| Kathleen Hudson Column
for May 11, 2002 "Toni Price at Camp Waldemar" |
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First, some history on the origin of the series. Teak Elmore, camp owner/manager, explained it as follows: “We had a wedding at Waldemar, and Toni Price played the wedding. At the end of the day I saw some people in the river, and I told them it was time to leave. Later, George Anne asked me if that was Toni Price. I realized I had just asked her to leave the river, and I ran over and invited them to stay, telling her I wanted her to place a house concert at the camp sometime.” Then he explained that several years later he was at her weekly gig at the Continental Club in Austin. When he introduced himself again, she said, "Yeah, why haven’t you called me?” George Anne added the rest of the story, “Teak and I had our first date going to hear Toni Price. It was one of those magical evening where the talk never ends. Now six years and a baby later, we are bringing here as our featured guest for our first concert in a new series we’ve created.” Thus, the story behind the Rio Encantado Concert Series. If you want to get on the mailing list for the series, call Camp Waldemar and give Teak your name and number. It was a breezy Hill Country night on the river. The stone pillars holding up the wooden roof looked like ancient herms, left for travelers on the roads in Greece. At least, that’s what this teacher of mythology saw when looking at the carefully placed stones in each pillar. The evening concert began with a set of songs by a young woman who really likes Melissa Ethridge. Her voice and music show this, but her set contained all original songs except one Ethridge cover. And I really like Melissa’s voice, so I enjoyed the rocking female moment. Three male musicians took the stage, sitting in chairs and reminding me of old bluesmen getting ready to play. One held a banjo and two had guitars. Toni, striking in her sky blue dress with a blue jeweled spider around her neck, sat down and started stomping her foot. The show began as Toni sang, “Write me in care of the blues.” Not only does she have the kind of voice I love, the intensity of performance I love, but she also sings lots of songs I love. Yep, I was having a great time, remembering all my love for summer camps (all those summers of experience I’ve had at Camp El Tesoro) and my love for the Texas songwriter who goes all the way. Toni Price has had a regular weekly gig at the Continental Club in Austin on Tuesday’s for over ten years. Reminds me of the Texana Dames and their weekly gig at Guero’s, another South Congress institution. Since I’m starting a book on women’s voices in Texas music, this Saturday night on the river at Camp Waldemar listening to Toni Price provided lots of new enthusiasm to do the research for the project. We heard “Call of My Heart,” a bluegrass interpretation complete with four-part harmony and banjo leads. Vince Barsetta on banjo, also played guitar and mandolin throughout the set Country Matt (Matt Giles) provided harmony and guitar work, and Casper Rawls did the same. Casper has been playing with the LeRoi Brothers for years, His intricate guitar leads and harmony added another layer of pleasure to this evening. My favorite song included the lines, “Love won’t come if you won’t give measure.” She sang a Shelly King song, “Tennessee Whiskey,” and she sang the Bill Carter classic that includes the line, “I’d be the richest one in the world.” That is if teardrops were diamonds and heartache was gold. Always giving credit to the writer, Toni Price makes each song her own with her distinct interpretation. I’ll be heading up to Austin in June to catch her weekly gig. As I watched her perform, I found myself thinking, “I want to be her!” Guess I’ll have to wait another lifetime for that. Toni was recently honored as female vocalist of the year, album of the year and song of the year in Austin. Now that’s quite a feat! Make your plans to
attend the Kerrville Folk Festival. Opening night is Thursday, May 23,
the day I return from San Miguel de Allende. Remember, the Texas State
Arts and Crafts Festival kicks off on the Schreiner campus May 24 with
stages for music and the arts. Steak night in Waring on Wednesdays is
still operating full steam, with Dime a Dozen and Jay Boy Adams playing.
Eric Gerber has a showcase at the Java Pump on May 15. Bring food to
share at this concert moment. Terry Penney and John Holt are playing in
town. Francisco’s still has music. Check out the entertainment column on
Thursdays for schedules. Don’t forget the Nelson City Dance Hall as a
place to hear music. Waring is not that far away, and the drive is easy.
Free Leonard and down the road to Mexico I go!
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