Slimharp
221 posts
Feb 26, 2014
3:28 PM
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Anybody know much about the blues scene in the Houston Tx area ? I am contemplating getting the hell out of So. California, put up with the weather and slow down some. Just wondering if there is some good blues action there. I plan on moving to the Conroe area
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jnorem
58 posts
Feb 26, 2014
4:01 PM
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To be honest, it's pretty grim. I lived there for about three years while my wife was doing her residency at the medical center, and I busted my ass trying to find people to play with, and when I did there were no gigs.
There were only a few guys that played blues, a pretty small clique. I got in because of a singer who "hired" me. It was pretty depressing. I went back in September of last year, and it was still the same guys!
There were a few places that had weekly blues jams, but you end up hanging around all night just to play a couple of tunes.
Austin is good for all kinds of music. Houston's pretty dead.
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Call me J
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Slimharp
222 posts
Feb 26, 2014
5:34 PM
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Bummer.
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jnorem
59 posts
Feb 26, 2014
7:04 PM
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It really is. Do you have to move there? Austin is a hopping music town; if I had the choice between Houston and Austin I'd choose Austin in a heartbeat.
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Call me J
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Tblues1
68 posts
Feb 27, 2014
5:01 AM
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Slimharp,
Houston is not all that bad for Blues, but I think Austin would be better.
I too moved here from California a few years ago and live in the Conroe area.
Most Blues is in the downtown area and there are a couple of long running Blues jams.
Out of the question for me though, as I now work very early in the AM.
On the North side where I am, there are some jams, but they are more Rock oriented, all genres are usually welcome though.
Jams come and go all the time and there have been some really good ones.
You just never know what will turn up.
Email me if you do move here and maybe I can update you.
Last Edited by Tblues1 on Feb 27, 2014 5:24 AM
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Slimharp
223 posts
Feb 27, 2014
11:30 AM
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Thanks T. It will be at least a year. What do you think of the Conroe area? I have a brother that lives in Bentwood and a sister in Walden. They keep bugging me to move there.
Last Edited by Slimharp on Feb 27, 2014 11:30 AM
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Tblues1
69 posts
Feb 27, 2014
12:22 PM
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Medium sized area, runs the gamut from very old to modern.
There is a lake there with a couple of venues that host live music.
I've played a couple of times at a semi-outdoor place called Papa's On The Lake, rustic but nice place when the weather is ok.
I don't know the places you mentioned.
Area is growing, so who know's what will be available in a year.
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aHoustonian
1 post
Feb 27, 2014
2:55 PM
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Houston is a great city for blues. Obviously, compared to rock and country, the blues scene is smaller, but there's a large pool of talent. That being said, if you're living in Conroe, you'll probably be an hour-hour and half(depending on traffic) from a lot of the main venues in city limits, such as The Big Easy and Shakespeare Pub, although there are north side venues too.
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mikiek
8 posts
Mar 03, 2014
7:13 PM
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The deal with Houston is there are so many types of music that there is no dominant style. Also given that it is so spread out getting anywhere can take a while. Sonny Boy Terry is probably the biggest active harp player around.
Dallas has a bigger harp/blues community.
And if you want to move to Bentwater near Conroe you can jam with ME. Actually the far north side of Houston is beginning to have some pretty decent venues. Several of them specialize in local talent.
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Tblues1
70 posts
Mar 04, 2014
12:46 PM
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Mikiek,
Any examples of these North Side venues?
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jnorem
66 posts
Mar 04, 2014
12:56 PM
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mikiek: "Sonny Boy Terry is probably the biggest active harp player around."
He was the the biggest active harp player around 18 years ago! Like I said, still the same guys.
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Call me J
Last Edited by jnorem on Mar 04, 2014 1:04 PM
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mikiek
9 posts
Mar 04, 2014
1:18 PM
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I've caught some decent shows at:
Dosey Doe - both venues (don't let the name fool you)
Red Brick Tavern - Conroe
Main Street Crossing - Tomball
DOn't get me wrong - these are not explicitly blues venues. They do however feature a lot of local and statewide talent.
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LumberjackShark
33 posts
Mar 04, 2014
5:04 PM
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I hope I'm not high-jacking this thread any, but I'm in the Beaumont area (not too far from Houston, in the Texas frame of mind LOL) and am looking for anyone to jam with. If Tblues, aHoustonian or mikiek (or anyone else) are in the area and ever want to hook up I'd like to get together. I'm still a beginner, but working with Sonny Boy Terry.
I'm still learning the venues, but I know Shakespeare Pub and Big Easy are blues places. But as said above, there are lots of live spots, but the music is varied, but good blues is appreciated.
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mikiek
10 posts
Mar 04, 2014
5:45 PM
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LumberjackShark - I've taken some lessons from SBT as well. I wouldn't mind hookin up some time. I don't get over your way too often and I'm actually way North of Houston.
Email me @ remarkm05@yahoo.com and we can discuss.
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Tblues1
71 posts
Mar 05, 2014
5:51 AM
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MIKIEK and LUMBERJACKSHARK,
I'm familar with those venues, except for Red Brick.
I saw Chalie Musselwhite at the Big Barn.
Awesome show.
Sat maybe 6 feet or so from him almost like sitting in someone's living room or something.
I also live on the far North side.
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mikiek
15 posts
Mar 05, 2014
7:17 AM
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Tblues1 - Dosey Doe (either venue) is a great place for a show. Sound is really good. They get some pretty big name acts there. Not all blues, but still. I've seen shows at the cafe where - like you - I was 5-6 feet from the performers.
Red Brick in Conroe is a pretty small place. You have to get there early or you might be standing for the show. I've been watching Lincoln Durham there a lot. Food is good too.
I'm curious where you play. You can email me remarkm05@yahoo.com if you want.
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