Cool Waters & Warm Weather

Visit Canyon Lake & the Guadalupe River Area for outdoor adventures. Conditions are great for tubing, rafting, boating & more. Enjoy the Water Recreation Capitol of Texas.

The sun is out, the lake is cool, the river is inviting, and the golf courses are green. Canyon Lake is at normal levels, OPEN for boating and fishing, and the river is right for tubing, rafting and fishing, too!

For water sports enthusiasts, tubing, kayaking, boating and rafting adventures are available on Canyon Lake and in the Guadalupe River Area. On the Guadalupe, you can fly fish for trout, ride tubes down the rapids, or just relax and enjoy nature at its finest. Stick around to catch the most spectacular sunsets.

For golf lovers, the Canyon Lake Area's great golf courses are green and ready to be enjoyed. They offer players of all levels great golfing experiences among rolling green hills in the Texas Hill Country.

Campers, hikers and bikers will find a wealth of outdoor options. If big adventure is on your agenda, visitors have their choice of scenic hiking/biking trails, horse back riding, primitive RV campsites, and abundant wildlife viewing to enjoy. We want you to know that we have all the accommodations you need, from budget-priced to luxurious.

We are extremely pleased to welcome visitors to our area and are sure you will leave with pleasant vacation memories, and a smile. From sunrise to sunset, we offer everything from romantic getaways to fun-in-the-sun activities on our beautiful lake and river.

For information on all there is to see, do, and experience in Canyon Lake & the Guadalupe River Area, call 1-800-528-2104 for your free copy of the Visitor Guide and Accommodations plus an official map of the area.

On the Road - September 2007

by Kathleen Hudson


September 8 is the birthday of the Father of Country Music, Jimmie Rodgers, who built his dream house, Blue Yodeler’s Paradise in Kerrville, Texas, in 1929. He lived there two years before moving to San Antonio into a duplex. I had the chance to visit his daughter, Anita, in the duplex before she died. Her son, Jimmie Dale Court, took me to the house one Sunday afternoon. He died at the young age of 45. Now his sons, Austin and Cody, have been invited to attend the Texas Heritage Living History Day on September 28 for a noon Tribute to Jimmie.

2007 also marks the 20th anniversary of the Texas Heritage Music Foundation, an organization I started out of a vision that stories and songs make a difference in the world. Our event on September 28 is a FULL day of stories and songs, with a Texas Folklore Society Panel from 4-6 p.m. and an evening with Duke Davis and “Westward Ho,” a tribute to the cowboy in story and song. Join us. No charge for the events. Barbecue dinner with Buzzie’s for the evening show. Only $10.

On September 7-9 Luckenbach is home to Mike Blakely’s fifth annual TexAmericana Fandango! Friday night features Los Mystiqueros, Augie Meyers, Debbie Walton, Sweet Soul Vibe. Saturday features Brennen Leigh, Ben Beckendorf. Rusty Weir, Bobby Bridger, Steven Fromholz, and a dance with Mike Blakely Y Los Whiskey Trading Yahoos. Sunday will have an information cowboy church, a slate of Texas authors signing books, and more. Friday and Sunday are FREE. $25 will get you in for the entire weekend and camping. A great Texas event.

September 5 is the first Texas Music Coffeehouse of the new series. Brennen Leigh (www.brennenleigh.com) is our featured guest. She has written a song about Jimmie, and her voice is the best for this type of song. Mix some bluegrass, Appalachian, blues, country and folk. When you hear Brennen, you will remember her. I know I did. I walked into the “now defunct” Java Pump several years ago. The threads of her voice wove a web around me, and I was caught! I knew then that one day she must be singing for the THMF at this September tribute. You can also catch her many Sundays at Threadgill’s in Austin. Jacob Ames and Chandler Kuhn (a hot guitar player attending Schreiner University) will open for Brennen as Two for Texas. The coffeehouse is from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday night in the Cailloux Student Center.

My latest musical discovery happened at the Back Porch Cantina at Café Riverstone in Kerrville. Walt Wilkins and Los Mystiqueros blew me away! I had heard over and over how much I “would like” this group. I knew Walt could write. Well, this performance was a road trip of its own. The band was hot, each member adding a distinct piece to the picture. And the new CD, “Diamonds in the Sun,” has been in my player ever since. I experienced their music like an ocean, with waves of music pouring over me. The music was sensual in every aspect, building to crescendos that exploded then melted away into a smooth river. Yeah, you can tell, I liked it a lot! I do wish the CD had a page of words. I mean, “Diamonds in the Sun,” written by Bill Small, the hot bass player, is a treasury of poetic vision. “Trains I Missed” is getting lots of airplay on the stations that I listen to. Revolution Radio, KRVL, in Kerrville, 94.3 is bringing more and more Texas music into the community. The CD ends with “Stand Up Seven,” a song that ended the engaging evening I attended. Maybe I just need to say “Wow.” I will be asking this stunning group to perform at a coffeehouse at Schreiner. The CD is a 2007 release on Palo Duro Records. Be sure and check out www.waltwilkins.com The band members include Ramon Rodriquez on drums, Bill Small on bass, John M. Greenberg, hot guitar, Marcus Eldridge, hot guitar, and, of course, Walt.

Not much time in Kerrville this summer. Two weeks in Ft. Worth with aging parents during August. The THMF team has put together a stunning Living History Day on September 28. Join us for activities which include Living History (over 60 performers and demonstrations, including Danza Azteca), a panel with the Texas Folklore Society from 4-6 p.m. and a program on Western music with Duke Davis (for the price of a barbecue dinner!) at 7:00 p.m. La Hacienda, Archways Treatment Center and others are sponsoring a day of music in Louise Hayes Park on Saturday, noon-11:00 p.m., Saturday, September 29, to support musicians in need of treatment for drug and alcohol abuse. The Sims Foundation is also involved. And I saw on the poster that The Resentments are coming! That means more hot guitar music. Stephen Bruton, a name I first knew in my hometown of Ft. Worth, is a founding member. A great program as a follow-up to ours! Ray Wylie Hubbard is the host guest artist.

Also ahead is the Big State Music Festival in Bryan-College Station, Texas World Speedway. Presented by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, the event is a showcase of great music. The lineup runs from Willie to Lyle Lovett to Robert Earl Keen (all three in my first book of interviews!), to Los Lonely Boys, Kevin Fowler, Miranda Lambert to Tim McGraw. Put October 13-14 on your calendar. More in the column next month.

The highlight of my musical journey in August (along with the Walt Wilkins discovery) was a Saturday night at Billy Bob's in Ft. Worth with Charlie Robison. He always rocks, and the frustration was around the seating. Being close to the front meant sitting, not standing or dancing. We all complained a bit about sitting to Charlie. Hey, I can still chair dance. He pointed out a military man sitting in the audience. We all paid tribute. Someone waved a Texas Music Magazine sporting a photo of Charlie, Jimmy Perkins, Lee Winright and others on a tour in Iraq. Charlie shared his own feelings about that event, saying that, "Hell yes, he was scared at times. But it was the most rewarding gig he had ever done." I remember seeing him play at the YO Ranch Social Club a day after the 9/11 attack. He put a small America flag on the microphone and blasted us with great songs, dance music, and social awareness.

If you can't tell, I'm a major fan of Charlie Robison! He seems to epitomize the Texas music scene, rough edges and all. We often see writers describe appearance when writing about women. For example, many of the stories of the edgy Janis Joplin also included reference to her looks. I am inclined to include a few such reference when writing about Charlie. He seems to be taller now, his eyes shine more, and I love his hair.....grown out from the last time I was a guest at Billy Bob's. Yeah, a look that seems to express who I know he is! It's all about perception and communication. He communicates something from that stage that takes us out to an edge and invites us to look over it. I dig that in a performer! Especially when I need some edgewalking.

My two-week tour of Mexico at the end of July was also very satisfying. Keeping Kerouac in my heart, Joe Ely's new book, Bonfire of Roadmaps, in my hand, the manuscript of a new book by Robert Hardy on Townes Van Zandt on the seat beside me, I enjoyed being "on the road," traveling in style with Rocinante (my Toyota Matrix) through Eagle Pass to Saltillo to Matahuala and then San Miguel de Allende. A trip to Pozos introduced me to a stunning hotel run by a couple from Austin, Posada de las Minas (www.posadadelasminas.com). We had privacy, space with a creative wind blowing everywhere. The ruins of Pozos are an inspiration to take photos, which I did, and to write, which I did. I highly recommend you consider this place of retreat, about one hour from San Miguel de Allende, when you are taking some "time out." San Miguel is also hosting a concert featuring Sara Hickman, Pauline Reese and Patricia Vonne (three women included in my new book project). Small world syndrome. Joleen "Aurora" Franklin, a Tivy graduate, world traveler and jewelry artist is helping produce the show in September. Call THMF for details or check the web in San Miguel. The Kerrville/San Miguel de Allende connection is forged with art and music for sure. The THMF is going to showcase Javier, a gypsy guitarist, at a house concert this year. Keep connected with our website for that.

I have started a personal site at www.kathleenhudson.net My book and presentations are posted, and I am excited to be sharing my research with some new groups. School starts in August so wish me well! Excited about my new class, American Ethnic Literature. We'll have my booksigning on October 3 at the coffeehouse. One day after my birthday!

We are still inviting people to volunteer for both the coffeehouse series and for the Living History Day. You can greet students and teachers, work hospitality, take care of performers and registration, serve water, keep the site clean. Notice that set up and tear down are the projects of Greek service groups at Schreiner University! And we have many, many student volunteers. Consider joining the THMF and supporting our community projects. www.texasheritagemusic.org

We have over $2500 donated to the Wayne Kennemer Scholarship fund in honor of both Bobby Rector and Terry Penney and his wife Sarah. That helps educate young people who need money to go to school! A great cause. And now a word from the office:

From Sandy Langley, THMF part-time assistant:
One of the many ways that Texas Heritage Music Foundation reaches out into the community with stories and songs is the Bard Project, an arm of THMF which pays for performers (musicians, storytellers, poets, etc.) to play at schools, as well as camps and programs for at-risk youth. I recently had the privilege of performing for the Bard Project, and it’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.

On the evening of Thursday, August 2, the praise band from First United Methodist Church of Kerrville journeyed out to Pathways 3H Wilderness Camp, a camp for at-risk teenage boys, to lead worship in music. The band members playing that night were Todd Lovelady, leader, guitar and vocals; Chase Allsup, electric guitar; Jay Norris, bass; Jeff Kennedy, guitar and vocals; Jonathan Shim, drums; Ambra Freeman, vocals; and yours truly, vocals. We were a bit nervous, because my contact at the camp had originally wanted a country gospel group. Country gospel we ain’t! Sometimes we’re rock, sometimes we’re blues, usually we’re loud, and we’re rowdy every chance we get! And no matter what we’re playing, we are always about the worship of the Lord.

The leaders told us we could be as rowdy as we wanted, so we took them at their word and, with the boys’ help, did our best to blow the roof off! We set up an overhead projector so that they could see the words and sing with us. They sang with us, they clapped, they danced, they waved their hands in the air (hey, we’re a full-service Christian band—you get an aerobic workout at no extra charge!) and just enjoyed. We could really feel the Holy Spirit in the room, just rockin’ away with us.

Afterward, we got a chance to talk with several of the boys and our young electric guitar player, Chase, was mobbed like a rock star. He held court for quite a while, talking to them and showing them chords on his guitar. More importantly, he listened to them. Some of the boys had guitars, so we handed out our sheet music with the guitar chords on it. All in all, it was quite a heady evening, and we had an absolute blast!!

I strongly encourage you to get involved with the Bard Project if you are a performer, or give to the Bard Project if you’re not. It truly does make a difference.

Ils sont parties and down the road………….KH

Click here to email Kathleen

Schreiner University

Wimberley Valley Art League 2007 Artists' Studio Tour

The Wimberley Valley Art League (WVAL) is offering its annual artists’ studio tour this fall on September 21st and 22nd. This year visitors can view a wide variety of art ranging from painting, photography, fiber arts, glass sculpture, jewelry, & music. Six local artists representing these creative endeavors will be featured, making this showing an unusual cross section of artistic activity in this area.

Residents & tourists will have the opportunity of visiting workplaces not normally open to the public. Studios of the following artists will be shown: Sandra Doak & Sue Ellen Stavrand, fiber arts; Lilli Pell, paintings; Bob Cook, paintings & photography; Zanna James, jewelry; Bill Meek, glass sculpture; & Dodee & Billy Crockett, music production. Profiles & photos of the artists and their studios will be featured in area newspapers as the tour dates approach. Several artists have websites where further information is available.

Tickets benefit the WVAL, a non-profit organization, & its art education projects. For this special fund-raising event, tickets will be priced the same as last years: $12 for adults and $6 for students. Purchases of artworks may be available at various studios & a percentage of the sale will also benefit WVAL projects. Tickets will be available mid-August at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. A “photo loop” orienting this year’s tour with photographs of the artists & their studios can be seen at the Visitor’s Center sometime in early September.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see what makes Wimberley an artist colony truly unique to the Texas Hill County!

For more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce Visitor's Center at 512-847-2201.

From Granbury Live to Fredericksburg

Rockbox Theater, located at 109 N. Llano just one block off Main Street, is the only professionally cast live-music show in the Texas Hill Country that guarantees family-friendly entertainment.


The indoor theater opened June 2007 and features a resident cast of professional entertainers who performed together for seven years at Granbury Live, a live-music theater on the square in Granbury, before moving to Fredericksburg.


On stage together in Granbury from December 1999 - April 2007 for over 1500 concerts where sold-out houses were the norm, this ensemble amassed a wide repertoire of songs and comedy that entertains, uplifts, and inspires.


"We are blessed to be in our new theater in Fredericksburg and 'funtabulous' entertainment is what you will discover every weekend at Rockbox," said Creative Director Russ Hearn. "At the core, we are a professional variety live-music show that guarantees family-friendly entertainment. The foundation of our playlist will come from ‘the golden era of rock n roll’; but, there will always be plenty of variety as well, taken from ‘the great American pop song catalogue’, often referred to as the ‘standards’. At times, we’ll also pay tribute to great Texas musicians (from Stevie Ray Vaughn and ZZ Top to Bob Wills and Buddy Holly) and to the distinctive cultural music of Texas, including roots and folk music, country, Texas swing, blues, and the ethnic music of our Texas history, including, of course, the German musical heritage found in Fredericksburg.


Rockbox provides a stage for professional entertainers who are willing to put their talents on display and give the glory to God. "Our goal is to attract and keep great talent who bring authenticity and energy to the performance," continues Hearn. The 390-seat indoor theater features state-of-the-art light design by Texas Scenic out of San Antonio and audio design by Big Ear Sound from Acton, Texas. For tickets and info, call (830)997-ROCK(7625) or toll-free (866)349-6688.

On the Road - August 2007

by Kathleen Hudson

The news that Terry Penney, his wife Sarah, and his friend Eddie Andrada were killed in a car wreck returning from a music gig in Ulvalde not only saddened me, but also provoked a long walk down memory lane. Loss does that.

Terry was one of the first musicians I met upon moving to Kerrville in 1984. I was coming to town with a new Ph.D, a new divorce, and a new job - development director for Rod Kennedy’s Kerrville Music Foundation. Within a year I moved into part-time then full-time work at Schreiner University. That’s another story. I fell in love with the music Terry played immediately. I had always loved strong guitar work and blues was my doorway into the music world. Terry rocked when he played blues. I began managing a trio he called The Franklin Brothers. Why? Well, I had no experience in music except to experience my own passionate love of music as a fan. I wanted to help out these people I had already grown to love. I discovered that my primary role in life is to share what I love with others. That’s the driving force behind all my projects, both musically and academically (I have been teaching English for 40 years now!).

I walked the streets of Austin, promo kit in hand. I called club managers. I looked for venues and gigs for The Franklin Brother, three white boys playing the blues. And rocking James Harris played bass (and he now teaches with me at Schreiner University Art Department), and a fellow named Mike played drums. They switched drummers from time to time. Terry said, “I want a drummer that can blow my skirt up!” I figured out that he wanted to feel that drummer behind him!

Terry also had a day job. He worked on hair, and I spent years under the razor with him, as I said, “I want rock and roll hair.” We always had fun; we shared several lives together. I showcased his band (now with Ronnie Leatherman) at a Schreiner University freshman orientation at Mo Ranch one year. The students were impressed with his guitar leads. Many of us danced on the concrete pavilion.

As he moved through various music transformations, he seemed to always come back to his first love, blues. Oh, he played country and Christian music, writing songs in many genres. He and Sarah sang and performed together, and a new CD is in the works. He had joined the Texas Heritage Music Foundation and was part of our roster of musicians to send into schools. The entire music community misses Terry and Sarah.

I'm in Ft. Worth this month staying with my dad. My mother had her pacemaker replaced at age 83 and is working on some rehabilitation I am taking a walk down memory lane as I listen to the family stories in the family home. All four of my siblings are close by. Memory is a wonderful part of being human. We share our memories by sharing out stories and songs. The mission statement of the Texas Heritage Music Foundation, an organization I started 20 years ago, out of this same commitment and vision. Funny how time weaves our stories together and patterns start showing up.

Rod Kennedy is now producing a music series in Plano, Texas. The August 9th concert is an evening with Jimmy LaFave and Gary P. Nunn. Now that’s a pair to draw to. (Thank Guy Clark for all of you who recognize the allusion.) Jimmy played at my 60th birthday, thanks to sister Carolyn Pillow and Rod Kennedy. Gary P. Nunn is an advisory director of the THMF. I plan on attending this concert if I’m still in the metroplex area. And I might be.

Dalis Allen has put together an exciting lineup for the annual Kerrville Wine and Music Festival. Check out their website for details around this Labor Day Party weekend. She is weaving together the music of local performers with touring performers Glad to see Jay Boy Adams on the bill again. And we will be rocking to a close the first night with a Tex/Mex rocking blues band. Los TexManiacs. Then Guy Forsythe and his eclectic brilliant performance of music ends the second night. And the entire event ends with Jay Boy Adams. Important to stay until the fat lady sings, so to speak.

Put these September dates on your calendar for THMF: September 5, Wednesday, is the first coffeehouse at Schreiner University featuring Rodney Hayden and a birthday tribute to The Father of Country Music, Jimmie Rodgers. He built his dream home at 617 West Main in Kerrville and lived here from 1929-1931, crucial recording years for him as well. His birthday is September 8. The THMF annual Living History Event is Friday, September 28. With over 50 performers on the Schreiner University campus, this event showcases another way of learning using stories and songs. We are also working with the Texas Folklore Society on a panel from 4-6 p.m., and we’ll have an evening of the music of the West with Duke Davis. Wow, what a day!
October 5 is the second coffeehouse and the booksigning for my second book, an oral history of the women in Texas music. See kathleenhudson.net for a photo of the book! It’s a gorgeous production of the University of Texas Press, and it’s for sale online now. I have invited Rosie Flores, a woman in the book, to be our featured artist for the month. Other women in the book include Terri Hendrix, Pauline Reese, Bobbie Nelson, Emily Robison, Ruthie Foster, Cyd Cassone, Barb Donavon, Wanda King, Marcia Ball, Sara Hickman, Karen Abrahams and many more! I had a great time collecting their stories. Each story served as an inspiration to my own life. And my book is dedicated to my mother and all the women in my life. I have one daughter and four granddaughters! Jessica, age 15, spent her 9th grade year living with me. What a joy, what an experience, what a learning opportunity for me.

Yes, the Texas Hill Country is rich with stories and songs, opportunities for musicians and songwriters, open mikes and new venues. Bandera is hopping with opportunity as is Fredericksburg. Two strong radio stations, both online, KFAN and KRVL, capture the history in the making. Down the road and ils sont partis. KH

Click here to email Kathleen

Schreiner University

Best of the Best in Bandera -

The votes are in and readers of the Bandera Bulletin have spoken.

The Old Texas Square and its businesses: Texaritas, Texas Deli Company and Tequila Ritas, have swept the awards for great food and great customer service. Among the #1’s given are:

• Best looking business
• Best image business
• Best All Around Food
• Best Steak
• Best Mexican Food
• Best BBQ
• Best Pizza
• Best Salads
• Best Margaritas
• Best Sandwich
• Best French Fries
• Best Hotel
• Best restaurant service
• Friendliest service
• Best Boss
• Best Server
• Best Hamburger
• Best Chicken

If you aren’t a customer yet, give these folks a try and see why they are the Best of the Best in Bandera County.

www.texassquare.com

Old Texas Square 830-796-4100
Texaritas 830-796-9400
Texas Deli Co. 830-796-9779
Tequila Ritas 830-796-4100

Come to Canyon Lake & the Guadalupe River for Outdoor Adventures and Summer Fun

Canyon Lake & The Guadalupe River Area, Texas – July 20, 2007

The sun is out, the lake is cool, the river is inviting, and the golf courses are green. It’s summertime and Comal County continues to offer its residents and visitors exciting outdoor adventures.

For water sports enthusiasts, kayaking, boating, rafting and tubing adventures are available on Canyon Lake and the Guadalupe River Area. And, visitors to Canyon Lake beaches can play in the parks, bask in the sun, or fish on miles of Canyon Lake. On the Guadalupe, you can fly fish for trout, ride tubes down the rapids, or just relax and enjoy nature at its finest.

Visit the Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country Association. Located in the in the beautiful Canyon Lake area, the MUSEUM has displays on: Native American Artifacts, Early Pioneers including Farm Machinery, the Canyon Dam History, Fossils, Gift Shop, open air picnic area, and the Heritage Garden Trail of native Texas plants.

DINOSAUR TRACKS are at the same site. The most prolific site in Texas, in terms of numbers. These tracks were made during the deposition of the upper part of the Glen Rose Formation roughly 100 million years ago. Visit www.heritage-museum.info

For golf lovers, the Canyon Lake Area’s great golf courses are green and ready to be enjoyed. They offer players of all levels great golfing experiences among rolling green hills in the Texas Hill Country.

Campers and hikers/bikers will find an abundance of outdoor options in the Canyon Lake & Guadalupe River Area. If big adventure is on your agenda, travelers have their choice of scenic hiking/biking trails, horse back riding, primitive RV campsites, and abundant wildlife viewing to enjoy. We want you to know that we have all the accommodations you need, from budget-priced to luxurious.

We are extremely pleased to welcome visitors to our area and are sure you will leave with pleasant vacation memories, and a smile. From sunrise to sunset, we offer everything from romantic getaways to fun-in-the-sun activities on our beautiful lake and river.

For information on all there is to see, do, and experience in Canyon Lake & the Guadalupe River Area visit www.canyonlakechamber.com or call 1-800-528-2104 for your free copy of the Visitor Guide and Accommodations plus an official map of the area.