Photo of Connie Gray and Austin Kessler

Connie & Austin

www.myspace.com/mountainhouseconcerts

Please send emails to mountainhouseconcerts at gmail.comMood: (none) (none)Posted at 6:59 AM Dec 3 view more

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  • Connie Gray and Austin Kessler

  • 51 / Female
  • AUSTIN, Texas, US
  • Last Login: 12/17/2009

292228639|51|11111|http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/30/m_e5527009e0038ac5def34bd8985e15f6.gif

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Interests

  • General

    Austin: Playing guitar and keyboard, reading, watching Teaching Company videos, and working in the yard. My favorite subjects include astronomy, and the history of science, philosophy and religion, music theory, art history, and literature.

  • Music

    Austin: Almost all kinds including folk, rock, jazz, blues, classical, and opera. My favorite bands include the Allman Brothers, the Band, the Beach Boys, the Beatles, Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds, Crosby Stills and Nash, the Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, REM, Simon and Garfunkel, the Who, and Yes. Favorite solo artists include Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Frank Zappa, and James Taylor. Guitarists whom I particularly admire include Eric Clapton, Eric Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, Steve Howe, and Jerry Garcia.

    My favorite songwriters include Bob Dylan, Lennon and McCartney, James Taylor, Brian Wilson, Carole King, Paul Simon, Neil Young, Frank Zappa, and Bruce Springsteen. I am especially attracted to vocal harmonies and greatly admire the vocal arrangements of the Mamas and Papas, the various incarnations of CSN and CSNY, the Eagles, the Everly Brothers, the Beach Boys, and the Beatles. Other groups I enjoy include Traffic, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Moby Grape, Jefferson Airplane, Tom Petty, the Clash, Fleetwood Mac, It's A Beautiful Day, Mountain, the Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin.

  • Movies

    The Last Waltz, Brian Wilson Presents SMILE, The Beatles Anthology, History of Rock and Roll, Planet Earth, The Blue Planet, Life of Birds, Life of Mammals

  • Television

    Law and Order, PBS Specials, NOVA, Austin City Limits

  • Books

    "The Elegant Universe" and "Fabric of the Cosmos" by Brian Greene;

  • Heroes

    Paul Simon, Brian Wilson, Eric Clapton

Details

  • Status: Married
  • Here for: Networking, Friends
  • Hometown: Austin, TX
  • Orientation: Straight
  • Religion: Other
  • Zodiac Sign: Virgo
  • Children: Proud parent
  • Smoke / Drink: No / Yes
  • Education: Grad / professional school

Schools

  • Cornell University

    • Ithaca,NY
    • Graduated: 1981
    • Student status: Alumni
    • Degree: Master's Degree
    • Major: Economics and Finance
    1979 to 1981

  • Grinnell College

    • Grinnell,IA
    • Graduated: 1976
    • Student status: Alumni
    • Degree: Bachelor's Degree
    • Major: History
    1972 to 1976

Blurbs

About me:

We are fortunate to live in Austin, Texas, which truly is the "Live Music Capitol of the World." On any given night, there are literally dozens of great places to hear live music of every conceivable genre. We are even more fortunate to count as friends many of the great musicians who live here and who come here to perform. We attend as many music events and festivals as our schedules and finances permit, including the great Kerrville Folk Festival, the Kerrville Wine and Music Festival, Old Settler's Music Festival, and the Austin City Limits Festivals. Some of our favorite local hangouts include Artz Rib House, BB Rovers, Cactus Cafe, Continental Club, Donn's Depot, Evangeline Cafe, Jovita's, the Saxon Pub, and Threadgill's.

For nearly ten years, I (Austin) had the privilege of handling the booking for the Live Oak Coffeehouse concert series held at Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church in Cedar Park (northwest Austin). For a variety of reasons, this series is taking an indefinite hiatus. A detailed explanation is posted at the coffeehouse web site - www.liveoakuu.org/coffee - if you want more information.

Now we have begun hosting occasional house concerts in our newly remodeled home in Northwest Austin. Our first show was in December 2007 with the bi-coastal trio Big Wide Grin. During 2008, we hosted Beatlegras, Richard Berman, Still on the Hill, and Freebo. For 2009 we have confirmed shows with Small Potatoes (January 10th) and Brian Ashley Jones (March 14th). Several others are in the works so check back here for regular updates. Seating capacity is limited to 45 people, so we encourage you to make your reservations early. For reservations and additional details, email us at mountainhouseconcerts@gmail.com or send us a message through MySpace. SNEAK PREVIEW Saturday, January 10th - Small Potatoes Saturday, March 14th - Brian Ashley Jones

Who I'd like to meet:

Paul Simon, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Eric Clapton

Comments

Displaying 25 of 65 comments
  • Urban Campfires

    Aug 31 2009 7:10 PM

    Hi Austin and Connie,
    If you know any house concert fans in the San Antonio area would you please send them our way. Urban
    Campfires will kick off our 20th season on Sept. 12 with the beautiful harmonies and feel good show of BiG WiDE GRiN. Our myspace page is all decked out for the occasion. We love to see new faces in the crowd.
    See you at the ranch.
    Janet
  • Todd Hoke

    May 11 2009 12:36 AM

    Commenting here places me 18 away from Scott McCarley. That may not be far enough. That man reeks of East Texas (pine trees and squashed armadillos). Looking forward to seeing y'all on the ranch. Kindly remind Joe Angel to pack extra beer. Gracias.
  • Tony Marvelli

    Mar 24 2009 5:27 PM

    Hi Austin. Likewise, it was great to meet you at FA09 - Beatles Jam was a blast! I bet Tisha & BAJ "rocked the house", they always do!
    I'm sure we'll touch base again soon.
    Tony
  • BillyBilly Bucher

    Mar 12 2009 5:26 AM

    Thanks so much for adding me to your site.

    I really feel we have met or have a lot of friends in comman. Please check my "Austin Connections" and "Susie Warley's Birthday Bash" among others. It's funny but a high school buddy has taught English at Cornell for years. Keith Hjortshoj. I grew up in Atlantic, Iowa near Atlantic. I was married for a time to Paisley -- an Austin landmark -- smile, for a while. Please read my blog about playing till six in the morning with Uncle Walt's, Jerry Jeff. B.W. What a night. Played two Kerrville Festivals and a Willies. We'll talk soon. Nice to meet you.

    Thanks again. (I didn't get into the California stuff.
    )
    Billy Bucher
  • Doug Spears

    Mar 4 2009 12:34 PM

    Thanks, just couldn't make that sucker work! Hope to see you again soon.
    Doug
  • Gathering Time

    Feb 27 2009 6:50 AM

    That Beatles jam in Memphis was SO MUCH FUN! It was really a highlight of our first Folk Alliance! Thanks ever so much for making us feel so welcome! :-)

  • Aimee Bobruk

    Jan 20 2009 2:43 AM

    Hope to meet you at Folk Alliance if not before.

    aimee bobruk
    in Austin, TX
  • Webb House Concerts

    Jan 22 2009 3:07 PM

    Hello! and thanks for the add! Looking forward to a wonderful year of live music in Austin, we have so many extraordinary musicians, so little time!

    thanks again,
    Karen
  • Stevie Coyle

    Dec 1 2008 6:37 AM


    A real "Mr. Showbiz" pose.


    Thanks for the friendship ... it can get cold out here in Cyberia.
  • Big Wide Grin

    Nov 27 2008 9:34 PM

    Thankful for You Both!

    Much Love from Elaine, Lawrence & Karl
  • Mo McMorrow

    Nov 12 2008 7:00 PM

    Hey Connie and Austin! How's life been treatin yuz? Just dropped by to say hey. Hey.
  • Effron White

    Nov 10 2008 5:06 PM

    Hi, there, Connie and Austin, I certainly hope to see you at Kerrville.
    It's been about 3 years since I made it, so, I'm way past overdue!

    Take care, and thanks for finding me here.


    Effron
  • Rhythm Angels

    Nov 12 2008 8:09 PM

    Hi Connie and Austin,

    Thank you so much for your friendship and support!

    Much Love,

    Celeste and Rebecca (Rhythm Angels)
  • Effron White

    Nov 10 2008 5:06 PM

    Hi, there, Connie and Austin, I certainly hope to see you at Kerrville.
    It's been about 3 years since I made it, so, I'm way past overdue!

    Take care, and thanks for finding me here.


    Effron
  • Bo

    Oct 19 2008 3:55 PM

    Thanks for finding us on MySpace, glad to add another friend.
    Hope your Week is Rockin!!!!

    Pic for today....
    Photobucket

    Hello my fellow Americans...
    Bo Porter here reminding you to:
    VOTE - AMERICAN !!!
    if you don't vote... you let the other guy win.




    _______________________________________________
    Bo Porter - Saxon Pub - Austin, TX - Every Wednesday
    HAPPY HOUR SHOW !!!!
  • Dirk Hamilton

    Oct 10 2008 11:36 PM

    Hey Guys,

    Thanks for checking out the page!
  • Urban Campfires

    Oct 3 2008 6:58 PM

    HI Connie and Austin,
    Do you mind if I post this here to let Austin kerrverts and Buddy Mondlock fans know that Buddy has 3 Texas gigs next weekend but not one in Austin this time around. He and Mike Lindauer will, however, be playing in San Antonio at Urban Campfires on 10/11. If anyone's up for the road trip, we'd love to have them join us for the concert. What a great weekend! Still on the Hill Friday night at Mountain House and Buddy Mondlock Saturday night at Urban Campfires. ahhh...
  • Elizabeth Wills

    Sep 29 2008 5:28 PM

    thank you for the kindness! and for the friendship.. look forward to meeting you this week at SWRFA!
    peace..
    elizabeth
  • ROY ORBISON

    Sep 25 2008 8:41 PM

    MERCY !!!!
  • Mo McMorrow

    Aug 27 2008 7:44 PM

    Hey Connie and Austin! Was in the neighborhood and just thought I'd drop by to say hello. Soooo... hello!
  • Scott McCarley

    Aug 18 2008 9:01 PM

    You have more famous friends than me. Most of mine can't even get on MySpace (Todd Hoke). But by placing this comment, I will be strategically placed next to the one and only Southpaw Jones. Thanks for the add.
    ScottMc
  • Southpaw Jones

    Jul 24 2008 10:53 PM

    May I borrow some of YourSpace to promote MyCdRelease?



    The all new, all original CRUELTY arrives Tuesday, July 29, and I'll celebrate with a show at Austin's legendary Cactus Cafe.

    It's free, aside from the $15 you'll certainly want to spend on the CD.

    Raina Rose opens at 8:30 pm, then Southpaw Jones performs in his finest suit, and nothing will ever be the same.

    Check out a preview track on my profile page or southpawjones. com.

    Thanks for sharing YourSpace!
  • Laura Nyro

    Jul 19 2008 9:23 PM

    Thanks for finding the Laura Nyro tribute page, Connie & Austin.


    Best to you,

    The Keeper of the Flame
  • Kim Deschamps

    Jul 19 2008 1:15 PM

    thanks
    good to hear from you
  • Hunter Moore

    Jun 30 2008 11:31 PM

    Great to hear from you. Thanks for getting in touch.