I haven't been to a music venue in Lubbock in about a year, but here's who I always dug hearing:

"The Kinky Wizards"

"The Electric Gypsies"

"Elvis T. Busboy & The Blues Butchers"

"Plain Brown Wrapper"

The last two bands feature John Sprott on guitar.

IMHO, although better guitarists can probably be identified on the planet, none are significantly better than John, plus you can get there early and sit close enough to see everything he does.

Marty Manuel, front man for The Kinky Wizards, is a fine entertainer, he can sing almost anything and do it well and his group is a top notch cover/party band.

Tell Marty "hello" from Jamie, Tenisha and me, Jamie's dad, if you see him.

"Spilling Poetry" was the best local alternative/punk band I ever heard in The Hub City.

The Sunday evening jam session at the Texas Cafe and Bar, better known as The Spoon, was usually good.

I've seen some great concerts at the United Spirit Arena....The Eagles, Aerosmith, Cheap Trick.

Who's hot lately and what's happening now?

Gig 'em, FAST FRED '65.

Before the world wide web, village idiots usually stayed in their own village.

The Kinky Wizards had a CD relase party at Jake's back room on Friday. I didn't get to go, but I heard it was a good time. I look forward to getting a copy and seeing them again.

A local band you didn't mention, but certainly deserves recognition, is ThriftStore Cowboys. They are orginally from Post and all went to school at South Plains. Their sound could best be described as lonely hick country with a twang. Their vocals are anchored by the unique sound of Daniel Fluitt. Amanda Shire harmonizes perfectly on backup and inserts a mournful fiddle. Anchoring the group are two brothers Colt and Clint (I confess to forgetting their last names) one of which plays bass on his "pink panty dropper" and the other which scratches out interesting lead lines. The drummer tends to vary, but is necessary to keep all the differing rhythyms of the group together. They have three releases: Nowhere with You, the Great American Desert and Lay Low While Crawling or Creeping. I'd recommend Nowhere with You to start, IMO, it is their best.

Amanda Shire now has her own CD release called Being Brave. She is currently touring by herself to promote it. The CD is filled with primarily instrumental music of her fiddle along with a guitar and banjo. There are a couple of songs that feature her mournful singing and one duet with Daniel Fluitt. It is something to really enjoy if you like bluegrass mixed with Marty Robbins. Check out her version of Low and Lonely, it is really good.

Cool.

Gig 'em, FAST FRED '65.

Before the world wide web, village idiots usually stayed in their own village.