3 minutes with Kevin Welch

A while back somebody asked me on a internet tv show what I did to prepare for a shoot. Other than make sure my batteries are charged the night before that's about it. I used to stress for days before a shoot visiting the location over and over looking for the perfect set up and it seemed the more I planned the less happy I was with the results. Now I just show up and let the surroundings "speak to me". Last week I had a shoot with Kevin Welch at Blue Rock. The day of the shoot I was contemplating my set up and decided to keep it simple. 2 lights with Kevin sitting on a stool with his guitar. When I arrived at Blue Rock Billy told me we needed to keep it simple because we didn't have a lot of time. I guess the stars were in alignment that night. I did about a 10 min. rig with my profoto kit and waited for Kevin to finish his sound check. When he came back stage we had about 3 min. so I had him sit on the stool, knock out a few chords while I released the shutter a few times and we were done. I couldn't have been happier with the results either. I need to rush them all and quit letting my head get in the way of the creative process. For more on Kevin go to www.kevinwelch.com.

Mac McAnally takes a break from cheeseburgers in paradise to enjoy Apple pie in paradise

One of my greatest joys of photography is being able to shoot the shows at Blue Rock Studio right up the road from my house. Once a month I get the pleasure of hanging out with some of the greatest musicians in the business and last night was no exception. You might not have heard his name but you know who Mac McAnally is. Mac has toured with the best, including Roy Orbison, Hank Williams Jr., Amy Grant, Travis Tritt, Linda Rondstadt, Nanci Griffith, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Alabama, Patty Loveless and many more. Mac has also had his songs recorded by more than 30 national recording artists including Garth Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, Ricky Skaggs, George Strait and Sawyer Brown. Mac is is also currently part of Jimmy Buffet's Coral Reefer Band.

Willy Porter was in my mailbox

The other day I received a really nice surprise in my mailbox. The very first show I shot at Blue Rock Studios was of Willy Porter. Shortly after the shoot Willy's manager contacted me about using the photos which have now been used in several ads for Fishman Amps, one of Willy's endorsements. They also asked me about possibly using one of the photos for his tour poster. Several weeks went by and I hadn't heard any more so I didn't know if they were going to use it or not. In fact I had forgotten about and then it showed up in my mail. I think it turned out really nice. So keep an eye out for Willy Porter coming through your town and my poster hanging in the window.

More from Blue Rock....with Terri Hendrix, Lloyd Maines, Sam Baker and Walt Wilkins

I've had two shoots out at Blue Rock Studio since my last post. The first was a two night sold out show on Dec 13th &14th. The Hill Country Christmas with Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines. They were also joined with Billy Crockett, Susan Gibson, Ray Bonneville and Sarah Jarosz. Terri is an amazing singer song writer out of San Marcos Texas and has recorded nine albums, her latest being The Spiritual kind. You can see more about her on her website at www.terrihendrix.com. Lloyd Maines is an Austin based musician and producer who has had his hand in just about everything to come out of Texas. He is probably best known for producing Natalie Maines (literally), the lead singer for the Dixie Chicks. If you have the opportunity to meet Lloyd be sure to ask him about his Columbia Records contract.

Sam Baker and Walt Wilkins took the stage February 14, Valetines Day. Sam and Walt were a true treasure to photograph and hang out with. Just down to earth great guys with incredible talent. Sam was the victim of a terrorists train bombing in 1986 while traveling through Peru. He lost most of his hearing and severely damaged his left which forced him to relearn to play the guitar but he didn't let this stop him. Sam is a unique talent. His latest album is Pretty World. Be sure to visit his website at www.sambakermusic.com.

Walt Wilkins is another amazing songwriter and producer from Texas. Walt spent the last 10 years of his career in Nashville but has returned to his roots in Austin, TX. Walt has written songs for Ricky Skaggs, Pam Tillis, Ty Herndon and Pat Green's "Songs about Texas". Walt and Sam are great friends and it shows. If you get an opportunity to these these guys together don't miss it. You will be highly entertained with great music and non stop laughs. Walt's website is www.waltwilkins.com

Willy Porter at Blue Rock Studios

If you live in the Austin area you owe it to yourself to make your way to Wimberley TX and visit the Blue Rock Studio. Last night I had the honor of photographing the amazing Willy Porter. The studio is probably Wimberley's best kept secret and is only 5 minutes from my house. I heard of Blue Rock through a friend of mine so I contacted the owners Billy and Dodee Crocket to see if I could photograph the concerts they have at their studio once a month. They gladly accepted my offer but I had no idea what I was about to experience. I arrived fully prepared but not expecting to shoot what I ended up shooting. I was planning on shooting just the show itself but ended up getting to do a private shoot back stage with Willy with my complete lighting rig while getting my own private concert. What an amazing night and an even more amazing guitar player. But things only got better from there. Of course I gave the photos to Willy and his manager contacted me the next week to see about using the photos for his tour poster and advertising campaigns which will be running soon in numerous guitar magazines for Fishman amplifiers. If you haven't heard Willy's music you have to check it out and if you ever have the opportunity to see him live don't miss it. He will blow you away. For more information on Blue Rock Studio and a calendar of events visit their website at www.bluerocktexas.com. Come on by, you won't be disappointed.