Photo by Rolando Guerra

My family and I have been Houston Texans season ticketholders since Game 1, that celebrated and gratifying franchise opener (Texans 19, Cowboys 10), and we've always taken seriously our tailgating privileges.

Texans fans tailgate better than most, including the North Texas delusionals who do it up there at Jerry's World. We've repeatedly been honored as the NFL's best tailgating experience. I've spoken with visiting fans from all over the country who would agree; we throw an incredible block party where everyone who enjoys football is a welcomed neighbor.

At our own tailgate, we've got one head chef: my brother, Anthony. He creates the menus and then cooks up the good stuff. My youngest brother, Adrian, is our beer steward. He'll pair the cuisine with an elegant Belgian ale or just break out the Tecate for mass quaffing.

That leaves the music to me.

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All Stars Tour 2013 featuring Every Time I Die: With Chelsea Grin, Veil of Maya, Terror, Stray From The Path, Capture the Crown, IWRESTLEDABEARONCE, For All Those Sleeping, Ice Nine Kills., Sat., Aug. 10, 2 p.m., $22.50. House of Blues, 1204 Caroline, Houston, 888-402-5837.

Amy Lavere: Thu., June 13, 7:30 p.m., $20/$22. McGonigel's Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk, Houston, 713-528-5999.

Andres Cepeda: Sat., Aug. 17, 8 p.m., $35. House of Blues, 1204 Caroline, Houston, 888-402-5837.

Carolyn Wonderland: Sat., June 15, 6 p.m., Free. Pier 21, Galveston.

The Cult: With Electric 13., Fri., Aug. 30, 7 p.m., $27.50 to $55.00. House of Blues, 1204 Caroline, Houston, 888-402-5837.

Dilana: Sat., June 22, 9 p.m., $15 to $30. Concert Pub (North), 2470 FM 1960, Houston, 281-583-8111.

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Alan Haynes: Last Saturday of every month, 8 p.m., $5. The Big Easy Social and Pleasure Club, 5731 Kirby, Houston, 713-523-9999.

Allen Stone: Fri., May 17, 8 p.m., $18/$20. Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel, Houston, 713-225-5483.

Austin Lounge Lizards: Fri., May 3, 7 p.m., $20/$22. McGonigel's Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk, Houston, 713-528-5999.

Authority Zero: With Ballyhoo and Versus the World, Thu., July 18, 8 p.m., $14/$16. Scout Bar, 18307 Egret Bay Blvd., Houston, 281-335-0002.

Carrie Rodriguez: Fri., May 10, 8:30 p.m., $20. Dosey Doe Music Cafe, 463 F.M. 1488, Conroe, 936-271-2171.

Daughn Gibson: Fri., Aug. 9, 8 p.m., TBA. Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak, Houston, 713-862-3838.

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The 'Dan

Adam Ant: Sat., July 27, 8 p.m., $28-$300. Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel, Houston.

Air Supply: Thu., May 9, 8:30 p.m., $158-$218. Dosey Doe, 25911 I-45 N., Spring.

Alt-J: CHANGED With Lord Huron., Fri., Sept. 27, 8 p.m., $30/$35. Bayou Music Center, 520 Texas, Houston.

The Appleseed Cast: With Life and Times, Muscle Worship., Fri., July 12, 8 p.m., $12/$16. Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak, Houston.

Armin Van Buuren: With Surain, Jeff Chen., Thu., May 23, 9 p.m., $40-$60. Stereo Live, 6400 Richmond, Houston.

Austin Smith: With B.E. Godfrey, Idyl, Eli., Fri., May 17, 8 p.m., $5. Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak, Houston.

Ben Taylor: Thu., May 16, 8 p.m., $20. Dosey Doe, 25911 I-45 N., Spring.

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MANILOW

Angry Samoans: With Swingin' Dicks, Die Rottz., Fri., April 12, 10 p.m., $12. Rudyard's, 2010 Waugh, Houston.

Bang Bangz: Sat., April 13, 1 p.m., Free. Cactus Music & Video, 2110 Portsmouth St., Houston.

Barry Manilow: Sun., May 19, 8 p.m., $29.99-$139.99. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins Drive, Spring.

Besnard Lakes: With Infinite Apache, Vacation Eyes., Sat., April 27, 10 p.m., $8. Rudyard's, 2010 Waugh, Houston.

Born Liars: Sat., May 18, 8 p.m., $10. Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak, Houston.

Brandon West & the Black Hats: With Ghost Wolves, Psychic Palms., Mon., May 6, 10 p.m., $2/$7. Boondocks, 1417 Westheimer, Houston.

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Photo By Jay Lee

Second Annual Concert for Conservation: With Dwight Yoakam, Robert Earl Keen, Hayes Carll, Ray Wylie Hubbard. etc., Sat., May 18, 4:30 p.m., $25-$150. Sam Houston Race Park, 7575 N. Sam Houston Parkway W., Houston.

Adam Bricks: With Benjamin Wesley and Ancient Cat Society., Sat., April 13, 9 p.m., $10. Continental Club, 3700 Main, Houston.

Allison Fisher: With Fussin' & Fightin., Fri., April 12, 7 p.m., Free. Big Top Lounge, 3714 Main, Houston.

Big Time Rush: With Victoria Justice, Olivia Somerlyn., Fri., June 28, 7 p.m., TBA. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins Drive, Spring.

Blackstreet: Wed., May 1, 8 p.m., $27.50-$55.00. House of Blues, 1204 Caroline, Houston.

Brandon Rhyder: With Rankin Twins., Fri., May 3, 9 p.m., $10. Firehouse Saloon, 5930 SW Freeway, Houston.

Caifanes: Sat., June 15, 8:30 p.m., $59.50. House of Blues, 1204 Caroline, Houston.

Carolyn Wonderland: Fri., April 12, 9 p.m., $20/$25. Last Concert Cafe, 1403 Nance St., Houston.

Charlie Robison: Sat., July 27, 9 p.m., TBA. Firehouse Saloon, 5930 SW Freeway, Houston.

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http://sugarman.org

Rodriguez

Ace Hood & Twista: Sun., April 7, 6 p.m., $45-$100. Stereo Live, 6400 Richmond, Houston.

Air Supply: Thu., May 9, 8:30 p.m., $158-$218. Dosey Doe, 25911 I-45 N., Spring.

All the Dead Pilots: With Fault, A Traitor at Heart., $10. Scout Bar, 18307 Egret Bay Blvd., Houston.

Allah-Las: With Infinite Apaches., Mon., April 1, 8 p.m., $8/$12. Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak, Houston.

Amy LaVere: Thu., April 11, 10 p.m., TBA. Continental Club, 3700 Main, Houston.

Andy Bell: Sat., June 8, 7 p.m., $30-$100. Stereo Live, 6400 Richmond, Houston.

Armin Van Buuren: Thu., May 23, 9 p.m., $40-$60. Stereo Live, 6400 Richmond, Houston.

Asleep at the Wheel: Fri., March 29, 8:30 p.m., $88-$128. Dosey Doe, 25911 I-45 N., Spring.

Baths: With Houses, D33J., Thu., June 20, 8 p.m., TBA. Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak, Houston.

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Photo by Marco Torres

Miranda Lambert

.38 Special: With Kansas, Blue Oyster Cult., Fri., May 31, 8 p.m., TBA. Arena Theatre, 7326 SW Freeway, Houston.

Attack Attack!: With The Plot In You, Get Scared, Dangerkids, Closer to Closure., Thu., May 16, 6 p.m., $13.50/$17.00. Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak, Houston.

Bret Michaels: Sat., June 22, 8 p.m., $45-$75. Nutty Jerry's (Winnie), 18291 Englin Rd., Winnie.

Brown Bird: Fri., May 10, 8 p.m., $10/$14. Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak, Houston.

Candlebox: With Lost Element, the Last Hour, Dimitri's Rail., Thu., April 18, 8 p.m., $21/$25. Scout Bar, 18307 Egret Bay Blvd., Houston.

Chase Hamblin & the Roustabouts: With Bonneville Night Life, the Trimms., Fri., March 29, 8 p.m., $8/$12. Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak, Houston.

Cheap Trick: Sat., June 22, 8 p.m., TBA. Arena Theatre, 7326 SW Freeway, Houston.

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https://www.facebook.com/depechemode

Ariel Pink: Sun., June 16, 8 p.m., $15/$19. Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak, Houston.

Arum Rae: Fri., May 31, 8 p.m., $8/$11. Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak, Houston.

Avoxblue: With Andre Obin, Futility Closet, Stereo Telescope., Sun., March 17, 8 p.m., $3-$8. Notsuoh, 314 Main, Houston.

Back in Black (AC/DC Tribute): Sat., April 6, 8 p.m., $13.00. House of Blues, 1204 Caroline, Houston.

Bang Bangz: With A Sea Es, The Suffers., Sat., March 23, 8 p.m., $10. Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak, Houston.

Barrow: With Mother Ghost, TigerParty, Mahayla, Looking for Alaska, Ruiners., Fri., March 15, 9 p.m., $5. Houston House Of Creeps, 807 William St., Houston.

Big Boi: With Killer Mike., Thu., May 23, 8 p.m., TBA. Bayou Music Center, 520 Texas Ave., Houston.

The Black Angels: With Wall of Death, Pure X., Fri., May 24, 8 p.m., $15/$19. Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak, Houston.

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facebook.com/BRMCOfficial

Baauer: With Danny Brown., Tue., April 9, 8 p.m., $20/$22. Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak, Houston.

Bad Company: With Lynyrd Skynyrd, Black Stone Cherry., Thu., July 11, 7 p.m., $21.00-$100.50. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins Drive, Spring.

Benoit Pioulard: With IDYL, Marshall Walker, B.E. Godfrey., Wed., March 20, 9 p.m., $8. La Carafe, 813 Congress, Houston.

Big Sam's Funky Nation: Sat., March 9, 8 p.m., $15/$18. Last Concert Cafe, 1403 Nance St., Houston.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: With Bass Drum of Death, Plowboy., Sun., April 28, 8 p.m., $20. Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel, Houston.

Brad Paisley: With Chris Young, Lee Brice., Sun., July 28, 7 p.m., TBA. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins Drive, Spring.

Butch Hancock & Jimmie Dale Gilmore: Sat., March 23, 7 & 9:30 p.m., $25/$27. McGonigel's Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk, Houston.

BuzzFest XXX: With Shinedown, Bush, Stone Sour, Papa Roach, P.O.D., Sick Puppies, Hollywood Undead, The Dirty Heads, Oleander, IAMDYNAMITE, A Silent Film, The Virginmarys, Beware of Darkness, Youngblood Hawke., Sat., April 20, noon, $39.00-$150.00. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins Drive, Spring.

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