Have you been to Stone’s Grove? 

The new cocktail lounge with an eclectic, urban vibe sits on Anderson Street in Downtown Brownwood. The seating is optimal for conversation, and the art that covers the walls is enough to start a good one. Like the owners, the staff is attentive, kind, and fun.

We had the opportunity to visit during October’s Boo Bash event and had a wonderful time. With the roads closed to traffic, the crowd spilled out onto Anderson Street to listen to a local band: The Cadillac Thieves.

The opportunities to hear live music in Brownwood are growing as I write this article. Many restaurants and social establishments are doubling as live music venues, and Brownwood could not be luckier for it. 

The best thing about these opportunities is the spotlight on local artists who have been vital in the recent growth spurt of downtown.

The Cadillac Thieves, led by singer Blaik Mair who hails from Blanket, Texas, are proud to be a part of that growth. 

“Brownwood is finally coming alive,” Mair says, “and to be considered a part of the growth is very flattering. As the community grows, so does our band. We’ve noticed a difference in crowds at every show. It’s constantly growing. We have found ourselves in public, and people approach us to say, “Hey, aren’t you so and so from The Cadillac Thieves?”. To know that our passion for music is being used to benefit our community and local businesses is very fulfilling. We love Brownwood and can’t wait to see what its future holds!” 

The band’s sound is similar to Cody Canada and the Departed but carries enough individuality and talent to need no comparison. They categorize their sound as alternative, southern rock, or Americana. We all laughed with Mair when he called it “shred dirt” – a play on the term “red dirt,” defined as a sound that successfully closes the gap between rock and country. “It’s definitely not over-produced,” said Austin Hall, who splits rhythm and lead guitar with Mair. 

Alongside Mair and Hall are other band members, Jarrod Allen and Juan Hernandez, who play bass and drums, respectively. Allen is from Early, and Hernandez says he was “proudly born and raised” in Brownwood. Supporting a band composed of lifelong Brown County residents is a unique experience, especially a band with as much potential as The Cadillac Thieves. 

“To make something of yourself, you have to get your hometown behind you,” says Mair. The band is doing a phenomenal job with that task. You will see them play regularly at downtown hotspots like Pioneer Taphouse, one of the band’s favorite places to play in Brownwood.

Micah Jaynes, the owner of Pioneer Taphouse, says the band is composed of “great guys and solid musicians”. Jaynes continued to speak highly of the band, saying, “they always bring a fantastic time and have a ton of fun with the crowd. Bringing great energy with a little bit of rebellion always keeps it interesting. Being in the local music scene as long as Blaik has, he is resilient and passionate about the love of music and the experience they deliver. 

They are effortless to work with from a venue standpoint and have stepped up their game recently with great recordings and new tracks like “Hot Rods & Rock N’ Roll .” They have taken the live experience to a new level by traveling with all the equipment necessary to put on a great show. We book them regularly and look forward to many more fun nights and block parties with The Cadillac Thieves in Downtown Brownwood!”

Outside of Brown County, you may catch The Cadillac Thieves in Abilene or The Stockyards in Fort Worth. Tonight, you can see them at Stone’s Grove in Downtown Brownwood.

Another exciting step is on the horizon for the band with the release of their new album, Cosmic Revolver, which will be released early this year. The album will be available on all streaming platforms. You can keep up with The Cadillac Thieves on their Facebook Page and newly published website. You can stream their current singles on all streaming platforms.

Upcoming Shows include:

Tonight, Friday, January 14th

Stone’s Grove

Brownwood, Texas

Friday, February 18th

Filthy McNasty’s Saloon

Fort Worth, Texas

Saturday, February 26th

Pioneer Tap House

Brownwood, Texas

( Acoustic Show w/ Blaik Mair, Jarrod Allen, & Austin Hall)