Name: West of Texas + The Emeryvillians + Tell River
Start: 2025-08-24T15:30:00
End: 2025-08-25T01:00:00
Location: Ivy Room

HANDSOME HAWK VALENTINE &amp; IVY ROOM PRESENTDot’s Sunday Hoedown - matinee showSUNDAY AUG 24TH—<h2>West of Texas</h2><h2>The Emery Villains</h2><h2>Tell River</h2>—3:00 pm doors / 3:30 pm showADV TIX AVAILABLE—IVY ROOM860 San Pablo Avenue, Albany • 21+—<h2>West of Texas</h2>—The scratch of the needle on record yields just a few seconds of silence – the time of just a fewrevolutions of the vinyl before the music plays. In that silence, there is excitement, anticipationand potential. Every album has it but only two have Jerry Zinn ready to deliver a uniquelymodern yet classic country experience. The bearded frontman of the Los Angeles-based honkytonk band West of Texas, Zinn has spent the past 20 years creating music and living a lifeworthy of his classic country sound.With a dry wit, sharp pen, and keen ear, Zinn presents something new and challenging withineven the most conservative interpretation of country music. His commitment to the craft findsits foundation in the songwriting. The turns of phrase and clever licks would not feel out ofplace on the lips of George Jones, Johnny Bush, Buck Owens, or Merle Haggard – but sound justright coming from Zinn.Born in California and growing up the son of a military family – Zinn saw the world throughouthis childhood. But he found his home in country music by diving deep into his grandfather’svintage record collection as a [teen]. From that moment forward, he knew he wanted to add hismark on the long history of country music. First started in 2003, West of Texas toured SouthernCalifornia and beyond with other “real” country musicians, such as Summer Dean, BrennenLeigh, Deke Dickerson, The Cowpokes, among others.The original group released a 3-song EP in 2010 and began working on a full-length album. Aftera nearly decade-long fight for his health and voice, Zinn recovered and released his full-lengthalbum in 2021, at the very beginning of the West Coast country revival that marked the end ofthe pandemic. This album earned the band an Ameripolitan nomination in 2023.Now Zinn and West of Texas are back with a new album, titled “Hot Motel Nights” that will besure to join the creates of collectors and music lovers alike. The tracks of the album touch onreal life, hard love and stupid men doing stupid things – often all in the same song.<h2>Emery Villains</h2>—Emery Villains formed in 2019. Started by Scott Holderby (lead vocals and guitar) with Rhoda Jean Steen (vocals and guitar). The Carolina Drifters from the 50's, featuring Rhoda and her brothers Paul and Clarence were the backup band for the Black Jack Wayne Show on channel 2, backing Johnny Cash, Buck Owens and others. Rhoda Jean Steen's presence serves as a direct link to the roots of rockabilly and the Carolina Drifters' contributions to the genre. Her participation with Emery Villains is a beautiful blend of past and present, ensuring the music's legacy continues.Scott looked over to his guitar player Danny White (vocals and lead guitar) from Mordred to do the finger picking. Scott then turned to a high school friend, Hank Alva (vocals and upright bass) to round out the groove of the tunes.That's absolutely right! Emery Villains is a great example of a modern band keeping the rockabilly sound alive and fresh for a new generation of fans. They're part of a newer wave of rockabilly bands that are blending traditional sounds with modern energy and style.Bands like Emery Villains, and others like Brian Setzer, Reverend Horton Heat, and Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys, are all helping to carry the torch for rockabilly music, while also pushing the genre forward with their own unique twists and interpretations. It's great to see rockabilly's legacy living on through these bands, and introducing the music to new fans who may not have been born when the genre first emerged. They're keeping the spirit of rockabilly alive, with its signature blend of country, blues, and early rock 'n' roll, while also making it relevant and exciting for contemporary audiences.Emery Villains, in particular, has a great sound that blends classic rockabilly with a modern edge. Their music has a high-energy feel that's perfect for dancing, and their lyrics often have a fun, tongue-in-cheek vibe that's reminiscent of the genre's early days.<h2>Tell River</h2>—Bay Area American Roots &amp; Alt Country troubadours, Tell River bring a dynamic mix of original music and songwriting. Formed in 2006 by frontman singer songwriter, Adam Tell June, Tell River pushes evocative lyrical imagery throughout their songs painted over a heartfelt canvas in themes of love, loss, life &amp; lust all amongst an epic backdrop of harmonies and guitar driven rock n roll.Influenced by some of the best story tellers in music history, including: Elliot Smith, Wilco, Lucero, Drive By Truckers, Johnny Cash, Neutral Milk Hotel, Tom Waits and Neil Young, Tell River delivers sophistication and dynamics that paint a vivid, evoking sound that is almost impossible to categorize. Their lyrics flirt with the guts of poetry that tackle classic emotional themes with a fresh perspective.From soulful rock ballads to rocking Americana grit; Tell River engages a wide variety of audiences across age, genre and social status.