Texas Heritage Music Foundation Newsletter / Winter Edition 1999/2000

From the Director
Kathleen Hudson, Ph.D, Executive Director

We’ve had a great year. I’m looking forward to the next millennium. We are planning another fundraiser in September, inviting a major performer to Kerrville to celebrate Jimmie Rodgers’ birthday on September 8 and to support the Wayne Kennemer Scholarship Fund. We gave two $1,000 scholarships last Spring to Elijah Stone and Jessica Rose. Give memberships to the foundation as gifts! $20 for the year/four newsletters. My book with UT Press is coming out in 2000. About time! And here’s what I have to say about Mexico in November:

February 4, 1968, Neal Cassady died on the railroad tracks in San Miguel de Allende. He had traveled with Jack Kerouac to Mexico years before, a trip which inspired the landmark book, On The Road by Kerouac. To both Cassady and Kerouac, Mexico was a land of mad barefoot lonely figures, strong coffee, beautiful dark-eyed women, Mambo, wandering singing guitarists, old men blowing trumpets and hipsters.

November 25, 1999, 35 hipsters from Kerrville arrived in San Miguel de Allende to attend the International Jazz Festival. Kirpal Gordon performed the jazz invocation in poetry while Tomas Ramirez blew his horn as the Thanksgiving evening concert began. Sareda Miloscz, editor of El Independiente, gave a short lecture to the group before the show. "We have about 3500 foreigners living here, and it’s a young, creative community. We have 35 organizations dedicated to helping the local community." After Sareda’s talk, the group hit the streets. The 18-hour bus ride from the parking lot at Schreiner University was a mere prelude to the journey ahead, one that lasted until Sunday, November 28.

 

Ranging from 10 years old to 82, the crew of road warriors took advantage of every opportunity this artist colony had to offer. Each night the tribe gathered at Teatro Angela Peralta on Mesones for an evening of jazz music.

Friday night, Brenda Boykin and Eric Swinderman took over the stage. Her huge voice, traveling up and down her body was equally matched by his guitar prowess and finesse. The love poured off the stage as she took jazz to new heights…and depths. The finale included a song performed by Willie Nelson and recorded by Elvis, "Always On My Mind," and two gospel numbers. Betty Lewis said it best, "It’s a big voice, a booming voice. And does she know how to use it. Eric’s talent was the most impressive of that or any other evening. He made his guitar sing, and the song was heavenly." Lois and B.B Browning first visited San Miguel 36 years ago. She said, "Except for more people, it seemed the same. The charm has been here since it was founded in 1542. A feast of colors, sounds and surprises awaited us."

Tomas Ramirez joined the Peter Welker Sextet on Saturday night. He and D.J. Barrett took turns leading the way on sax while Peter played trumpet. A trio of horns adorned that stage. Etta Jones finished the evening with some smooth jump jazz.

Sponsored by angels in the community who want to see their own culture alive and well, this festival is a celebration of family and community. Barbara Porter, one of those angels, said, "Yes, the representation is large from San Francisco. We wanted to bring some of our culture here. We finally did sell our big house there, but we still love the music. This is just one way to enjoy it."

After peeking behind the impressive doors of San Miguel and discovering the many treasures lying therein, each road warrior carried home a special discovery. Some discovered the sunset from the roof of the Posada de Las Monjas, a hotel on Canal Street. Others joined family at #18 Hidalgo as Alfredo and Marisella shared their house with us, a location special to the Schreiner University family for over 15 years. Greg Forest and Dime a Dozen, a local favorite, had Thanksgiving dinner with Mark and Sally Bartell, old friends from Kerrville.

Candace Kunz brought her guitar along and added to the music of San Miguel. Dr. Charlie Gray and his son Travis met new friends around a big screen television during the turkey-day game.

Travis said, "Walking through these streets, I noticed all the huge, intricately designed doors that seemed to come only out of a dream of the past. They served as a gateway and portal into a hidden paradise in which all worries seem to disappear. The enormous towering cathedral acts as a North star. The best part of the trip had to be kicking back, drinking cerveza and watching college football on the big screen. Wait a minute…that’s my favorite part about being at home…strange. The trip was really breathtaking."

Lori Hughes, a three-year veteran of this trip, said, "Colors, colors, colors…everywhere big, warm, generous, open-armed, come into my place and let me take care of you colors."

A man and a woman led three donkeys with dirt for sale. These donkeys harken back to another time, another place. We could imagine these streets without the cars. We could go back to that place in our mind. Larry Gunn did just that as he stopped to greet these little messengers.

Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady once headed to Mexico just for the journey. Perhaps the Kerrville road warriors made just that same choice. Dr. Dan Love said, "I’m up for an adventure now. I expect to have one." And he did. Brenda Boykin smothered him with kindness in response to my request that she "meet Dr. Love."

The group danced away the night, attending the "palomazos" after each concert. Tomas played with every group. He will be part of the jazz concert in Kerrville on June 18 at the Point Theatre. the third annual concert originally inspired by a trip to San Miguel in 1997.

Tia Lucas, one of the best restaurants in town, served steak and jazz to many of the Kerrville road warriors. Max, the proprietor, makes everyone feel welcome.

Not a bad meal to be had. "Twas tiempo de yahoo! Baskin’ in Land o’ Meskins. New people, Old feelings. Music out the proverbial yin and yang," chanted Tomas on the long ride home.

The road warriors left San Miguel at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 28. After a brief stop at immigration the bus unloaded a tired and well-fed group back to the Schreiner parking lot before noon on Monday. Plans were already being made for the 2000 Thanksgiving journey.

The Texas Heritage Music Foundation fulfilled its commitment that telling stories and singing songs make a difference in the world. The jazz spirit that Kerouac and Cassady loved so is alive and well at this festival. San Miguel de Allende, home of the revolutionary leaders of Mexico, is calling the Texas road warriors back.

Happy Trails, Kathleen

House Concerts…
A smashing success with lots of great food and fellowship!

With Jack and Barbara Fields/Kerrville House Concerts Presents:

With Carol and Bill Tiffee at the Hill Top Bed and Breakfast in Ingram

With Carol Arnold

Call music office for update on house concerts for the Spring

Thanks…

• To the road warriors who participated in the second annual trip to the International Jazz Festival in San Miguel de Allende.
(Start planning for Thanksgiving 2000 as our road trip becomes a fund-raiser for the foundation projects. Spaces fill up fast)

• The Peterson Foundation for supporting the 1999 Living History Day in September

• All the teachers who brought their students to the September event.

• Hunt School District for participating all day in the September event

• Schreiner University for supporting our coffeehouse series

• Lori Hughes for coordinating the Jazz trip

• Jenny Waggett and Old Number Nine for supporting and working with the THMF

• Tony Navarra for the scholarship donation

• 5K Laser for our office at 2640 Junction Highway

• ACprint for creating our newsletter and always helping out

• Norwest Private Client Services for supporting jazz at the Point

• Hill Country Art Foundation for co-sponsorship of the jazz concert

• Local sponsors of each event

• Jess Hendricks, a Schreiner University work/study student

• Thurman and The Cabaret in Bandera for bringing amazing talent to the Hill Country

• Vel Anne and Luckenbach for the real "Texas" experience each weekend

• All new members

Volunteer!
The Texas Heritage Music Foundation is always seeking volunteers. This is a great way to be involved in community based events and who knows, you may get to meet someone like Willie Nelson! We can use your help with some of the upcoming events such as the Easter Showcase and the Jimmie Rodgers Living History Day. If you are interested in volunteering, call or write us today!

Volunteers needed: Office work, Project assistance, Mailing, Local service projects

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Texas Heritage Music Foundation
P.O. Box 1945
Kerrville, TX 78029-1945