Abra Moore, Bill Carter, Will Sexton, Stephen Doster Songwriters Series concert review

Well, I was in a bit of trouble as I was shooting the UT football game and was late for my own Songwriters Series concert but the crew we have is just amazing so Hank grumbled at me for awhile but our finale concert went on without a hitch and without Jonathan Clay. The first set of Bill Carter, Will Sexton and Stephen Doster was amazing. The trio started out with Bill’s hit “Why Get Up” and never looked back. Stephen and Will’s guitar work and voice were blended with the bluesy, acoustic rock set of the legendary power trio. They ended up with Bill’s song being featured on a new release of Stevie Ray Vaughn. The Vaughn family keeps finding recordings or new spins to keep Stevie current and good for them. Stevie is our legend and a well deserved one. Part of his legend is Bill Carter so they ended with Bill’s “Na-Na-Ni-Na” that is soon to be released by Stevie Ray Vaughn. (I hope I got that song name right. Bill hates when I butcher his song names and I do so only out of idiocy and not disrespect.)

Next up was Abra Moore, the hit singer/songwriter of the 90s who exploded with two top ten songs of “Four Leaf Clover” and “I’m not Crying.” She performed with Will Sexton who, again, is just great at those vocals and, for this set, mood guitar. (Will can tear the lead guitar up when he is supposed to so watching him tame himself is such a welcome sight of music before ego and the art of collaborative art. Kudos Will.) Abra also had the smooth trumpet playing of Ephraim Owens. She performed flawlessly and created the “Abra-mood” of ethreal tones and melodies and was just mesmerizing. She performed her new hit (or so I am calling it), “After All These Years” and so should every pop/rock/mix radio station. Abra is such a great songwriter, performer and recording artist and her artistry will endure the ages.

Our third act, Jonathan Clay, who we basically did a favor by scheduling his young self with the legends of Austin songwriters jilted us and did not show up. Maple Jam Music who was going to represent Clay decided not to and now we know why. They confirmed his performance and he confirmed his unprofessionalism, artistic disrespect and discourtesy.