Category Archives: Music

Railhead BBQ, Willow Park, TX

When my parents were here to visit, we decided to hit two birds with one stone – BBQ and live music. (Dad sure does love his live music and I don’t think we ever get enough of it…. next time we’ll have to plan ahead a little better.) We headed a little west of Fort Worth and ended up in Willow Park at Railhead BBQ.
Railhead BBQ is a chain so you will find a few around the area however this location has live music quite regularly (we found out not all locations do). Being a family friendly restaurant, there were couples, friends and families alike all there to enjoy good food and great music.
The food was good and plentiful. (BBQ sounds pretty good at this very moment, now that I’m writing this.) I opted for the usual – chopped beef with coleslaw and potato salad. The sandwich was good however it needed some BBQ sauce (which we had on the side). The potato salad was a little too mustardy for my liking however that seems to be the way that it’s done in the South. If that’s your thing, well you would probably love it.
Sy opted for a two meat plate – chopped beef and turkey with the below sides. By far he LOVED the turkey. I snuck a bit – it was delicious. He wasn’t kidding around. Yummy!
The band was situated outside where you could sit under a covered area, or not. I wish I could remember their name of the band, so if you do – let me know! We were there on June 22nd. They were great and very entertaining. The three ladies at the front table sure enjoyed them as well!
Railhead BBQ provided for a relaxing place to go for a night out, that isn’t too wild and crazy yet “you’re not at home watching TV”. Coming from the Dallas / Fort Worth area, we were able to out of the city, enjoy some nice Texas country scenery, listened to some great local music and filled up on an enjoyable meal. It was a great Texas evening!

The Lumineers, 2012-06-01 – Dallas

A couple weeks ago, a friend of mine had put a link to a video on his Facebook and basically said how he couldn’t stop listening to this song / band. Of course I was interested and soon enough I had video’s lined up, on repeat and went out and bought their CD (and yes, I still love buying actual CD’s). The band is The Lumineers and I’m still hooked. As luck would have it, they were playing in Dallas on June 1st. I had to go. I HAD to go!
If you don’t know the name, I’m sure you know the song. It’s on a Bing commercial (unless you fast forward thru them all)…
I LOVE coming across a band that is still going out and just loving every second of what they’re doing. They haven’t sold out, they’re writing their own music and just killing it on stage. Sometimes it’s hard to find as a lot of musicians conform but with the Lumineers they’re doing they’re thing and the crowd is catching on. The show sold out in this small venue. I believe they said it was their first sold out show, their first “forced” encore (no one was leaving without some more tunes) and I guarantee it won’t be their last. I also guarantee that I will probably never see them live again in such a small venue (unless I make friends with someone who can have them play a private show).
Sy and I had the pleasure of checking them out at the Prophet Bar in Dallas. This is a small venue in Deep Ellum which was quickly packed. Lucky for us, ok – luck for me, we were 2-3 rows in from the stage. I’m short, Sy made sure to remind me how great his view was at 6’3″.
During the encore, The Lumineers when into the middle of the venue, stood on a bar (I think) and just played acoustic. Such a way to connect with your audience!
The Lumineers are raw. I say this is a good way, a really great way! If you have a chance to check them out, definitely don’t let it pass you by. They are phenomenal live! They’re actually playing in my home state of Vermont in August at the Waterfront in Burlington with Old Crow Medicine Show. If only I could make it up there! For all those who can – go and let me know how awesome the show is! Such a beautiful place to see some great live music! And to The Lumineers – you are going to love Vermont and keep on doing what you’re doing! We love every second!
Check out more video’s on my YouTube site – here.

Beale Street

Obviously, I’ve been in a writing slump. Then I was looking thru pictures and completely forgot to share this with you. A huge attraction in Memphis is Beale Street. I really had no idea what I was missing…
Beale Street is just a party street. The ends of the street are blocked off and watched over by the fine Memphis Police Department. There’s musicians, performers but mostly just people walking around drinking and having a good time. It originally started up in the 1920’s with nightclubs, theatres, shops along with drinking and gambling. Obviously, it has carried on thru to today. The street is still packed.
She’s waiting for customers!
I was amazed at how many historical landmark signs we saw just down this area of what felt like three blocks, although now that I think back about it I really shouldn’t be. The musical history down this street alone is impressive. Elvis was influenced here, BB King made his mark here and artists are still beginning their claim to fame in this area.
Someone was loving this sign.
Now, Beale Street isn’t the only stop in the area. Really, there’s quite a lot to see and all within walking distance of each other. I wish we could’ve had a chance to check a few of these out. Maybe next time…
Sun Studios – Known as the birthplace of Rock and Roll. It’s recorded numerous artists, perhaps you’ve heard of a few guys named Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash? You can still go in and record. How cool is that?
This is just a “Kooky” sign we saw. Sy loved it.
Home of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Sy showing his Dallas Mavs pride.
I was more interested in what was diagonally across the street – Gibson Guitars! I would’ve loved to go on a factory tour!
Memphis wouldn’t be Memphis without the Rock and Soul Museum in the area.
The street was lined with these different sports balls along the street. I had to include them. They were fun!
Autozone Park is nearby as well located right in the middle of the city area (at least it felt like it) and diagonally across the street from the Peabody. Checkout the local minor league baseball team – it looked like a nice place to see a game.
Memphis, if only we could have had a little more time to spend together!