Texas musicians to take center stage at AFM Concert Series

APRIL 17, 2013 (AUSTIN, TX) - The Bullock Texas State History Museum will once again partner with the Austin Federation of Musicians (AFM) to put on a free concert series kicking off May 5. Every Sunday in May, the Museum will host special AFM performances from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on its Lone Star Plaza featuring a variety of Texas musicians.

In collaboration with the Austin Federation of Musicians, this concert series will feature some of Austin’s finest musical acts, including John Arthur Martinez, Christine Albert and Mady Kaye Quintet Featuring Mitch Watkins; Bob Meyer's Concept Quartet; Rick McRae Quintet and Denny Freeman Trio

Nominated for three Texas Music Awards this year, John Arthur Martinez brings his country stylings to the inaugural AFM concert Sunday, May 5, Cinco de Mayo. Originally from Marble Falls, Martinez's song, "Tennessee Left Texas" (written by Martinez and Rick Bussey), was nominated for song of the year. He also is known for his bilingual cover of Merle Haggard's "Play Me Back Home."
Originally from upstate New York and later Santa Fe, New Mexico, Christine Albert moved to

Austin in 1982. Since that time she has evolved into the consummate “Texas Chanteuse,” combining her musical influences from Texas to Paris, with her musical influences ranging from Merle Haggard to Edith Piaf. Albert will team up with the Mady Kaye Quintet and Mitch Watkins for the May 12 concert. Mady Kaye has been delighting Texas audiences for the last30 years and is recognized for her jazz styling, impeccable phrasing and improvised lyrics.  Hailing from McAllen, just 10 miles from the border at Reynosa, Mexico, Watkins has released five CDs and collaborated on others.  Inspired by Jazz, classical and Rock and Roll musicians, Watkins has played with

Texas favorites such as Lyle Lovett and Joe Ely.
On May 19, the Bob Meyer's Concept Quartet will play the Lone Star plaza, bringing it to life with a Jazz performance. Meyer began his study of music at the age of five and is heavily influenced by classical music, especially chamber music and quartets, from Mozart to Bartok. He first heard Jazz in 1950, especially admiring artists such as Kenny Clarke, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonious Monk. He is featured on Joe Lovano’s release, "Viva Caruso."

During the May 26 concert, the Rick McRae Quintet and Denny Freeman Trio will join forces to entertain audiences on the plaza. Born in San Antonio, McRae decided early on to become a guitarist. Inspired by such country greats as Bob Wills, Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, he discovered jazz guitar in 1968 after hearing, "Color him Funky," by Howard Roberts. Other Jazz guitar heroes include Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, Wes Montgomery, Les Paul and others. As a young teen in Dallas in the late1950s, Denny Freeman heard on the radio the radical new sounds of people like Little Richard, Fats Domino,

Ray Charles, and Chicago and Louisiana blues artists like Muddy Waters and Slim Harpo. A guitar and piano player, Freeman played in the Bob Dylan Band from 2005 to 2009, and plays on the Bob Dylan album, "Modern Times." He released "Diggin' on Dylan" last October.This free concert series is organized by the Austin Federation of Musicians, which is the local chapter of the American Federation of Musicians. It  has assisted local musicians in resolving issues related to wages, working conditions and other  employment concerns. AFM represents more than 500 local musicians and provides benefit programs, such as equipment insurance, geared toward the needs of musicians. More information may be found online at AustinMusician.org.

The Bullock Museum is located at the corner of MLK Jr. Boulevard and Congress Avenue — right across the street from the University of Texas and just north of the Texas Capitol Building. With its IMAX Theatre and award-winning exhibits, the museum attracts 500,000 people annually.

All shows that are part of the AFM Concert Series are free and open to the public.

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​​The Bullock Texas State History Museum, a division of the State Preservation Board and an accredited institution of the American Alliance of Museums, creates experiences that educate, engage, and encourage a deeper understanding of Texas. With dynamic, award-winning exhibitions that illuminate Texas history, people, and culture, educational programming for all ages, and an IMAX® theater with a screen the size of Texas, the Museum collaborates with more than 700 museums, libraries, archives, organizations, and individuals across the world to bring the Story of Texas to life. For more information, visit www.TheStoryofTexas.com or call (866)369-7108.