The Bee Cave Bee

For just one night, the Spicewood Vineyards Event Center will be turned into a Texas honky-tonk when the Hot Texas Swing Band hits town April 6. The fun starts at 7 p.m.

Dress code is jeans, boots and other Western gear. Get ready for a “crazy-good” band where they’ll be playing tight but hanging loose and having just as much fun as the dancers who’ll be crowding the floor.

Out of his own love for Western swing, bandleader Alex Dormont launched HTSB in 2011. It’s quickly grown into one of Austin’s hottest bands, recording, performing and touring, reaping a shelf-full of awards and accolades along the way.

The HTSB’s latest release, Off the Beaten Trail, offering a generous helping of Dormont’s original songs, was recently named an Academy of Western Artists Top 5 Finalist for 2017 Western Swing Album of the Year. Ain't Dead Yet, from the previous album of the same name, is a finalist for 2017 Western Swing Song of the Year.

Dormont said he’s “loved Western Swing since I first heard Bob Wills and Asleep at the Wheel music. Texas is at a musical crossroads between north, east, south and west: the fiddle tunes of the Appalachians, the jazz from New Orleans, the Latin music from Mexico and the cowboy music from the West.”

“Western Swing was created in Texas in the 1930's and is now the official state music.  What appeals to me most about Western Swing is the positive energy in the music and the surprises that come with all the individual improvising and group synergy,” Dormont said.

Playing on concert night will be Alex Dormont- upright bass and vocals; Liz Morphis and Selena Rosanbalm- vocals; Ileana Nina- fiddle; Cat Clemons-guitar; Stephen Bidwell- drums.

All the HTSB albums, Off the Beaten trail, Ain’t Dead Yet, ‘Bout Time, and Hot Texas Swing Band, are on sale through the website, www.hottexasswingband.com,  and the night of the concert.

Included in season tickets, the single ticket price for the show is $35. Parking is free. Light refreshments will be available at intermission. Spicewood Vineyards’ award-winning wine will be available for purchase.

The Spicewood Vineyards Event Center is located at 1419 Co. Rd. 409, Spicewood. For more information or to purchase tickets, see www.spicewoodarts.org or call 512-264-2820.

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