Steve Fromholz announced, "I’m playing the mastication set now, music to chew by." Allen Damron and Marie were bragging about the great steak I was about to order. Jim Wilson did the driving. We were gathered at the Starlight Theater in Terlingua, Texas. I was witness to the last night of the Starlight as we know it. Angie, who owned and ran the place with class, had sold it after ten successful years. "I’m burned out and ready to move on," she said, smiling graciously as I asked questions. Allen added, "It’s going to re-open in six weeks. Hope they don’t mess up a good thing."
I slowly ate my rare filet mignon and took note of the mural on the wall behind the wooden stage showing a group of cowboys gathered around a fire under a big bend kind of sky. Allen explained, "When I first started coming here, over twenty years ago, this theatre had no roof. People have always gathered here for a good time."

On Saturday, July 14, I encountered a crew of desert rats and river guides. Of course, I showed up with a cowboy poet, singer, shooter, wrangler and writer, all wrapped up in one person--Jim Wilson. We went to T.C.U. during the same era, went to many of the same events and even now, know many of the same people. We couldn’t figure out why we didn’t already know each other. I had already heard some of his music, I had already sat with Allen, Marie and Jim listening to stories, by the time I climbed the steps of the Starlight. Looking back over my shoulder, I was stunned by the dark purple of the Chisos Mountains, those Big Bend monuments. I announced that some moments in my life seem perfect, and this was one of them! 

I’ve been listening to Fromholz and Damron as long as I’ve been attending the Kerrville Folk Festival. Both men are loved in this community. Damron was bragging about the new Taylor guitar that Marie bought for him. Fromholz played that Taylor on his second set. 25 years after the first time I heard the song, I sat in the Starlight listening to "Texas Trilogy" by Fromholz. Lyle Lovett included songs by Fromholz on his new album so a new buzz of interest has surfaced around Fromholz (who now does some river rafting in the Big Bend with Far Flung Adventures), but buzz or not, Fromholz delivers.

We heard "The Man in the Big Hat," we heard "Bears," we heard "I’d Have To Be Crazy." What an evening of classics. I heard stories from a ‘57 Schreiner grad, Art Eastman. He said, "Hey, I’ve refined it down to an art: how to be useless and comfortable." Other guides and "regulars" joined us at the table, each declaring a great passion for Big Bend, the river and the land. Seems the folks who hang out in this particular spot in Texas have followed their bliss. Seems these folks are proud to be desert rats who love music, a big front porch, and good food. I was thrilled to be part of the party.

Fromholz teased Damron, saying, "We’re old hippies with short haircuts."  Wilson came to Kerrville and played a fundraiser for Damron one year to help with some hospital expenses. Fine and fit now, Damron is on the touring roster with the Texas Commission on the Arts, sharing cowboy lore in many educational settings. He is available for programs at schools and organizations and the T.C.A. matches his fee. Call 367-3750 for more information on reaching Allen Damron. This man is part of the heart and soul of Texas music -- the real thing. 

I’ve returned from Alpine, vowing to return soon. Railroad Blues still showcases great Texas music in Alpine. The Starlight re-opens in six weeks. Sul Ross still holds the annual Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering in the spring. Texas music is alive and well out west.

Free Leonard and down the road. 

Kathleen
kat@maverickbbs.com

www.texasheritagemusic.org

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