5 Texas Guitarists You Should Know

Plus, New Releases and Gratitudes

Inside This Issue

• 5 Guitarists from Texas who you need to know

• In Gratitude

• New Releases

Just a quick note to let you know that I had hand surgery two weeks ago that threw me from fifth gear to second gear in productivity. This article took me 3x longer to pull together than my usual pace. The good news is that the cast is off and movement is coming back with the help of physical therapy throughout the next month. Thank the gods, I don’t need my right hand to attend concerts!

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Featured guitar is the Epiphone Emily Wolfe Signature Sheraton Stealth Electric Guitar. It also comes in the “White Wolfe” version. Buy one here.

5 Texas Guitarists You Should Know

Herizon Music originally called Austin, Texas home when I launched the podcast/newsletter in 2019. Even through it’s grown as an international newsletter/publication (and I’ve relocated to Detroit) there will always be a special place in my heart for Texas music makers.

With the world’s eye turned toward Texas upon the release of Beyonce’s start-studded album Cowboy Carter, it seems timely to spotlight guitarists who are doing the Lone Star State proud. I narrowed it down to this shortlist of stars that are on heavy rotation in my playlists. Your suggestions for other Texas women shredding up the scene are welcomed in the comments. I predict a “Part II” to this article…

I didn’t realized until moving away from Austin how spoiled local music fans are with access to so much exceptional talent playing regularly on local stages. On any given night, you can zip over to clubs like Antone’s, Saxon Pub, Empire Control Room, Austin 360, Continental Club, C Boys, The Parish and more to catch world-class guitar players. Don’t take it for granted when they come by your town — these ladies are “don’t miss” shows!

An afterthought is many of these acts are pumping out songs/lyrics that speak to current social and political issues. This sparks hope in the hearts of the “old guard” who are looking for the next generation to pick up the torch through the most peaceful and effective way possible: SONG.

Jackie Venson

Jackie is the musical love child of Prince, Sade, and Stevie Ray Vaughn. She originally went to Berklee College of Music as a pianist, but guitar became her passion. She is a business savvy woman who live streamed her way to exponential audience growth during COVID. And for good reason: she’s a one-woman tour de force as a multi-instrumentalist/looper who often gigs with just one other bandmate: percussionist Rodney Hyder. Listen to my podcast interview with her here.

Jackie’s seventh album Ghost In The Machine is out and making waves. “Vintage Machine” is the album’s first official video, but the guitar solo in “Make Me Feel Good” showcases Jackie’s anthem-esque guitar and piano in a way that touches your soul.

Carolyn Wonderland

Blues guitarist/singer/songwriter Carolyn Wonderland’s career has skyrocketed in the past five years. She spent three years touring as lead guitarist in John Mayall’s Blues Breakers, hit #1 on the Blues charts for her last album Tempting Fate (Alligator Records), and wrapped up a European and U.S. tour in 2023. And just last week Carolyn finished recording her next highly-anticipated album.

Carolyn’s music is foot-stomping, whisky-drinking, shit-kicking bliss. The first time I saw her perform, she knocked me right outta my cowboy boots. Comparisons to Stevie Ray and Janis Joplin are abounding in the media. Listen to it; you’ll get it.

You can’t talk about Carolyn without talking about her bandmate and partner in crime: Shelley King. She’s Texas royalty with her own successful recording/touring career. Listen to my podcast interview with Shelley— she’s a helluva story teller. A party breaks out every time Carolyn and Shelley hit the stage!

Tori Baltierra of The Tiarras

If you’ve been subscribing to this newsletter for a while, you know my prediction that The Tiarras will one day be the first Latina band to take home the Best New Artist GRAMMY. This trio of sisters oozes talent and “cool” with guitarist and lead singer Tori setting the pace with her wah-wah pedal.

A unique mix of reggae, cumbia, and indie rock (think No Doubt), you can’t help but close your eyes and dance. It’s all about womanhood, empowerment, and love. We need more of THIS in the world.

Sue Foley

With her new album One Guitar Woman, Sue Foley gives her pink “Pinky” Telecaster a break and showcases her acoustic blues prowess with a guitar made by master flamenco guitar luthier Salvadore Castillo.

Known as the Ice Queen (also the name of her biggest hit) for her cool demeanor, Sue does plenty of soft and warm emoting through her guitar. And that’s what really matters. The Blues Foundation agrees - awarding Sue the Best Traditional Blues Female Artist Award three consecutive times with a fourth nomination in 2024. There is a complex yet smooth sensuality to Sue’s blues guitar… like an after-sex cigarette. I imagine that Quinten Tarantino is eyeing “Mal Hombre”(co-written with Lydia Mendoza) for an upcoming western blockbuster. If he’s not, he should be.

My favorite Sue Foley tune is her original “Mediterranean Breakfast” for no other reason than the stink-face-inducing guitar solo from Pinky. She’s touring so catch her if you can.

Emily Wolfe

How many female guitarists bust out Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades” at the end of their show? Look no further than Emily Wolfe. She’s a badass rebel rocker who literally has an axe to grind.

The new Epiphone Emily Wolfe “White Wolfe” Sheraton is based on Emily Wolfe's popular Sheraton Stealth. And it’s f’ing beautiful!

Inspired by the women’s marches after the SCOTUS overturned Roe v. Wade, Emily recorded her new album The Blowback, stating “I’m ready to be aggressive.” Umm… Like she wasn’t before?!?

Get your fill of in-your-face, shredding rock and roll. “Dead End Luck” is the single off the new album, but they’re all single worthy!

In Gratitude

I’d like to thank The Indie Bible for introducing our upcoming Herizon Music Maker Program to their audience. If you haven’t already snagged one of their directories, now is the time! They just released the Indie Spotify Bible with contact info for over 5,400 Spotify playlists. Playlists are the #1 way to reach new livestream audiences.

More gratitude to fellow MusicStacker Paul Macko for shedding light on how to maximize our Substack posts for Google search rankings. Intern Nora took lots of notes in our meetup and will integrate his tips for a boost in readership!

Thank the gods for MusicStacker Harmony Holiday for her deep dive into Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter. The insights are history are spellbinding. It all adds up to my humble opinion that this is not a country album. It’s our country’s album.

New Releases

Intern Nora put together a pretty cool montage of new releases in a variety of genres. Please support indie artists by purchasing their music.

Plants and Pills (R&B/Soul Album) Tameca Jones, Austin TX
LISTEN BUY

“Hold out Hope” (Indie Pop Single) by Alex Alexion, Seattle, WA
LISTEN BUY

Like a Moth (Pop Album) by Maggie Cocco’s Science for Sociopaths Northland, NZ
LISTEN BUY

“Hallelujah” (Americana Single) by Pi Jacobs, San Francisco, CA
LISTEN BUY

“The Best Is Yet to Come (432)” (R&B/Soul Single ) by Lisa Marshall, Austin, TX
LISTEN BUY

We Are Scorpio (Hard Rock Album) by We Are Scorpio, Detroit, MI
LISTEN BUY

“JEALOUS” (Indie Rock Single) by Julia Robichaud, Prince Edward Island, Canada
LISTEN BUY

“Sirens of the River” (Folk Rock Single) by Wendy Colonna, San Marcos, TX
LISTEN BUY

Thank you for joining our band of dreamers, rule breakers, and rockstars!

Thea 🎶