| Kathleen Hudson Column
for April 20, 2002 |
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Saturday, April 20, is a big day for Texas music. Mr. Texas himself, Gary P. Nunn is playing for the Schreiner Recall Dance. He is the epitome of all that is good about a dance in Texas. The music will set boots scootin', and the words will tell a story. Just listen to my favorite, "That's What I Like About Texas," or "London Homesick Blues." Just ask all the many music lovers in Kerrville who have danced away the night to Gary P. Nunn. Head out to Schreiner, buy your ticket at the door, join in this Texas-sized party. Last Saturday I began my musical adventure at the annual Schreiner Spring Fling. This year, thanks to the imagination of Bethany Graves, student activities director and Schreiner alumni, the event began with a tribute to folk music, a staple in Kerrville. Standing tall on the brand new stage at the Robbins Lewis Pavilion, the trio of Tim Steele, Bill Stacey and Dave Johnson ran the gamut of Texas favorites and Texas originals. I walked up to the familiar words of "White Freight Liner Blues," a Townes Van Zandt song. Time did a great job with his own interpretation. He followed that with an original, "Manana Days," on his new CD. Then we heard the Tom Russell classic made famous by Joe Ely, "Gallo de Cielo." Bill Stacey sang an original he wrote about that dash that appears on all gravestones. For a change in pace, Dave and Tim harmonized on some classic cowboy music, including "The Navajo Trail," and "Across the Alley From the Alamo." Jack Williams concluded the portion also sponsored by the Kerrville Folk Festival with some hot licks and hotter rhythms. For us lyrical types, he even sang a song he wrote as a tribute to James Dickey. I can't see how anyone sat still during his infectious set. Jack has been a mainstay at the Kerrville Folk Festival and recently moved into the area. Keep your eye out for his name at a house concert or coffeehouse venue. I missed the rest of the "Fling," since I had made up my mind to soak up some authentic country music. When Merle Haggard plays the John T. Floore Country Store, I have to be there. I enjoyed the beautiful drive there, going by way of Bandera. Freddy Powers, a songwriting monster, lead me close to the stage, and I began firing away with my camera, knowing all the time that this musical moment was another of my high points. Freddy played his elegant guitar (same thing I said last April when they played at the Store), Red played his rousing leads, Norman brought in the steel guitar. When Merle picked up his fiddle for the Bob Wills tribute, I knew the moment should be captured on film. Johnny Gimble was also on stage with his fiddle. Pushing my way out front and down to the front, I knew I had to get those two playing together. And I did. "Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down," served as a good reminder of the disappointment that goes along with living. I got to hear my new Merle favorite, "The First Time We Met is a Favorite Memory of Mine," and I waxed nostalgic. He invited us to sing along on "Time Changes Everything." Some of my favorite words live in that song: "Everything does change except what you choose to recall," and "Time changes all it pertains to." We met "The Strangers, We heard about that Oakie from Muscogee and we heard about the fightin' side. I loved hearing "Today I started loving you again," and "Sing Me Back Home." Freddy's wife, Catherine, introduced me to Lee Duffy, and her amazing story will be included in my next book on women in Texas music. I drove home, stopped by the River Hills Sports Pub for a shot of rock and roll with Texas Wildfire. After some good Lynyrd Skynyrd, I heard them sing a Merle classic, "Sing Me Back Home." Ah, it does come full circle. I ended the weekend at Lone Oak on Highway 479, downing a big cheeseburger and listening to more country music (Yes, Faye, I do still write about country!). Faye played drums, Frank Taylor sang country and a whole crew of folks joined in while the couples two-stepped around that concrete floor. Nothing like a Sunday afternoon at Lone Oak unless it's a Sunday at the Hunt Store. I'll save that for next week. Wouldn't want to crowd up a weekend. Eric Gerber told me about a showcase he's doing at the Java Pump on May 15, I'll be heading to Mexico on May 7. Bill Ward is playing at Cappucinos on Water Street on April 27, 7-9 p.m. Guy Clark is coming to the Cabaret on Friday, April 26. I'll be there! Larry Joe Taylor is having his great festival in Meridian, Texas, April 24-26. Old Settler's Reunion is going on this weekend, April 19-21. Marcia Ball is playing Gruene Hall on Saturday, April 20. Guess there's enough music to go around. Free Leonard and down the road. Kathleen |