Jason Marbach started his music career about six years ago, but by industry standards he still considers himself a rookie. I tracked him down recently at his home in San Marcos to see what this talented young singer has been up to.
“I’ve been playing music for about six years and in 2005 I released a five-song EP of original songs that was very well received and was nominated for some local awards,” he said. “I soon realized that to get to the next level, there was still a lot to learn. So, I learned to play bass guitar and started singing harmony with some area bands like Jackson Parten and Jackson Taylor. I learned a lot about the music business during my time with these bands. It gave me my first experience of touring around the country, playing all over Texas and the mid-West. It also introduced me to many other musicians that have since become good friends.
“I finally felt comfortable enough to start my own band, so I formed Barbarosa in June 2007. I felt it was the next logical step in my career. We got the band name from the area where my grandparents own a ranch. The band members are Austin Garrett on lead guitar, Drew Underhill on drums, Dave Cox on bass and Rachel Bailey on fiddle and vocals. For such a young band, we’ve accomplished many things in a •••
Local musicians Matt and Stephanie Briggs will be hosting a Locks of Love benefit concert from 3 to 11 p.m., Sunday at the Gruene Home Run Batting Cages, 1563 Gruene Road.
“We picked this location so there would be things for the entire family. You can listen to music, play putt-putt golf or use the batting cages,” Mattt Briggs said. “Zack Walther and I were in Roger Wilco together several years ago and came up with the idea to do a benefit concert. I had already participated in Locks of Love before, so it just seemed like a logical choice. They are a great nonprofit organization with a small staff that provides wigs for cancer patients. Many of my musician buddies had long hair anyway, so we got them involved.”
Briggs said to donate locks to the cause, hair must be at least 10-inches long. And those who can’t donate should still stop by, he said.
“We have a solid lineup of bands scheduled to play, including Stephanie Briggs and the OSO, Texas Renegade, Keith Davis, Cody Hughes Davidson, Possom, Tyler Cannon, The Los Garza Brothers and Zack Walther & the Cronkites. Since we have a limited area for parking, we will charge $5 per car to park, so please car pool if possible. The bands are playing for free so we plan on using the parking fee to reimburse them for their gas.
For more information, call 512-940-9025 or visit myspace/stephaniebriggsmusic.
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Pianist Steve Palmer was the featured performer at Durty Nelly’s on the Riverwalk in San Antonio for more than 20 years but can now be seen and heard every Thursday and Friday night at the Faust Hotel in New Braunfels. Palmer is a master piano player and welcomes requests from the crowds. There’s no cover charge and the music starts at 6:30 p.m. Thursday and 7 p.m. Friday nights. For more information, check out fausthotel.com or call 830-625-7791.
Shows this week
Billy’s Ice House
Today ó Texas Renegade
Sat. ó Bill Rice / Jay Eric
Gruene Hall
Today ó Zack Walther & the Cronkites
Thu. ó David Insley
Fri. ó Band of Heathens CD Release Party
Sat. ó Mark Jungers / Chris Knight
Sun ó Guy Forsyth / Gary P Nunn
Mon ó Zack Walther & the Cronkites
Riley’s Tavern
Thu. ó Trey Stapleton Band
Fri. ó Lucas Hudgins & First Cousins
Sat. ó Beau Hinze / Tres Womack
River Road Icehouse
Sat ó Cross Canadian Ragweed
Sun ó Roger Creager
Scores Sports Bar
Fri ó The Skeletons
Sat. ó Bernie Calcote Band
Uptown Piano Bar
Today ó Paul Schaffenberger
Thurs. ó Luvine Elias, Jr.
Fri. ó Paul Schaffenberger
Sat. ó Dave Madden
Sun. ó Dave Madden
Whitewater Amphitheater
Sat. ó Brandon Jenkins/ No Justice/ Jason Allen/ Tom Gillam
Sun. ó Shawn Sahm / Los Lonely Boys
Cheatham St. Warehouse ó San Marcos
Today ó Kent Finlay
Thu. ó Joe Ely
Fri. ó Texas Renegade
Sat. ó Jason Marbach & Barbarosa
Floores Country Store
Fri. ó Susan Gibson / Doug Moreland
Sat. ó Pat Green
Please send upcoming live music info to: dale(at)martinsmusic.com
