Catherine Powers successfully surprised her husband, Freddy, on his 70th birthday. Telling him that he was opening for Merle Haggard at a private party in the Darrell Royal Room at the Barton Creek Country Club, she walked into a full ballroom on Wednesday, October 17, and turned to him, smiling, as the entire room stood and sang happy birthday. That surprise was followed by a roast-a litany of stories about this songwriter. Some could not even find a way to roast, since "Freddy is someone to love."

Born October 13, 1931, in Seminole, Texas, Freddy Powers has spent a life playing music and entertaining. He and Merle Haggard discovered each other, and they ended up living at Mt. Shasta together on separate houseboats. "We both had gone through a divorce, and we were both glad about that," explained Merle during his moment to roast.

As Merle shared his Freddy stories, we had the opportunity to experience Merle in a new role-stand-up comic. Over and over he spoke in the voice of Freddy. As he quoted Johnny Cash, he became Cash. But it was the distinct Freddy voice that surprised many gathered in this room.

After a tribute program that included roasts, toasts and a series of performers singing songs by Freddy, Merle Haggard and the Strangers took the stage and performed for about an hour. Even though Freddy played his Ovation guitar, Merle welcomed him to the stage, saying, "This is the last time for that guitar, right?"

Earlier in the evening, Merle handed Freddy a new guitar, one that was designed for Martin guitar by Merle. He explained, "This guitar is made of the same wood that gave us the Jimmie Rodgers guitar. This is going to carry that Jimmie Rodgers sound with it."

Later I approached the stage, asking, "Did you mean the same kind of wood?" "No," Merle replied. "We found some guitar backs at Martin that were from the same tree, the exact same wood, that was used in Jimmie's guitar." And now this community knows the rest of the story. Merle told me to say hi to Blue Yodeler's Paradise, the Rodgers' house located on West Main. I told Merle that we wanted him back down here next September to celebrate the Jimmie birthday moment. Time will tell.

The audience on October 17, was full of performers, songwriters and aficionados of Texas music. The evening began as Jimmy Lee Jones sang "Natural High," a Freddy hit. We also heard "Silver Eagle," "Road to My Heart," "The Truth About You," performed by Johnny Bush, "Ridin' High," Any Old Stormy Night," and "Still Missing You," performed by Pauline Reese. She has been writing and playing a lot in the Austin area, and rumor has it that her career is on the rapid upswing. Recently featured in the Best in Texas Country Music Magazine, she is described in the company of Texas women including Kelly Willis, Terri Hendrix and Rosie Flores.

The Best in Texas gives us a Texas music chart, features on Texas performers, and works in conjunction with Shane Media Services and Southwest Wholesale in Houston. Call 713-952-9221 for subscription information. I find this magazine, along with The Texas Music Magazine (based in Austin), to be excellent sources for the latest on Texas music.

The roast ended with "You Don't Love Me Anymore," performed by John Cody Carter, a Nashville-based performer who did some writing with Merle and Freddy. Then Merle Haggard and The Strangers took the stage.

Darrell Royal, a renown Texas music aficionado, listened carefully to the performance, just like he always listens carefully. Freddy sang "Silver Wings," a song he wrote about Merle. We heard many of the Haggard classics. We heard the Bill McDavid song, "Me and the Drummer," and Bill sang a verse. It was an evening of great music, great stories and great friendship.

The thread running throughout the evening, the news that kept on surfacing, was just this: "Freddy Powers is much-loved by everyone who knows him." You don't have to just take the story of Catherine, his loyal and loving wife, you can hear that love in the voice of each person who talks about him. My voice joins the group in saying that Freddy Powers has lived a life that generates love in all those who come in contact with him. As a young 70-year-old, Freddy still records, performs and tours. Let's get him to Kerrville.

Don't forget tonight, October 27, Roger Moon celebrates his first CD release at the Merle Haggard concert at the Fairgrounds in Fredericksburg. Ahead is the annual Johnny Nicholas Big Band Bash with the Texas All-Star Band at the Fredericksburg High School on November 13.

Free Leonard and down the road.

Kathleen
kat@maverickbbs.com

www.texasheritagemusic.org

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