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Vol. 7, No 2                             February 4, 2008
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This issue includes:

* Quote / Small Town Salute
* TMA VOTING STARTS NOW
* Sponsors Needed
* New Members
* Texas Music News/Notes
* Charting Members
* Yada Yada
* Subscribe/Unsubscribe

This issue is dedicated to the memory of Texan Buddy Holly, who perished in a plane crash 49 years ago this month with the Big Bopper and Richie Valens.

 “At least the first forty songs we wrote were Buddy Holly-influenced.”
– Paul McCartney of the Beatles from Prairie Nights to Neon Lights : The Story of Country Music in West Texas

“I began wearing glasses when I was thirteen to copy Buddy Holly.”
– Rock musician Elton John from The Buddy Holly Story

“He was easy to get along with, easygoing, and he was a monkey in a lot of ways, a real cutup.  We sure did have a lot of fun.  He was one of the best people I knew in my life.”
– Waylon Jennings, on Buddy Holly from The Outlaws : Revolution in Country Music

“…He had silver-rimmed glasses, gold-rimmed teeth, and looked like a hick from Texas.  The next time I saw him, he wore a three-button suit, horn-rimmed glasses, had his teeth recapped, and looked like a gentleman.  He was always a marvelous person…a sweet gentle soul.”
– Record producer Dick Jacobs, on Buddy Holly from The Buddy Holly Story
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Small Town SALUTE!
This is in honor of those small, sometimes overlooked towns in the Lone Star State that you might not have heard of (but rate high in our book because they support the music of our members…)
Any resident of the following town will receive a FREE compilation CD of Texas music with any purchase from MTM if they order before the next ezine is released!!  (Note: Your shipping address on your order will serve as proof of residency.)

So this MTM SMALL TOWN SALUTE goes out to the fine folks in:

BUFFALO GAP, TEXAS – POPULATION 463…
“SA-LOOT!”

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YOU Can Sponsor the Texas Music Awards!!

Thank you in advance for your support of Texas music and the musicians who create it.  None of this can be accomplished without you!  Don’t forget – sponsoring the TMAs is an excellent direct marketing opportunity to get in front of die-hard Texas music fans.   Special thanks go to our wonderful friends in the Palestine Chamber of Commerce, the Palestine Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and so many other residents and new friends for their assistance and hard work!!

New Members
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TEXAS MUSIC NEWS

Gary P. Nunn to Host the 2008 Texas Music Awards
Legendary songwriter, performer, and member of the famed Lost Gonzo Band, Gary P. Nunn will host the 2008 Texas Music Awards on May 3rd at the Palestine Civic Center in Palestine.  Aside from hosting the show, Gary P. will also perform a short set to wrap up the show.
Nunn honed his songwriting skills while playing in bands that backed Jerry Jeff Walker, Michael Martin Murphey, and Willie Nelson.  Years after penning the now-famous Austin City Limits theme song, “London Homesick Blues” which laments, “I want to go home with the armadillos…,” Gary P. Nunn now enjoys a stellar career as a much-sought-after performer.
Determined to be successful outside the confines of a major record label, Nunn has inspired thousands of Texas performers to release albums independently and has become a mentor to many on the Texas music scene.
We are thrilled to have Gary P. host the festivities on May 3rd!!!
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Congratulations to David Lutes of Plumtucker and his wife Carolyn on the birth of their daughter Ruby!
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We hear Jim Stricklan is home and recovering, but still has quite a battle ahead of him.  Hang in there, buddy…

Mark Zeus is also recuperating nicely and getting stronger every day. “With help from friends, I’m able to get back out for sit-down acoustic gigs…it will take a while to get back to the physicality of the band thing…”  Just goes to show it’s hard to keep a good man down…
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The Texas Country Acoustic Jam will be held Saturday, January 26th at 6pm at The Logon Café in Beaumont, TX and will consist of 10 songwriters/artists from all over Texas, including MTM members Pug Johnson (Slow Rollin Lows), Charlie Hager (Captain Legendary Band), Ben Morris, and Jason Marbach!
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Our Pat-On-The-Back of the Week (we need those!) comes from Jan P. of Norway…
“I have received my CDs and enjoying the music!  Thanks for the fast and good work with my order…thanks for stickers too…keep up the good work!”
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Charting Members
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Note: All songs listed on any of these charts are available at MyTexasMusic.com!

MTM members on the RMR Roots Country chart:
# 4 – Wade Bowen – Lost Hotel

MTM members on RMR Roots Western Swing chart:
# 7  Lynn Logan – Back in The Swing of Things
#10 Dan T Chambers – Alive & Swingin’
#26 Randy Brown – Never Heard Of Him

MTM members on RMR Roots Gospel chart:
# 5  David Cline – Gospel Side

MTM members on RMR Roots Rock chart:
#40  Gordy Quist – Here Comes The Flood

MTM members on RMR True Country chart:
#15  David Cline – Texas Hold ‘Em

NEW: MTM members on TEXAS ROOTS MUSIC chart:
#10 Wade Bowen – Lost Hotel
#13 David Cline – Gospel Side
#14 David Cline – Texas Hold ‘Em
#34 Bart Crow – Finally
#66 Gordy Quist – Here Comes The Flood
#127 Kevin Deal – Roll

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Yada Yada….

You really don’t want to hear about my pit bull attack (the dog is fine) or the other crazy (but getting to be the norm) things that have happened this month.  So instead, I rely on an email essay that circulates from time to time but never fails to get a chuckle…

THINGS EVERY FAN SHOULD KNOW  – Johnny Garner

BAND CLAIRVOYANCE: When requesting a song from the band, just say «Play my song!»
We have chips implanted in our heads with an unlimited database of the favorite tunes of every patron who ever walked into a bar and all songs ever recorded, so feel free to be vague, we love the challenge. If we say we really don’t remember that tune you want, we’re only kidding. Bands do know every song ever recorded, so keep humming. Hum harder if need be… it helps jog the memory, or just keep repeating your request over and over again.
If a band tells you they do not know a song you want to hear, they either forgot that they know the tune or they are just putting you on. Try singing a few words for the band. Any words will do. It also helps to scream your request from across the room several times per set followed by the phrases, «AW COME ON!» and, «YOU SUCK!» Exaggerated hand gestures expressing disapproval from the dance floor are a big help as well, such as the thumbs down or your middle finger. Put-downs are the best way to jog a band’s memory. This instantly promotes you to the status of «Personal Friend of the Band.» You can bet your request will be the next song we play.
Entertainers are notorious fakers and jokesters and never really prepare for their shows. They simply walk on stage with no prior thought to what they will do once they arrive. We don’t actually make set lists or rehearse songs. We mostly just wait for you to yell something out, and then fake it. An entertainer’s job is so easy, even a monkey could do it, so don’t let them off the hook easily. Your request is all that matters.
Once you’ve figured out what genre of music the band plays, please make your requests from a totally different genre. The more exaggerated the better. If it’s a blues band playing, yell for some Metallica or Slayer or Pantera. Likewise, if it’s a death-speed metal band, be sure to request Brown-Eyed Girl or some Grateful Dead.  Musicians need to constantly broaden their musical horizons, and it’s your job to see that it happens….immediately.

TALKING WITH THE BAND: The best time to discuss anything with the band in any meaningful way is at the middle of a song when all band members are singing at the same time. Our hearing is so advanced that we can pick out your tiny voice from the megawatt wall of sound blasting all around us. And we can converse with you in sign language while singing the song, so don’t worry that we’re in the middle of the chorus. Musicians are expert lip readers too. If a musician does not reply to your question or comment during a tune, it’s because they didn’t get a good look at your mouth in order to read your lips. Simply continue to scream your request and be sure to over-emphasize the words with your lips. This helps immensely. Don’t be fooled. Singers have the innate ability to answer questions and sing at the same time. If the singer doesn’t answer your questions immediately, regardless of how stupid the question may seem, it’s because they are purposely ignoring you. If this happens, immediately cop an attitude. We love this.

IMPORTANT: When an entertainer leans over to hear you better, grab his or her head in both hands and yell directly into their ear, while holding their head securely so they cannot pull away. This will be taken as an invitation to a friendly and playful game of tug of war between their head and your hands. Don’t give up! Hang on until the singer or guitar player submits.
Drummers are often safe from this fun game since they usually sit in the back, protected by the guitar players. Keyboard players are protected by their instrument, and only play the game when tricked into coming out from behind their keyboards. Though difficult to get them to play, it’s not impossible, so keep trying. They’re especially vulnerable during the break between songs.

HELPING THE BAND: If you inform the band that you are a singer, the band will appreciate your help with the next few tunes, or however long you can remain standing on stage. If you’re too drunk to stand unassisted, simply lean on one of the band members or the most expensive piece of equipment you see. Just pretend you’re in a Karaoke bar. Simply feel free to walk up on stage and join in. By the way, the drunker you are, the better you sound, and the louder you should sing. If by chance you fall off the stage, be sure to crawl back up and attempt to sing harmony. Keep in mind that nothing assists the band more than outrageous dancing, fifth and sixth part harmonies, or a tambourine played out of tempo. Try the cowbell; they love the challenge. The band always needs the help and will take this as a compliment.
Finally, the microphone and PA system are merely props, they don’t really amplify your voice, so when you grab the mic out of the singers’ hand be sure to scream into it at the top of your lungs, otherwise no one will hear what a great singer you are. Hearing is over-rated anyhow, and the crowd and the sound guy will love you for it.

BONUS TIP: As a last resort, wait until the band takes a break and then get on stage and start playing their instruments. They love this. Even if you are ejected from the club, you can rest assured in the fact that you have successfully completed your audition. The band will call you immediately the following day to offer you a position. See you at the next gig….

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