There is a happening series going on in Conroe, Texas every first Thursday of the summer months at this nice outdoor set up just outside of downtown. Lawn chairs and blankets were in order to sprawl out and leave the rat race behind for an evening of fun and frolicking. Kidders sliding down the hill on pieces of cardboard took me back to my youth where something so small was so enjoyable and American-like the 4th of July!

Even though it was hot, this setting provided plenty of shade and a soothing breeze throughtout the night. “Sideshow Tramps” opened the night and did a very rousing and upbeat set to grease up the crowd for JE’s set.

This evening Joe was joined on stage by only a killer guitar dude named Teye. He is best known for his flamenco guitar work wth JE’s band between 1994 and 2000, and for his flamenco ensembles Teye & Viva el Flamenco’ and Teye & Belen’. See this is the beauty that is Joe Ely. I’ve seen this guy starting way back with his band in the 80’s at the likes of Rockefellers, with the Flatlanders at the Crighton Theater in Conroe and also at the same venue with his killer band featuring David Grissom on lead guitar. I’ve seen him shred the Verizon in H-Town when he paired with Grissom and Joel Guzman on sweet ass accordian and most recently by his lonesome at the KPFT Birthday Bash @ the Mucky Duck last March. The guy is so damn good-and gives 101% every time! Dude had just played Chicago the night before hitting the stage in Conroe and he appeared fresh as a daisy and ready to rock. Amazing how he never seems to age.

Timeless tunes like “Road Goes On Forever”, “Treat Me Like a Saturday Night” and “All Just to Get to You” were done like it was the first time he’d ever performed them. An unreal version of “Boxcars” was done while a REAL train blew its whistle in the background, with JE thanking Conroe for providing that wrinkle to his gig. Classic.

Just hearing some thoughtful lyrics like “Smear the moon in your skin” and “I’ve got a backpack full of yesterdays” are true Ely chestnuts. This is a musician who has been called the “Springsteen of Texas” and I think it fits well. His collaboration band, the Flatlanders (with Jimmy Dale Gilmore & Butch Hancock), are going to be on the Letterman show 7/21!  Did I tell you this fabulous show was FREE, too?

HMR prides itself on covering and supporting live music in any shape or form small or large.  Sweet Debbie Glenn, the Queen of  the Conroe music scene, tipped us off to this goodie and for that we are most grateful. The Conroe music landscape has expanded over the past couple years and is no longer their little secret. Thanks to pals like Joy Wren, Rosie & I are becoming more and more in tune with the area and digging it big time. You haven’t lived until you can be a “human bridge’ to lil kids sliding there cardboard slides thru your legs like I did and listen to beautiful Texas rich music from a true legend at the same time!  If you’ve never took the time to catch this tireless non-stop touring gentleman, please do when you get the chance. You will not regret it…Ta Ta for now!