Spring is looking up

As we recover from a dry winter season, we look forward to spring. A time when the local music industry seems to come alive in East Texas. Many musicians in the area experienced a very slow time over the winter, as well as venue owners. I talked to many owners who had to cut their live shows down to just one or two a month. A backlash from the economy. People were just staying home and trying to hold onto their money. I really couldn't blame them. But this caused the live music industry around here to sort of come to a halt. Venue owners were receiving more than 50 calls a month from bands looking for a place to play! I had bands calling me looking as well. It was hard for me to tell them there just wasn't any place at the moment that was hiring. 


But, now that we are on the brink of spring people are getting ants in their pants. A long winter stuck in the house will do wonders for the local scene! People are ready to get out and enjoy themselves and that means more business for the venues around. Many are starting to book  more shows and get ready for the spring/summer season, to the delight of many musicians. 


Though it saddens me to say it, there will be the closing of a local legend this month. Mom's Biker Bar in Longview, Tx..  
Mom's has been the longest standing biker bar in Texas. This is a big disappointment to all. Mom's was not just a biker bar. It was so much more. This was a place where everyone was welcomed. I have been there and seen such an array of people it would astound you. You have your rough dressed bikers sitting at the table talking and drinking with your suit and ties. It is really a funny picture when you think about it. Everyone who walked in there felt at home. This is a prime example of how music is so  universal. 


mo blues

Ruby | MySpace Video

No matter who you are or where you are from, if you like the music being played that is all that matters. We wish that Mom's could carry on the tradition of bringing people together, but for now it must come to an end. It  is our hopes that Mom's will re-open one day soon. But for now we will miss it.


And as always when one door closes another one opens. Captain Mike has opened a venue similar to Mom's. The Pirates Club is a place to call home. When you walk in there you feel like you have walked right on the set of Cheers. The Pirates Club is on it's way to being the best music venue of East Texas.With live music going on at least two nights a week and sometime three. There is always something going on there. The spring and summer will really bring it to life. The Pirates club is right on Lake Hawkins nestled into the woods by the RV park. When the weather warms up there will be a huge outdoor area complete with volley ball sand court! Visit  http://myspace.com/paradiseharbor and get the dets on what will be going on there this year. Once you venture out there you will never want to leave.


There will be more doors opening this season and I for one am pretty excited about all the new opportunities that will come from it. Our local musicians deserve our support and the best way to show them is to go to their shows. This is one area of our economy that we need to keep alive, There is no better medicine for the heart than music.