOTT FOLEY

A few of Scott’s favorite music moments

LINE UP. P

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AUSTIN GILLIAM & THE WELL FED TEXANS

They’ll put some meat on your bones

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THE SCENE

A schedule of upcoming events in the community

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RISING STAR: ELLE TOWNLEY

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At 16, she writes from the heart and sings like an angel

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SPOTLIGHT: WITCHITA RED’S

Catch a drawl at the cutest shanty servin’ up cold beer and live music

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BOB DRIVER OF WISE BIRD

Designer, bassist and visionary of the Texas music scene

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WHERE’S THE MUSIC?

Stay in tune with Gruene’s vibrant live music scene

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YOUR CHORDS + THE TRUTH

G4V & Trinity Oaks host a songwriters retreat for veterans

THE ELLE TOWNLEY LYRIC

TALENT IS AGELESS

BY SHERI SWARTZ

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exas native Elle Townley bravely walks on the stage at the Round Rock Market Days at the young age of eight years old, with stars in her eyes and fire in her heart that matched her golden red hair. That day she realized she was born to sing - and sing she has done.

Her ninth year of life led her on a musical path that most seasoned artists could only dream of. Her parents invested in her natural-born talent and enrolled her in a music boot camp in Nashville, Tennessee. This is where she met and began her professional cowriting adventure at age ten with Britton Cameron, who’s had cuts

by Lonestar, Jack Ingram, Jon Pardi and Don Williams.

Her pen was on fire. She wrote and released her first four singles between the ages of eleven and thirteen and of course, they are all on streaming platforms for your listening pleasure. She’s excited to announce that she will have new music released this summer. Y’all get ready!

By the age of sixteen, her writing partners are truly a who’s-who list. She has written with famed writers such as: • • • • • •

Kevin Fisher (Sarah Evans, Rascal Flatts) Steven McClintock (Tiffany, Juice Newton, Aaron Tippin) Dickie Kaiser (Chris Cagle, Clay Walker) Drew Wommack (Kenny Chesney, Lee Ann Womack, Tim McGraw) Justin Heflin (her self-proclaimed ride-ordie cowriter) Sheri Swartz (Bernie Nelson and a list as big as Texas of cuts and cowrites)

Of course, the dream gets bigger. Over the past few years, she has opened for the likes of Terry McBride, Caleb Young, ShinyRibs and Susan Hickman, to name a few.

She was also invited to grace the stage at the Moody Center for the PBR Austin Gambler Days to sing the greatest song in America - the National Anthem. We all know you must have amazing pipes to sing that song.

Recently, she performed at Freiheit Country Store for the Tasman Sharp and Friends Summer Concert, which landed her this feature.

I am one hundred percent sure she will soon be a regular in the New Braunfels music scene. If you see her name, don’t miss the opportunity.

To date, she has a list of nominations and awards that truly are not surprising to anyone who has heard her sing and seen her perform.

Elle Townley was named: • • • •

TCMA Young Artist of the Year nominee (2022 and 2024) Old Settlers Festival Youth Talent Competition winner Houston Rockstar Rodeo finalist (cancelled by COVID, my guess, “winner”) Texas State Songwriters Association Female Songwriter Championship runner-up (2025)

I had the chance to sit down with Elle Townley and ask her a few personal questions. Here’s what she had to say - in her own words.

Q: What was the age you first knew you wanted to sing?

A: Honestly, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to sing.

Q: Eight years old is so little to be singing in front of people. Were you scared or nervous when you stepped on the stage?

A: Extremely terrified, but happy after I did it!

Q: Who are your music influences?

A: I have several, but my first top six would be: Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, early Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift (songwriting), Dixie Chicks and The Band Perry.

Q: What local Texas artist would you love to share the stage with?

A: Payton Howie, Bri Bagwell, Ella Langley.

They are all powerhouse women, songwriters and artists.

Q: What are your present and future music goals?

A: My ultimate goal is to have a solid following.

I want to play a sold-out arena with everyone singing my songs. I want my writing to touch people. It is my therapy.

Q: If you could give 30-year-old future Elle Townley some advice, what would it be?

A: Don’t give up. No matter how many failures or struggles you have climbing up the ladder, never stop. If something doesn’t go your way, it’s because it isn’t part of the plan and there is something greater in store for you.

It’s been an incredible eight-year journey so far, but I have a feeling the fire is just starting to get hot. ~ Keep living your best life, Elle!

Visit elletownley.com or via socials, @elletownleymusic.

Catch Elle locally at The Villa July 25th, July 26th and August 1st, 2025.

See other incredible young artists at The Tasman Sharp and Friends Concert Series July 4th and August 8th, 2025 at Freiheit Country Store.

YOUR CHORDS + THE TRUTH A VETERAN SONGWRITING RETREAT

From April 27–30, deep in the quiet heart of Batesville, Texas, something remarkable happened. Four Veterans - three graduates of the Guitars for Vets (G4V) program and one Veteran volunteer - gathered at the Trinity Oaks Thumbtack Ranch for Your Chords + The Truth, an immersive songwriting retreat designed to use music as a tool for connection, creativity and emotional healing.

Each participant brought a different chapter of their story to the circle. Some arrived with completed songs, ready to fine-tune their work and take their music to the next level.

Others came with stories they had yet to translate into lyrics, hoping to find clarity and guidance in the creative process. A few had songs in progress - unfinished pieces fueled by truth and experience - and were looking for support, connection and confidence to move their music forward.

The retreat offered just that. Over the course of four powerful days, these Veterans worked side-by-side with seasoned musicians and professional songwriters, including local New

Braunfels artists Bri Bagwell, Bo Brumble and Rio Tripiano. Through collaborative writing sessions, one-on-one coaching and candid conversations, the group found rhythm and resonance - not only in their music, but in each other. These were not just songwriting exercises; they were moments of raw honesty, emotional release and shared understanding.

The environment was intentionally supportive, designed to foster creativity and connection. Lodging and meals were provided on-site, allowing the group to fully immerse themselves in the experience without distraction. From sunrise guitar strums to late-night lyric revisions, the retreat was filled with opportunities to reflect, write and grow.

For G4V, the retreat was part of a broader vision: to empower Veterans through music, helping them find their voice and tell their stories with authenticity. And for the participants, the impact was lasting. Beyond new lyrics and melodies, they left with something far more valuable - an emotional

reset, deeper friendships and a reminder that their truth matters.

While G4V facilitated the retreat, the Veterans themselves made it what it was. They applied. They brought their guitars and their grit. They traveled to Batesville on their own and met each other with open hearts. And in doing so, they created something beautiful proof that even the most personal truths can become powerful songs in the right hands.

Participants left not only with finished or further-developed songs, but with an open invitation: the chance to return to Texas and record their work in a professional studio. Your Chords + The Truth wasn’t just a moment - it was a beginning. A spark. A reminder that when Veterans are given the space to be seen, heard and understood, the music they make can move more than just the needle. It can move lives.

For more information about the impactful work behind this retreat, visit trinityoaks.org and guitars4vets.org.

“TOSS US YOUR PRINT PROJECT. WE’LL CATCH IT. CHECK IT. FINISH IT.”

SUNDANCE PRINT CENTERS | 651 S BUSINESS IH 35 #1130, NBTX | (830) 629-1111 | SUNDANCEPRINTCENTERS.COM

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AUSTIN GILLIAM AND THE WELL FED TEXANS T

The Well Fed Texans aren’t your average rock and roll crooners. Frontman Austin Gilliam, bassist Justin Lusk and drummer Clay Rheinlander are full-grown, meat-and-potatoes Texas men - towering over the crowd like jammin’ redwoods. Thick-necked and deepchested, this trio runs lean and loud: drums, bass and guitar - the bare minimum for the real-deal rock & roll sound. No keyboard swells, no honkin’ horns, no rhythm player to hide behind. The power of a trio lies in the tension between its thirds - but make no mistake, the guitarist is the engine.

Their sound? Texas-grown rock and roll - thick-cut and flame-kissed. It’s marbled with blues, grilled over Americana and smothered in smoky soulful gravy with a mountain side of Hell Yeah. It’s the musical equivalent of a backyard brisket, a sound that sticks to your ribs - greasy in the best way, with just enough grit to make your eyes water and your boots move.

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The band is built like the music they make - sturdy, resolute and carved from hardwood. Their songs aren’t dressed up - they’re served up. Hot and honest, with a side of don’t-even-think-aboutasking-for-ketchup.

And like any good slow-cooked masterpiece, this band didn’t come together overnight.

The Well Fed Texans fermented - slowly, soulfully and just a little bit wild.

“It was just one of those things,” recalls drummer Clay Rheinlander, his voice as matter-of-fact as a backbeat. “I knew of Austin. I’d heard his stuff in the usual places music gets tossed around these days - and I liked it. It was different than the kind of traditional country I was doing, so I kept pokin’ around, tryin’ to weasel my way in.”

Austin Gilliam - tall, tattooed and forever halfgrinning like he knows where the bodies are buried - gave him a shot. Not just anywhere, either.

“First shot he gave me was at Gruene Hall,” Clay says. “Not a bad place to start.”

Meanwhile, Justin Lusk, the laid-back, straightshooting bassist, had been in and out of iterations of Austin’s musical projects since 2014.

When Austin called for a backbeat and the boom of a bass, the trio locked in.

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hey called it The Well Fed Texans. Not as a fat joke - though they’ll be the first to crack one at themselves - but as a kind of declaration. These weren’t kids chasing a tour bus dream. These were grown men with rent, jobs and a bone-deep urge to rock out.

“I think that’s the reason a lot of us make music,” says Austin. “We want to have fun and create what we want to hear.”

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hat mission runs deep - and it starts with Austin’s own story, winding back to Corpus Christi, Texas.

“One day I was watching MTV and decided I wanted a guitar,” he says.

“Mom told me we had one in the house - her old 12-string acoustic.

I still have that guitar.”

At nine years old, he was already figuring out songs by ear and dissecting music videos like science projects. By fifteen, he was nervously covering “Mrs. Robinson” in Corpus cafés.

“I was shaking like a poodle shitting peach pits,” he laughs.

At seventeen, he was gigging with his brother’s old band, grinding through the South Texas rock circuit. A job at Dr. Rockits opened even more doors.

“I worked the door, but they’d let me sit in at the blues jam nights.

That was my school,” he says. “I learned more watching those guitar players than I ever did in a classroom.”

In 2006, a call from musician Scott Wiggins changed everything. It was a chance to go full-time - but with one condition.

“We had an agreement,” Austin says. “If I joined the band, we’d move to New Braunfels or San Marcos within six months. We did. And I’ve been in New Braunfels ever since.”

Here, surrounded by some of Texas’ best songwriters, Austin began to evolve.

“You’d see guys like Slaid Cleaves or Chris Knight destroy a room with a quiet song,” he says. “That opened my eyes. I wanted to write better. Sing better. Be better.”

Years passed. He played sideman to everyone from Brandon Jenkins to Drew Kennedy to Matt King. Then, in 2010, he took a leap of faith.

“I had five original songs and filled the rest of the set with covers. But I made it work. And after a while, I looked at my calendar and realized - I was booked solid. On my own.”

His 2012 EP “Sunshine” marked the start of something. Tracks like “Strawberry Lemonade” and “Next Stop” started turning heads. Then in 2023 came “I’m Sorry, I’m Fine”, his most vulnerable work yet.

Still, something was missing - until Clay and Justin stepped in beside him.

“I

just needed to hire musicians,” Austin says. “I’d known Justin for years; same with Clay. So officially, we’ve been under the moniker for about a year and a half.”

“Before I was in the band, I’d see Austin play acoustic - and I always left in a good mood. Now I’m up there and that’s what I want to bring.

Give people a reason to have fun,” says Clay.

UNSUNG® | VERSE 005 | JUNE 2025

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Of course, that fun comes with a side of sarcasm.

player and see they were right. That’s a cool kind of signature to have.”

“Sure, it might not be the kind of music you bucklerub to,” he adds with a smirk, “but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a damn good time.”

For now, the focus isn’t on reinventing the wheel. It’s on refining what they already have.

Justin keeps it simple: “I call it house rock ’n’ roll. It’s feel-good music.”

“We collaborate during rehearsal - help arrange new songs Austin’s written,” Justin says.

Austin gets philosophical.

“People hear ‘Lyin’ Eyes’ and call it country.

But it was The Eagles - that was rock and roll. Rock came from everything: blues, soul, country. And I mean, I grew up on metal, so all I did was just tame that down and then there you go, you have Austin Gilliam.”

“It’s that feeling that makes you stop

and go - yeah, we can be a band. We should be a band. We’re great, we love each other and honestly, we’re having a blast. Every single time.”

He leans in.

Clay scootches in his seat, ever the optimist.

“I’m not trying to sound cocky, but I’ve been told by a few people that my songs have a certain feel something recognizable. I like that.

Like, when you hear Blackberry Smoke, you know it’s them. Same with Jason Isbell - he can be Americana or rock and roll, but no matter the song, you just know it’s Jason Isbell.

That’s what I want. I want someone to hear one of my songs - even a brand-new one - and think, ‘That sounds like Austin Gilliam,’ then check their

“Austin’s got a vault of songs that haven’t seen the light of day. As much as I’d love to be a part of the writing process, I want to help bring those out first.

There’s gold in there.”

for melody and uncanny knack for groove help define The Well Fed Texans’ signature sound.

Clay, meanwhile, has been behind the kit since high school, cutting his canines with the Joel Hofmann Band - a longtime fixture in the Texas country scene.

They aren’t greenhorns - they’ve been around.

And now, with Austin’s deep songwriting vault and a shared vision, they’re leading a bona fide rock and roll revival.

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hese guys aren’t living off record deals or riding around in leather-seated buses though Austin does roll in a badass van. By day, The Well Fed Texans punch clocks like the rest of us. By night, they plug in, crank up and do what they were born to do.

“I’m a meat popsicle,” Clay deadpans, that familiar smirk sliding across his face like it’s not the first time he’s delivered the line. “I work for Hoffman Supply in San Marcos. Sales, automotive, paint, welding supplies, steel sales, cutting metal - just a jack of all trades.”

And they would know.

Austin grins, “Receiver at H-E-B. Five years last month.”

Justin has logged serious road miles as a bassist and vocalist for Bri Bagwell, Statesboro Revue, Isaac Jacob and Copper Chief - not to mention a long list of other Texas notables. His versatility, ear

Justin’s the newest to the 9-to-5 shuffle, recently stepping into a role as an Audio/Video Tech working alongside a tight circle of local bass player buds like Jamie Duvall and Tanner Cash.

JUNE 28

JUNE 1

The Villa Gruene, TX 5pm

JUNE 22

Wichita Reds Gruene, TX 1pm

JUNE 27

Salvador Dobbs Boerne, TX 9pm

21 UNSUNG® | VERSE 005 | JUNE 2025

The Top Fredericksburg, TX SEPTEMBER 12 6pm MLK Festival Grounds Temple, TX JULY 1 8:30pm Gruene Hall Gruene, TX SEPTEMBER 12 2:30pm Salvador Dobbs

JULY 20

Boerne, TX 9pm

AUGUST 23

Salvador Dobbs Boerne, TX 9pm

Gruene Hall Gruene, TX 6:30pm Gruene Hall Gruene, TX 11:30am

NOVEMBER 7

In those moments, The Well Fed Texans aren’t just three average Joes. They’re rock gods. And they’re in it for the only reason that’s ever really mattered - because it’s Still. Fucking. Fun. Visit austingilliammusic.com and follow @austingilliammusic to stay connected.

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sk them why they keep doing music - and you’ll get the whole truth.

Clay doesn’t even pause. He doesn’t need to. It’s written all over him.

“I love being on stage,” he says with the calm certainty of a man who’s always known where he belongs. “Always have. Always will.”

Justin’s answer comes wrapped in a crooked grin, half-joke and half-truth.

“What? Play air guitar in my undies?!”

He laughs, then gets real. “It’s that feeling that makes you stop and go - yeah, we can be a band. We should be a band. We’re great, we love each other and honestly, we’re having a blast. Every single time. So why wouldn’t we keep doing it?”

And Austin? He’s kicked back, elbows resting easy, like nothing in the world’s that serious - but you know he means what he says.

“When someone walks in just looking to grab a drink, maybe planning to leave after a song or two... but they end up sticking around, calling their friends, pulling up chairs, hangin’ around?” He shrugs, “that’s when I know we’re doing it right.”

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ouring isn’t off the table. It’s just not the hill they’re dying on.

“I’d love to get us on the road for two or three weeks at a time,” Austin says.

“But it has to make sense. I want the guys to feel secure - like, we can miss the day job and not get our shit repo’d.”

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TWO TON TUESDAYS

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​G ruene Hall transforms every Tuesday into a melting pot of humanity, all drawn by the magnetic pull of Two Tons of Steel. This San Antonio band, led by the indefatigable Kevin Geil, has been hosting these “Two Ton Tuesdays” for nearly three decades, turning summer nights into a raucous celebration of music and movement.​

Tons of Steel takes the stage, the floor is a sea of movement, a testament to the unifying power of music.​

From June 3rd through August 12th, as the sun dips, a line snakes its way down the street, a testament to the night’s allure. For $15, teenagers, eager and restless, stand shoulder to shoulder with middle-aged couples who move with the practiced ease of years spent on the dance floor. Fathers twirl their young daughters, while octogenarian cowboys, faces etched with stories, take their partners for a spin. It’s a scene that could make even the most hardened city dweller pause and smile.

These nights are more than just concerts; they’re rites of passage. For many teenagers, it’s a place of firsts - a first dance, a first kiss, a first taste of a world larger than their own. Yet, it’s not just the young who find meaning here. The diversity of the crowd speaks to a universal truth: the need to connect, to move in harmony, to forget, if only for a few hours, the weight of the world outside.​

At 6 p.m., the first notes burst through the air - the bright, brassy blasts of swing that bounce off the old wooden walls. For $15, novices and veterans alike gather to learn the steps, a communal ritual that sets the tone for the night. By 8:30pm, when Two

Gruene Hall on a Tuesday night is a reminder of simpler pleasures, of the joy found in shared experiences. It’s a place where time slows, where generations converge and where, for the price of admission, you can let the music lift you and the Texas night take the rest.

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Geil and his bandmates blur the lines between country and punk, a high-octane fusion that’s as rebellious as it is rooted in tradition. Their sound is a nod to the past with a firm foot in the present, a musical embodiment of the hall itself. The crowd responds in kind, feet pounding the worn wooden floor, sweat mingling with laughter.​

THE SCENE JUNE 3 -AUG 12

TWO TON TUESDAYS

Join in every Tuesday at Gruene Hall for Two Ton Tuesday! San Antonio’s rockabilly legends Two Tons of Steel light up the stage for a night of dancing, energy and all-ages fun. $15 admission. 8:30PM gruenetexas.com

JUNE & JULY MUSIC EVENTS AROUND TOWN LIVE @ LANDA:

JULY 4 CONCERT IN THE PARK Enjoy a FREE concert in the park! Local musicians showcase a diverse mix of genres, including Country, Classic Rock, Folk, Tejano and other popular hits. 6-9PM newbraunfels.gov

LIVE @ LANDA: CONCERT IN THE PARK

JULY 19-20 GRUENE MARKET DAYS

Enjoy a FREE concert in the park! Local musicians showcase a diverse mix of genres, including Country, Classic Rock, Folk, Tejano and other popular hits. 6-9PM newbraunfels.gov

The event showcases nearly 100 artisans offering handmade goods and packaged Texas foods, with free admission, parking and live entertainment. Visitors can also explore Gruene Historic District’s specialty shops, wine tasting, dining, river rides and more. 8AM gruenetexas.com

JUNE 21-22 GRUENE MARKET DAYS

ANNUAL VILLAPALOOZA JULY 19-20 1ST

JUNE 12

The event showcases nearly 100 artisans offering handmade goods and packaged Texas foods, with free admission, parking and live entertainment. Visitors can also explore Gruene Historic District’s specialty shops, wine tasting, dining, river rides and more.

8AM gruenetexas.com

Get ready for Villapalooza - THE FIRST EVER OF ITS KIND, two-day celebration of lokal music, lokal art and lokal flavor powered by the community, for the community. Enjoy 22 lokal bands on two stages, live mural painting, art vendors, food trucks and wine, craft beer and spirit tastings. Supporting three lokal non-profits. drinklokal.com

HOSTING AN EVENT? EMAIL INFO@UNSUNGTX.COM

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Over 1.1 million

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A WA R D E D

I’m putting a few of my own shots into Lens On Live in this Verse - yes, it felt weird at first. Normally, I’m behind the curtain shining a light on other photographers, but this time I’m stepping out (just a little). You’ll see a mix of live music images and some portraits of the faces usually behind the camera, as well as a few artists who were kind enough to stand still for more than three seconds. This collection is my way of showing off the beauty on both sides of the lens - and proving that even photographers clean up pretty well. - Scott Foley

LENS ON LIVE

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THE VILLA

www.drinklokal.com @drinklokalnb @drinklokalatthevilla

GRUENE GROVE www.gruenegrove.com @GrueneGrove 6/1 6/2 6/3 6/4 6/5 6/6 6/7 6/8 6/9 6/10 6/11 6/12 6/13 6/14 6/15 6/16 6/17 6/18 6/19 6/20 6/21 6/22 6/23 6/24 6/25 6/26 6/27 6/28 6/29 6/30 7/1 7/2 7/3 7/4 7/5 7/6 7/7 7/8 7/9 7/10 7/11 7/12 7/13 7/14 7/15

Willow Creek 2pm Clever Name Band 7pm Ru Coleman Band 7pm Tom Gillam 7pm Rich Lockhart Band 7pm Love & Chaos 7pm Stray Dawg’s Blues In Gruene Music Festival 12pm Grant Ewing 7pm Graham Nancarrow 7pm Bill Whitbeck’s Songwriter Night 6pm Triple J Band 7pm Living Hairitage 7pm Joe Bob’s Bar & Grill Band 7pm The Jerrells 7pm Grant Ewing 6pm Eric Middleton 7pm Granvil Poynter 7pm Kristen Foreman Band 7pm Nick Garcia Band 7pm Jesse Stratton Band 7pm Kayla Jane Band 7pm Grant Ewing 6pm Kade Isakson Band 7pm Kerosene Drifters 7pm Austin Gilliam Band 7pm Grant Ewing & The Hit Parade 7pm Gray Gregson 7pm Joel Hofmann Band 7pm Grant Ewing 6pm Alli Mattice Band 7pm Ru Coleman Band 7pm Tom Gillam 7pm Nick Garcia Band 7pm Smokehouse Guitar Army 7pm Brackish 7pm Grant Ewing 6pm Clever Name Band 7pm Tony Taylor Trio 7pm Paul Logan 7pm Rich Lockhart Band 7pm Pauline Reece 7:30pm Grant Ewing & The Hit Parade 7pm Grant Ewing 7pm Michael Kelton & Keith Davis 7pm Benjamin Cole & JP McCabe 7pm

6/1 6/4 6/5 6/6 6/7 6/8 6/11 6/12 6/13 6/14 6/15 6/18 6/19 6/20 6/21 6/22 6/25 6/26 6/27 6/28 6/29 7/2 7/3 7/4 7/5 7/6 7/9 7/10 7/11 7/12 7/13 7/16 7/17 7/18 7/19 7/20 7/23 7/24 7/25 7/26 7/27

21 UNSUNG® | VERSE 005 | JUNE 2025

7/30 7/31

Austin Gilliam 5pm Fast Movin’ Trio 7pm Prairie Rattler Trio 7pm Elle Townley 5pm Chuck Wimer Band 8:30pm Damon Curtis 2pm Bo Luna 5pm Culture Jam 8:30pm Bo Moore 2pm Bill Caisse 5pm Open Mic Nite with host Jake Gardner 7pm Buddy Vargas 7pm Myles Smith 5pm The Roughstock 8:30pm Zoe Allen 2pm Ty Dillon 5pm Jackie Not Marilyn 8:30pm Weston Ripps 5pm Open Mic Nite with host Trevor Underwood 7pm Damon Curtis 7pm Don Reilly 5pm Alli Mattice Band 8:30pm Logun Timberlake 2pm Kyle Broll 5pm TX 46 Band 8:30pm Kyle Garrett 2pm Jamie Cameron 5pm Open Mic Nite with host Bo Brumble 7pm Zach Talbert & Sarah Boyd 7pm Stephanie Ross & The Southern Drive Band 8:30pm Damon Curtis 5pm Tiffiny Dawn Band 8:30pm Eric Langenhahn 2pm Clayton Chapin 5pm Fast Movin’ Trio 7pm Don Reilly 7pm File 13 8:30pm TBD 2pm Zoe Allen 5pm Culture Jam 8:30pm Mark Allen Atwood 2pm Open Mic Nite with host Jake Gardner 7pm Damon Curtis 7pm Matt Gawlick 5pm Percolators 8:30pm TBD 2pm TBD 5pm Jackie Not Marilyn 8:30pm Abe Mac 2pm Stephanie Ross 5pm Open Mic Nite with host Trevor Underwood 7pm Kyle Garrett 7pm Bo Luna 5pm Alli Mattice Band 8:30pm 1st Annual VILLAPALLOZA! ALL DAY 1st Annual VILLAPALLOZA! ALL DAY Opem MicNite with host Bo Brumble 7pm Buddy Vargas 7pm Elle Townley TX 46 Band 8:30pm Elle Townley & Delaney 2-5pm Krissy Stephens 5pm Wrangler Country 8:30pm TBD 2pm Prairie Rattlers 5pm Open Mic Nite with host Jake Gardner 7pm Damon Curtis 7pm

GRUENE HALL

www.gruenehall.com @gruenehall @gruenehalltx 6/3 6/4 6/6 6/7 6/8 6/9 6/10 6/11 6/13 6/14 6/15 6/16 6/17 6/18 6/20 6/21 6/22 6/23 6/24 6/25 6/27 6/28 6/29 6/30 7/1 7/3 7/5 7/8 7/10 7/11 7/12 7/15 7/19 7/22 7/23 7/24 7/25 7/26 7/29

Two Ton Tuesdays 8:30pm The War and Treaty 8pm Tyler Halverson 8pm Red Shahan 9pm Jessee Jennings Band 6pm Allan Hendrickson 8:30pm Two Ton Tuesdays 8:30pm The Georges 6pm Bo Phillips Band 8pm The Wilder Blue 9pm Soul Sessions 6pm Kayla Jane 8:30pm Two Ton Tuesdays 8:30pm River Town Relics 8:30pm Larry Joe Taylor 8pm Micky & The Motorcars 9pm Andi Holleman 6:30pm Chris Ruest 8:30pm Two Ton Tuesdays 8:30pm The Georges 6pm Jessee Daniel 8pm Them Dirty Roses 9pm Matt Kirk & The Gueyfarers 6:30pm Kade Isakson 8:30pm Two Ton Tuesdays 8:30pm Silverada 8pm Josh Weathers 9pm Two Ton Tuesdays 8:30pm Sixpence None The Richer 8pm Gary P. Nunn 8pm Jake Worthington 9pm Two Ton Tuesdays 8:30pm Vandoliers w/Slobberbone 9pm Two Ton Tuesdays 8:30pm Roger Creager (Acoustic) 8pm Roger Creager (Full Band) 8pm Roger Creager (Full Band) 8pm Roger Creager (Full Band) 9pm Two Ton Tuesdays 8:30pm

INFERNOS

www.infernospizzeria.com @grueneinfernos @infernosgruene

GRUENE LIGHT

www.rockinr.com/gruene-light-bar @TheGrueneLightBar @thegruenelightrockinr

GRISTMILL

gristmillrestaurant.com @gristmillriverrestaurant @GristmillinGruene

THE BIRDHOUSE

www.thebirdhousetx.com @theriverhousetx @thebirdhousetx

TACOS Y TEQUILA @tacosytequilanb 6/1 6/5 6/6 6/7 6/8 6/12 6/13 6/14 6/15 6/19 6/20 6/21 6/22 6/26 6/27 6/29 7/4 7/5 7/10 7/11 7/12 7/17 7/18 7/19 7/2 7/25 7/26

Matt Gawlik 3pm A. B. Hill 6pm Trevor Underwood 6pm Reece Wade 6pm Jorge and Nicole 3pm Jonathan Garica 6pm Reece Wade 6:30pm Trevor Underwood 6:30pm Living Hairitage Band 4pm Jorge and Nicole 6pm Reece Wade 6:30pm Cooper Klaehn Band 6pm Robert Kelly 4pm Jonathan Garcia 6pm Donavan Amaya Band 7pm Caleb Wilbourn 4pm Jake Gardner Band 6:30pm Reece Wade 6:30pm Jonathan Garcia 6pm Reece Wade 6:30pm Brandon Ford and the Velvet Veil 6:30pm Matt Gawlik 6pm Reece Wade 6:30pm Cooper Klaehn Band 6pm Jonathan Garcia 4pm Trevor Underwood Band 6:30pm Reece Wade 6:30pm

FOLLOW FOR MORE...

GRUENE TINI’S

VINO EN VERDE

THE GRAPEVINE

WICHITA RED’S

www.gruenetinis.com @gruenetinis

www.grapevineingruene.com @grapevineingruene

www.getdrinkingingruene.com @vinoenverde

@WichitaRedsinGruene

VISIT NEW BRAUNFELS LIVE MUSIC TODAY ON FACEBOOK FOR YOUR DAILY DOSE OF LIVE MUSIC!

ARTIST

BOB DRIVER OF

I

n a world where creatives feel compelled to shout, dance and hashtag their way into relevance, Bob Driver hasn’t raised his voice. He doesn’t have to. His work does the talking - one gritty tour poster, one album cover, one t-shirt design that made you think, damn, that’s cool.

If you’ve ever walked into a Texas venue and spotted a band logo that didn’t suck - or a piece of merch that looked more like gallery art than giveaway junk - it’s highly likely Bob Driver had his hands all over it. But this isn’t one of those stories that starts in the halls of some overpriced design school. No. Bob’s story begins exactly where the best ones do: with a big ol’ nope.

“It was 2014 - my band was working on an album and the concepts people sent me, I didn’t like,” Bob says. “So I said, ‘I’m going to do it myself.’ And I taught myself graphic design.”

That split-second decision - equal parts irritation and pure DIY nerve ignited a slow-burning, decade-long design career. At first, it was just for his band. But then: “Hey, I saw what you did. Can you do that for us?” And Bob, being more of a doer than a talker, just kept saying yes.

That’s how Wise Bird was born.

The name? Not from some deep personal symbolism or marketing guru’s brainstorm session. Nope - just a background prop in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. “It was an old apple crate on a kitchen wall. I saw it and said, ‘That’ll work.’ I like birds. Especially owls. It made sense.”

Officially launched in 2018 - perfect timing, right before COVID crashed the party - Wise Bird has never run an ad. Not one boosted post, no viral marketing plan, zero SEO hustle. Just straight-up word of mouth, earned the hard way. “I’ve been very lucky,” Bob says. “I’ve always stayed busy.”

Luck might be the modest word for it, but truthfully, Bob’s been creating since day one. He painted as a kid, nudged along by two grandmothers - one an actual painter, the other a musical spirit. His high school summer job? Making PowerPoints for an oilfield company, digitizing well crosssections. “It was weirdly artistic,” he says. “Looking back, I think that’s where my design brain started to kick in.”

Bob was the kind of student who could crush an exam and get sent to detention the same day. “Accelerated classes. Bit of a troublemaker,” he grins. “Started playing guitar... I’ve lived a few lives. I even sold cars in 2005.”

But everything changed in 2006, when he left Corpus Christi for New Braunfels with his friend and longtime musical partner, Austin Gilliam. “I was his roady,” Bob smirks. “He invited me to join a country band and I accidentally became a touring musician. I had no plans to leave Corpus.

Next thing I know, I’m living out of a van.”

By 2010, Bob joined Midnight River Choir, just two years after the band formed. Fifteen years later, he’s still there - not just on upright bass, but pulling triple (okay, quadruple) duty as tour manager, merch designer, photographer, videographer and website guru. “My parents told me, ‘Treat music like a business, not a hobby.’ And that’s how I’ve always operated.

I’d rather do it myself than trust someone who doesn’t give a damn.”

Still, he admits he’s his own worst client. “I have to look at our merch every night. Try to sell it. Live with it. If something’s off, it eats at me. I’m super critical of my own work,” he shrugs. “Sometimes I’ll hire someone else - just to see it from a fresh angle.”

Designing for others? That’s easy. About 90% of his clients are musicians - many are rising stars without the budget for a flashy agency.

“I keep my rates fair. I know how expensive this life is. I’ve lived it.”

And somehow, with no marketing at all, his client list reads like a who’s who of Texas grit: Sunny Sweeney, Cody Jinks, Ward Davis, Kayla Ray, Robert Earl Keen. “I’ve done Sunny’s artwork for about eight years now. She’s a dear friend. I’ll send her four or five ideas and when one clicks, we roll.”

A lot of the work comes from management companies - bulk requests across multiple artists. But most of it? Old-school referrals. People who trust his taste. “This week alone, I got three new clients I’ve never met.

It’s all word of mouth. All music people.”

Even with the constant work, Bob seems... content. Not burned out. Not frantically climbing the next ladder. Just good. “I’m caught up on work for once in my life,” he says, half shocked. “And yeah, I’m happy. I love all of it.”

Being self-employed is no joke. “It’s scary,” he says. “But it’s about the hustle. The hands you shake. That’s how it all works.”

And because the hustle never ends, Bob’s office might be a green room.

A hotel. A van. A picnic table outside a honky-tonk. Doesn’t matter. The work gets done. “I’ve got clients in Nashville, Arizona, Idaho… it’s all just music networking.”

At nearly 42, Bob looks like he’s still in his early thirties. “I chalk it up to smoking weed and basking in bar lights,” he jokes. “But really, I think it’s because I’m still living. I’ve been on the road for 15 years. Not slowing down.”

That pace led to two career-defining moments: Playing Red Rocks with Shane Smith and the Saints and just months later, walking onstage at the Grand Ole Opry with Jason Eady. “Total bucket list shows. I never thought I’d play either one. To do it with friends? That’s the dream.”

Another favorite? The Old Saloon in Emigrant, Montana. “Panoramic view from the stage. Unreal. Best stage I’ve played, hands down.”

He’s also producing at Mi Casa Studio, helping others bring their songs to life. Because of course he is. Bob Driver doesn’t sit still for long.

And if you’ve caught Mister Sister - the local band led by sibling duo Amber and Eric Middleton - you’ve probably felt the steady thump of the upright bass anchoring the whole thing. That’s Bob too.

He’s not just the bassist. Not just the designer. Not just the guy who built a business off a movie prop and a refusal to half-ass anything. He’s the guy behind the curtain, quietly ensuring that everything looks, feels and sounds just right.

Keep your eyes peeled. Bob’s fingerprints are everywhere.

Follow along @wisebirddesign.

SPOTLIGHT: WICHITA RED’S

11

UNSUNG® | VERSE 005 | JUNE 2025

A

little gravel walkway, a foliaged courtyard, string lights and a wooden shanty servin’ up cold beer and live music. They call it Wichita Red’s.

If you’re strolling Hunter Road in Gruene and blink too long, you might just miss it. But odds are, your senses will catch it before your eyes do.

Maybe it’s the pluck of an acoustic guitar echoing off boutique walls, or the sound of a happy pup sniffing around a kid’s hot dog. Maybe it’s the pull of the Lone Star State’s red, white and blue waving you in. Whatever it is, the place has pull.

They keep it simple on purpose. A few teak tables, red shade sails, a latticed stage and a counter window with that nostalgic concession stand feel - like something straight out of a summer fair. It’s where you’ll grab your cold beer and maybe a snack to keep you company. They keep it satisfying: $6 soft pretzels, $5 Frito pie and for those cranky toddlers who need a quick win, there’s a $2 stash of chips, candy and cookies. Something light and easy to snack on, while your foot’s keeping time with the music. Just a cold Red Draw (a frosty beer and tomato juice concoction,) a $25 bucket of beer on the table and the kind of music that makes you want to stay a little longer than you planned.

It’s not the kind of place that begs for attention - it just earns it. Quietly, comfortably, just your favorite little weekend escape. A place where families park it for the afternoon - kids chasing bubbles through the gravel while parents sip something cold and let the day unfold slow. Where you can kick off your shoes under the table, lean back in your chair and exhale.

Wichita Red’s was established in 2022 by Carrie Murphy, who came from Wichita Falls, Texas - a simple city no larger than New Braunfels.

“We keep it easy,” Carrie says with a smile and a thick Wichita drawl. “I just want to enjoy the people, leave at six and do it again tomorrow.”

And then there’s the music - real, raw and just a few steps from your table. Most days, it’s a local voice. The kind of musician who might stop mid-set to pet a passing dog or clink glasses with someone who’s been there since noon.

There’s a concrete pad just big enough for two-steppin’ or slow-dancin’ too.

They keep it simple. No website. No phone number. Just a peek-a-boo on social media: @wichitaredsbar.

It’s only open on weekends - but that’s all the time you need to fall in love with Wichita Red’s, the kind of spot locals swear by and tourists remember.

11

UNSUNG® | VERSE 005 | JUNE 2025

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