This weekend I'm attending a conference for Past is Prologue, an educational program using the Native American story as a tool for learning, in Santa Fe. Maybe I'll get to hear Bill and Bonnie Hearne at the La Fonda Hotel. This duo has always been a favorite at the Kerrville Folk Festival, and their rendition of "New Mexico Rain" can't be beat.

I'm glad to hear the the Young Guns Concert Series is alive and well. On Thursday, July 25, Luke Olson will be the featured Texas singer/songwriter at the Guadalupe Club/Poolside on Guadalupe Street. The door open at 7:00 p.m. with a meet and greet with Luke and a Lovin' Spoonful Café special of BBQ and beverages available for purchase. Tickets at the door are $10. Benny Pena says, "I'm excited to have the opportunity to showcase these new voices in Kerrville." Benny spent years on the road playing Texas music. Visit www.lukeolson.com for more information. Be in the know when you come!

I heard Luke at the Kerrville Folk Festival, and he does write some interesting songs. Remember when Pat Green was a young gun. Now, his picture is on the cover of both Texas Monthly and Texas Music Magazine and he just played on the David Letterman show. What happened? I remember his marriage at Luckenbach, his gig at Schreiner, his duet with Joe Ely at the Willie Picnic in Southpark Meadows in 2001. I say that kind of success takes great management, and Pat's manager lives right up the road, brings his kids to Notre Dame School, and exercises at the Family Sports Center. Yep, Jimmy Perkins has made a household name out of Pat Green. And, yes, Pat has all the rowdy Texas talent it takes to do this.  Roadhouse Management, based in Comfort, now manages Ray Wylie Hubbard, Cory Morrow and Pat Green.

Another young gun has crossed my path lives in Alpine and goes to school at Southwest State University in San Marcos.  Matt Skinner has a debut album called "Four Winds," with a title song that calls forth moving. He has put together an eclectic batch of songs, with western swing dominating. This is a dance album with some good story songs. His mom gave me the album at my booksigning in Alpine last November. Matt studied music at South Plains then moved to San Marcos, after touring with the Dub Miller band. He has also opened for Cory Morrow and Pat Green.
One of his favorite songs is also a favorite of mine, "Who'll Buy My Memories," by Willie Nelson. He also enjoys Texas writers Larry McMurtry and Cormac McCarthy. Another favorite song of his, penned by Tom Russell, is "The Basque."

On the Skinner album, I really like his rendition of the Butch Hancock song, "Bluebird." Of course, "Four Winds," "Leavin' Town," and "Texas Blues" are all keepers. No website on this one, yet. I suspect www.lonestarmusic.com will be carrying the Cd soon.

Terri Hendrix's new CD is getting lots of great reviews. I know her performance here in Kerrville just demonstrated that she does, indeed, just get better and better. Texas Wildfire plays Chili's on Sunday July 28 and Arceneaux's again on July 27. Good rock and roll in Kerrville that weekend. Keep posted on the Ol' Waterin' Hole and Java Pump. Read Jeanette's column on Thursday in KDT for weekly news. Tom Ferguson is probably still making great ribs on Friday at the Roddy Tree Ranch. Guess I need to make that gig! Free Leonard and down the road.

Kathleen
kat@maverickbbs.com

www.texasheritagemusic.org

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