I’m Dillon Havins, and these are my April 2012 picks…

Bob Slaughter — Flow Like the Streams

Bob SLaughter is an eclectic music maker, singer, song writer who experienced the days of Elvis, the Beatles, the Doors, Jimi and the like, to the Cali Jazz days, through the Willie, Waylon and the gang’s back to the country days, grooving in the woods, missing the disco phase, settling in for a couple of decades with the Jamaican roots, rock, reggae vibration and the pre hip hop dub wise sounds, and back to hill country bluegrass and on to the eclectic, soul consciousness, folk reality of 2011.

Bob has played with such folks as Stan Hoffman of the Killer Bees, Doak Snead, Billy Stoner, Karl Berkebile, and performed for many years in Austin with his reggae band “Seventh Sinse”. His album “Bob Here Now” featured Brandon Aly and Brad Houser of the New Bohemians and fiddle extraordinaire Eric Hokanan.

His latest album “Leap of Faith” displays a creative expression that is reaching out to our shifting “One Love” consciousness. It was released in tandem with his book “Meanderings in Symbiotic Reality”.

Bob’s website is at http://www.reverbnation.com/bobslaughter

Brother Magnum and the Razor Bumps – I’m Tired

Brother Magnum from Austin, TX is a double-barreled, high-firepower classic soul music man for the modern age. With a dead aim for making every show he plays with his band The Razor Bumps into a memorable musical party galore, the Austin-based singer, songwriter and guitarist blends the best from the golden age of soul, the coolest blues and the finest roots of rock’n’roll into a sound that blows you away in the most delightful ways. I first came across Brother Magnum at Jovita’s when they were playing before I was. I have chosen there song “I’m Tired” for this month’s contest.

Erick Staley – Dream

Erick Staley grew up in the bush in Australia and has years of experience playing in Texas, North Carolina and Germany, covering different styles. He has played everywhere from tuxedo’ed weddings and dinners to dirt-floor honky-tonks to German Keller bars to funerals; playing acoustic, Swing, Old-Time, Dixieland, and Classic Rock in bands, small combos and as a solo artist. He has appeared on NPR, performed for the North Carolina Museum of Art, played the National Anthem for the Durham Bulls and gigged regularly with several members of the North Carolina Symphony. These days he lives, plays and dreams in the Texas Hill Country. I first came across Erick at Cypress Creek Café in Wimberley TX.

Greywolf – Hard Times

Greywolf is from Houma, Louisiana, playing Rock & Dance Music. They’re a 6-person group, consisting of Ashley Taylor on vocals, Ron Wilkerson on vocals & keyboards, Lionel Falgout on guitar & vocals, Carol John on guitar & vocals, Tony Lapeyrouse on drums, & John Bergeron on bass. I first came across Greywolf on Hoss the Boss when they were one of Tony’s picks for the October 2011 Hossey Awards contest, doing there song “Swamp Stomp.” This month we will feature their song “Hard Times” by keyboard and vocalist Ron Wilkerson. Check them out on the web: greywolfmusic.com, http://www.reverbnation.com/greywolfmusic.

Marshall Anderson – NYC Blues

Marshall Anderson was born and raised in Dallas, TX where he played lead guitar for indie rock band The Alexander and attended the University of North Texas. The band did several national tours and decided to re-locate to New York City in Fall 2006. There Marshall first began composing and singing his own songs. After the group disbanded a year later, Marshall moved to San Marcos, TX to go to Texas State University and began attending Kent Finlay’s Songwriter Circle at historic Cheatham Street Warehouse. There he honed his songwriting skills and became immersed in the thriving Central Texas music scene. He now performs regularly at some of Austin’s finest venues and continues to write stellar songs.Check these guys out at www.reverbnation.com/marshallandersonmusic.

Rusty Hicks – Cruisin’

Music is the passion of Rusty Hicks’ life. He is an independent touring musician and has performed at many colleges, festivals, clubs, and events throughout the USA. Because of his love for music, Rusty owns and operates his own entertainment business and record label. He also manages, promotes, and book bands throughout the US. Rusty’s latest endeavor is STEAM Magazine, South Texas Entertainment Art Music, which just rolled off the press in April, 2012. Learn more about Rusty here: www.rustyhicksentertainment.com/

Stray Dog and The Wolves – Money Roll

Consisting of Stray Dawg on lead guitar/vox, Odis Hill on bass, Sam Pemberton on guitar, and Greg Hammer on drums, Stray Dog and The Wolves hits you right between the eyes with a mixture of blues and funk guaranteed to get you movin’. They formed in March 2011, and are based out of the Austin/Wimberley area. I first came across Stray Dawg and the Wolves at Antone’s when they were hosting the Blues Jam there. I have chose there song “Money Roll” for this month’s contest. Check out their website at www.reverbnation.com/straydogandthewolves.

Susan Gibson – Tight Rope

This past year has been a testament to the long-held assertion that Susan Gibson is a road warrior in the truest sense in addition to being a dedicated singer, songwriter, and performing musician. The CMA award-winning songwriter (the Dixie Chicks took the Gibson-penned “Wide Open Spaces” to the top for four weeks) has been hitting the road consistently over the past 14 years, touring nationally in support of her own brand of Texas-Americana-folk music.

Gibson’s 2011 release, Tightrope, is both right at home with and a departure from her previous albums. While the album was recorded before her accident, the mood and tone are fitting of a year spent in reflection. Gibson and producer Gabe Rhodes are the sole musicians on Tightrope, which manages to be beautiful in its sparseness, easily accessible yet full of sophisticated notes for those who take a careful listen.

While the road literally stopped Gibson in her tire tracks last year, it also gave the motivation to heal and is now the means to bring Tightrope to an audience. Gibson plans to debut it in Texas and beyond with a series of Spring album release dates as well as with an official showcase at the 2011 Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis.

I met Susan through the community of Wimberley and not only regard her as a fellow musician but as a friend as well.

Look up Susan on the web: www.reverbnation.com/susangibson and www.susangibson.com.

About Me:

Look me up at dillonhavins.com.