Article Contributed by Doug Deutsch
Published on December 21, 2025
Houston blues fans are in for a no-nonsense night of Texas guitar fire as two longtime torchbearers of the Lone Star blues-rock tradition come together under one roof. Jay Hooks and Chris Castaneda each bring decades of road-tested grit, deep blues roots, and uncompromising tone to the stage, promising an evening driven by raw groove, searing solos, and the kind of musical chemistry that only comes from players who’ve paid their dues. This is Texas blues played loud, honest, and straight from the gut.
Featuring Blues-Rock Aces Jay Hooks & Chris Castaneda
Saturday, January 31 | Showtime: 8:00 PM
Shoeshine Charley’s Big Top Lounge
3714 Main St., Houston, TX
Tickets: $18
Info: (913) 520-9899
Tickets: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLRNGF6WV7S09/checkout/ZBJZZADMASJCLXEEB2CQRILU
Houston’s Shoeshine Charley’s Big Top Lounge will host a high-voltage Texas guitar throwdown on Saturday, January 31, as Lone Star blues-rock standouts Jay Hooks and Chris Castaneda share the stage for a night of fiery fretwork and deep-groove blues.
Texas blues-rock firebrand Jay Hooks returned in September with Tequila & Bullets, his first studio album in years, earning widespread critical praise. Born and raised in Houston, Hooks forged his sound in the Gulf Coast blues scene, blending raw Texas grit with rock-and-roll swagger.
Hooks toured extensively with Antone’s recording artist Lavelle White before launching his own band and releasing Hooked Up (1998), produced by Dan Workman. He later signed with Provogue Records, releasing Jay Hooks (2000), produced by the late Ben Elliott, and Red Line (2002), produced by Hadden Sayers and featuring King’s X drummer Jerry Gaskill. His reputation as a fierce live performer led to international appearances, including Germany’s legendary Rockpalast in 2003.
As BluesRockers wrote of Tequila & Bullets:
“Hooks does not play his guitar, he assaults it…straightforward, in-your-face, and take-no-prisoners.”
🎥 Watch: Jay Hooks – “Lonesome”
Music: https://jayhooksband.net/music
Website: jayhooksband.net
Facebook: facebook.com/JayHooksBand
Instagram: instagram.com/jayhooksband
Born and raised in Waco, Texas, guitarist and songwriter Chris Castaneda began his musical journey at age twelve. Entirely self-taught, he formed the family power trio Pride and Joy by thirteen, teaching his brother drums and his father bass. More than twenty-five years later, the band remains a cornerstone of his career.
With four albums of original music and countless performances across Texas and beyond, Pride and Joy has earned underground-legend status in the blues world. Now based in Houston, Castaneda continues to deliver electrifying live performances through Pride and Joy, The Castaneda Project, and collaborations with fellow musicians—each show fueled by passion, authenticity, and unmistakable Texas soul.
🎥 Watch: Chris Castaneda – “Metro Blues”
Facebook: facebook.com/ChrisCastanedaMusic
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCZTPBPUSFtIUNbig2el0H2g
This Texas guitar summit promises blistering solos, deep blues grooves, and a night of no-holds-barred rock energy in the heart of Houston.
