Austin Musicians Forum

ARISTA RECORDS SIGNS PUSHMONKEY Arista signs Austin's # 1 Hard Rock Band PUSHMONKEY; power rockers managed by Bill Ham Arista is pleased to announce the addition of Austin, Texas-based band Pushmonkey to their very select rock roster. Arista Records President Clive Davis, enthused about the signing stated, "I'm excited for us to be launching Pushmonkey and, to be working in this connection along side of Bill Ham. We all have strong expectations for Pushmonkey's future. They're the real deal." Pushmonkey's manager, music legend Bill Ham, said of the deal, "We are indeed fortunate to have Pushmonkey signed to Arista Records. I am very confident about their future with Arista and I feel especially excited for the band to be involved with Clive Davis as they embark on a national recording career. I know the band will be a great asset to Arista's new rock division, with their proven airplay and sales history in the Southwest." It was Pushmonkey's instant airplay and sold out shows that caught Arista's attention. Pushmonkey's first CD MAIZE (on a now defunct local label) was released in 1994, it sold out, and in 1995 they recorded a 3 song cassette to sell at shows only. Fortunately for them it wound up in the hands of the music director at Houston's KLOL. It was the song, "Caught My Mind" that received instant reaction and went to # 1 on their playlist. Unfortunately for Pushmonkey, they didn't have any product on the market. In stepped Bill Ham and Lone Wolf Management. Under their guidance, Pushmonkey would go on to tour Texas with KISS; release a 5 song EP on Lone Wolf Records; headline clubs and outdoor venues and garner airplay in major markets throughout the Southwest. Combined sales now total 10,000. The excitement continued to build to the point that even MTV invited them to perform at the network's first annual Sports And Music Festival; and in 1997 Pushmonkey would be named "# 1 Hard Rock Band" at the Austin Music Awards. Ever since four of the five band members were students together at the University of Texas, (lead singer Tony Park was even a member of the Longhorn's Marching band), they have had an undaunted dedication to success. They have the ability to write infectious power rock songs with sing along choruses which will make them a favorite at radio. Look for Pushmonkey's first Arista release in the Spring of 1998. Arista Records on the web: http://www.aristarec.com Pushmonkey on the web: http://www.eden.com/~pushmonk

"Pawn Shop Wedding Rings" another gem from the peerless pen of Monte Warden. Donalee Small, standup@swbell.net

Clan of Xymox & This Ascension ...on tour now... Here are the tour dates as they stand at this time.... For More Info: http://www.tessrecords.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Nov.5th San Francisco, California @ Slim's. 333 11th Street (415) 255-0333 Nov.9th Los Angeles, California @ Coven 13-El Ray Theatre. 5515 Wilshire Blvd. (Between LaBrea & Fairfax) (213) 936-4790 http://www.hallucinet.com/asylem/coven13 Nov.13th Austin, Texas @ The Atomic Cafe. 705 Red River St. (512) 457-0644 Nov.14th Houston, Texas @ Numbers. 300 Westheimer (713) 526-6551 http://www.numbersnightclub.com Nov.15th Baton Rouge, La. @ Luna. 302 3rd Street (504) 297-5035 http://www.intersurf.com/~alessi/luna.html

If you recieved more than one copy of this email or would like to be removed, please reply immediately!!!! We'll fix it ASAP!!! Happy New Year from Troy Dillinger & Del Dragons!!!--- We hope 1997 treated you well and that '98 will hold health, happiness, and success for you. Thanks to all of you who helped our year to be fantastic!!! Your continued support in the coming year is graciously anticipated--let us thank you in advance for a great 1998!!! Here's a little run-down of how 1997 shaped up for the band: 1997 rolled in with the us in the studio putting the finishes on our first full-length recording, "Southern Jumbo", and readying for the ardous task of shopping labels, etc. throughout the world. In March, we appeared at the SXSW music conference with guitar god Eric Johnson and on a sattellite radio broadcast to France. Momentum picked up for us almost immediately as the CD started to be released in local stores, we started to get airplay on local stations KLBJ and KGSR and a handful of others. By summer we had begun to establish ourselves as a regional touring act, and "Southern Jumbo" was gaining attention both here and internationally. By the end of summer, the CD was available in over 20 stores in Texas, we had added on radio stations with AAA, AOR, and college formats, were recieving excellent press for the CD, and to top it all off; we signed a record deal for Europe with France's DixieFrog Records. In the fall, we continued touring and playing locally (we opened for Kenny Wayne Shepard, Paul Rodgers, and Lynyrd Skynyrd (dude...) at the Woodlands in Houston), and the CD became available in international order catalogs and on the internet, as it was being released in Europe. The year ended for us with a bang as we recieved word that the CD was selling well in Europe and plans were being made for a spring tour. Unfortunately, we suffered the loss of co-vocalist Kim Patty (to the responsibilities of motherhood), and co-guitarist Kevin Carroll (to a death in the family which required a prolonged absence from music). Both are fine now and Kevin is back on stage with Jimmy LaFave. Determined to go on with our momentum (despite any references to Spinal Tap), we ended 1997 with a packed house at the Saxon Pub. We welcomed 1998 with the confirmation of a month to two-month tour of Europe, including Paris, Madrid, and Moscow, publishing and management agreements in the works, and a barrage of excellent press from European magazines. We also have begun to record a version of the record for the States, and have begun contacting American independent labels. The recording sessions featured producer/bassist Bruce Hughes (Ugly Americans/Poi Dog Pondering), keyboardist Ian MacLagan (Faces, Rolling Stones, et al.), and new drummer Brian Keeling (Water the Dog/Mr. Rocket Baby), and a special appearance by Scrappy Jud Newcomb (Loose Diamonds). We'll be expanding our touring base throughout the US this year and we've also recieved confirmation of our appearance at SXSW '98 (you'll recieve an invitation to our infamous annual SXSW party). We look forward to more good times with you all in the coming year, and if you have any additional questions or would like to get involved in any way with taking our music to the world, please email me back--we'd love to hear from you. If you haven't recieved a promotional copy of "Southern Jumbo" yet or would like new press materials, please email me back. If you're not in the music biz' we're starting the year with a thank you-- the first 15 responses to this email will recieve a free copy of "Southern Jumbo". Talk to you all soon..... ----Troy Dillinger & Del Dragons

Wishing you all the Joys of the season and the best of everything in the comming year! Andy Cahan

Dear Laura & Doug: Simply wanted to say hello to you guys & tell you how much we miss you! Still slowly recovering, and occasionally sitting in on a few songs with friends at their gigs, but not booking myself yet. I look forward to performing "full out" again around February/March. I'm going crazy not being on stage!!! I really miss the audience feedback. But the writing/recording of my next album is going splendidly! I'm very very inspired from all the insanity of 1997, and look forward to a smoother ride in 1998! So Carl & I both feel that the songs are very exciting. Look forward to seeing you guys sometime in the near future. I'll be singing a few songs acoustically at the 93.7 Christmas Party, live at the Coppertank at 7 am on December 19th. And you may see me around my friends at KLBJ this month too! It has been a long, difficult lesson in patience... just sitting back taking medication and waiting for my head & neck injuries to heal. I want to run & jump & scream again! We wish you all the peace & love & success you deserve! Lots of love, Lisa Tingle & Carl Thiel

**Applications for the 1998 edition of the Texas Music Industry Directory are due December 9.** If you have not returned your application, please don�t miss this once-a-year opportunity to tell your company�s story to the entire Texas music industry. Expanded listings are $35 and include your 150-word description, four cross references, website URL, and full contact information. Free listings include company name, address, phone, fax, e-mail and one contact. The 1997 edition was 424-pages and included more than 8,000 Texas music contacts. The TMID is the most comprehensive guide to the Texas music industry ever published. Don�t get left out. If you need an additional application, let us know. If you have already returned yours, thanks!

From Smash Riley... L.A. was terrific, although they had a heat wave while I was there. 100 friggin' degrees! Oh, except for the night it was 40 degrees. My favorite show was a showcase at a theatre behind the Lucy Florence Cafe in Hollywood, on Santa Monica. The audience was small (about 50) but incredibly appreciative! They gave me a real shot in the arm. (um. metaphorically speaking.) They laughed at everything I said which was remotely funny (and believe me, a lot of it was *remote* indeed). Best of all, the young women in the audience loved it! That is the hugest thrill! My newest biggest fan is...Scott McKenzie from the Mamas & the Papas. He's everything a 59-year-old hippie should be: fat, grey, ironic, and frequently drunk. He was so funny - he would offhandly refer to "this band I sing with" until someone said, "What band is that?" "Oh, this '60s group called The Mamas & The Papas." Anyway, we really hit it off since we're both crushingly direct and yet naive to the core. He said my songs are terrific and my voice is "beautiful" and "has resonance". Members of his band (not the original members) jammed after my set and I sang back-up a bit, although frankly I don't know a single M&P song. Let's see...I also got offered the chance to score an upcoming theatre production of a Bertoldt Brecht play. My only other brush with fame was a shame. Of all the celebrities to meet... Keanu Reeves. (Yes, I kept thinking about his awful delivery: "Ma-dame de Ve-lange.") I saw him at the Good Luck Bar and thought, Jesus, that's got to be him. So, emboldened by a couple of beers (isn't that always the case?), I said, "Hey, do you know a music critic in Austin named Ken Lieck?" Ken Lieck is Keanu's biggest fan, judging from his internet postings. I remember him talking about hanging out with Dogstar or something. "Who? Did we play Austin?" Keanu asked his bandmate. "Yeah, remember? Some place called Liberty Lunch? It sucked." "Wow. A music critic likes us, huh?" They invited me to sit with them. I talked guitar bullshit with Rob, the drummer, who invited me to jam with them later (i.e. 4 a.m.) at their practice space. I'm pretty sure I was being invited to do something else. Then they were rude to my friend John, presumably 'cause he's a guy. Anyway, Keanu is every bit as vacant and unimpressive in person as you might expect. However, he did like my trick-or-treat story: When I lived on the East Side some of the trick-or-treaters were, like, 15 years old and appeared to be wearing the Kid-Who-Could-Really-Fuck-Up-My-Car-Which-Was-Parked-On-The-Street costume. Anyway, I ran out of candy with a group of little kids, so in desparation I handed out quarters. Well, a few minutes later a gang of former trick-or-treaters rang the bell. They'd been to our house before. They wanted to TRADE their Hershey's bars for Quarters!!!! Of all the nerve! (Keanu: "Wow. So, they were, like, the same kids you'd seen already?" Me: "Uh. Yeah.") Then he sang my name: "J-J-J-Jen-nif-er! J-J-J-Jen-nif-er!" What a memory. I. shall. cherish. it. always. "But enough about ME...what do YOU think about ME?" OK, enough L.A. My car wreck last month which a) was not my fault, and b) is currently developing into a lawsuit, has c) left me without a car. I am thinking of writing a song with the chorus: "Margaret Burns." Has a certain ring to it, no? Also happens to be the name of the insurance adjuster at Charter insurance. Also happens to be the anti-Christ, as far as I can tell. I'm going to England and Paris and god only knows where else for the next three weeks. This is as close as I get to a World Tour. Wish me luck. ---jennifer ellen cook

good luck!

Check out Kevin Dobbs new article on http://www.capitol-city.com "Running a band like a business"

Laura: It was great to see you and Doug last Wed. Thank you for your wonderful mention of the show, and our pregnancy! Carl & I appreciate your support more than you can imagine. We would love to be present at your wedding, if it ends up being an open wedding and not private. But regardless, there needs to be a grand party to celebrate! Keep us posted on the details and let us know if we can help with anything. We love you both, Lisa & Carl

The above letter is from Lisa Tingle & Carl Thiel, who are some of the most talented people in Austin Music.

Hi Doug! How are you doing? Would you please post this to the list? Ande ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Disciplined, Creative, Prolific Lyricist seeks Austin collaborators! Composers and Artists Sought! It rages in you furiously like an incandescent fire, To write those special songs, awesome hits. It rages in me ridiculously, I write all the time, Keep going and never never never never quit. I am looking for exceptional composers and artists who are on the way up! People who are creatively on fire and ache to write great songs. Ones that touch people to the core. Songs that give chills of pleasure, that lead people to laugh with delight, to feel what we felt when inspiration struck. A usual day for me is 4 or 5 new song ideas and one lyric. I currently have about 30 lyrics pretty close to done, 30 more off to a good start, and 125 title ideas for of songs that ought to be and many more on the way. I have started several collaborations with people on the Internet. But, I am ready to go local. I write country, rock, and adult contemporary. I prefer to write to music, but I don not need music to write. I am open to criticism and consider it essential. I just want to make the song better. Why don�t you look into what I have done so far and line up for what�s on the way? Contact Anders Rasmussen 10409 Dedham Court Austin, TX 78739 512-288-8377 anderasmus@aol.com Member Austin Songwriters Group Nashville Songwriters Association Author of "Ideas that Inspire!" "Brilliant ideas and thought-provoking insights will stab your spirit alive as you read and absorb the wisdom in this book." Mark Victor Hansen Co-author, #1 New York Times Best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series Ideas that Inspire is a wonderful and fascinating book that only fully reveals itself in the last half of the book. I was surprised and delighted! I highly recommend it to anyone seeking truth and wisdom." Jack Canfield Co-author, #1 New York Times Best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To: Texas music industry professional From: Casey Monahan, Texas Music Office, Office of the Governor (512) 463.6666 music@governor.state.tx.us One copy of the 1998 Texas Music Industry Directory, an annual publication of the Texas Music Office, was sent to you last week from Austin via Fourth Class US Mail. The Texas Music Office is an economic development program in the Office of the Governor. The TMO serves as the information clearinghouse and promotion office for the Texas music industry. The 424-page TMID lists more than 9,000 Texas music business contacts -- including you -- as well as special sections on music events, classical music, books about Texas music, and Texas colleges offering music and music business courses. This is the eighth annual edition. Each listee receives one free copy. Additional copies are available while supply lasts for $20. For information, contact the TMO at (512) 463.6666, music@governor.state.tx.us, fax (512) 463.4114, or visit the TMO website at http://www.governor.state.tx.us/music. If you have any suggestions, comments, listing changes, complaints or ideas concerning the 1998 TMID, please reply to cmonahan@governor.state.tx.us. Thanks! ~~~~~~~~~~~~ The recent update of the Texas Talent Register [http://www.governor.state.tx.us/music/talent.htm] nearly doubled the number of musical acts listed. The TTR includes the primary business phone number and locale for more than 1,900 Texas musical acts. Also included are links to 725 Texas musical act websites. If you know of Texas musicals act not listed, please let us know so we can include them in future Texas Talent Register website revisions. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Of the 6,400 companies listed in the Texas Music Industry Directory, 1,586 -- 25 percent -- have e-mail addresses. Seventeen percent -- 1,110 -- have websites, all of which are linked in the Texas Music Office�s Internet Guide to Texas Music [http://www.governor.state.tx.us/music/igtm.htm]. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Texas Music Office, Governor�s Office P.O. Box 13246, Austin, TX 78711 (512) 463.6666, fax (512) 463.4114 music@governor.state.tx.us http://www.governor.state.tx.us/music *You Can�t Hear American Music Without Hearing Texas*

....Velvet Hammer placed in the Top Ten in *four* Austin Music Awards categories !! THANK YOU! Needless to say, we're still surprised to find ourselves listed in there at all :) So pick up a Chronicle, or just follow the link to them on our homepage....VH placed in Best 'None of the Above' Bands (3rd Place), (that category cracks us up, btw :), Ginger Doss for 'Keyboards' (10th Place), Lynda Millard for 'Bass' (9th Place) Lynda Millard for 'Miscellaneous Instrument', flute (5th Place). Thank you so much. It really means alot to us that so many of you took the time to vote; it's things like this that help us keep going :) We love ya. Come out tonight and celebrate with us!

Hello everyone. dizzybloom will be playing in the first annual North by NorthGate music festival in College Station, Texas. We will be featured at The Cow Hop on March 27th @ midnight. Also check us out at Dan's Bar if you happen to be in Denton, Texas on April 16th. Other news: The bigger, better, and more bodacious website is almost finished. www.dizzybloom.com is currently under construction and should be finished very soon. More soundclips, pics, reviews, news, and more stuff that we couldn't fit on the older, smaller site will be included. dizzybloom was recently featured on Austin's MIX 94.7 FM "Mix it or 86 it" and it was an overwhelming success! If you happened to be one of the 99 out of 100 people who called in to say "Mix It", then we thank you! Stacey, Juliet, Steven, and Billy - dizzybloom

Mr LaRue and Mr. Browder: Lonestar Investments Inc. is pleased to announce the upcoming debut album release Casey Lee Green. Official PRs will be released in the next 45 days from the label, Hastings and VLS. Casey presents a new-country sound with top shelf material. Visit the CASEY LEE GREEN website at http://www.lonestar.net/clgreen/ and listen to a few sample tracks form he new Album! You will enjoy a no-expense-spared, first class production. COME HOME will be the first single release to commemorate and coincide with high school and college graduation this Spring. EVIL TWIN and KILL A MEMORY will be released shortly thereafter. Casey's accompaniment on his debut album is literally a whos-who in country music with members from George Straits Ace-In-The-Hole, Sammy Kershaw, David Kersh, John Cougar Mellencamp, Joe Ely and others. Casey Lee Green is produced by Billy Stull Productions and Texas World Records, managed by Lonestar Investments Inc., personal management by J. Farris and AFU Holdings. To request a complimentary CD, reply to the undersigned. David Hight Lonestar Investments, Inc.

Doug & Laura: Congratulations on your engagement! We are sooooooo happy for you both. Where do you plan to marry? Write back whenever you can, and let us know what's new. We're both fine. I'm doing the Austin Songwriter's Group monthly showcase this Wed. April 1st at Hang 'Em High at 8:30pm. Are you guys gonna be there? Hope to see you both soon. We both miss you! Love- Lisa & Carl

Hi there Doug, wanted to thank you for the great link to Butterfly Tree on your music page.You really hae a great magazine,I have lots of fun roaming around in here. If Laura Rojo has an email address there,would you pass on my address to her so we can keep in touch.I really am curious to see some photos she took of our first show. thanks for everything. Peace and Blessings, Dana Davis of Butterfly Tree

Hi Doug! How are you doing? Would you please post this to the list? Ande ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Disciplined, Creative, Prolific Lyricist seeks Austin collaborators! Composers and Artists Sought! It rages in you furiously like an incandescent fire, To write those special songs, awesome hits. It rages in me ridiculously, I write all the time, Keep going and never never never never quit. I am looking for exceptional composers and artists who are on the way up! People who are creatively on fire and ache to write great songs. Ones that touch people to the core. Songs that give chills of pleasure, that lead people to laugh with delight, to feel what we felt when inspiration struck. A usual day for me is 4 or 5 new song ideas and one lyric. I currently have about 30 lyrics pretty close to done, 30 more off to a good start, and 125 title ideas for of songs that ought to be and many more on the way. I have started several collaborations with people on the Internet. But, I am ready to go local. I write country, rock, and adult contemporary. I prefer to write to music, but I don not need music to write. I am open to criticism and consider it essential. I just want to make the song better. Why don�t you look into what I have done so far and line up for what�s on the way? Contact Anders Rasmussen 10409 Dedham Court Austin, TX 78739 512-288-8377 anderasmus@aol.com Member Austin Songwriters Group Nashville Songwriters Association Author of "Ideas that Inspire!" "Brilliant ideas and thought-provoking insights will stab your spirit alive as you read and absorb the wisdom in this book." Mark Victor Hansen Co-author, #1 New York Times Best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series Ideas that Inspire is a wonderful and fascinating book that only fully reveals itself in the last half of the book. I was surprised and delighted! I highly recommend it to anyone seeking truth and wisdom." Jack Canfield Co-author, #1 New York Times Best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Everyone should have received their CD - press kits by now. If you have not, please reply. Also, if you have had a chance review any of the tracks, let me know what you think... As an update: Billboard and R&R have requested Caseys material...the single COME HOME is the number 1 requested song in West Texas, surpassing new releases from George Strait and others. A national distribution agreement will be finalized within the next 10 days with a major wholeseller...we are waiting on the final contracts from the label. Our exclusive contract with Hastings has expanding to New Mexico and Oklahoma...Casey will make personal appearances at all Hastings locations. The Hastings tour began March 27th and is scheduled to concluded May 10th...find Casey on the web...go to your favorite search engine and type Casey Lee Green... David Hight Lonestar Investments, Inc. Midland, Texas

Congratulations! Lisa Tingle performs at ASG Showcase... We found out at the Austin Songwriter's showcase of 4/1/98 that Lisa Tingle and Carl Thiel are expecting their first child in September. Lisa looks great, and sounds great and seems to be doing better from the back injury she sustained when a drunk driver rear ended her truck last year. Both "parents to be" are very excited about the news, as are Lisa's parents. Lisa has been working in the studio on a new album she will be shopping around with record companies in the near future. For those record labels looking for talent, this is a great opportunity for you to sign an incredible vocalist. I was at the studios when they were recording a couple of the tracks, and the material she has been working on is top notch! Lisa will be appearing at Steamboat every Tuesday night for the next few weeks, opening for MC Overlord. If you want to treat yourself to some great music, go and check out Steamboat on Tuesday nights. (6th St.)

Capitol-City A&E News Update Austin, Texas ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Capitol-City.Com BOOKSTORE Online! Were looking for the Best writers in Austin! If you are an Austin writer and want to promote your book send us a copy for review and we will review it on our ALL NEW Capitol-City.Com BOOKSTORE Online! If you are an avid reader of local talent, please give us your opinion and we will post your review of your favorite Texas writers & books in the "Reader's Great Book Picks". Just say your piece and email back to this address: larue@capitol-city.com Check Out the Austin Readers Forums on Capitol City. You can find them directly from the menu or from a link inside the bookstore. We are also interested in profiling local visual artist, so if you are one, or know one, let us know. Want to link us to your site? We would appreciate it! Want some banner art, all sizes? goto http://www.capitol-city.com/indexbnrs.html New Articles Now Available! Brook Mays Guitar Wars, preview up now, photos to come. I'll have Chris Mosser's Mo Music Musts Article updated by tomorrow. BANDS, ARTISTS, MUSICIANS WE WANT TO TELL AUSTIN ABOUT YOU!! Send us info about you, your web sites, your cd's for review. We are here to talk about you so take advantage of our huge readership. send your press kits to: Capitol City A&E Magazine, 13492 Research Blvd., Ste. 120-143, Austin, Texas 78750-2254 Our Wonderful and Devoted Volunteer Staff: Rush Evans- ( Music Reviews, Austin Music History, Program Director at K-Eye Television ) Laura Rojo- Music Reviews, Photographer ( KLBJ Local Licks Live Photographer for 7 years ) Chris Mosser- ( Live Show Reviews, Disc Jockey at KLBJ-FM, member of the band ?Human? ) Marybeth Gradziel - ( seasoned veteran writer specializing in Arts & Folk Music ) Milos Fortunato - ( Award winning screenwriter and Fine Artist ) Doug La Rue (Me)- ( Award winning Artist and Photographer, Co-Publisher and Editor ) Paul Browder- (My business partner and Co-Owner of Capitol City Publishing, L.L.C.) George Shineldecker- ( Office Manager, mostly Pauls Browders office manager) JT Guerrero - ( Photographer ) Paul Terry Walhus - ( Internet & telecommunications specialist & owner of www.spring.com ) Do you want to write something about Austin, Art, Music or Life, give us a call! 219-1433 Thanks for your readership and thank you Austin Artists, for being so helpful as we continue to build this publication for you!

Oh dont bother to notice where im the only person who seems to add anything to this No content please!

There is nothing for me to add from Hawaii, but I am most interested in learning about Austin's cultural life as well as anything else about the place.