Sunny Sweeney and The Wrights at Cactus Cafe

[Brady]

I didn't glean enough material from their show at the Cactus Cafe last night to put together a review, so I figured I'd fill y'all in on what went down. It was basically an acoustic song swap with Sunny, Adam and Shannon Wright, and a lead guitarist for Sunny, who's name I didn't catch.

Sunny started off with "Next Big Nothing" from Heartbreaker's Hall Of Fame and that was the only song she played from that album all night. She mentioned that she quit smoking 102 days ago and her voice did sound clearer compared to the previous times I'd seen her. She played a couple of songs she wrote with Brennen Leigh ("Travellin' On" and "Someday You'll Call My Name"), one she co-wrote with Adam Hood ("You're My Hotel, He's My Home"), another with Radney Foster that should be on her next album due in a couple of months ("It's A Sweet Dance"), one she co-wrote with George Ducas that was inspired by a humorous story involving her label's President ("Had By A Good Time"), and one called "Drink Myself Single." She also sang only the second song she's written for her husband, "Band Of Gold." I'm definitely looking forward to hearing a studio version of that one. She also did covers of Ryan Adams "Oh My Sweet Carolina," Lori McKenna's "The Old Me," and closed the show with Randy Week's "Can't Let Go," with The Wrights joining in on the chorus.

Sunny Sweeney: MySpace | Website | iLike | Rhapsody

I didn't catch the titles to all of the songs The Wrights performed, but they started off with "You're The Kind Of Trouble," which uncannily mentions the Heartbreaker's Hall of Fame. They showed off their harmonies on the killer "Rewind" from their self-titled EP that was released earlier this year. They did "On The Rocks" and "Roller Coaster" from their 2005 debut, Down This Road, as well as an old Roger Miller song, "In The Summertime," from their album of the same name. I either didn't catch the names of the other songs, or they were new ones like "Took Up Cryin'," "Home Improvement," and an instrumental "Tire B Flat." Adam showed off his electric guitar skills, jumping in with solos throughout both their songs and Sunny's.

The Wrights: MySpace | Website | iLike | Rhapsody

[Kelly]

MAN!!! I knew I shouldve gone to the dallas edition last night!! Why did my wife and I have to have ababy that has the nerve to be sick!!!!!!!!!

[Brady]

I'm tellin' ya, you should have gone, Kelly. Cash would have understood There were probably only between 20-30 people at the Cactus Cafe.

[Lynn]

That sounds like an amazing night. Thanks for sharing...and making the rest of of jealous! You didn't by any chance take some video?

Is the live music scene in Austin as great as you guys make it sound?

[Brady]

You know, video would have been cool for some of the performances, but I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that without the artist's permission. I'll consider it in the future, though

I think the music scene in Austin is probably better than we make it sound. We don't get out as nearly often as we'd like, but there's nearly always something worth checking out and a little something for everyone. You've got the outdoor amphitheaters, packed clubs and dancehalls, singer/songwriters in intimate settings, and pretty much anything else you can think of.

Here's an example: We could hit up Bruce Robison or Lucas Hudgins this Saturday, catch Drew Kennedy at Momo's on Monday at 5pm where he's playing to a handful of people for tips just because he wants to get into Austin, go to the Buck Owen's Memorial Birthday Bash featuring a ton of great artists on Tuesday or catch Lyle Lovett instead. Lyle Lovett plays just outside of Austin again on Wednesday or The Derailers are playing for free at Hill's Cafe, James Hand is at the Saxon Pub on Thursday, followed by Eleven Hundred Springs on Friday, and Joe Ely at Gruene Hall about 45 minutes away on Saturday. Those are just the shows we marked down and there's plenty more going down at other venues throughout the city.

[Brody]

NPR has The Wrights' cover of Roger Miller's "In The Summertime" available for listening.

[Matt B]

Sounds like it was a great time.

[Brody]

'Twas lovely.