Austin Country Stars Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay to Perform at El Cid, 12/12

Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay, the Austin country scene's power couple, journey to Los Angeles for a full show at the new regular Thursday night Honky Tonk Hacienda at El Cid in Silver Lake. The Austin-based songwriters' debut collaboration Before the World Was Madespotlights the celebrated troubadours in peak form.

"These are modern day country duets à la George Jones and Melba Montgomery," producer Gurf Morlix says, "but with very sophisticated songwriting."

The singular duo effortlessly balances wit ("Let's Don't Get Married") and whimsy ("Let's Go to Lubbock on Vacation") throughout live sets as well as on the record. "We kind of set out to make out a record of songs that we were singing together, even if it wasn't specifically duet songs," McKay says.

Legendary songwriter Guy Clark is among their many fans: "Noel and Brennen are great songwriters," says Clark, whose new album My Favorite Picture of You contains the McKay co-write "El Coyote." "And Brennen plays guitar like a motherfer."

Leigh and McKay take the stage at the new Honky Tonk Hacienda night at El Cid - every Thursday, bands, songwriters and musical instigators tear it up in outlaw country, roots, old time and Americana territory. Roots rock powerhouse Dan Janisch opens.

There is no cover before 8:30 p.m.; $5 thereafter. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and music starts at 7:30 p.m. El Cid is located at 4212 West Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake 90029. There is ample street parking and valet parking is available. For more information, visit www.ElCidLA.com, or www.facebook.com/honkytonkhacienda or call 323.668.0318.

Brennen Leigh is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and singer whose to-the-point storytelling style has elevated her to newfound cult status in Europe, across the US, South America and most notably in her native Austin, Texas. Only slightly less famous for her musicianship, she's caught the ear of greats like legendary Lubbock fiddler Tommy Hancock, widely regarded as the godfather of West Texas music. Brennen has become most famous for her whip-smart songwriting. Her songs have been recorded by the likes of Lee Ann Womack, Sunny Sweeney, and the Carper Family among others.

Noel McKay is a songwriter who was raised in Lubbock, Texas and The Texas Hill Country. In 1993 he was discovered by songwriting legend Guy Clark while performing in Kerrville, Texas. Clark's mentorship has been a key component to Noel's success as a songwriter. In the 2000's Noel had several regional hits with his brother Hollin McKay in the band McKay Brothers. Those songs can still be heard on Texas radio stations and satellite radio. Noel recently discovered the art of co-writing and has written songs with greats such as Guy Clark, Richard Dobson, John Scott Sherrill, Shawn Camp and Brennen Leigh. Recently Leigh has become Noel McKay's songwriting and duet partner and their collaborations have garnered wide acclaim. When not on the road, Noel splits his time between Austin and Nashville.

Dan Janisch is a California based songwriter and performer. His place in the scheme of modern American song is a present day verse and found melodies, but not quite fully divorced from a familiar tone of the American Folk song and Rock 'n Roll. If there is a reason to consider Dan Janisch's music, it might be to derail the ever present idea that "A" type of music is for "A" type of person and so on, split down the line. Whether one be a rocker, a hip hopper, a punker, an americana-er, a hippie, a square, a 15-year-old, a 60-year-old, a cop, a robber, rich or poor, etc. Dan Janisch's music is intended for all the people somehow.