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Kathleen Hudson Column for August 27, 2000 |
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Without
the official promo package yet, I've gathered some interesting information
about this rising star. He has a fifth album out already. Using the Robert
Earl Keen, Terri Hendrix model of music business (owning all aspects of
the business), Pat Green speeds down the road of success. Jimmy
Perkins and Jay Boy Adams share management responsibilities. Jimmy's
previous experience includes Robert Earl Keen and a short stint with the
wind, Billy Joe Shaver. Dr. Robert Hunter, Spanish professor at Schreiner
University, tells of his days as a high school teacher in Bandera, "I
had both Jimmy Perkins and Bruce Robison in class. They were special
kids." Jimmy says, "Bob Hunter is the kind of teacher who
changes lives. He'd bring his guitar into class sometimes. I realized I
could live my life following my dream." Perkins
has lots to say about the rise of Texas music. "Jerry Jeff Walker
plays a significant role in the revival of college kids listening to Texas
songwriters. Keen was also central to the movement. Of course, Willie was
first. With the rebirth of the annual Picnic, the great Texas spirit
started rising." Remember
when both Keen and Walker played Kerrville one July 4th. That
was a rising moment in Texas spirit! Pat
Green agreed to a brief conversation before his show at Luckenbach on
Saturday, August 19. We moved to the back of the big Prevost bus (provided
by Jay Boy and Roadhouse Management in Waring), and a tiny Chihuahua
jumped in his lap. Sounds like more of the same song to me. Maybe Pat is
living that Billy the Kid song. Pat
shared some of his own interests, even though he still had a set list to
draw up and a small crowd of fans was beginning to gather at the door of
the bus. He was excited about his debut at Luckenbach. "I just heard
it is almost sold out," he said, grinning. "Yes, I'm a bit
nervous. This is my first time here, and all my heroes have played
here." When
he told me he attended high school in Waco, I asked about the Billy Joe
Shaver vibrations still there. "He's such a spiritual guy," Pat
added. His
show that evening began has an unplugged moment, a tribute to the songs.
He began with the title song of his latest album, "Carry On,"
and moved into a Townes Van Zandt classic, "Snowing on Raton."
He told stories, "It was here that Robert Earl Keen became the first
person to sign this guitar," he explained. "I was also married
here on a stormy day, and at the moment of joining our hands, the sun
broke through, shining through the wooden windows and walls." After
the unplugged trio, featuring some powerful fiddle/violin leads, the full
band returned and rocked. A perfect moment for the songwriter:
a crowd sitting on the dance floor listening intently to the words
and that same crowd pushing up to the stage, dancing and enjoying the
band. I
invited Pat and Jimmy to come visit my writing class at Schreiner. I think
they will come (Jimmy want to say hi to Bob Hunter). On
Sunday night the entire freshman class camped out at MO Ranch as part of
orientation. After a day of ropes, team building and fun, the class
gathered near the river to hear the stories and songs of Johnny Nicholas.
No stranger to the Hill Country (He owns Hilltop Café), no stranger to
the music business (He has a brand new CD out.), Johnny played some blues
and ended with his unique interpretation of "T for Texas," a
Jimmie Rodgers classic.
Johnny's performance at the Cabaret in Bandera on Friday, September 16,
is his CD release party. He'll be at Schreiner University at the Texas Music
Coffeehouse on Wednesday, September 20, paying tribute to Jimmie Rodgers,
blues and original music. As students gathered around to ask questions,
both Johnny and I were thrilled to see the interest of the young. My
weekend seemed a full circle as a young Pat Green acknowledged his heroes,
and a veteran performer, Johnny Nicholas, also acknowledged his heroes
(Muddy Waters, Big Walter, Robert Johnson and Eric Clapton). The crowd at
both venues was young. I say that's great news for the Texas music scene.
Alive and well in the Hill Country. And I know the crowd at Chili's on
Friday night enjoyed Paul, Frankie and Louis. I heard the stories. Billy
Joe Shaver will be playing for the Tejas Vaqueros. I've asked him to stay
an extra day and use that stage at Chili's. Call 367-3750 for information. Ahead
we have the Kerrville Wine and Cheese Festival (Labor Day Weekend), the
Texas Heritage Living History Day on Sept. 8, in Louise Hays Park, the
western swing tribute to Jimmie Rodgers at Luckenbach on Sept. 8 featuring
Cowjazz, the YO Social Club Party (featuring Gary P. Nunn and Tracy
Lawrence) on Sept. 16, the Hank Williams Birthday Bash on September 15 at
the Cabaret. And I'm excited about the first day of school. Free Leonard
and down the road. Click here to return to the previous page
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