If you know the story of Phil Hurd and the Blood of Keith: Gimme Shoulder, you will be part of the Austin music in-crowd. Phil Hurd is an admirer of Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. Hence the name Blood of Keith. Toni Price shares his opinion of Richards, in fact she throws a party every year in honor of Keith Richards' birthday. Toni honors Richards in a more permanent way, as well. She has a tattoo on her shoulder bearing his name. When Phil Hurd and the Blood of Keith named the latest album, he decided to give a tip of the hat to the Stones "Gimmie Shelter" by baring Toni Price's shoulder and tattoo on the cover and calling the album "Gimmie Shoulder."

Phil Hurd is a longtime Roots Rock singer/songwriter in the Austin area with a list of nine indie recordings reaching back over ten years. Powerhouse was released in 1997, before that were The California Cowboy, Deadbeats from Hell, Guitar Junkie, Heather!: He's a Lady and Phases. He's led several bands, including the Blood of Keith, Deadbeats and Elmore's. Recently he's been playing at the Back Room with Bruce Istvan and Ric Furley in a long playing gig in which he and Bruce Istvan swap lead guitar and bass as well as songs and vocals.

Hurd stepped in as lead guitar with the German group Borrowed Tunes on their album Local Flavor. Borrowed Tunes came in for SXSW one year, at the invitation of Austin's Local Flavor, but without their lead guitar player. Hurd stepped in to the vacant spot long enough to get them through SXSW and a recording session which resulted in Local Flavor. Hurd's tune, "Goodnight, Baby," is on the album. Hurd is on the right below, playing with Borrowed Tunes.

Check out Phil Hurd's web site.

Borrowed Tunes has an interesting web site, even though it's mostly in German you might enjoy seeing it.