A 18 Island Moon December 20, 2012

By Ronnie Narmour

ronnienarmour@gmail.com

In case we’re still here… Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!

Assuming the world doesn’t end tomorrow, I’d like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. This is my 51st and final column of 2012. I’ve had one heck of great year here on our beautiful little island with no complaints and no regrets. I know I’ve got it good and thank the good Lord for everyday I don’t wake up with a yellow chalk line around me. I’ve made some wonderful new friends this year and seen enough music to kill a normal man. I want to thank all my wonderful sponsors who stuck with me again this year: Susan Powell, Paul Fain, Kip Shannon, John & Lynda Coward, Robby Felder, Kathryn Bainbridge, J.B. Atkinson, Kris Amundsen, Jeremy & Sherri Hargrove… plus a couple of new kids who recently jumped on board: Edwin Myers and Ashley Villarreal. THANKS!!! Without your collective support, I’m just another guy at the drive-through asking if “you want fries with that?” I also want to thank my colleagues at our little word factory: Rockin’ Dale Rankin, Jan Rankin, Miles Merwin, Mary Craft and Jeff Craft, I love and respect you guys and look forward to another great year! See you on the other side!

Melissa Brooke, our cowgirl in the sand…

Port A’s own rising star, Melissa Brooke, has been stirring up some dust lately. She recently attended the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas where she performed at several expo showcases around the city. This was young Melissa’s first time ever out of Texas and just in time for her 19th birthday, which she spent on the Las Vegas strip. In case you haven’t guessed by now, she plays country music and she plays it

well.

Brooke is a real deal, boots and buckle, cow-chick who moved to Port A about five years ago from Ft. Worth, where she grew up breaking horses and barrel racing. Her career is in it’s infancy but has caught the attention of several folk who can help make it happen, including the local Badlands-FM Americana radio station (where she is on rotation) and her San Antonio record company, BGM. Brooke has recorded a new CD, which is scheduled for release next month. Her band consists of Larry Haines on drums, Jason Neely (Dicky’s son) on lead guitar and Sam Allred (Oso Texas) on bass. About half of the songs on this forthcoming album were penned by Brooke. Her current single, Texas Rubye, is at number 52 on the Texas Regional Radio Charts. Brooke’s first single, Sticky Situation, made it to number 35.

Ex Triggerfish bassist and local musician of prominence, Woody Lawson, said this of Brooke, “I think Melissa is a young & shining, new singer-songwriter on the Texas Country

music charts, and probably the hottest new talent to come out of Port Aransas since the multi-talented guitarist/vocalist, Cody Angel.” Go get ‘em young lady, you have the look, the sound and the chops. Let’s hope you have the fortitude… I’m guessing you do. Melissa will be playing on New Year’s Eve at the Chalet Sports Bar in Ingleside.

And the hits keep right on coming…We had another great

week at the Tarpon Ice House with a great array of musicians who showed up and played. Uel Jackson’s daughter from Sabinaw , Sierra Jackson, was in town on Saturday and showed us how great vocalists run in their family. It was one of the most fun nights we’ve ever had with all the usual suspects showing up (including Stuart Burns, Miguel Cantu and Bob Reed). We also celebrated our friend, Dennis Sullivan’s, birthday last Wednesday with a surplus of friends, food, merriment and

of course, MUSIC. Uel, Russell Edge, Shirley Fischer, Kit Gutherz and Sean Hunter showed up to help Dennis celebrate and carry on until the wee hours. We even got Lighthouse Rick Reickenbach up to play us a Doug Pyle song. The camaraderie and great music at the Ice House just seem to get better

every week… so does the music.

DO NOT MISS LIST Robert Earl Keen/ Terri Hendrix & Lloyd

Maines…Tonight, Thursday,

December 20th, Robert Earl Keen will play his annual Christmas show at Brewster Street. As if that isn’t enough, Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines will open the show. I’ve gone to the past two REK Christmas shows at Brewster and wouldn’t miss this for love or money. Having Terri and Lloyd on the bill is icing on

the cake. And, if the world does end on the next day, I’ll go out a happy man.

Celebrating the End of the World…Tomorrow, Friday, December 21st, the day the

Mayans felt strongly about, there is a lot going on. The Gaff, everyone’s favorite pirate bar in Port A, is hosting a “Doomsday Prepper’s Party” with a trumpet performance by Toshie, who used to play in the Doc Severinsen Band (Johnny Carson). Proprietor, Kip Shannon, invites everybody to “ Come ride out the end of the world with us.” This could put a mere hurricane party to shame. Also on the 21st, the great funky, Latin rockers, Vallejo will be at the House of Rock, guitar master, Ruben V (San Antonio, TX) will play Dr. Rockits, Three Way Street (Port A, TX) will be at Shorty’s and Ray T and the City Crew will play the Flat’s Lounge. Plus, one act you should definitely catch, the impressive Stevie Start will play a solo performance the Coast Club.

And if we survive…On Saturday, December 22nd, Lyrical Bynge

(Corpus Christi, TX) will be at the Flat’s, the great country crooner, Max Stallings (Dallas, TX) will be at the Executive Surf Club and Mr. Mo will be at Shorty’s. On Sunday the 23rd, Kevin Fowler and the Rankin Twins will play Brewster.

During Christmas…Most of the bars are closed on Christmas Day.

Shortys will be open but the Flat’s will be closed. The Tarpon Ice House will be closed from the 25th through the 27th. The House of Rock will have their annual “Tamale Dinner” on Christmas Eve. On Friday, the 28th, local diva, Rae Ann & the Ride, will be at Shorty’s, Ken Barnett will be at Coffee Waves and Five Card Draw will be at Brewster. On Saturday, the 29th, the jumping (literally) rock solid 80’s band, Goodnight Avenue (Corpus Christi, TX) will be at the Flat’s. If you haven’t experienced the high energy from lead singer, Desiree Magee, you need check this girl out. She has some amazing pipes plus the energy of the Radio City

Rockettes and flat wears you out just watching her. I’m not kidding, this is a great band to party with. And this just in: the Prodigal returns... Cody Angel will play the Coast Club on Friday and Saturday the 28th and 29th.

New Year’s Eve…Here’s the rundown for New Year’s Eve…

the great funkin’ Transistordale will play the Ice House, Ray T and the City Crew are at the Flat’s, Dennis Sullivan and Russell Edge are at Shortys, Three Way Street is at the Coast Club, the Spazmatics is at Brewster but it’s sold-out, Emily will be at Scuttlebutt’s, Another Level will play Dr. Rockits. Don’t even think about drinking and driving on New Year’s, folks. You don’t want to start out 2013 with a hangover in jail. Be safe out there and HAPPY NEW YEAR! Color this year done. And that’s the truth!

TRANSISTORDALENEW YEARS EVE

Open Jam Every SundayHosted by Uel Jackson

(7:00 pm)321 N Alister * (361) 749-2337

Free Beer Band Every Thursday

(7:00 pm)Free Movie Night on Big Screen

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Bar opens at 5:30pm withGrilled Pizzas & Specialty Drinks

Casual Dining at it’s Finest

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Live Music

Thursday, December 20Free Beer Band @ Tarpon Ice HouseRobert Earl Keen/ Terri Hendrix @ Brewster StreetSlamFest 2013 @ House of RockJohn Eric @ Island ItalianAntone & the All Stars @ Dr. Rockits

The End of the WorldRay T & the City Crew @ The Flats LoungeStevie Start @ Coast ClubThree Way Street @ Shorty’sJ.R. Castillo @ Brewster StreetVallejo, Quiet Company, Now & Zen @ House of RockFlashback @ Executive Surf Club Ruben V @ Dr. Rockits Brian Winfrey @ Island ItalianKayla French @ Scuttlebutts David & Barbara Brown @ Coffee Waves

Saturday, December 22Lyrical Bynge @ The Flats LoungeMax Stalling, The Doolins @ Executive Surf ClubSun Salutation @ Dr. Rockits Mr. Mo @ Shorty’sRuben Limas@ Island ItalianSpark in the Dark @ Coffee Waves

Sunday, December 23Open Jam @ Tarpon Ice HouseKevin Fowler, Rankin Twins @ Brewster StreetJosh Heinrichs Band, Skillniah @ Dr. RockitsJohn Eric @ South Texas Ice HouseAcoustic Open Mic @ Neptune’s Retreat

Monday, December 24Open Jam w/ Antone Perez @ Doctor RockitsTamale Dinner @ House of Rock

Christmas Day, December 25Justin Estes @ Dr. Rockits

Wednesday, December 26HOBO @ House of RockOpen Jam w/ Jered “Wolfjaw” Clark @ Flats LoungeHenry & the Invisibles @ Dr. RockitsChris Saenz @ ScuttlebuttsOpen Mic w/ Ray Summy @ Executive Surf Club

Thursday, December 27Free Beer Band @ Tarpon Ice House

Kyle Park, Jason Eady @ Brewster StreetAntone & the All Stars @ Dr. Rockits

John Eric @ Island ItalianMike Guerra & Trisum @

Scuttlebutts

Friday, December 28Ray T & the City Crew @

The Flats LoungeRae Ann & the Ride @

Shorty’s Scarecrow People @ Executive Surf Club

Five Card Draw @ Brewster Street

Fly Emerites, Peace N Quiet, ECHO, Resz, Glass the Sky @ House of

RockCode Blue @ Dr. Rockits

Brian Winfrey @ Island Italian

Ken Barnett @ Coffee Waves

Fabian Rivera @ Scuttlebutts Cody Angel

@ Coast Club

Saturday, December 29Goodnight Avenue @ The

Flats LoungeAdolescents, Youth

Brigade, American Heist, One Dollar Bob @ House of Rock

Mr. Mo @ Shorty’sAloha Dave & the Tourist @ Executive Surf Club

Scarecrow People @ Brewster StreetRick Lee $ the Night Owls @ Dr. Rockits

Ruben Limas@ Island Italian

Stuart Burns @ Coffee Waves

Blake Sparx @ Scuttlebutts Cody Angel

@ Coast Club

Sunday, December 30Open Jam @ Tarpon Ice

HouseFortunate Youth, Tatanka,

High-Bred Roots @ House of Rock Acoustic Open Mic @ Neptune’s Retreat

Spoonfed Tribe @ Dr. Rockits

Monday, New Years EveTransistordale @ Tarpon

Ice HouseDennis Sullivan &

Russell Edge @ Shorty’sRay T & the City Crew

@ The Flats Lounge Three Way Street @

Coast ClubSpazmatics @ Brewster

StreetEmily @ Scuttlebutts Another Level @ Dr.

RockitsMelissa Brooke @ Chalet Sports Bar (Ingleside)

Tonight

Live Music Every Friday

Mon-Sat 10am- 2am

Sun Noon- 2am

Vampires Welcome

AshVill Construction LLCResidential, Multi-Family & CommercialNew Construction & RemodelsAshley R. Villarreal(210) 387-2993Aaron Murray(361) 332- 9884

ashvilleconstruction@gmail.com

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Three Chords and the Truth

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

Buy Local, lots of sparkly GiftsClasses Starting Soon,

Call to Schedule 401 Beach Street -

(361) 749-MELT

Transistordale will play the Tarpon Ice House on New Year’s Eve.

Sierra and Uel Jackson performed last Saturday at the Tarpon Ice House.

Dennis Sullivan, Uel Jackson and Russell Edge played the Tarpon Ice House last

weekend.

Lighthouse Rick Reichenbach

performed at the Tarpon Ice House

last Sunday.

Goodnight Avenue will play the Flats Lounge on Dec. 29v.

Local recording artist Melissa

Brooke on the road to Vegas.

Robert Earl Keen will play Brewster Street on December 20th.

(361) 749-2388www.feldergallery.com

F I N E A RT

SOUTH SWE L LW INDOW

T IN T•Locally Owned & Operated•Specialize in Residential &Small Business Solutions

361-944-0167

Moon Monkeys annual Christmas portrait