Neal Francis Leaves ‘Em Gasping for More

Neal Francis left Chicago, and he headed to the ATX. Three days, 6 concerts, and 2 live radio shows later, Francis moved on. The modern day piano man left behind a legion of new fans begging him to come back soon.

During his whirlwind SXSW 2022 stay, Francis appeared at venues as large as Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion and as intimate the brand new coffee bar at the Carpenter Hotel. He shared bills with the likes of Nelson, Jason Isbell, Heartless Bastards, and The Bright Light Social Hour. His high energy shows left audiences hungry for more.

“I think he’s really going to blow up,” predicted one fan, who told me he’d been to half of Francis’ Austin appearances.

Continue reading “Neal Francis Leaves ‘Em Gasping for More”
Advertisement

Bobby Whitlock’s Layla Tales

When Bobby Whitlock and Coco Carmel take the stage at Austin’s Saxon Pub on a Saturday evening, Whitlock’s classic stories – as much as the pair’s performance and their I-really-love-you grins – are the stars of the show.

The stories chronicle events of almost 50 years ago. But they captivate because they recount the writing and recording of the magical songs that Derek and the Dominos released on their only studio album – Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.

Saxon Pub
Austin, TX – 07.14.18

Canon EOS 80D
f4, 1/125
ISO 4000
70 mm

The Wailers

Every year, Austin celebrates Bob Marley’s music not on his birthday or the anniversary of his death, but — of course — on 4/20 … or as close as we can get … with the three-day Austin Reggae Festival. The Wailers closed out the 2018 festival on a beautiful Sunday evening along the shores of the Colorado.

Auditorium Shores
Austin, TX – 04.22.18

Lead singer Josh Barrett (above)
Canon EOS 80D
f5.6 1/125
ISO 800
220 mm

Continue reading “The Wailers”

The Revivalists

One of my favorite shows every year is State Sen. Kirk Watson’s annual “Concert Under the Stars.” Always a great act in a small crowd at a wonderful location — Austin’s Zilker Park on the night before the Austin City Limits Festival opens. This year’s talent: The Revivalists on Oct. 5, 2017.

All shots on Canon EOS 80D with Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 lens.

Lead singer David Shaw and saxaphonist Rob Ingraham (Photo above)
f4 1/160
ISO 3200
70 mm

Continue reading “The Revivalists”