If you read this on Saturday, head out to Bandera and catch a great
Christmas party with Pat Green at the Cabaret. This young man is up and
coming and coming. Not only a favorite among college crowds, he also
performed one of the sterling moments at the July 4th Willie
Nelson Picnic, a duet with Joe Ely singing “Me and Billy the Kid.”
He also packed Luckenbach, saying, “I’m so proud to be playing in
this classic Texas dancehall where most of my heroes have performed.”
Pat’s
associates, Jimmy Perkins and Jay Boy Adams (Roadhouse Management in
Waring), contribute solid direction for this expanding career. Pat has
five successful CD’s without the help of a Nashville publishing deal.
Another stroke Americana
music, for the independent Texas approach to being in the music
business. Not only is his
career growing, but his reputation as a songwriter is growing. We hope
to showcase him in April at the Texas Writers Conference at Schreiner
University.
By
the time you read this, I will have attended the Tish Hinojosa Concert
at the house concert in Wimberly, produced by Val Denn at the Methodist
Church. Her road through the music business has been a long and winding
one, but she is insistent on staying true to her own words, her own
voice. Tish has been daringly experimental, her songs speaking the truth
of her own experience. She has written of her family, the Westside of
San Antonio, her dreams and her own personal growth. After absorbing
Octavio Paz, she composed an album called “Sonar del Labrinto,”
honoring his classic work, Labryinth of Solitude. She introduces the
work with a quote from Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz. The album, produced by
Jim Ed Norman in Nashville, came out in two versions, English and
Spanish.
Even
though I write this column on Sunday, I know Thursday, December 14th,
I’ll be listening to the pure voice of Tish echo in the chapel of the
Methodist Church in Wimberly. The perfect setting. Rod Kennedy has
showcased this artist for years at the Kerrville Folk Festival. I even
remember her playing at the Acapulco Restaurant when it was Rocky
Joe’s. She recorded the James McMurtrty song, “Crazy
Winds and Flashing Yellows,” and invited him to join her
singing it. That was years ago. Many of you have Tish Hinojosa stories.
I loved watching her perform at the Kerrville Folk Festival,
elegant in her simplicity. Tish Hinojosa is, indeed, a Texas treasure
from the heart of music.
Rod
Kennedy’s production of the Michael Martin Christmas Concert on
December 19 at the YO Ranch Hotel is sold out.
I saw Michael perform here years ago at the Longbranch Ballroom
(now the KC Hall). He packed the house then. His song “Wildfire” is
still a favorite of my music-loving son, Clayton.
I
missed Ridge Floyd at the Arcadia last weekend (grading final writing
portfolios), but we need more events in this historic spot. James
Harvey, who produced the Ponty Bone Halloween party, is committed to
helping out.
The
Christmas pageant is still going on down in Louise Hays Park. Yes, music
plays a big part in that event. Head to the park and join in the
singing. Last year I head music in the bank lobby of Bank of the Hills.
Check out those bank lobbies during this holiday season.
I
took my freshman class to the state hospital for a Christmas party. We
brought food, gifts and music. I even drew on my high school piano
lessons to join in the class on some standard Christmas songs. What a
great way to end the semester, singing together as a gift to the
community.
E-mail
me our stories of Christmas and music. December 10 was the day of the
big rally in New York to demand that President Clinton free Leonard
Peltier from jail—now that all the evidence has dissolved. Time will
tell.
I
still say Free Leonard and down the road.
Kat@maverickbbs.com
eMail Kathleen: kat@maverickbbs.com
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