Get scary with Beyond the Grade at our Halloween Benefit party!
With acoustic performances by Roger Blevins of Mingo Fishtrap, and Tom Meny.
Special performance by the Beyond the Grade All Stars
Silent auction, give-aways, snacks, cocktails, and seasonal fun!
Sponsored by Antone’s Record Shop, Austin East Ciders, BASSBOSS, Bouldin Creek Cafe, Diamond Entertainment, Dotson-Cervantes Winery, Half-Price Books, Tito’s Vodka, Tyler Vorhees Art, Waterloo Records, Yeti Coolers, and Yuliya Lanina Art.
The mission of Beyond the Grade is to develop confidence and community in underserved youth in Central Texas through after school music education. Taught by local musicians, our curriculum is inspired by students’ interests, providing opportunities for expression and empowerment.
Your support of our programming allows us to meet the need for inspiring after school activities in schools and for students that could not otherwise afford music education. Thank you!
This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
ROGER BLEVINS, JR.
As the frontman and songwriter for the band Mingo Fishtrap, Roger Blevins Jr. has shared his songs with music lovers across the globe. Championing the cause for soulful Americana, he has soaked up the flavors, stories and landscapes of the group’s travels. A Mississippi native who has settled in Texas, Blevins comes by music honestly, following in the footsteps of his Louisiana bassist father and a grandmother who taught him hymns sitting side by side on the organ bench. After attending the University of North Texas’ pretigious College of Music and forming Mingo Fishtrap in a cramped campus dorm room, it wasn’t long before Austin became home base and the band was out on the road. Mingo’s critically-acclaimed release, On Time landed them on the Americana charts as one of the 100 most played albums of the year. “[Blevins] evokes all the great soul shouters but replicates none of them and, like the old masters, knows how to lift a good melody, not overtake it.” (Something Else)
TOM MENY
Award winning songwriter Tom Meny currently calls Buda, TX home. Stationed near the live music mecca of Austin, it can be difficult to stand out in a vast sea of great musicians. But Tom Meny is a voice apart from the rest. With influences ranging from Glen Hansard to John Mayer, Tom uses non-standard guitar tuning, a soulful voice, memorable melodies and direct lyrics that set himself apart and connect with his audiences. Among his accolades are numerous songwriting awards including winning efforts at the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival's New Folk Competition (2015), the Wildflower Arts and Music Festival's Performing Songwriter Competition (2017), The Recording Conservatory of Austin's Singer Songwriter Competition (2013), and many others. Meny has performed for audiences around the country including recent tours through Texas, North Carolina and New England, and has played legendary venues such as Austin's Cactus Cafe, The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in San Antonio, The Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and Lincoln Center in New York City. Tom Meny has appeared on albums by Billy Crockett, Ray Prim, and Laura Marie.
"Tom's ability to bring you into his world and tell you the story of his life and his experiences is astounding. His lyrics are simple, yet powerful and connect from the very first line."- Destinee Ware, Owner One-2-One Bar Austin.
