Society Hall Welcomes Back Irish-via-Austin Singer-Songwriter Pat Byrne!
7/3/26, 1:30 AM
An Irish singer-songwriter, Pat Byrne has come a long way since his first deal with Universal. In late 2017, Byrne began his migration to Austin, Texas. In 2019, Pat took the US by storm, with breakout performances at the 30A Festival, SXSW, Kerrville Folk Festival and the Americana Festival. Being immersed in the Texas music scene, Pat's sophomore US release, Into the Light, has an edgier feel underscoring both emotional depth and greater confidence, while blending new influences with his rich Irish heritage.
Upon seeing Pat Byrne and his band playing "Dublin Blues" in Gruene Hall, Peter Blackstock, esteemed Austin (Texas) American-Statesman music writer, said: "I know this song is on Steve Earle's new album, but Pat does it better, and I'll stand on Guy Clark's workbench in my brown suede Merrells and say that."
Peter Blockstock is not the only one out there describing Pat as one of our most promising young singer-songwriters. Stuart Gray of Hot Press Magazine wrote, "Pat's voice strikes an emotional chord with his audience; ranging from seductive whisper one moment, to full-bodied rock 'n' roll growl the next." Even the vaunted Folk Alley was beside itself when it discovered Pat in Jan. 2019 at the 30A Songwriters Festival in Florida: "When you combine the transcendent poetry of Bob Dylan with the gritty, real-world rock-n-roll storytelling that Bruce Springsteen made so famous, and then add a dash of the political activism embodied by Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, you’ll have Irish singer-songwriter Pat Byrne."
Society Hall Welcomes Acclaimed Colorado - Wisconsin Duo Moors & McCumber!
7/12/26, 1:30 AM
A vocal harmony duo fifteen years in the making, Moors & McCumber have done more than just endear themselves to fans - they’ve built a genuine community. Bridging the gap between classic folk rock and present day Americana, they write heartfelt songs directly inspired by life’s experiences. With their latest record, released in 2023, 'Wired to the Moon,' they have created some of their most compelling work to date.
The sound of Moors & McCumber is adventurous, eclectic, and endlessly creative. Borrowing from rock, pop, blues, folk, and world music, the two multi-instrumentalists defy common logic and embrace spontaneity to bring their stories and songs to life. Their strong vocal harmonies and unconventional instrumentation combine to create a mesmerizing experience. At the center of it all is their evocative songwriting.
Prior to the duo’s formation, James Moors, based in Wisconsin, and Kort McCumber, based in Colorado, each led prolific careers as solo artists. They had both already released six solo studio albums and had begun developing fanbases of their own. The two met at a music festival in 2005 and quickly bonded over their shared passions. James and Kort began performing together as something of a side project, but it immediately became apparent they were meant for much bigger things.
While “more than the sum of their parts” has become a bit of a cliche, there is no better phrase to describe Moors & McCumber. James is a gifted singer and songwriter, while Kort specializes in creating vocal harmonies and captivating arrangements through inventive instrumentation. With their voices combined, they create a truly special sound. As Grammy award-winning producer Lloyd Maines says, “They bring it all to the stage and deliver in a big way.”
One of the most notable things that separates them from the crowd is their “Moors & McCumber Adventures.” These music themed travel tours to international destinations such as Ireland, Scotland, and Mexico give fans an opportunity to directly engage with the artists while sharing cultural expeditions.
In 2023, Moors & McCumber recorded their tenth full length studio album, 'Wired to the Moon.' Recorded at Blue Rock Studios in Wimberley, Texas, and at Flowers Studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this album features ten new songs showcasing the ever evolving talents of Moors & McCumber. Produced by Patrick Conway and Moors & McCumber, Wired to the Moon includes guest musicians Dees Stribling, Peter Anderson, Patrick Conway, Kris Johnson and The Fiddle Case.
Society Hall Welcomes Multiple Award Winning Folk Artist Daniel Boling!
7/18/26, 1:30 AM
Winner of the Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk songwriter contest, the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival song contest, and others, Daniel shares experiences from a life well-lived in three countries and seven States. His friendly tenor and well-crafted story songs delight audiences throughout the U.S. and abroad from house concerts and listening rooms to major festivals – Kerrville, Winfield, Woody Guthrie, and more. Daniel is also one third of the iconic 1960s folk trio The Limeliters.Born to a folksinger mother and an Air Force father, he was raised on folk music and sang harmonies before he spoke complete sentences. His family lived in several countries, and later Daniel worked as a National Park Ranger (yes, the gun-toting kind) and as a Criminal Investigator for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for 30 years. He started touring full-time at 50, when most guys are planning their retirement.
Daniel’s songs tell interesting stories about a variety of characters, including himself. He plays guitar and banjo with a deft fingerpicking style that always enhances the stories, and sometimes plays a bit of harmonica into the bargain. His clear tenor draws positive comparisons to John Denver and Pete Seeger, and like Pete, Daniel is happiest when his audience sings too!
Daniel's 11th solo album since 1999 – It Matters, featuring Tom Paxton (Berkalin Records - 2025) – features 16 songs cherry-picked from three times that many Daniel and Tom have co-written since their previous collaboration album in 2023. It was chosen New Mexico Music Awards “Best Album of the Year”. Love, Dan (Berkalin Records - 2024) appeared on "Top 10 Albums" lists from folk DJs in England, The Netherlands and the U.S.A., and won New Mexico Music Awards “Best Folk Song” and “Best Children’s Song” New Old Friends (Berkalin Records – 2023) was also entirely co-written by Daniel and legendary folk songwriter Tom Paxton. It reached #4 on folk charts in North America, #5 in Europe, and won “Best Album of the Year” in the New Mexico Music Awards.
There’s a reason Ozark folk duo Still on the Hill calls him “one of the most talented songwriters on the circuit.” Whether you’ve walked the very same roads, you can’t help but relate to these songs – and no matter what your story is, you’re bound to love Daniel’s.
More Upcoming Shows & Events
Saturday July 25 – Jon Chandler
Sunday August 2 – South Austin Moonlighters
Saturday August 15 – Ingrid Avison and Edie Carey
Saturday August 22 – Sarah Golden and Tipps and Obermiller
Sunday, Oct 4 – Tish Hinojosa