Ruthie Foster and Cyd Cassone visited my freshman literature class on March 27. I know those students will see literature through new eyes. Both women were articulate and willing to share. Both women told stories about their own creative life. Bob Dylan said, "A song is a poem that gets up and walks around." We got to experience some of those "walking poems."

Ruthie told about her early experiences in a Missionary Church in a small central Texas town. "The sisters sat in the amen corner and began tapping their high heeled feet on the wooden floors. The brothers sat in the other corner. This is a rhythm that often shows up in my music," Ruthie said after a song that defied distinct classification as either gospel or blues. Cyd described their similar backgrounds in different parts of the country, "As I was picking tomatoes in the Northwest, Ruthie was picking cotton. We both know that kind of life."

The coffeehouse that followed that evening drew the largest crowd ever in the Cailloux Center Snack Bar. Schreiner co-hosts Lucy and Chris, introduced a new element-the comedy duo. Ruthie and Cyd enjoyed hearing the students perform during the open mike before they took over the stage. And take over they did. We heard an eclectic range of Texas music, including all the possible rhythms. This duo has quite a following in Kerrville. They kept reminding us that they would be back to play the Kerrville Folk Festival in late May. Call 830-257-3600 for a schedule.

They have signed to a new label called Blue Corn Records, and they are expecting a CD release soon with "Runaway Soul," a compilation of new songs. Caroline Herring (my new discovery in Austin) is also on this label.

Ruthie and Cyd do what many Texas artists have done, start and run their own business. Check out www.ruthiefoster.com and e-mail fullcircle@startelcnet for more information. For booking, contact The Nancy Fly Agency at www.nflyagency.com

After a relaxing trip to West Texas over Easter, I headed home on Monday morning, carefully picking the CD's for the four-hour drive. In the spirit of independent women making music, I'd like to talk about Rosie Flores.  I first heard Rosie at a songwriter's festival in Frutigen, Switzerland. They loved her there. Her CD on Rounder is a tribute to the honky tonk spirit of Rose Maddox and Wanda Jackson. Rounder is a label that specializes in presenting the "real" thing in music. They preserve important folk traditions, and they showcase many Texas songwriters. Rosie has roots in San Antonio and some life experience in California. Good mix. Jonny Whiteside of the LA Weekly wrote, "If anyone today deserves to be called 'Queen of the Honky Tonks," it's Rosie Flores.

The music picks you right up and takes you out on the dance floor. Well, it carried me right on down I-10 towards Kerrville. Rosie is a persistent, independent and talented woman. The CD was recorded live at a Texas dance hall now closed down, Cibolo Creek Country Club. The photos in the CD booklet document the vent. Rosie includes Cindy Cashdollar (who recently played the Ingram fundraiser at the Inn of the Hills with Craig Chambers) on lap steel, trible neck steel, resonator guitar, and Jerry Jones Longhorn slide. Whew…lots of steel.

Sarah Brown (a woman I once heard in Montreux, Switzerland and many times at Antone's in Austin) played bass on several tracks and provided harmony. Tammy Rogers played viola, mandolin, and provided harmony vocals. Now that's a group of independent women.

If you do not have a Rounder Record catalogue, now is the time to order one. Check our www.rouder.com or e-mail info@rounder.com. Tell them you read about it in Kerrville! Rounder Records has always supported the Kerrville Folk Festival and our tribute to Jimmie Rodgers. They had box sets all of Jimmie's music available for years.

Speaking of honky tonks, don't forget to purchase your tickets to the Ray Price show on May 4 at the Point Theatre-honky tonk for a day. What a splendid setting to enjoy the classic Texas music of Ray Price. I last heard him at a YO Social Club, or was it Floore's Country Store? I could start talking dance halls, and we'd be here a while.

Do not forget to order your tickets to the 15th Anniversary of the Old Settler's Reunion featuring Bruce Hornsby, Michelle Shocked, Blueground Undergrass, the Del McCoury Band, Karen Abrahams, Darden Smith, Monte Montgomery, and many others on April 19-21. Contact the festival at www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org or call 1-800-966-7469 for tickets. A weekend pass is only $55 for three-days of music. And, the Sunday gospel show features Ruthie Foster, Caroline Herring, South Austin Gospel Choir and Two High String Band. The festival has moved to Salt Lick Pavilion in Driftwood, Texas, with camping at Camp Ben Mcculloch.

Gary P. Nunn is the featured performer at the 2002 Schreiner University Recall on Saturday, April 20. Call Schreiner University for tickets to the dinner and dance featuring Mr. Texas himself. He's a Hill Country favorite, and I can hardly wait to hear, "That's What I Like About Texas."

Free Leonard and down the road.

Kathleen
kat@maverickbbs.com

www.texasheritagemusic.org

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