Karan Chavis Brings Good Times to Good Time Charley’s

Guest blogger: Rhonda Brinkmann

The Karan Chavis Band rocked Good Time Charley's last Friday. Photo: West Communications.

Anyone watching the Karan Chavis Band set up at Good Time Charley’s last Friday night would have doubted they could get all their equipment, not to mention the band members themselves, into the small corner of the packed restaurant. But after 25 minutes of unpacking, repacking, and rearranging, the six-person band was tucked away -- cozy, but ready to entertain.

And entertain they did. With classics including Get Your Kicks On Route 66, How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You, Brown-Eyed Girl, Amarillo By Morning, Rose-Colored Glasses, and Georgia On My Mind, they kept the crowd swaying and cheering. The eatery in the historic downtown section of Bryan, Texas, was packed from the start of the performance. Fortunately, the restaurant has a side room and the staff found places to seat more people coming in throughout the evening.

Chavis explained that she’d been battling a cold all week, but it didn’t harm her soulful style. Her voice was as smooth as the Smooth Operator she sang about. Maybe there were a few more instrumental breaks than usual. Maybe the band members stepped up to the mic to take the vocals a little more often than they sometimes do. But with so much talent on display from band members Monte Mann, Larry Seyer, Kevin Hall, David Webb, and Craig Nietfeld, the audience relished each song. When Karan did belt out a number, her voice was as strong and smooth and sultry as ever.

Good Time Charley’s is named for the historic Charles Hotel Building, where the restaurant has occupied the ground floor for less than a year. During its operation from 1939 to the 1980s, the Charles Hotel must certainly have seen its share of good times, and if Good Time Charley’s continues to bring in talented bands like the Karan Chavis Band, good food and good music will continue to thrive in historic Downtown Bryan.

[Note: Story originally published on examiner.com on Sept. 17, 2011.]

Karan Chavis: Song Styles Fit the Occasion, Two Chances to Hear Her in September 2011

[Karan Chavis and her band perform for V-Twins Rock: Motorcycle Enthusiasts & Musicians Join Forces To Fight Cancer, the 2010 Breast Cancer Awareness special event, University Towne Center, Oct. 2, 2010, College Station, Texas. Band: Monte Mann on guitar, Mark R. Harris, bass guitar, Art Kidd, drums, Ryan Murphy, Keyboards.]

When Karan Chavis sings a favorite classic rock song, she owns it. Her version of “Proud Mary” is such that Tina Turner would nod her head in approval. Chavis was singing “At Last” in shows long before the Etta James version came to the forefront. The blues are the blues when Karan belts them out as few others can. Gospel takes on a new level when just her acapella offerings are moving and powerful.

The works of Ella Fitzgerald were part of Karan’s repertoire last summer in Austin in a tribute concert performed at the One World Theatre. And yet, she doesn’t have to sing ‘just like’ someone to be given kudos. The versatile Chavis also composes her own music as well in an upbeat, powerful style that is truly her own. She's been working on a new CD project when time permits.

It’s seemingly all too rare that she perfoms in the Bryan-College Station area, because other cities keep booking her first. That’s good for Chavis, but it’s better for Aggieland that she’s in concert this weekend. And since it’s a football weekend with TAMU hosting Idaho on Saturday evening, visitors will be looking for great music, so locals need to arrive early Friday night.

On Friday, September 16, Karan and her band will be performing at Goodtime Charlie's. Music begins at 7:00 pm and will go through 11:00 pm. The downtown Bryan club is located at 201 S. Main (the old Papa Perez location). Word to the wise: nearby parking is plentiful, but get there early.

Chavis is delighted to have her band with her for this performance. Many who’ve seen her before enjoy seeing Larry Seyer and Monte Mann on guitar, Kevin Hall on drums, and David Webb on keys. They’ll all be here.

Later this month, on Wednesday, September 28th, there’s also a chance to see Karan in Austin as she’ll lend her vocals to an evening of Blues & Swing with The Fenno-Hilboldt Project. The backdrop of another colorful Austin sunset in the hills, an outdoor special event at Central Market Westgate. Perfect for a late September evening.

The Fenno-Hilboldt group consists of leader Jimmy Fenno (drums/vocals), Jamie Hilboldt (keys/vocals), Sean Hopper (bass), and Karan Chavis will sing. The evening begins at 6:30 and goes til 9:30 pm. For directions to Central Market Westgate, click here. Hilboldt and Chavis are a familiar team, having played in musical events together years ago in Austin, all the way back to even days occasionally singing on dates where Rotel & The Hot Tomatoes were holding forth with their power-rock 50s/60s/70s tributes.

Hilboldt also travels the country as keyboardist and musical director for classic rock star Gary Puckett (“Young Girl”, “Lady Willpower”, etc.), and everything he plays is perfectly styled and suited for Karan’s soulful voice that embodies the blues. Fenno’s strengths and specialties include the standards by Frank Sinatra, Louis Prima, Louis Jordan, and Louis Armstrong. Chances are good, then, for Karan to sing her signature “Satchmo Blues,” where she voices both Louis Armstrong and Miss Ella Fitzgerald in echoes and answers to the lines. Two must-see, must-hear events.

For more on Karan's latest activities, check out her web site www.karanchavis.com