Will Banister

IN CONCERT IN THE RANDALL EWING KEMPER HALL

VIP TICKETS: $60 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND INTIMATE SEATING AT COCKTAIL TABLE)
GA TICKETS: $30 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED SEATS)

Presented by Aransas County

Will Banister

COUNTRY MUSIC

That’s the first thing you need to know about Will Banister. From the state of New Mexico, raised about 20 miles from the Texas line, Will grew up with the sounds of Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, George Strait, and Brooks and Dunn blaring through the speakers of his dad’s pickup. This made a huge impact in shaping the sound of Banister’s songs. The lyrics along with the fiddle and steel in Will’s music will have you reminiscing about the days of country radio in the 1990’s, while still sounding fresh with today’s sounds. Will has performed all over the country, in addition to multiple tours in the U.K. and Europe. His latest album “Everything Burns” consists of 11 songs, 10 of which were either written or co-written by Banister, received a 5 star review, and was announced as album of the month in the March of 2020  edition of the U.K. publication Country Music People Magazine. On September 17th, Clint Eastwood's film "Cry Macho" was released to theaters as well as on HBO Max, in which Will performed the opening song entitled "Find A New Home". Find A New Home, which was written by Grammy award winner Mark Mancina, appeared at #2 on the Shazam Discovery chart. On January 27th of 2023, his brand new son "Right Where We Belong" (which was co-written by Roger Springer,J eff Hyde, and Banister) was released. Will has accumulated a social media following consisting of 104k followers on TikTok, 35k on Instagram, over 141k followers on Facebook, and those numbers continue to grow rapidly.

Artist Website:

willbanister.com

Kimmie and Gabriel Rhodes

IN CONCERT IN THE RANDALL EWING KEMPER HALL

VIP TICKETS: $60 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND INTIMATE SEATING AT COCKTAIL TABLE)
GA TICKETS: $30 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED SEATS)

Presented by Aransas County

Kimmie and Gabriel Rhodes:

Kimmie Rhodes is a Modern Renaissance Woman. She has a proven array of skills and expertise, from songwriting to gourmet cooking, from playwright to humorist, documentarian to ambassador, and more. A native Texan, she was raised in Lubbock, where she cultivated the spirited mix of talent and determination that still fuels her success. Kimmie was inducted into The West Texas Walk of Fame for her “outstanding contributions  in the field of art music and entertainment” on September 28, 2023.

In her three-decade-plus career, the Austin-based singer-songwriter has released 16 solo albums; written and produced three musical plays; published a novella/cookbook and a memoir; and written many multi-platinum songs, recorded by such stellar artists as Willie Nelson, Wynonna Judd, Trisha Yearwood, Amy Grant, CeCe Winans, Joe Ely, Waylon Jennings, Peter Frampton, Mark Knopfler, Emmylou Harris, and others.

Along the way, she has become an international ambassador for the Buddy Holly Education Foundation, recorded with a host of national treasures; written cookbooks and food articles for national publications, been a costume designer for major motion pictures, and built a strong following in the United States and Europe.

 Personal life:

Kimmie grew up in Lubbock, Texas and began her singing career at the age of six with her family gospel trio. She moved to Austin in 1979, where she met DJ at the legendary KOKE-FM and producer Joe Gracey, an instrumental figure in the Austin progressive country scene, who she eventually married. Joe was her constant companion, muse, bass player and general “partner in crime” until he died of cancer in November 2011.

Artist Website:

kimmierhodes.com

The Axiom Quartet

IN CONCERT IN THE RANDALL EWING KEMPER HALL

VIP TICKETS: $60 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND INTIMATE SEATING AT COCKTAIL TABLE)
GA TICKETS: $30 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED SEATS)

Presented by Aransas County

Presented by Fairfield Inn and Suites

The Axiom Quartet

From Monteverdi to Michael Jackson, the Axiom Quartet is a dynamic professional string quartet based in Houston, TX. The group is known for presenting programs mixing classical string quartet repertoire, transcriptions, contemporary compositions, popular rock, electronic, indie, jazz, and pop genres in a single concert experience. Behind these programming choices are Axiom's belief that concerts that treat these genres with equal reverence can turn classical fans towards extraordinary popular music while serving as classical music advocates to those who normally do not attend classical concerts. As a result, many of their concerts are sold out. Since 2017, Axiom has been the Quartet-in-Residence for the School of Music at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX. They are also the primary outreach ambassador for Chamber Music Houston where they frequently perform around the Houston metroplex to engage area youth, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Axiom's touring schedule has ranged from Texas highways to international airports. In addition to annual concerts at the Cave Without a Name in the Texas Hill Country, Axiom has recently given multi-city tours of both the midwestern US and given a two-week tour of China. Photo by Lynn Lane.

Repertoire For Friday Night:

Grażyna Bacewicz String Quartet 4

1. Andante/Allegro Molto

 Audioslave (Chris Cornell) Arr. Lorento Golofeev

"Like a Stone"

 Florence Price Five Songs in Counterpoint 

I. Adagio vigoroso: Calvary

 Beethoven Op. 130 String Quartet in B-flat Major

II. Presto

 Charles Ives

String quartet 1 “From the Salvation Army

II. Prelude: Allegro

 Fleetwood Mac (Christine McVie, Eddie Quintela) arr. Karl Blench

Little Lies

 15 minute intermission:

 Second half 33'

Bob Dylan “Wagon wheel” 

 Samuel Barber String Quartet in B minor, Op.11

II. Adagio 

 Foreigner(Mick Jones) arr. Lorento Golofeev

“I want to know what love is” 

 Beethoven Op. 130 String Quartet in B-flat Major

IV. Alla danza tedesca: Allegro assai 

 Dua Lipa (Clarence Coffee Jr., Sarah Hudson, Stephen Kozmeniuk, DeBaby) arr. Lorento Golofeev 

“Levitating” 

 Charles Ives

String quartet # 1 “From the Salvation Army

IV. Postlude: Allegro marziale 

Artist Website:

axiomquartet.com

BillyRay Sheppard and The Heritage Big Band

IN CONCERT IN THE RANDALL EWING KEMPER HALL

VIP TICKETS: $60 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND INTIMATE SEATING AT COCKTAIL TABLE)
GA TICKETS: $30 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED SEATS)

BillyRay Sheppard and The Heritage Big Band

BILLYRAY SHEPPARD

CONTEMPORARY SMOOTH JAZZ

BillyRay Sheppard is a jazz saxophonist who has lived in San Antonio Texas for many years. He is a proud graduate of Fox Tech High School and St. Mary’s University. Soon after academic life, he pursued many different avenues in the field of music. He has been performing since the 80's, and his musical roots run deep; having his earliest musical experiences in Blues, R & B, Reggae, Latin, Tejano and Country bands. It's his love for music that has kept him grounded and his love for jazz that keeps him performing.

BillyRay is a first-call smooth jazz performer, having shared his talents on stage with notable genre stars such as Steve Oliver, Peter White, Adam Hawley, Will Donato, and Darryl Williams. He's also performed with Roy Hargrove, Johnny Bush, Julio Iglesias, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and many more. With his saxophone's rich, warm, soulful tone, he has made a name for himself on both the local and national music scene.

In November 2017, BillyRay released his debut CD entitled "Silk", co-written and produced by guitarist Steve Oliver. The album contains the single "Heels and Pearls" which has reached the TOP 20 airplay chart on smooth jazz radio.

For the past five years BillyRay has produced a very popular monthly "Second Sunday” Smooth Jazz series in San Antonio. These concerts, performed by BillyRay and his band, serve charity organizations in and around the community. To date, these charity events have successfully gifted over $40,000 in donations to deserving non-profit organizations throughout the community.

The Music Series receives government support from Aransas County.

Paul English Quartet

An Evening of Jazz

A CONCERT IN THE RANDALL EWING KEMPER HALL

VIP TICKETS: $60 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND INTIMATE SEATING AT COCKTAIL TABLE)
GA TICKETS: $30 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED SEATS)

PAUL ENGLISH

COMPOSER, PIANIST, PRODUCER, AND EDUCATOR

Paul English is an internationally recognized composer, pianist, producer and educator. He has performed and recorded with jazz greats Arnett Cobb, Dizzy Gillespie and Dave Liebman as well as with country legends Willie Nelson, Ray Price and Johnny Bush. He has composed music for film, theatre, choral groups, symphony and chamber orchestras and his own performing ensembles.

The Paul English Quartet features long-time Houston jazz leader and pianist, Paul English, along with David Caceres on saxophone and vocals, Rankin Peters on bass and vocals, Tim Solook on drums.  This is sure to be an amazing evening of jazz!

Sponsored by Valley Keyboards & The Piano Gallery https://valleykeyboards.com/

Sponsored by Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott marriott.com/rockport

Tom Kimmel

Award winning songwriter, entertainer, speaker, poet and teacher.

A CONCERT IN THE RANDALL EWING KEMPER HALL

VIP TICKETS: $50 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND INTIMATE SEATING AT COCKTAIL TABLE)
GA TICKETS: $25 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED SEATS)

TOM KIMMEL

SINGER, SONGWRITER, ENTERTAINER, POET AND TEACHER

Since 1980 dozens of Tom’s compositions have been recorded by a host of major artists, including Linda Ronstadt, Johnny Cash, Joe Cocker and Randy Travis. They’ve been featured in films from Twins to Serendipity and Runaway Bride, and in television shows from Miami Vice to Touched by anAngel. 

An award-winning artist in his own right, he has released seven solo albums, published a book of poems and led songwriting workshops and classes across the US and in Europe.

Once an eclectic rock and roller, Tom found his voice as a singer-songwriter while touring with Nanci Griffith in the early 90’s. A New Folk winner at the Kerrville Folk Festival in ’93, he began performing solo, stressing a lean, acoustic approach to his music and bringing a humorous spirit to his poetry and storytelling.

After releasing two critically praised major label albums (in ’87 and ’90), Tom released his first independent album, Bones, in 1994. It was followed by Short Stories, which featured guest performances by Emmylou Harris, the Fairfield Four, Jerry Douglas and other Nashville luminaries. Then came Shallow Water, a collection of spirit-centered songs and hymns, and Light ofDay, fourteen raw vocal-guitar tracks recorded in Tom’s home studio. Never Saw Blue, an anthology of TK songs featured in film and TV is his most recent release.

Other TK projects include well-received records written and recorded with three trios:  The Sherpas (1998) (with Tom Prasada-Rao and Michael Lille), The Waymores (2013) (with Don Henry and Sally Barris), and The New Agrarians (2014) (with Kate Campbell and Pierce Pettis).

A self-described “closet poet” until the publication of his collection The Sweetest & The Meanest, Tom has been a featured writer at book festivals and writing retreats, and his poems have been published in a number of  poetry and literary journals.

In demand as a songwriting teacher and lecturer, Tom offers workshop instruction tying the creative spirit to the nuts and bolts of composition.

Bottom line: Now into his sixth decade making music, Tom Kimmel is a unique artist who continues to write, record, entertain and inspire at the highest levels!

Two for Texas Art

Marcia Ball and Gordon Fowler

A CONCERT AND A POP UP ART EXHIBITION IN THE RANDALL EWING KEMPER HALL

VIP TICKETS: $60 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND INTIMATE SEATING AT COCKTAIL TABLE)
GA TICKETS: $30 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED SEATS)

MARCIA BALL

RYTHM AND BLUES SINGER AND PIANIST

Award-winning pianist, songwriter, and vocalist Marcia Ball has won worldwide fame for her ability to ignite a full-scale roadhouse party every time she takes the stage. Born in Orange, Texas and raised in Vinton, Louisiana, Ball’s deep Acadian heritage and a lifetime of absorbing and performing Gulf Coast rhythm and blues is evident in her original songs and the classics she chooses to cover. This has made her a one-of-a-kind favorite with music lovers everywhere. With each new release, her reputation as a profoundly soulful singer, a boundlessly talented pianist and a courageous, inventive songwriter continues to grow. Her love of the road has led to years of soul-satisfying performances at festivals, concert halls and clubs.

Presented by Roxann Day

Sponsored by Valley Keyboards & The Piano Gallery https://valleykeyboards.com/

GORDON FOWLER

PAINTER

Gordon Fowler is a native Texan, born in Austin ,TX where he currently lives with his rhythm and blues musician wife Marcia Ball.  Fowler served as a Marine combat correspondent in Vietnam where he was awarded two Purple Heart medals. He attended Schreiner Institute (1961) and University of Texas at Austin (1968).  Fowler has studied with Clay McGaughy (Kerrville) among others and has done printmaking at Slugfest Press and Flatbed Press.  His work has received awards from Waterloo Watercolor Group (1976), Louisiana Watercolor Society (1995), Masters of Montana (2000), and others.  Fowler taught Watercolor at Austin Museum and the University of Texas at Austin as well as many oil painting workshops and lectures. His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums from Santa Fe to Kennebunkport and throughout Texas. 

“I have painted the Texas Hill Country and the Edwards Plateau outside of Austin for the last fifty years. I like to push my artwork toward a degree of abstraction, which I call ‘painterly realism’.”

Adagio String Quartet

IN CONCERT IN THE RANDALL EWING KEMPER HALL

VIP TICKETS: $50 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND INTIMATE SEATING AT COCKTAIL TABLE)
GA TICKETS: $25 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED SEATS)

The Adagio String Quartet is a highly acclaimed musical ensemble that has been captivating audiences throughout the Coastal Bend and Texas for over a decade. With a rich history of performing at hundreds of special events, as well as providing inspiring music for numerous churches, the quartet has become a highly sought-after musical group for a variety of occasions.

Over the years, the Adagio String Quartet has remained dedicated to delivering an unforgettable experience to their listeners. Their style has evolved over time, with the group incorporating modern equipment and techniques to produce a fully-rounded sound that incorporates vocals and improvisation. They have adapted to the ever-changing musical landscape by incorporating pop music into their repertoire, adding a contemporary and fresh twist to their performances.

Whether on stage or in a private setting, the Adagio String Quartet's music is characterized by a bright and powerful vitality that soothes and excites audiences alike. Their performances are marked by a crisp character that showcases the immense talent and passion of each member of the quartet.

Program Includes:

Mozart Divertimento K. 136 

Mozart Divertimento K. 137

Haydn - String Quartet op. 64 No. 5 "The Lark"

Mozart String Quartet No. 19 "Dissonance", K. 465. 

Johnsmith

IN CONCERT AT THE ROCC

VIP TICKETS: $50 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND INTIMATE SEATING AT COCKTAIL TABLE)
GA TICKETS: $25 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED SEATS)

About Johnsmith:

Johnsmith is one of those artists so often under-recognized – he possesses a genius that cannot be denied, ignored, or overlooked. For the past forty-plus years, Johnsmith has been sharing his music all across America and abroad. He has become a favorite at festivals, clubs, and house concerts alike. In addition to being a Kerrville New Folk Winner, Johnsmith has released nine solo CDs to rave reviews, leads musical tours to Ireland, leads Idaho rafting trips, teaches songwriting, and has served as a staff songwriter in Nashville.

With his faded jeans, his twinkly blue eyes, and his infectious smile, John immediately connects with audiences. You get the sense of a man who loves his life, his family and friends, and who loves nothing more than sharing that love in song and stories all across this land.

Johnsmith will perform at The ROCC (106 S Austin St. Rockport, TX) on February 10, 2023 at 7:30PM.

Sara Hickman

IN CONCERT AT THE ROCC

VIP TICKETS: $50 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND INTIMATE SEATING AT COCKTAIL TABLE)
GA TICKETS: $25 (ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED SEATS)

About Sara Hickman:

Official Texas State Musician Sara Hickman has been recording, performing and touring since 1988. With over 20 albums, two appearances on the Tonight Show and multiple awards for her songwriting and philanthropy, Sara is internationally known for her Grammy nominated and award winning pop/folk music. Through her music, Sara has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for a multitude of non-profits including Habitat for Humanity, SAFE, SPCA, the Ugandan Fistula Fund, House the Homeless, Sanford Community Center, Tanner Romanian Mission, Hill Country Youth Ranch and many others.

Growing up in Houston with visual artists for parents. As a teenager, Sara became a volunteer performing music for youth in psych units. This led to her working as a professional music and art therapist, receiving a lifetime achievement award from The National Association of Music Therapists. Sara graduated from the University of North Texas with a BA in painting.

Sara has acted in films, on stage, and sung national commercials, including 12 years with Popeye’s — yes, that was her singing "Love That Chicken From Popeyes"!— and she teaches classes on songwriting, creativity, the music industry, and enjoys being an inspirational speaker.

In 2019, Sara became the volunteer executive director to restore a 1928 building in Palacios, TX, formerly known as the Palacios Colored School. The building served as the school during segregation until 1964. Sara led a team effort to turn the historical school into The Sanford Community Center, named after one of the founders and teachers.  Sara donated over $13,000 in proceeds from the sales of her Texas Musicians Coloring Book, a project that took her two years to hand draw! 

She is also the proud mom to two amazing kids.

Sara and her band The #5 Machine will perform at The ROCC (106 S Austin St. Rockport, TX) on January 13, 2023 at 7:30PM.