Rosie Flores is really one of a kind. She’s the first lady of Texas rockabilly, and remains one of the state’s finest six-string slingers.
Flores was born in San Antonio, but moved to California as a pre-teen. She cut her teeth as a teen in the mid-to-late 70s playing blistering rock ‘n’ roll and country, and even getting in on the nascent punk scene. In 1987 Flores released her solo, self-titled debut. Five years later she released her 1992 sophomore record After the Farm, and her third, Once More With Feeling, came the following year. In ’95 Flores released Rockabilly Filly, a record featuring rockabilly legend Wanda Jackson. The album, and the ensuing tour, was instrumental in getting Jackson back on the road after an almost two-decade absence, and introducing her to a brand new generation.
The years since have been prolific ones for Flores. She’s consistently released solid records in a range of styles, from rockabilly to country to tender acoustic tunes. A few months back, she stopped by Studio 1A and performed a few tunes, including our song of the day “Little But I’m Loud,” which appears on her most recent album Working Girl’s Guitar. The tune’s title is plenty accurate. It’s big and twangy, and Flores lets loose a few cracking solos. Ain’t nobody like Rosie Flores.
You can catch Rosie Flores this Saturday at the Scoot Inn as a part of MapJam 2013, a daylong festival celebrating Austin music. Presented by the Austin Music Map, KUTX, and the City of Austin Music Division, MapJam 2013 features some of our favorite local bands at some of our favorite local venues, playing everything from bluegrass to hip-hop and conjunto to rockabilly.
