Joining the newcomers with a second album are current Amplify 817 artists Cherry Mantis, Keegan McInroe, JOE, Panoramic Duo, and Simon Flory.

“We’re excited to close out 2024 with a fresh batch of talented artists, offering listeners even more local music to discover and enjoy,” said Rita Alfaro, music librarian.

After being reviewed and selected by a panel of Fort Worth music supporters, artists receive a $300 honorarium for a three-year license to host their music on the site. Funding for honorariums is provided by donors to the Fort Worth Public Library Foundation.

Amplify 817 continually expands its commercial-free collection of local music through bi-annual artist submission rounds (one in winter and another in summer). The collection currently features over 100 artists offering listeners a diverse range of genres.

“Every city has its unique voices and stories to share, and Amplify 817 is proud to play a part in uplifting those in Fort Worth’s bustling music scene,” said Midori Clark, Fort Worth Public Library Director.

The post Amplify 817 Adds Local Musicians first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Far beyond the formal music clubs, you can hear Fort Worth’s local musicians across the district at our record stores, restaurants, bars, breweries, recording studios, galleries, and in the soundtracks of films made in the district. In fact, Fairmount porches have been known to serve as music venues as frequently as our Near Southside festival stages have.

Music is in the DNA of the Near Southside. This year, you’ve likely heard about the shuttering of several of Fort Worth’s great music rooms – from Twilite Lounge to Lola’s, The Isis to the most recent announcement from The Post at River East. While many of these venues weren’t located in the Near Southside, they are still important to the music community and economy that calls the district home. As each closing announcement rolled out, our team became increasingly compelled to lean into supporting our remaining venues and the many musicians who call Fort Worth home. Live local music needs something in the win column, and we’re eager to be on the team.

Enter Lost ‘N Sound – a new, four-event music series coming to South Main Village in 2024. Lost ‘N Sound will transform businesses throughout the village into one-day music venues hosting established and emerging local musicians across genres. Community members are invited to enjoy the performances while exploring both traditional music venues and unexpected spaces like architecture offices, art galleries, retailers, recording studios, and film studios hosting stages. The free Lost ‘N Sound shuttle allows patrons to hop on and off at dozens of participating South Main Village venues with markets, food, music, and more on event days.

SAVE THE DATES

• This Saturday, May 18
• Saturday, June 15
• Saturday, September 21
• Saturday, October 19 (in partnership with ArtsGoggle)

THIS SATURDAY’S PARTICIPATING VENUES

• The Down ‘n Out
• Pouring Glory
• The Cicada
• 97w and Genius House Media
• Rahr & Sons Brewing Company
• Roots Coffeehouse
• Gallery 440 (sponsored by Worthington Bank)
• The Coupe
• Atlas Fort Worth
• Tricks of the Trade + Tarantula Tiki at Broadway & S. Main
• The Bearded Lady
• HopFusion Ale Works (sponsored by Valliance Bank)
• Distribution Bar
• Southside Cellar
• Winton + Waits
• Tinies Mexican Cuisine (sponsored by TX Whiskey)
• The Holly Natural Wine Bar
• Apothenne

See details of the performances at each venue and a map of all the participating venues and make your plans to join in the fun!

The post Local Music in the Near Southside first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

The promotion program, called Sound Care, was established to help musicians who may not know how to qualify for reduced-cost care with JPS Health Network. As Fort Worth artists work to establish themselves in the music industry, this program offers musicians and their families options for accessing preventative care and treatment. Sound Care connects musicians with the same services provided to all eligible Tarrant residents.

“This is a great option for musicians who might not have a steady stream of income or benefits while working to grow their music careers,” said Tom Martens, director of Hear Fort Worth, a division of the Visit Fort Worth tourism office. “We want to keep local musicians and their families healthy and happy so they can continue to showcase their talent in the Fort Worth music scene and beyond.”

Photo courtesy of Hear Fort Worth

Patients who qualify for care, based on income and expenses, will have access to preventative care such as physicals and screenings, as well as a dedicated care team for their families, which includes a physician or nurse practitioners.

“JPS has been a cornerstone of the Tarrant County community for over 100 years,” said Dr. Karen Duncan, President and CEO of JPS Health Network. “Our teams are always ready to provide exceptional care to anyone who walks through our doors. We are excited to partner with Hear Fort Worth to extend healthcare services to our talented community of musicians. This partnership will allow us to fulfill our mission of improving access to care and ensuring the health and well-being of the communities we serve.”

The post Hear Fort Worth & JPS Team Up to Help Local Musicians first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Photo courtesy of Little Jack Films

Fort Worth has long been a nexus of these various shades of blue, a laboratory for artists of all genres seeking their own path. As tried and true as the sound of trains, Vincent Neil Emerson’s authentic representation of country music’s true heritage, which runs contrary to the majority of contemporary country music peddled along the airwaves of Clear Channel and Sirius.

Songwriting is second nature for Emerson, and if the tunes feel like they come from another time and place, it is because they are colored by his roots in East Texas and further over into Ebarb, Louisiana – home of the Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb. A born entertainer, his full-band performances are fueled by a Honky-tonk sound that drives audiences wild.

He quickly found fans in and around Fort Worth, when, as he explains, “I was listening to a lot of Merle Travis and Mance Lipscomb, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Mississippi John Hurt, I noticed a lot of singer-songwriters had incorporated the fingerpicking style.”

Dreamy Life Records’ Robby Rux – his drummer for a year – took notice, later pointing Emerson towards a classic Honky-tonk sound, connects the dots back to his first encounter with Vincent Neil Emerson: “I saw a YouTube video of him playing a Doc Watson tune. Vincent’s a three-finger picker but he was able to play a Doc Watson song, which I don’t know how you do that. I was just blown away. The best picker I’d ever seen. I immediately wrote to tell him we needed to get him playing around here.

Now they were cooking with gas, which led Vincent to a local booking deal with Dallas’ 13^th Floor. A seasoned drummer, currently pounding the skins for psych-rock angels The Fibs, Rux remembers those shows fondly, “Loved playing with him. He’s a wildcard. You never know what he’s gonna do on stage. You’ve got a setlist. You might play those songs or you might play some songs you’ve never played before. If you’re playing with Vincent, you better be ready to play whatever he throws at you. He’s leading the thing. He decides where it goes and you just hang on and hope you don’t mess up.”

Photo courtesy of Little Jack Films

With his next record, Fried Chicken & Evil Women, in the can and awaiting a September release on La Honda Records, Emerson has come a long way from his first album, East Texas Blues, released on Rux’s Dreamy Life label in 2015, an experience which felt to the young artist as though he were, “grabbing’ in the dark.” Recorded at Fort Worth’s renowned Niles City Sound, the new release is a smoking set delivered by an exquisite cast of characters including Beau Bauer on drums, Steve Hammond on keys, and bass player, Simon Flory, who said of the week-long process, “It was creative, fluid and dynamic in the studio. Structured by that well-oiled studio machine that still puts the songs and artistry at the forefront.” Flory, whose brilliant debut Radioville was released earlier this year, discovered Vincent at Jody Jones’ long-running Songwriter’s Series at The Grotto in 2014, “I’ll never forget it, he had his name on the fretboard in stickers.”

No longer sleeping in his 1992 Cutlass Ciera, he joined Downtown Publishing and formed important relationships throughout the music business. The past year has seen Emerson’s following explode as he joined the massive roster of national booking agency Red 11 – with offices in Nashville and Austin – hitting the road, first with Charley Crockett and most recently with the outstanding Colter Wall. A quick YouTube search will lead one to Wall’s superfan Jason Mamoa chopping it up with Vincent at a tour stop in Vancouver, the brief clip displays a level of realness few performing artists can muster.

He’s taken bad beats and sucker punches; even busted his guitar on Canal Street in New Orleans, which he recalls with a smirk, “I’ve broken a few now, but that was a nice one,” as Emerson was cleaning up the shards of wood, a fellow tried to run off with the pickup used to amplify its sound, “He said, ‘Is this yours?’ and I told him, ‘Yeah, man, it’s the only part I can salvage.’”

Crisscrossing the continent with his Traveling Armadillo Band, Emerson continues to gain further control of his voice, “I don’t want to get stagnant just playing the same two or three places. As a touring musician, you know there is always a new fan around every corner, so you learn to win the crowd over.”

Since participating in the Fort Worth Now SXSW event, Vincent Neil Emerson has truly become one of the city’s artistic emissaries, alongside other local talents like Bonnie Bishop, Abraham Alexander, and Summer Dean, who regards him warmly, “Every time I’m visiting with Vincent he makes me feel like I’m barefoot on the front porch swing with an iced tea. Fort Worth is lucky to have him out there on the highway and in the honky-tonks wearing our name on the back of his belt.”

Photo courtesy of Little Jack Films

Sharing the stage with legends like Jerry Jeff Walker, Gary P. Nunn and Billy Joe Shaver, he imparts acquired wisdom, “You don’t have to be starstruck,” but everyone should remain respectful, as he’s had to learn to handle the antics of crazy crowds, “I’ve had countless people try to get on stage with me. I had a woman try to dance up on me one time, her man just about lost his mind,” he chuckles explaining how the older gentleman eventually unplugged the PA as an act of abject jealousy.

Digital presales for Fried Chicken & Evil Women are currently available online in anticipation of the September 13^th release of the highly anticipated album, full band performance from Vincent Neil Emerson & the Traveling Armadillo Band in Fort Worth at The Post. Tickets are available on Eventbrite for $16.

An Austin native, Lyle Brooks relocated to Fort Worth in order to immerse himself in the burgeoning music scene and the city’s rich cultural history, which has allowed him to cover everything from Free Jazz to folk singers. He’s collaborated as a ghostwriter on projects focusing on Health Optimization, Roman Lawyers, and an assortment of intriguing subjects requiring his research.

The post True Country: Vincent Neil Emerson Seeks Country’s Heritage first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

photo credit: Dylan Wallis

Frozen there in that levitational instant – part of the promotional push for the upcoming release of his first EP recorded for London’s Mahogany Records – one can see the fearlessness of an artist for whom challenges are another way to build character and further one’s reputation. It is the same presence, or grace, that can be seen when he takes the stage to perform; there’s a clarity of voice that is found when an artist truly lives in the moment. 

The four-song EP, which will be available in the early fall, includes previously released tunes “America,” “Lover’s Game,” “Stay,” and a fourth track, “335” – named for the classic Gibson guitar – showcases his skills as a writer, a product of his collaboration on arrangements with Cameron Warner. “The label leaves plenty of room for the artist’s life to inform how and when they release music.” His first performance for the label came back in May 2018, opening for New Zealand singer-songwriter TEEKS, at London’s historic St. Pancras Church.   

photo credit: Shannon Lange Photography

In April 2019, Alexander was in London to complete the recording of his debut EP at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. A return visit for the worldly musician, it was as a member of the Texas Takeover that Abraham traveled to the United Kingdom for the first time; these week-long packages send Texas talent on trips to share with the people of the world.  

Performing on a roster which included Austin Allsup, Grady Spencer & The Work, and Sean Russell of Cut Throat Finches, he notes that the city of Fort Worth has invested great time and energy into supporting artists. “I was the only performer who wasn’t doing country music, so I stood out, and folks in England saw that we had soul and blues in addition to what the city may typically be known more for. The way Fort Worth champions artists makes it a special place for the germination of talent.”  

On this fifth trip to London, Alexander says the diversity found in the city’s melting pot inspires him as an outsider to challenge himself musically. Perhaps, the process is benefited by more audiences abroad actually listening. “It seems as though fewer people in the crowd are on their phones, when I look out there, maybe more folks are there to soak in what you are doing.”   

photo credit: Shannon Lange Photography

London’s spirit allows him to feel lost as an outsider, a feeling which resonates powerfully with his artistic center. This feeling enlivens a mode of introspection on his own cultural background, allowing him to see it in a different light. “All challenges help us grow. They have anxiety over there just like we do regarding the state of the world. We’re all working through it,” he adds. Transit opens the possibility of new versions of ourselves and allows us to remain aware of the connections between the various nuances of life. 

Shortly after he left for the trip, Mahogany released his cover version of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Games” as part of their Intimate Covers series. Abraham still carries the song’s energy with him. “The more that I learned about the song, the more it resonated and got me excited about recording it. It was composed quickly in the moment and acts as a reminder not to fret because the floodgates will open one day as long as you stay after it.” 

One of the most striking features of Alexander is the sense of balance he portrays, not only in how his body moves relative to his spine but even in the way in which he holds his head in conversation. As an accomplished physical therapist with medical school interest, Abraham has an acute dedication to the importance of listening; it is there when he is listening to a question just as much as when building a vibe with his band. “We can’t always be heard, but we can always listen.”   

photo credit: Shannon Lange Photography

Fortunately, he was listening when his adopted parents Jeff and Donnia Olesko gave their opinion about where the young man should place his energy. “I was splitting myself in all these various directions and they sat me down and said, ‘We think you should really pursue music. We see the fruits from it, and we see how happy you are doing it. We think you should jump in and go.” 

Around the time of his transition from military life into civilian life, Marine Jeff Olesko and his wife learned about Abraham, who had been born in Greece and separated from his family when his mother moved them to America. After his mother passed away, Abraham had been left in the care of his ESL teacher in Arlington because he had lost touch with family back home.  

A helicopter pilot, with four tours of Iraq to his credit, the upbeat Olesko was looking into remodeling and restoration for his next career. After further research and development, he decided his favorite thing in the remodeling process was interior finishing. His wife, Donnia, wanted a shop selling things for outfitting the home. Their interests in building a home combined, bringing Modern Maison to Fort Worth. Originally located on Montgomery, they have since relocated to the property on the corner of Magnolia and Hurley. Jeff says, “It is always about helping people transform their homes, and we’ve been able to continue to adapt our business to suit our family.” 

Soon after moving Modern Maison to the Near Southside, Jeff met Abraham when he helped the young man who would eventually become his son to paint his apartment.  

Already in his mid-twenties, after a life lived among many homes, it was as the musical portion of a church fundraiser that Abraham’s life and the lives of Jeff and Donnia Olesko would finally intersect. As Abraham sang, Jeff recalls his wife whispering to him. “She said, ‘I think he’s supposed to be a part of our family,’ and I had just met him… I believe everybody deserves a family; you don’t have to let the struggles of the past define you.” 

Just as Abraham found his way from Greece, Jeff started life in Canada among his Ukrainian family. Eventually his journey led to Plano, while Donnia started in Florida before circuitously landing in Lewisville. Jeff says it was love at first sight; unfortunately, Donnia was too busy running their kids from one camp to the next to give her side of the story. 

photo credit: Hope Gray

In 2018, the Olesko family formally adopted Abraham, who, in pictures from the ceremony, can be seen proudly holding a teddy bear as a token from the adoption officials, clearly intended for a younger child. Jeff says his son still has that bear. The couple has now adopted five children, including Colton (17) and Jensen (12), as well as Draco (10) and June (7). It was through the local non-profit, Hope Fort Worth, which mobilizes local churches to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children, that the couple began offering refuge and growing their family. Jeff smiles ruefully, “Blame them, they got us hooked. And Abraham’s a great big brother for his younger siblings; the kids all love his musical friends.” 

Just as the Olesko family fearlessly continues their path which begun with Abraham, so do the unique relationships within the family. Abraham smiles when asked about his family. “They are like my best friends. We are expanding the story of our family with these new kids, who are in turn allowing us to join their story of triumph and love. It has changed how I think of thriving in the world. They are teaching me to listen more; it is so central to healing. And it can be hard sometimes.”

Listeners of his songs can hear the pangs of wisdom learned too young, significant losses and dislocations that remain a part of what he describes as, “Discovering my own road map, which has certainly been an amazing journey over the past year.” 

As Alexander inspires those around him as a human being, his artistic side was kickstarted by Gary Clark, Jr., who has played a pivotal role in Abraham’s development. The Austin-based guitar great recorded his own Mahogany Session back in 2012. “He’s the one who made me pick up a guitar. I figured if this brother can do it, I can do it too. I was mesmerized.” 

photo credit: Shannon Lange Photography

From his profoundly moving single, “America,” written in response to the 2016 mass shooting at a peaceful protest in downtown Dallas that claimed the lives of five police officers and wounded eleven more people, to the recent “Lover’s Game,” an electronic-infused bit of neo-soul magic, Abraham Alexander has already shown an intriguing range. Released in early 2019, he wrote “Lover’s Game” in his car while decompressing after a long week of sessions. Abraham envisioned the combination of two styles: “It was a mixture of UK synth and American drums.” If one adds his brilliantly sparse cover of “Wicked Game,” anticipation should be high for future releases from this talented young artist. 

For Abraham Alexander, “the voice is the universal instrument.” With an instrument as unique as his, listeners can expect more exploration of genres and themes.  The more he began to blend different styles over the course of the last year – engaging his creative instincts – he began to feel a sound click into place. That sound centers around following his voice and will undoubtedly continue to evolve as Alexander continues his artistic maturation. Noting where his mind has been, he adds, “All major social change has its music only as a consequence of people listening to the cries of those around them. Coming out the gates you need a solid vision if you want to have an impact.” 

Proud dad Jeff Olesko very excitedly notes the impact of that vision in the most recent single from the EP that has been released, “Stay” – a hypnotically sweet mid-tempo with a deep hook that honors his journey finding a sense of home, from Texas to London, and every step in between. Jeff adds, “If you know anything about his story, you know how deeply personal this one is for him. It is a favorite of mine.”    

Contained in his songs, listeners can hear the pangs of wisdom learned too young, significant losses and dislocations that remain a part of what he describes as, “Discovering my own road map, which has certainly been an amazing journey over the past year.”

With the release of the EP in the fall and undoubtedly a new calendar of dates to follow through on, Abraham continues to make a name for himself. One such opportunity will be September 14th Party on the Porch at The Amon Carter Museum of American Art, where Alexander looks forward to sharing his songs, “It is such a perfect event with the whole city coming out, with kids of all ages – the next wave of fans getting caught up in the live music experience.” 

photo credit: Shannon Lange Photography

Abraham Alexander is not only forging his way as a part of Fort Worth’s evolving music scene, he is using the wisdom and the grace gained through a lifetime of upheaval followed by finding his family, his home, and his voice to succeed on an even bigger stage.  

This article originally appeared in the September/October issue of Madeworthy. Abraham Alexander can next be seen at the Amon Carter’s grand reopening Party on the Porch on Saturday, September 14, starting at 7 pm. And check out the music videos for “Stay” and “335,” produced by local production company Twelve Midnight.

An Austin native, Lyle Brooks relocated to Fort Worth in order to immerse himself in the burgeoning music scene and the city’s rich cultural history, which has allowed him to cover everything from Free Jazz to folk singers. He’s collaborated as a ghostwriter on projects focusing on Health Optimization, Roman Lawyers, and an assortment of intriguing subjects requiring his research.

The post Abraham Alexander: Finding His Home, His Family, & His Voice first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Whether you’re on a road trip, playing background tunes for a house party, or simply needing something to jam to on your daily jog, playlists are an easy way to provide an endless stream of your favorite songs. Keeping it local, I compiled a list of my favorite tunes by Fort Worth and North Texas artists for your listening pleasure.

The bright, uplifting tune “Things to Do” by Grady Spencer and the Work is a ditty every Fort Worthian should hear. Visit Fort Worth recently made it the sonic backdrop of its promotional video bearing the same name. The chorus lines says it all: “So bless my soul and take me back to Fort Worth/Packed my things I’ve got my lady too.”

Weatherford native Van Darian splits her time between Fort Worth and Nashville. “Silent Sparrow” is a gorgeous mid-tempo number with soulful vocals that pulls on the heartstrings.

If it hosts live music, singer-songwriter Jacob Furr has probably played there. The kindly, bespectacled muso has dozens of great, original songs. One of my favorites, “Blake’s Song,” builds in slow crescendos and features superlative guitarwork.

Smooth rockers Vodeo are one of my favorite acts. The music video to “Pillow Talking” is a great way to enjoy the soaring guitar lines and hookish tunage of this tight knit ensemble.

I Happy Am is the stage name of Rebekah Elizabeth and Zachary Zanetich. “The Invisible Man” is a great primer to the iridescent beauty and unconventional harmonic language of this duo.

Matt “Songbird” Jones is the lead singer of the Americana/Country band Songbird Jones. “Bonnie Lass” is an upbeat, foot tapping tune that drips fun vibes and good times.

Hey, remember the ’80s? Neo-disco artist Ronnie Heart does. “Smoovie,” from his recent first album Your Mine (sic), is a welcome dose of pure nostalgic bliss and the perfect jam for your next house party.

For your listening pleasure, I compiled the tunage on SoundCloud here. Enjoy as you go about your day in this great city of ours.

Edward Brown writes about music, arts, and news for a variety of publications. He’s an award-winning writer for the Fort Worth Weekly and blogger for Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau. He has published articles in Musical Opinion (U.K.), Canadian Music Educators Journal, and Clavier Companion, among others. When Brown isn’t writing about music, he’s actively involved in the local music scene as an educator, performer, lecturer, and judge for student music competitions. His professional affiliations include the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth, where he volunteers as education director, and the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, where he serves on the board and artistic committee. Edward is a graduate of the University of North Texas and currently resides in Fort Worth. His favorite leisure time activities include local music concerts and perusing Fort Worth’s growing gastropub scene.

The post For Your Local Listening Pleasure first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

“If music be the food of life, play on,” Shakespeare once wrote. Fort Worth’s music scene encompases nearly every music genre imaginable, from Red Dirt Country to jazz and reggae. Equally diverse is our city’s collection of music halls, clubs, and outdoor venues that cater to throngs of music fans nearly every night. To help you plan your next outing, here are some of my favorite venues to catch a live act.

The idyllic Near Southside combines walkability, trendy restaurants, and live music. Many of the musicians performing at The Boiled Owl Tavern, Shipping and Receiving, or The Live Oak live in nearby Fairmount National Historic District. Boiled Owl offers an up-close seat to largely progressive rock bands. The Live Oak presents local, regional, and national acts in a posh and acoustically pristine concert hall. One of the largest outdoor venues in Fort Worth, Shipping and Receiving, is part of a burgeoning northeast neighborhood in the Near Southside.

Nightlife along West 7th Street is bustling on any given night. That’s in no small part due to a steady stream of troubadours who liven the atmosphere with their skilled strummings and vocal prowess. Before there was a West 7th, there was Fred’s Texas Cafe, best known for its belt-busting burgers and great live music. Fred’s Texas books live music most nights, and they do a great job of hiring tried-and-true locals like Jake Paleschic, Jacob Furr, and others. Magnolia Motor Lounge offers a creative dining menu, full-service bar, and an indoor stage that puts the music first. Capital Bar keeps Cowtown culture alive with big country acts and cheap, cold drinks.

Downtown Fort Worth is more than a business commerce hub. Blues, jazz, R&B — if it has soul then it’s on stage at Scatt Jazz Lounge most nights. For those needing their craft beer fix, Flying Saucer Draught Emporium has that and more. The gastropub has an enviable outdoor patio that holds dozens of picnic tables all under a covered roof.

Fort Worth National Historic District draws throngs of tourists during the day and music-craving locals at night. Billy Bob’s Texas recently celebrated its 35 anniversary. The world’s largest honkey-tonk has a capacity of 6,000, 26 bar stations, several music stages, and arcade and billiards tables. Nearby White Elephant Saloon and Whiskey Girl Saloon offer ample room for two-stepping and a rotating lineup of local, regional, and national country bands.

See, just when you thought you knew this town. There’s so much to explore. And this doesn’t even scratch the surface of what Fort Worth has to offer.

Edward Brown writes about music, arts and news for a variety of publications. He’s an award-winning writer for the Fort Worth Weekly and blogger for Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau. He has published articles in Musical Opinion (U.K.), Canadian Music Educators Journal, and Clavier Companion,among others. When Brown isn’t writing about music, he’s actively involved in the local music scene as an educator, performer, lecturer, and judge for student music competitions. His professional affiliations include the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth, where he volunteers as education director, and the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, where he serves on the board and artistic committee. Brown was born in Bowling Green, Ohio in 1982. He is a graduate of the University of North Texas and currently resides in Fort Worth. His favorite leisure time activities include local music concerts and perusing Fort Worth’s growing gastropub scene.

The post The Sweet Sounds of Fort Worth first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.