Peter, Paul and Mary invited the capacity crowd to sing along at the Kerrville Folk Festival on Friday, June 2. John Prine grinned and let the crowd at John T. Floore Country Store sing the well-known words to his songs on Saturday, June 3. I spent all day Sunday, June 4, recuperating from the flood of emotions brought up by just these two nights of music. And there's more, always more when the Kerrville Folk Festival is in town.

Hearing Peter, Paul and Mary for the first time as a freshman at T.C.U. in 1964 marked the absolute beginning of my trip down the music trail, first folk music then country then blues, rock, Tejano and more. Oh, I had been singing around a campfire at Camp El Tesoro all my young life, I had been singing in a Baptist church, but their performance sent me out looking for more, and I discovered Buffy St. Marie, Tom Paxton, Woodie Guthrie, and of course, Bob Dylan. 

The performance marking the 30th anniversary of the KFF was stellar, perfect and inspiring. Mary's hair was still blowing in the wind, and the harmony of these three brought back many of the important stories of my life. Their message now, like Prine's message now, is one of love, peace and joy. At the same time, they all want to see change and know that music can lead the way. 

As I looked around the crowd during the performance, I noticed a circle of people, filling the outdoor theatre, all listening and, at times, singing the well-known words. Mary brought out KFF veteran, Melissa Javors, to honor her as the writer for a song now firmly in the PP&M repetoire, "Wild Horses." I first heard this about 15 years ago when Melissa gave a program for a Kerrville Lions Club with me. Melissa writes, teaches and works on music programming for the Country Music Foundation in Nashville.

John Prine almost sold out the house in Helotes. We sat on chairs on the concrete dance floor, a big moon rising above that classic stage, and listened to his quirky stories and songs. Such deep sadness and joy at the same time. A true oxymoron! He has a CD out called "Souvenirs," and it contains 15 of his classic songs recorded April 24-26, 2000, in Nasville. Check out www.ohboy.com for more information on this American hero. I remember crying when I first heard "Memories that can't be boughten/Can't be won at carnivals for free/Well it took me years/To get those souvenirs/And I don't know how/They slipped away from me."

He says things like: "Make me an angel that flies from Montgomery/Make me a poster of an old rodeo/Just give me one thing/That I can hold on to/To believe in this living is just a hard way to go." His song "Sam Stone," about a vet returned home an addict is captured in the chorus, "There's a hole in Daddy's arm/Where all the money goes/Jesus Christ died for nothing/I suppose/Little pitchers have big ears/Don't stop to count the years/Sweet songs never last too long/On broken radios."

His encore included "Hello in There," a song that reminds us to share outselves with the old people we meet. PP&M sang "Blowin' in the Wind," a reminder that we still haven't found the answers, but the struggle is worth it. They played a song, quickly becoming an anthem, "Have You Been To Jail for Justice," written by Anne Sweeny. They are still saying that music changes the world. And it does. Prine is telling his stories out of that same awareness, I believe. 

Paul Stookey hosted a new contest for songs that make a difference in the world on Saturday, June 3. Willis Alan Ramsey gave a great performance of his now-classic songs including "Angel Eyes," my favorite love song. PP&M were sandwiched between Ramsey and Bill Miller. 
No one better to face the space filled up by PP&M than Miller. He began with his flute and then moved to "Reservation Road," using his guitar as both guitar and drum. Hands flying across strings, Bill took us down that road with him. Intense and serious, Bill Miller has something to say about the world. 

I was left with the urge to hibernate somewhere and let my body absorb all the music and stories I'd heard. I didn't want to move on to the next great performance. I'll be in San Antonio for a week, studying the research on the brain and educational implications. I will return for the Dime a Dozen show on Tuesday night. Greg Forest, 1/3 of the trio, is manning a video team for this 30th anniversary. Great to see the KFF include local contribution. By the time you read this, you'll have two nights to participate in this huge celebration. I'll be in Ft. Worth attending my dad's birthday breakfast. If my plane gets back in time, expect to see me at the grand finale. How I hate to miss that fish fry! 

David Amram, leading a festival orchestra, will bring the festival to a close. Just remember, he wrote music for Kerouac, performed and recorded with him. I love the spirit Amram brings to any space. Joining him will be Melissa Javors, Jimmy La Fave, Trout Fishing and more. 

Happy trails and down the road.

Kathleen
kat@maverickbbs.com

www.texasheritagemusic.org

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