The Good Ol' Boy Network at Austin City Limits...

The good ol' boy network is rearing it's ugly head once again in Texas....

I'm not bitter or anything....

Jen Foster climbed to number 1 in the Dell Sound and Jury contest for a spot in the Austin City Limits Music Festival during the first week of fan voting and stayed solidly there for the duration of the preliminary voting phase.

How is it that, from that lofty spot, she did not make it into the Top 20 in the judging round? Can almost 7000 votes really be rendered irrelevant that easily??

Honestly, I would like to see the written criteria that the judges followed in selecting the top 20 bands to move forward in the contest.

After a brief look at the field, it seems that I should be certain to find something that says "the judges shall give favor to male dominated non solo acts based in Texas." Certainly, that would describe the vast majority of the Dell Lounge Sound and Jury Contest top 20.

I know, I know....you are thinking I am just an angry woman with a mouth full of sour grapes...

Here are the numbers -

5 of the 20 artists are from outside of the Lone Star State

2 of the 20 are fronted by a female vocalist

3 of the 20 are solo acts and exactly ZERO of those 3 are female artists

Tell me there doesn't seem to be some odd bias here - no, don't tell me, because I won't believe you anyway - I am from Texas, and have spent the last many years being vaguely disappointed in the music scene here. I don't know about anyone else, but what really burns me up the most about the whole thing is the these judges basically ignored the voices of hundreds of fans. How dare these judges ask me what I like and then turn an OBVIOUSLY deaf ear to the answer being shouted at them almost 7000 times!!!! I mean, I know the judging job is probably not easy - so many very talented bands - but COME ON PEOPLE!!!!! How can you ignore the very fans that make it possible for you to make money on your little talent show to begin with???? I hate being disregarded....

I will shake my head about this for a while...

and then I will boycott Austin City Limits this year -

***Oh, and a note to Austin City Limits about Jen Foster -

You missed it, man. Next year, you won't be able to afford her. Oh, AND... you are out of the Grammy speech .... fuckers....

The Best of Dallas - "Salon Nights on the Levee" at Luminarte Design

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Finally...finally...finally!!!!! A grown up space for live music in Dallas...

Salon Nights on the Levee is an independent music series at Luminarte Design, located in the Oak Lawn design district and, as the name would imply, right on the Trinity River levee. The space will amaze you from the moment you walk into the door. I had the privilege of going to a preview show last weekend and was truly inspired by whole experience.

While primarily a design studio, this huge warehouse/gallery space lends itself beautifully to live music in a way that nurtures both the artists and the audience. The ambiance is strictly adult, and yet, it provokes your imagination and all of your senses. There is incense burning and art on every wall. The stage and listening room are outfitted with state of the art sound and lighting. There are tables with chairs and barstools placed around the room, there is a "pit" of sorts front and center stage for those of us who want to be right in the middle of the music, enough space between seating and stage for those who would like to dance, and a lounge area in the front of the studio for those who might want to chat over a glass of wine (BYOB) and simply have the music in the background. For the artist, and I KNOW they will love this, there is a "green room," which is actually painted green by the way, that offers a private bathroom and lounge area - along with their very own microwave and refrigerator. There is also a side stage door for direct access to the stage from this area.

Saturday night, 2 bands played - Fishing for Comets, and Lovie (check them both out on their respective myspace pages) - along with a really cool fire dancer that entertained during the intermission. Fishing for Comets was all acoustic and harmony, and Lovie was decidedly plugged in. Both bands sounded amazing - and neither band was having to compete with the crowd for sound space, struggle to keep their voice in a cloud of cigarette smoke, or try to steal the attention back from a drunk 19 year old trying to climb atop a table to dance.

The ladies behind this whole idea have done an incredible job in bringing their vision to life. Salon Nights on the Levee is sure to be a favorite of artists and fans alike and has already been named as the Dallas headquarters for Rockin' for Rescue - an organization that sponsors and produces concerts to raise money for animal rescue. Upcoming events at Salon Nights include Grammy award nominated Jessi Lynn (Tiffany Dawn to open) on September 26th, and Jen Foster - winner in this year's International Songwriting Competition AAA Category- on October 10th. Check out this link for more information, reservations, or advance ticket purchase - (Events are not open for general admission - reservations or advance ticket purchase are a must).

www.salonnightsonthelevee.com

Salon Nights on the Levee is 5 star live music entertainment in Dallas...

...and it is about time.

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Now playing: Fishing For Comets - Waves
via FoxyTunes .