Gates open at noon on August 3, at the Verizon Theatre in San Antonio for another Willie Nelson Picnic moment. Headliners include Cooder Graw, Hank Williams, III, Leeann Womack, Robert Earl Keen and more. Always a great venue for music, the Verizon provides seats in the shade or lawn space for blankets and picnics. If you read this column early, hop in your car and come find me. I'll be up front with a camera.

Last weekend I had a big dose of the excellence in the local music scene, and I played my own tambourine at three of the gigs I attended! Now I have bruises on my palm to prove it. Friday, July 26, I attended the opening night of Broken Wings Can Fly, the Hill Country Youth Ranch annual performance at the Turner Blackbox Theatre. Tony Young, music man par excellence, returned to the ranch for a summer music program. We talked after the show, reminiscing the recording he worked on for the Youth Ranch and the recording he did in 1996 and 1997 at the tribute to Jimmie Rodgers.

An aside: The 1996 tribute cassette includes a song by Frankie Enloe, who is also participating at the annual Cowboy Camp Meeting in Mountain Home on Sunday, August 4. Music always plays an integral part of worship, and Frankie can both sing and preach.

Back to the youth ranch, we entered a standing room only space and did find two seats. Based on the great program last year, I knew to arrive a bit early. This short performance, less than an hour, reveals the power of stories and songs in our lives. The poetry was all written by those who had lived or lived at the youth ranch. I kept wondering if the story I was hearing really belonged to the child telling it. Powerful stuff.

The synchronicity occurred when they set up the wooden cutouts, painted red, of women representing women who were victims of family violence. Working on my second book just that afternoon, I had complete transcribing my interview with Lee Duffy, who wrote the theme song for the National Coalition of Family Violence. She told me about seeing these red wooden cutouts and realizing that her name could have been on one. Guess this was a day of consciousness raising for me.

The dancer carrying a white dove and weaving her way throughout the young people on stage, the rose unfolding in dance, the magnificent and colorful costuming, the voices of Matthew and Austin were but a few of the highlights of this show. Several of us began the show in tears and ended it that way.

The music included many different styles, including rap. The choreography brought each song to a new level. Yes, once again I was impressed. The last shows run Aug.2-4. Do not miss this opportunity to experience love, celebration and survival at first hand. Join in on the chorus "Take a Chance." You will want to sing along. I'm so glad this community is blessed with the vision of Gary and Carol Priour and all those who have supported that vision.

I went to a meeting on Saturday for the purpose of forming an organization to support another educational program that has a goal of transforming lives, Art to Heart. The passion expressed of Lorraine Le Mon, this organization will provide many opportunities for young people through the arts. Keep that phrase in mind. You'll hear more.

Saturday night I stopped at Arceneaux's. Bill Randall in Texas Wildfire had invited me to show up with tambourine in hand. For the second time, I joined in on "T For Texas," a Jimmie Rodgers tune done up Lynyrd Skynyrd style. Great to see James Harris, spiffy in black, taking some leads on the guitar and adding some vocals. Schreiner University is fortunate to have James Harris on board working both in music and in art.

Next I headed down to "The Star," sitting outside at Francisco's listening to some great R&B. Mike Kasberg has an excellent jazz band that plays weekends at Francisco's, and on some rare occasions, the band transforms into R&B at 9:30 and rocks out. Tybor Cook sings just like I like; Jeff Ballard on drums also adds his own soulful vocals. Denny Hardy and Mike both play sax, and everyone in the audience is happy! Yes, after we were down to one table, way after hours, I did get up and add a tambourine moment to that show. Tybor and his dad, Van Cook, played a blues tribute to Jimmie Rodgers at our September event over ten years ago. They all just keep getting better!

I ended the weekend at Lone Oak Store on Highway 479 by dancing with my husband to a few country songs. Yep, I added some tambourine to a Hank Williams tune, and thought about the day that I might even sing a song at this jam! Now that would really be stepping out for a woman who writes about music rather than perform it. Maybe we're all frustrated performers?

Ahead is the second Sunday music in Louise Hays Park, sponsored by Bank of the Hills, on August 11 at 7:30 p.m. featuring Alpenfest. The Double D in Comfort is putting together a benefit for the flood victims in August. Call or e-mail them (ddbiergarten@hotmail.com) for details. Armadillo on the River, in Comfort, is presenting fine music on Sunday nights. Nelson City Dance Hall has changed the name to San Francisco Dance Hall, and they are still featuring an array of great musicians. I missed the Frenchi Burke show last weekend.

Call 830-537-3835. Let me know your stories and plans at kat@maverickbbs.com or 830-367-3750. Free Leonard and down the road.

Kathleen

Email Kathleen:  kat@maverickbbs.com

Visit the THMF website:  www.texasheritagemusic.org

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