By Chip Chandler — Digital Content Producer
Kyle Park
Texas country singer Kyle Park – who’ll return to town for a 9 p.m. show today at Midnight Rodeo, 4400 S. Georgia St. – is still riding high on the success of his most recent album, The Blue Roof Sessions. “It’s still my favorite record I’ve made,” said Park, who recorded it in a house he leased for a month instead of going the usual studio route. “I feel like, artistically, you have to try to do things new. If you do the same record over and over again, it gets boring.” It wasn’t just the recording process that was new, either: The album is more rocking than his previous works. “It’s not a (new) direction. It’s more of a new flavor. I think we do all kinds of things.” Park will release a new single within the next month – either a lead-up to a new album or the first of a string of singles: “I don’t see why I should release 12 songs at once when I could put out one at a time and reach people the same way,” he said. Elaina Kay will open the show. Cover is $12 ages 21 and older or $15 ages 18 to 20.
Dirty River Boys
El Paso-based rockers Dirty River Boys will head back to town for a 10 p.m. show today at Hoot’s Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road. I’ve seen them several times over the years and always enjoy their insanely energetic shows. But my favorite memory of the band was from the first time I interviewed them in 2012, when singer Nino Cooper told me how the band used a live rattlesnake to provide some ambient buzzing on the track “In These Times” from their 2012 album Science of Flight. That kind of inventiveness and ballsiness is still a trademark of the band. Cover is $15.
Amy Rigby
Singer-songwriter Amy Rigby will make her Amarillo debut at 10 p.m. today at Golden Light Cantina, 2906 S.W. Sixth Ave. Known for her 1993 album Diary of a Mod Housewife, Rigby said she still enjoys writing and performing “just as long as I feel like I have something to say that people can relate to and respond to.” For more of my interview with her, click here. Cover is $8.
Mike Webb
Texas country singer Mike Webb will perform at 10 p.m. today at Austin’s Texas Pub, 3121 S.W. Sixth Ave. Webb, who brags about his kazoo skills on his Facebook page, also will be joined by Wellington native Jay Statham. Cover is $5.
Local acts
The Texas Blues Rangers, a longtime Amarillo favorite, will reunite again for a 10 p.m. Saturday show at Golden Light Cantina. Members include bass player Marc Durham, guitarist Johnny Reverb Holston, drummer Jay Weeks and keyboardist Paul Goad. Cover is $7. … The Tommy Gallagher Band will pay on the Amarillo Live! concert series at 9 p.m. Saturday at Midnight Rodeo. Cover is $6 ages 21 and older or $10 ages 18 to 20. … Americana band Playa Lake and experimental rockers Mount Ivy will team up for a joint show at 9:30 p.m. today at Leftwood’s, 2511 S.W. Sixth Ave. Cover is $6. On Saturday, “Alaskan” Dan Lesperance will perform at 9:30 p.m. Cover is $5. … Country act Lee Scheetz & Borderline will play at 9 p.m. Saturday at Austin’s Texas Pub. Cover is $5. … Whiskey River, 4001 S.W. 51st Ave., will be rocking all weekend with Boss 420 at 10 p.m. today and Lifeless to Life at 10 p.m. Saturday. Cover both nights is $7. … Mike Chism & Hollow Point will roll into Broken Spoke Lounge, 3101 S.W. Sixth Ave., for a free 10 p.m. Saturday show. … Texas country singer Caleb Allemand, the recent subject of a Jackson Street Presents episode, will perform with his band and new Amarillo act Palo Duro Drifters at 10 p.m. Saturday at Hoot’s. Cover is $7.
Beyond the weekend
Amarillo faves Polk Street Jazz will perform at 7 p.m. May 5 at In This Moment, 707 S. Polk St. Cover is $10 (cash only), and audience members can bring their own food and beverages. … Psych rock band Levitation Room will bring a spring tour celebrating new album Ethos to Amarillo for a 10 p.m. Tuesday show at Golden Light Cantina. Cover is $5. … Americana/doo-wop band Pony Hunt will ride into town for a 7 p.m. May 5 show at The 806, 2812 S.W. Sixth Ave.; the coffee shop also will hold its First Thursday art opening that night. The show is free, but donations are accepted. … Austin hip-hop singer/dancer Meganoke will perform at 10 p.m May 5 at R&R Bar, 701 S. Georgia St. Look for my interview with her next week. … Lubbock singer Zoe Carter will continue the roll-out of her self-titled debut EP with a 10 p.m. May 5 show at Golden Light Cantina. Cover is $5.
