On the Road - November 2007

Writing this after that first fall snap….45 degrees at my house in the country. Feeding horses in wind and rain. Ah, a good old Texas song comes to mind. I’m having a great time showing up at gigs with the women in my book.. After booksigning at Hastings on October 27, I headed up to Marble Falls to be with Marcia Ball at a new event, Sculpture on the Main! 36 life-size pieces of sculpture were mounted along Main Street in Marble Falls for display and sale for one year. The day involved viewing the art, tasting wine and food from local restaurants from 5-7 p.m. Marcia Ball, a pivotal chapter in my book, played at the Uptown Marble Theatre at 7:30. And her opening act, Garrett LeBeau, brought us some funk/jazz or some “cool” notes. I really loved his sound! Check here next month. And check out http://www.historicmainstreet.org/ and http://www.uptownmarble.com/ That last website gives a schedule for the Uptown Theatre, another cool music venue. In fact, I stayed at the Wallace House, right around the corner from the theatre. Now this historic guest house is perfect for that special getaway. My daughter and I stayed in the Marble Falls room, and we found out later that the room did not like men! The manager told us that she hung a picture on the wall once, and it dropped each time she turned her back. A picture of men. Well, we loved that haunting story! I recommend this place, and, of course, we had breakfast at the Bluebonnet Café.

I know that the last weekend in March needs to be marked on your calendar. Bluebonnet Blues Festival is up and running with Blow and Cindy leading the way. Head to Marble Falls one day to view these outstanding sculptures. The creative mind at work. And don’t miss the music there. Mike Blakely has a home base in Marble Falls.

On October 13 I had a rousing good time at an afternoon show with The Texana Dames at Patsy’s Cowgirl Café on East Ben White in Austin. That kind of afternoon show brings out the true music lovers, and a party begins! This exquisite family, Charlene on keyboard with daughers Conni on guitar and steel and Traci on accordion with all the women singing, is one of a kind! I hope to go on tour with my book and with the Texana Dames. Need us for a show? Just let me know. John Reed on guitar and Paul Mills rounded out the family affair. This is the same group that toured Switzerland and Austria years ago. I followed along, snapping picture and taking photos. What fun.

Ahead is the November 7 Texas Music Coffehouse at Schreiner University (a THMF event with the Center for Innovative Learning at Schreiner) begins with a tribute to Native American History (now called American Indian, according to Frank Greyhorse Padrone) and a show by Walt Wilkins y Los Mystiqueros (Bill Small and Johnny Greenberg). Expect great songs, a lively performance, exquisite words and fun! Megan Padrone, Schreiner student, will kick off the evening with an American Indian dance. She is of the Apace White Mountain tribe, where her father, Frank, once lived on the reservation. Don’t miss this special evening. We will begin and end with a short open mike. Walt will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. The evening lasts from 7-9 p.m.

A new promo kit hit the THMF office this week, Jackson Taylor. Listen to these song titles: “Outlaws Ain’t Wanted Anymore,” Outlaw Women,” “Shallow Grave,” “Dark Days,” yep, I like the songs! The promo says: “Jackson Taylor tells stories about what he knows—life. Jackson’s songs paint tales of lives filled with passion and joy as much as of a life tainted by sorrow and disappointment—his life. Jackson sings of heaven and hell, beatury and grit—Jackson sings of real life. Maybe he’ll come through the Hill Country. Check him out. He’s played with Billy Joe Shaver, David Allen Coe, Kevin Fowler and more of the outlaws! I happen to like the look! Yes, you can tell a CD by its cover, sometimes. Billy Joe Shaver calls himself “a friend and a fan.” That’s good enough for me!

I am loving the new Sugar Hill release of a 1992 live show at the Bluebird in Nashville with his now deceased son, Eddie. “Billy Joe Shaver, Storyteller,” lives up to its title. I love the stories, the songs, the guitar riffs, the music. A classic in the Texas music lineup, this Cd captures the man and the magic. Time for Billy Joe to head back to the Hill Country!

I’ll be at the Texas Book Festival in Austin on Sunday, November 4, at noon in the music tent. And Ruthie Foster will be performing as we showcase my book of interviews. Her interview with me was originally 8,000 words! I had to do some editing, and she still commands a large part of the book. And she deserves it. I had so many extra interviews that I created a spot for the book to “continue” in cyberspace at www.kathleenhudson.net

The THMF is still conducting a membership drive for the 20^th anniversary. With a larger membership we can raise more funding for interesting music projects. The Bard Project, managed now by Paula Reynolds of Hill Country House Concert fame, is putting musicians into the schools on a regular basis. So far Duke Davis played Peterson all day, Ken Waldman performed his poetry and fiddle music with Ingram Middle School. Lawrence Clarke went back to Ingram on Friday, Oct. 26. Richard Dobson, songwriter and compadre of Townes Van Zandt, will visit my classes on Thursday, November 8. YOU are invited to class. 10:50-noon and 2:40-3:55 on that day in Weir building, room 120. This songwriter now lives in Switzerland. He has a bag full of CD’s, a book and a newsletter that all express his creative vision. (see http://www.texasheritagemusic.org/)

Also ahead November 2-3 is a music festival at Bandera Downs with Tejano music on the second day. Great time to hear a classic Texas band, Little Joe Y La Familia. They last played Kerrville with Willie Nelson in 1997 to raise money for the Wayne Kennemer Scholarship Fund. And most recently I received a CD or class country performed by John Christopher Way, son of fiddler Johnny Way. Both father and son knew Wayne Kennemer as well! Janice tells me that Wayne used to talk about Little Johnny Way at age 4 playing a fiddle that was too big for him to hold. He once received our scholarship fund and this CD is a great example of his talent. He also recorded three songs by Gary Jones, another favorite of mine! More about this special CD next month! Seems a benefit for Big Brothers and Big Sisters is on the horizon for December 1 in the pavilion in Louise Hayes Park. An early show with stuff for the entire family! Tim Jones has taken on some management with this humble young man. If you like country music, you will love John Christopher Way! Be on the lookout for this young man.

Be sure to visit The Hill Country Calendar for events in Fredericksburg Texas, New Braunfels Texas, San Marcos Texas, Kerrville Texas and the rest of the Texas Hill Country.

Happy Trails and ils sont partis. KH

2007 Hill Country Tour of Homes

The 2007 Hill Country Tour of Homes is this weekend and next weekend! FREE Admission.

Go to www.HillCountryTourOfHomes.com for a map and information on all 27 homes and 7 developments.

Upcoming Frio Canyon Events & Happenings

There will be plenty to do this Fall in the Frio Canyon and neighboring areas. The crowds of summer have departed and temperatures are falling. The weather in Fall is the perfect time to take out the RV and head to Parkview Riverside RV Park in Concan. We are centrally located to all the upcoming events of the season. Contact Parkview Riverside RV Park at 830-232-4171.

Nov. 9 – Second Annual Three Sisters Motorcycle Rally.
There will be music, food, vendors, lodging, fun rides and camaraderie. A ceremony for the Veterans will be on Nov. 11 – Honor ride, laying of the wreath, taps, gun salute and military flyover.

Nov. 22 – Thanksgiving Day – Parkview Riverside RV Park.
The park cooks all the turkey, dressing and gravy and the park guests bring all the rest of the side dishes and desserts. Afterwards, we play games, visit, and watch football on the wide-screen TV. Last year attendance was over 100.

Check out the brand new 18 hole golf course only 5 miles away from Parkview. You will enjoy first class Zoysia fairways, contoured Bermuda greens, modern clubhouse & spa, panoramic 360 degree views of the Hill Country. The course provides challenges to many skill levels. For more info go to www.concongolf.com.

Only 30 miles from Parkview is Lost Maples State Natural Area. You will find 11 miles of trails leading to scenic overlooks and spring-fed ponds. But the main attraction is the bigtooth maple trees that thrive there. The colors are dazzling in the Fall. Don't miss all the wonderful things that Fall in the Hill Country has to offer.

Hill Country Tour of Homes

October 20-21 & 27-28, 2007
Saturday 10AM-5PM and Sunday 12PM-5PM
Free Admission

Visit http://www.hillcountrytourofhomes.com/ for up-to-date information.

Register for a $500 drawing by visiting any of these Developments or Builders' Homes during the scheduled Hill Country Tour of Homes:

BCI Custom Homes
Bledsoe General Contracting
Cadillac Custom Homes
Cypress Springs Estates
Fredericksburg Homes, An Entity of Dartez GB Custom Homes
Hill Country Integrity Homes
Hill Country Service
Hills of Texas Homes
Hillstone Builder's Inc
Hominick Custom Builders
Ideal Homes, A Division of Hill Country Integrity Homes
Keystone Development
Las Colinas Builders
Laughlin Homes & Restoration
Mabery Contracting
Oaks of Windcrest
Origin Homes
Stone Ridge
The Heights of Kerrville
The Meridian
The Summit
Timeless Luxury Homes

Bid on one of these Silent Auction items during the Tour! A portion of the proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity in Kerr County & Fredericksburg!

$1500 Wooden front door with decorative iron & glass - provided by The Front Door Company; $747 "Fresh Air" purifier by Purified LIFE;
$269 Hampton Bay "Dawson" ceiling fan - The Home Depot

Hill Country Tour of Homes is Sponsored in part by:
MainStreets of Texas Mortgage - Fredericksburg 830-997-9211 or Kerrville 830-792-060
Hill Country State Bank, 830-896-5000
Hominick Custom Builders, 210-695-6970
M.G. Building Materials, 830-257-2300
ADCO Advertising
Archetype Designs

The Hill Country Home Builders Association is a trade organization whose members are involved in the development, homebuilding, and remodeling industry in twelve counties, the majority of what is known as the Texas Hill Country. At the current rate of building, the industry as a whole in Texas contributes some 550,000 jobs and approximately $37 Billion dollars to the local economy and jurisdictions annually.

On The Road - October, 2007

By Kathleen Hudson

Big State Music Festival, October 12-14, is an extravaganza of music, featuring the best of Texas. Willie, Lyle, Robert Earl and more. Happening at the Texas World Speedway in Bryan-College Station, the festival is produced by Texas Parks and Wildlife. Check out this list of who’s who: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Trace Adkins, Jack Ingram, Los Lonely Boys, The Flatlanders, Miranda Lambert, Kevin Fowler, Leon Russell, Charlie Louvin, Willis Allen Ramsey, Kelly Willis, Rodney Hayden (after his appearance at the Texas Heritage Music Festival on September 28), Drew Kennedy (a Sustain Record Album artist who has also visited my classroom at Schreiner), Tim McGraw and more! What a speedway that will be! I was hoping to interview Lyle Lovett, a fellow who once played many a campfire in Kerrville and participated in my first oral history. He had no time. Willie does not schedule interviews anymore. Imagine that. This will be a show worth seeing and hearing. I’m sure Lynyrd will do justice to that classic Jimmie Rodgers song, “T For Texas.”

I’ll be at a book signing for my second book: Women in Texas Music: Stories and Songs, at Patsy’s Cowgirl Café on Ben White in Austin on October 13 from 4-6 p.m. Featured artists, also in the book, are the Texana Dames. These women are puro Texas music, Americana and roots. All in one package. When mother and daughters sing and play together, with dad joining in to dance from time to time, the magic is created. I am thrilled when I get to “be” a dame! One year I followed this group for ten days around Europe, watching these fans devour the beauty and talent of this family. John Reed accompanied on guitar, and Paul was on drums. What a great memory for me, watching the impact of our own women from Lubbock, Texas, taking the world by storm. With music, of course.

October 3….Carolyn Wonderland is our featured artist at the Texas Music Coffeehouse and book signing for my second book with UT Press. Held at Schreiner University in the student center (Lion’s Den), we begin at 6 followed by the coffeehouse from 7-9. Carolyn is a chapter in my book, Women and Texas Music: Stories and Songs.

My road trip through musicland in Texas has taken me back to Luckenbach for Mike Blakeley’s Fandango 2007. Friday night ended with a rocking set by Walt Wilkins y Los Mystiqueros. A large stick of incense burning on one of Baby Ray’s drums set the tone. Mystic? Well, yes. Passionate? Or course. And they all rock! Lead guitars wailing, Walt singing his heart out, with four levels of harmony surrounding him. I loved sitting on a front row bench capturing images with my camera. Luckenbach was a soft collage of color and sound all night, with music lovers gathered beneath the spreading oak and next to the wooden bar.

I also ventured to Austin in a driving rainstorm to hear Sam Baker (produced by Walt) at the “Mean-eyed Cat,” a chapel and bar devoted to Johnny Cash. Sam was accompanied by Mystiqueros Johnny “Gringo” Greenburg and Bill Small. A group of devout fans gathered on this Monday night for Sam’s stories and songs on the back porch, after the rain quit falling. I love being part of a group of fans who know and love the music already. Makes the experience communal.

Brennen Leigh visited my American literature class before playing at the September 5 coffeehouse. The Lion’s Den at Schreiner was packed. We heard Chris Fontanes, an English/theatre major, do some standup comedy. I happen to also have a book of his poetry, recently compiled. Great stuff. Two for Texas took the stage. Jacob Ames and Chandler Kuhn began with a musical tribute to our Latin heritage and ended with a Father/son duo at Big G (Gordon Ames) joined his son, Dobro on his lap, for one last song. Then Brennen and her haunting hillbilly voice.

In class she shared her own story. Raised on the border of Minnesota and North Dakota, she began listening to Jimmie Rodgers (oddly enough) as a teenager. She’s only twenty-four now. She can yodel, yes. And her voices carries her influences (Jimmie and Gillian Welch) even as it IS her own sound. The crowd of over 200 people seemed to love discovering Brennen Leigh. Accompanied by a stand-up bass player, the duo was also a visual delight. Check out www.brennenleigh.com and join her fan base.

I attended an afternoon at the Kerrville Wine and Music Festival, called out for the drive by a lineup called “Dad’s Who Rock,” featuring Matt the Electrician, Nathan Hamilton, Beaver Nelson, and Michael Fracasso. The harmony, the single shots, the music all filled me up. We heard funky rhythms, rock riffs, folk stories and even a few songs with Matt on horn! Beaver said, “If you name a thing, it lives.” I want to declare that this collection of musicians, often with children in tow, rock out!

This moment after I heard KRVL advertising the opening of Lone Star Music.com at the store on Sidney Baker. I stopped in because I heard non other than the voice of Sam Baker. I had to meet him. After his radio set, I introduced myself and started rattling on about being a new fan, after hearing about him from Rob Booth, THMF board member, forever! I carried off his first album, “Mercy,” also a photo surrounded by a stark white border, looking just like the second album This cover says a lot about the space allowed in each of the songs. And this store has the music of many performers I love and appreciate. Many who have shown up in one of my two books that document Texas music with oral history. Stop in and check out this eclectic selection of true Texas music. Hopefully you can find my book there as well! Soon.

Friday September 28 was a full day of celebration of the 20th anniversary of the THMF. From 9- 3 p.m. on the Schreiner campus we heard Texas songwriters, experienced Danze Azteca, listened to storytellers, enjoyed Gospel music in the old Union Church, looked at artifacts representing all aspects of Texas heritage. At noon under the Robbins Lewis Pavilion we paid tribute, once again, to Jimmie Rodgers, the Father of Country Music. Hosted by Tony Navarra appearing as Jimmie, Jimmie’s great grandchildren, Dixie, Austin and Cody Court sang a little backup behind Herb Arbuckle as he performed the only gospel song written by Jimmie.

Tim Summerlin (Schreiner president) sang a song of Jimmie”s, as will Rodney Hayden, Stan Morris, Brennen Leigh, joined by EC Willman, Tim Porter and a host of friends! We had a panel with the Texas Folklore Society. We heard Herb’s paper on “The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez,” and stories from Lee Haile and Acayla. Jean Schnitz moderated, and Lori Noonan read a section for her novel on women in west Texas. Our evening performance was a brilliant musical tribute to Western music, featuring Duke Davis and his band, Buckshot. I heard all my favorite songs, great harmony and even shed a tear of nostalgia. Duke will be a guest artist in the THMF Bard project, visiting Peterson Middle School as writer-in-residence in a program co-sponsored with KSTAR. Yes, life on goes after the Living history Day.

Nov. 7 is the last coffeehouse of the Fall series. Walt Wilkins and Los Mystiqueros have been invited. Stay tuned to www.texasheritagemusic.org.

Ideas looking for a home (volunteers, sponsorship, funding): Jimmie Rodgers Songwriting School; Music for Nursing Homes; House Concert with Javier Estrada from San Miguel de Allende, CD showcasing local Hill Country songwriters and performers.

Herb Arbuckle has been named the Research Assistant for the THMF. His lifetime collection of the works of J. Frank Dobie were donated to Schreiner University. He has now turned his interest and talent to conducting research on the life and music of Jimmie Rodgers. He tracked down Austin and Cody Court to give them a special invitation to the Living History Day on September 28 at Schreiner University. Seems they had lived in his neighborhood in Corpus for years! Karen Court Kennedy also attended the September event. I remember the years of proudly showcasing Jimmie Dale Court, the grandson of Jimmie Rodgers, right here in Kerrville, Texas! His untimely death at the age of 45 left a vacancy in the tradition. Perhaps Austin and Cody will fill it in!

We welcome the volunteer work of Paula Reynolds, coordinator of The Bard Project, a project funded by a grant from The Peterson Foundation, that sends musicians and songwriters into the schools. If you have a classroom or school group interested, call 830-792-1945 or e-mail Paula at Paula.Reynolds@KerrvilleISD.net.

Many businesses and individuals make this educational event possible each year! Schreiner University comes on as a major co-sponsor. The Sunrise Lions not only help fund the educational package that we give to each teacher, but they also supervise the massive parking project. Chi Phi Fraternity helped set up and tear down the event. Delta Phi Epsilon managed the Dr. Pepper d rink booth where proceeds benefit the Wayne Kennemer Scholarship Fund for THMF. Many Schreiner students volunteered and helped make this event work. Tim Wilton, former producer and site manager, takes charge of the day, once again. And it goes smoothly. Music magazines like MYTH and Hill Country Happenings have donated space and helped get the word out, along with KRVL Radio, a major media sponsor. So many to thank,. A true community event. Samantha and Prari have been preparing the office and distributing information in the community. Jeremiah Parson, now part-time at the THMF office, has become an assistant producer for this event. Stephanie Gaines produced the educational package, true to her excellent abilities as an English major at Schreiner. Sandra Langley keeps writing our news releases for us. Yep, teamwork is the name of the game.

Ils sont partis. KH

Burnett County Genealogical Society Seminar

There's something for everyone in Burnet, Texas, 12-13 October -- a fun-filled weekend of Cultural and Living Arts, including poets, authors, genealogy research, life skills demonstrations, and storytellers. The multi-level event is sponsored by three non-profit organizations: Burnet Cultural Arts Festival, Ft. Croghan's Heritage Society and the Burnet County Genealogical Society.

The Festival kicks off Friday morning, October 12, with a Genealogy Seminar from 8-4, featuring Emily Croom speaking on 4 different research topics. Friday night features Keynote speaker Joaquin Jackson and a mix and mingle with star poets and authors.

On Saturday, from 9-4, travel back in time at old Ft. Croghan where one can see folks in period dress show what life was like in the 1850s. Visitors can meet Dragoons and Indians, frontiersmen and Republic of Texas Rangers while listening to live music all day. Also on Saturday, research will be available at the Ft. Croghan museum for genealogy buffs, where they can access original will packets, deed and district court record books, books, and original photographs. Meanwhile, meet authors, buy books, or listen to poets on Burnet's historic square.

Saturday night at the Burnet High School, see author John Erickson as he presents Hank the Cowdog in Concert. A dance with the Flashbacks (Big Band Swing music from the '40s) will follow the John Erickson performance.

Call 512-756-1800 for ticket prices and more information.

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.