musical congratulations

I was pleased to learn this morning that my next-door neighbor, Bruce Hughes (also my daughter's boyfriend), won Best Bassist at this year's Austin Music Awards. I know how hard he works--it's high time he won.

Bruce has been playing both bass and guitar since childhood. Besides playing with the Texas Bluegrass Massacre, the Scabs, and the Resentments, he has his own band playing songs he wrote, Bruce Hughes and the All Nude Army. Bruce sings and plays guitar. They play at the Saxon Pub on Tuesday nights. Go hear them--they have an original rocking sound and are very very tight--a wall of sound. Their music has been described as funk, blues, pop, rock. Plus, Bruce has a fantastic lyrical singing voice.

My friend Diane, who was also at Bruce's show at the Saxon on Tuesday, says, "...Bruce is great. He's also an added surprise for those who actually listen to lyrics. Generally it's the odd combination of bluesy funky with happy and uplifting lyrics - great! Actually it's hard to categorize - the style of music differs from song to song. Never boring. He plays in the Resentments who are also very fun. If they play anywhere else I'd like to know because the dance floor is so small there."

Check Bruce out on MySpace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=30869512

John Chipman, who plays drums for both the Resentments and Bruce Hughes and the All Nude Army, won best drummer. John is my new friend. After going to hear the Resentments play at the Saxon numerous times, we have finally been formally introduced, and he even remembers my name! (The guy at the Saxon door knows me as "Lela's mom".)

Stephen Bruton, founder of the Resentments, won best guitarist.

Texas Bluegrass Massacre won best bluegrass band.

Blaze, featuring family friend Brannen Temple, won best jazz band AND they (plus Roky Erickson) are on the cover of this week's Chronicle. Click the title to see the photo!

Congratulations to all these hard-working, talented musicians and the people who love them.