Jim Photoglo's career is as varied as it has been successful, but his love of songwriting and performing acoustically has remained closest to his heart. Jim's musical history is impressive--in the early '80s, he recorded three albums for a major label, opened for The Beach Boys, and toured as a singer/musician with such musical greats as Dan Fogelberg, Vince Gill, Nicolette Larson, Kathy Mattea and Wendy Waldman.
It was while on tour with Wendy that she and Jim began writing together. Impressed with Jim's talent, Wendy suggested that he move to Nashville. Jim wisely took her advice to heart resulting in his songs being recorded by legendary artists such as Marty Robbins, The Everly Brothers, Brenda Lee and Dusty Springfield as well as up-and-comers like Travis Tritt, Patty Loveless, and Faith Hill to name a few.
Although Jim was experiencing success as a commercial writer, his heart was still in performing, which led him to record two more solo CDs. Soon Jim's inherent sense of humor got the better of him when he founded the group Run C&W with ex-Eagle, Bernie Leadon and Amazing Rhythm Aces leader Russell Smith. Run C&W developed a "cult" following for their bluegrass versions of classic '60s soul music and recorded two CDs.
After Run C&W disbanded, Jim continued writing and performing solo, starting another band with a collection of "who's whos" from the Nashville studio scene called the Vinyl Kings. Although their forte was to faithfully re-create their favorite '60s rock and soul music on stage, they've recorded two CDs of original Beatle-inspired songs.
Jim continues to tour solo, combining songwriter workshops with concerts at colleges, coffee houses and clubs around the country and has become a regular on the main stage of the Kerrville Folk Festival. In the Spring of 2000, he released the critically acclaimed Fly Straight Home on his own Grifftone Records and in 2005, another stellar effort, Sparks In The Radio. He's currently working on a new project.
"The most incredible listening environment for a singer-songwriter this side
of the Bluebird Cafe, that's the Nexus Concert Series. The audience was
heavenly, as Dan Fogelberg used to say."
--john Arthur martinez
"I'm one of the few in the world who can proudly say I make a living doing what I love the most. In my case, creating, performing and recording music are what I love the most."
john Arthur was born in Austin, Texas, and raised in the Texas hill country, an area with a rich musical heritage. His father's side of the family was particularly influential, he recalls. They loved the Mariachi ballads. So they were definitely a musical influence. And growing up in the Austin area, there are a lot of famous influences, like Willie Nelson. When he was a child, he snuck into the Armadillo World Headquarters nightclub while still underage to see Asleep at the Wheel and Commander Cody. He was smitten by their western-swing sounds and soon developed a liking for the legendary Bob Wills and for San Marcos rancher George Strait.
His interest in music intensified during his college years. By the time he graduated, he was performing in nearby clubs every week. "I probably learned every George Strait song there was. I'd sing them at my gigs alongside my James Taylor and Dan Fogelberg songs, plus acoustic guitar Beatles' tunes. And all the while I was learning my Mom 's favorites, like Hank Williams. I was playing a lot... I discovered I was a songwriter and started playing in the coffee houses around the university. I realized that this is really what I loved to do, what I really wanted to do." As his songs gained in quality, Martinez dropped out of grad school, returned to the Austin area and began working at music full time. In 1987 he made his first pilgrimage to Nashville. The city's community of songwriters encouraged and embraced him, bolstering his self-confidence immensely. He began teaching English and coaching tennis at Marble Falls High School. "I used my music in the classroom. I used songs to teach alliteration, assonance, rhyme and rhythm. And at night, I was always gigging. It was wearing me out, but I couldn't give up the music." The trips to Nashville continued. He met songwriting greats like Alex Harvey, John Prine and Harlan Howard, which further inspired him.
In 1998, john Arthur martinez recorded 10 of his songs on a CD titled Spinning Our Wheels. It was a simple, homemade effort, but several notables pitched in. Gene Elders, the fiddler for George Strait and Lyle Lovett, loaned his skills to the project. So did Loggins & Messina's veteran percussionist Merel Brigante and ex Asleep at the Wheel pianist Floyd Domino. He recorded Stand Your Ground as his second CD in 2001. More polished than his earlier effort, it won him radio airplay in a number of major markets in his home state. His momentum was building, but he put everything on hold to compete on Nashville Star. He seemed to gain musical strength with each week's appearance on the program. After the show ended, he began to sing in Nashville nightspots from time to time. It all came together at a performance in a Music City coffee shop on August 27, 2003. Executives from both Dualtone and The William Morris Agency were in the audience. "Most of the show was just me and my guitar. I felt a really strong spiritual covering that night. It was just amazing. It wound up being probably one of the top performances I've ever given." Within hours, he was signed by both the agency and the label.
It's been quite a climb, but he has always faced his hardships with grace, humor and dignity. Whether in person or on disc, john Arthur martinez exudes the quiet confidence and charisma that made millions of TV viewers fall in love with him in 2001. When he smiles, the world has sunshine. When he talks, it's always from the heart. And when he sings, the soul is nourished.
Concert: September 2007 (special guest Robert McEntee)
Brad Colerick worked as a club musician for a time in Nebraska and released a formative solo record there. “When I moved to California I got a job with a music production company which was the perfect day job,” he says. Colerick liked the money and the work was personally rewarding. He visited Nashville, where he recorded singer Amy Grant for a Target ad. He also did some recording with James Taylor’s blonde-haired younger brother Livingston, who thought Brad’s melodies were heavily influenced by the West coast country rockers.
Colerick developed a real gift for writing lyrics and melodic hooks, talents that paid off big-time in his career of writing music for advertising. His work also was getting noticed: In 2002, he won a London International Advertising Award for a song he wrote and recorded with blues icon Buddy Guy for an ad. One of his favorite sessions came when Brad produced Johnny Cash for another commercial. “I actually had Johnny call my father from the studio because he was a huge fan,” Colerick says. “I don’t think any of his golfing buddies back in Nebraska believed it.”
"Deborah! What a WONDERFUL TIME I HAD! Thank you so very, very much. I had never picked a 'house concert' before. I sure had a great time! The most fun I've had at a gig in a long while. I don't think I've ever talked so much about each song before. I enjoyed explainin' how each one came to be written or cut. Y'all sure made me feel not just welcome but wanted. I can't wait to pick another one for you!"
- Monte Warden
Monte Warden
Austin
Concert: June 2007 (co-bill with Vicky Emerson)
Monte Warden won his first Austin Music Award (for best new band) when he was 15 years old. The group in question was the country trio, Whoa Trigger!, which the young Warden rode all the way into his next band, the Wagoneers, which scored a
major-label deal with A&M after performing at the first SXSW. The band's Stout and High debut was released to critical acclaim.
The early to mid-'90s found Warden launching a solo career, resulting in three albums showcasing his signature blend of Buddy Holly hooks, hot rockabilly guitar licks and straight-up Texas honky-tonk. His self-titled solo debut was named one of the 100 best American albums of the 20th century by the British music magazine, NME.
Warden's biggest success in recent years has been as a professional songwriter, landing cuts in several movies and television shows and with artists like Kelly Willis, Patty Loveless, George Jones, Bruce Robison, Travis Tritt and George Strait, to name a few. Warden co-wrote Strait's hit, "Desperately." In the fall of 2005, Warden was awarded his first BMI songwriting award for success in the country field. In 2006, he was awarded the prestigious BMI Million-Air award, signifying over 1 million radio performances of "Desperately." Warden writes exclusively for Moonkiss Music and lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and publisher, Brandi, and their three sons.
My experience at the Nexus Concert Series was one of my favorite house concert shows I have done! Deborah is a wonderful and delightful hostess and her home is perfect for an intimate evening of music. Please put a Nexus show on your to-do list!
- Vicky Emerson
Vicky Emerson may be from Elmwood, WI (The UFO Capital of the World) but she is no stranger to Texas. This award-winning Americana songstress tours nationally promoting her five albums and tours through Texas several times a year. Vicky has played the piano since the age of six and picked up the guitar after her first trip to Texas three years ago as the scholarship winner of the Terri Hendrix/Lloyd Maines Old Number 9 Songwriting Workshop. Emerson's music was featured last year in a documentary produced by the Pentagon for her fundraising efforts for Homes For Our Troops, a non-profit organization who rebuilds homes for severely disabled veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Vicky's brand of Americana has a lush blending of styles and has been termed "Instantly Appealing" by Billboard and "A Fresh New Voice..." by Minnesota Public Radio and "A Siren-Voiced Folkie" by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Vicky was born and raised in the Midwest has called New York City home as of February.
Exploring the lives and emotions of the character’s he brings to life is how Austin Cunningham describes his formula for success. "When I write a heartbreak song, for example, I don’t want to just say, ‘oh so and so broke my heart,’ and leave it at that," he says. "I want to get behind the motivation of the breakup…what was going on in the character’s mind and heart… there’s always more to the story than meets the eye, and that’s something I want to try to capture when I write. I also like to try to put a positive spin on things…maybe add a little inspirational twist."
His interpretations of life have appealed to such artists as The Judds, Dolly Parton, Tracy Byrd, Kathy Mattea, Tanya Tucker, and Reba McEntire among others who have cut his songs. His last two singles have been featured in motion pictures. The Where The Heart Is soundtrack includes the single "Grow Young With You" (Coley McCabe), and his song "Beautiful" (Jennifer Paige) was featured in the Winona Ryder/Richard Gere movie, Autumn In New York. Other cuts include "From The Ashes" (Martina McBride), "I’m Your Man" (Jason Sellers), and "Dancin’ With Angels" (SHeDAISY). His Christian cuts include recordings by Susie Luchsinger, Roy Clark, Ken Hollaway, and Lisa Daggs among others. Cunningham is a recipient of the coveted Johnny Mercer Award for "Emerging American Songwriters," which is given annually to one writer each from New York, LA, and Nashville.
Lee Duffy
Austin
www.leeduffy.com Special guests: Floyd Domino, Gabe Rhodes, Marvin Dykhuis
Concert: February 2007 (co-bill with Austin Cunningham)
“She is an unusually talented lady, her music is cool”. ~ Merle Haggard
"Just when it seemed the world was about to forget... beautiful love songs and a voice as sweet and real as the girl next door. " ~ Kimmie Rhodes
"I love Lee's songs. They provide such a clear & poignant vision never obscured by unnecessary word play or self important images. Just the truest & deepest expressions of a wise soul. " ~ Will Sexton
"To be frank, the first time I heard Lee Duffy sing one of her songs I had to struggle with my composure. Her voice and songs are beautiful and absolutely true-without affectation or pretense. " ~ Stephen Doster
Lee's professional singing career began when she moved to Austin, in 1975. She sang with the popular local band “The Geezinslaw Brothers” led by Sammy Allred, as well as her own group “The Leonard Mitchell Band”. This band played for several years in the late 70's to mid 80' at notable venues, including the legendary Armadillo World Headquarters opening for great artists such as the late Townes Van Zandt. After taking out time to raise her children, Lee felt the urge to resume her passion for singing. She contacted her old band-mate Mark Parrish. Lee, Mark and Mike Roberts began performing as a trio playing cover tunes and original songs. She sang and performed in two plays written by singer/songwriter Kimmie Rhodes and actor/playwright Joe Sears. These productions, "Small Town Girl" and "Hillbilly Heaven", had impressive casts of local and national talent including Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Freddy Powers, Alvin Crow, Mary Ann Price and many others. She started singing back up for legendary singer/songwriter Freddy Powers. Lee's association with Freddy Powers led her to meet Merle Haggard who recorded a string of hits written by Freddy in the 80's.
At Freddy's suggestion, Merle used Lee for background vocals on his "Motorcycle Cowboy" music video. She appeared in that video as well as Haggard's "If You've Got The Money Honey ” music video. In May 2002 she sang back up on several songs at Merle's show in Austin at Stubbs. Lee has done harmonies and vocals for other artists including Alton Rex, Pauline Reese, Sandy McLain, and Steven Doster. Her first CD received rave reviews and she is working on her second CD which will include many special guest collaborations. Lee spends a lot of her time doing volunteer work for music organizations, including the Austin Songwriters Group, as well as many worthwhile causes and charities.
"I had a wonderful time. The talent of these two men were amazing. I am looking forward to the next concert. You have a lovely home and a perfect place for entertaining." -SR
Bob Cheevers is a Southern singer/songwriter whose songs often contain characters that lived in the Mississippi Delta region of the South over the past 100 years...bluesy & rootsy with a touch of folk and country even though Bob says "I don't know if these stories are true, but they happened to me".
"I have been fortunate enough to play music at Festivals, Churches,
Restaurants, Bars and such as a career for the last 6 years, but I have never
experienced the "one on one" feeling with the audience that I felt doing this House
Concert in Austin. The feeling in the room was one of friendship and each
person sat and "listened" to the stories that I told through my songs. I think it
tops the list of things that I am blessed with having experienced and I feel
a kinship with the musicians and good people of Austin that have come into
my life, making me a better player and more importantly, a better person.
Thanks Deb for all you have done for me (and to top it all
off, I got to share the stage with one of my all time favorite musicians,
the wonderful and talented, Robert McEntee!!)" -
Donnie Mills
"Thanks for the great time at the house concert. Both Robert and Donnie were great. The house was beautiful and worked well for a house concert venue. Thanks again for making the concert available." - MR
Dedicated... talented... unbelievable... smooth.....are just a few words that have been used to describe this Mobile, Alabama born and based Singer-Songwriter. The Mobile Press called Donnie, "One of Mobile's most accomplished songwriters" and he was voted 2nd place for Best Songwriter in Mobile by Laigiappe Mobile. Having eleven national releases to his credit, placing 2nd in the Gulf Coast Idol competition, and being a two time winner and three time judge for the Hank Williams Songwriting Contest held in Georgianna AL, Donnie is doing what Country Music Legend Larry Cordle (CMA Song of the Year with "Murder On Music Row", and "Mama Don't Forget To Pray For Me"-recorded by Diamond Rio) told him that he was meant to be doing.
Donnie is a regular at the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, the Flat Rock Music Festival, the Alabama Pecan Festival, the Mississippi Pecan Festival, as well as Bayfest, the Mobile Alabama Music Festival. He has toured Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Georgia as well as Tennessee and Kentucky. In 2001 Donnie signed with GodsChild Records in Nashville and cut his debut CD, "Love Makes A Way". Two songs off the CD broke the top 20 charts on Christian Country radio stations across the nation.
Austin, Texas based guitarist Robert McEntee has appeared supporting Dan Fogelberg, Eliza Gilkyson, Eric Taylor, Omar and the Howlers, Barbara K, Tom Ovans, Cindy Bullens, Ian Matthews, Carole King, Jimmie La Fave, David Halley, Elizabeth Rice and many, many others in live performance and on CD and TV.
Through the last decade Robert was most visible on rhythm guitars and keys with master songsmith Dan Fogelberg on numerous tours and performances. His
previous 2000 "Preserving The Eror" is still earning critical and public praise. 2006 brings the release of a long awaited second collection of songs "Looking For A Good Sign" is a smooth yet certain change of perspective from its predecessor.
The Crabby Grass Boys are fast becoming one of the most recognized bands on the Texas Festival Circuit. Less than two years after their inception, they're already getting booked to open for national acts (John Corbett, Sept 15, 2006) and a three show appearance at the Texas State Fair in Dallas (Oct 2, 2006). They have also played such premier events at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Grapefest in Grapevine, TX & the Bay Jammin' Concert Series in Corpus Christi, TX. The band consists of multi-instrumentalists Chris Beirne
& Cecil Oropeza, and Alton Rex.
Chris plays dobro, lap steel & guitars, Cecil plays mandolin and guitar, and Alton plays guitar. Their sound is a blend of roots driven acoustic textures and modern acoustic techniques, but the most compelling aspect of their shows is their three part harmony. The band doesn't play 'canned' arrangements preferring to make 'art in the moment' - as such, the solos are
never the same and almost always occur in a different part of each song. You'll find their selection of historical blue-grass and americana as interesting a performance to watch as it is unusual.
Alton Rex is a performing songwriter who has headlined over 200 venues in thirty states and opened for the likes of Jerry Jeff Walker, Commander Cody, Rick Trevino, and Sara Hickman. He has twice performed his original music live at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (the Wall) in Washington, DC on Father's Day. He is sponsored by a group of private individuals, an international contractor and a national radio broadcasting firm to provide concerts in Veterans Hospitals all over the United States, and has delivered nearly 50 of these shows in the past three years at no cost to the VA. A frequent performer on the main stage of the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, Alton's songs have been compared to the legendary Micky Newberry, and his rich baritone is a unique blend of power and emotional context. His songs are intimate, interesting and finely crafted. You'll be very glad you took an evening out of your life to hear him.
"I have had the pleasure of attending many concerts presented by Nexus. I always know it will be an intimate evening of stellar music in the company of kindred spirits. It's obvious great care is taken in the planning of each show in making it a soulful evening for all. I look forward to many more!" -LW "Thanks again and hope to see you very soon! I feel like I am attending an exclusive private fine art exhibit with the world's most talented artists. What a unique pleasure." - BG
Freebo first gained national recognition for playing bass and his single moniker during a decade-long tenure with Bonnie Raitt, beginning in 1971. Playing numerous sessions and tours, Freebo established himself as a musician of note. He played with some of the finest blues musicians including Muddy Waters, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Buddy Guy, Roy Buchanan and John Mayall, as well lending his talent as a tuba player in shows with Dr.John and the legendary band Spinal Tap. But Freebo's artistry didn't completely emerge until he began writing songs and ventured out on his own. His first CD, The End Of The Beginning, released in 1999, was followed up in 2002 with Dog People which was inspired by his Golden Retriever, Garbo, and devoted entirely to the human/canine connection. His new CD is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2005.
Jim Photoglo has attained notoriety as a highly respected Nashville songwriter. His song, "Fishin' In The Dark", recorded by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, went to # 1 and later appeared on Billboard Magazine's Top 200 Recurring Singles Of All Time chart. Dusty Springfield, Alabama, James Ingram and Michael McDonald are among the many artists who have recorded his songs. Jim is a founding member of Run C & W with ex-Eagle Bernie Leadon and Amazing Rhythm Aces‚ Russell Smith, as well as Nashville's The Vinyl Kings, composed of some of the best known musicians from Music City's studios. Like Freebo, Photoglo released his first independent CD Fly Straight Home in 2000 and his latest, Sparks In The Radio, is now released. He tours with Freebo and on his own when he's not backing up artists such as Dan Fogelberg, Kathy Mattea and Wendy Waldman.
