Michael Reed Barker, one of our own Austin Songwriter members has opened a new venue dedicated to preserving and encouraging the performance of original music. Blaze’s, named after veteran songwriter Blaze Foley had its grand opening on Feb 1, 2-10 p.m., located at the rear of 1306 E. 6th St., Austin, TX. Blaze’s offers a full size stage, PA system, covered viewing area, dressing rooms and a place for original music to be performed. Michael Reed Barker, Ricky Cardwell, Leland and David Waddell, Sheri Frushay, Burt Moore, Leti De La Vega and many others were invited to perform in honor of Blaze Foley.
Barker has plans to have regularly monthly events and since the Grand Opening has had St. Jubal’s Day honoring deceased Austin Songwriter veteran Jubal Clark and on March 21 hosted a Surf By Surfwest showcase sponsored by Coop Radio 91.7, KVRX from 1-6 p.m.
If you are a songwriter and want to practice pitching your songs to an audience and other peers, Blazes is the perfect place to test your abilities. All you need to do is call Michael Reed Barker at (512) 236-1815 and share your ideas with him and he can possibly put you on a showcase or help you develop one of your own. Future plans also include a Songwriter’s Showdown featuring an opportunity to be critiqued by you own piers.
Blaze’s is dedicated to honoring all songwriters past and present. It is a refuge for songwriters. Austin’s veteran songwriters are now getting publicity since a few of them have died. Barker although is very much alive and is considered one of the good old boys songwriting group, that had such members as, Jubal Clark, Townes Van Zandt and Blaze Foley who are all now deceased. When Barker and the old Austin Music Veterans, Blaze Foley, Townes Van Zandt and Jubal Clark had their days of playing, there was no place for them to go.
“I want to see songwriters have the opportunity that I didn’t have” Barker said. He emphaisized that the venue was not there to sell alcohol (of course you can bring your own in) but rather to encourage songwriters to have a place to perform. Barker is planning an event every month to encourage new songwriters of many genres the opportunity to play at Blazes. Next month a rock ‘n roll event is planned.
Here’s a quick history lesson. It has been eight years since Blaze Foley died Feb. 1, 1989 in a one-sided argument with a shotgun at the age of thirty-nine, trying to help out a feeble old drunk he had befriended. He is remembered by Austinites as one of the finest songwriters with credits such as “If I Could Fly” recorded by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. Blaze dedicated his whole life to songwriting.
The following is a quote by Larry Monroe in Austin Weekly in 1989. “Blaze told me he was totally committed to his career as a songwriter and would never have a day job because that might dull his ambition or detour him from his artistic goals. He was uncompromising on that point and I never knew him to hold down a job just so he could pay rent. Blaze preferred the sofa circuit and he rotated among friends...for sleeping quarters. He didn’t even have a car to sleep in and he didn’t care. Newt Gingrich called him ‘My Own Bob Dylan’.”
By the way there are some great pictures of Blaze Foley on the web at www.ddc.net/segway/writings.
Other veteran songwriter’s Townes Van Zandt and Jubal Clark had similar dedication to the music business here in Austin. Van Zandt’s and Clark’s untimely deaths were due to other unnatural causes-heart attacks and cancer.
Opportunities are A-Blazing right now so don’t let the fire go out. Blaze’s could be the pilot light for your music career. Call Barker and go by and see the venue.