JOELSCARBROUGH.COM

Sounds of Summer

2011-07-09T13:31:03Z

Lots and lots of great festivals in the north Texas and southern Oklahoma area this summer make for some great venues to catch your favorite bands. Concert listings for the Dallas small venues make for some interesting concerts as well.

I'm working again with Curtis Box in a duo configuration on August 6 in McKinney. Chestnut Square is at it's peak attendance for the next few weeks so check it out. Lots of fare and sights and sounds. Pick on!

Busy Times

2011-05-31T00:45:29Z

I've been slipping on the posts. My days are long as I'm working for a new television facility that needs lots of attention in many areas.

The performance side of things is as busy as it's been in quite some time. I just finished a two gig weekend and am headed for another with appearances at McKinney's Chestnut Square on Saturday June 4th with Curtis Box. We'll be doing a duo performance that morning and probably adding in some uncharacteristic covers of Neil Young, America, The Eagles etc. On the bluegrass front I'll be appearing the night before with the Upper Grassmen at the Chrystal Opry House during the 5th annual Melody Ranch Bluegrass Festival. They actually play at 1 p.m to kick off the show but I'll be unable to join them. It should be a good show and a good festival all three days, so check it out at MelodyRanchBluegrassFestival.com.

Many Upcoming Performances

2011-04-07T22:31:00Z

Between the Upper Grassmen and the Santa Fe Line the schedule is filling up. April 8th takes me back to Pop's Place in Denison, TX to sit in with the Upper Grassmen. That job starts at around 6 p.m. On Saturday May 7th I'll be double duty as Curtis Box and I will be teaming up again for the Chestnut Square market in McKinney. The music starts off early a 9 a.m. (great time to sing) and wraps up around noon. Then that same evening I'll be back with the Grassmen at the Chrystal Opry house as we play the Saturday night opry show as one of the two featured bands. On the 28th of May, I can be found at the Bonham Lake Hoedown in Bonham, TX. That show should be fun and kicks off around 7 p.m. You had better get there early as it's a little out of the way and sometimes hard to find if you are a first timer to that venue. I'll end up on the 3rd of June performing at the Melody Ranch Bluegrass Festival. That's a Friday evening, and I'm sure the folks at this years festival would love to see you.

There's much more where that came from, but that's all we'll list for this post. Hope you catch some good music this spring, there is quite a bit of it out there. Pick on!

McKINNEY, TEXAS

2011-03-31T22:29:00Z

Saturday is the very first Chestnut Square farmers market in McKinney. We'll be performing in the vendor area. We've asked Randy to join us on dobro, which is a great fit to a lot of the songs. We're also very proud of our electric bassist as he's got a great ear and gives the band the "punch" that we really need. If you get a chance, drop by and support the market and the band. There's lots of fresh produce, breads, etc. Downbeat is at 9 a.m. with three sets up until noon. I should be a great time. See you there!

Chestnut Square

2011-03-20T19:27:00Z

Curtis Box, myself and the band are playing Chestnut Square April 2nd beginning at 9 a.m. Chestnut Square is a great place to take the kids or just a stroll on a spring day. It's located just off of Hwy. 5 near the downtown square in McKinney. Beginning in April you'll get 7 full months of Saturday morning farmers markets' with some of the finest produce, baked goods, honey and herbs in the state of Texas. Come out, support the farmers and the band. See you there!

Bass Players

2011-03-10T22:54:00Z

Boy, a good bass player is so hard to find. I always thought of them like a keyboardist. A bass player can carry an entire band at times when you need it.

I've been on the hunt for about 3 years now for the right person. I'm not settled on having an upright or an electric player. I'd be happy with either if they are good and looking to expand their horizons a little from traditional bluegrass styles. Anywhere within the Dallas or Fort Worth area would probably be the most convenient. Drop me an line if you are interested, and pick on!

Wood Shedding

2011-02-13T20:49:00Z

The weather is great and so is the bluegrass! I've filled my weekend with banjo and song, a great getaway from the television business that's been so demanding for the last few weeks. I was also fortunate to meet up with some great Texas talent who has also has a hot new album, and he's got a great voice to go along with his song writing ability. You can check out his CD at Curtis Box dot com . If you are in to bluegrass music you'll also appreciate some of the musicians on the album, including Adam Steffey and members of Kentucky Thunder. Curtis has a very soothing style that can also be energetic. Is that possible? Yep, I think so and you will too.

Ready for Spring?

2011-02-10T18:58:00Z

It is surely turning into a long winter. My workload is pretty intense. I am working back in broadcast television and that means when the roads are slick, someone has to tell you to stay at home. That happens to be us TV guys. Kinda like the post office. Also for those who don't know it, ratings periods come four times each year. February is one of the most important for us, so I'm in overtime mode to try and entice viewers to our newscasts. I had forgotten how much work it is!

My performance schedule has been altered by the weather as well. I was due to perform with the Grassmen again before the weather deemed another cancellation. From what I am told I'll be working with them again this year at the Spring Break in Bonham bluegrass festival on Friday March 18th. Performance times are not set but I'm told that we are on stage sometime late in the day. I'll post details when I get them.

It will be good to see the springtime come this year. I'm all about winter weather but as for right now, I've had enough. I've got a plan for what goes in the garden, and with a little luck I'll get those plants in the ground earlier this year. Stay warm!

Upcoming Shows

2011-01-12T22:24:00Z

I'm hanging out with the Upper Grassmen these next couple of months with three shows scheduled. First is Friday night January 14th at Pop's Place in Denison. We frequent this establishment because of the crowd appreciation and it's just a good place to get a show/practice in without bothering a lot of people (That's supposed to be a joke). The second performance will be The first Saturday night in February as we take the stage (after a 3 month hiatus) at the Chrystal Opry House in Tom Bean. Then around the third weekend in March we perform at the Spring Break in Bonham bluegrass festival. It's held indoors and looks like we may be booked for a Friday evening performance.

January 2011? Really?

2011-01-06T21:15:00Z

Another year has just shown up in the rear view mirror and 2011 is still brand new. No, I don't really have any wise thoughts concerning what to expect or how I'm going to do this or that differently or even that I'm sure the economy will turn around. What I do feel confident that many things will continue as they have been and some will change. My family had a pleasant and blessed Christmas season and are looking forward to the winter days that will hopefully bring us a full blown season of cold weather.

Although still not completely employed full time I'm staying busy most every day of the week. A long career in television seems to continue for now, and for the most part I can see why I've missed it.

I'll be live with the Upper Grassmen again in Denison, TX on January 14th. Downbeat is around 6 p.m. with two sets planned. Join us, listen to the music and order up a chicken fried steak and iced tea. It's comfort food and traditional music at it's local best.

December?

2010-12-06T16:09:00Z

I guess Scarbrough should update his website.

It's been a very busy fall. I was between jobs and doing quite a bit of playing for a while. Much travel and special projects have cut down on the performances, but have a goal to ramp up once again. I was with the Grassmen at Pop's again in November and we'll but looking to put forth quite a bit of new material this spring. For now, it's work and lots of Holiday activity.

Pick on!

Return to Pops Place

2010-10-25T17:39:00Z

The Upper Grassmen with yours truly return to Pop's Place Restaurant in Denison this Friday night October 29th. Down beat starts at somewhere around 5:30 p.m. Pop's is a great "comfort food" venue. Seating is always limited to what seems to be around 60 people or so. With such an intimate setting we use no sound reinforcement, just raw acoustics. If you can make it, come join us this Friday and grab a chicken fry or something that you probably shouldn't eat but really want. It's great!

Melody Ranch Growing

2010-08-28T23:11:00Z

Just came off the stage at the Melody Ranch Festival. Although our particular time and day of performance was lower in attendance, overall the crowds were up. More campers made the Ranch their home this week than ever before with a total of 35 at the hookups. The sound system was off balance. The much needed ability to hear a good mix was not there. So our performance (although really tight in the latest acoustic gigs and in rehearsal) was not as good as I had hoped. Next time I definitely need less guitar and more vocals.

It's good to see the show growing in popularity. A lot has been put in to the effort. I hope it's finally paying off.

Gotta Promote the Greencards!

2010-08-13T17:53:00Z

October 1st Poor David's Pub on the south side brings us the Greencards. With their unique sound, they are always a memorable performance. Other bands and pickers to note are Sara Hickman on September 18th also a Davids. Tickets are available at FrontGate Tickets. Peter Rowan and Tony Rice team on on stage at the Granada Theater on November 14th. THAT my friends should be one heck of a show! You can order tickets for that show by visiting the Granada Theater on-line.

There is lots and lots of great music coming to Dallas and Fort Worth over the coming fall months (hurry up please), so check it all out. Pick on!

Northeast Texas Women

2010-07-29T14:43:00Z

Willis Alan Ramsey plays Poor Davids Pub on August 25th. Writer and performer, Willis penned a number of great songs including Northeast Texas Women, Muskrat Love, Watermelon Man and a whole record of others. I personally covered many of his tunes during the years with Chuck Justice and Modern Acoustics. Tickets are $20 at the door and seating begins at 7 p.m.

Pops Place

2010-07-26T17:04:00Z

Joel is sitting in with the Upper Grassmen this Friday night July 30th at Pop's Place in Denison, TX. Music lasts from 5 to 8 p.m. Last time we played there it was a packed house. Great place to eat and if you like Bluegrass Music we can fill that order as well.

This Weekends Festivals

2010-07-19T14:52:00Z

First off let me say "Happy Birthday" to me. Ok, that's done. Now for festival information:

This 23rd through the 25th is the Old Mobeetie Festival in Old Mobeetie, Texas located in the Texas panhandle about 2 and a half hours west of Oklahoma City. So if are looking for a little road trip and don't care about the heat here is the most recognized line-up for me: Star Canyon from San Antonio, Salt Grass from the Houston, TX area and Gary Wilson's Cedar Ridge group from Oklahoma City. The festival features more in the lineup so it will surely be a full 3 days of great traditional bluegrass music. Camping is available as well.

Closer to this blogger, Melody Ranch in Tom Bean, TX fires up another round of activity this weekend with the Gospel Grass festival on Friday and Saturday. A great selection of bands and a break from the heat make this one a comfortable venue for listeners. Click on the links for more detailed information and to go to the respective websites.

Support Sherman's Newest

2010-07-10T19:17:00Z

Never being a place were you could find a decent music store with great people to help, musicians north of Plano, TX now have a good outlet for music supplies in Sherman, TX. Called DB Music, this place is has a great location off Hwy. 75, a nice store and a good selection of strings, sound equipment, amplifiers and mid level guitars, banjos, ukes and banjos. The proprietors are friendly and very knowledgeable.

Tuesday nights starting at 5 p.m. a bluegrass/acoustic jam happens inside the store. It's a new venue for this type of song sharing so support it if you can. Last time I was a visitor to the event there were 10 musicians in the circle. From Gordon Lightfoot to Tony Rice to Ralph Stanley the music was plentiful.

Support David at DB, located at 328 W. Lamar in Sherman.

FastLane Band

2010-06-28T14:00:00Z

"Take It Easy" with FastLane.

This Week With Fastlane

2010-06-21T17:53:00Z

I'll be performing as a guest with the FastLane Band this Thursday in Rockwall, TX. Fastlane is Dallas premier Eagles Tribute band. We'll be at the Concert Series on the Lake. Music begins at 7 p.m. I'm contributing very little, but Fastlane is a good band and always fun. It's free so come on out! Thanks Todd and Gary!