What the hell. You’re running a bar that’s lousy with musicians, might as well put ’em to work. In fact, the only Blue Grotto regulars who will not be playing this Saturday as part of the Groovy Grotto Jam, an all-day show whose proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of North Texas, will be me, my buddy Childress, and my other buddy Uncle Rilesby.
Not because we’re not mind-bendingly amazing musicians – hahaha! we are! – but because, y’know, we weren’t asked. Hmpff. Anyway, a majority of the baker’s dozen of bands slated to play have either played the University Drive joint before or have members who hang out there. Not that I know everybody in town (I do), but Chris Hardee (Alan), MC Generic (Rivercrest Yacht Club), Cam and Chris (Merkin), Aaron (Exit 380), Caro and the Scotts (Proud Warrior), and two talented guys who have a standing gig at the Grotto, Keegan and Mike (Catfish Whiskey), are just some of the performers. But there also are other bands playing that, if they are Grotto-ites, haven’t bought me a beer yet and thus are not on my radar, including Stella Rose, Jordan Franz, Iocane Powder, Early Pearl, and Four Corners. (OK, one-third of Stella Rose did extend me that courtesy. Thanks, Matt.)
The show gets going at 517 University Dr. bright and early, at 10 a.m., indoors, due to some sort of noise ordinance or something. (Rocking around the clock is sohhh 1954, anyway.) The outdoor stuff gets going at noon, on a fully wired-for-sound flatbed trailer in the Grotto’s parking lot. Food and drink will be available, along with free doggy baths! The situational comedy will be provided by numerous intoxicated scenesters. Admission is $7 per person. The local dogs and cats thank you in advance for your donation. Call 817-877-9947. … Is there – or could there be – such a thing as avant-garde C&W? I mean, like, John Adams-meets-John-Coltrane expressionism but something that’s neither New Music nor jazz?
Something also that uses old-timey, trad-country instrumentation – banjo, dobro, mandolin – but isn’t melodic or bluegrass-y? Something like the sound of a Battle Royal among banjo, dobro, mandolin, guitar, and other trad-country instruments? Legit questions all, sure, and ones that will be as far away from your mind as your liver will be from good health on Friday at Bronco’s Sports Bar & Grill (900 Airport Fwy, Ste 166, Hurst), when whiskey-soaked, Robert Earl Keen-ish singer-songwriter Scott Copeland holds court, along with fellow friend- o’-Jim ‘n’ Jack singer-songwriter Carey Wolff, cover-band extraordinaire Velvet Love Box, and Whiskey Dick, two ex-metal-heads who don’t offer as many poignant moments as Copeland and Wolff – or even VLB – but are funnier and way more loud-and-proud, I-don’t-give-a-shit-what-you-think Texans.
Listening to their stuff, I also can’t help but imagine they’d need to lose only a few cuss words and crass anecdotes to be able to sell Whiskey Dick tunes to pseudo-outlaws and Nashville big-timers such as Toby Keith and Shooter Jennings – and make zillions of dollars in the meantime. The songs are that nicely crafted. Call Bronco’s at 817-498-0600.
Contact HearSay at hearsay@fwweekly.com.
