NEWSPAPER ARTICLES and REVIEWS

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Southwest Blues CD Review - April 2008

Randy Pavlock and Twenty Four Seven - 'Miles to Go' CD

  Guitarist and singer Randy Pavlock hails from the official blues capital of Texas, Navasota. Whatever you think of the Texas Legislature’s having bestowed that honor without consulting any of us, Pavlock has a solid grounding in the blues, having misspent his youth hanging around places such as Neal’s Hideaway, perhaps the last real juke joint in this part of the country. He’s done his homework on record, too, soaking up the music of everybody from Navasota icon Mance Lipscomb to Lightnin’ Hopkins, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix.

  Pavlock has also spent a lot of time in Austin, where he found friends and mentors in two unfortunately now-departed drummers and singers, Uncle John Turner and Buddy Miles. Turner, famous for having played with Johnny Winter, played some gigs with Pavlock and showed him around the Austin scene. Miles, whose Band of Gypsys album with Hendrix had a big impact on Pavlock, joined his protégé on a cover of “Hey Joe” on Pavlock’s new CD, Miles to Go.

The Hendrix influence comes through loud and clear, too, on the doomy “Prison Land”. But Pavlock makes it work; this ain’t Blue Cheer. Pavlock does a good job, too, on the T-Bone Walker classic “Cold, Cold Feeling,” the Freddie King instrumental “Side Tracked” and the funky Stax staple “Breaking up Somebody’s Home”. He makes each song his own while staying true to the original. Pavlock’s own songs on the CD run the gamut from shuffles such as “I’m Crazy” to the wistful ballad “All the Things,” about the sad fact of deeds undone and words unsaid. The instrumental title track is downright pretty. “Where I’m Going” rocks along gently with some neat turns of phrase and some nice, understatedly stinging guitar.

Randy Pavlock has found his own voice and continues to grow, as both a performer and a songwriter.

- Jay Brakefield -

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Blues and BBQ at the Haunt. ITHICA, NEY YORK 2007

Randy Pavlock and Twenty Four Seven will bring their fiery Texas blues sound to the Haunt for a 6:30 p.m. show. Hailing from Navasota, Texas, Pavlock has a style a bit reminiscent of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, but puts his own spin on things with his original songs on his CD, "Back to Texas. ___________________________________________________

Randy Pavlock & Twenty Four Seven NORWAY 2007

Fra Austin, Texas' kulturelle sentrum, kommer Randy Pavlock med tung og ekte bluesrock. Han er en av Austins høyest verdsatte bluesutøvere og en av flere brilliante gitarister oppvokst i Navasota, kjent som Texas\' blueshovedstad. Allerede som barn var han inspirert av legender som Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, BB King, Willie Nelson, John Fogerty.

Hard Times fra 2003 var Pavlocks første album, etter det har vi fått Back to Texas (2005). Denne gutten fra landsbygda går helt inn i dypet av sjangeren, men han gjør det samtidig med et personlig uttrykk og originalt låtmateriale.

Den fortsatt unge gitaristen har spilt på legendariske Texasklubber og turnert i Europa. I Norge har han tidligere spilt på Muddy Waters og på Skånevik Bluesfestival i 2005. Med seg på scenen har Pavlock bandet Twenty Four Seven.

Tirsdag 24.juli kl 21.00 Festivalteltet. Bill kr 150,-

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Navasota native Pavlock back home for BluesFest By GREG OKUHARA Eagle Staff Writer 2006

The smarty pants at Merriam-Webster work hard to provide definitions for thousands of words. For example, the definition for the blues is "a song often of lamentation characterized by usually 12-bar phrases, three-line stanzas in which the words of the second line usually repeat those of the first, and continual occurrence of blue notes in melody and harmony."Local blues musician Randy Pavlock thinks it's much more complicated. His less wordy - yet far more profound - definition deals more with the music's intrinsic value rather than its structure. "It's good music to let your aggression out, all those emotions you're feeling," said the 29-year-old Navasota native. "But the blues really is a positive thing. Blues is about life." The same passion behind Pavlock's description of the blues is the same fuel he uses to create and perform his brand of music. And judging by his growing fan base, he said his formula seems to be working. He recently re-released his 2005 CD, Back to Texas, which features eight original songs. So far, Pavlock said there's been more interest in the album the second time around - which included a tour across Europe and, in the works, an American tour. "On that CD, I think there's a lot of [personal] maturing and finding out about my tones," he said. "There's a lot of aggression and as much heart and soul. We put 120 percent of ourselves into the music."Pavlock credits his father for teaching him the value of hard work. The singer has relied on that work ethic during his formative years. Coming from a small town like Navasota meant it would be tougher to get noticed. Even though the small Grimes County town was recently designated the Blues Capital of Texas, it wasn't until Pavlock moved to Austin several years ago that his music career took flight. That's not to say Navasota, and a little-known but respected juke joint called Neal's Hideaway wasn't an integral part of his development. The bar, in southern Brazos County of F.M. 159, was a favorite hangout for Pavlock during his teen years. He and his friends would go there and listen to either the various blues bands that performed or to DJs spinning soul records. Pavlock said he "vacations" at Neal's when he needs a break from his hectic schedule and listens to his favorite song on the jukebox, John Lee Hooker's Boogie Chillen. "It has an atmosphere you really don't see anymore," Pavlock said. "I'm a country boy, and I just really like being out there." And like Neal's Hideaway, Pavlock said he's was naturally drawn to the blues. He was surrounded by music from a young age and remembers listening to anything from R&B legend Fats Domino to country singer Jim Reeves. The blues most captivated Pavlock. "I always tell people that I didn't choose the music, the music chose me." He started playing guitar when he was 7 and wrote his first songs at age 12. Ever since that first lick he learned, the blues became a way of life for Pavlock. "I have satellite radio, but it stays on the blues channel pretty much all the time," he said. Part of his growth also is a product of his network of friends and musicians who have helped guide him through the industry. Pavlock said Navasota will always be home, but his base of operations is Austin. He's had the opportunity to build a group of friends who have shown him how to handle the business side of things while helping him evolve as a musician. "Family - that's a big word with me," he said. "There's really this brotherhood and respect [among musicians] that you gain for each other. "I can see my fan base growing. But I'll never put myself in a position where I'm doing this only for fame or fortune. This is who I am and I'm grateful to be doing it."

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BRYAN EAGLE Columnist GREG OKUHARA 2006
One of the Brazos Valley's hidden treasures is back on its feet. Neal's Hideaway, known for hosting blues legends such as Mance Lipscomb and Lightnin' Hopkins, was destroyed by a fire in January 2005. About a year later, owners Darnell and Patricia Griffin will celebrate the reopening of their small blues joint near Millican. Patricia Griffin's grandparents, Tommy and Louise Neal, originally opened the business in 1948 as a general store where locals chatted and played music. Despite the original building's age and worn appearance, patrons said the atmosphere made the bar special. Navasota native Randy Pavlock and his band, Twenty Four Seven, headline the Saturday reopening event. The Fantasy Band and Blues Survivors are on the bill, too. Pavlock also spearheaded an April fund-raising effort to boost the rebuilding project.

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LIFE IN THE BRAZOS By: Lee James 2006

Many of you may have heard Randy and his band, Twenty Four Seven, and if you have not, you owe yourself this treat! The single word description of what Randy Pavlock does is..."Blues." But that word and what it means to someone like Randy, goes as deep as the Blues genre itself. Having heard Randy at the Starlight Concert Series at the Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater (awesome!), and having a love for the Blues myself, I wanted to meet Randy and hear more about what makes Randy the musician and person he is.

So, join me as I talk to Randy from the deck of Ozona's in College Station recently. We were later joined by Chuck Baker, Air Personality from KORA and Dave Hill of Bryan Broadcasting, both huge fans of Randy Pavlock. As quoted from a recent article in The Eagle, Randy said "But the Blues is a positive thing. Blues is about life." And that is very much what Randy talked about....life. For someone who when I talked with him was only in his final weeks of being 29, I found him to be wise beyond his years and to have a very good perspective on life. In the opinion of the BVR, that wisdom and perspective is a key ingredient for success. As we began our discussion about life, he told me "it's all about what you make of life...not fame. I'll never forget who I am or where I came from. It's my passion, the music chose me, I didn't chose it. It's not about money, it's about a passion for what I do."

That passion extends to being a big believer in giving back to the community. As a native of Navasota, Randy has been a supporter of the Navasota Blues Fest from the beginning. He is involved in many ways with the festival itself in addition to being a repeat performer there for years. While he will quickly tell you he is a "country boy", he knows you have to be exposed to others in your field that you look up to and are inspired by. To that end, he is no stranger to Austin, having spent 12 years there playing and learning from others and he still plays in Austin regularly. He also spent time in California with Fender Music. While all of that was great experience for him, it also made him appreciate home and the Brazos Valley more than ever.

Randy picked up a guitar at the young age of 7. Talk about a turning point, it's been an integral part of his life since! (BVR) Do you write music? "Yes, I even write music and play songs in my sleep! It's kind of like story telling. Sometimes people tell me they interpret a song differently than I wrote it. That tells me I'm reaching someone."

On some different notes, "I'm spending more time studying the business side of music. You've got to know the language of what you're getting into. My spiritual side has really picked up a lot. It's made me a really better person. You need to find that path that makes you comfortable. I push myself every day, but I never set myself up for disappointment. If something doesn't come true, be open to what does happen. I try to help a lot of people understand this. It's all about helping each other. There's a lot of greed and confusion in the world. You have to push for what you're going after, but you've got to keep a good state of mind and be positive." (BVR) It sounds like you really try to help people know and understand themselves better. "I thought I had nothing until I grew up a little bit and realized what I do have. I like to help push someone a little bit in the direction of what they're searching for."

Let's talk about your band, Twenty Four Seven. "Being a band leader is a whole different thing. The key is finding good people on the same wave length. We have that in Twenty Four Seven." (BVR) What do you want to do next? "I want to push forward with another album, and I want to do even more overseas." His 2005 European Tour included the Skanevik Blues Festival, Muddy Water Club in Oslo, Norway, Bergen, and Stord, just to name a few.

Parting words from one of the greatest guitar players I know...."I'm an old country boy. I've got city boy in my heart too though. I'm comfortable with where I come from. I'll have a guitar in my hand until the day I die. I'm just enjoying what I'm doing, working on new songs, new projects, and being with really good people. It's all about being the best at what you were chosen to do. I'm open to where things can take me."

Good words to listen to for all of us! As I said, this guy is wise beyond his years....and he is talented beyond his years. Great talent and a very fine person to boot....that's a winning combination. You'll be seeing more of Randy Pavlock! I'm very pleased to have Randy as a friend and proud to have him join the LifeintheBrazos.com family. Randy will be writing a column for the Blues Section of our special Music of the Brazos feature section. Don't miss his column and checkout his web site as well at.

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Across the pond By GREG OKUHARA Eagle Staff Writer 2005

Blues fans may want to check out Randy Pavlock and the Twenty Four Seven¡¦s show at 3rd Floor Cantina on Saturday night. Navasota native Pavlock will head to Norway of all places and take his brand of blues to our Scandinavian neighbors. Pavlock will perform in cities I couldn¡¦t pronounce even with the help of a native Norwegian. Places like the Skaanevik Blues Festival, Kjelleren and Vertshuset Hardanger are just a few stops on his itinerary. At any rate, it¡¦s good to see a local musician make his way across the world and perform his music on a truly international level.

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Southwest Blues Magazine Dallas Texas -2005 By: Jay B.

An extraordinary sound is making its way throughout Texas, and beyond. Its roots come from the heart and soul of Rock and Blues. From the hard work and dedication Randy Pavlock and Twenty Four Seven pour out on stage, TV, and radio, they truly are a master of the blues! The debut album ‘Back To Texas’, shows just that. Randy’s own style and tremendous amount of compassion for what he does spreads from his whole being and captures his audience by engaging them in a truly rare and electrifying experience.

Randy Pavlock was raised in Navasota, a small east Texas town that is home of the late blues legend, Mance Lipscomb. Navasota was recently named the Blues Capital of Texas, and is home of the Navasota Blues Festival. "You would always see Randy when he was in his early teens playing his guitar at home, the local bars, and at his favorite place which was recently destroyed by a fire, Neal’s Hideaway," says a local resident. Southwest Blues magazine recently published an article in the March ’05 edition about this historic night club. Neal’s Hideaway was no stranger to performers such as Lipscomb, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and many other well known artists. Some of Randy’s influences consist of teachers such as the great Mance Lipscomb, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Albert King, Robert Johnson, Freddie King, Eric Clapton, Buddy Holly, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, John Fogerty, Jimi Hendrix, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Otis Rush, Willie Dixon, Robert Cray, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown , Riley B King "B.B King" and the list goes on.

In 2000, Randy grabbed his guitar and few belongings, and moved to Austin, Texas. "I picked up a job changing oil, and moved into a small apartment on S. Lamar when I first got to town," Randy says. "I remember when I first moved in, it was in the middle of August, and my AC was not working. All I had was a broken television, a mat on the floor for a bed, and my favorite guitar "BLUE". She is a 62 Fender Startocaster with an upside down head stock. She has been there for me through hard times, and is my best friend! I left changing oil to work for Ray Henning’s Heart of Texas Music in 2001. It was a hard job, but I did not mind working there. I got to meet a lot of great people."

Randy is no stranger to the 6th street scene. He has performed in many of the same venues as his mentors. One in which was Joe’s Generic Bar which recently closed its doors. "I have always been inspired by music," Randy says. " Music is an art in my opinion, but how one expresses it is the automatic style that comes out. Blues has always been a part of my musical background. It became natural to me at the age of five, where I began playing an old guitar my father had lying around. It was nothing I really chose to do," he says," it was a God given talent that was handed down. When I was 15, I had a unknown illness that put me close to a near death experience. The only thing that keep me alive was my guitar placed above my hospital bed, listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan, and number one, the man upstairs!"

Randy Pavlock has been heard all throughout Texas, the U.S.A, and Overseas. His last CD 'Hard Times ' which started as a demo, grew to the attention of all of the supporting fans, and has made air time on many radio stations. Randy has worked with Fender Music out of California, and many others. This young blues guitarist also has performed in many Texas venues such as the famous Antone's, Steamboat, Billy Blues, Third Floor Cantina, and more. Randy has also played with members from the West Side Horns, and performed opening acts for Grady, Krackerjack, Omar and the Howlers, Del Castillo, and Chris Duarte, to name a few.

" I believe music is a guidance," says Randy. "My inspiration to write comes from things I have seen throughout my personal journeys, and to putting myself in someone else's shoes. Sometimes when we are faced with a problem we can not solve and have no one to turn to, I believe the answer is in the message of song. After all, this is what inspires us to better our soul in this life long journey. I get a high not from the attention of standing in front of an audience, but knowing I have reached out to someone in need. That is the best feeling that really can not be explained!"

In closing, Randy Pavlock and Twenty Four Seven will be touring Norway from June 27, through July 10, 2005. They will perform in festivals and venues such as the Skaanevik Bluesfestival, the Notodden Bluesfestival, Muddy Waters, Madam felle, Kjelleren, and more. Members of Twenty Four Seven will include drummer Clay Failla, and bassist Harrison ( Scooter) Sayers. "We play from my heart and soul, "Randy says. "It is not for the attention, popularity, or fame. It is for the love of music."

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SUNNHORLAND Stord Norway 2005

Randy Pavlock and Twenty Four Seven have just finished the final touches on their new CD 'Back To Texas', and will be touring Norway in June - July. The CD was mastered by award Grammy winner Cris Burns, at Bismeaux Studios, in Austin, TX. The CD will be released in June. We will be working with Texas Monthly, Southwest Blues, and many radio stations across Texas, California, and Norway for 2005!

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NAVASOTA EXAMINER AUGUST 2004 By GREG OKUHARA
Randy Pavlock sings with his band, Twenty Four Seven, on Saturday at the Navasota Blues Festival.
Although the headline band for the ninth annual Navasota Blues Festival had yet to take the stage Saturday, just about every seat at the Grimes County Fairgrounds was full.Toes were tapping, heads were nodding and some of those in the audience of 1,000 or so broke into dance as the band played.

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BRYAN EAGLE SPECIAL EDITION JANUARY 2004 LOCAL ARTIST TO HIT THE AIRWAVES

Navasota's Randy Pavlock will be in good company when he makes his debut on Blues Deluxe Radio on Sunday. The singer/songwriter's "Going to Change" from his album ''Hard Times" will be played on the syndicated show between 8 and 9p.m. on Bryan-College Station's KNFX, 99.5FM. Other artists on the show will be Omar & the Howlers, Niles Lofgren, John May all & the Blues Breakers, the Allan Brothers, Frank Zappa and Joe Cocker. "It's an honor and a privilege for my song to be played" Pavlock said. Padlock's manager, Darla Long of Stars Entertainment, sent the album to Dave Johnson, host of Blues Deluxe. The Program will give Pavlock exposure all over the world. The singer will be interviewed at 8:40a.m. Friday on Knox's "Don & Sharon Show." Pavlock was born and raised in Navasota where his father Michael, owned a welding shop. "I learned to play on an old guitar my father had," Pavlock said, "I was always able to pick things up by ear. I learned from Steve Ray Vaughan, Albert King, B.B. King, Albert Collins from Hearne, and of course Navasota's own Mince Lipscomb. " My first professional performance came during Navasota Nostalgia Days when [Bryan-College Station recording artist Ruthie Foster] asked me to get up and sing. "I was 14 years old." Pavlock put together a three-piece band and played in area venues such as Joe Blues in Chappell Hill. His band is named Twenty Four Seven. The singer moved to Austin to take advantage of more playing opportunities. Fans don't have to wait until Sunday's broadcast to hear Pavlock. He will be playing at Fitzwilly's in College Station on Thursday. He is also booked in Fitzgerald's, one of Houston's top nightclubs, to open for Tracy Conover on February 14. His CD is being sold at Hastings's in College Station.

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BRYAN EAGLE SPOTLIGHT JANUARY 2004

Navasota musician Randy Pavlock may be a regular on the Austin blues scene, but he hasn't forgotten his roots. The blues guitarist and his band Twenty Four Seven, spent New Year's Eve performing in Navasota, and will make the rounds there and in College Station this weekend.

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BRYAN EAGLE OCTOBER 2003

They seem to breed the blues in Navasota. Randy Pavlock is the latest product of the town that raised the legendary Mance Lipscomb and is home to a yearly blues festival. Pavlock and his Twenty Four Seven Band are regulars on the Austin blues scene, and he is working on a new album that will contain re-recorded songs from his first release, Hard Times. Pavlock will perform before The Platters at Saturday's daylong Public Power Week festival. The Platters, Randy Pavlock and Twenty Four Seven, Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater, free....

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AUSTIN CHRONICLE JULY 2003

Austin Blues Still Kicking Editor: "Big Steve" Bigler
After scanning the list of 600-plus bands listed to appear at SXSW, I saw 17 blues acts. The music industry considers blues to be only 3% of the market? In the Chronicle this week it was said, "Forget about phrases like 'up and coming.' Gary Clark Jr., a newly minted 19-year-old, is the heir to Austin's blues crown, one that's grown dusty the last few years." And, "Long gone are the days when Austin was defined by its blues scene." Maybe the blues style is better than ever, and the Chronicle and SXSW should sample what's out there more.
Austin had a well-known blues scene in years past -- and it still does, although blues is more prevalent and popular in California, the Northwest, New England, and Florida. Does anyone remember watching Freddie King tear it up and vow, "If they shut us down will y'all go to jail with me? I'm gonna play 'til the sun shines!" (1972 -- Shaboo Inn, Willimantic, Conn.). Or how about at Antone's watching Kim Wilson front an all-star band with members who played on some of the greatest recordings ever made? Or how about seeing local Gary Clark open for Bobby "Blue" Bland at the Victory Grill?
Surely we all remember blues shows that blew our hair back and made us want to go out and buy a guitar. Nothing has changed! It's all still there! Great blues records are coming out monthly, and there are many talented artists making the rounds -- some from here in Austin but many more from all over the USA. Come out and see Gary Clark, the Keller Brothers, Los Lonely Boys, Zach Parrish, or Randy Pavlock's band 24-7. These guys rock -- and play slow, and write songs that will make you dance or even cry. Isn't this what live music is about?
Maybe next year SXSW will support the still-vibrant blues scene and recognize more talent from the blue planet.

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AUSTIN CHRONICLE SEPTEMBER 2002

Randy Pavlock is to say, the most outstanding blues performer of this time and age. Just a local country boy from Navasota, Texas, Randy truly has a God given talent. This singer, songwriter, guitarist, will hypnotize and mesmerize you the minute he strikes a cord. He makes the whole concept of the blues a reality. You can tell just by listening to Randy, that he has lived up to every word in all his song's. Randy has released many albums in the past, but the new Hard Times CD that started out as just a demo, has gotten great reviews throughout Texas, and Texas radio. He has played many States and has appeared on many radio talk shows within the last few years of his career. Randy is working on a new CD which will be out by the fall of 2003. He works hard at what he does and believes that you will get back just as much as you put into it. If you were to ask him, he would tell you the same thing he has told so many others, that music is his life and always will be. You can bet that this young man will be known with all the rest of the great blues players and known around the world for years to come.....

 

Randy Pavlock

'KING OF BLUES'

NORWAY 2007