Yep, I got married Sunday, June 9, in San Miguel de Allende. I KNOW I missed the grand finale of the Kerrville Folk Festival, and I know it was great. I'll be running a story on that next week. I did attend a Thursday show at Luckenbach on May 30. The Ladies Lynching League showcased Dos Dames. Now I've been listening to the Texana Dames for many years. In fact, I followed them to Europe one year, on a 13-day tour that included Frutigen, Switzerland, and Bad Ischel, Austria. I watched the European's cowboy up and enjoy this eclectic music that ran the gamut from swing to blues to country to jazz. Charlene Hancock (mom) and her two daughters, Traci and Connie, were and are always a sight to behold.
Thursday, at Luckenbach, I witnessed the two girls without mom. During an interview for a documentary on Texas women, they spent most of their time promoting mom, though. Seems she has a CD of over 50 years of music (Yep, she started out real young), and Dos Dames wanted to be sure everyone knew about it.

Maggie Montgomery, a mom herself, hosts the evening show and presides over the interview. She asked me to join in and did we have fun. Maggie told of those days with young Monte Montgomery when they visited the Hancocks. "I remember that we all sat in a formal living room while Tommy introduced us. Then he led us to another room, saying 'Now let's play music.'" Monte was in awe of the beautiful women. He now tours the country, playing major venues and amazing everyone with his unique style of playing guitar as well as his strong songwriting ability.
Back to the women. During the show of Dos Dames, after Maggie had opened with a few songs of her own, she and Judy presented the Dames with flowers and an official rolling pin--a symbol of the Ladies Lynching League. Ah, that's Luckenbach style. Neal Brown is a new manager there; you may remember him from his Kerrville days.

I enjoyed the fresh fried catfish provided by The Feed Lot, an independent restaurant by the dance hall. Each Thursday, the League features the ladies of Texas music. That theme certainly fits in with my research on women's voices in Texas music. The show is free, and the catfish is all you can eat for $10.
Traci sang one of my favorites, "Quiero Ser Solo Tuya," while she brought a piece of Mexico right into the dance hall. Connie played big guitar (leaving her steel behind in Austin) and sang some of her own creations. We all sang along on some, and I pulled out my bones.

I know that Adam Carroll is having his CD release at the Ole Watering Hole on June 21 (I'll be in California at the Monterey Bay Blues Festival), and I hate to miss hearing that interesting songwriter. Someone go and write the story for me! He has been described as a kinder, gentler John Prine or a less cynical, less troubled Townes Van Zandt. Whew..those are big shoes to even mention! Carroll was recently featured at the Guadalupe River Series (Benny Pena). He writes stories about karaoke cowboys, Louisiana rice farmers, oilfield workers, dishwashers, burned out hippies, café busboys and one ancounter with a drunken Elvis.
Scrappy Newcomb and Beaver Nelson will be special guests. Another night of real Texas music at the Ole Watering Hole in Kerrville, Texas.

Mike Kasberg has added a new version to his jazz show, The Mike Kasberg R&B Revue. After a rousing debut at Francisco's, they can be seen on June 14 at the Cabaret in Bandera, June 28 at Chili's in Kerrville and July 6 at Francisco's. His quartet plays Francisco's on June 8, 15, 22, 29 and July 6. Call him at 257-4651 to get on his mailing list and for bookings.

They mystery band playing late at night next to my music office as I write is now called the Midway Band. Look for their debut at the state hospital party on July 3. Expect to hear them at the Cowboy Steakhouse this summer.

Yep, lots of options in the Hill Country (my mantra?). Free Leonard and down the road.

Kathleen
kat@maverickbbs.com

www.texasheritagemusic.org

Click here to return to the previous page