ANDY BYRON & THE LOST RIVER BAND: Calendar

Friday, July 3rd, 2009

MILE HIGH MARKETPLACE FLEA MARKET

BAND SHOW -- MAIN STAGE

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

BONGO BILLY'S SALIDA CAFE

TRIO SHOW

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

LEGION HALL

Band Festival Show

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

LITTLE BEAR

BAND SHOW

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

COOL HAND LUKES

SOLO ACOUSTIC

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

COOL HAND LUKES

SOLO ACOUSTIC

Friday, June 5th, 2009

IDAHO CENTER

BAND SHOW

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

COOL HAND LUKES

SOLO ACOUSTIC

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

COOL HAND LUKES

SOLO ACOUSTIC

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

COOL HAND LUKES

SOLO ACOUSTIC

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

COOL HAND LUKES

SOLO ACOUSTIC

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

COOL HAND LUKES

SOLO ACOUSTIC from 7-9pm

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

COOL HAND LUKES

SOLO ACOUSTIC from 7-9pm

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

COOL HAND LUKES

SOLO ACOUSTIC from 7-9pm

Thursday, April 9th, 2009

KNITTING FACTORY CONCERT HOUSE

BAND SHOW

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009

COOL HAND LUKES

SOLO ACOUSTIC from 7-9pm

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

KNITTING FACTORY CONCERT HOUSE

Opening SOLO w/ Jody Schneider

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009

COOL HAND LUKES

Solo Acoustic

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

COOL HAND LUKES

Solo Acoustic

Friday, March 13th, 2009

DRY CREEK MERCHANTILE

Performing SOLO

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

COOL HAND LUKES

Solo Acoustic

Wednesday, March 4th, 2009

COOL HAND LUKES

Solo Acoustic

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

COOL HAND LUKES

Solo Acoustic

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

COOL HAND LUKES

Solo Acoustic

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

KNITTING FACTORY CONCERT HOUSE

I'm opening SOLO tonight

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

Cool Hand Lukes

Solo Acoustic

Friday, January 30th, 2009

STOCKMAN'S CASINO

Special Guest Appearance

Thursday, January 8th, 2009

KNITTING FACTORY CONCERT HOUSE

Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketweb.com or www.knittingfactory.com.

Sunday, December 21st, 2008

EGYPTIAN THEATRE

Monday, December 15th, 2008

KNITTING FACTORY CONCERT HOUSE

Opening SOLO for INGRID MICHAELSON

Sunday, December 14th, 2008

Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts

I will be joining Murph onstage for 2 of his songs

Saturday, December 13th, 2008

Belcher Performing Arts Center

I will be joining Murph onstage for 2 of his songs

Friday, December 12th, 2008

National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

I will be joining Murph onstage for 2 of his songs

The cold morning of Friday, December 12th, I boarded a United flight to Oklahoma City to meet up with Michael Martin Murphey and his band and spend the next 3 days traveling with them as they continued on their 25+ city annual “Cowboy Christmas Show” tour. I learned very quickly that this group of guys was in the habit of finishing a show, packing up and heading for the next city before checking into a hotel to sleep or shower and clean up. The bus could sleep 12 in bunks similar to those you might find on a submarine (i.e. 18”-24” high I think with folding shutter type drapes you could pull so that you had some privacy). Still, you couldn’t sit up because there wasn’t enough ceiling height. And then in the morning they would arrive at the hotel to check in.

Michael told me that he really wanted me to experience what the road was like so it would ruin my “glorified” image. Unfortunately, it didn’t work…I still found it a blast. But what really made it fun were the people we were traveling with…Michael, his band and road crew who were all just great guys to hang around with.

I already knew Michael’s band members Gary Roller (bass), David Coe (fiddle/mandolin), and Paul Sadler (guitar); but I hadn’t met Herb Steiner, his original pedal steel player from the Austin days, who has rejoined him 35 years later playing dobro. What a great guy too…so funny!!! And we both grew up in LA, had Bar Mitzvahs, hung out at the Troubadour, etc. so suffice to say we had so much fun reminiscing. Plus, his road crew of Brad, Paul and road manager, Charles Lynn, were all just super guys!

That first afternoon Michael and I enjoyed touring through the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City where they have some amazing western art including paintings, sculptures, antique firearms, etc. Then it was off for our western buffet dinner prior to the sold-out crowd coming into the concert hall. And as the crowd started to arrive, they all had enjoyed the same buffet dinner prior to the rousing “Cowboy Christmas Ball” show.

When I tell you there was no room on that dance floor (which was huge) I’m not kidding. This crowd has been enjoying this show for many years and I couldn’t help but get caught up in the excitement too. Michael asked me to learn 2 of his songs he does in the show (“Christmas On The Line” & “Two Step Round the Christmas Tree”) so I could join him onstage on those numbers. He had fun introducing me each night by saying, “I invited my buddy, Andy, out on the road with me who has his own great band; but, since he is a financial planner by trade, he isn’t too busy right now.” That definitely received a laugh from the crowd and then he continued, “I had the pleasure of visiting Andy’s amazing synagogue in Boise which is the oldest synagogue in active use west of the Mississippi.” It was great to walk out to such a warm welcome from the crowd, Michael, and the band.

One of the highlights of this night for me was getting to see Michael’s wife, Karen, and daughter, Morgan, who had just driven in from Texas. In fact, during one of the dance numbers Michael came down from the stage, grabbed Karen who then grabbed me, and the three of us made it onto the dance floor. With Karen in the middle and the three of us with arms over each other’s shoulders, she proceeded to try to teach me some two-steppin’ technique (it didn’t go too well)…but she was a tremendous sport constantly encouraging the hopeless, dual left-footed me. Great show….great night!

After load-out was complete we headed off in the bus to Longview, Texas for the next night’s show and I attempted my first night’s sleep on the bus. It wasn’t too bad except the heat was off (evidently it gets too hot at night where all the bunks are) and I was a bit cold. In fact, I don’t know how the driver and road crew guys who stay up on the drive do it because it’s freezing everywhere but where the bunks are because the heat is off.

Michael and I had a great Mexican food lunch with one of his good friends, Mark Gregston, who heads the Heartlight Ministries (a Christian boarding school which helps troubled teens) that was a sponsor of the evening’s show. We had delicious food and excellent conversation too. Mark’s organization has helped many, many kids turn their lives around!

That evening’s show was in a concert setting with no dancing, but the crowd still loved it. Michael closed with his customary “Wildfire” earning him rousing applause and a standing ovation (to be honest…I can’t remember the last time he didn’t receive either one). And then we were off to Springfield, Missouri for Sunday night’s show. (Unfortunately, Karen and Morgan were unable to stay for the Longview show because there was an ice storm moving into Missouri on Sunday and they all thought it was safer for them to drive home to Wisconsin early to try to miss it.)

It was a long drive to Springfield so we stopped in Bentonville, Arkansas (hometown to Wal-Mart) at the Cracker Barrel and Herb, Michael and I had some breakfast. Back on the bus Michael and I relaxed in the back living area to listen to some music. He played me Steve Earle’s bluegrass CD called, “The Mountain” which was great. Then he played me some tracks from his new CD coming out in this spring and, as I expected, it was spectacular. His new song, “Lone Cowboy,” is one of his all-time best!

We finally arrived in Springfield in the late morning, checked into the hotel and headed across the street to Border’s to have some fun and maybe do some Christmas shopping. Then, it was time to get ready for the show. Michael and I had a wonderful dinner with some old friends of his, Rancel Clark and his family; then it was off to the college for another great night.

This show was also more of a concert type setting with a small dance floor for the few that chose to get out there. But what an enthusiastic crowd! Michael had asked me to feel free to play on any songs that I knew for this show so I stayed onstage following “Christmas On The Line” for a couple of numbers and his “Wildfire” closing. It should be illegal to have this much fun!

But now I had a big decision to make…because of the impending ice storm rolling in to Springfield that night I was very concerned that my early morning flight would get delayed or cancelled to Denver for my connection to Boise. And if I missed that flight there was virtually no chance for me to get back to Boise that afternoon so I could be ready to open for Ingrid Michaelson at the Knitting Factory that night! And this was another big opportunity for me to open for a major nationally touring act.

So, the question was should I take my chances and hope the flight gets out of Springfield in the morning or ride the bus with the band overnight and try to change my flight to leave from Tulsa or Oklahoma City since they were headed to Forth Worth that night. And as it turned out, I would have made it either way but I chose to stay on the bus and fly out of Oklahoma City. My fight was at 6:30am and we still only made it there 2 hours before my flight because we had black ice on the roads from Springfield to Tulsa. That really slowed us down and I never did go to sleep that night.

But…I made it back to Boise around noon, went to office for a couple of hours, and headed over to the Knitting Factory for sound check and the show with Ingrid Michaelson. It was only later that I was able to slow down long enough to reflect back that I had just accomplished one of my lifelong musical dreams…ride the bus and play onstage with my hero and buddy, Michael Martin Murphey.

Am I dreamin’ or did all of this just happen?

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

KNITTING FACTORY CONCERT HOUSE

Sunday, August 31st, 2008

EAGLE RIM COOKOFF & SPUD FEST @ Stephen C. Guerber Park

ANDY BYRON & the Lost River Band will headline the 1st Annual Event

Saturday, August 30th, 2008

EAGLE RIM COOKOFF & SPUD FEST @ Stephen C. Guerber Park

ANDY BYRON & the Lost River Band will headline the first annual event

Saturday, August 23rd, 2008

KNITTING FACTORY CONCERT HOUSE (formerly Big Easy Concert House)

Located in beautiful downtown BOISE, IDAHO

Tickets can be purchased at: www.ticketweb.com.

Dear Friends,

Last Saturday night, August 23rd, 2008 was the culmination of a month I will likely never forget nor duplicate. Opening for Jonny Lang, Randy Travis and then….MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY! Anyone who knows me for awhile and knows my musical background knows that was something I truly dreamed about….opening for my musical hero and good buddy, Murph!

To all of you who made it to the show and actually bought tickets … thank you all so much for your support. We had a full house thanks to you and it really helped make the show!

The lead-up to the show was almost as hectic and exciting as the show itself. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights I had band rehearsal in our living room (all furniture removed to the garage). And Nancy and I had some of our closest friends and family fly in to join us for the weekend which made it all the more special. So I want to thank Dave Weisz who came in from Chicago; Mark Shanfeld from Bemidji, MN; Freddie & Paul Proffitt from Austin, TX; Jim & Nancy Schneider from Seattle; Randy Fleisher from St. Louis, MO; Ben Kaufman from Sacramento; Todd Kaufman from Westlake, CA; Celia & Eric Taite from West Hills, CA; Mom & Dad from Sherman Oaks, CA; Denise Zammit & Paul Fowler from England; Alison & Mark "Epper" Epstein from Durango … and Karen Murphey from Wisconsin! What a treat to have you all here … you have no idea how much that meant to me!

And then there’s my band, the LOST RIVER BAND…what a great bunch of talented guys and good friends: Randy Meenach on steel; MarkUtting on vocals, mandolin, dobro & guitar; Rex Miller on keyboards; Doug Metzgar on drums; Jamie Vink on bass…and the amazing Scott Bennett (who drove up from Golden, CO) on all lead guitars and vocals. Plus, my old buddy, “Epper” sat in on banjo and Rabbi Dan on harmonica. Thank you all so much for lending me your talents. Looking forward to this weekend's shows in Eagle!

The show was held at Boise’s preeminent music venue, the Knitting Factory Concert House, run by my good buddy, Dean Hanson, and all I can say is…you guys hit it out of the park last Saturday! What a great staff in every department…catering, sound, lights, security, production. Dean, you and your team really helped make the night…thanks so much!

My buddy, Jim Reidenbaugh, was production manager for the evening which means he made sure everything went smoothly and all of my guests and the musicians were well taken care of. Also, he made sure I didn’t stress out about too much. I think it actually worked after he took away my cell phone and yelled at me to “calm down!” So thanks a million, Jim! For what you were getting paid you had every right to intimidate the heck out of me as far as I was concerned. Jim’s crew was also responsible for the taking the video throughout the evening and, as usual, did a first-rate job…thanks, Guys!

Many of you may not have realized that my oldest daughter, Lindsey, was the concert photographer for the evening and I wanted her to know how much I appreciated the effort she made to “get the shots right” … you did a fabulous job and I'm very proud of you!

I also have an amazing staff in my financial planning business and they were nice enough to sacrifice their Saturday evening to help me with the private client event we hosted prior to the public concert as well as sell merchandise like t-shirts and CDs for me and Murph. Thanks so much to Danielle and Kristen … you gals rock!

Michael Martin Murphey came to Boise this year with his band, the Rio Grande Band. They all traveled a long way to make the show so my thanks to David Coe from Nashville, TN, Gary Roller from Placitas, NM, and Paul Sadler III from Canon City, CO … you guys were amazing!

And to Murph … well, in my humble opinion, no entertainer or singer/songwriter even comes close. Thanks so much for sharing your talent and friendship with me and allowing me to bring you up here to Boise, Idaho to perform for my friends and my town. Can’t wait for our paths to cross along the trail sometime soon!

I also wanted to thank my beautiful family who were all there Saturday night: Lindsey, Casey, Amy and Nancy. It’s all worth it when I get to share these kinds of life events with you. I love you all so much!

Friday, August 8th, 2008

IDAHO BOTANICAL GARDENS

Opening for RANDY TRAVIS at the Idaho Botanical Gardens, Boise, Idaho on August 8, 2008

I was asked to arrive at 4:00pm for sound check and driving into the venue you could see the large outdoor stage and immediately to the left of it was Randy Travis' semi tractor trailer parked so that everyone at the show had a crystal clear view of the cover of his new album plastered on the entire side of the trailer. It was impressive to say the least. And here we were, Nancy, Danielle and I driving in by escort while Randy and his band are on stage doing their sound check. Seeing him and hearing his unmistakable voice up there as we pulled in was surreal.

We pulled up behind the stage to unload my gear, CDs, flyers and lawn chairs for Nancy and Danielle to watch the show. Randy was still up there singing, running through a number of his hits. We hauled the CDs and flyers across the lawn down to his merchandise table which his crew allowed us to share. Then, I walked back to the stage and carried up my gear as Randy's band finished up their sound check.

I immediately met his road manager, Robert, who has been with him since 1994, and he couldn't have been more friendly. He introduced me to a couple members of Randy's band and then the sound crew began helping me get setup. Unfortunately, as I was talking to Robert, Randy went back to his bus and I was unable to meet him prior to the show. But, I then plugged in the guitar, stepped up to the mic and began playing to the empty lawn that soon was to hold about 2000 people. The sound was huge and the view spectacular looking north out over the lawn set against the old penitentiary and Boise foothills. But it was HOT...already about 98 degrees. And it was especially hot under the tent of that stage where no breeze was coming through.

I finished my sound check and then dark clouds to the east starting dropping a little rain so the crew immediately went into stage protection mode and covered everything with plastic onstage. Nancy, Danielle and I proceeded to grab some food in the caterred food tent which was an unexpected pleasure. The rain stopped within minutes and back out came the blistering sun. It was now very hot everywhere, inside the food tent, the merchandise tent, the portable toilets, up onstage and on the grass (but not in Randy's bus which is where the band and he were hanging out). Needless to say, I'm sweating again and, amazingly, none of it on Monday night or on this day were from being nervous. In fact, I;m still kind of amazed at how "not" nervous I was for both of these shows. I was very excited but surprisingly calm.

At about 6:00pm the crowd started to flood in and at precisely 7:10pm I was asked to start and play a 30 minute set. It went great and what fun I had. All of the songs I played (7 original 1 cover) were very well received...especially "Lucky Me" and "Somewhere Or Nowhere" which the crowd clapped along to for the ENTIRE song. That was amazing! I was told by a couple of good friends that people were moved by my introduction and the lyrics to "Everyday." All in all the show went great and Nancy, Danielle, and I spent all of Randy's show maning our merchandise table, selling CDs, and visiting with people.

After the show we packed up our stuff and headed back to the car passing by Randy's bus where he was visiting with a few fans and taking pictures. We dropped off our stuff and came back so that I could have an opportunity to meet him. Even though his wife and assistant were trying to get everyone done visiting with him, I was able to greet him, remind him that I was his opener and thank him for the opportunity. He was as gracious and friendly as could be. As soon as I told him I opened he immediately started asking me if I had had any trouble hearing my voice on stage for the first few songs because he had. It was just a little "shop talk" but very refreshing and totally down-to-earth. I gave him a signed CD of mine and he said he'd listen to it. We said goodbye and that was it after Danielle snapped a dozen of so pictures (Randy remarked, "That's quite a few flashes.") He was just as one would expect him to be based on his stage persona and image...friendly, courteous and sincere. What a pleasure!

This was yet another extraordinary night in a most extraordinary week. Am I going to wake up tomorrow and realize it was nothing more than a dream? Well, this week definitely was a dream...come true!

Monday, August 4th, 2008

KNITTING FACTORY CONCERT HOUSE (formerly Big Easy Concert House)

Andy will be performing solo for this show.

Opening for JONNY LANG at the Knitting Factory Concert House, Boise, Idaho on August 4, 2008

I showed up at the club about 5:00pm that afternoon for my scheduled sound check and was tickled to see Jonny Lang and his band on stage doing their sound check. He looked unassuming and YOUNG -- which he is. Realizing that it would be awhile, I went next door to meet Nancy and Danielle (our very good friend) at Happy Fish for dinner. After about an hour or so I came back and saw that the sound check was over. Jonny Lang was talking to some folks over by the bar so I went up to introduce myself, let him know I was his opening act and thank him for allowing me the opportunity. He was friendly and down-to-earth greeting me with a warm handshake. But meeting him he looked all of 25 years old, somewhat childlike and nothing like the mega-talent he is on stage. Now it was my turn for sound check.

There were 800+ people in attendance that evening all geared up for some loud electric guitars and rockin' blues by one of the greats. The Knitting Factory can hold up to 1000 people so it was pretty packed. Plus, it was SO HOT! The club never feels that cool anyway and with the temperature outside close to 100 and all those people packed in like sardines, one can only imagine. Before I ever went on stage I was already hot but when I got under those lights and wearing that new shirt with 50% silk in it...well, if you ever saw Albert Brooks as TV news anchor in "Broadcast News" you've got the picture.

But from the moment I walked out onto that stage at exactly 8:15pm, the crowd was cheering me on. They hooted and hollered and even clapped along on a couple of songs. Originally I was asked to do a 20 minute set but about thirty minutes before I was scheduled to go on, the club asked for a 45 minute set instead. (I had a suspicion that that could happen so I was prepared.) I mixed in 3 cover songs along with the 7 originals I planned. Well, I couldn't have been happier with the response and attention I received from that crowd anticiating (and mostly all standing since seats were in very short supply) for some loud, driving blues and rock and roll. When I introduced my last song by saying, "I have time for one more song..." a couple of guys near the stage yelled, "Do two!" It was a blast...what else can I say? I walked off stage right surprised to see a half dozen or so out stretched hands that I shook as I left. Then backstage I removed the drenched shirt, toweled off and, thankfully, put on another shirt and went out to see if Nancy and I could sell a few CDs.

It was a great night I will not soon forget (like never). I left the club that night around 11:30pm still pinching myself that this night actually happened.

Saturday, March 1st, 2008

ROSER HOUSE CONCERT

35th Year Reunion of Andy Byron, Bill Roser, Scott Bennett & Rick Stockton and Bill Roser's 60th Birthday Party Jam

What a reunion! I had the greatest time jammin' with my old buddies, Bill Roser, Scott Bennett, Rick Stockton, Helen Highwater, Susan Roser. Plus, got to see many other old friends too. I just wish I wasn't fighting that terrible flu that was going around.

Monday, September 10th, 2007

THE BIG EASY CONCERT HOUSE

CD RELEASE PARTY -- I will be perfoming the entire CD "Live" along with a 6 piece backup band consisting of many of my friends who played on the CD. It's going to be a blast...don't miss it!

That was one special night. I can't thank everyone who showed up enough for giving me such a warm welcome and responding to the music the way they did. That was a night I will NEVER forget!