Country Music’s Sexy Cowboy Ty Herndon Returns To Houston Friday Night For Special Performance At Rich’s

HOUSTON – It’s rodeo time and one of country music’s biggest hearts and brightest stars, Ty Herndon is heading to Houston for a ‘one night only’ performance at Rich’s in Midtown. Herndon, known for hits like “Living in the Moment,” and “What Mattered Most,” garnered three number ones, four top ten hits. Beyond charting more than 18 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs, Ty Herndon makes his return to Texas tomorrow night.

In an exclusive interview the day before his Houston concert, About Magazine sat down with Ty in his downtown Nashville condo. From the open patio doors sounds of tourists and bachelorette parties can be heard drifting up, Ty sits across the room in a wingback chair; he’s wearing his trademark black t-shirt and skinny jeans and has a big smile. It’s 8:20 am and he’s full of energy.

Award Winning Country Superstar Ty Herndon to perform at Rich’s Houston on Friday March 15, 2019.

“I absolutely love Houston,” he says when asked about his return. ” I might as well be from Texas! I feel like I have spent half my life there.” Ty explains he has a deep history, passion and love for Texas. “I have two of the most amazing little God-sons in Houston with the most affirming parents.” Ty hits that stage at Rich’s Houston on Friday, March 15, 2019.

Though his performance is not part of the official Rodeo Houston concert series, Herndon will headline “The Stockyard at Rich’s,” an LGBT country music-themed night hosted by Al Farb. “It’s going to be an exciting show, I am excited to be performing for all my LGBTQ brothers and sisters,” Ty says.

“I ABSOLUTELY LOVE TEXAS, I FEEL LIKE I AM FROM THERE, AND EXCITED TO RETURN TOMORROW!” -Ty Herndon

In its first-ever country night, Rich’s has pulled out all the stops to ensure Herndon’s performance and the crowd enjoys rodeo season. “My love for country music and country bars for more than 15 years has lead me to tomorrow night,” Jeff Harmon, owner of Rich’s says. “One of the most amazing country music DJ from the Round-Up in Dallas, DJ Jeff Doll will be here to keep the music alive.”

Recently Herndon returned from Las Vegas after being invited to sing the National Anthem at the National Finals Rodeo. “The NFR just had an openly gay dude sing the National Anthem on the world stage,” Ty is referring to the progress made by the LGBT community.

As an outspoken LGBT Advocate, Herndon, along with GLAAD and CMT produce “Love & Acceptance,” a concert held in Nashville during CMA Fest each year. “We will announce all of our talent in the next few weeks,” Herndon says. ” We have had everyone from Vince Gill to Tanya Tucker to Michael Ray in the past.”

This year is gearing up to be the biggest yet. Love & Acceptance takes place on June 6 at the legendary WildHorse Saloon.

A review of the St. Lucia concert at Canton Hall in Dallas, featuring new music from their latest album Hyperion.

(DALLAS) — On Friday, October 26th, 2018, About Magazine was given the opportunity to see the musician/musical project St. Lucia live in Dallas, TX at Canton Music Hall in the artsy Deep Ellum neighborhood. Let me begin by saying that, even as a person who works in country music, St. Lucia is one of my favorite bands. Led by frontman Jean-Philip Grobler, the modern take on 80s synthpop music first came into my life a few years ago while dining in Houston when I overheard one of their songs being played. After just that first song, I knew I had to learn more about who was making this music and immediately Shazam-ed the tune, which spiraled me into the magical, musical world of St. Lucia.

Photo by Anthony Ramirez

Seeing St. Lucia onstage for the second time in my life was nothing short of an indulgence I’d been craving like a glass of wine after a long work week. I first saw St. Lucia live in 2016 at White Oak Music Hall in Houston — where I found myself nothing short of starstruck and impressed beyond measure — but seeing them for the second time at Canton Hall was just as unbelievable, if not more so. Comparably, St. Lucia’s onstage presence was not only a total makeover improvement from the first time I’d seen them — and that’s a makeover from a show I already thought to be great — but simply immaculate not only in sound, but also in aesthetic. Every song was synchronized in lighting and sound to pulsate to the rhythm and the visual manifest of each song, while aberrant, was perfectly fitting. This alone really highlighted just what perfectionists St. Lucia is comprised of.

Jean-Philip’s stage presence only added another delicious layer to the aesthetic and music, as it was evident that he — as well as bandmates Ross Clark, Nick Paul, Dustin Kaufman, and Patti Beranek — are completely impassioned by the music that they’re making. It’s that passion that bewitches the audience, keeping them on their feet, jumping up and down, and shouting song lyrics at the tops of their lungs. And the music, believe it or not, only gets better and better from St. Lucia. Over the course of three albums — the most recent of which entitled Hyperion — St. Lucia isn’t just singing songs into microphones or pressing down the ivories of a keyboard. In fact, what St. Lucia is doing with their music is something far more incredible, as each new album and down to every single song tells a story that keen listeners can visualize as a map or storyboard of who they are. By taking this storyboard and rearranging its chronology in such a perfect way, the band weaves together music old and new to tell that story in a fresh, new way that both old fans and newcomers can enjoy without forsaking the crisp, clean sound they’ve worked so hard to create.

Photo by Anthony Ramirez.

What was truly impressive to me were the faces I saw around Canton Hall. St. Lucia’s fanbase is nothing if not diverse, with fans of all ages, sexual orientations, gender identifications, skin colors, and more bound together by their music and enjoying themselves the entire time. Moreover, the hall was packed out. While St. Lucia may still be fairly new on the music scene and not quite as well known as some more mainstream, pop musicians, they certainly had no trouble getting people in the doors and keeping them there from the beginning until after the very end. Their interaction with those fans — as well as with one another — really shows how much the band loves doing what they do, but more so shows their own camaraderie within their own little family. It is evident just by watching them laugh, smile, and hug one another on the stage that the entire band has a deep affection for one another that cannot be feigned or forced. That camaraderie bleeds into the passion that they have for their music, which can be hard for synthpop bands. Nevertheless, it shows what a great time they’re having making music that is appealing to people from every walk of life.

Follow St. Lucia

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Spotify

Buy the New Album, Hyperion

Photo by Anthony Ramirez.

Al Farb sings along to St. Lucia. Photo by Anthony Ramirez.

Photo by Anthony Ramirez.

Photo by Anthony Ramirez.

Photo by Anthony Ramirez

Interview: Ricky Rebel Releases New Music Video For Upcoming Album

(Los Angeles) – In “If You Were My Baby,” the first single from the upcoming album by Ricky Rebel, the glam rocker sings about how one should never be afraid to ask for what he or she wants from life.    The super fun video is out today, as well ten slick remixes of “If You Were My Baby” by some of the biggest DJ/producers on the planet.

“I’m sprinkling confidence into every club in the world,” proclaims Ricky Rebel from his Los Angeles home to About Magazine.  “Confidence is an asset. It shows leadership and draws people in.  I truly believe it is the most attractive quality a person can possess and to all my Rebel Mafia out there, I say: if you like someone, tell them and make a case as to why you are the best. You might be surprised with the results.”

“I had something to prove on “If You Were My Baby,” continues Rebel, who noticeably sings a lot more on the record than he has previously.  “Sam Harmonix, the producer on this single, works alongside Grammy award-winners and I wanted to impress him with my harmonies.  You know, prove there’s real talent behind the fierceness.”

The “If You Were My Baby” remixes offer a wide array of different sounds.  “Godfather of EDM” Tommie Sunshine gives the track a fun, modern twist that crosses between EDM and club in his mix, while Zambianco presents a cool tribal beat that fitness buffs will enjoy working out to.   Hector Fonseca’s version is straight up club with a Brazilian vibe that sounds tailor-made for the world’s biggest Pride festivals.  The Dirty Werk mix is a pop dance hybrid best suited for straight dance floors, while the SaberZ mix is hard core EDM, perfect for large stadiums.  DJ Hayworth’s track, with its lovely tropical deep house vibe, is the most unique of the remixes while KOIL and Vito Fun’s mix has an urban club vibe that fans of Beyonce will enjoy.  Mr. Mig’s pop remix is probably the closest to Rebel’s original track.

Ricky Rebel burst on the music scene in 1997 as the lead vocalist of the boy-band No Authority. Signed by Michael Jackson to Michael’s MJJ Music label at Sony, he toured with 98 Degrees, Destiny’s Child, Aaron Carter, and Ashlee and Jessica Simpson.   In 2000, the band moved to Madonna’s Maverick label where they toured with Britney Spears and released their Billboard Top 40 chart hit, “Can I Get Your Number.”

Ricky went solo as Ricky Rebel in 2012. Since then, he has released two albums, Manipulator featuring hit singles “Geisha Dance,” “Get It On” and “You Need a Woman” and The Blue Album featuring “Star” and “Boys and Sometimes Girls”.

Visit his website.

Hunter Hayes, DNCE Headline Houston’s Fourth Festival

Houston’s Freedom Over Texas Celebration Includes Country Super Star Hunter Hayes and Pop Group DNCE with Joe Jonas.

(HOUSTON) — Five-time GRAMMY-nominated and CMA Award-winning artist Hunter Hayes heads to Houston, headlining the 30^th annual Freedom Over Texas. Joining Hayes is multi-platinum selling and 2016 MTV Video Music Award-winning DNCE, with Joe Jonas.

The Houston tradition hosted by Mayor Sylvester Turner will include music, fireworks, and fanfare on Buffalo Bayou, nestled along Allen Parkway on Tuesday, July 4 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“Houston is the perfect place to celebrate Independence Day – the people, the patriotism, the community spirit and the corporate support create an outstanding celebration,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner.

Multi-Platinum, singer, songwriter Hunter Hayes kicks of the music filled event. Haye’s No. 1 hits – the multi-Platinum “Wanted,” double-Platinum “I want Crazy” and “Somebody’s Heartbreak” – will surely get country music fans feeling patriotic. Hayes has been nominated for five GRAMMY Awards, including Best New Artist and won the CMA Award for New Artist of the Year in 2012, along with three BMI Awards and the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Male Country Artist in 2015.

DNCE, a group led by Joe Jonas first landed national acclaim in the summer of 2015 with the release of their debut single “Cake by The Ocean,” their now certified triple-platinum breakout smash which made them one of 2017’s most buzzworthy acts.

Local and regional favorites will be featured on stages throughout the site including Mango Punch! ThunderSOUL Orchestra, Lil Nathan and The Zydeco Big Timers, The Juke Box featuring Grammy Award-winning Regina Belle, Erin Stevenson, Chris Walker and the Ernest Walker Band and Vaudevylle, The Peterson Brothers.

ADMISSION: $8 per person June 1 – July 3 available online and $10 per person day of the show. FREE for children 5 and under. To purchase tickets visit www.freedomovertexas.org

The Internationally Acclaimed Country- Pop Singer Will Headline The Houston Pride Festival Stage On June 24, 2017.

(HOUSTON) — County and Pop Superstar LeAnn Rimes will headline Houston’s Pride Festival in downtown Houston on Saturday, June 24, Pride Houston Inc. has announced.

“The LGBTQ community is family to me,” Rimes released in a statement. “My music wouldn’t be the same without the love, and inspiration.”

Rimes, on a current whirlwind of Pride performances and spreading love, hits the festival stage in Houston at 3 PM. Her new single ‘Love Is Love Is Love,’ will surely be a hit amongst Houston’s LGBTQ+ community.

The free concert and festival is open to the public and will be located in the plaza in front of City Hall downtown. There is no age limit to attend, and no tickets needed. Gates are expected to open at 12:00 PM.

Immediately following the Houston Pride Festival, the attentions turns to the Houston Pride Parade. The annual parade has an attendance of over 700,000 people every year from all over the world.

Pride Houston 2017 will be a musical one indeed—in addition to Rimes, Pride Houston has promised an amazing entertainment line-up and show stopping parade.

World-Renowned Tenor, Jorge Garza featured in 55th Annual Houston Boychoir Concert

(HOUSTON)– The Houston Boychoir proudly presents its 55^th Spring Concert at the Moores Opera House Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 4:00 PM.

The highlight of the evening will be a piece by Ariel Ramirez called Misa Criolla.

Soloist Jorge Garza, an world-renowned tenor and Houston Boychoir Alumnus will be guest soloist for the evening. Mr. Garza most recent work includes the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre in a production of La Clemenza di Tito. Misa Criolla features traditional Andean instruments such as the charango and zampoña and percussion.

The University of Houston invites you to come and be delighted in the traditional sounds of the soaring voices of Houston Boychoir. You will have the opportunity to hear four different choirs of varying ages. In the concert the audience will enjoy Spanish music from all our choirs, Preparatory Choir, Chamber Choir, Olde Boys, and the Men of Houston Boychoir. It is going to be an inspiring afternoon of music from all of our choirs.

Tickets are $10/$7 for seniors and students.  For more information please visit www.houstonboychoir.org, info@houstonboychoir.org or call (281)-484-1560.

Land Rover Houston Central’s Rainbow on the Green presented by Legacy Community Health Care Services Returns To Discovery Green With Dazzling Performances On June 23

(Houston) – Show off your LGBT pride at Houston’ Discovery Green’s 7^th annual Rainbow on the Green celebration on Friday, June 23. The free LGBTQ city-wide celebration will feature all-star performances by Crawford Nation and violinists Angelina DM Trailz with music by DJ ASTRA, dance and R&B diva CeCe Peniston, and Colonial Blue featuring Stephanie Rice of The Voice Season 12.

Headliner Cece Peniston is an international dance music and R&B artist that is considered to be one of the most successful dance club artist in the history of US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts. Her signature hit, “Finally,” was #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and #2 on the UK Top 75 and became one of the biggest dance records in history selling over 3 million copies worldwide.

Houston-based alternative-folk band Colonial Blue resemble the resonance of Damien Rice with the melodic tendencies of Texans Eisley, but bring it to life with a beating heart of their own which stems from the personal nature of lead vocalist Stephanie Rice’s songwriting. You can watch Rice on Alicia Keys’ team on this season’s live finales of The Voice Season 12.

Catch these acts and more energizing entertainment in this years’ Rainbow on the Green! Blankets, lawn chairs and picnics are welcome. Glass containers and alcoholic beverages are not allowed; beer and wine will be available for purchase.

Queer Act Boys’ Entrance Releases News Single on iTunes

(Houston) – Queer artists are flourishing in most music genres, including Country where artists like Shane McAnally, Ty Herndon, Steve Grand, and Brandy Clark have joined the ranks of out superstars Chely Wright, Melissa Etheridge, and k.d. Lang.

The last frontier of music might just be in punk rock where only a handful of acts exist, among them; Pansy Division, Against Me, and Boys’ Entrance.

Tim Cain of Boys’ Entrance

Tim Cain created Boys’ Entrance over 25 years ago and, in that time, has produced some of Queer Rock’s most iconic, political, and galvanizing music.  Their latest album, out this month, is Tunnelvision, a rock opera that is being called the next Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Boys’ Entrance features Cain’s husband, Billy Ramsey on bass; lead guitarist, Jaybo Key; and drummer, John Spinelli.

Set during the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, it tells the story of Tim and Troy and their tumultuous relationship.  The story opens with Tim, a rock musician, on stage, getting jeered by the audience for being queer. He responds by unabashedly claiming the title of “Mr. Sissy”. His bold declaration wins the crowd over, then, in “Creation,” he explains how the purpose of gay men is to create, not procreate.

Troy, a closeted straight guy, happens to be in the audience. The two hook up after the show and begin a rollercoaster ride of a relationship that involves break-ups and make-ups, drugs, alien encounters and one of the men becoming a call boy. The two say they want to be in a committed relationship together, but they simply don’t know how to make it work. Its the 1980s, after all. The physical relationship between Tim and Troy eventually breaks down, but their desires continue unabated. That is when the “wolf” comes knocking at the door.

The wolf in “The Wolf Is At The Door,” the first single release from the album, is temptation. The song is Peter Gabriel meets Duran Duran meets David Bowie. It is funky like Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” with a Duran Duran veneer and a final verse that pays homage to Bowie. It is the climax of the opera, coming at a point of intense exasperation between Tim and Troy, conveying sexual appetite and frustration.

The love story ends not-so-happily-ever-after, which shouldn’t come as a surprise.  Tragedy is the currency of opera.  Still, the music of the finale sounds like a sunrise. The song, “Back to One,”  conjures up those first few moments when the sky begins to turn and the sun appears. For Tim, there is satisfaction at having removed himself from the madness of his relationship with Troy. There is also a pride that comes from realizing he is ok with being alone.  It’s a reminder that at the end of the day, we all ride solo in this journey of life.

It’s easy to see how some might compare Tunnelvision with Hedwig. Both use the power of rock to convey a dramatic and powerful story, but while Hedwig uses humor to defuse a personal tragedy, Tunnelvision is more operatic and dramatic, incorporating a wide array of music genres into its story. There is Heavy Metal and Goth; also Soul, Industrial, New Wave, Hip Hop, Jazz, Psychedelic, Gospel and even Cabaret. The songs flow in style and type, helping to inform the lyrics.  Now, if only they had added just a touch of Country…

Tunnelvision by Boys’ Entrance is available on iTunes now along with the band’s first single release, “The Wolf Is At The Door”. Visit their official website here.

Houston Whatever Festival Organizer Makes Questionable Transgender Post On Social Media Resulting In Headlining Acts To Cancel Appearances.

HOUSTON — FEB 27 — Several bands and artists have canceled their appearances at the upcoming Houston Whatever Fest after the organizer + founder posted a questionable photo with a comment on social media that has sparked controversy within the LGBT and Transgender community.

Local act Giant Kitty announced on Sunday their appearance at the festival would be canceled. Other acts like Genesis Blu, Rose Ette, Roky Moon & BOLT and SoBe Lash have also canceled their engagements with the Houston festival. In a statement released by the act’s record label in part stated the cancelations were ‘in solidarity,’ and the ‘transphobic comments’ were hateful and heartbreaking.

Houston Whatever Festival founder Jason Price last week, in a Las Vegas Airport published a social media post depicting a person in a dress, waiting for TSA. “I mean, I know it’s Vegas and anything can happen here and does, but he should really be wearing some more clothes going through security at the airport. Yes, I did say HE.”

“I mean, I know it’s Vegas and anything can happen here and does, but he should really be wearing some more clothes going through security at the airport. Yes, I did say HE.”

The post has since been removed from social media after provoking feedback. Price issued an apology Friday evening in part apologizing for his post and adding, “I have nothing but love in my heart and never want to see anybody uselessly hurt. Words are powerful folks. Life is full of lessons and I guess I’m still in class.”

The Houston Whatever Fest website describes the festival as the ‘City’s most eclectic street festival‘ that has more than 80 acts on 5 stages and features diverse mix music genres, top-tier comedy acts and a variety of art experiences.