MUSIC

Goode's Armadillo Palace is proud to welcome Honeybrowne.

As a band grows in popularity and stature, its musicians can easily become wrapped up in their own fame. And if they're not careful, they lose the connection with the fans who propelled them to stardom. Honeybrowne's principal songwriter and lead singer Fred Andrews is determined to prevent that from happening to his band. Maintaining as close a bond as possible to fans is a vital part of what makes Honeybrowne - well, Honeybrowne.

"I think we get the pulse of our crowd," Andrews said when asked why Honeybrowne's popularity is rising. "We're close to our fans. Instead of going off and partying after a show, we like to make it a point to interact and talk to them after."

That's been the foundation for Honeybrowne since it formed in the late 1990s. Andrews said he and his bandmates hear lots of encouraging feedback from their followers, either after a live show or through fan mail. In an era when Texas country bands saturate live music venues and radio stations, Andrews said it's hard for a band to distinguish itself. That's why sustaining a close relationship with Honeybrowne fans is a key part of what makes Honeybrowne a rising star.

"[The fans are what] makes Texas music," Andrews said. "It's not us. I'm really in touch with my emotions. I've had all these experiences in my life that have really stuck out, and that's what I write about.

"When someone else connects to what you're writing about, it's great. It's neat to immediately have that common ground with someone."

Photo By: www.texasmusicphotography.com.