The Mercury Lounge provided a rock n’ roll party to ring in the New Year in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A night full of merchandise giveaways, floor seats to the upcoming Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers show at the BOK, and one person walked away with free entry to all shows at the Mercury Lounge in 2020. The dive bar was packed to capacity throughout the night, they dropped an opossum and had a Miller High Life “Champagne of Beer” toast as the clock struck midnight. Deep Ellum Brewing Company out of Dallas, Texas sponsored the night, all three bands were tight, making for a memorable and perfect night.

The Mules, a local band from Tulsa, kicked off the night on the lounge stage. The three-piece band brought the heat with their brand of “rock n’ roll ya can dance to!” The band consists of Alec C. Hill on bass and vocals, Hector Ultreras on the electric guitar, and Nathan Wilson on drums. The “garage-a-billy” band has been throwing down for the past five years. They have released two singles “I’ll Never Be Your Man,” and “Dazed Days,” and can be found here: bit.ly/2QvtG9C. This was my introduction to The Mules. The Mules kickass. Find these guys and see for yourself.

Formed in 2009, the Ottoman Turks, are a four-piece rock n’ rowdy band from Dallas, Texas. The band is made up of Nathan Mongol Wells on guitar and vocals, Joshua Ray Walker slingin’ the lead electric, Billy Law on the low notes, and Paul Hinojo on the drums. The Turks played tunes from their debut, August 23rd, 2019 self-titled release, Ottoman Turks, via State Fair Records. Ten years together, a near breakup, a career altering night at the Granada Theater in Dallas in the summer of 2018, finally led to an album. These fellas are fantastic, and put on a show not soon to be forgotten. Get that album, go to a show. More info here: ottomanturksmusic.com

Boogie-woogie, rhythm and blues, rock n’ rollers from Dallas, Texas, The 40 Acre Mule headlined the night. Formed in 2015, this band took off the old-fashioned way, by word of mouth. Legendary promoter Scott Beggs and Jim Heat of The Reverend Horton Heat gave the band their first break with an opening slot at a sold-out show at Dallas’s legendary Bomb Factory. The 40 Acre Mule played tunes from their 2019 debut release, Goodnight & Good Luck, via State Fair Records. The band consists of J. Isaiah Evans on guitar and vocals, Robert Anderson on drums, Tim Cooper on bass guitar, and Chris Evetts on baritone sax. The 40 Acre Mule is one of the best Texas Rhythm & Blues bands out there. It’s impossible not to “get down” with their high energy vibe. Go get some of that powerhouse sound in your life. More info here: the40acremule.com/home