Fredericksburg’s Founders Day set for May 12

Fredericksburg’s Founders Day set for May 12

by Phil Houseal

Families can help Fredericksburg celebrate its anniversary at Founders Day, held this year on Saturday, May 12, at the Pioneer Museum on Main Street.

Frontier-style activities include demonstrations of blacksmithing, fence making, sheep shearing, and quilting and spinning. Kids can make rope, churn butter, milk a goat, and build toys out of clothespins. A chuckwagon chef will serve up homemade biscuits, cobble, and cowboy coffee.

All of the historic structures at the museum will be open for the public to visit. Local teacher Annabelle Wilkinson plans to lead pioneer school activities in the one-room White Oak School.

Lee Haile, cowboy poet, will sit on the porch steps spinning yarns and singing songs of the old west.

The event runs between noon and 4 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is the regular $4 museum ticket for ages 12 and up, with 11 and under getting in free. The traditional laying of the wreath honoring the community's founders takes place in Marktplatz at 10 a.m., and is free and open to the public.

The Pioneer Museum’s 3.5-acre site features nine buildings, including one of the first stores in Fredericksburg, a smokehouse, blacksmith shop, and an original Sunday House. Fredericksburg is known for celebrating its heritage every day, and visitors will find unique shopping, dining, sightseeing, and overnight accommodations within walking distance of the event grounds. Founders Day is a project of the Gillespie County Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve historic sites and objects in Gillespie County, while promoting interest in Texas history. More information is available by calling (830) 997-2835, or by visiting www. pioneermuseum.com.

Photo: Lee Haile will spin yarns and sing songs for young and old visiting the Pioneer Museum to celebrate Founders Day on May 12.

Pioneer Museum

FabTones coming to FBG Event Center for Beatles Dance Party

by Phil Houseal

The FabTones, a Beatles tribute band from Austin, will help fans of the Fab Four twist and shout the evening away at the FBG Event Center in Fredericksburg on Sat April 28 beginning at 7 p.m.

The goal of a FabTones performance is to create the excitement of a Beatles concert, according to Jack Flatau. By day, Flatau is the soccer coach at Southwestern University, but in the evening he performs as "Paul."

“Our goal is to have you sense that you are listening to the Beatles,” Flatau said.

They do that by wearing Beatles-style outfits, singing with British accents, and playing Beatles model instruments. Vocally, they recreate the distinctive harmonies that set Beatles music above other groups of the era.

The FabTones focus on the early Beatles music, featuring such hits as A Hard Day's Night, Please Please Me, Ticket to Ride, and Get Back.

Along with dancing, guests will enjoy a costume contest, trivia, and other surprises. Everyone attending will be eligible to win door prizes, including posters, books, and Beatles CDs.

Shannon Anderson of the Old Thyme Fun Shop will have a booth for face painting and costume supplies. The Limestone Grille will serve food, and drinks will be available.

Tickets are on sale at 830-990-1010. Advance tickets are $12 per adult, $7 per student (ages 13-21), and 12 and under free. Tickets at the door are $15 per adult. A special advance package with reserved table near the stage, dinner, and 4 drink tickets is available for $40 per couple.

The FBG Event Center is located just south of Fredericksburg on Tivydale Road. The party begins at 7 p.m. Parking is free.

More information is available by emailing beatles@fullhouseproductions.net.

Photo: Shannon Anderson

Shannon Anderson of the Old Thyme Fun Shop will bring her face paints, wigs, and costumes to help folks get in the 60s swing for the FabTones concert at the FBG Event Center on Sat Apr 28.

On the Road

On The Road

April 2007

by Kathleen Hudson

Bonnie Bishop is featured at the Hill Top House Concert Series on April 21 at 7:00 p.m. in Kerrville. Thanks to Paula and Marty Reynolds, we have yet another fine venue for the music we all love. Bonnie brings strong writing, a great voice, and a compelling performance to any stage. I first heard her at the White Elephant Saloon in Ft. Worth. She also played the Monday night series at the Inn Pub in Kerrville. Speaking of that Pub, Monday, April 2, Drew Kennedy hosted the Acoustic Revolution. Greg Forest hosted in March. I love a venue that gives us a chance to hear acoustic music! Check out the Monday night schedule at the Inn Pub.

Attending the 23^rd SxSW Music Conference in March was the highlight of the month for me. Aside from the overwhelming sensation of choice that I faced each hour, I had one meaningful experience after another. I had to “be here now” so that I wasn’t doing one thing while thinking about all the other exciting events I was missing! Wednesday night I attended the Austin Music Awards. Not a disappointing moment for me during the entire evening. Patrice Pike, a rocker I have not interviewed yet, took home a stack of awards, as did Asleep at the Wheel. And Patrice plays the Kerrville Folk Festival this year! New schedules are out; what a stunning lineup with lots of great women…..Terri Hendrix, Sara Hickman, Ruthie Foster, Patrice Pike and more. Check out the website at www.kerrvillefolkfestival.com

Highlights of the music awards include James McMurtry being honored as BMI songwriter of the year. I first interviewed him when he had written about 5 songs and watched him chosen as a winner of the Kerrville New Folk Songwriters Competition that same year. What a long and winding road for James McMurtry and his band, The Heartless Bastards.

Barbara Kooyman has started a company called TexAmericana which allows artists to commission music, and she gives $5 off the sale of each CD to a public radio station. Her set for the evening began with a call to global activism by Thom “The World” Poet. She not only moved us at the awards show with her stunning performance (accompanied by stellar musicians, including Paul Pearcy on percussion), but she also showcased two more strong and talented women, Michelle Shocked (of Kerrville campfire tapes fame) and Carrie Rodriquez. I immediately imagined the THMF showcasing this group of women on a tour around the world! Barbara was a guest in my creative writing class last year. What a passionate story she tells!

Standing in line for registration on Wednesday, I met the owner of a venue in Denmark. He shared the following: “We want to showcase more Texas music at our venue. WE love the blues and the songwriters. And we can send the touring artists to about four other venues right in Denmark.” Yes, I do love attending a convention and networking for the THMF! I love the idea of showcasing the music I love to a new audience. Lights me up!

All went smoothly at this event that is growing exponentially. Louis Black, one of three founders, wrote a piece in the Austin Chronicle, beautifully expressing why he does what he does. As I read it, I saw that I could use his words to describe my own pathway, one that led to 20 years of history for the THMF. Passion. “Do what you love,” he admonished. “Follow your bliss,” added Joseph Campbell, leading mythologist of this century.

Many of the artists I love are, indeed, true to their own spirit. Michelle Shocked also played at the Thursday afternoon social hour for Texamericana at Threadgills. At the awards show she rocked; at Threadgills, she told her stories and played as a duo with friend, Nick. “I’m from East Texas,” she reminded us, as she played a trilogy of song stories about growing up east of Dallas.

Other highlights of the music awards include a guest appearance of Pete Townshend as Ian Mclagan gave us a real dose of British rock. Paying tribute to Ronnie Lane and the original group, Faces, the stage filled up with award winners, each band member taking home some award.

Bobby Whitlock and Co Co Carmel (sax and vocals) started off the evening showcasing some of Bobby’s work with the songs of Eric Clapton. Their version of “Laila,” with a saxophone lead by the stunning Co Co, was one of those special moments.

Doug Sahm’s son, Shawn, rocked the stage with his band, the Tex/Mex Experience, then joining in on a reunion of the Texas Tornados featuring Flaco Jimenez, Augie Meyers, Ernie Durwawa and Speedy Sparks.

Jimmie Vaughan, joined by James Cotton on harmonica, joined up with Gary Wright to pay homage to Clifford Antone to end the awards show. I was really, really wanting to dance. I did enter the world of music through the door of the blues!

Thursday morning I attended the long conference interview with Emmylou Harris. What stories we heard, and the music was both nostalgic and timely. She told of her bands, her desires, her take on life (all here for a purpose), her joys and her sorrows. I do wish I had heard her hit with a song by Townes Van Zandt, “If I Needed You.” She sang a Louvin Brothers hit, “If I Could Only Win Your Love,” accompanied by Buddy Miller on guitar and harmony. And she announced that she turns 60 on April 4. How open can a woman be?

I came home with a new CD by Gurf Morlix, a Stony Plains compilation of music and video for their 30 year history, and Joe Ely’s new book with UT Press, BONFIRE OF ROADMAPS. The memorabilia from this book and the many road trips is now on display in the Harry Ransom History Center on the UT campus.

Each venue at South by Southwest had a lineup and a flavor. Easier for me to pick a location and park myself than to wander around trying to find a different band each hour. The secret is to conduct some pre-investigation in order to fill your dance card early, always leaving room for surprises.

This conference has become an event easy to cover, easy to enjoy. Everyone seems to do his or her job, and the thousands of volunteer man-hours must be staggering. As a woman who produces a much smaller event in Kerrville each month (/September 28, 2007), I could see the amount of hard and intelligent work that created this seamless experience for me.

I came home eager to create, to learn drums, to sing my songs, to gather a strong team around me and to forge ahead! After 20 years with the THMF, I am ready for the next step, whatever that may look like.

The March coffeehouse held at Schreiner University began when Melissa Weatherly sang “Amazing Grace” acapello. That set the tone for the rest of the evening, ending with Guitar goddess, Carolyn Wonderland playing dobro and delivering her call to action. Women’s History Month was duly celebrated. The last coffeehouse in the spring series, April 4, features Thom “The World” Poet and an evening of spoken word, including a slam poetry contest. Rules? Each poem must be three minutes or less, and a group of judges picked from the audience rate the poem. This system reveals an immediate response to the performance of the poem, bringing the poetic experience out of the textbooks and into the streets (or coffeehouse). As always, we’ll begin with an open mike.

Also April 19-22 is the Old Settler’s Reunion, boasting a lineup of many of my favorites: Ruthie Foster, Peter Rowan, Slim Ritchie, Iris Dement, Mary Gauthier and many more. Held near Austin, this event is an important part of the family of festivals that not only entertain but educate us on the many traditions of Texas music. I once heard Michelle Shocked thre in her full folk/rock mode, calling out to us all to listen. Yes, I’ve been a Michelle Shocked fan since I first heard the Campfire Tapes created at the Kerrville Folk Festival.

April 5-7, Brunhilde and Belle, the warrior and the outlaw, will once again ride the road to Boston and give a presentation on archetypes of women in life and literature at the National Pop Culture Conference. Oh, I love the way my academic life weaves a pattern with my life as a global citizen! I think we’re all part of that pattern; some of see it clearly.

Ahead for the THMF and a celebration of 20 years: “Waiting For a Train,” stage play on the life of Jimmie Rodgers, coming to Kerrville Sept. 22; program to send musicians and songwriters into the schools; new executive director of the organization (talented at running a non-profit and interested? Could begin as part-time. Contact me at 792-1945); organization of volunteer group for September 28 Living History Day; fundraising poster of hands on guitars; new brochure and poster designed by graphic design class at Schriener University; Wayne Kennemer Scholarship award given out in May to a high school student who wants to study music (contact kat@maverickbbs.com for application details. Janice Kennemer scholarship chairman for THMF); membership party and more. JOIN US now as we celebrate 20 years in the Texas Hill Country! Your membership supports all our projects. Member musicians given the paying gigs first!

FLASH: The Dust Devil’s Barbara Malteze wins big at the 2007 Texas Music Awards: “Female Vocalist of the Year” for the second year in a row! The awards were presented by MyTExasMusic.com and hosted at the Music City Texas Theater in Linden, Texas. Wade Bowen (Sustain Records in Kerrville) won Record of The Year. Visit www.TexasMusicAwards.org for more information. Ils sont partis. KH

Click here to email Kathleen

Schreiner University

On the Road

On The road for Hill Country Happenings

March 2007

Kathleen Hudson, aka Belle Starr for March!

On the road in March takes me to South by Southwest in Austin. As a founding member of the Americana Music Association I’ll be at the Wednesday night party with Steve Earle. Hey, it’s worth joining up! www.americanamusic.org

Other highlights of this event include the cutting edge of new and emerging talent (“The Good, The Bad and The Queen’s, a UK all-star quartet touring the states with SxSW as a highly anticipated stop); Pete Townshend’s prescient musical vision as the keynote speech of the conference Wednesday, March 14, at 6:30 p.m.; a robust Australian presence at this event; David Byrne and Gilberto Gil (Brazil’s new minister of culture); Emmylou Harris (need I say more?); and a roster of Canadian acts. That list does not even begin to cover the musical opportunities available from March 14-18. And there’s a Music and Film interactive festival starting March 9-18.

The trade show features a wide range of music business opportunities, including Midem, a worldwide music conference held each January, Barnes and Nobles, Club Kingsnake, IFC, non-profit organizations that promote all aspects of music, technology at all levels, Press opportunities, Magazines, Nevada Film Office, Sedona Film Office, Texas Filmmakers and much more. The guide for the event is a treasure of websites and connections, meeting all your music needs. Over 1,000 acts will perform on stages throughout Austin. Visit www.sxsw.com for schedules.

And, looking for fun? Ready to walk from venue to venue, stand in the press of flesh both inside and outside, attend some of the non-SxSW events, just treasure hunt and wander? I have my stories from many of those years! This year I opted for tickets to the Backyard on Saturday night for the Legends Tour with Willie, Asleep at the Wheel, Ray Price and more. Sounded good just to hit one venue and hear a full show. I will be out scouting the other nights!

March 7 is the THMF coffeehouse at Schreiner University featuring Melissa Weatherly of Sol Patch (one of our own beloved women!) and Carolyn Wonderland, a rocker from Austin. Yes, Women’s History Month is upon us. Expect some interesting tributes to women at the open mike. I’ll bet Belle Starr makes an appearance. I just returned from the Pop Culture Conference in New Mexico where Belle and her warrior friend, Brunhilde (Stephanie Gaines, English major at Schreiner University) gave a presentation on the Outlaw and The Warrior: Archetypes of Women in life and Literature. Yep, Belle just steps out when I’m talking about women now!

Wednesday, March 7, 7-9 p.m., Cailloux student center, is the place to be! Check out Carolyn at www.carolynwonderland.com I last told her, “I want to be you when I grow up.” Well, seems she is an important chapter in my book on Texas women (September 2007 publication date with UT Press), and my photo of her hand on a guitar is the first page of the book! She whips out a trumpet from time to time, wails like Janis, writes like she really means it (strong stuff!) and has plenty to say about the world we live in.

Melissa has captured the heart and soul of Kerrville, hosting a growing open mike with her lifepartner, Brian, as Sol Patch each Thursday night in Kerrville at the Back Porch Cantina on the Junction Highway. The tribute to The Rolling Stones in February brought down the house. Ahead is a night of Bob Dylan! After a successful evening of Beatle tunes……owner in costume! I have noticed that each time I talk with Melissa, I walk away feeling loved! She does that with everyone she meets. Pours on the love light.

KRVL, Kerrville, is showcasing the local scene as well as the rich Texas music scene. Revolution FM 94.3 brings us great music and great stories with stations spread out around Texas.

KFAN in Fredericksburg has been a staple in the Texas music world for a long time, going through several incarnations since the San Antonio days. www.rebelradio.com is streaming worldwide. And their annual show called Windows Over Texas has become a Hill Country tradition in the last five years.

I heard the lyricist for the Grateful Dead in New Mexico at the conference. After his talk, I became a new Deadhead. Possible at 61 several years after Jerry Garcia died? Well, he died singing a Jimmie Rodgers song for the Bob Dylan tribute album. And we create a tribute to Jimmie here each September. A living connection for me! John Perry Barlow gave a talk that resonated with how I see life! Some highlights for me: “You ain’t gonna learn what you don’t want to know”; “I am not an intellectual, rather a front row attendee on the best entertainment there is…the human comedy and tragedy”; “It’s been a long strange trip”; his first lab was watching the Grateful Dead deal with how they created something beyond their intent; Deadheads could not find any dogma so they glommed on to the song order; Human beings fundamentally want to be loved; Don’t lose your sense of wonder and awe. Be in the front row of the mystery science theatre called life; Learn how to accept love. Yeah, I really like all that! His talk will be up on the pop culture site soon! John does not believe in the power of copyright; in fact, he has formed a Electronic Frontiers Foundation and accurately predicted some of the recent trends on the internet…..years ago! Fascinating talk from a fascinating human being…….lyricist with Bob Hunter for the Grateful Dead!

Party in San Miguel de Allende with Patricia Vonne, Gary P. Nunn, and Darin Murphy on Sunday, March 25 at 3:00 p.m. Yep, Texas music in this historic colonial town (where I teach creative writing each May for Schreiner University). Contact me for details.

Also March 30-April 1 is the second annual Bluebonnet Blues & Fines Arts Festival on Main Street in Marble Falls, Texas. Texas legends will entertain with blues, gospel, Tejano and Cajun. Two pianoramas round out the musical program. Great food, activities for kids, and games. Live Art! Yes, “plein air,” translated “in the open air,” is a style used to describe paintings created chiefly outdoors. Visit www.bluebonnetblues.com for details. I’ll be staying at the beautiful Marriott while enjoying this exciting event. One of many sponsors, the Marriott offers beauty and comfort with specials for the blues audience. I attended last year, loving being at the “first” annual. Wonder what Marble Falls will look like after 20 years of this festival!

A THMF announcement: celebrating our 20^th anniversary this year, we are raising the money to fund a new position: Development and executive director. This can be part-time or full-time. Candidate needs to have experience in running a business, raising money, marketing and public relations. We have good part-time help from the students at Schreiner. My second book comes out in September. Time for someone else to run the business! Yes, we want all the local musicians involved in our Living History Day, September 28. Call me to confirm your participation! Yes, we need volunteers to manage membership, events, and volunteers. See www.texasheritagemusic.org for a report on our current status! Ils sont partis. KH aka Belle.

Click here to email Kathleen

Schreiner University

Dig into Dough or Churn Butter at Pioneer Musuem's Spring Break

Kids can dig into dough or churn butter as part of the educational activities planned during Spring Break week at the Pioneer Museum in Fredericksburg on March 13 through 17, 2007.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday, demonstrators will be on hand at various times showing how pioneers lived. In past years, kids (and their parents) have helped spin wool, shear a sheep, milk a goat, make rope, shell corn, make biscuits, and even throw knives at playing cards. Activities confirmed so far for this year include blacksmithing, handworking, breadmaking, and ropemaking.

Cowboy poet Lee Haile will spin his tall tales, western poetry and songs. Representatives of the Coushatta and Lakota Sioux will also be on hand to share Native American artifacts and legends.

Visitors of all ages are invited to make a stop at the Pioneer Museum part of their Fredericksburg spring break getaway. The Hill Country town is well known for its German heritage, shopping, dining, and architecture. The Pioneer Museum is located right on Main Street, at 309 West Main. Parking is free.

During Spring Break, all the museum's regular exhibits and buildings will be open for viewing. Visitors can walk through one of the first stores in Fredericksburg, a smokehouse, blacksmith shop, and an original Sunday House. In the Museum Store, shoppers can find a collection of books on the area's history, along with old-fashioned games, toys and curios reminiscent of the era.

Admission to Spring Break activities is the regular Pioneer Museum fee of $4 for adults; age 11 and under free.

The exact schedule of the pioneer demonstrators will vary day by day. The public is invited to call ahead to get more details of each day’s events. Learn more by calling 830-997-2835, by emailing pioneermuseum@pioneermuseum.com, or by visiting www.pioneermuseum.com.

Bandera Revelries & Reveries

by Patricia Moore

February Happenings
The Annual Chamber Gala kicks off February happenings on the 3rd at the
Cabaret. It's the time of year to honor some folks that have done so much
to help out our area. Brick's on the river is catering and our very own
McKay Brothers are providing the entertainment. Cowboy Mardi Gras is the
weekend of the 10th. So far I know that Ridin'High with Jesse Stuart will
be at the 11th Street Cowboy Bar and James is hosting a gumbo cookoff.
There will also be a cookoff over at Pioneer RV Resort for bbq and chili to
help put the Frontier time Museum...all you cookers out there can get a jump
on the cookoff season by coming on over and honing your skills.and all us
tasters can walk around the block and taste away. The same evening the
Silver Sage holds its ever-popular Annual Sweetheart Dinner and Dance at the
Farm Country Club....looks like this will be a weekend filled with fun of
all kinds. For everyone that has ever dreaming of owning a Hummer, they
won't want to miss the Bandera Sports Complex Benefit on the 24th...dinner,
dance and a chance at a Hummer.

March Look Ahead
The Wild Hog Explosion takes place the weekend of the17th. In addition to
the wild hog catch on Saturday, there'll be the Wild Hog All Bike Rally for
those that love their high horsepower two-wheelers and even a bicycle rodeo
for the kids on Saturday morning in the arena at Mansfield Park. If you are
in town any Friday evening in March you can eat some of the best-fried
catfish anywhere at the Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry. Also during
March Lakehills United Methodist Church hosts its Annual fish Fry and More
on the 24th. I'm sure most of you motorcycle enthusiasts already know that
Biker Rallies of Texas will be bringing in Thunder in the Hills on the 31st.

Tidbits
A sad note to start with...quite a few of you know and love El Jacalito's
Mexican food...Margarita, Mamma Jacalito, lost her bout with cancer just
before Christmas. It is always sad to loose a beloved Bandera
person...However, El Jacalito is still going on with the family running it
and Richard and his wife have opened the Java Hut in Pipe Creek and serve
some of the same great menu items...Speaking of Pipe Creek eateries, the
Blue Plate Café located behind Country Accents antiques is now open again
Friday through Monday with old time favorite lunch specials such as fried
chicken, pot roast, pepper steak, and lasagna along with soups, sandwiches
and homemade desserts. Over in the Tarpley area, Nalene let us know that
the Food Channel is coming to film sometime in February at Mac And
Ernie's...more eatery news...the restaurant and bar in Bandera Lodge should
be opening again soon and there is work on the building that housed Meat
Works. Across the street in Old Town Square there is now a deli featuring
bbq ribs, pizza and more. Fool Moon is now open on Mondays and the Grotto
is getting a new sign...I'd say for a town of 957 folks we have some of the
best eateries around and maybe the most per capita of anywhere 'cause I
didn't mention but a small portion of them. I'm sure hoping that we get the
rain we need this winter so we can have a good year of summer floating on
the Media River...but if we don't the Flying L has broken ground on their
water park and it should be ready to go by the summer.

Happy Trails for Now
Hope to see you our way soon. In the mean time, if we can help, give us a
call at 800-364-3833 or send us an email at
cowpoke@banderacowboycapital.com.

On the Road

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.

Click here to email Kathleen

Texas Heritage Music Foundation

Schreiner University