“Tickrider” live at Stubb’s

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A Tick Rider is a government inspector who rides the banks of the Rio Grande on horseback. He is looking for cattle that have crossed over from Mexico. Some of these cattle carry a fever tick and they can infect cattle on the US side. This is a real “cowboy” job. He spends all day on horseback and retires at night to a government provided shack near the river. It is a lonely job and he had better have his head on straight.
A few years ago, a group of tick riders were sent to Paris, France to teach their job to the French, who were having an outbreak of fever tick.

“Latin American Beauty Queen”

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We have had many questions about the song “Latin American Beauty Queen”. The song is a story of a young Mexican girl who wins a beauty contest, Miss Puebla. She becomes the girlfriend of a drug boss and her life is doomed from that point on. The story is a made up one but based on real events that have happened in Mexico. Latin girls are known for their incredible beauty and charm and beauty pageants are very popular in Latin America. Unfortunately, some of these girls end up in the company of drug lords.

The most famous of these beauties was Maria Susana Flores Gamez. She was crowned Woman of Sinaloa in February 2012. Sinaloa is a state in Western Mexico that is home to some of the biggest drug gangs. Susy, as she was called, began dating a known cartel member, “El Cholo”, sometime before her pageant competition. She kept it quiet from family and friends. In November 2012, in a confrontation between the military and drug gang members, Susy was gunned down by members of the military. She was only 20 years old. You can read a detailed account here:

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_22655097/beauty-queens-bright-future-snuffed-mexican-drug-violence

There is something surreal and poignant about these beautiful “flowers” of Mexico growing up and blooming in the area of some of the worst corruption and violence in our time. The song is a lament about these unlucky girls and wish for a better life for them and for all of Mexico.

The Making of Gringo Barrio

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“Gringo Barrio” title track
Gringo Barrio

Well I’m right at home, in my Gringo Barrio
And there is no place that I would rather be
The living is good, right here in my Barrio
This Barrio will always be home to me.

Down on the Border, in old Laredo
Mariachi music and gritos fill the air
The smell of cabrito drifts in the breeze
A senorita’s smile, as pretty as you please

Now you know this place, it’s not for everyone
If you don’t like the culture, it might not be that fun
But as for me, it’s downright charming
So I hung my hat, and here I will stay till my time is done.

San Augustine Plaza, and old La Posada
And all the friendly faces at the Cadillac Bar
Time for a bootshine, on the streets of Guerrero
A handful of pesos, will take you real far

The sun burns hot, in my Gringo Barrio
The few streets with asphalt will burn your feet
One hundred degrees, sittin’ here in the shade
Pop a cool one, it sure goes down real sweet

Not everyone is from the same fabric
And you, may not culturally agree
But as for ME , the botas and huaraches
There’s no place that I’d would rather be

The Players

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Mike Jackson – guitar, vocals

Born and raised in Laredo, Texas. Attended public schools in Laredo and graduated with a BBA degree from the University of Texas at Austin, in the first Real Estate degree class.  Was among the first 30 agents for Keller-Williams Realty. Took guitar lessons in 5th grade and has been playing music all his life. Has been a professional musician in Austin for the past 40 years. Currently plays with Hotcakes and Murphy’s Inlaws.  Married to Mary for 31 years (and counting), and has one son, Oliver.  Previous bands include;  The 8 Balls, Saffron Mist, Wilcox & Jackson, Rick Stein & The Alley Cat Band, Your Move and Duck Soup, as well as others.

Richard “Sparky” Miller- songwriter, vocals

Born January 10th, 1953 at old Mercy Hospital on Jarvis Plaza in Laredo, Texas.  ‘Nuff said, I drank the water.  Played bongos and sang for ‘Los Cucarachos’  (little Mike Jackson, Hank Sames and myself) in the 5th grade and have loved music all my life.  A druggist by profession, military officer by choice and songwriter at heart.  “If this is my 15 minutes of fame, it is a damn fine 15 minutes.”

Hank Sames- vocals, songwriter

Born and raised in Laredo, Texas. Attended the University of Texas and returned to Laredo after graduation. Took guitar lessons in the 5th Grade with Mike Jackson and played in a band, “The 8 Balls” in Jr High. Have been a car dealer all my adult life, but now semi-retired and writing songs and making music. I love the border and Mexico. Wee are trying to create a music that reflects the feel of both Mexico and Texas.

Chip Dolan- keyboards, accordion

I was conceived, raised, and trained in northern New Jersey…playing music for a living since i was 16…..hitchhiked to Austin, Texas in 1982. Began touring the southwest in 1983. I have been lucky enough to manage to make a living performing, recording and teaching music while based in Austin. Became a dad in to Noah Dolan in 1988. I put out a record in 2005 “Right Now” Some of the folks I have toured with and/or recorded with are : Crystal Image, Hotcakes, Tish Hinojosa,  Bruce Robison,  Charlie Robison, Kelly Willis, Sara Hickman, Shelley King, Raul Malo and the Mavericks, Radney Foster, Monte Montegomery, Sister C, Christine Albert & Chris Gage, Greg Trooper, Tracie Lynn,  Marvin Dykhuis, Danny Britt, Sam Baker, Jimmy Lafave.

Craig Calvert – Guitar, Vocals:

Originally hailing from Houston, Texas, multi-instrumentalist Craig Calvert is a founding member of the bands Wheatfield, St. Elmo’s Fire, CPR, The Sweaters, Hotcakes and Murphy’s InLaws. During his career, he has appeared on Austin City Limits, was commissioned to co-write the music for a world premiere by the Houston Ballet company and has had his songs recorded by other musical artists including Lyle Lovett. Craig also co-founded the Austin Songwriter’s Group and has served on the Texas Recording Academy’s board of governors. Calvert is currently writing, recording and performing his own music along with selections from his favorite songwriters.

Joe Resnick- drums, percussion. 

Native Detroiter, who learned his drum and percussion trade in the motor city. Played as an extra for the Detroit Symphony for 12yrs, had 2 albums on 2 major labels with Detroit rock band “Letter O”, and played many big band shows backing many stars. Living and playing full time in Austin TX. for many years, and happily so.

Boo Resnick – Bass

I’m from Detroit, where I grew up influenced by diverse musical styles, from Motown and Bob Seger to the Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Harry Belafonte and Peter, Paul and Mary. I’ve been playing professionally for more than 40 years – rock, R&B, bluegrass, swing, country, standards, you name it. I’ve been in Austin since 1975 and have recorded and traveled with numerous groups and am now enjoying being the bassist for Hotcakes.

Gringo Barrio

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What is Gringo Barrio? First off, it is the name of a new band in Austin, Texas that is producing an album to be released in September 2013. We are trying to create a new genre of music that incorporates the sounds of Mexico with Texas folk-country music. The closest comparison might be Doug Sahm or the Texas Tornados; but not exactly. We are creating our own sound and telling stories of life growing up in Laredo, Texas in the 1960’s and 1970’s. We are gringos (sort of) who grew up in a predominately Mexican culture; lived and loved every minute of it. So I guess the real name of the band should be “Gringos del Barrio”, but it does not roll off of the tongue as nicely so we shortened it. 

We have written eleven original songs about life on the Border. Each song tells a story or is about an experience we had. The title track, “Gringo Barrio”, is a song about our love for this place we call home. I still live in Laredo. Sparky is in San Antonio, and Mike is living in Austin where he is a professional musician. Each one of us would still call Laredo home; “Once you drink the water” and all that. The song describes the smells, the sounds, and the places that are iconic. It also reminds that the border is not for everyone. For those that do not like Mexican culture, food, and music, it might not be a good fit. The border has a vibrance that is palatable. The climate is hot and the people are friendly. Being a gringo on the border means you give up some cultural identity but you gain so much more. There is very little prejudice here. You are sized up by what kind of person you are. Culturally this place is neither the United States or Mexico. It is something in between and it makes for a very pleasing mix. 

I hope you enjoy the music as much as we enjoyed producing it!Image