Rodeo time is here; let's ride. Actually, I'm waxing nostalgic about my barrelracing days at the Ft. Worth Stock Show and Rodeo each January. I was one of the "invitational" ranch girls-a rider not on the professional circuit but allowed to compete as a local. I loved the thrill of racing down the alleyway into an arena bursting with light and music. I hated the long wait at the end of the alleyway, a long and cold wait. All that for about eighteen seconds. As I raced to that first barrel, I do remember the music playing.

The San Antonio Rodeo has been in full gear for the last week. George Jones and Blake Sheltohn kicked off the 2002 event on Saturday, and the talent lineup reads like a country music showdown. Glad to see the appearance of Ramon Ayala, featuring an important aspect of our musical heritage. Lee Ann Womack performed on Monday. I just saw the worldwide debut of her video duet with Willie Nelson as I exercised at the Family Sports Center. Imagine Willie and Lee Ann (a Texas girl from Levelland) riding horses up Congress in Austin. That was the finale of the duet from his new CD, "The Great Divide."

The rest of the showdown (after Robert Earl Keen played on February 8) is as follows: Chris Cagle, Rascall Flatts, and Terri Clark on Feb. 9; May Perez and Grupo Vida on Feb. 10; Neal McCoy on Feb. 11; Alan Jackson on Feb. 12-13; Clay Walker on Feb. 14; Jo Dee Messina on Feb. 15; Martina fsMcBride on Feb. 16; and the grand finale on Feb. 17 hosted by Asleep at the Wheel. This season is a tribute to the Harry Freeman Coliseum; next year the show moves to the new SBC Center. Asleep at the Wheel will host the special remembrance with Lee Greenwood, Mel Tillis and Crystal Gayle.
Friday, February 15, from 1:00 p.m. until closing the grounds admission and all rides are only $1. Over the past 18 years, San Antonio Livestock Exposition has awarded over $16 million in scholarships, grants and endowments to young people and colleges throughout the Lone Star state. The press information on the show says, "Join us as we pay tribute to the past and take an exciting step towards the future." For ticket information call 210-225-4237.

I experienced a gathering of talent last Saturday as Eric Gerber and Cindy celebrated their marriage. Eric, an award-winning songwriter and director of the Texas Heritage Music Foundation, moved to Texas from Boston (after meeting Cindy here). We gathered up in a circle to share music as a celebration of this vent. B.B. Morse brought his stand-up bass, Jack Gaskin played a smooth fiddle, Fritz Morquecho added the accordion voice, Cindy Terry played flute, Jack Williams (new to the area) brought years of playing with Mickey Newbury and gave a great rendition of a Newbuy classic, John Krause took mandolin leads, Roger Moon played guitar and sang songs off his new album, and many more joined in for this "jam" tribute to Eric and Cindy. This is the way it's done in Texas! I had to leave early because Professor Sliva was setting up a telescope at my house on the high plain. He had plans of showing his astronomy class a close-up of Saturn hanging high in the sky above my favorite constellation. Orion. He and Susan shared a meal of barbecue ribs and salad prepared by my favorite West Texas chef.

My weekend was complete with great food, great company and great music. Rodeos and backyard gatherings are part of the Texas music scene. So are house concerts. Keep posted here for more information. Send me your stories, information and announcements.

Free Leonard and down the road.

Kathleen
kat@maverickbbs.com
www.texasheritagemusic.org

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