Shorty & the Mustangs

http://www.shortyandthemustangsband.com

Shorty & the Mustangs was formed in Spring of 1996. Big Tex called some of his musician friends to see if they wanted to try something new. Having grown up in Texas (something must have gotten in his blood when he was a youngster), western swing music was calling him home. So they dug out some old Bob Wills and Ernest Tubb records and gave it a shot. Well, 23 years later they’re having so much fun they’re still at it. Other folks are liking it, too. They play the bars and honky tonks regularly around Portland, Oregon, and sometimes play at the local farmers markets and festivals.

Shorty & the Mustangs play a mix of western swing, honky tonk and roots country music. Lara Carlisle’s heart felt singing can get folks out on the dance floor with a Patsy Cline torch song or a Gram Parsons rocker. Ken Woodside and Phil Hornik, on drums and bass, lay down a strong dance beat while Mike Moore on guitar, and Mitch “Big Tex” Gilbert on steel guitar put in the twang and tears. Marilee Hord sings beautiful duets with Lara and plays the heck out of the fiddle.