Songwriters MeetUp w/ Mike Blakely

Songwriters MeetUp with B.B. Morse

Songwriters MeetUp Podcast taped on May 17, at Brass Hall in Marble Falls, Texas with William B.B. Morse, who recorded and with Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson, and played the Austin City Limits stage with Floyd Tillman, the CMA Hall of Famer who called Marble Falls home. Morse shared stories of his European travels with podcast host john Arthur martinez, his studio work with Willie Nelson and Merle and the crazy night Mathew McConaughey joined the band at an after hours pickin' party hosted by Darrell & Edith Royal. Our apologies for the weak audio feed from Morse's microphone, but his stories require no apology. We invite novices and masters, performers and listeners alike, to the Songwriters MeetUp, a celebration of the legends from the Marble Falls area, including Floyd Tillman, a CMA Hall of Fame inductee, Willie Nelson, whose children attended school in Marble Falls, and Oscar J. Fox, born in Burnet County, was the composer for some of the most famous Western songs of all time. Living legend Gary P. Nunn, who lives in Marble Falls, created some of the most iconic songs in Texas music history.

Songwriters MeetUp with Brady Beal

Dearest Lyric and Melody Writers, Brady Beal talks about playing guitar with Universal/MCA recording artist Parker McCollum, opening for George Strait, and others, and, of course, his days in Marble Falls, Texas. Beal’s songs are unique, passionate, and energetic, leaving listeners with a lasting impression, whether they are rousing anthems or tender ballads. He was recently signed to Armadillo Records, an Austin label that has been a large part of Texas, and therefore international, music history. The podcast taping occurs every third Sunday of the month in downtown Marble Falls, Texas at Brass Hall, 909 3rd Street. We invite novices and masters, performers and listeners alike, to the Songwriters MeetUp, as we celebrate legends from the Marble Falls area, including Floyd Tillman, a CMA Hall of Fame inductee, Willie Nelson, whose children attended school in Marble Falls, and Oscar J. Fox, born in Burnet County, who composed music for some of the most famous cowboy songs of all time. May's guest is B.B. Morse, who has ties to the legends we celebrate at Songwriters MeetUp. Many, in our own community, are not aware that Floyd Tillman, inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1984, resided in our area from the late 1970s to the 1990s. Why should he be remembered? He wrote songs that were recorded by country superstars (Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Eddy Arnold, Gene Autry, for example), pop icons (The Supremes, Bing Crosby, Marie Osmond, to name a few), jazz and blues legends (Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles), rock and roll stars (Les Paul & Jerry Lee Lews), and folk heroes (John Prine and Bob Dylan). While he lived in Marble Falls, he co-founded Floyd Tillman’s Pickin’n in the Park.

Songwriters MeetUp with Garrett Bradford

Garrett Bradford burst onto the national music scene with his breakout single, “This Way of Life,” after it was featured on the hit TV show Yellowstone (Season 3, Episode 9). Garrett was raised in the world of rodeos, ranches and the Western culture, including personal experience with bucking horses and bulls! In 2023, Garrett won the prestigious Texas Songwriter U contest, hosted by Jack Ingram, Liz Rose, BMI, and the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association. Songwriters Meetup [https://songwritersmeetup.org], hosted by FiestaJAM [https://fiestajam.org] and john Arthur martinez [https://johnarthurmartinez.net], occurs the 3rd Sunday of every month at Brass Hall, Marble Falls, TX. Organizers invite novices and masters, performers and listeners, to the Songwriters MeetUp, in celebration of the legends, past and present, from the Marble Falls area, including current resident Gary P. Nunn, Floyd Tillman, a CMA Hall of Fame inductee, Willie Nelson, whose children attended school in Marble Falls, and Oscar J. Fox, born in Burnet County, who composed music for some of the most famous cowboy songs of all time. Past podcast guests include, Gary P. Nunn, Bob Livingston, Braedon Barnhill, Mike Blakely, and Kimmy Rhodes. Go to https://songwritersmeetup.org [https://songwritersmeetup.org] for more information, about the podcast and songwriters open mic, which always follows the podcast taping. Garrett continues to refine his songwriting skills and collaborate with some of the industry’s most respected writers, including Leslie Satcher ("Troubadour"/George Strait, "Prove You Wrong"/Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, Maren Morris), Tom Douglas ("House That Built Me"/Miranda Lambert, "We Made Love"/Alabama, "I Run To You"/Lady Antebellum), and Phil O’Donnell ("Give It All We Got Tonight"/George Strait, "Doin' What She Likes"/Blake Shelton, "She Won't Be Lonely Long"/Clay Walker). His music, deeply influenced by his Texas heritage, brings authenticity and edge to the country music scene. Balancing his time between Nashville and Texas, Garrett remains devoted to crafting songs and performing. He is gearing up to release his two-part album, Honkiest of Tonkers, this upcoming year. The first installment is set to debut on February 21, 2025, followed by the second on April 11, 2025. He has an exciting future ahead as he continues to carve out his place in the music industry.

Songwriters MeetUp w/ Kimmie Rhodes

Songwriters MeetUp, held the 3rd Sunday of each month in Marble Falls, Texas at Brass Hall, features critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter, Kimmie Rhodes. In 1996 Kimmie Rhodes released West Texas Heaven, an album that marked a ground-breaking moment in her career as a singer-songwriter, to critical acclaim. Chosen as "best of the year" by many publications worldwide, including USA Today it featured duets with fellow Texans, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings & Townes Van Zandt. Now she has re-released the album, which has been re-mixed & re-mastered along with some rare bonus "out-take" tracks from the original sessions, plus a since-recorded duet with Emmylou Harris & a co-write with Waylon. Along with the album release, Kimmie has published a new companion songbook, "West Texas Heaven; The Stories & Songs" with archival photos & images, sheet music scores, guitar charts & lyrics, & a personal memoir for each song. A compelling storyteller & humorist, Kimmie performs a unique show in celebration of the releases with the songs & stories of how & why the songs were written

Songwriters MeetUp w/ Mike Blakely

Songwriters MeetUp, Podcast, and Original Music Open Mic on Sunday, January 18, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Brass Hall in Marble Falls. Sign up at 3:15 P.M. (or a tad earlier) for the open mic (absolutely no cover songs). Our goal is to start the podcast earlier to allow more time for your songs. The welcome and introductions will kick off at 4:00 P.M. with a brief student guitar presentation from FiestaJAM to Harmony School of Music. The podcast taping will follow with this special guest, Mike Blakely, a singer-songwriter whose day job is writing books. Mike Blakely has released 14 solo albums, performed across the U.S., and has made 16 tours to Europe. Alan Jackson, Gary P. Nunn, Red Steagall, Flaco Jimenez with Raul Malo, Walt Wilkins & The Mystiqueros, john Arthur martinez, Randy Brown, Geronimo Trevino III, Johnny Rodriguez, and Johnny Bush have covered his songs. As an author, Mike has published 19 books with major New York City publishers. He won the Spur Award for Best Western Novel, awarded by Western Writers of America. Mike is currently working on the sequel to A Sinister Splendor, released in February 2018.