As you read this, I’m driving back from the Cowboy Symposium in Lubbock. I’m sure I’ll have many stories to tell. Our evening on September 5, with Johnny Rodriguez at  Schreiner University was topped only by his intimate conversation with students at my 2:00 p.m. literature class. We call him “Professor Rodriguez” now. We look forward to a classroom visit with Terri Hendrix in October.

Terry is conducting another songwriter’s workshop at Old Number 9 in Waring on October 5-7. Her evening concert on October 6, is open to the public. Working closely with stellar producer Lloyd Maines (from Lubbock), Terri just keeps getting better and better. This may be the last chance to see her in a small venue. The concert will be at the Waring General Store. Call Jenny Waggett for ticket information at 830-995-3552.

Terri keeps being asked to speak for Texas music. She has moved from folk to pop to blues and jazz. Her music defies classification, and her performance is always spectacular. And I’ve seen her many times.

On Sunday, September 23, generous musicians are getting together to raise money to help pay expenses for Travis Bohnert, who was paralyzed in a canoeing accident. B.B. Morse, Jeff Ballard, Jimmy Cribb, Jimmy Lee Jones, Bruce Robison, Jay Boy Adams, Regina Matthews, Freddy Powers and more will be on hand to perform.

Robert Earl Keen is bringing his “Uprising” to Quiet Valley Ranch on October 6. This is a show not to be missed. Catch some rising stars. Seems that a new breed of Texas outlaw is emerging and some are reporting an impending explosion of Texas music out into the world….again.

Often described a “bursting” on to the scene, most of these so-called newcomers have a long and often lonely road stretching out behind them. Playing to an empty room is a condition experienced by many songwriters.

Rodriguez has the opposite experience. His first song was a hit, and he had to follow that. “I found that difficult after a couple of hits,” he explained in class. Seems he did manage for about 15 top-ten songs in a row.

In our own paper, I’ve read about a show with Alvin Crow on October 13.  Now he’s one of my favorite honky tonk swing bands, and I’ve seen him at many venues. He was a regular at Babe’s on Sixth Street for a while, bringing in some old rock and roll. He plays a fiddle with the best of them, holding forth at the Broken Spoke in Austin on a regular basis. His performance is a fundraiser for the Kerrville Public School Foundation.

I also read about a Sing-spiration held the first Saturday of each month at the Kerrville Community Church on Memorial. Singing praise from 7-9 p.m. sounds like a good way to spend Saturday night.

Speaking of praise and music, Del Way must be doing something right at Calvary church on the Loop. Sundays reveal parking lots brimming and overflowing with cars, as people gather to sing and praise. A natural form of expression for many folks.

Promo CD’s abound in my mailbox. Rounder Records has a new release of women singing the blues. Alligator, known for houserockin’ blues, has stepped out with a gospel album called “the Holmes Brothers speaking in tongues.” Owner Bruce Iglauer said, “I don’t usually produce this kind of music, but after hearing the Holmes Brothers I had to. We do produce good music!”

Come on down to Louise Hays Park on Friday, Sept. 28, even if just for lunch with Big Earl’s barbecue ready to go. The Living History Day will give you many samples of Texas heritage and Texas music. The John Karger demonstration, made possible by a donation from Hill Country Living in Kerrville, will give everyone a chance to see a demonstration of raptors at 11:00 a.m. Several authors will be available during the morning. See Tony Navarra tell stories of Jimmie all day, accompanied by a variety of  different local musicians. Everyone is welcome, and the event is free.

For a weekly schedule, check out the entertainment each Thursday in the paper. Lots of venues showcasing music.

Don’t forget the house concert with Lady Jane Grey on September 22, at the house of Jack and Barbara Fields. These intimate concerts with the sharing of food give everyone a rare and precious experience with music.

I have an announcement that our own Monte Montgomery will be playing the Frank Irwin Center in Austin as an opening band for the monster band, Widespread Panic on October 24.  Good combination of styles. His CD release was September 14, at Luckenbach.

The Cabaret is winning awards in my book for presenting Texas music at its best—in Bandera. Willie Alan Ramsey will play Ocober 5, Delbert McClinton on October 13 and Rex Foster on October 19. Go mark those calendars.

Happy Birthday on September 12 to Leonard Peltier. Free Leonard and down the road.

Kathleen
kat@maverickbbs.com

www.texasheritagemusic.org

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