Yes, last week, November 21, Eric Marley presented a Native American perspective to the freshman class at Schreiner University. Billed as “Another Way of Learning,” this program reminds us all that we are losing an important connection with the earth. We heard the music in the stories Eric told. I’m not sure why the column carried the title last week. I don’t do titles, and I did notice that the column said nothing about the event.

Looking ahead to December 1, Maggie Montgomery called and said that Luckenbach was hosting a tribute to the late Al Grierson. If anyone would like to help and/or perform, call Maggie at 830-997-3224. Ray Wylie Hubbard, who recorded one of Al’s songs, is leading the way.

Asleep at the Wheel plays the Cabaret on November 25, with the great young group, T. Jarrod Bonta opening. Charlie Robison brings his brand of Americana music there on December 2, and Shake Russell and Dana Cooper play on December 7.

Johnny Nicholas had a successful and exciting Big Band Bash in Fredericksburg in November. He’ll bring the All-star band to the Cabaret on December 8, followed by singer/songwriter Jack Ingram on December 9.

Randy McCullough plays the Watering Hole on November 25, and Eric Gerber performs December 2.  Adam Carroll was heavily promoted at the Americana meeting in Nashville by a Houston distributor. He’ll be singing his songs (reminiscent of Terry Allen to me) there on December 16. Plan ahead.

Steve Wilkison, who used to be part of a Texas label called Deja Disc (Ray Wylie Hubbard’s label for a while), is now heading up Eminent Records in Nashville. October 27 saw the signing of Rosie Flores, widely considered one of the most honest and creative talents in today’s Alternative Country, Roots and Rockabilly genres. Born in San Antonio, Rosie spent most of her formative years in Southern California. She is working on her first album for Eminent, scheduled for release in April 2001, with procuder Rick Vito (Jackson Browne, Fleetwood Mac, John Fogarty, Bonnie Raitt.) Check out www.eminentrecords.com  I’ve seen Rosie knock ‘em dead at the Frutigen Songwriters’ Festival in Switzerland, joining in with Joe Ely and his brand of energy.

Wednesday, November 22, was a tough choice. Pat Green played Far West in San Antonio (following Merle Haggard’s appearance there), and Joe Ely played John T. Floore Country Store, with Rodney Hayden opening. I’ll have to let you know in the next column my choice for the evening. Of course, if I decided to run to Mexico for Thanksgiving, I missed both.

While I’m announcing:  The Texas Music Magazine hits the stands with a feature on the Dixie Chicks, possibly the hottest act in country music today. “Music fans and advertisers are recognizing the tremendous appeal of Texas Music,” said Stewart Ramser, founder and publisher. “At 92 pages, our fourth issue strikes a great balance between contemporary musicians, like the Dixie Chicks, and the artists who shaped Texas musical reputation, like Roky Erickson and Buddy Holly.” For more information, visit www.texasmusiconline.com

Another publication that features alternative and Americana music is Thirsty Ear, based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The October/November issue is a tribute to Texas music, featuring interviews with  Billy Joe Shaver, Don Walser, Tom Russell and Willie Nelson. Their slogan reads, “Close to the ground and proud of it.” Don’t send in anything trendy electronical, new-age babble, corporate formula scholck or band R& B to this magazine.

Visit www.ThirstyEarMagazine.com for more information.

Last week I headed to Austin with Rod Kennedy to hear Tom Paxton at Susanna’s Kitchen, a coffeehouse sponsored by the Wimberly United Methodist church in Wimberly. Tom was an old friends of Rod’s; he represented quintessential folk music to me, a part of my past. I loved the classics he sang, “Are you going away with no word of farewell?” “I can’t help but wonder where you’re bound,” and I loved the new songs. Accompanied by Darcie Deauville who gave voice to the violin, Tom even encouraged the audience to sing-along. I bought his new CD, Tom Paxton, Live, on Sugar Hill Records. Recorded in Nashville with Jim Rooney, this CD with 27 songs is a powerful mixture of the old and the new.

When Tom told the story of a small town in Northern Italy, massacred during WWII, I knew that protest music is alive and well. Much of the evening was a call to attention. Sugar Hill, a sponsor of the new Americana Music Organization, has a strong catalogue of writers, including the songs of James McMurtry. Paxton has found a good home!

Rod reminded me that Darcie was a New Folk Winner about ten years ago. We heard “Topical” songs, and Tom’s description of them. In 1970 he wrote “On the Road to Srebrenica.” The song still stands today as a statement of the horrors of war. Tom sang a Tom Russell song, and Andy Hardin, Russell’s partner in music, joined in. Seems he’s living in Wimberly these days. Val  Denn produced the evening, and she read us a list of future performers. The coffeehouse is the third Thursday of each month. Tish Hinojosa will be performing in this church in December. 

On Friday, I attended the Ruthie Foster house concert at Jack and Barbara Field’s. Nothing beats an evening of good food and fellowship up close and personal with the artists. Part of the Problem opened the show, with Snuffy Jackson sparkling as the perfect emcee for his music. Three-part harmony in a yodel! Now what do you think of that? They play around a lot of campfires, and give this community a great show in any venue.

I slept all day Saturday. Wonder why. On Sunday I attended Rod Kennedy’s talk at the Kerrville Cultural Arts Center. I heard his story, the abridged version, and still learned lots of new information about this man who has put Kerrville on the global map. Keep tuned in to announcements for programs at this new arts venue. Lots of rooms to lease in this old post office. I’ll be taking my creative writing class over this spring, for sure.

Don’t forget weekends and music at Francisco’s. The Mike Kasberg Jazz Trio plays on Saturday and Kevin McCormick on Fridays with a free form classical/jazz approach to music.

Free Leonard and down the trail.         

eMail Kathleen:  kat@maverickbbs.com
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