On Wednesday, April 16, even though I did not have time to spend any extra time at school, I seemed driven to attend the last Speak Truth To Power Series produced by Tom Wells at Schreiner University. "What am I doing?" I wondered, as I drove quickly across town to get my computer to take to Mexico and hurried back to be at Schreiner by 7:00 p.m. I knew, intuitively, that I needed to be at the presentation of Marian Henley, author of a cartoon strip called "Maxine." Even as I entered the presentation, a few minutes late, I somehow knew I was supposed to be there.

My persistence did not go un-rewarded. Marian's story of her transformation from painter to cartoonist was the story of a woman following her heart. The topics of her strip hit home more than once, and I even gathered information for my own research on the stories of women in Texas music. I saw myself, Terri Hendrix, Rosie Flores, Stephanie Urbina Jones, Jessica Shepherd, Cindy Terry, my sister Carolyn, and many of my other friends in these stories. Women speaking up, women dreaming, women taking chances. All stories told with humor. For your own information, go to www.maxine.net (not COM, that's a different Hallmark Maxine) and check it out. I bought two of her books, one for my sister. Texas Monthly says, "….offers a fesitily female view." Yep, I like that!

I was also pleased to see Derek O'brien, the guitar player found in the very heart and soul of Texas blues. We shared some old memories of Texas music in Montreux Switzerland. He said, "I'm her driver." We talked women and music. Imagine that. And I'll be going to Austin for the class Blue Monday at Antone's as soon as school is out.

By the time you read this, I'll be back in town after my Easter trip to San Miguel de Allende. I figure if my apartment there doesn't rent, I must go down and take care of it!

Ahead in the music scene here is a wonderful lineup at Chili's on the river. Patricia Vonne is playing April 26. I first heard her at El Sol y La Luna on South Congress. I knew from her movements that she once danced flamenco. Her CD, on Bandolera Records, sports a cover picture of Patricia, a red rose in her hand that matches her red lips. Green eyes penetrate from under a leather hat. Exotic? You got it!

She's fun to watch, as she mixes the dancing moves and percussion instruments with her own original songs. My favorite song might be "Bandolera." Her delivery of Spanish contains threads that vibrate with both Spanish and Mexican images. Makes me want to dance! I'll be at a faculty dinner that night! Be sure and give her a warm Kerrville welcome. Tell her you read about it in the Kerrville Mountain Sun. The album contains a bonus video track (How do you do that?) directed by Robert Rodriguez. You might have to be a film nut to recognize that name. Many do.

Patricia thanks music columnist Jim Beal first in her credits. Her home was San Antonio, and she spent a few years in New York. Now she's quite the buzz in Austin, a city full of exciting music. Joe Nick Patoski, senior editor of Texas Monthly, said, "chanteuse, Mayan Princess, gospel truth-seeker after midnight hip-swinger, deep poet, and perfect party grrl---she's all these things rolled into one person." Wow, I'd love someone to say that about me! Go to www.patriciavonne.com for information.

She has a great publicity company as well. Propaganda Group with Vickie Lucero and Julie Carr REALLY take good care of artists. As a writer, I love getting the information from them. And they have a wonderful group of women in their stable.

Don't forget to buy your tickets to the Kerrville Folk Festival, now produced by a strong Texas woman named Dalis Allen! Yes, she has Rod Kennedy's blessing, and she is committed to the ongoing evolution of this musical treasure. We, as a community, have so many reasons to celebrate the arts! If you have never gone, this is the year to sample a beautiful mixture of stories and songs.

Free Leonard and down the road. Send me your stories and information. www.texasheritagemusic.or or kat@maverickbbs.com
Hudson is in the English Department at Schreiner University.

Visit the THMF website:  www.texasheritagemusic.org

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