Gene's Hamburger Harbor

An Evening At Gene's Hamburger Harbor

With The Derailers and The Cosmic Dust Devils

by Miss Lana

I finally made it up to Gene's Hamburger Harbor, close to Lake Texoma in Gordonville, for a night of music by the Derailers and The Cosmic Dust Devils. This venue started actively promoting their music concert series last year, and they have hosted many great acts since. In the past, they have had Ray Wylie Hubbard, Gary P. Nunn, and other big names. Leon Russell headlined on Friday night, and I heard they had a big crowd for that one. I also heard that Paul Byrd, the opening act, kind of stole the show.

Saturday night we arrived with a host of friends and scored front row seats (well, actually we had seats on rows 1-4, but who's counting)? The actual restaurant is inside, but I never actually made it inside to see what it's like. The stage is in an outside area where they have bathrooms, a bar and a very nice stage. There is ample seating room (for most shows) and the atmosphere is very laid back, which helps make this a good listening venue. The sound was very good, and the crowd was responsive and polite. They have rows of plastic folding chairs in front of the stage, and the ground is covered in small gravel. It's a really nice, roomy courtyard with a few scattered tables creating a more intimate feeling. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the design of this venue.

Although we ate before we went to the show, the hamburgers in this place will stand up to any competition, they say. The waiter's shirts said, 'Home of the Biggun", so I guess they're big as well as delicious. I'll have to try one next time. They haven't posted their menu on their website yet, as it is a "work in progress", but you can check it periodically if you want to know more about dining at this venue.

The Cosmic Dust Devils opened the show, and I have been waiting a long time to see this band live. I spoke to Barbara Malteze briefly before their set and agreed we would talk more after the show. As they tuned up and did sound checks, I observed the crowd and the beauty of the surrounding country side, which is full of large oak trees and lush green rolling hills. It was a beautiful night (albeit a bit chilly after the sun went down) for listening to great Texas music with great friends. And that's exactly what transpired....GREAT music all the way around with the Dust Devils pumping out "Farm to Market Rock n Roll" as band leader Kevin Higgins, termed their style of music. They did one hell of a set, playing a good mix of their songs with the lead vocals switching back and forth from Kevin to Barbara. I was absolutely amazed at the emotion Barbara expresses throughout her performance. It is obvious that she puts her entire heart and soul into it, and her vocal range and strength are incredible. The best way to describe it is like gravel and silk intertwined creating a most intriguing singing voice that makes you want to hear more. It's a voice that could launch a thousand ships, as the saying goes. Kevin Higgins is a talented song writer who can cleverly tell interesting (and sometimes sad and funny) stories through life experiences, and he is the anchor of the band. He has been a finalist in songwriting competitions and is a featured artist at many song circles around the hill country, mainly at Luckenbach's "Loco Locals Thursday" songwriter's night. Check Miss Lana's Calendar on Concert Central for listings for Kevin Higgins' acoustic show and The Cosmic Dust Devils in concert. The lead guitarist, Mark Tokach, is no slouch either. I would hear a new sound come into the mix and would wonder where it was coming from. Usually, it was Mark sounding as if he was playing two melodies at once. The bass player, Jason Raspberry from Tyler and the drummer Abe "Hill" Combest, provided stellar rhythms throughout the set and kept my toes a-tapping. CDD put on a high energy set with a good variety of music that was enjoyed by all. Visit the Cosmic Dust Devils website at www.CosmicDustDevils.com.

The Derailers, touted on their website as "Honky Tonk Door To Door Salesmen", came out in their traditional full western dress. Although there is a definite hole left by Tony Villanueva's departure, Brian Hofeldt is making a commendable effort to fill the void. He and bass guitarist, Ed Adkins, took the vocals back and forth while the band played the traditional Derailer's sound. I could tell that Brian is still a little uncomfortable in the role he has taken on, but I think this will improve for him as time goes on. Chris Schlotzhauer on steel guitar adds the twang, Scott Matthews is now on drums, and "Sweet Basil McJagger" rocked out on piano. The Derailers are still a damn good band and put on a great show. They are still the show band they've always been which made the crowd dance, sing along and bow to the band. I did miss the three guitars swinging in unison to the beat usually performed at the end of the show. I also noticed that they didn't do as many of their earlier songs. They did some nice cover versions of Webb Pierce, Buck Owens and Lefty Frizzell tunes sandwiched between their own tunes. The Derailers are moving into a new era, and it will be interesting to see how it unfolds. Whatever happens, they have a lot of talent and will continue to entertain their fans and make new ones. Good luck, guys! You can visit the Derailers at www.Derailers.com.

Gene's Hamburger Harbor has a good thing going on, and the OKOM lovers in "Texomaland" should take advantage of this venue. An important thing to know is that it is a private club, so you will pay a $5 annual membership on your first visit in order to purchase liquor. They charge a cover charge for the show, usually $10-$20, depending on the acts. You can find out more about Gene's Hamburger Harbor at their website.

Editor's Note After Post: Heard from "Sweet Basil" McJagger who assured me, from personal experience, that the burgers at Gene's are "top-notch".

Happy Trails,

Miss Lana

Written by Lana Hughes, May, 2004