Bet Cloven, Wade Weiler, and "Mr. D", along with the talents of various D/FW-area artists who graciously allow us to join them: Andrea Dawson, Jackie Don Loe, Popcorn, Jay Dronge, Hashbrown... and a thousand others whose names will soon appear in this list.
Influences
Ray Charles, Etta James, K.T. Tunstall, B.B. King, John Mayer, Government Mule, Allman Bros, Prince... -- and we really like Brave Combo, but we're weird -- Acid Polka ROCKS! (And speaking of "sounds like" (See "Sounds Like," below.) Nancy of the Brian Atlas Band... SHE sounds like Janice Joplin, but she doesn't "try" either. It's natural for her. OMGoodness! She's SO good. It's as if she "channels" the Pearl. Then, when she breaks away into her own stuff, the sound is fresh and unique -- the best of both worlds. And Brian? He's THE number one lead guitarist, as far as I'm concerned. It's a pleasure to both listen to and watch this amazing performer as he goes into his trance or whatever it is -- what a stage presence! His relationship to those strings is as close as one can get while standing up! If you can't come to see us, then go to see The Brian Atlas Band! *Hugs* to you and Brian, Nancy!)
Sounds Like
Yo, this is Bet: Sorry... but we sound JUST like... Bet-n-Man! Over the years while singing, I've been slammed and praised alike for NOT sounding like so-n-so, but the truth is, I CAN'T sound like anyone else. I used to try, but I don't any more. I sound like me; I put my own stamp on every song; I interpret music differently than even the original artists -- tempo and tone -- and the really odd part is that I don't work at "being different." It's natural. The voice that God assigned to me is my own and I'm grateful for the unique sound He chose for me. And this sound is really, REALLY handy when it comes to writing my own songs. I'm never confused with anyone else... (See "Influences," above.)
FIRST - AN IMPORTANT NOTE: TO FIND OUT WHERE BET 'n MAN WILL BE, CHECK THEIR CALENDAR ON THEIR WEBSITE www.bet-n-man.com AND LOOK FOR THE CALENDAR. THEIR SCHEDULE IS NOT HERE ON MYSPACE.
Bet Cloven and Wade Weiler were born of military parents, although not the same ones. *g*
Bet originally hails from Chicago, though she moved on such a regular basis that she doesn’t really call any single place “home.” At the behest of Uncle Sam (her father served 22 years in the US Army), her travels have taken her from Chicago to Kansas City to New Orleans, and from Nuremberg Germany to Amsterdam Holland. But it was her life in New Orleans that caused her to fall in love with the blues. Bet has always had a love of music in almost any form. As a matter of fact, her mother once told her, “If you knew your homework as well as those commercial jingles you’re always singing, you’d be a straight A student!” It wasn’t until she attended college that Bet discovered she could do both. Bet has an honors degree in Psychology (with a minor in Sociology) and has since discovered that being an amateur “shrinkologist” can be a handy thing in a nightclub… Bet has for some time been the lead female singer in bands, but never before was encouraged to “do her own thing.” Now, she follows her instincts, writes many of her own songs – music and lyrics – and has been published several times for her original poetry. In regard to poetry, in 2000, Bet won a place at the US National Slam competition in Providence Rhode Island, and in 2001 worked her way up again, and was a contender at the US National Slam competition in Seattle Washington. Bet firmly believes that when she’s 98, someone will have to drag her, kicking and screaming, off a stage and away from a microphone.
Wade “the Man” grew up in Austin, Texas. Though his father was also a career military man, Wade’s childhood consisted of Austin and Texas, and all things a southern gentleman should experience. Austin is a college town – eclectic and educated and extremely supportive of the arts. Against his father’s wishes, Wade pursued a degree in music and has never regretted that decision. He then taught at public school as a bandleader and choral director. Though he later also received a Master’s degree in library science and was a public school librarian for years, he would sneak off at night to play trombone with the band. Wade's fervor has always been for music.
Wade was formerly the bass player for a Dallas-area band by the name of Eammon’s Kitchen, a Celtic band. Believe it or not, Celtic music, history, and genealogy have an enormous following in Texas, which hosts the North Texas Irish Fest, the Scottish Festival, and the Scarborough Fair. Eammon’s Kitchen played the Celtic fair circuit as well as playing in various north Texas nightclubs. Wade is an avid bass player and acoustic guitarist, and also plays piano, slide trombone, and electronic keyboard.
Somehow Bet and Wade’s love of music brought them together in Dallas Texas where they met at a club where Bet was singing. Their common interests led to a great friendship, and they shared a love of blues. From the initial friendship, the relationship grew to love, then to “in love.” So, Bet and Wade ARE the blues phenomenon known as Bet-n-Man. Bet-n-Man play with several local D/FW (Dallas-Ft. Worth) guitarists, drummers, brass blowers and pianists and, as much as Bet and The Man enjoy each artist’s unique input, the band continues to learn much from every musician with whom they perform. Special thanks to Mr. D for his contribution to their CD’s.
As for “Blues with an Attitude”… We’re army brats. Everything is done with an attitude!
Hey! Hope you folks are doing fine. I got a full time gig playing bass for the Jon Beaumont Band. We are a country band and will be playing at WW Fairfields next weekend. The Studio Ace Duo might not be playing much till the State Fair in Oct. That's when we will go as a trio with a Sax player. Peter has a Blues band project going at the moment and with my new gig does not leave us much time to play together. Maybe we can find some Sunday thru Wed. gigs somewhere and perform some then. Hope you guys are staying busy and I will try to catch ya'll around town sometime. Come hear the Jon Beaumont Band if you have time , you can check dates on my myspace page.........Best of Luck! Ace.
Attention All Poets...the deadline for EXSE Spoken Word is this FRIDAY April 3rd @ 8:00pm...thanks to all the poets who have already registered! And thanks to everyone for spreading the word! I look forward to your entry! If you have any questions, contact me directly at: exsespokenword@channelaustin.org or download the submission form at: http://www.channelaustin.org/sites/channelaustin.org/files/docs/EXSESpokenWordApplication2009.pdf Thanks! Karla Lead Producer EXSE Spoken Word Showcase
Did you make it to the Tipp last night? I hated to miss it, but I worked the toy run and watched the Cowboys (disappointing) game, and had nothing left to run on.
