APRIL 2008
As it's come up quite a bit lately, regarding artist submissions/inquiries - we are not actively looking to add anyone the roster, but thank you for your interest.

Check out tour page as several of our artists are in the road quite a bit this month. We love Spring!

Matt the Electrician is going to have his song, Valedictorian, played on the ABC show Eli Stone on Thursday, April 10th, 10pm (9pm central). Yeah Matt!

Laura has been named as one of the Ballet Austin Guild's "Women on their Toes" Honorees for 2008. The Guild honors local not for profit agencies and one of their volunteers during this annual fundraiser. Laura together with her husband John are one of the 10 honorees this year and were nominated by Caritas of Austin for their volunteer work there. Laura's volunteer work includes organizing monthly concerts and South By Soup Fest each year benefitting the Caritas Community Kitchen. Thank you Molly at Caritas, and thank you to the Ballet Austin Guild for the honor.

Current listen/recommend:
80s Music!

MARCH 2008
It's March - and all you ComboPlate faithfuls know what that means:

South by Soup Fest Benefit for Caritas of Austin
ComboPlate Booking Roster Party
March 12, Wednesday, 2:00pm-8:30pm
Gueros Taco Bar, 1412 S Congress Ave, Austin TX 78704, 512.447.7688

2:00-2:30 The Eric Hisaw Band
2:40-3:10 Nels Andrews
3:20-3:50 Ana Egge
4:00-4:30 Beaver Nelson
4:40-5:10 AJ Roach
5:20-5:50 Michael Fracasso
6:00-6:30 Matt The Electrician
6:40-7:10 Monahans
7:20-7:40 Moonlight Towers
8:00-8:30 Elizabeth McQueen & The Firebrands

The six and half hour party raises money for the Caritas of Austin Food Services programs, specifically the Caritas Community Kitchen and Food Pantry. The event is hosted and promoted by ComboPlate Booking. Free and open to the public, live music will be provided by the artists on the ComboPlate Booking roster. Money will be raised by raffling off CDs from the artists and gift certificates from local restaurants, and all band tips will go to Caritas. Austinites who would like to help fight hunger in Austin - and hear some great live music while they are doing it - are encouraged to come to Gueros on March 12th. Not open to the public, but worth noting, ComboPlate Booking will also present a 3 day musical showcase March 12/13/14, South By Soup Fest, exclusively for the clients of the Caritas Community Kitchen.

Three clients on the roster - Nels, AJ, Ana, are playing the GreenHouse Concerts on Saturday, March 15th. Email Jon Green here for more information: jonngreen@yahoo.com

FEBRUARY 2008
Stop everything you are doing.... go get your calendar... and write down March 12th for the annual ComboPlate Booking Roster Party - we will be back at Guero's Taco Bar. More details next month, we will see you there!

The agency welcomes Kim Morgan as our Intern Assistant this semester. Thanks for all of your hard work so far and we are looking forward to all of your help this Spring. Everyone knows we need all the help we can get!

Laura joins booking agent friends Marie Arsenault (Roughneck Booking) and Sarah Hoffman (Road Work Music) at the Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis again this year. For the conference, they will be presenting as the Indie Agents Collective. Be sure to visit the IAC booth at the Exhibit Hall and come to our Folk & Roll Showcase (Room 1916) at the Marriott for the private showcase part of the conference. We have scheduled a terrific line-up Wednesday through Saturday, and we are proud to be hosting such talented artists - check out our web site linked above for more information. ComboPlate roster artists attending the conference this year are Michael Fracasso, AJ Roach, Ana Egge and Nels Andrews - please check out their individual sites for information on their various showcase performances.

Eric Hisaw tours west to California for the first time - be sure to check out his web site for more information, and thanks for telling your friends out west to come and check him out!

Nathan Hamilton has put some of his art on myspace. We LOVE it, check it out by clicking here.

The roster still loves playing private parties and events - contact Laura to learn more.

We are happy to announce that our friend Bettysoo will be the Friday Kitchen Concert volunteer this month. Thanks Betty!

Current listen/recommend:
Band of Horses/Cease To Begin

JANUARY 2008
Local artists continue to reach out to us and volunteer for the Friday Kitchen Concerts - thank you to Myrna Cabello for volunteering in December and even working up some Christmas tunes, and thank you to Nathan Hubble for bringing in the new year and volunteering in January. Both of you were wonderful!

Current listen/recommend:
Sigur Ros/Hvarf-Heim

NOVEMBER 2007
This month's volunteer for the Friday Kitchen Concert is Erin Ivey - we look forward to having her come share her songs at the Community Kitchen.

Current listens/recommends:
The Weakerthans/Reunion Tour
Beirut/The Flying Club Cup
Soundtrack from the movie "Once"

OCTOBER 2007
In case anyone other than my mom noticed, yes we have been rather slack on the web site updates for a few months. Sincere apologies to anyone who missed the latest tour updates, CD recommends etc. I got married and moved earlier this year thus the missing months. The roster was very busy over the summer, so I was too. Okay, Mom? You can stop worrying now.

Friday Kitchen Concerts have been ongoing. Idgy Vaughn was our August volunteer, Mo Pair was the September volunteer, and Melissa Greener is signed up to volunteer this month. Hip hip hooray for these terrific musicians who volunteer! We really appreciate you!

Lots of touring this month - mainly on the west coast where you will find Ana Egge, Matt the Electrician, Michael Fracasso and AJ Roach. Eric Hisaw tours the UK for the first time early October - see individual listings for more information and dates in other parts of the country.

Current listen/recommend:
The Frames/For the Birds

JULY 2007
Touring highlights: Michael Fracasso continues to support his new record and will be touring on the east coast and midwest - check out his web site for more details. Ana Egge will be in the UK supporting the Be Good Tanyas of a few dates and playing London, Coventry, Newcastle and Twickenham on her own dates - see her site for more information.

This month's Friday Kitchen Concert will be Graham Weber. We are looking forward to his performance!

Current listen/recommend:
Richard Buckner/Bloomed

JUNE 2007
Sorry to be late with the news this month. Offices, computers and kitty cats have been moving around - it's been complicated to say the least! Thank everyone for their patience this month.

A big thank you to Rayne Grant for her beautiful voice and songs touching the hearts of all the folks eating their lunch at the Caritas Community Kitchen one Friday late this month. You were terrific Rayne!

Current listen/recommend:
The Swell Season/Glen Hansard & Market Irglova

MAY 2007
More new records... Michael Fracasso releases his 7th record this month. It's terrific, so go and get yourself a copy today. Also, Beaver Nelson and Michael Fracasso hit the road on separate tours and in support of their new records. Check out the tour page for more information.

Our office will be closed May 25-June 1, please email/call before or after those dates.

This month's Friday Kitchen Concert volunteer is Shotgun Party. Thanks Jenny!

Current listen/recommend:
Andy Palacio/Watina

APRIL 2007
We are very happy to announce adding Austin/San Francisco band Monahans to the roster. We loved their SXSW shows and can't wait to hear more! Their new record will be released in June.

Thanks to everyone who played SXSF at Caritas last month - we had such a good time, and the music was the best yet! Also, thanks to the roster for playing the SXSF benefit concert and for all of you who attended this show and made donations for the Caritas Food Services Programs. We raised more money this year than we have before. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Matt the Electrician hits the road for a three week tour the first week of April. He will be heading west and playing shows in AZ, CA, OR, WA, ID, UT, CO. We hope you can go see Matt and the band as they go out in support of Matt's new record.

Speaking of new records, Matt the Electrician, Nathan Hamilton have just released new ones, and Beaver Nelson releases his this month. We hope you can go out and buy each and every one of them!

This month's Friday Kitchen Concert volunteer is LZ Love - thanks to her agent Roger for setting up the date.

Current listen/recommend:
Last Good Kiss/ Last Train Home

MARCH 2007
check out our press release....
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
South By Soup Fest Benefit Concert - The six and half hour party raises money for the Caritas of Austin Food Services programs, specifically the Caritas Community Kitchen. The event is hosted and promoted by ComboPlate Booking. Free and open to the public, live music will be provided by the artists on the ComboPlate Booking roster. Money will be raised by raffling off CDs from the artists and all band tips will go the Food Services programs. Gift certificates from local restaurants, coffeehouses and businesses will also be raffled with all proceeds also going to Caritas (Opal Divines, Iguana Grill, Gueros, Ginger Man, Flipnotics, Jo's Coffee, The Soup Peddler, Austin Therapeutic Massage, Cafe Caffeine, Moxie and the Compound, Yoga with Eleanor, The Miller Tells Her Tale). Austinites who would like to help fight hunger in Austin - and hear some great live music while they are doing it - are encouraged to come to Gueros on March 14th. Not open to the public, but worth noting, ComboPlate Booking will also present a 3 day musical showcase this week, South By Soup Fest, exclusively for the clients of the Caritas Community Kitchen.

South by Soup Fest Benefit for Caritas of Austin
ComboPlate Booking Roster Party
March 14, Wednesday, 2:00pm-8:30pm
Gueros Taco Bar www.guerostacobar.com
1412 S Congress Ave, Austin TX 78704, 512.447.7688

2:00-2:30 Matt the Electrician
2:40-3:10 Nels Andrews
3:20-3:50 Moonlight Towers
4:00-4:30 Ana Egge
4:40-5:10 AJ Roach
5:20-5:50 Michael Fracasso
6:00-6:30 Beaver Nelson
6:40-7:10 The Eric Hisaw Band
7:20-7:50 Nathan Hamilton
8:00-8:30 Milton Mapes

CONTACT:
Laura Thomas / ComboPlate Booking
512.423.7667 / comboplate@austintx.net
www.comboplatebooking.com

FEBRUARY 2007
Matt the Electrician will be touring Japan for the first time. Have fun Matt!

Laura, Michael Fracasso, AJ Roach, Ana Egge and Nels Andrews will all be attending Folk Alliance this month in Memphis. In addition to having a booth at the trade show (come say hello!), Laura and Marie w/Rough Neck Music will represent the Rough Combo Collective and be presenting the Folk and Roll Showcase room in the private showcases at the Marriott. In addition to Michael, AJ, Ana and Nels, these artists will also be playing our room: Robby Hecht, Stephen Clair, Will Kimbrough, Tommy Womack, Rough Shop, Jason Ringenburg, Steve Dawson, Jon Dee Graham and Peter Case. We are going to have ourselves some FUN! If you are in Memphis, please come by to the Folk and Roll room, we would love to see you.

Don't forget and mark your calendars NOW... our annual ComboPlate Booking Roster Party will be at Gueros Taco Bar on Wednesday, March 14th. We will be announcing the line-up next month. It's always great fun and we will be raising money for the Caritas of Austin Community Kitchen once again.

Amy Cook is this month's Friday Kitchen Concert volunteer. We are looking forward to meeting you Amy and hearing your songs. Thank you in advance!

Non-gig related roster news is fun this month... Moonlight Towers had their song "Never The Same Again" featured on a recent episode of "Veronica Mars". Ana Egge will have her song "Motorcycle" on the finale episdoe of MTV's "I'm with Rolling Stone". And Elizabeth McQueen has made her directorial debut with a short movie you can see on youtube.com, just search the title "Murder She Rode" - it's all about being on the road with Asleep at the Wheel...or not!

Current listen/recommend:
Neighborly Deeds/Self titled release

JANUARY 2007
Happy New Year! We are so excited as we've heard the new songs.... these artists will be releasing new CDs this year (more or less in order of predicted release dates): Matt The Electrician, A.J. Roach, Nathan Hamilton, Beaver Nelson, Michael Fracasso, Milton Mapes. Ana Egge and Nels Andrews will also have new records this year. We can tell already it's going to be a great year. So far, Matt The Electrician's record is the only one officially available. Go get it!! Nathan Hamilton will be touring The Netherlands the end of this month and going into January. Thank you to Sandra and Luciano for making it possible. Eric Hisaw will be touring the South as will Moonlight Towers, and Ana Egge will be on the West Coast. We hope you can go see them on the road.

Steve Power and Tom Cuddy were the Kitchen Concert volunteers this month. Y'all were great!! Thank you so much for contacting us about playing and for bringing so much joy to the Kitchen that day.

Okay, how about just a Top 6 (vs. a Top 10) for Laura's Top 2006 list:
Josh Ritter/Animal Years
Scott Biram/Graveyard Shift
The Refugee All Stars/Living Like A Refugee
Abigail Washburn/Song of the Traveling Daughter
Ben Harper/Both Sides of the Gun
Jimmy Joe Natoli/Torque Deluxe

Current listen/recommend:
Bruce Springsteen/We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions

DECEMBER 2006
Hey -Êwhat happened?! Did anyone notice other than us? December came and went before we could post any news at all. Thank you holidays! Apologies to anyone who might have been checking these page hoping for some kind of news from ComboPlate headquarters. We will do better in 2007!

Carolyn Wonderland was our absolutely wonderful Kitchen Concert volunteer. Her songs and her generosity inspired us this holiday season. We thank you dearly Carolyn!

Current listen/recommend:
Josh Ritter/Animal Years (thank you Nels for the recommendation and the CD!)

NOVEMBER 2006
It's well into November as we post this. Ahhh .... behind as usual, it's so comfortable, so familiar. A little too familiar if you ask us, therefore we are still looking for volunteers/interns to help out and keep us up to date. Call or email Laura if you'd like to learn more.

Patrick Conway was the Friday Kitchen Concert volunteer this month. Everyone had a good time, and we were very impressed that Patrick contacted us just a month after moving to Austin from Hawaii. Aloha and Howdy Patrick! And thanks for bringing your fiddling friend Chris.

Current listen/recommend:
Jimmy Joe Natoli/Torque Deluxe (check out our good friend Jimmy Joe at the Sunset Valley Farmer's Market every Saturday from 9:30am-1pm, and if you're lucky - you might hear these songs again on Car Talk!)

OCTOBER 2006
Tour news this month.... AJ and Nels will be touring the UK, Ireland and The Netherlands - they've named their tour the Duct Tape and Whisky Tour. Laura wants them to bring her a bottle of scotch.... Ana will be on the west coast supporting the Be Good Tanyas on several shows - be sure to check her schedule... Michael will also be on the west coast for 2 weeks, he will get to play in front of his friend Kevin Welch on a couple dates.

Kevin Carroll w/Mike Meadows are the volunteer musicians this month at Caritas Community Kitchen. We truly appreciate them filling in last minute for another artist we were counting on who seemed to have disappeared. Hmmm. Thanks guys for being there!

Current listen/recommend:
Abigail Washburn/Song of the Traveling Daughter

SEPTEMBER 2006
Michael, AJ, Nels and Laura will be attending the Americana Music Conferenece in Nashville, September 20-22. Laura and Marie with Rough Neck Music will be on a tour panel, and they will be launching their new effort, the Rough Combo Collective. Rough Combo Collective is an organization for indie booking agents and their artists, providing the opportunity to network, share ideas, information, resouces and support each other along the way. Come by our booth at the AMA trade show and say hello!

Austin super group - The Band of Heathens - are the musical guests for the Friday Kitchen Concert this month. With so many invidual artists in the band, we are calling it our own Austin City Soup Fest, bringing the best music to the clients of Caritas.

Current listen/recommend:
Patty Griffin/Silver Bell

AUGUST 2006
Moonlight Towers head west for the first time, 15 shows in 17 days, starting in West Texas and travelling all the way to Seattle and back. Check out their web sites for details and dates, and go to a show or two. The Towers are a terrific rock band, we love them!

Nels Andrews makes the news again.... Nels was a finalist at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Songwriters showcase last month, and later this month he will be performing at Mountain Stage's New Song Festival. Go get 'em Nels!

Camero Jones is our Friday Kitchen Concert Volunteer this month. Thank you Camero for reaching out to us, we are looking forward to your hearing your songs!

Current listen/recommend:
Scott Biram/Graveyard Shift

JULY 2006
Big roster news from last month - Nels Andrews won first place at the Telluride Troubadour competition. Congratulation Nels... what a great honor to add to your previous Kerrville New Folk Winner honor!! We are so proud of you!

The Friday Kitchen Concert Volunteer for July is going to be Shelley King. We are truly looking forward to hearing all of her wonderful original soulful songs.

In case anyone is interested, there are a few ComboPlate Booking Tshirts left over from the roster party earlier this year. Email Laura if you think you might be interested in purchasing one. They are just $15 and feature the very fun waitress logo.

Current listen/recommend:
Ben Harper/Both Sides of The Gun

JUNE 2006
A big explosion is about to happen at ComboPlate Booking headquarters - it looks like well more than half the roster is releasing new records this year.... if you'd like to be an intern or volunteer w/the agency, please call Laura, she would love (and needs) the help.

Nels Andrews has been chosen as a finalist in the Telluride Troubadour competition - wish him luck as he travels to Colorado mid month!

The band Rokkatone will be this month's Kitchen Concert volunteer. We haven't had a full band play one of the long Friday concerts in awhile, it's going to be fun! Thanks guys.

Current listen/recommends:
Jon Dee Graham/Full

MAY 2006
Eric Hisaw hits the road with his new record... he will be in the Midwest and plains states for the first time, and somehow he managed to work New Mexico into the run. Imagine that! Matt the Electrician heads out west on a tour supporting Bob Schneider, they will start in Lubbock and go all the way north to Vancouver. Check each artist's web sites for more specifics.

Walter Tragert was this month's Kitchen Concert volunteer... but Caritas had a mix-up with their schedule, so Walter did not get to play. ;( We look forward to rescheduling with you, Walter.

Current listen/recommends:
St. Anthony's Prayer/Unreleased

APRIL 2006
A big huge thank you to everyone who made SXSW week such a success: All of the SXSF artists who played the soup kitchen, the local businesses who donated for the raffle (see March for the list), Guero's for hosting the roster party, friends who volunteered at SXSF and the roster party, everyone who came to the roster party, and my incredible artists who played the party - thank you everyone for helping $ for Caritas of Austin soup kitchen and food pantry!!

Eric Hisaw has a new record, "The Crosses", which is out this month. He will be playing regional CD release shows this month and next month he will hit the road. Go get your copy of the record now! We love it.

Lots of ComboPlate Booking artists on the road this month.... Michael Fracasso will be supporting Patty Griffin on her April tour - they will be in KY, MI, PA, NY, CT, ME, NJ, MD, DC/VA, NC, MS. Moonlight Towers will be in the Midwest and South again, and Beaver Nelson & his friend Mike Nicolai will be on a Midwest run. If the Towers and Beaver & Mike pay attention while driving - they might see other on opposite side of the road. Who knows, maybe they will meet at a truck stop for coffee. Laura thinks they should! Also, Ana Egge will be playing 6 shows in the UK, she is excited to return there. Please look at each artist's site for more details.

Current listen/recommends:
The Refugee All Stars/Living Like A Refugee

MARCH 2006
Hooray! It's March and we are looking forward to SXSW this year more than we have any other year. Things feel good and we can't wait to see everyone... the locals, family, old friends and new friends. Please be sure to visit individual web sites of each artist as even Laura doesn't know what everyone is up to during SXSW week.

Now unless you haven't been paying attention, you should know by now that THE PLACE to be on Wednesday, March 15 is the ComboPlate Booking Roster Party at Gueros. Free, open to the public and for the people... just the way we like it. Take the day off work, you deserve it! Like last year, our party will raise money for the Caritas of Austin Food Services programs, specifically the Caritas soup kitchen and food pantry. Money will be raised by raffling off CDs from the artists and all band tips will go the Food Services programs. And this year, gift certificates from these local restaurants and coffeehouses will also be raffled with all proceeds also going to Caritas: Opal Divine's Freehouse, Opal Divine's Penn Field, Jo's Coffee, The Ginger Man, Guero's and Flipnotics. We LOVE these businesses and their support. Austinites who would like to help fight hunger in Austin - and hear some great live music while they are doing it - are encouraged to come to Gueros on March 15th:

South by Soup Fest Benefit for Caritas of Austin
aka: ComboPlate Booking Roster Party
March 15, Wednesday, 2:30pm-8:45pm
Gueros Taco Bar
1412 S Congress Ave, Austin TX 78704, 512.447.7688
2:30-2:55pm Ð Elizabeth McQueen & The Firebrands
3:05-3:30pm Ð Nels Andrews
3:40-4:05pm Ð Moonlight Towers
4:15-4:40pm Ð Ana Egge
4:50-5:15pm Ð AJ Roach
5:25-5:50pm Ð Beaver Nelson
6:00-6:25pm Ð Milton Mapes
6:35-7:00pm Ð Matt the Electrician
7:10-7:35pm Ð The Eric Hisaw Band
7:45-8:10pm Ð Michael Fracasso
8:20-8:45pm Ð Nathan Hamilton

Not open to the public, but worth noting, ComboPlate Booking will also present a 3 day musical showcase March 15/16/17, South By Soup Fest, exclusively for the clients of the Caritas Community Kitchen. This will be our 5th year for SXSF, and every year we are blown away by the artists who sign up to volunteer their talent. A huge thank you to all of those who've signed up for being so willing, we can't wait to see you!

FEBRUARY 2006
Milton Mapes will be on the road supporting The Cowboy Junkies for eight shows, appearing in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. If you are in Austin, drop by their February 15 show at Room 710 and wish them good luck on their tour!

February in Austin is hereby declared the month of The Folkie! No?... okay, how about the month where Austin, and heck, ComboPlate Booking & Roster, welcomes The 18th Annual International Folk Alliance Conference to town. We are very excited about the conference being held in our fair city. Nels Andrews, Ana Egge, Michael Fracasso, Nathan Hamilton, Matt the Electrician, Beaver Nelson and A.J. Roach will all be showcasing around town February 9-13. Please check their web sites for appearances. A few artists from the roster helped organize The Hobo Prophet Room, so you know that is going to be one of the best places to hear music Folk Alliance weekend. Laura will be moderating a panel at the conference on Sunday morning February 12, "On The Road Again: The Mamas & The Papas".... a lively panel indeed! Later that day, Laura and fellow booking agent and friend, Marie Arsenault with Roughneck Music will be hosting a showcase at Jovita's from 4-8pm. Folk & Roll will feature acoustic sets from Grand Champeen, Li'l Cap'n Travis, The Damnations, The Hackberries, Black Water Gospel, Ethan Azarian and the POP STARS. Come spend the afternoon with us and hear some of the best music in town, all under one roof. And it's FREE!

It's official, Ana Egge has really moved back to town. Welcome home Ana! Every Sunday in February, Ana will be playing Flipnotics 8-10pm. And while we are on the topic of residencies... Elizabeth McQueen continues her Monday 8-10pm residency at Threadgill's south in February and March.

February's Kitchen Concert is a double bill featuring our very dear friend Jimmy Joe Natoli and AJ Roach on February 10.

Current listens/recommends:
Are you kidding?? Laura is too busy to listen to anything!!
...oh wait, here's one she's really been enjoying:
Dean Owens/My Town

JANUARY 2006
Moonlight Towers hits the road mid month... they will be in playing in 6 states and driving through even more. Check out their tour dates and go see them!

Two members of the San Antonio band Window, Nick & Jimmy, will play the soup kitchen on January 6. Thanks for being willing to drive up north to Austin guys!

Current listens/recommends:
My Morning Jacket/Z
Sun Kil Moon/Ghost of the Great Highway

Here is Laura's top 10 records for 2005. And once again, they may not have actually been released in the past year (most have). Also, ComboPlate artists have been left off as we already know they are on top of the top 10! So, for the curious (is anyone out there?), here you go, in no order:
Roddy Hart / Home Tapes
Joe Mannix/ A Town By The Sea
Stephen Clair / Under The Bed
Marcus Rubio / My Head Blew Up (and turned into the sky)
Sufjan Stevens / Illinoise
Ethan Azarian / Captain of the Town
Fighting Brothers McCarthy / Ladies and Gentlemen
The Redwalls / De Nova
James McMurtry / Childish Things
Bruce Springsteen / Devils and Dust

DECEMBER 2005
This month is very special. We actually have added to the roster, and we are proud to announce the addition of two artists we have been following for the past couple years. Please welcome Moonlight Towers and Nels Andrews. They are terrific, if you don't know them already, please check them out when you get a chance. Welcome guys!

Ed Jurdi played the soup kitchen on December 2. The kitchen staff thought he had the biggest applause and reception of anyone who has played there. Ed seemed to enjoy the audience too. Thank you so much for playing!

Current listens/recommends:
Joe Mannix/A Town By The Sea ... what a beautiful record

NOVEMBER 2005
Laura and Michael Fracasso made it home safe and sound from the UK and Ireland on November 3. Other than no days off (sorry Michael!), it was a great 14 day tour with really friendly crowds... some small, some medium sized, and all very kind and receptive. Laura was able to re-connect with several UK contacts and meet many new ones in both the UK and Ireland. Thanks to everyone for the hospitality. Ana Egge hopes to tour the area next, post SXSW.

Amanda Cunningham contacted us last month, and she will be the Friday Kitchen Concert volunteer on November 11. We are looking forward to her music!

We know it's early, but the latest news flash: Wednesday March 15 will be the annual roster party, and it will be at Guero's once again. Let's hope for sunny skies. Also, March 15-16-17 will be our 5 year anniversary of SXSF, South By Soup Fest. We are excited already.

Current listens/recommends:
Nik Freitas/Heavy Mellow

OCTOBER 2005
Happy October! October 18 - November 3, Laura will be on the Michael Fracasso UK/Ireland tour. See Michael's web site for complete information. There will be someone checking phone messages during that time and passing them on to each artist. Laura will try to handle emails herself during this timeframe. Wish her luck as she tries to figure out technology overseas... SIM cards, bluetooth, usb adapters and more! If possible to contact before or after these dates, we would truly appreciate it.

It's a busy month... before Europe, Laura will be attending The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco October 1-2 where Michael, AJ and Ana will all be performing. Laura will be able to attend thanks to a free airline ticket generously donated by Guy Browne of the LapSit House Concert Series. Thanks Guy. And btw, congratulations on your marriage to Caroline! If anyone else has ticket vouchers sitting around, Laura and some of the artists she knows can put them to use, please email her. Also, October 7, Laura will be attending the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance in Lakeway. She will be a mentor in one of the early morning sessions, and she is looking forward to making new friends and contacts.

Elizabeth McQueen will be in town for awhile... starting October 17, she and fellow Asleep at the Wheel band mate, Jason Roberts, will be hosting a five week Monday residency at Threadgills South. Go check them out!

Colin Brooks is going to rock the Friday Kitchen Concert on October 14. Thank you Colin for being so flexible with your schedule. You're the best.

Looking ahead, some ComboPlate artists will be answering phones during the KUT fall fundraiser, the Folkways program on Saturday, November 5th. We will be answering from 10am-1pm, so mark your calendars now to call then.

Current listens/recommends:
Sufjan Stevens/Illinoise
James McMurtry/Childish Things
Shut Eye Records/The United State of Americana, Vol.2

SEPTEMBER 2005
Laura will be attending the Americana Music Conference again this year. The conference is this month and is in Nashville, September 8-10. She will be speaking on a panel with Marie Arsenault w/Roughneck Booking and NY singer songwriter Stephen Clair. Should be fun!

Thanks to this month's Friday Kitchen Concert volunteer, Juan w/Black Water Gospel. Juan filled in last minute on September 2. Everyone loved hearing his songs.

Current listens/recommends:
The Redwalls/De Nova
Moonlight Towers - Like You Were Never There

AUGUST 2005
Biggest news at ComboPlate headquarters is that we are now wasting time daily on a myspace page. Not a whole lot there just yet, but check us out: www.myspace.com/comboplatebooking. You can see a few photos of AJ and Laura on the UK Tour earlier this year... fun, fun fun!

Matt the Electrician is a finalist at the Rocky Mountain Folks Fest. He will be in Colorado once again, August 19-21. We love you Matt, go get 'em.

We haven't noted a favorite booking contact in awhile, so let's do that now... here's a big shout out and thank you to Andy Peters with Frontier Music. Andy is a true music lover, and he's great at pulling together all the pieces to make a great show. Thanks Andy. Michael Fracasso and Laura look forward to meeting you in Ireland this Fall. This months's Friday Kitchen Concert volunteer is Woode Wood. Thanks for reaching out to us Woode, we appreciate it.

CD Recommend:
Moonlight Towers/Moonlight Towers - go see them live, too, they rock!

JULY 2005
Abi Tapia played the Friday Kitchen Concert on July 1... faster than we could post this. Everyone loved you, thanks again Abi. :)

Matt made it to the second round at Telluride, and we are very proud of him. He will be touring in July, catch him while you can. Ana will also be on the road, running the midwest with Jess Klein and opening some Lucinda Williams shows on the east coast. Michael is playing a secret piano happy hour residency Wednesdays at the Cactus Cafe in Austin. sshh... don't tell anyone. Eric will be playing regional gigs galore. Go see some live music and just check the tours page...

CD listen:
The Shins/Chutes Too Narrow

JUNE 2005
Matt the Electrician is one of 10 finalists in the Telluride Troubadour Competition. Wish Matt luck as he travels to Colorado the middle of the month. Go Matt!

Milton Mapes will be playing a couple festivals this month - Twangfest in St. Louis and NXNE in Toronto - and they will also be touring down the east coast for the first time. Be sure to go to a show if you can.

Lisa Bastoni will be this month's Friday Kitchen Concert volunteer. Lisa just moved here from the east coast, and we are looking forward to hearing her tunes.

CD Recommend:
Monsoon Wedding/movie soundtrack (in honor of all the weddings Laura will be going to this month and next... unfortunately, none in India).

MAY 2005
Our Welsh friend Jack Harris is coming to Texas - see the tours page for more information on all of his USA shows and his KUT appearance. Jack will also be this month's Kitchen Concert volunteer.

"Camp, Damn Right" will be back at Kerrville this year with Jack as our special guest. AJ Roach will be meeting up with Jack at "Camp, Damn Right" late May/early June, and Laura will be there for sure. Who knows... maybe another few off the roster might show up too. We will keep you posted of specific dates if there are any.

Current CD listens/recommends:
Ed Jurdi/Longshores Drives
Bruce Springsteen/Devils & Dust
Canoe/I Give You Canoe!

APRIL 2005
Much love and gratitude to all of the musicians and volunteers who made SXSF/South By Soup Fest 2005 another successful year.

Lots of touring going on this month.... Michael in Japan, Nathan in France/Netherlands, Eric in Oklahoma, AJ up in the Pacific Northwest, Milton Mapes all around the Midwest and Southwest, Elizabeth in Lousiana/Midwest, Ana up and down the East Coast. Go to shows and say hello.

The April Friday Kitchen Concert was unexpectedly cancelled. We will resume next month.

Rumor is that Operation Paint Fence might be completed this month. We hope so!

Still looking for help... volunteers/interns/music enthusiasts. Office help such as mailing promo, posters, updating our data base.... and we just know, we just know, someone wants to make us a web site.

Current listens:
Aaron Ross/The Hallelujah Side
Jupiter and Teardrop/bring me down EP
Fighting Brothers McCarthy/Ladies and Gentleman
and... we can't stop listening to Roddy Hart

MARCH 2005
March 16 is almost here......take the day off work, come play and hang out at our annual roster party, March 16 @ Gueros. We would love to see you. Schedule is the same as below (see February news). With donation of one canned good or $1 - you can win CDs or Tshirts donated by each artist - all proceeds will go to our friends at the Caritas of Austin Community Kitchen. It's going to be fun!

SXSF 2005 - South By Soup Fest is March 16/17/18 - Music for the clients of the Caritas of Austin Community Kitchen. This years's SXSF has the most volunteer musicians yet - 23 artists from 6 countries and 16 cities are volunteering.

News Flash: Former intern, Amber Byfield, saves the day...Thank you Amber for all of your hard work updating and creating new promo for the south by week. We appreciate it!

This month's CD recommend:
Roddy Hart/Home Tapes - we LOVE this record

FEBRUARY 2005
Back from the UK, the "wee" (but big to us!) tour was a success, and Laura is looking forward to working more with the folks she met. AJ hopes to return in the Fall. And Jack Harris songs keep playing in our heads... we miss him already. Rumor has it that Jack might be making his way to Texas in a few months.

JANUARY 2005
Happy New Year! January 25 - February 6, Laura will be in the UK on the AJ Roach tour. There will be someone checking phone and email messages during that time and passing them on to each artist. If possible to contact before or after these dates, we would appreciate it.

ComboPlate Booking always looking for volunteers or interns - right now someone to help with administrative tasks in the office would be great.... especially sending posters & contracts. And fingers are still crossed for that volunteer who might want to design and make the new web site. Email or call if interested.

January 21 is the Friday Kitchen Concert and Jenny Reynolds contacted us on her own to volunteer. We love that. Jenny rocks in our book.

As requested by some of you, here is Laura's top 10 for 2004. As usual, her top tunes may not have actually been released in the past year. Also, ComboPlate artists have been left off as we already know they are on top of the top 10! In no order:
Ray Lamontagne: Trouble
Steve Earle: The Revolution Starts Now
Trash Can Sinatras: Weightlifting
U2: How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
Sherman Baker: Carry Me Home
Nels Andrews: Sunday Shoes
Wise Guys: Waiting for Another Day
Avett Brothers: Carolina Jubilee
Reeltime Travelers: Livin' Reeltime, Thinkin' Old Time
Bruce Springsteen: Lucky Town

DECEMBER 2004
All we want for Christmas is a volunteer to make us a new web site. Pleeaase Santa, all of us have been so good....

Very happy to announce our old friend, Ana Egge, joining the roster. Ana has a beautiful new record which will be available in either February or March 2005. Stay tuned for news on the release. Elizabeth McQueen and Milton Mapes also have new records coming out right about the same time.... it is going to be a busy Spring.

Okay, okay... so it's three months away, but put this one down on the books: March 16 has been secured for the ComboPlate Booking Party during SXSW. It will be an afternoon roster showcase at Gueros on South Congress Ave, and we will be done in time for everyone who wants to go to the Austin Music Awards.

Current CD listens/recommends:
Kreg Viesselman/Many Rivers
Trashcan Sinatras/Weightlifting
Buttercup (Gracklemundy)/3 Song EP (advance)
...and of course... U2/How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb

NOVEMBER 2004
A big thank you to Rachel who has been volunteering and working on tour site updates. We sincerely appreciate all of her time.

Happy Birthday to Craig of Beggar's Banquet House Concert, and thanks to Lee & Craig for all of their support!

AJ Roach will be making his first UK tour this January/February 2005. Watch his site and the tours page here for his shows in Wales, England and Scotland. We are very excited that AJ will be touring with our friend, Welsh singer songwriter, Jack Harris as support. Laura plans to tag along and keep them in line and out of trouble... or maybe get in trouble with them... stay tuned!

Upcoming Friday Kitchen Concerts are Patrice Pike on November 19 and Scrappy Jud Newcomb on December 10. Thanks to both for being so willing to volunteer their time.

Here's a few non ComboPlate records that have been in Laura's CD player quite a bit lately:
Sherman Baker/Carry Me Home
Stephen Clair/Under the Bed (advance)
Nels Andrews/Sunday Shoes
Reeltime Travelers/Livin' Reeltime, Thinkin' Old Time
Steve Earle/The Revolution Starts Now
....all of them are great, so check them out.

OCTOBER 2004
Listen to KUT's Folkways on Saturday, October 16... Nathan, Elizabeth, Mona & Laura will be representing ComboPlate Booking and answering phones for KUT's Fall Fundraiser. We love KUT and want to do our part in thanking them for their support. If you are a fan of ComboPlate's artists... then call KUT and pledge when we are working between 10:00am-1:00pm.

AMA was great and people were so kind. We will be back next year for sure.

Matt the Electrician releases his fourth record this month, "Long Way Home"... drop everything and go get your copy now! And if you are in Austin, please come to the Cactus Cafe on Saturday October 2 for the hometown release show with Matt and his band and Southpaw Jones opening. Then rest up during the week and meet us at the Texas Music Cafe the following Saturday, October 9, and come help Laura celebrate her birthday. Nathan Hamilton will be playing a very special trio show between 8-11pm. We love October!

Thanks to Colin Gilmore who has already played the Friday Kitchen concert October 1. One man having his lunch was still singing the last song Colin played maybe 15 minutes after Colin had left... a true testimony to the spirit of the Kitchen Concerts.

SEPTEMBER 2004
September means it's time to tour... please check out everyone's sites as many ComboPlate artists are touring this month. Support live music!

Elizabeth, AJ and Laura will be attending The Americana Music Conference in Nashville, September 23-25. We look forward to meeting other attendees and to hearing some great Americana music. Also, Laura will be having fun sitting in on the Demo Derby Review panel Thursday morning.

The Onion Creek Crawdaddies are the very special guests for this month's Friday Kitchen Concert on Friday, September 10. Thank you guys for being so generous and taking off time from your jobs to volunteer for the diners at the Caritas Community Kitchen.

Lastly, ComboPlate Booking sincerely apologizes to the fans and staff at Camp Street Cafe for Laura's miscommunication w/Nathan about his show there last month. Please look for Nathan to be rescheduled later this month.

AUGUST 2004
Beaver Nelson's kickass new record, "Motion", hits the streets August 17th. If you're in Austin, please come to his CD release party @ the Continental Club on Friday, August 27. Check out the tour page and Beaver's web site for release shows in other cities.

We are looking for a volunteer to do tour site updates. Email or call Laura for more info.

To release his new records, Matt the Electrician is looking for angels ... email Matt or Laura for more information.

JULY 2004
Thanks to Joyce and Brad at Jovita's for all of their support and belief in the POP STARS: dads who rock songwriters' circle. It took a little time to find the right venue, we couldn't be happier with our Austin shows at Jovita's. These amazing songwriting dads made the Austin Chronicle news last month... click here to check it out.

So many good records are coming later this year and early next year.... the summer has busy in the studio, these ComboPlate artists will have records out not soon enough: Nathan Hamlton, Matt the Electrician, Milton Mapes, Elizabeth McQueen & AJ Roach. Beaver Nelson is all done and his official release shows begin next month. And Eric Hisaw released an EP earlier this summer. Now go to your local record store or online and buy some records...

We are back on track with first Fridays as the McKay Brothers have signed up to volunteer for the Caritas Kitchen Concert next month, August 6th. Thanks guys.

Our very own SXSF-South By Soup Fest got a big thank you in the Caritas Spring/Summer Newsletter. You can read the article online.

JUNE 2004
Please welcome Mona Resch to the ComboPlate Booking team. Mona will be helping Laura in the office with administrative duties and Laura is very, very excited to have her help. Thank you Elizabeth McQueen for your amazing recruitment skills. There are still other internship or volunteer opportunities, contact Laura to learn more.

"Camp, Damn Right" at The Kerrville Folk Festival was a great time Memorial Day weekend, ComboPlate artists Michael, Nathan, Matt & AJ all camped out with Laura and our good friends Jimmy Joe Natoli & Southpaw Jones. A new tradition has been started...

MAY 2004
We are looking for another intern or volunteer to help with administrative duties. Please email or call Laura to learn more.

Upcoming Kitchen Concerts include King Tears on 5-14, AJ Roach on 6-4, and Lawrence Glass on 7-2.

Kerrville Folk Festival is the end of this month, and ComboPlate Booking will be hosting a campfire, "Camp, Damn Right". Come on by and play some tunes and say hello. We would love your company.

APRIL 2004
SXSF - South By Soup Fest 2004 last month was the best SXSF yet. This year there were 17 slots during our three day charity showcase. 31 musicians from 5 countries, 6 US states and 14 different cities volunteered their time and played for the diners at the Caritas of Austin Community Kitchen. The musicians were all so enthusiastic and timely, thank you all for your generosity.

MARCH 2004
Happy Spring... please come to our ComboPlate Booking events on March 17th and March 19th, see last month's news for the lowdown. We want to thank you in person for all of your support this past year. March 19th at Opal Dvine's is particularly exciting as it will be the launch date for the new ComboPlate project POP STARS: dads who rock.

Michael Fracasso has two new releases out, and we are psyched. "A Pocketful of Rain" is the new studio release, and Michael is also proud to announce "Retrospective", a compilation double CD which includes "Back to Oklahoma", his live album with Charlie Sexton, and a second disc featuring both previously released and unreleased tracks. The touring begins with a hometown celebration at The Cactus Cafe, Thursday March 4th. It will be a big party as Michael's friends Beaver Nelson, Eliza Gilkyson and Patty Griffin join him on the stage.

SXSW week will be here March 15th, everyone is playing several parties and concerts all week long, please check individual artist sites for complete listings.

FEBRUARY 2004
ComboPlate headquarters is very happy to announce that Beaver Nelson has joined us as the ninth artist on our songwriting roster. Beaver rocks.

Thank you to Gary Graves who will be playing the Friday Kitchen Concert on February 13th.

Mark your calendars now for next month:
March 17, Wednesday, 3-8:05pm
ComboPlate Booking Party @ Gueros Taco Bar, 1412 S. Congress Ave.
3:00-3:30pm Elizabeth McQueen & The Firebrands
3:35-4:05pm A.J. Roach
4:15-4:45pm Matt the Electrician
4:55-5:25pm The Eric Hisaw Band
5:35-6:05pm Beaver Nelson
6:15-6:45pm Nathan Hamilton & No Deal
6:55-7:25pm Michael Fracasso
7:35-8:05pm Milton Mapes

March 19, Friday, 2-4pm
ComboPlate Booking Presents:
POP STARS: dads who rock @ Opal Divine's Freehouse, W.6th @ Rio Grande
Michael Fracasso, Nathan Hamilton, Beaver Nelson, Matt the Electrician and special appearances with some guest star POP STARS...

JANUARY 2004
We are all about starting the year off right, so please help us welcome Elizabeth McQueen to the roster.

Yes, it's only January, but ComboPlate Booking is more than busy getting ready for SXSW in March. We will be having a party at Gueros on March 17, a special songwriters showcase at Opal Divine's (date TBA) and then you guessed it.....SXSF - South By Soup Fest 2004, March 17-19. Stay tuned for news on all of these events.

And we are so proud.... Top 10 lists for 2003 are out. Visit the sites of Nathan Hamilton, Matt the Electrician, Milton Mapes, Elizabeth McQueen and AJ Roach to see all the Top 10s they made on their releases last year.

DECEMBER 2003
Happy Holidays from all of us at ComboPlate Booking.

Laura will be out of town December 25-January 12. Please feel free to email or call and if everything goes as planned... the right person will call to follow up with you further.

NOVEMBER 2003
If you live in Austin, here are some free/tips shows where some of our artists are playing:
November 6 - Eric Hisaw - Flipnotics 8-9:30pm
November 9 - Nathan Hamilton & No Deal - Jovita's 6-8pm
November 12 - Milton Mapes (the duo) - Hole in the Wall 8-10pm

Plus, word on the street is that ComboPlate Media Contact, Amber Byfield, will be swapping songs with a couple friends on Wednesday, November 5, 8-10pm at the Spider House.

OCTOBER 2003
Two artists have been added to the roster and we couldn't be happier... please check out the links for Milton Mapes and A.J. Roach. Both simply floor us with their incredible talent and intense live shows. If you live in Austin, be sure to come Milton Mapes' CD Release show at the Cactus Cafe on October 14th as they celebrate it big with the release of "Westernaire".

Upcoming Kitchen Concerts include Claire Holley on October 9th, and Mark Ambrose has been rescheduled for November 7th.

SEPTEMBER 2003
Thank you to Roggie with Rajiworld for inviting Michael Fracasso to be a part of the Four Men From Now Tour with fellow Austin based singer songwriters Adam Carroll, Beaver Nelson, Scrappy Jud Newcomb. They will be touring the midwest, east coast and the south this month. Michael is looking forward to playing with such wonderful talent.

Nathan Hamilton & No Deal take the new record on a West Coast and Southwest tour the end of this month and into early October. A huge thank you to friends of the band who have helped build up this tour - Doug Thompson, Dave Insley and especially D. Green.

AUGUST 2003
The biggest news is that we are very happy to have Amber Byfield on board as our Media Contact. She has already worked on updating tour sites, updating artist promo, and everyone is looking forward to her working on press for upcoming tours.

Caritas has asked to reschedule the Kitchen Concert to August 29th... Elizabeth McQueen will be the performing artist.

JULY 2003
Eric Hisaw will be in New Mexico & West Texas early July, and he is very excited to take the band on the road this time around and to give them a tour of his old stompin' grounds.

Matt the Electrician will be out west again, playing dates in 5 states - NM, AZ, CA, OR & WA. There's something for everyone on this tour - house concerts, a cocktail lounge, busking outside a coffee house, a brew pub, biker bar, hipster bars, bar bars, a festival, BBQ with Crispin show, and a cantina. Wow.

It's for real now, Nathan Hamilton & No Deal's "Live at Floore's Country Store" album is available for purchase. Check out Nathan's site to buy online, and Nathan is the Indie Artist of the month with lonestarmusic.com. We're so proud. :)

The Friday Kitchen Concert is booked for this month and the next couple. These scheduled performers #1 in our book:
July 18 - Troy Campbell
August 8 - Elizabeth McQueen
September 5 - Mark Ambrose

This month's favorite booking contacts are Griff Luneburg - The Cactus Cafe in Austin and Jesse Lundy - The Point in Bryn Mawr PA. Thank you both for your support and for being real.

JUNE 2003
Claire Holley's fourth album, Dandelion, is officially released on June 17th. This is her second record with Yep Roc. Claire begins a very busy tour schedule this month which continues through the fall. Please come to her shows in your town. And if you don't see a show in your town and you'd like to host one of those house concerts we love so much, please contact Laura to learn more.

Early to mid June, Matt the Electrician hits the road again touring through the South and the East Coast. Matt will be touring as a duo with the fabulous Seela. Thank you for your support on their first big tour in these regions. Tell your friends.

A big thank you to this month's Kitchen Concert volunteer... Kevin So from Boston will be playing the soup kitchen on June 11, the same day as his CD release show at the Cactus Cafe. Thank you Kevin, you are exceptional.

Michael Fracasso's summer festival schedule has had another date added. Here's the list: Michael will be performing July's Woody Guthrie Festival in Okemah, OK... then in August, The Balloon Festival in Oklahoma City, The Newport Folk Festival and The Kerrville Wine & Music Festival. A huge thank you to Val Denn & GiGi Benno for all of their support of Michael and for including him in the Woody Guthrie Tribute tours and for helping get Michael booked at Newport.

MAY 2003
Come to live shows!! We love seeing you there.

Thank you Danny Santos for volunteering to play the Friday Kitchen Concert at the Caritas soup kitchen on May 9th. Still looking for volunteers the next few months...

Laura is creating a job description for a ComboPlate Booking Intern. Hopefully this can happen and the position be filled sometime over the summer. Looking for a genuine individual who loves live music and singer songwriters and who would like to learn a little about the booking biz. A lap top would be cool and a mac user ideal but not essential. Stay tuned or email Laura if interested in learning more.

Michael Fracasso and Nathan Hamilton are both mixing and mastering their next releases. Nathan's is the live record recorded at Floore's Country Store, and Michael's is his next studio release. Michael is self producing and the record is brilliant. Nathan and band rocked at Floore's, and the new hit single, "15 Dollars", will be on the live record. We can't wait.

APRIL 2003
ComboPlate is happy to announce the addition of Claire Holley to the roster. Claire is with Yep Roc Records and her fourth album, "Dandelion," is scheduled for release June 17th. Watch the tours page for Summer and Fall CD release tours.

This is not an April Fool's joke .... April 1st is Matt the Electrician's Austin CD release show at the Cactus Cafe. Please come celebrate the release of Matt's kick ass new record, "made for working." Matt and his trio hit the road west beginning April 9th... they will be playing shows in AZ, NM, CA, OR and Washington State. Good luck on the tour, Matt!

One more local invitation... Nathan Hamilton & No Deal will be recording a live record at Floore's Country Store in Helotes, TX on Saturday, April 12th. Come join in on the fun and support Nathan and the band.

Ray Cashman from Austin will be this month's performer at the Friday Kitchen Concert at the Caritas Loaves & Fishes Community Kitchen. Thank you, Ray, for volunteering to play April 18th!

Thanks to Andre in Corvallis, you can now go to www.comboplatebooking.com and wonderful things will happen.

MARCH 2003
South By Soup Fest is booked! 15 artists from five countries, 6 US states and 12 different cities have volunteered to play for the diners at the Caritas of Austin Loaves and Fishes Community Kitchen. Check out the complete lineup.

Don't forget to come to Opal Divine's Friday March 14th, 2-5:30pm for the ComboPlate Booking Party. Opal's has great food, an outside patio and music stage... and we want to thank you in person for all of your support this last year in music.

Michael Fracasso's tour in Spain and in London was a great success. We met so many wonderful people, and Michael hopes to return soon. Be sure to check out Michael's web page - he will have a special press page for his Spanish fans up sometime this month.

FEBRUARY 2003
Mark your calendars now.... Friday, March 14, 2-5pm for the ComboPlate Booking Party at Opal Divine's Freehouse. Come see Claire Holley, Will Kimbrough, Simon Bruce, Mark Morris, Matt the Electrician, Eric Hisaw and Michael Fracasso perform at this special party for all of our fans and friends like you. This is our thank you to everyone for their support for the past year. We will miss Nathan Hamilton during the party as he will be out of town... but he will be with us in spirit. There will be CD giveaways and "free beer" on us. See you there...

JANUARY 2003
SXSW is around the corner, and that means so is SXSF... South By Soup Fest. SXSF 2003 is scheduled for March 12, 13, 14. ComboPlate is actively looking for out of town talent to volunteer and play the Caritas of Austin Loaves and Fishes Community Kitchen. Last year, fifteen artists from four countries, five U.S. states, 11 different cities volunteered their time to come and play their music for the hungry and homeless clients of the Caritas soup kitchen during SXSF 2002. The event received local press, television coverage and even a Dutch radio interview. We are planning for this year to be as successful and especially in the goal of bringing quality music to the homeless and low income clients of the soup kitchen.

Michael Fracasso's February tour to Spain is now booked. A couple of London shows were also scheduled on the way back to Texas. Please visit Michael's web site for the tour dates and locations. Wish Michael, Laura and Anthony a safe journey before they leave mid-February. And a huge thank you to our friend Lluis Sala in Girona for all of his help.

DECEMBER 2002
ComboPlate is happy to announce the addition of Matt The Electrician to the roster. The next couple of months, Matt is busy with West coast and regional Texas gigs and February's Folk Alliance in Nashville. Then hold on as Matt releases his third record February 2003.

Looking for New Year's Eve plans? Look no further than just south of Austin, down IH35 to Saengerhalle where Nathan Hamilton will be playing in front of Shelley King.

Eric Hisaw heads out early January for another solo acoustic tour in his home state of New Mexico.

Nathan Hamilton and his good friend Mark Ambrose will be hitting New Mexico late January for their song swap tour, The Lone Star Troubadour Tour.

NOVEMBER 2002
Michael Fracasso has been invited to play Northern California dates on Val Denn's "Ribbon Highway Ð Endless Skyway" Woody Guthrie Tribute Tour, January 22-25. He is very excited and honored to play with his good friends Jimmy LaFave, Eliza Gilkyson, Kevin Welch and Joel Rafael.

Eric Hisaw has been invited to host the new Wednesday open mics at Floore's Country Store in San Antonio.

The Friday Kitchen Concerts at The Loaves and Fishes Community Kitchen at Caritas of Austin continue to be a great success. Here are upcoming dates:
Nov. 27 Ð Leeann Atherton
Dec. 6 Ð Hot Club of Cowtown
Jan. 10 Ð Meredith Miller

Keep an eye on the ComboTours page for upcoming TexasTours for Arizona's The Trophy Husbands, Australia's Simon Bruce and Mississippi's turned North Carolina's Claire Holley.

OCTOBER 2002
ComboPlate is happy to announce booking for Mark Morris of Dynamite Hack. Mark will be playing solo shows around Austin... be sure to catch Mark doing his high energy singer songwriter show.

Plans are underway for Michael Fracasso to tour Spain in February 2003. Wish us luck with this tour.... it's the first time ComboPlate has booked across an ocean.

And Michael Fracasso continues to be busy in the studio finishing his next record. which should be out early 2003.

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