Bringing the soul from Greensboro, North Carolina, Ranford Almond is a young singer/songwriter and trobador that has begun to make his mark across the Southeast. Raspy fresh vocals meet the Appalachian strings of Ranford’s guitar, reminiscent of John Prine and Townes Van Zandt with his own unique stamp. Furthermore, his talent extends far beyond composition and strumming, as he is a warrior with the electric as well. Ranford plays as a solo artist as well as fronting a full band. He also plays lead in the Greensboro based psychedelic folk collective Viva La Muerte.
Formed in 2020, Austin-based Memphis Kee draws on the influence of songwriters like Hayes Carll, Robert Earl Keen and Evan Felker (Turnpike Troubadours) to spark visceral, relatable reactions from listeners.
Since the release of their debut EP ‘6th & Jacinto,’ Memphis Kee have been making a name for themselves on the live circuit with their propulsive performances in which they pull from a diverse catalog of raucous barroom country, classic stories of love and loss, and even gritty old-school murder ballads.
Memphis Kee keeps the crowd listening to every thoughtfully placed word sung over the groove of what they lovingly refer to as, “Shred Dirt” music – country rock that has been battered in the scarlet soil of the Red Dirt music scene pioneers (Jason Boland, Cody Canada, Reckless Kelly, etc.) bookended by the blues and soul hued influences from Kee’s hometown of Memphis, TN. Band members include Memphis Kee (lead vocals, rhythm guitar); Spencer Carlson (lead guitar, vocals); Paul Pinon (drums); Joey Sisk (bass), and Jake Waylon (mandolin, keys, guitar, vocals).
The release of their full-length record, “Wimberley” marked a turning point for the band. Recorded over 6 days at the renowned Yellow Dog Studios, they teamed up with Grammy award-winning producer, Adam Odor to create a record that ended up on many Best of the Year lists, in Texas, the United States, and internationally. Consisting of 9 originals and one cover, the record is a perfect collection of what Memphis Kee is about. They were joined by Texas music scene heavyweights, Mike Harmeier of Mike and The Moonpies and Cody Braun of Reckless Kelly and the results were the cover of Ryan Adams’ “Come Pick Me Up” bringing on accolades like being named the 13th Best Song of the Year by Country Music France.
Media outlets such as Saving County Music, Whiskey Riff, and The Amp penned glowing words about the album, with Saving County Music placing it on their “Essential Albums List” for 2022 and saying, “Memphis Kee out of Austin is looking to revitalize that approach of taking the robust songwriting of guys like Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt, and applying it to music that’s just as much akin to grunge as country.” With Whiskey Riff stating that, “its only a matter of time before Memphis Kee is a household name.”
2023 is already shaping up to be another big year as they have some marquee names to share stages with and tours booked through Texas, Colorado, Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, and Illinois.
Born on the Corpus Christi Bay with roots in the deserts of West Texas and the Piney Woods of East Texas. Jack Nelson is a music artist to keep an eye on. Growing up the son of ranchers and teachers, music for the hard working God fearing folk is what pours out of him.
Jack was handed his first guitar at the age of four years old and has been making music ever since. Whether it was playing alongside his father during practices for his tejano band as a child, leading his church youth group in praise and worship, or playing music festivals in his in his hard rock band in high school, Jack has always appreciated all types of genres and his history has made him a very diverse musician.
Jack took a break from his life and music in order to serve our country by joining the United States Navy and after four and a half years decided it was time to return home, go to college, and start making music again.
Upon departing the Navy in 2012, Jack began playing one man acoustic shows in the local area and as a lone acoustic musician with only amateur recordings Jack was able to spend a considerable amount of time in the top spot of the local reverb country charts. But being compelled to a larger platform Jack has carefully assembled musicians from across the country in an effort to bring his brand of music to the scene.
Within that time frame Jack has been continuing to release new music with a few “number ones” in the Texas music scene all whilst having the honor of sharing the stage with fellow artists such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Vanilla Ice, Lee Greenwood, Tracy Byrd, David Ball, Cody Canada and the Departed, Wade Bowen, Creed Fisher, Sundance Head, Bart Crow, Jason Boland and the Stragglers, Josh Ward, Scooter Brown Band, Bri Bagwell, Curtis Grimes, Micky and The Motorcars, Kyle Park, David Grace, Susan Hickman, Jake Bush, Larry Joe Taylor, and many more.
We are ringing in the new year with LAUGHING, DANCING, SINGING, and PARTYING at the press!
Doors open at 7PM. $20 per show or $30 for both.
8PM Comedy Show with Steamboat Comedy Featuring Eeland Stribling
Eeland Stribling is your aunty’s favorite stand-up comedian. Eeland is a regular at The Comedy Fort, Comedy Works and Denver Improv. He recently won the 2023 New Faces competition at Comedy Works! He also regularly tours in Boston, Chicago, LA, Austin and venues across the country. He has traveled across the world teaching about fly fishing and telling jokes everywhere he can. He has performed at High Plains Comedy Festival, Limestone Comedy Festival, 10k Laughs, and many more festivals. Nick-named “Black Steve Irwin,” he is not only a comic; he is a wildlife biologist and educator. Telling jokes and teaching about wildlife are what he does. Eeland combined his passions for comedy and conservation in a series he created called, Comedians on the Fly. He’s rarely in a great mood and he can’t wait to tell you about why, but he promises you’ll have an opinion.
It’s Women of the Stage at the press! Come support the female musical artists of the world as Kay McKenzie hosts a different female musician(s) every month!
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