🏀🏈🏓🎸🛼🛷 Admission is a new unwrapped toy for a child between the ages of 1 and 12.

Annual “Noise for Toys” Fundraiser  6pm.  Every year at this time, one of Houston’s most venerable music places, the Mucky Duck, hosts a fundraiser for the US Marine Corp’ Toys for Tots Program.     It’s an evening of music by various artists (shown below), the admission for which is an unwrapped toy for a child between the ages of 1 and 12.

Every year at this time, one of Houston’s most venerable music places, the Mucky Duck, hosts a fundraiser for the US Marine Corp’ Toys for Tots Program. It’s an evening of music by various artists, the admission for which is an unwrapped toy for a child between the ages of 1 and 12.

The Duck’s subdued, Irish pub-like interior is extra-cozy when done-up for Christmas, and a great way to kick-off the season. Music begins at 6pm. Order a shepherd’s pie, fish & chips, and a fine wine or stout draft and enjoy performances by local/Texas musicians at this great casual venue.

Kimberly M’Carver
Purist Country Songwriting, Brilliant Voice … Houston songwriter Kimberly M’Carver has a voice that will very gently knock you out. It’s sort of a cross between Emmylou Harris and vintage Dolly Parton, with all the nuance of the former and the sweetness of the latter.

Pat Byrne, inspired by Johnny Cash and Elvis, started drumming as a teen and formed his first band in 2007. He signed with Universal, releasing his debut single, “End Of The World,” in 2012. Touring across Ireland, the UK, and Europe as a solo artist

Jack Saunders has been at this so long he cuts straight to the chase. This isn’t some over-thought, let’s-play-at-folk-rock schtick that numerous young bands have, this is a full-grown pro matching sounds and words — “I say goodbye to gravity when you come around” — with all the precision of someone who’s been at his craft 40 years. This one is Houston proud.

Libby Koch

Texas Americana singer-songwriter Libby Koch (pronounced “coke”) is a “country meets soulful” (Free Press Houston), “feisty Texas songbird” (Country Music People) who “sings her story with a little twang, some slide guitar, and a lot of heart” (Texas Monthly).

John Egan
Egan’s guitar style includes, in effect, playing bass, lead, and percussion, all at the same time.

He says, “the rarefied air where Lightnin’ Hopkins met Townes Van Zandt serves as an inspiration and an ideal.”

Tony Kamel
Kamel and several talented contributors crafted an album that fully conveys the down-home vibe its title suggests, as well as the laid-back nature of life on Texas’ Gulf Coast. The sum of these parts is a sonic travelogue of sorts that takes listeners from Texas-imprinted country-folk, old-time and bluegrass styles to Louisiana’s singular stew of Cajun, jazz, funk and other special ingredients; a stunning solo debut

Shake Russell, a prolific Americana folk-rock artist, has spent over 50 years captivating audiences across Texas and the U.S. Known for his sophisticated harmonies and genre-blending style, he’s earned numerous awards and chart success. With 30 albums and more on the way, Russell remains a celebrated and influential figure in music.

Al Staehely, known as the lead vocalist, bassist, and primary songwriter on Spirit’s 1972 Feedback album, Staehely went on to play with the Staehely Brothers and the Nick Gravenites/John Cipollina Band, while writing songs for artists like Keith Moon and Marty Balin. Now a Houston entertainment attorney, he continues to write and perform music.