So here it is Monday, and I haven’t heard yet who won the Mega Millions Lottery, although one winning ticket was sold in Baltimore Country Maryland. Could Beans be heading for a cushy future? He hasn’t told us yet if it was him. Hmmm... I like that we all collectively allowed ourselves to dream last week as Lotto Fever took hold. Taking time out from the daily treadmill to think about the future and what you would love to have happen is a pretty powerful exercise, whether you have a ticket in hand or not. Frankly, it is the only way to move the ball down the field, when you listen to your heart. You know what they say, “If you can dream it, you can do it.

The Damn Quails did just that a while ago in Norman, Oklahoma. I had heard their music long before I set eyes on them. I was kind of amazed upon first meeting, that those sweet sounds were embodied in these gruff looking guys. The sounds they make are matched with fine songwriting from Gabriel Marshall and Bryon White, who are drinking from a deep well of indigenous Red Dirt songwriters like Tom Skinner, Gene Collier, and Mike McClure. In fact, Mike signed on to produce their debut album Down The Hatch on his new record label, 598 Recordings, with Joe Hardy co-producing. I love that I got to see them again on Saturday night at Floore’s Country Store in Helotes, Texas, where there are signs painted in red on the wall which say there is a $100 fine for fighting. Yes there are also T-shirts. There was none of that going on, just the DQs fine music. We bring you a taste today from our Music Fog Spring Marathon last month in Austin at Threadgill’s WHQ. Forthwith, the Music Fog recording of “California Open Invitation,” here’s Bryon and Gabe along with John Knudson, Luke Mullenix, and Tom Young.

-Jessie Scott