Once again driving through the smoke of the wildfires and once again sending thoughts and prayers to those affected, I made my way out west. Turns out I had a few extra minutes so I found an overpass and shot some images of that monster out near Magnolia..from a respectful distance.  I’ll post one here.

I had first heard Stephanie about a month earlier, but had arrived late and only heard the last song of her set.  Judging by the audience reaction and by what I heard I wished I had been there a little earlier so when the chance came to see her entire show I took it.

Born in San Antonio and raised in the hill country, but now living in Nashville Stephanie takes any opportunity she can to get back to Texas and get back to her roots. I guess it’s when you’re home you feel like you can let your hair down and tell your story which is what struck me about her songs and her set. It’s more than obvious that she’s glad to be here, doing what she loves best, making music (and movies…check the preview for Courage on her site www.stephanieurbinajones.com which opened August 15th in Dallas).

I was excited to see Stephanie perform because I’d already gotten a taste of her music, but just a taste. Being a bass player in another life it’s almost impossible for me to get too much rhythm and her brand of Texas country is loaded with latin beats and percussive styles. She mixed her set up with songs from of her previously released CDs and a generous helping of material from her upcoming CD titled Fiery Angel.

After having been out of circulation for a little while I can tell you that Fiery Angel brings her back with a new depth and intensity that deserves to be heard.  She was nice enough to give me an advance copy of it and it hasn’t left my player yet. If you know anything about me you know that formulated, cleche music won’t get many spins in my player either.

Opening with the high energy Shakin Things Up from her 2002 self titled project, she moved from the heavy Salsa flavored I Wanna Dance With You through a cover of Kristofferson’s Help Me Make It Through The Night, back to a high energy tribute to her grandmother with La Reina de los Angeles, and over to the title cut of the upcoming CD Fiery Angel.

I came away feeling really good about having made the drive out to Tomball. Stephanie’s not afraid to be transparent about her life and struggles. Her message is all about staying positive, surviving and reaching for dreams which is a message we all need a little more of these days..at least I do.  I’m sold..thanks Jonesy!

Make sure to catch Stephanie and her full band opening for one of my favorite bands Del Castillo at Dosey Doe on Friday September 30th. This should be one amazing show. You’ll want to catch her on Troubadour Texas too which is a TV series chronicling the lives of 24 Texas musicians. It premieres Sept. 24th on the CW Network here in Houston and in cities all across the U.S. http://troubadourtx.com/ .