Another week of great music. This time I juxtaposed the songwriter with one CD and the songwriter with over ten recordings. Nathan Hamilton played his award-winning repetoire of songs at the Watering Hole on Friday night. Gary P. Nunn, a longtime award winner, played the Hunters' Ball at Nelson City Dance Hall on Saturday night.

I first heard Hamilton at Willie's San Antonio Picnic in August. He rocked the outdoor stage at Verizon Amphitheatre. Friday night at the newly expanded Watering Hole on Broadway, he showcased songs off his album, played his Kerrville New Folk winners, and introduced new songs, all with a tough-edged quartet of musicians. I do like a good song that also rocks!

Tom Geddie of Buddy Magazine writes this of the self-produced debut release "Tuscola," "This is one of those near-perfect Americana gems we stumble across in the dirt, not knowing what we've tripped over until we pick it up and wipe it clean. We notice a glimmer, hold it up to the light for a better look, and suddenly find ourselves blinded by its many facets."

Born in Abilene, he finally made the move to work at a horse ranch outside of Austin. In 1995 he joined up with Marc Utter, a childhood friend, and formed the Sharecroppers, a six-piece hippie-country bluegrass band of friends.

After a recording with Lloyd Maines and several years of touring, they disbanded, and "Tuscola" is his first time producing. He has been compared to Guy Clark by one writer, and described as poetry in motion (Robert Frost meets Lefty Frizzell) by another. Everyone pays attention to his lyrics. I also loved the music I heard last Friday. Check out www.steppinstonerecords.com for more information.
Tuscola is a tiny town outside of Abilene. Hamilton likes the sound of the word. Some of his song titles reveal part of his story: "Farmer's Rest," "Roots," "Devil's Full Moon," "Outlaw's Lament," and "Cash and Tobacco." .

I've been listening to Gary P. Nunn, Mr. Texas, forever, it seems. He's been through many incarnations (from Gonzo with Jerry Jeff to galloping with Michael Martin Murphy), and yet his core remains true to his vision. He was the perfect band for my first visit to Nelson City Dancehall in Waring, Texas, next to Po-Po's restaurant.

I was greeted by Mario as I entered. "We live on this place," he explained. "We built this out of a dream we had for this kind of music venue in the Hill Country." The two-story wooden building, surrounded by a wooden porch, stands next to an outdoor garden and exudes Texas dance hall! We went in to face a huge American flag covering the wall behind the performers. I was glad to see the garage door that also opened up behind them, making smoke a non-issue for the crowd.

The opening band was playing a Robert Earl Keen song when I entered. (I had to stand in the garden and gaze at the almost full moon for just a few minutes). FM1836 is a group of performers from many parts of the country who have settled here close to each other. I liked what I heard. "We play several of the big clubs in San Antonio, private parties and dance halls. We're going to record our first CD within the next couple of weeks."

The wooden dance floor filled with hats and jeans, all doing a two-step to Gary P. Nunn. He is the essence of Texas, and his songs capture many special moments. We heard "London Homesick Blues" and "That's What I Like About Texas" as the finale of a great evening. I overcame (temporarily) my lame knee and gave in to the temptation to dance. I just had to be part of this classic moment. I'm glad I did. Gary will be at Schreiner University this April for Recall.

One very interesting moment occurred during a break when two young girls hopped up on a metal bar to dance. Mario, poured lighter fluid on it, creating a wall of fire as they danced to Charlie Daniels. "The devil went down to Georgia" never sounded quite like this.

Don't forget the opportunity to hear a rare and talented fiddle player -- Regina Matthews -- on Saturday, November 24 at the Country Christmas Ball at The Farm Country Club on FM 2828 between Medina and Kerrville. Call 830-589-2276 for reservations. Tickets are $18.50 in advance and include a buffet of prime rib and pork tenderlion. Lanette Pennell will insure some good old time dancing music, and cowboy poet Steven Smith will share some tales.

November 13 is the annual Big Band Bash in Fredericksburg. Johnny Nicholas has gathered a stellar group of performers to raise money for the Fredericksburg High School music program. Now a tradition in the Hill Country, this Tuesday night concert draws music fans from the entire Hill Country. Tickets are at Wolfmueller's in Kerrville or at my office at Schreiner University (792-7409). I'm looking forward to seeing Marcia Ball again, and Rocky Morales with the West Side Horns, and Floyd Domino and Augie Meyers and Kaz Kazanoff (on sax). The beat goes on with the Texas All-star Big Band Bash. See bigbandbash@hilltopcafe.com.

The Arcadia brings us a special evening on November 24. Los Pioneers de Ramz Guerro will be joined by Fritz Manuel y Las Crystales to celebrate more of our Texas music heritage. Call 895-8655 for tickets.

November 14 is our Texas Music Coffeehouse at Schreiner. The featured band is The Snags, performing some solid punk music. Yep, Texas music is about variety. Gary "Mex" Glazner from Santa Fe will be the featured poet between 7 and 8 p.m.

November is Native American Heritage Month.

Free Leonard and down the road.

Kathleen
kat@maverickbbs.com

www.texasheritagemusic.org

Click here to return to the previous page