Doug Marsh

Doug Marsh and the Shimstocks is an exciting and eclectic ensemble that performs original guitar- and vocal-driven music with classic folk and rock influences. Included in their repertoire are a number of covers of Neil Young, Richard Thompson, Lynard Skynyrd, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Magic Sam, Willie Nelson, the Stones, Dwight Yoakum, and Taj Mahal.

Band leader and principal songwriter Doug Marsh, a Vancouver native and longtime Austin resident, says the band’s music focuses on a positive approach to life – and this optimism is instantly apparent in the group’s joyous melodies and introspective lyrics.

This electric band deftly blends various guitars, mando, steel, fiddle, bass and drums. Besides the strong songwriting and musicianship, Doug Marsh & the Shimstocks‘s distinguishing characteristics include the compelling and intense three-part vocal harmonies of Marsh and fellow vocalists Greg Jordan, Richard Parke and John Ponder. Two of the band members contribute to songwriting duties. Richard’s eclectic instrumental capabilities bring a refreshing element to the band- steel to flute to fiddle and back to guitar. He has played everywhere from California to Philly where he played with Sister Sledge and is the Music Director of the band. Marsh says it’s exciting that such talented performers with their own solid and diverse backgrounds could come together as friends and as a singular, powerful musical force. Greg Jordan has played in punk, metal, and country bands from Houston to Blanco and, has in the past, toured the east coast; John Ponder has played in numerous bands including, currently, the Blue Jays and Flaming Stamin in the 80’s.

Doug Marsh & the Shimstocks are: Doug Marsh (guitar, acoustic guitar and vocals), Richard Parke (guitar, steel, fiddle, mando, flute, harp), Greg Jordan (drums, congas, percussion, and vocals), John Ponder (bass), and the rest…

 Check out the latest release, “All that Matters” from 2010 on dougmarshmusic.com

Hollow Wooden Box – watch the video

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Deann René

Deann René  performs her original music with her full rock band as well as a solo artist. Her lyrics tend to tell the stories of her life experiences, as songwriting is her favorite therapy.

“My songs are about real people and real issues. Relationships, hardships, real things. Life is about overcoming all the obstacles, and I feel like it helps to hear songs that are about those obstacles.”

Ms René’s debut album Not Crying Today: It’s strong-willed rock and roll, with soulful, hard road anthems like “Heartbreak,” “You’re Gonna Lose,” and “Not Crying Today” offering an inside look at an Austin girl who grew up with music in her blood.

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Richard Paul Thomas

Richard Paul Thomas – better known to his friends as RpT – has been making music since rock ‘n’ roll was young. And he’s still finding new sources of inspiration each time he picks up a guitar and sits down to write a song. Thomas prides himself on exploring a wide range of musical genres – from rock and R&B to jazz and soulful balladry – and emotions that travel from lighthearted and fun to serious and introspective. His thought-provoking examinations of life’s joys and challenges come from the heart and speak to the soul.

On his latest album,Wings Of My Heart, Thomas whittles his diverse array of influences and lifetime of experiences – including producing environmental festivals for Jacques Cousteau’s Cousteau Society – into a dozen self-penned tunes. Produced by Chris Gage and recorded at Austin’s Moonhouse Studio, it features musical contributions from Gage and his wife, Christine Albert, plus Kristin deWitt, Bruce Logan, Glenn Fukunaga and Steven Bernstein.

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You won’t believe how much fun we had last year.

You won’t believe how much fun we’ll have in 2013.

Norm Ballinger

Norm Ballinger is a poet, carpenter, strawbale home builder, sculptor of trash magic, but most of all he is a guitar slinger.From his early days as a soloist playing delta blues and ragtime finger picking to accompanying songwriters such as George Ensle, Eric Taylor, and Jerry Stevens, Norm has explored a wide variety of musical styles. Though coming from a folk/rock/blues background, Norm’s songwriting transcends genre. Every song opens to another place of wonder. As a seasoned guitarist, he can play a wide variety of  cover songs and instrumentals. As a performer/songwriter/composer he can masterfully lead a band through all levels of wow at restaurants, bars, concerts, and festivals.

With his third CD release, Where The Heart Lingers, Norm proves himself as a seasoned songwriter and instrumentalist. His new band, featuring guitarist Jimmy George, percussionist Jorge de Armas, and Kurt Huffman on fretless bass, has been filling rooms since their first show. The band is a fine complement to the variety in Norm’s songs from soulful waltz to gypsy jazz to rockin’ jams. Think Bruce Cockburn, or how about Dave Matthews Band meets Jethro Tull with Leo Kottke sitting in.

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