by Kathleen Hudson
Executive Director, Texas Heritage Music Foundation
January took me to Fredericksburg for the annual Windows On Texas show produced by KFAN Rebel Radio. I enjoyed many of the music venues, but the panels really called to me. Of course, being held at exquisite venues like Bell Mountain Tasting Room and August E’s restaurant, both on Highway 290 East of town, were part of the allure. Good food, wine and interesting conversation. I’ll be back to August E’s for my next special meal. That filet hamburger I had did the job on a cold and rainy Saturday morning. That evening I started at Hondo’s and moved to Silver Creek on Main for a songwriter’s circle. I ended up at Auslander listening to one of my all-time favorites, Gary Michael Jones.
I heard Gary first when I moved to Kerrville over twenty years ago. When he played “Hard To Hold,” friends thought he had written that song about me. I found out that Mary, his wife, was also the writer of most of his songs, including that one. And she can write. This team deserves some feature stories in Texas music magazines. Her writing talent and his burgeoning performance talent, aided and abetted by Levi “Eric Clapton” Dar (Fredericksburg) on lead guitar, are a team you can’t ignore. Brother Tim Jones, who bought Gary his first guitar years ago, is now his business manager and agent. We, the THMF, are excited to showcase Gary every chance we get, including the September 28 tribute to Jimmie Rodgers for our 20th anniversary. Yes, I started the THMF (http://www.texasheritagemusic.org/) in 1987, about two years after I moved to Kerrville and heard Gary sing around a campfire.
January 29 I attended the Monday night Blues Jam at Silver Creek on Main in Fredericksburg. Other than being a bit small for a popular gathering like this, the venue is perfect. I know the outdoor patio will be hopping this spring. Graham Warwick hosted the show, with an array of blues performers playing, including Johnny Cockerell from the SA Blues Society. Check out this jam, held each Monday night from 6-10 p.m. I love the early start.
Will Owen Gage, a young man I started watching many years ago, brought his intense commitment and love of music to the group, reminding me of many a Stevie Ray Vaughan show I’ve seen. Jeff Ballard joined in on “cajon,” a box drum. Greg, The Revelators, and Graham sat center, while the others arched around the walls in this small room. Dave Hohmann played sax, even requesting “Born Under a Band Sign” so he could add a horn lead to the song. Will sang it and took guitar leads. “Intense” does not quite capture the mood, and I loved it. The blues was my doorway into music. My visit to the Memphis Blues Awards in 1986 ignited a fire in my blood that has not cooled down at all. Graham also has a newsletter for ardent fans. I am one!
My Thursday nights have been at the Back Porch Cantina in Kerrville. This jam, hosted by Sol Patch, is a warm and loving gathering of local musicians, in the spirit of the gatherings hosted by the late Cindy Terry of Kerrville at The Downtowner. That is where my sister first discovered the intimate joy possible when people gather to sing songs and play music. She often got me up in the aisle dancing.
Ahead in February is the first coffeehouse at Schreiner University honoring Black History Month on Wednesday, February 7, 7-9 p.m., at the Schreiner Corner Pocket Snack Bar in the Cailloux Center on campus. The Greg Griffith Blues Band will perform, along with Brandon Burke, a Schreiner student who will rap. Jessica Lott and Keshawna will perform a hip-hop dance exhibition. Yes, I’m enjoying my new life with Jessica, my 14 year-old granddaughter living with me now! I listen to rap and hip-hop on our morning drive to town each day, appreciating the poetry and rhythm. Sometimes she says, “Listen, Grandmother, you’ll like the message of this one!” She knows when to bypass a song as well. I do listen to words. And the drummer hidden deep inside me loves the rhythm.
Derek Horton will be playing his classy, interesting, tasty music at the Back Porch on February 23. Accompanied by Graham on cello and a drummer, he sings original songs that deserve the audience that also likes Leonard Cohen, Dave Matthews, Terry Allen and Rickie Lee Jones. Imagine that!
I must announce two talks at the Kerrville Unity Church given by Hal Robinson. February 4 at 2:00 p.m. he talks on “A Native American Perspective on Peace,” and Monday, February 5, at 7:00 p.m. he talks on “Setting Intention.” The THMF uses him to provide programming on Native American perspective with a drum circle. He will visit my Schreiner children’s literature class in February and take stories and drumming to Pathways, a charter school for kids at risk. Yes, this is a reminder that music in all its forms: rhythm and chanting, stories and songs, has the capacity to transform the direction of any human being at any place in life.
Some other announcements: Go to Bluebonnetblues.com for details on a wonderful festival March 31-April 1 in Marble Falls. I attended last year and was not disappointed. Of course, blues is my favorite so I’m a bit biased.
Since 2007 is the 20th anniversary for the THMF, I have asked musicians hosting jams at several towns in the Hill Country to dedicate a night to our membership drive. I know Sol Patch is going to do this at the Back Porch. I am awaiting other confirmations to announce. Keep tuned to this website and calendar. KRVL Revolution FM is sponsoring the THMF Coffehouse Series at Schreiner, and March 7 features Carolyn Wonderland (Austin) and Melissa Weatherly from Sol Patch, honoring Women’s Heritage Month.
April 4 we have a spoken word show with a slam poetry contest. Thom “The World” Poet is our featured guest, the founder of the International Poetry Festival in Austin in April.
On an even more personal note, I picked up my galley proofs for my book on women in Texas music on Tuesday, January 30, for one last look before University of Texas Press begins the final design. September is the date of publication. Our Living History Day is September 28. Put that on your calendar now and plan a trip to the Hill Country. Yes, it is a Friday to teachers can bring classes as well. I’m also teaching in September so I look forward to a full month of activity. Our coffeehouse is usually the first Wednesday of each month.
In February and in April I head to Pop Culture Conferences to BE Belle Starr, talking about the outlaw archetype in life and literature. My research assistant and English major at Schreiner University, Stephanie Gaines, will BE Brunhilde, talking about the warrior archetype. We’ll also be reading those galley proofs on my collection of interviews with some real warrior women in Texas women….and a few outlaws. I’ll also be presenting a workshop on the Power of Stories in our Lives at the first International Womenspeak 2007 held March 9-11 in San Antonio. See http://www.womenspeak2007.com/ for details. Paula D’Arcy is founder, writer, speaker and coordinator for this event. I am proud to be part of it.
March is South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. No better event in the country for mixing and matching the music scene. Glad it occurs during my spring break so I can attend. Rick Starr at KFAN told me that the Americana Party is Wednesday night, featuring an evening with non other than Steve Earle, one of my favorite mavericks and songwriters! Be sure and check out http://www.rebelradio.com/ for more news on the Hill Country music scene. And Texas Music Magazine in Austin is the slick magazine that turns the music scene into a work of art thanks to Richard Skanse and founder/publisher Stewart Ramser. They will be speaking at Schreiner University sometime this spring. Stay tuned for the date.
Another date for your calendar is April 19 when we have our annual Texas Writers Conference at Schreiner. This year, Tim Hazell is the visiting writer/artist. Originally from Sweden, now from San Miguel de Allende, he will be talking about the role of art in our culture, and sharing his new book of poetry and art. He’s brilliant and has been part of my May travel course in San Miguel, one that I teach for Schreiner there as an interdisciplinary experience with writing, art and travel. Tim always lectures to us in the intimate setting of his living room or on his roof terrace.
Lots to do in the Texas Hill Country. The calendar at http://www.the-hill-country-calendar.com/, published by hill-country-visitor.com is the most complete, even though music magazines like Hill Country Happenings try to stay on top of schedules. M.Y.T.H. does not pretend to cover schedules, rather Bob Gray, publisher and editor, is committed to giving us good stories written by people who care. I am proud to say the THMF newsletter is included each month, and the February issue has our scholarship program as the front page, along with an announcement of our 20th anniversary!
News just in late Jan. 31. Tommy Morrell, steel guitar player, died on Monday, Jan. 29. Bert Winston, Hunt, Texas, has produced about 15 cd’s of Western Swing featuring Tommy, and the loss will be felt throughout the Hill Country. http://www.westernswing.com/ has details on the music.. Ils sont partis and down the road.
On The Roadby Kathleen Hudson, Ph.D.
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