Devorah Fox's Blog, page 37
April 9, 2014
Ephermeral art
SandFest 2014 brings a festival of ephemeral art to Port Aransas Friday through Sunday, April 11 through 13, 2014. This is the 18th Annual Texas SandFest.More than a dozen world-class master sculptors and hundreds of amateurs will create stunning works of art using sand and water. One huge wind gust or wave can easily destroy these fragile creations and by the end of the weekend they are gone forever, making them all the more special.
The festival features another ephemeral art form: live music. Think about it: you no sooner hear music than it’s gone, not to be performed live exactly the same way ever again.
Various bands will entertain throughout the three days but I am most looking forward to hearing the Sand Band.
I first heard the band at the now-shuttered Tarpon Ice House during SandFest last year. The Sand Band was awesome and the place was packed. Now that I’ve learned the secret behind that performance I’m even more impressed.
The Sand Band is a five piece musical group whose origins are in Port Aransas. In September, 2012, Alan White was lying in bed in Yukon, Oklahoma one night and began thinking of a way he could play his congas and bongos more frequently. At the time, he was playing with a Dallas based TropRock band called The Bad Monkeys. So the next day Alan called Kelly Brown, the front man for the Bad Monkeys and Mike Eiras, an incredibly talented vocalist and guitarist from Austin. Alan asked them if they would be interested in playing somewhere in Port A if the opportunity arose. Both said they would love to do that.
Alan’s next move was to find a place in Port A for them to play, not an easy thing to do while in Yukon, OK. However one day White called the Tarpon Ice House , explained the situation and, knowing the odds were remote, said he was looking for a place to play on Friday of SandFest. The answer was an immediate yes. Alan was surprised to have booked an unknown, unnamed group on that day. Of course it helped when he said the band would be bringing 60 or 70 Parrotheads (Jimmy Buffett fans) from all over Texas. (Alan’s a member of both the Parrot Heads of Port Aransas and the Cedar Creek Lake Parrot Head club.)
Fast forward to April, 2013. Upon arriving in Port A, Alan contacted Paul Fain, the owner of the Tarpon. Paul said the booking was good to go. During the course of that month, Kelly Brown talked the bass player and the keyboard player for the Bad Monkeys into coming also. Paul Fain needed a name for the band. Alan said, “Well, we’ve never played or practiced together, but since we are playing during SandFest, we will call ourselves The Sand Band.
The group put together a set list of cover TropRock songs and many of Brown’s and Eiras’s original tunes, plugged in at the Tarpon, and commenced to rock the place. The group was so on that night, that in addition to Parrot Heads, many people came in off the street to see who was playing. Alan says “Inasmuch as we had never played together it was the quintessential jam session. Louie Chambers, keyboardist, said it was the most musical fun he had ever had.”
From where I rocked out in the audience, all I heard was great music. I had no idea then that the evening was essentially impromptu.
The Sand Band is made up of:
Kelly Brown – the frontman for The Bad Monkeys. Kelly is the rhythm guitarist and vocalist. Many of the songs played by the group were written by Brown. (For a sample, check out this YouTube video, http://youtu.be/KzXj0bxyxnw, which features Kelly Brown and his original “Song of the Ocean.”) He has been a musician in the Dallas area for over 20 years. As the driving force of the Monkeys, he has performed all over the country.
Mike Eiras – Mike’s musical roots go back 20 years. He has played in groups from Alabama to Texas and points in between. Mike is a virtuoso guitarist. Alan said he would put him up against any guitarist he has ever met. In addition, Eiras is a gifted singer/songwriter.
Randy Brooks – Randy is the bassist. However, he also plays the guitar and banjo. Randy is a regular in the Nashville music scene. He has written many, many songs for himself and others. His most famous tune is “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (yes, that one!). He currently travels all over the United States singing his tunes and delivering his homespun humor.
Louie Chambers –Much of the lead instrumentation not performed by Eiras is done by Louie, the keyboardist. He has played for many Dallas groups; however, the most famous artist he toured with was LeAnn Rimes.
Alan White – Alan plays all kinds of percussion but for The Sand Band it is congas and bongos. There are no other drums in the band. He has the unique ability in any given song to make his hand drums sound like a regular drum kit and back to hand drums and does so without an audience noticing there are not two drummers. He also plays the guitar and piano.
The Sand Band will perform on Friday night, April 11, from 7 to 11 at Stingray’s, 401 Beach Ave., and again Sunday, April 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the SandFest tent. They’ll also play in September, 2014, for the Parrot Heads of Port Aransas WINGS 2014 fundraiser with the Bad Monkeys. This full seven- piece band features vocalist Sharon Oefinger. I’ll see you there. —http://devorahfox.com
April 3, 2014
You can make it happen!
Because the pool isn’t all that large, The King’s Ransom (Fantasy genre) by Devorah Fox and Naked Came the Sharks (Thriller genre) by Jed Donellie and Devorah Fox have an EXCELLENT chance of winning so please cast your vote. Follow the link and fill out the simple form. You can nominate both books on the same form.
IndieAuthorLand will then will collate all the nominations they have received by April 6, 2014 and build a shortlist of 15 novels in each of the 10 genres. These 15 books will be the 13 that have received the most nominations in that category, plus 2 “judges’ choice” novels.
These 150 books will then be put to a public vote to find out the 50 Self-Published Books Worth Reading.
You can make this happen for The King’s Ransom and Naked Came the Sharks. Thanks to everyone who has already filed a nomination. If you haven’t yet please nominate either or both by April 6, 2014 and encourage your book-loving friends to nominate also.
April 2, 2014
Book clubs
Some book clubs enable readers to get discounts on books. Others occasionally put on programs or invite authors to read an excerpt, discuss the writing of the book and answer questions. I’ve been a book chat guest. It was a great honor and lot of fun.
Book clubs usually meet in libraries, bookstores or coffeehouses. If there isn’t one in your area consider joining an online book club. Online book clubs bring to your attention new books to discover, host contests and discussions and post reviews. Here’s an example, the DVW Book Club which just happens to be featuring my Naked Came the Sharks. Check it out.
March 31, 2014
A source for great reads
March 27, 2014
It’s a revelation
It’s a cover reveal! I am pleased to invite you to preview author Samantha Lafantasie’s newest book, Echoes of Memories, due out this July.It’s the next installment in her Nepherium novella series which began with Made to Forget and the intrepid heroine, Elsabetha, waking up in a hospital with no memory. Elsa tries to reclaim her memory but doesn’t know whom to trust or whether anything she’s told is true.
Traitor. Liar. That’s what they call me. No one believes me. Not even my team. I know it’s up to me to get the answers. To stop the corruption and unlock my memories. I’ll do anything to get them back. Even if my hands will be covered in blood.
Elsa’s every move is scrutinized. She’s labeled a traitor by those she sought for protection, and kept from her family and team. Regaining memories has been a slow process. Too slow for the Council’s liking, taking matters into their own hands.
The new captain has history with Elsa and operates with a hidden agenda. Even Elsa’s team reacts differently toward her. If only she could unlock her memories. Everything is playing right into Alexander’s hand, even amassing an army with unconventional methods, designed to annihilate the Nepherium—starting with Noah. Elsa will do anything to stop Alexander … even kill.
About the Author
A Kansas native, Samantha LaFantasie spends her free time with her family. Writing has always been a passion of hers, forgoing all other desires to devote to this one obsession, even though she often finds herself arguing with her characters through much of the process. She’s primarily a fantasy writer but often feels pulled to genres such as sci-fi, romance, and others.
Among her writing credentials, a member of the Kansas Writer’s Association and has authored works such as Heart Song (her debut novel) and Made to Forget.
Samantha loves to take time to enjoy other activities such as photography and playing her favorite game of all time, Guild Wars 2.
Want more from Samantha? Keep up with her at any of her digital hangouts.
As a special treat, Samantha’s running a Rafflecopter giveaway. Click on the link for a chance to win swag, gift cards and free books. And sign up to be notified the minute Echoes of Memories is available.
March 24, 2014
And the nominees are…
March 18, 2014
Here’s what I think
My review of The Methuselah Strain by Stuart Aken has been posted on the Masquerade Crew blog.I’m looking forward to doing more reviews for the Crew. An author myself I know how important reviews are, especially with regard to works by “new” authors (not that Mr. Aken is new author). Reviews spark readers’ curiosity and help coax them to read the book themselves.
See if my review makes you curious about Mr. Aken’s book. Then be sure to check out the other features on the site like contests and giveaways. Lots of fun for readers and writers.
March 17, 2014
Spring sale
I’ve tweaked the hard cover edition of “Naked Came the Sharks” and now it’s good to go. If you had taken it into your head to get one (and I have to admit the hard cover is pretty cool), lucky you! It’s on sale. Enter the code FWD15 at checkout to get 15% off.
March 14, 2014
“Sharks” showcased
Look who got showcased in today’s PLUG IT UP! Please check out the Independent Author Index and spread the word. We indie authors are proud of our work and we don’t hesitate to crow about it but it’s up to our readers to create that buzz so tell a friend.
March 5, 2014
Stars in my eyes
I really appreciate the encouraging words.
If that’s got you curious about the book, you’re in luck. It’s on sale this week as part of Read an E-Book week on smashwords.com. Just click on this link and enter the code REW25 when you check out to get the discount price. Hurry—the sale ends Saturday, March 8.
