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Concrete Wall

Home for the Holidays

CAROLYN WONDERLAND

     is a fiery Texas blues rocker known for her soulful, powerhouse vocals, killer guitar chops, and undeniable stage presence.  Praised by the Los Angeles Times as "the real deal" and compared by NPR to icons Stevie Ray Vaughan and Janis Joplin, Wonderland has earned admiration from the likes of Bob Dylan and Bonnie Raitt while becoming a staple of the modern blues scene.

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Born and raised in Houston, she was performing professionally by age 15 and quickly emerged as a standout talent in the Texas blues tradition.  A multi-instrumentalist, she not only plays blistering electric guitar but also trumpet, piano, accordion, mandolin, lap steel - and is known for her remarkable whistling ability.

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After early success with her band The Imperial Monkeys, Wonderland moved to Austin where she cemented her reputation through critically acclaimed albums such as Miss Understood, Peace Meal, Live Texas Trio, and Moon Goes Missing.  Her music has appeared in film and television, and she has shared stages with legends including Levon Helm, James Cotton, Buddy Guy, Los Lobos, and Johnny Winter.  She has also dedicated her artistry to numerous charitable recordings and collaborations.

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Most recently, Wonderland served as the lead guitarist in John Mayall's band while continuing to tour internationally and record new music.  With "luxurious vocals and fine guitar work" (Austin Chronicle), she remains one of the most captivation artists in blues today - a true Texas original.

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SHELLEY KING

     Shelley King is a powerhouse blues, roots-rock, and gospel artist with a smart, soulful style and award-winning songwriting rooted in Americana.  Born in Arkansas and raised between Arkansas and Texas, she grew up surrounded by music and later found mentorship from icons including Marcia Ball, John Magnie, and Delbert McClinton.

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Her ninth album, Kick Up Your Heels (2019), showcases her most joyful and collaborative work yet.  Featuring guest performances from Delbert McClinton, The Subdudes, Marcia Ball, Carolyn Wonderland, Byron Isaacs (The Lumineers), and Cindy Cashdollar, the album brings together a dream cast of Texas and Americana talent.  Her band includes Sarah Brown on bass, Marvin Dykhuis on guitars and mandolin, Chip Dolan on keys and accordion, and longtime drummer Perry Drake.

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King describes the album as a celebration of resilience, friendship, and fun - music to lift spirits in challenging times.  Songs like "Levon's New Drumset" pay tribute to her heroes and musical journey, while tracks such as "Storming in the South" and "Hurricane Party" blend storytelling, Texas swagger, and upbeat groves.  From soul-charged vocals inspired by Aretha Franklin to Louisiana-flavored rhythms influenced by her collaborators, the album reflects the diverse sounds that have shaped her.

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Named Texas State Musician in 2008, Shelley King has toured the country and beyond, winning over audiences with her vocal fire, magnetic stage presence, and deep songwriting.  Kick Up Your Heels is a milestone in a career built on meaningful connections - and one hell of a good time.

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KEVIN RUSSELL

    Kevin Russell is the frontman and multi-instrumentalist of the award-winning, Austin-based 8-piece Swamp-Pop-Soul supergroup, Shinyribs, and a former member of the beloved cult-favorite, The Gourds.  A Beaumont, Texas native, Russell is a natural observer and wordsmith - drawing from the Gulf Coast hotbeds of roots music to shape his clever songwriting, charismatic showmanship, and joyful on-stage antics.

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With his signature mix of humor, storytelling, and groove-driven musicality, Russell leads Shinyribs through unforgettable live performances featuring everything from soulful ballads and horn-packed party anthems to high-energy dance breaks and playful theatrics.  His musical curiosity knows no bounds, blending country, R & B, Rock n' Roll, Louisiana Swamp Pop, and Texas Soul into a sound that feels both familiar and entirely his own.

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Whether penning a tender tune or turning a concert into a full-tilt celebration, Kevin Russell creates an ethereal entertainment experience - one that keeps audiences smiling, dancing, and coming back for more.

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SLAID CLEAVES

    An Americana/folk stalwart, Slaid Cleaves has been putting out highly acclaimed records for 25 years, consistenly delivering songs that strike people's hearts and become part of their lives.

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In his home state of Maine, Cleaves began playing keyboards in garage bands while still in high school.  His first band was dubbed The Magic Rats.

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He started singing cover songs behind his Hammond Porta-B organ in local road houses, hotel lounges, and bowling alleys while still in his teens.  After reading in Rolling Stone about Bruce Springsteen's inspirations for the "Nebraska" album, he climbed into his parents' attic to rediscover the treasure trove of albums which he recalled hearing as a child - Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry - and which became guides to the budding songwriter.

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Joseph Hudak of Rolling Stone Country calls Cleaves "a master storyteller, one influenced not by the shine of pop-culture but by the dirt of real life."

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His latest album, "Together Through the Dark", was his third produced by Scrappy Jud Newcomb and includes familiar themes of struggle and resilience.  He lives in Wimberley, Texas with his wife and business partner Karen.

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for more information:  www.slaidcleaves.com/

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