Austin Songwriters Turn Out for Inaugural Episode of “The Hook”
From amateur and aspiring, to professional and seasoned, some great songwriters from Austin, TX and surrounding areas showed up to the first installment of The Hook in Austin at the city’s famed South Congress honky tonk, Sagebrush. The Sunday, May 3rd show was the first of four tapings set to transpire in Austin on Sunday afternoons from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, with May 10th, May 24th, and May 31st also on the calendar.
Everyone was blown away by Austin-based songwriter and performer Katrina Cain, who came up and played her unreleased song “Midnight Ballerina,” and won The Hook’s Gold Patch, which allows Katrina the privilege of performing on The Hook that’s taped live in front of a film crew and audience whenever she wishes.
Stacy Antonel who was touring through Austin with The Hook co-host Caitlin Cannon started the show off with a song perfect for the occasion: the title track to her 2022 album Always The Outsider that speaks to the frustrations of so many musicians feel trying to break through in the music business. That is what The Hook was specifically tooled for, to give anyone an opportunity to get up and perform in front of an audience, cameras, and a panel of professionals.
After Stacy Antonel performed, she stayed on stage to give her insight to the others who signed up and were picked randomly to perform.
Zach Aaron might be one of the most authentic voices in Western music. A horse farrier and retired saddle bronc rider, he showed up wearing a hat for the Dusty Vaquero Day festival in Wyoming, and singing a new song called “Damn Rodeo.” “Real creative title” he said sarcastically, introducing the song. But as he would prove, actually living out what you sing elevates the song.
Another authentic voice was Muchacho Sanchez. Saving Country Music recently reviewed his album When I Get This Way, and he played a new song called “Your Troubadour,” showcasing his powerful voice.
Beth Lee has been a mainstay of the Austin, TX music scene for years both as a songwriter, and playing/fronting numerous bands. It was an honor to have her show up to perform a new song. Retired software engineer Brandon Hudgeons has also become a familiar face in Austin songwriting over the last four years, and impressed folks with his song “Rock Bottom Church.”
But one of the beautiful things about The Hook is how you don’t have to be known or well-established to make an impact. That was the case for Marsha Craft, a former set designer turned songwriter after the implosion of the film industry who showed up admittedly hung over, but had folks hanging on the words of her song “Terlingua.”
Perhaps the best song presented in the entire two hour show came from aspiring songwriter and performer named Alex Evans. Her song “Southpaw” waylaid everyone. Wait until you see the video for this one. It will leave you floored.
JD Combs who is a professor at Austin’s St. Edwards college started the show off, and impressed everyone with his voice. The authentic “Keep Austin Weird” moment that is essential to any Austin event was brilliantly and beautifully delivered via Canadian native Jellybean Sparkles with her whimsical and well-written song “Whippoorwill” on the ukulele.
Last but certainly not least, a couple of strong Austin songwriters helped close out the show. Bill Cody performed his song “Wild Thing” to the appreciative audience of peers, and Tyler Richards closed the show out. Talk about lyrical hooks, Tyler’s line “Some love you make, some love makes you,” from his song with the working title “Love We Made Last Night” was the perfect way to end the show.
Stay tuned for video clips, as well as the entire episode to be released on The Hook’s YouTube Channel in the coming days and weeks. You can also follow The Hook on Instagram and Facebook.
Any and all songwriters of any genre or professional level are encouraged to sign up. The Hook is not just for songwriters though. Fans of songwriting are also encouraged to stop by. Cover is only $5. For more information, visit savingcountrymusic.com/thehook.
The Hook is sponsored by Ear Trumpet Labs, Keystone Artist Connect, The Willie Bus, Mule Kick Productions, JWA Media, and Sagebrush.
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May 5, 2026 @ 8:59 am
Hey Trigger, good stuff.
Was there supposed to be a video of Alex Evans embedded in the article?
May 5, 2026 @ 9:04 am
We’re still doing the final edits on the video and such, and will hopefully start releasing stuff in the coming days. Everything turned out great. Video just takes so damn long to do right. But Alex really had me tongue tied, and I can’t wait to share it.
May 5, 2026 @ 9:13 am
Really pullin’ for ya here Trig. Cannon & Antonel = A+ You know nobody loves a Hook more than I do…lol Can’t wait to see the video!
May 5, 2026 @ 9:22 am
Maybe Charley Crockett’s wife can go on the Hook.
May 5, 2026 @ 9:27 am
Anyone can come on The Hook. Taylor Grace is most certainly invited, and so is Charley, and isn’t strange to see them at Austin watering holes like Sagebrush and Sam’s Town Point.
Tidbit: The cover for Charley Crockett’s “$10 Cowboy” was shot at the pawn shop right next door to Sagebrush. I know you’ll appreciate this as such a big Crockett fan.
May 5, 2026 @ 10:04 am
I’m more interested in Charley Crockett’s wife.
She co-wrote some of his best songs, ones like The.Man From Waco, Are We Lonesome Yet.
May 5, 2026 @ 11:21 am
Congrats on the success Trig! Looks like Texas is where you’ll really be able to find some diamonds in the rough. You best get Fort Worth on your list of future events. Second Rodeo Brewing does a great job of cultivating local artists up there and any time I’m able to catch some of it I am amazed at the undiscovered talent in that town.
May 5, 2026 @ 12:02 pm
That’s if Fort Worth ever crosses his mind.
May 5, 2026 @ 12:36 pm
Hey Trigger,
Congrats on this, and very excited to see the videos when they’re ready!
This feels like the right opportunity to ask a question I’ve had on my mind for awhile but doesn’t fit into most of the comment sections. For someone who doesn’t live close to Austin and can typically only get there once a year for a night or two on a work trip, how would you recommend maximizing the time to catch as much good music as possible? What are the can’t miss venues, places/performers you’d try to go out of your way to see, or just some personal favorites? The last couple times I’ve been, I’ve had a local friend take me around, but while he loves his music, he’s not tied into the country scene specifically, and I feel like I’ve left a lot on the table.
Any suggestions from Trigger or anyone else are much appreciated!
May 5, 2026 @ 1:14 pm
The Whitehorse, Sagebrush, and Sam’s Town Point are really the troika of can’t miss places if you really want to get dialed into the real deal Austin honky tonk scene. Which one is best of a given night can depend on the calendar, but you’ll never see anything bad. The Continental Club with Dale Watson on Mondays is also great, and at least walking into the Broken Spoke is a must, if you don’t stay for chicken fried steak and two-stepping. If you can squeeze hitting up all those places in two days, you’ll get the full-breadth experience.