Songbird Live celebrates 10th anniversary and more

Oct. 19—Hard to believe that November marks the 10th anniversary of downtown Cleburne's Songbird Live, owner and founder Tom Burkett said.

"It's a big deal," Burkett said. "Ten years ago I had no clue whether this would work let alone succeed to the extent that it has. I really just started it on a love of music and a whim.

"Fortunately though, things worked out. We've had a lot of fun, brought a lot of great music to Cleburne and actually gained a lot of respect within the North Texas music community and beyond."

Burkett's successful gamble on Cleburne as opposed to opening a music venue in his former hometown of Fort Worth or elsewhere in the Metroplex may be somewhat surprising perhaps though maybe less so considering the variety of musicians and musical styles featured on Songbird's stage over the past decade not to mention a number of Songbird concerts and events staged at the Cleburne Conference Center and elsewhere in town over those same years.

Almost to a man and woman, musicians who have played Songbird these past 10 years praised the cosy 100-seat venue's acoustics, intimacy and audience rapport.

Carrot cake, champagne, commemorative T-shirts and more, but especially music will be the order of the night at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 18th in celebration of Songbird's first decade.

Larry Spencer and the Rock Ridge Big Band, named in honor of "Blazing Saddles," will be on hand to perform selections from the Great American Songbook.

"First-class musicians playing a night of great music to celebrate our anniversary," Burkett said.

Tickets, $35 to $45, are available at songbirdlive.com.

As 2023 winds down, music aplenty is on tap before and after Songbird's big anniversary blowout.

Dallas duo Chaz Marie and Quinten Hope will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

"[Marie] flirted with the big time for a little bit but finally got to the point of having to decide whether she wanted to have a normal life and sleep in her own bed," Burkett said. "She decided on Dallas, which has a great music scene there and around the area and you can make a good living doing that."

Saturday marks Marie and Hope's second Songbird appearance.

"A bit ago another act canceled and they filled in for them," Burkett said. "I was blown away by them. I'd heard their name four or five times from respected musicians telling me I really had to check them out, but never heard them until they played here."

The singer/songwriter duo perform original songs complimented by a few covers.

Although well known in Dallas and areas surrounding, the pair remain relatively unheralded here, something Burkett said he hopes to change.

"She's been called the Texas version of Aretha Franklin," Burkett said. "He's such a good guitar player able to create all kinds of grooves. They play all the top venues in Dallas, lots of festivals and regularly play the Gaylord.

"Marie's voice is a fusion of her musical influences in country, blues, R&B and rock 'n' roll. Not only does she deliver a powerhouse vocal performance, she's an entertainer at heart. She will have you grooving, moving and even laughing in the same song."

Tickets cost $20 to $30 or $150 for a table of four and a bottle of wine.

Songbird favorite Kraig Parker returns Nov. 4 with his Elvis tribute, "The King Lives."

Tickets cost $45 to $75.

The Buddy Whittington Blues Band, one of Songbird's most frequent performers, returns Dec. 2.

Whittington, among other musical accomplishments, previously played with British blues legend John Mayall. Mayall dubbed Whittington the best guitarist he ever worked with. High praise considering Mayall also worked with Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page among others.

Tickets cost $25 to $250.

Dec. 9 brings the Dynamic Swing Machine who will perform this year's annual Songbird Christmas show.

The big band band originated out of General Dynamics more than 35 years ago.

"They originally consisted of all General Dynamics employees, engineers who were also great musicians," Burkett said. "Different players have come and gone through the years but they remain a great band of really top rate musicians who just love to play music and look forward to presenting a night of jazzy Christmas tunes as well as a selection of other selections."

The band's repertoire spans more than 1,000 songs, Burkett added.

"I don't know that they'll play all of them on Dec. 9 but they'll play a lot in a night of nonstop music," Burkett said.