Some people in this community were enjoying sandy beaches while the rest of us built fires to save off the cold. (I don't have central heat where I live.) Last year, Dr. Charlie Gray, joined the Delbert McClinton Sandy Beaches Cruise and won the 30-question trivia quiz--two free tickets for this year. This year two women who work for Dr. Gray won the trivia quiz. Seems this orthodontist's office is a treasure house of Texas music trivia. Charlie returned with photos and stories to document this unusual sailing rendition of Texas music. "We spent lots of time with all the musicians, and I have to say the Texas music scene is full of wonderful and gracious people. To name a few, Delbert McClinton, Marcia Ball, Gary Nicholson, Wayne Toups (with the Zydeco slant) and many more. Hudson, you need to be documenting Texas music on this cruise."

I was teaching three literature courses and one mythology course at Schreiner University. Charlie and I, both, had a bunch of stories to share. I also spent some time last Saturday with Wilton Crider, Bert and Debbie Winston, E.C. Willman, Joe Vorhes, Mike Walker sharing stories. Attending the funeral service for Roland Davis, a man who helped form my relationship to this local music scene, provided a chance for some reminiscing. Roland leaves a legacy to this community. His daughter told me this story: "When daddy was dying he said that he'd never had a gold credit card or a big house, but he never owed anyone money and his word was always good. He felt he'd lived a full life." I can add many details to that word "full." I see his memory in all that I do with Texas music. I keep hearing him singing those songs on that soon to be "rare" tape recorded in Nashville.

I met Joe Morgan at the funeral. He gave me a newsletter documenting old radio days in Kerrville, and he gave me a book he's written called "Dreams." Seems that Kerrville is providing a home to a host of creative spirits. We all know that, but we also get many reminders from day to day.

I headed up to Austin on Sunday for a special lunch with my daughter and granddaughter at Guero's on South Congress, home to the weekly show by the Texana Dames. Conni set up her steel guitar; Tracy picked up her accordion; Paul set up drums under a Virgen Guadalupe painting; John Reed tuned up his bass; the lead guitar player stepped up and the show began.

Conni first announced, "Mom (Charlene) is not with us today. Nothing is wrong. She's visiting our granddmother in Lubbock. She has her priorities right." Dad, Tommy Hancock, sat in a chair on the edge of the wooden space used for dancing. After his book, Zen and the Art of the Two Step, he's become a fixture dancing to this family music. At one time, the whole family played as the Supernatural Family Band.

My Sunday afternoon was special, hearing these women and sharing some time with women in my own family. We heard swing music, classic Texas rock 'n' roll, blues, Tejano and even some music from Mexico. Eclectic Texas music. Conni dedicated
"California Blues" to me and my interested in Jimmie Rodgers. Then the big moment arrived, the Dames invited me to join them and play my little black egg--a shaker of some sort. After that I revealed that I also had a small tambourine with me, and I had my tambourine debut, playing along with Conni as we rocked through a song reminiscent of the 1950s. I can't remember the song, but I loved being a "Dame."

Now I'm researching women's voices in Texas music, and being initiated as a "Dame" is just the beginning. I'm looking forward to sharing the stories and songs of women across the state.

Tonight, January 26, Ruthie Foster is playing a house concert for Jack and Barbara Fields (call 367-5709 for ticket information). I'm attending the "Snowball," a evening of music with Ridge Floyd honoring 37 local non-profits. Feb. 20 is the next Texas Music Coffeehouse at Schreiner with Ms. Lavelle White. Feb. 24 Bob Dylan plays the Frank Irwin Center in Austin. I will be there to hear my hero.

Free Leonard and down the road.

Kathleen
kat@maverickbbs.com
www.texasheritagemusic.org

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