Amy Speace

“She has one of the richest and loveliest voices in the genre and her songs are luxuriously smart.” Craig Havighurst (host of Nashville’s “Music City Roots”)

Since her discovery in 2006 by folk-pop icon Judy Collins, Speace has been heralded as one of the leading voices of the new generation of American folk singers. 

Cliff Eberhardt

"Eberhardt is a superb singer, with a vast credible range of emotions, and a soulfulness that draws from rock and pop, but also from the best folk ballad styles." The Boston Globe

"Eberhardt is better than ever, Steve McQueening his way into your heart at about ninety-eight miles an hour, kicking ass with fresh insight and new ways to lament old yearnings.” —Philly Rock Guide 

Venson’s “…astonishing mix of raw soul, superb musicianship and laid back grace…” (Austin American Statesman) has been compared to the likes of Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse and fellow Austin native Gary Clark, Jr. 

Originally a classical pianist, Jackie picked up the guitar, shortly after graduating from Berklee College of Music, and made the giant leap from the tradition of classical music to the raw and gritty blues and soul. Enthralled with music since the age of 8, this young singer/songwriter/musician instantly captures your attention with a vibrant musical soul and passionate control of her instruments, that reach far beyond her age. As she mindfully blends Blues, Rock, R&B, Soul and more with her introspective lyrics, the message is clear- when you’re listening to Jackie you hear the “Truth in Music”. 

Her live performances revisit what makes music so powerful: emotion and passion. She thrives without the flash, instead favoring a clean sound, genuine soul, and meaningful connection with her audience. Music is not only what Venson does – it's who she is!

"Her delicate, yet mesmerizing voice and the ease with which her fingers find all the right notes along her guitar’s neck will have your head in the clouds." - Vibe Magazine 

“Her willingness to stand naked lyrically and vocally remains one of Venson's most admirable traits.” - Austin Chronicle 

“With a gorgeous singing voice, a guitar style that is both dynamic and technically precise, and music that blends genres, she is one to watch out for.” - She Shreds Magazine 

“Her muscular fretwork is balanced by a singing voice that radiates warmth and spirit.” - Chicago Sun-Times 

Roots-rock renegades The South Austin Moonlighters have announced the release of their new full-length album, Travel Light. Available everywhere May 17th on Station House Records, Travel Light marks a new era for the Moonlighters. In addition to bringing in the New Orleans songwriter Anders Osborne to produce the record, The South Austin Moonlighters manage to connect with each other like never before, unpacking sometimes-heavy subject matter in grin-inducing multi-part harmony; and when Lonnie Trevino (bass), Chris Beall (guitar), Phil Hurley (guitar), and Daniel James (drums) share vocal duties, it’s one hell of a blend. Today, The Boot premiered the first single from Travel Light, “Girl From Texas”, a song written by Hurley; he calls it a “homage to the girl that stole my heart and saved my life.” Fans can get an early listen here.

Travel Light runs the gamut of Texas-influenced songs; topics like small towns, lost women, and blazing guns permeate the entire track listing. “Nowhere Left To Run”, a fortunately fictitious story of his wife, unborn child, and ultimately his will to live. Hurley says this song was made up out of thin air on a Fender Stratocaster in Echo Park on a sunny winter’s day, but is quick to note that “No animals or people were injured in the writing of this song.” Then there’s “Cartersville Rain”, a Beall penned finger picked tune that tells the story of a southern man who passes away tragically close to finally retiring. “I knew who he was, but I didn’t know him,” says Beall, Chris uses poetic prose to unravel this real life story and states “Its like looking at a beautiful painting from across the room and wondering what it means.” 

The album’s title track is driven by slinky, Levon Helm-esque drums; a study on life’s distractions that we’re constantly burdening ourselves with. Beall says, the simple meaning of Travel Light is that “life is tough”, we don’t need to make it tougher.” As a group, The South Austin Moonlighter’s new album is sure to unburden fans old and new.

“McMurtry might be the best topical writer performing right now and (Just Us Kids) finds him at his finest.” —Patterson Hood, Drive-By Truckers

"America's fiercest songwriter" - CNN

“James McMurtry writes songs filled with characters so real that you're sure they're going to climb out of the speakers and look you in the eyes.” —VOICE OF AMERICA

“McMurtry aims for the jugular.” —DIRTY LINEN“A conservative,” Franklin Roosevelt said almost 70 years ago, “is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned to walk forward.” James McMurtry – work shirt tucked, fists clenched – turns those words into weapons on Just Us Kids. Think Steve Earle with an even more pointed – and sometimes sharper – vision. Essential listening at the height of election season. – Brian T. Atkinson, RELIX

“The songwriting conscience of America,” —FOLK WAX

“As the years pile on, James McMurtry sings with ever more authority and deserved cynical grace...With each album, (he) finds more to say and a stubborn, uncompromising way to say it.” —iTUNES

No cover charge.

This little gem might be a bit easily overlooked in Houston’s typical bar scene, but that’s because it’s an entirely different kind of place. McGonigel’s Mucky Ducky is an Irish pub that features a very popular open mic night every Monday at 7 p.m. (sign up by 6:30 p.m.) You’ll hear plenty of folk, country and acoustic renditions by performers that spent their afternoon in classes at Rice or a long day at the office. Not only does the pub feature an impressive array of live music almost every night, but the Mucky Duck has been listed by Billboard Magazine as one of the 20 best acoustic venues in the country. - CBS HOUSTON

The Duck stage is open for you to present your original compositions or a favorite song made famous by someone else. 

Comedians, poets, jugglers and mimes also welcome.

Don't be shy. Come on out ~ It's your turn to be a Mucky Duck Open Mic Star.

Each performer has 3 songs or 15 minutes for their performance. 

For more than three decades, Texas singer-songwriter Shake Russell has been entertaining audiences throughout the region with his unique, Americana style of folk-rock. A prolific songwriter, Shake has written or co-written hundreds of melodies. Through the years, Shake’s songs and albums have frequented the Billboard charts, with many, including “Deep in the West,” “You’ve Got a Lover,” “Put Yourself in My Shoes,” “One More Payment,” and “Our Kind of Love” being recorded by such distinguished artists as Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, Ricky Skaggs, Clint Black, and Carolyn Dawn Johnson. Ricky Skagg’s hit recording of “You’ve Got a Lover” has appeared on three of Ricky’s albums. 

In 1986, Shake was asked by longtime friend Bruce Bryant, creative producer at KPRC Channel 2, to compose a theme song commemorating the Texas sesquicentennial. He obliged and wrote the regional favorite, "Traveling Texas", which became the theme song for KPRC's award winning TV series "The Eyes of Texas".

Shake is a two-time recipient of the BMI “Million Air” award for Clint Black’s recordings of “Put Yourself in My Shoes” and “One More Payment,” both of which he co-wrote with Clint, and a four-time recipient of the BMI Writer’s Award. The Texas Music Association nominated Shake's song, “Cowboy Coffee,” for the “2007 Texas Music Awards Best New Song.” Shake made history by being named Entertainer of the Year for the third time (2004, 2008, 2011) in the Texas Music Awards!

Weaving sophisticated harmonies through his songs and drawing from various genres, Shake created a style of folk-rock that is uniquely his own. His repertoire consists of a blend of love songs, ballads, and waltzes, skillfully balanced with lively rockabilly tunes and soulful rhythm and blues pieces. His lyrics are imbued with beautiful imagery, catchy phrases, and inventive similes and metaphors. But it is the rich, melodious voice of Shake Russell that breathes life and spirit into the lyrics.