Austin, TX — Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio released The Blue Rock Review, Volume 5, PLAY, the latest print edition of its annual creative

arts forum by artists in many media, with a party November 28 at its Wimberley compound that featured song and poetry performances in-the-round, book and CD signings, a gallery of original art, and more.

With the Ranch’s acres of Hill Country beauty decked-out for Christmas, songwriters and poets Sam Baker, Kevin Welch, Nathan Brown, Colin Brooks, Alan Berecka, 2008 Texas Poet

(Austin, Tex.) - Sept. 29, 2009 - Dallas native, Austin resident, Texas singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Chris Hawkes is going out on a CD release tour, kicking it off with a gala evening at Lamberts in Austin with some of his friends and cohorts.

Chris Hawkes moved from the Dallas Ft. Worth area about 3 year ago and hasn''t had to get a job outside the biz. He is a consummate professional who has delved into several facets of the music business to develop his career as a performer, songwriter and record producer all without having a job at Thundercloud Subs (although he''s happy eat there!).

Young and intelligent, he has creatively put together a lifestyle built on the synastry of working within one realm. He has developed his career as a songwriter, performer, record producer and even a sideman. His life in the music world is self -supporting. He has developed and is sustained by performing in his band, duo, or solo, producing his own CD''s (latest is Because I Feel That Way Too), producing others CD''s and booking "events" within his family of artists. He also is a graphic artist designing for his own projects as well as others.

Hawkes'' newest release Because I Feel That Way Too, following his MTV featured debut CD, Guitar and Voice, combines his singer-songwriter compositions with a more developed rock-and-pop full band production. The title can be heard in the bridge of "Falling Into Doubt" as Hawkes relates directly to the listener: "Don''t you know that you''re not alone because I feel that way too."

The lyric of each song is written to relate and connect with the listener, and the sonic landscapes are as unique as each nuanced subject. It''s a journey through the many emotions of losing love and letting go, freedom and the exhilaration of embracing something new.

Chris will be playing:

Oct. 16 - Fall Tour Kick Off Party, Lamberts w/Strangelove and Douglas Jay Boyd, Austin, TX
Oct. 18 - Levitt Pavilion (duo) [free/all ages],100 W. Abram St., Arlington, TX  7:00P
Oct. 20 - Seven47 (duo), 747 Asp Ave, Norman, OK  8:00P
Oct. 21 - The Outland (duo), 326 South Ave, Springfield, MO  8:00P
Oct. 22 - Reggie''s Music Joint w/Jadiid (duo),2105 S. State Street, Chicago, IL, 8:00P
Oct. 23 - The Rumba Caf', 2507 Summit St., Columbus, OH  8:00P
Oct. 24 - The Map Room (duo), 1126 Braddock Ave., Pittsburgh, PA  9:00P
Oct. 26 - Cameo Gallery (duo), 93 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY  8:00P
Oct. 28 - Curb Cafe @ Belmont (duo), 1900 Belmont Boulevard, Nashville, TN  7:00P
Oct. 29 - Maxine''s (duo), [free show] 700 Central Ave., Hot Springs, AR  9:00P
Oct. 30 - Fall Tour TBA, Dallas, TX

Americana Artist''s PURGATORY ROAD an Homage to Songwriting & Songwriters

Austin, TX -- The new album by Americana artist john Arthur martinez (upper- and lowercase capitalization a nod to friends'' use of his middle name), PURGATORY ROAD, scheduled for release on Apache Ranch Records on September 15, captures flowing melodies wrapped around thoughtful song lyrics that evoke memories and touch the heart.

He''ll mark the release by playing a special show with his band -- Chris Reeves on electric and Spanish guitars, Sterling Finlay on upright and electric bass, Stefano Intelisano on keyboards and accordion, and Travis Woodard on drums -- just days later: at 5 p.m. Sunday, September 20, at the legendary Gruene Hall, 1281 Gruene Road in New Braunfels. Cover is complimentary; information: 830.629.5077.

Martinez says about the album, "It''s time to bring people''s attention back to the songwriter part of singer-songwriter." To that end, he worked with producer Lew Curatolo to put together an 11-track collection that showcases martinez''s quietly powerful word-weaving talent as well as highlights the skills of his friends and colleagues. "Lew understands that music is more than just words, chords and melodies," martinez says, "it''s about exposing the soul of the artist and capturing the emotion."

PURGATORY ROAD features martinez''s own "Que No Puede Ver," which recalls an unrequited love who just can''t see what''s in front of her, and "Closer to My Dreams," by martinez and co-writer Jan Landry, that tells of a gut-wrenching decision to pursue a dream over family. Very heartfelt and authentic stuff added to by songwriter Walt Wilkins'' "You Can''t Out Drink the Truth," about a man haunted by the wrongs he''s dealt the woman he loved, and "Utopia," by John Greenberg and Bill Murray, that details a man''s battle with the demons of his childhood.

Martinez and his band will tour this fall behind PURGATORY ROAD, playing special album release shows at Texas Music Theater in Waxahachie on September 25 and at Saxon Pub in Austin on October 9.

With a unique sound built on musical influences as diverse as the menu at Bluebonnet Caf' in his hometown, the musical journey taken by the Texas-born martinez has been long, but every dip and turn -- such as the one that took him to a second-place finish on TV''s "Nashville Star" -- has enhanced and inspired his songwriting.

Local Author of Star Wars: Outcast Aaron Allston to Sign Copies; Special Gaming Proceeds to Benefit Allston Fund for Medical Expenses

Austin, TX -- Dragon's Lair Comics & Fantasy TM in Austin plans to mark its 23rd anniversary with a weekend of contests, gaming, cake and Pokemon -- plus a Special Anniversary Event Signing by New York Times-bestselling author Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi #1: Outcast, Aaron Allston, a Central Texas writer who will be beneficiary of the weekend's gaming proceeds.

During the August 28-30 anniversary event, the store at 6111 Burnet Road (512.454.2399) will host a Warhammer 40K Team Event, a Pokemon Party, costume and coloring contests, cake and cookies, and more.

From 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, Allston -- who has written 19 novels, including Celtic hero-pulp fantasy Doc Sidhe and numerous other Star Wars series offerings -- will sign copies of his work for fans and customers. Allston also wrote or co-wrote nearly 50 role-playing games and game supplements, including titles for Dungeons & Dragons; has won awards for game work and game magazine editing; has been inducted into the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design Hall of Fame; and will be a seminar presenter at September's DragonCom in Atlanta.

Nashville, TN