Willis Alan Ramsey plays Poor Davids Pub on August 25th. Writer and performer, Willis penned a number of great songs including Northeast Texas Women, Muskrat Love, Watermelon Man and a whole record of others. I personally covered many of his tunes during the years with Chuck Justice and Modern Acoustics. Tickets are $20 at the door and seating begins at 7 p.m.

Joel is sitting in with the Upper Grassmen this Friday night July 30th at Pop's Place in Denison, TX. Music lasts from 5 to 8 p.m. Last time we played there it was a packed house. Great place to eat and if you like Bluegrass Music we can fill that order as well.

First off let me say "Happy Birthday" to me. Ok, that's done. Now for festival information:

This 23rd through the 25th is the Old Mobeetie Festival in Old Mobeetie, Texas located in the Texas panhandle about 2 and a half hours west of Oklahoma City. So if are looking for a little road trip and don't care about the heat here is the most recognized line-up for me: Star Canyon from San Antonio, Salt Grass from the Houston, TX area and Gary Wilson's Cedar Ridge group from Oklahoma City. The festival features more in the lineup so it will surely be a full 3 days of great traditional bluegrass music. Camping is available as well.

Closer to this blogger, Melody Ranch in Tom Bean, TX  fires up another round of activity this weekend with the Gospel Grass festival on Friday and Saturday. A great selection of bands and a break from the heat make this one a comfortable venue for listeners. Click on the links for more detailed information and to go to the respective websites.

Never being a place were you could find a decent music store with great people to help, musicians north of Plano, TX now have a good outlet for music supplies in Sherman, TX. Called DB Music, this place is has a great location off Hwy. 75, a nice store and a good selection of strings, sound equipment, amplifiers and mid level guitars, banjos, ukes and banjos. The proprietors are friendly and very knowledgeable.

Tuesday nights starting at 5 p.m. a bluegrass/acoustic jam happens inside the store. It's a new venue for this type of song sharing so support it if you can. Last time I was a visitor to the event there were 10 musicians in the circle. From Gordon Lightfoot to Tony Rice to Ralph Stanley the music was plentiful.

Support David at DB, located at 328 W. Lamar in Sherman.

"Take It Easy" with FastLane.

I'll be performing as a guest with the FastLane Band this Thursday in Rockwall, TX. Fastlane is Dallas premier Eagles Tribute band. We'll be at the Concert Series on the Lake. Music begins at 7 p.m. I'm contributing very little, but Fastlane is a good band and always fun. It's free so come on out! Thanks Todd and Gary!

Hey picker friends. Just a quick note to let you know that if you missed the Melody Ranch Festival this past weekend you missed a good one. Even though the temperature was downright hot, the air conditioning made the inside very comfortable.

The festival is in need of sponsors. Most importantly a corporate sponsor. The festival grounds could even be renamed if the sponsorship level is high enough. Honestly, the possibilities are almost endless.

Let me take a few lines and give you some background on the event. The festival is put on by Bill Hayes. Bill and his wife have put so much time and money and very hard work into the building, the camping and the sound system and try to bring you some of the areas top bluegrass talent to boot. Bill has held back nothing to make it one of the finest bluegrass venues this state has ever seen. Now all the festival needs is YOU. To tell the truth, without the attendance, the festival may not continue. That would be a sad occurrence. No one person has set out to make money with this event and facility. It is ALL about the music. A need to be able to keep it running without continuously pouring more money into it is the only goal. You can help out by just attending and enjoying yourself! The next festival is scheduled for August 25-28. Click here here for more information and make your plans to attend. Bluegrass music in north Texas needs you and so does Melody Ranch. As the saying goes "if you build it, they will come." Well, it's built.

I'm sitting in with the Upper Grassmen for the fest beginning this Thursday the 2nd of June. It's really going to be the largest one to date. Lots of folks, lots of campers and great on stage music. Check it out at the Melody Ranch Festival.com.

If you haven't heard of Watters Creek in Allen, TX for live music, then you should check it out. The spring time brings back the outdoor concerts which start at 6:30 on the Green each Friday and Saturday night. The schedule of bands is repetitive through June and July, but there are a few that are worth the trip. It's free, but there are lots of small children and families. So if you want to bring an ice chest and party, it's probably not the place for you, although there are a few great places in the shopping village such as Cru and the Blue Fish. If you are lucky enough to arrive at the right time Cru does have patio seating which directly overlooks the crowd and the band area.

The next two weeks could be a little busy for me. Between jobs, I'm trying to make more time for music. Of course looking for a full time job is...a full time job. Yes, it is.

I'm planning on attending a group of like minded musicians tomorrow near Fort Worth. I've been trying to make that rehearsal for a month, but one thing after another including college graduations has kept me from doing so. I am in hopes that tomorrow cooperates. Next Tuesday I'm heading to Richardson for some re-visit time with Gary (The Green Council). He's got a little time on his hands between gigs and I was glad that he accepted my invitation to run over some songs.

Two weeks from today I'm doing fill in at the Melody Ranch. It's their annual spring festival. I got invitation to join my old traditional band and I accepted. Should be fun and give me a much needed workout.

Thanks for staying up with the website. I'm trying to keep it updated. Sometimes it's hard.

Pick on!

Joel