Michael Hearne and South by Southwest coming to Society Hall

ALAMOSA — Society Hall, at 400 Ross Avenue in Alamosa, is proud to present Michael Hearne and South by Southwest in concert Friday, August 17th at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 at the door, and are available online at www.societyhall.org, or in Alamosa at the Green Spot at 711 State Ave.

Michael Hearne and his band South by Southwest are well known across the southwest, particularly in New Mexico and Texas, but also nationally and even internationally, as one of the main progenitors of a sound and style of music that has come to be called “Southwest Americana”, a blend of country and folk, with influences from rock, blues, and jazz (via western swing) finding their way in as well. And it all seems to be infused with the clear high altitude light and air found in the northern New Mexico area that Hearne called home for 35 years.

Now living in the Austin, Texas area, Hearne spent much of his career based in Red River and Taos, New Mexico, becoming the center (along with his uncle Bill and aunt Bonnie) around which the thriving music scene of Taos and Santa Fe grew, influencing and inspiring countless other artists of the area.

Society Hall board member and Alamosa musician Don Richmond says, “I remember the first time I heard Michael Hearne and South by Southwest – they knocked me out and swept me away, and my music has never been the same since. Their music had a blend of elegance and approachability, and seemed to convey some indefinable essence of spirit and place that captured my heart. Plus they were just so darn good!”

He continues, “Michael’s a great songwriter, but he’s also a great collector of fine tunes, and if he plays someone else’s song, it will probably be the best version of it you’ve ever heard.”

Appearing with Hearne are the other members of South by Southwest – multi-instrumentalist musical wizard Carmen Acciaioli on pedal steel guitar, fiddle, and harmony vocals and the impeccable Zeke Severson on string bass and harmony vocals. These three masters of their craft have played together for more than two decades, and play like one instrument, perfectly in tune and in harmony. Richmond continues, “Don’t miss these guys! It doesn’t get any better!”