Dave Gonzalez-vocal,baritone & electric guitars;
Mike Barfield-vocal, harmonica & acoustic guitar;
Dave Biller-steel guitar;
Scott Esbeck-bass;
Justin Jones, Damien Llanes, or Tom Lewis on drums
Influences
Steve Cropper, James Burton, James Carr, James Brown and Johnny Paycheck.
Last summer, out of the ashes of the Hacienda Brothers, sprung the Stone River Boys featuring Dave Gonzalez and Mike Barfield. When the Hacienda Brothers released their third and final studio album titled Arizona Motel in June, guitarist Dave Gonzalez was left with the unfortunate task of promoting the new release without his partner Chris Gaffney. Gaffney, a founding member who was also the band’s lead vocalist and accordion player, died unexpectedly from liver cancer in April. So Gonzalez put together an Austin all-star band last summer to hit some of The Bros. favorite venues. Joining him was vocalist Mike Barfield, virtuoso Dave Biller on pedal steel, bassist Kevin Smith and veteran Tom Lewis on Drums. It was Gonzalez himself who took over the onstage vocal duties for all of Gaffney’s songs, nailing them with emotion and finesse night after night. Gonzalez’s outstanding performances are no surprise to those who followed The Paladins, where Gonzalez did the bulk of the singing for over 20 years.
The wild card in the summer band was Austin’s Mike Barfield. While some people might have mistakenly looked at Barfield as an attempt to replace Gaffney, the fact and the results couldn’t be further from that: Barfield proved to be just the breath of fresh air the shows needed to keep them fun-loving and spontaneous. Barfield is a singer that Gaffney respected and enjoyed. Barfield has fronted his own band, The Hollisters, and spent the last few years creating his own brand of country-soul, recently releasing two CDs of largely original material. The most recent, The Tyrant (Tater Tot Recordings) takes its name from Barfield’s nickname as The Tyrant of Texas Funk. The CD features a slew of fun, soulful, funky and sometimes irreverent songs like “Funky Cupcake” and “The Struggle.” When Barfield breaks into his screaming whoops and animated country-soul dance you’ll want to join the infectious good time. Gaffney would have loved this pairing.
2009 looks to be the break out year for The Stone River Boys. The group has already recorded five new songs and plans are in the works for having a new release out by later this year. Tour dates are coming in and they are looking forward to SXSW as a way to showcase their new sound. For every end there is a new beginning and in this case for Dave Gonzalez, it’s The Stone River Boys.
HI , HOW ARE YOU , COOL TUNES ... JUST ADDED LOTS OF NEW HELMET PICS TO CHECK OUT ... COME BY ANYTIME AND LEAVE A COMMENT , APPRECIATE YOUR TIME , ANDY
Hey Boys...It was sure great to see you in N'ville in September. When you coming back? Or do I need to come to Austin to see yus. Dave, do you really have a Seeburg Select-O-Matic or were you pulling my leg?
Da' Boyz played our wedding in Woodway, Texas on October 17th, 2009. Perfect weather, great food & drink, awsome music! It couldn't have been any better! Thanks to DG, Barfield, and the gang for a night never to be forgotten!
DG, Barfield and band! You guys absolutely tore it up out here in AZ! What a real honor it was to play with you cats out in Prescott! We're still pickin' our jaws up off the floor! Hope to see y'all again real soon! Keep it greasy! -Shorty and Voodoo Swing
Dave! How ya been?! Lookin' forward to seein' you guys at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix, and asking Sundance's in Prescott if we can play that show with y'all! Till then...
Online Now!
M A M Y K Ô 
