Flower Mound Coffeehouse

This music is born out of the big plains of Kansas, refined in the loneliness of the blues and late nights, and spoken form the heart and mind of one who can no longer stay quiet. Songs of good from bad, blues to bliss, despair to hope...it is here in the music of Aaron Franz.

When Marcy Rae went to a blues festival in Crosby, Texas, in 1992, she had no idea that she would return as Sweet Mama Cotton . But there was little doubt that she would be playing and singing the blues. Marcy, born and raised in the chilly outpost of Fargo, North Dakota, has spent her musical career preparing to play the blues. Her many years of piano training and performing in bands from California to Israel brought her to Texas, home of some of the hottest blues in the world. 

Marcy's musical interests are diverse, but all these influences have combined to produce a musical approach that is inclusive of all forms of music. Her blues repertoire includes standards such as “Stormy Monday” and “Down Home Blues”, as well as classics from the jazz/blues era of Bessie Smith and Sippie Wallace. She also rocks out on Chuck Berry style tunes and some funky dance tunes like “Shaky Ground”. Her diverse background has expanded her repertoire to include classic standards, folk, rock, and country music as well as blues. 

With the release of his Ray Wylie Hubbard produced debut CD “My Mind's Eye” David Byboth is charging full bore into the Folk Americana scene. After more than 25 years of songwriting, this Texas Hill Country resident has put together a fine collection of songs about real people and real stories. He plays Acoustic Guitar and Mandolin. His shows are typically solo acoustic and suited for listening venues.

(Marimbist, Vibraphonist, Percussionist, Composer and Educator) Born and raised in Cidra, Puerto Rico.  Juan took his first steps towards playing percussion at the age of 6 and began his passion for Marimba at the age of 16.  He started his performance experiences playing for Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, San Juan Pops Orchestra and Marimba duo Dos by Two. He was honored with a Magna Cum Laude from the Music Conservatory of Puerto Rico in 2001.  In the same year he was awarded by the Government of Puerto Rico a scholarship to pursuit his Master Degree in the University of North Texas.  Juan decided to further his musical skills studies at the University of North Texas where he will obtain his Doctorate in Music Performance with a minor in Jazz and be the first Puerto Rican to obtain a Doctarate Degree of Percussion in the whole caribbean.  Currently Juan is a Professor and the Director of the Percussion Emsemble at the Howard Payne University in Bronwood, Texas.  As a freelance percussionist Juan Alamos is an active performer in the DFW area performing and recording.

Combining an engaging stage presence, a beautiful voice, and inspiring music both contemporary and traditional, Susan Colin is a singer, songwriter, and producer who says,  " I relate to the world through music, and I believe most people do, too.”   From jingles to rock operas, classical to pop and jazz, Susan makes everything she sings fresh and exciting.  Susan takes the best songs, old and new, and creates a new kind of adult contemporary/cabaret performance experience.  Additionally, Susan sings cantorial music for Jewish worship services, and is recognized by her peers and listeners throughout the world as one of the brightest contributors to the growing realm of American Contemporary Jewish music. Whether singing religious or secular popular music, her versatility makes her accessible to audiences who appreciate her natural gifts for composing and singing from the heart. For more information and to hear Susan's music, visit www.SusanColin.com

A feisty blend of jazz, traditional and folk-pop. With roots all over North America, the Malvinas pull together a broad palette of regional colors including: the blues-tinged grooves of the deep South, the spicy Cajun flavors of Louisiana, the Celtic modes of Eastern Canada and the libertarian troubadour tradition of the Lone Star State.

Alternating lead vocalists, tight harmonies and quirky instrumentation (dobro, guitar, tenor guitar, mandolins and violin) create a high energy sound that never forgets that to make great music, you start with a great song.

Individually and collectively, The Malvinas have been fortunate to work as side women and to share the stage with some really great artists including: Tori Amos, The Burns Sisters, Bruce Daigrepont, Jack Hardy, Eliza Gilkyson, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Shake Russell and Dana Cooper. Past appearances include: The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, The Cottonwood Festival and WFMT 's Folkstage. The Malvinas are also directly responsible for the welfare of seven cats, five dogs, and eleven hamsters.

“Rhett Butler's playing style has captured local and national attention. He puts heart, soul and both hands into his art.”
The Dallas Morning News

Rhett Butler began his musical journey with a unique conception of what the guitar could be. As a teenager, Rhett was mystified by the solo playing of Eddie Van Halen. He knew at an early age that his career would be defined by how far he could push the limits of the guitar. Rhett went on to study in the prestigious jazz program at the University of North Texas all the time bucking the idea that the guitar is an accompaniment instrument. For Rhett Butler, the guitar is the entire performance.

With eight CDs to his credit, Butler is in high demand in clubs from New York to Houston. He brings his unique and nationally recognized talents to the Flower Mound Coffee House this October.

Onstage Ken is both into the songs and the moment. "Live performance for me is the culmination of all my thinking and practice. It's like a religious experience. I want you to laugh and cry on the same night and I hope you go home feeling like you've fallen in love all over again with someone or something you hold very dear".

Ken has two solo CD's and a live cassette to his credit. His latest, "Catfish Moon" 2006 on the Songdog record label is a real taste of what it's like to hear Ken with Karen, Wayne, and co-producer Bill Ward with guest appearences by Gary Sapone, Jeff Duncan, & Ron Rebstock on several cuts. The previous CD, "Real Men", 2002, established Ken as a national act. He's also written and recorded songs for "The Silver Wolf Homeless Project" 1995, as well as the earlier "No One Else" live cassette released in 1991. And through the years he's worked on numerous other recording projects as well as a writer for stage and film projects notably the feature film, "Blue Days Lost" and two co-written children's musicals, "Noah and the Ark" and "Journey of the Wise Men" produced by the Excellent Theatre Company in Houston.

"Salt" nominated for Album of the Year - 2006 Independent Music Awards! WOODY RUSSELL hits the mark with his "Technicolor Americana"; where country, soul, jazz and blues mingle warmly on the scene. A highly-tuned and versatile voice, sparkling finger-style guitar work and adventurous lyricism place Russell in a class of his own.

Touring throughout North America, Russell has been a featured artist at major festivals including Newport, Kerrville, Winterfolk and Sisters Folk Festivals. Woody Russell was one of the Top 5 New Talent Finalists of 2004 at the prestigious Newport Folk Festival; the only finalist to receive a coveted invitation to perform at Newport in 2005 alongside a lineup that included Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris and Richard Thompson.

Annie Benjamin is a veteran of the live music scene in Texas with two decades of performances to her credit. She is known for her high energy flute licks, her vocal ability to go from "0 to 180" in the blink of an eye and a unique picking style on her guitar. Her lyrics can be irreverant and silly one minute, poignantly homespun the next.

In January of 2001 she released her debut album Life's Blessings , a mix of country, jazz, folk and gospel traditions. Upon hearing her song Wildflowers, the British producer Alex Von Soos said, "It's very moving and powerful. I've had a lot of commercial success but I don't think I've written anything that good yet." Singer-songwriter Susan Werner described Annie's vocals as "Janis Joplin meets Edith Piaf." Rockzilla, the online reviewer of Texas & Americana music, says that "after listening to Life's Blessings, you'll feel like a better person - and you probably will be." The song Mudflap Girl was featured on NPR's Car Talk.

Bruce was born a guitar player in Margaretville, NY, from a musical family. After music at Marlboro college, he’s played lead guitar for rock, jazz, and country bands, and composed for dance performance. He is a singer/songwriter recently of the NYC area. He and his thousand pound upright piano have now officially transplanted themselves to Texas. He pounds nails while singing.

Lisa was born a three-and-a-half pound Capricorn with a set of lungs. She is a survivor of the University of North Texas where she played trombone in the lab bands, sang in the Jazz Singers, skipped out on music history classes, composed suitably atonal pieces for an assortment of instruments, and crashed the hard-drive on the Synclavier (many times). She graduated, and has since paid off all her student loans

Sara Donaldson's sound has been compared to a variety of artists and incorporates an even wider variety of styles, from jazz and classical, to moments of an almost tribal feel. One person describes her music as, “Tori Amos meets Nora Jones meets Joni Mitchell meets Yo Yo Ma meets Yanni meets those percussionists sitting on a downtown street corner….”

The unique mixture of sounds makes it difficult to classify Sara into a specific genre, but one thing is certain: her music allows you to feel.

Jenni Mansfield Peal's  songs have won fans and honors in her home state of Texas and abroad. Influenced by traditional music, Jenni's songs create urban folk characters and dramas that touch listeners deeply. Jazz and alternative styles color her music as she sings about love, loss, and laundry. Her work has been compared to that of Tom Waits and Christine Lavin. Jenni accompanies herself on guitar and mountain dulcimer.

Funder Thunder' is the name David Funderburk uses to describe his unique, articulate and satiating acoustic guitar sound. David plays Ovation, Takamine, Martin, Taylor and Fender guitars, and adds various effects to help create a sound he describes as "FunderThunder, it's all in the sound".