Today, Saturday, I'll be co-hosting the first hour (noon-1:00 p.m.) at the Toys for Tots Telethon, sponsored by the Sunrise Lions Club. Tune in on channels 2 and 10 from noon to 6 p.m. for a good cause, and you'll hear some good local musicians as well. Tony Galluci will bring us some original music, and I've requested some Native American flute music. The filming takes place at the Tivy drama department, thanks to Deborah Vetter

'Tis the season, I guess. I just want to carry on about the depth of my appreciation for this community, one that supports the arts and uses the arts to support the community.

On December 1, I attended a house concert at the Borcher's house. Karl Hagemeir had called me months before bragging on his guitar teacher, David Hamburger. After listening to the CD, I, too, began anticipating a live performance. We climbed the steps up to the house, then descended the steps into the basement game room, the perfect place for a concert.

Rob Shaw introduced the show with some of his own original music. My favorite line was "Can the journey of love bear the burden of time." We've all asked this question! We all laughed about the punching bag in the corner.

And then David Hamburger brought three guitars up to the corner stage, and the showcase began. Not only did he perform some of my favorite kind of music (Dave Van Ronk), but he delivered these songs with grace and ease. I was not surprised to discover that he's written six books of instruction on the guitar!

During the break we talked, and he told me a bit more of his story. "It was a woman, a missing tape, and a landlord that brought me to Texas from New York. I started playing when I was twelve and living in Boston. After many years in New York City, I met Catherine Barry (now a partner in both life and music who accompanied him to Kerrville.), played on her recording and had to return because 30 seconds of tape was missing. My landlord told me it was time to move. Austin, Texas, looked like a good place to be."

Catherine had joined him on one song. I left the house concert with her new CD, "Geography," in hand. As I listened this morning, I was reminded of that haunting quality of the female voice that I like. In fact, the title cut may be my favorite. Produced by Darden Smith, the CD also contains the national guitar of David on track 9.

The house concert reminded me that "listening" can evoke the best performances from people. Nothing like a quiet room with eyes asking for the best performance. Jack and Barbara Fields had made the house concert a tradition in Kerrville. Tom Prasado-Rao is their December guest. Ruthie Foster will make an appearance in January.

As we talked during the break (and ate all the good food donated by guests), I heard David say, "It was great to have another set of ears on this CD. I played one song and Chris, my producer, walked around the room and announced that we had it. I might have tried over and over, but his ears heard the first time intensity that we wanted."

Entitled, "Indigo Rose," David's CD is a collection of striking poetic images, strong stories and hot guitar licks. One of my favorites is "The Photograph," a nostalgic image of an old musician remembering.

My stack of music to write about keeps growing. Jimmy Lee Jones has a new CD, "Real Go Gitter," that deserves a column. Michael Ballew, a songwriter I met in Austin years ago, is hitting the charts in Europe with his new CD, "Rodeo Cool." That deserves a column. Susan Heffington of Kerrville provided the cover photo. So many music stories, so little time! Michael Martin Murphy coming to town December 18 for the Cowboy Christmas Concert (call 1-800-435-8429 for reservations).

CD ordering information: www.catherinebarry.com and www.davidhamburger.com

Free Leonard and down the road.

Kathleen
kat@maverickbbs.com

www.texasheritagemusic.org

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