After an eventful summer, an exciting summer, I headed to my final summer concert—the Willie Nelson and Family Picnic at Verizon Ampitheater in San Antonio. As always, I was not disappointed at all and sometimes surprised.  I wish Willie had come out with all the acts, hosting the party as he did at Luckenbach. I missed his ongoing interaction. I did hear that he had a broken bone in his right hand so no “meet and greet” for Willie this year. He was able to strum, pick and stoke his trademark jazz leads, even though Jackie King, a jazz wizard, accompanied him on many songs.

  Let me start at the beginning. I arrived at noon when the gates opened. The Verizon is the perfect place for a concert; they have all the details covered including ease in parking, getting tickets and getting seated. I love the huge covered theatre for those of us who don’t want to lounge on the lawn anymore. Lots of folks, umbrellas in tow, did lounge on the green grass that surrounds the theatre and stage. I also have to mention the Verizon staff, especially Sharilyn who heads the PR. This group really knows how to take care of people. 

  Beginning with the rowdy band from Amarillo, Cooder Graw, the show stayed rowdy. I love music with an edge, so I was a happy camper. Just like last year, The Cooder Graw Band (no one is named Cooder) lent excitement and energy to the 1:15 p.m. opening; Matt, the leader of the band, takes leads using his Frattoire board. Exciting.

  At each break, a younger band took over on an outdoor stage. How smart. I did not like the prices of food and drink. That was not smart. I can’t eat more than one six dollar hotdog with good conscience. And I can’t even buy popcorn at $4.50. So, I starved and drank lots of water. I can’t buy $5 lemonade either. Seems the vendors would just charge less and sell more!

  That’s my only complaint, though. Bob Schneider took the main stage next. I heard a most unusual combination of chords and rhythm. A former member of the Scabs, this interesting songwriter was a discovery for me.

  Sitting in a cool breeze, under the high ceiling, I kept asking myself, “Am I really this relaxed and comfortable at a Willie Picnic?” I was.

  My big thrill for the day came when Hank Williams III performed. I felt Hank Sr. in the air as I listened to and watched his grandson. He sounds like Hank and he looks like Hank.  Even with the long ponytail down his back. We talked briefly after his show; I shared with him my own appreciation for heritage. “I’m in Nashville now, but I love Texas. Many of my friends and influences are from Texas,” he said, sitting cross-legged on the floor by my chair. I asked him if he did Yoga. “No, I’m just tall, lanky and still limber,” he replied, grinning. We talked of Dale Watson, George Jones, Merle, Willie, and, of course, Jimmie Rodgers. Hank III doesn’t appreciate his own writing or his own voice the way I do, but he is such an authentic presence on stage and in a conversation. I asked him to come to Kerrville someday, home of Blue Yodeler’s Paradise, and he said, “Good idea.”

  Next Jerry Jeff Walker and the Lost Gonzo Band took the stage. I’ve never seen a better Jerry Jeff show. He was lively, engaged and having fun. At the end, after a repertoire that included many songs by top Texas songwriters, he walked the edge of the stage, balancing and dancing like his signature song, “Mr. Bo Jangles.” Another feather in the hat of this icon of Texas music.

   Los Lobos took the stage and brought another sound to the picnic, the large eclectic band with horns. Lee Ann Womack followed, the stage adorned with candles, a smoke machine and a backdrop of a castle. She did pay tribute to “country music the way it used to be done,” by sitting on a couch, singing with her daughter and the musicians gathered around playing acoustic guitars. Interesting moment in an otherwise flashing performance. I did meet her briefly before the show, telling her of my second book on women in Texas music. She talked of growing up in East Texas and having a dad who was a deejay at a country radio show.

  The grand finale was a very typical Willie and Family set, Lone Star flag flying as a backdrop. Nothing better in Texas music than vintage Willie doing a medley of his classics. I heard, of course, “Whiskey River,” “Hello Walls,” “Nightlife,” “Me and Paul,” and on and on with “Georgia,” “Blue Skies,” and “Mama, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys.” And more.

  We slowly walked out to the car as the show was ending, strains of Townes Van Zandt in the air as Willie sang “Pancho and Lefty.” My camera man, Larry, said, “That entire concert was a lotta loud,” and I agreed. Hey, I love loud.

  I also heard Pauline Reese at the Broken Spoke in Austin, and I talked with Charlene Hancock, a Texana Dame, in Austin. That will have to be another column. Free Leonard and down the road. 

Kathleen

Email Kathleen:  kat@maverickbbs.com

Visit the THMF website:  www.texasheritagemusic.org

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