HMR saw him at this venue before, http://www.houstonmusicreview.com/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1840&Itemid=7) , but this go around a few things had changed.  For one,  the house concert itself had a major do over in the form of a wall coming down opening the room up big time.  Bill and Deanna Barnes’ transformed their home of 41 years into a comfortable for at least 50 folks venue that provided plenty of space for the 3-piece band this night. 

Byrd on acoustic guitar was joined by the mellow cello bottom sound of Paul Ford, and the multiple talents of guitarist /mandolin/saw/harp player Johnny Waken. The major key to this evening’s performance was the ample use of electric guitar by Waken.  In my opinion, the electric guitar gets lost in the shuffle too often in the singer/songwriter shows. When used properly it enhances the gig and as JB told me afterwards: “Electric guitar playing serves as yet another voice in the presentation.” 

Tune called “Chickenwire” got this mature audience singin’ along from the get go and Byrd and company exuded a smooth dynamic spooky good sound all night. Other highlights were “Big Truck Brought It In” with effective saw playing, “Diana Jones” off his 2008 release ‘The Law and the Lonesome’,  touching tale “Father’s Day” about his dad who was a Baptist minister with lots of bad habits that he passed on to JB, and “Pale Rider on a White Horse”. 

Accolades like ‘one of the top 50 songwriters of the last 50 years’ and being the ‘most buzzed about songwriter in folkdom’ seem to fit quite well. 

Byrd has a new album coming soon called “You Can’t Outrun the Radio” and the title cut was sweet.  The electric guiitar magic jumped out on “May the River Run Dry” unleashing Waken to a very attentive crowd of music lovers.  Speaking of which, Deanna had “drafted” a good amount of newbies and they seemed more than happy to be there.  

Hell the feedbag I strapped on stayed filled all night and if you left hungry it was your own fault! 

Another bonus was the appearance of Butch Morgan in the packed house. Dude is a stud in the Austin music scene and we got to chew the fat about recent SWRFA and upcoming Folk Alliance International in Kansas City in February 2015. 

Byrd capped the gig off with stirring “Train Song” and a nice dedication to the Barnes’ with a song about dreams coming true.

With the way this evening went I think it did for them and only bodes well for future gigs at this northwest Houston home.  The Carper Family is next up for them on 1/31/15 and we plan on being there. You can reach them @ bildeann@swbell.net .     Give it shot and I’m sure you’ll dig it ,too…………..God Bless all the music lovers out there!