The Tex Mex Experience

From the moment he sat on the knee of his father Doug Sahm on the cover of *Rolling Stone* in 1968, there was never a question as to what Shawn’s path in life would be: it’s always been on the road. And after his father passed away in 1999, Shawn wasn’t about to slow down. Having spent the better part of the last six years overseeing the estate and various projects, he returned to his first musical love: the amalgam of rock & roll and across-the-border rhythms that define the Tex-Mex sound.

“The idea was to take the influences, the sound, the real stuff, what’s in your heart and in your soul,” Shawn enthuses. “That music is a part of me. What makes the band unique is that we are doing music for the love of it. It’s not the ‘in’ thing or the popular thing, it’s something I’ll be doing one way or another for the rest of my life. Even when I was young playing in rock bands, I was always playing with Dad and writing songs.”

Shawn Sahm also learned how to put together the right musicians for the right sound and when it came time to lay down the bottom of the band, he drafted George Rains as drummer. Rains first recorded with the elder Sahm on *Honky Blues* in 1967 and went on to play with an array of musicians including Boz Scaggs, Chuck Berry, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Bo Diddley, Van Morrison, Big Mama Thorton, Junior Wells, and Lowell Fulsom. “George,” declares Shawn without hesitation “is the Jedi groovemaster of drums.”

No surprise that Neal Walker would pick up the bass slot in the Tex Mex Experience. Walker played with Shawn in his teenage metal band Prezence and impressed all enough to join Doug on a variety of albums and tours. “Dad loved his harmony. Neal has this killer high harmony Dad said was like a young Atwood Allen.” High praise indeed!

Accordionist and vocalist Mike Guerra played in the Texamaniacs with Max Baca from Flaco’s band. Guerra, an import from Los Angeles also recently recorded with Los Lonely Boys and brings his bajo and keyboards to the Tex Mex Experience. “He’s got the makings of the next Flaco,” Shawn praises his bandmate. “He’s our MVP.”

And speaking of Flaco, Nuni Rubio regularly sings with the noted accordionist. Rubio’s distinctive vocals are one of the Tex Mex Experience’s hallmarks. “I really like to use the voices in a more traditional way, with three- and four-part harmonies,” explains Shawn. “It was interesting to find someone in my age group that understood this kind of music. Ya got to understand the music and Nuni understands.”

The mix music of the Tex Mex Experience is fresh and refreshing. “I wear my influences on my sleeve and make no bones about it,” Shawn acknowledges the Texas Tornados as influence, “but that doesn’t do justice to the musicians in this band.”

“For the music, we used Tex-Mex rock & roll, country, a little Cajun vibe. Polkas. I called it the Tex-Mex Experience was because the food and the lifestyle is very eclectic. It’s not one thing, it’s a little of this and a little of that. Hippies and rednecks and Mexican food, all mixed together! Having a good time on the dancefloor in a musical groove.”

So what’s in the near future for the Tex Mex Experience?

“We’ve been showcasing, and out on tour with Los Lonely Boys,” Shawn Sahm recounts the band’s initial forays. “I want to make a memorable Tex-Mex record, one as good for a few beers and as to dance to. And make it under the moonlight!”

Bueno plan!

- Margaret Moser