THE MERLES
4.16 4PM
The Merles are an original, classic country band based out of Austin, TX featuring Todd Deatherage, Mike Simms, Phil Spencer, and Matt Winegardner. The group strives to create an old school, traditional sound that echoes the memories of yesterday's country. With catchy choruses and danceable tunes, their influences include Bob Wills, Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell, George Strait, and their namesake, Merle Haggard.
In 2008, former Dallasite and singer/songwriter Todd Deatherage moved to Austin looking to form a band that played his favorite traditional country songs. In search of a lead guitarist, Todd collaborated with his co-worker at the Allegro School of Music, Derek Tarnow. Together they performed at local watering holes, eventually adding Matt Winegardner on drums, Phil Spencer on bass, and Derek's wife, Loren, on backing vocals. Mike Simms eventually joined in 2016 rounding out their sound with his pedal steel. Due to a hectic playing schedule, the Tarnows departed the band in 2017.
Their debut record, Hate To Say Goodbye (2017), was recorded and engineered by Britton Beisenhertz at Ramble Creek Studios in Austin, TX. The album was produced by Britton Beisenhertz and The Merles, and contains 14 original songs about heartache, love lost, honky-tonks, and well, drinking. Guest artists include Basil McJagger (The Derailers), Geoff Queen (Hayes Carll), Eddie Dickerson (Curtis Grimes), and Michael St. Clair (Polyphonic Spree).
The Merles have garnered a following by playing honky-tonks and bars around the Texas area- often clocking in over 120 shows a year. Some of the venues they frequent are Luckenbach Dancehall, Mercer Street Dancehall, White Horse Saloon, Goodnight Charlie's, Fred's Texas Cafe, and Adair's Saloon. They have opened for such national artists as Dale Watson, Johnny Bush, Jason Boland, Bri Bragwell, Jason Eady, and Rosie Flores.
Their new EP, Middle of the Night (release date 9/22/2020), was recorded, mixed, and produced by Don Cento (Sarah Jaffe) at Centones. This recording was started pre-COVID and finished in the midst of the pandemic via remote and socially distant recording. It contains six songs about insomnia, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. An amazing cast of regulars also appears on this recording - Chris McElrath (James Hand) on guitar, Ileana Nina (Drew Fish) on fiddle, Sarah Ulloa (Rent Party) on backing vocals, and bassist Justin Filor on soaring high harmonies.
TIGER ALLEY
4.16 6PM
Tiger Alley is an exciting musical collaboration between violinist, Katy Rose Cox (Shotgun Party, The Lost Pines, The Maybelles) and guitarist, Sophia Johnson (The Toy Hearts, the Sophia Johnson Band). Drawing inspiration from bluegrass, Jazz and American roots music, Tiger Alley performs both original and traditional tunes. With heart felt harmonies and impressive instrumental arrangements, this female led band knows how to capture the attention and imagination of their audience.
Born in El Paso, TX, Katy Rose began her musical journey at age 5 shining as a classical violinist. She later “cut her teeth” as a fiddler in New York City playing in a speed metal bluegrass band (with a rated R name) selling out clubs like CBGBs. During that time, she wrote original compositions as the original timekeeper for “The Moth” storytelling group now featured on NPR radio. Later, she spent many years touring the US and Europe with several groups including “The Maybelles” and “Shotgun Party”. Katy is now the owner and bow luthier of Fiddlestick Bow Shop and pours her heart into raising her son. Tiger Alley is a project that has been in the works for a while and Katy is beyond thrilled to combine forces with Sophia.
Sophia Johnson, originally from Birmingham England, began her path as a guitar “shredder” first with classical music at age 7. She found her drive and musical taste from her father and sister while in their family bluegrass band, “The Toy Hearts”. As principal songwriter, Sophia toured with her family for over 12 years. Later, her interest and passion in Western Swing grew so Johnson realized she had to move to where the pulse of those rhythms seemed to emanate the most: Austin, TX. Since moving to Texas, Johnson started her own band “The Sophia Johnson band”, she recorded a solo cd and won the prestigious award as “best Western swing female” via the Ameripolitan awards. In addition, she has worked as a guitarist and vocalist with several other Texas and US artists: Rosie Flores, Jim Stringer, The Carper Family, Nancy & Beth and Devin Jake.
Sophia and Katy met while the Toy Hearts were spending the summer in Austin. After hitting off a fast friendship they realized they had like minded musical goals and a similar skill set. Both loving vocal harmonies, impressive instrumental acrobatics and detailed song arrangements. Encouraged by this, they had planned to create their band “Tiger Alley” as soon as Sophia was able to move to Austin but Katy became pregnant and had to put this creative collaboration on the shelf till now.... Tiger Alley has arrived.