champagne-with-friends
Whether they're playing a smoke filled bar in the middle of nowhere or on the steps of the Texas State Capitol, this Texas born band brings the funk no matter what. With smooth sounds ranging from reggae to rock, Champagne With Friends is sure to get any crowd on their feet. Based on the songwriting style of Gulf Coast native Thomas Champagne, this usually four member combo has audience’s young and old shaking the dance floor. With a strong Cajun jazz and funk foundation, layered with the sounds of the islands, Champagne with Friends is sure to energize any evening. Biography Born in the middle of mosquito country on the "Right Side of Texas" or Beaumont as they call it, Thomas Champagne grew up with the best of both worlds, Texas Pride and a Cajun Spirit. Hitting the stage by the age of 14, Thomas' musical roots were formed on piano, bass, and drums. While attending Texas A&M University in the mid 90's, Thomas formed a funk-rock quartet known as 4D2 and began playing throughout the state as the bassist and vocalist. Around the turn of the century, Thomas moved back to his hometown and starting performing bass with the Folsom Creek, a rock/bluegrass mix. After a great run of shows and a new album just a week from hitting the shelf, the group folded and out of disappointment and depression, Thomas discovered his true songwriting style, funky reggae. For the first time ever, Thomas took the stage as the front man forming his own band, Audioflava, a jazz/funk/pop entity that evolved into an electric power trio featuring Danny Anderson on guitar and Carlos Lopez on drums. Audioflava and Thomas moved to Austin, TX where he started working at Arlyn and Pedernales Studios. After a few years in Austin, Danny and Thomas decided it was time to hit the road and began touring the states as a duo, Champagne Anderson. With such a great success on the road as a duo, Thomas and his friends headed to the studio in the Fall of 2007 to complete their long awaited album, "Old Town", and hence form the group, "Champagne with Friends". Along with fellow South-East Texans, Nicholas F. Nolden and Danny Anderson, and the “Monster” himself on the drums, Mr. Carlos Lopez, Champagne with Friends have been steadily touring the states, shaking the stage, and spreading their good word. Within the past three years “Champagne with Friends” has performed on over 101 stages amongst 13 different states, and the train keeps on moving.
NULL
Cover Songs No Woman no cry – Bob Marley Babys got sauce – G Love Jammin – Bob Marley Don’t Push - Sublime Go it Alone- Beck Obladi - Beatles Sun Flower – Ryan Gist Push it – Salt n Pepa Gin and Juice – Snoop Dog Just Like Heaven – The Cure Chics Dig – Haywood Iko Iko – The Dixie Cups Phish – Back on the Train Easy Like a Sunday Morning – L Richie Steve Miller – Take the Money Chameleon – Herbie Hancock Mr. PC – John Coltrain Sissy Strut – The Meters Blue Bossa – Jazz Standard Is Chicago – Soul Coughing Groove is in the heart – Delight Use Me – Bill Withers Uncle Remus - Zappa Easy Like A Sunday - Commadores 54-46 - Toots and the Maytals Original Songs Amnesia Mega Phone Drama Queen Soul Train The Bear Song Breakfast What it Takes White Linen Fire Water Hazy Crazy Little Clay Oxygen Scotch and Water Shade Summer Bud Smokin Joe 6.5 Easy Reggae Coffee Table Seranade Highway Committee Halo Miss G Sapo King