Started at the Austin Convention Center for the Austin Music Awards. Decided I really wanted to see live mustic right away and headed out to Antone's where the Jake Andrews Band was playing. The were a rockin' power trio. Liked it. Moseyed over to Opal Divine's Freehouse, where I caught Nadine. Then passed by the Fox and Hound and Momo's, where a stopped for a while to listen to Micky and The Motorcars. They were delivering some very cool, original rock. A good band.

At 10:30 I went back to the Austin Music Hall to catch The Improbable Return of Redneck Rock with Steven Fromholz, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Bob Livingston, Rusty Wier, Ray Benson and Billy Joe Shaver. The fathers of Austin rock all together on the same stage, masters of their craft. With Ray Wylie they played Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother. They also played Going Home with the Armadillo, and London Homesick Blues - all classics, favorites of mine. It was a kick. Sweet. Next, back to Antone's for Jon Cleary and The Absolute Monster Gentlemen. I had heard Jon Cleary on the radio earlier, playing the piano live in the studio, giving a sort of clinic on New Orleans style piano styles. Kind of weird the British guy being a New Orleans rocker, but that he is with a top notch band cranking it out. Another excellent show.

I love this town!