Time to head out and enjoy some special music. Johnny Duncan is playing at the Java Pump on Water Street. Yep, you heard me right. That Johnny Duncan right here in Kerrville. James Mote, new owner of the Pump, said, "We've started a publishing company, and we want to work with Johnny Duncan on his music." Then he took me out to his car last Saturday night to hear two of Johnny's songs. Good solid country music.

I cruised the local music scene last week, missing the two hotel bars, and I have good news to report. Our local scene is alive with talent and enthusiasm. Thursday's at the Downtowner are an excellent opportunity to live out loud. This open mike just calls out for folks to stand up and sing. Gary Jones was singing when I arrived. Some of my first music memories in Kerrville revolve around Gary Jones. He introduced me to the late Roland Davis. He sang on the LP produced by Bert Winston that featured Roland and other Hill Country musicians. I still love his song, "Hard to Hold." It reminds me of me.

"Just Like An Old Prospector" not only uses lots of chords, it also moves from one key to another, just like I like, using minor chords. I was glad to hear Gary again. He told me that his wife was home writing a novel, a good one.

Kerrville is home to musicians, writers and artists. Tonight, December 14, celebrates the artists with the Art Trail throughout the community. And some of the galleries have music. The Kerrville Songwriters Group meets again on December 16. See www.ksg.org for details. Rod Kennedy and Special Events Production brings Michael Martin Murphy to town for his Annual Cowboy Christmas Ball. What else do we want in Kerrville? Art, music and literature abound!

I'm still reeling from "On My Way Home," the debut performance of Paula D'Arcy's work at Playhouse 2000 last weekend, with Paula D'Arcy playing herself and Tony Navarra playing God. If you missed that, you missed a moment of true transformation through art.

Don't forget the arts in your end-of-the year donations. Society is transformed by the arts, as is education. Putting art and artistic expression in the middle of a community or a school makes all the difference.

I'm enjoying the opportunity I have on Channel 2 to be "Living Out Loud," my show that airs at 8:30 p.m. each night. Most recently I interviewed a musician and songwriter, Jay Sims. He also spoke to the teams class at Tivy High School on the business of music on December 12. Deborah Vetter and Barbara Baker make this opportunity possible. Other guests have been Matt Eudy, Austin Owen, Cody Gage (all Schreiner students), Gary "Mex" Glazner (poet from New Mexico) and now Jay Sims. I want to interview Cindy Terry, Kristen Larranaga, Ruthie Foster, Cyd Cassone and maybe even you!

My semester at Schreiner has come to an end. My mythology class wrote their own stories in the frame of mythology. My composition class of freshmen wrote a manifesto called "Why I Am A Writer." My technical writing class produced a Panel of Professionals, and my freshman lifelong learning class created a Christmas party for one ward at the state hospital. And you wonder why I'm so thrilled all the time. What a joy to have these opportunities in my life. I am grateful for all I have, and Schreiner is a great place for me to "Live Out Loud."

I do need to visit the dance floor at the Inn of the Hills and at the YO Ranch Hotel. Time to report on that scene. I know Big Hands, a local band, played the YO recently. I know Mike Kasberg brings a new duet on Thursday's to Francisco's from 6-9 p.m. You can hear his jazz on Saturday nights, with the last Saturday of the month reserved for a big R&B show. Too bad I'll be in Mexico on December 28 when he rocks the house again. The Ol' Watering Hole is showcasing a lineup of Texas music. Michael Fontenot, a Kerrville pediatrician who lives in Fredericksburg, also is part of a family band called Jung and Restless. With one CD under their belt, the band is working on a second release. Pay attention to that one.

As I closed down the Java Pump last Saturday, I want to report on another discovery. Seems Cindy Cherry has been in town about four years. How did I miss that big blues voice? She closed down the evening, after Greg Wall sang some of my favorite songs with a voice I love. She knows her music, and later I discovered that she toured Austin for years as Cherry and the Cool Whips. Yep, I also hear she's a killer on the ivories! Jay and Kristen harmonized on more of my favorite songs. Ruben Darnelle joined me, talking of his own songwriter. "I woke up one night after falling asleep early. Picked up my pen and wrote down a song. It's the best gospel song I've ever written, a kind of invitation. I was suffering a loss, and this is what came out." Ruben will be playing December 14, along with Johnny Duncan at the Java Pump. No cover charge. Get there early. Also, see www.javapump.com for more information. Aren't these web sites handy? Free Leonard and down the road.

Email Kathleen:  kat@maverickbbs.com

Visit the THMF website:  www.texasheritagemusic.org

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