Last month I attended the first concert in a series to be held at the Guadalupe River Club/poolside. The featured act was Adam Carroll, a “young gun” in the Texas music scene, an interesting and unique songwriter. A former student and musician, Benny Pena, is coordinating this series. Another beautiful venue for Texas music in the Hill Country.

  Paul and Jennifer Tennyson opened the show as we huddled in our blankets; it was a cool March evening. The wisteria bloomed like a living frame, and the music was beautiful.

  On Wednesday, May 8, the second concert of the series features Mike Graham (see www.mikegraham.com for more information), a songwriter making waves in the Texas music scene. This time food and drink will be available. The doors open at 6:30, local talent begins at 7:00, and Mike takes the stage at 8:00. Tickets ($10/$7students and FSC members) are available at the Family Sports Center, Java Pump, The Vision Source, Behrend’s Feed, or at the door the evening of the event. I’ll be teaching in San Miguel de Allende, or you would see me at this show. I loved the first one!

  And now for a story of my musical adventure last week. On Friday, April 26, I left the annual Schreiner faculty banquet, picked up a friend who loves art and music, and headed to the Cabaret in Bandera. This is THE classic Texas music venue in the area. What a history, and Thurman Love is succeeding at keeping the heritage preserved and alive. His lineup reads like a “who’s who” in Texas music.

  Backing up a bit, I had lunch with Texas songwriter now living in Switzerland, Richard Dobson on that same Friday. He was passing through, doing his annual journey through his own roots. I have his new CD to write about next week. Well, Richard says, “Do not miss John Grimado, the best country blues guitarist in the world.” I arrived just in time to hear John and his wife performing blues. Richard was right; this man is a true Texas treasure.

  Thurman took the stage to introduce Guy Clark, “The best songwriter in the world.” What a night for extremes. Guy, and his long-time sidekick, Verlin Thompson, delivered the classic set of the new millennium. There I go being extreme. I do love Guy Clark after being around him for over 20 years. My youngest son loves Guy Clark because he wrote “The Randall Knife,” a tribute to the father/son relationship in Clayton’s eyes. Even though Guy creates his home in Nashville, going about the business of writing songs; his heart still resides in Texas.

  He is from Monahans, spent time on the Gulf Coast, and continues to live the songs he writes. He did “have to get off that LA freeway without getting killed or caught.” His favorite song is my favorite song, with the words, “She ain’t going nowhere, she’s just leaving.” Just ask around. Many have a favorite Guy Clark song, and we heard most of them Friday night in Bandera. I didn’t begin the long drive home until about 1:30 a.m.

  My artist friend found his favorite in one by Verlin, one that is yet unrecorded. I remember lines like, “He was somewhere between body and soul. He was just like you/he was just like me.” I looked across at the front row at a line of faces, young and old, transfixed by this song. Guy sat quietly at the back of the stage, also honoring the talent of Verlin Thompson.

  Their dueling guitars, with Verlin taking most of the hot leads, enhanced the powerful songs. Nothing could be improved about that evening. I heard “Picasso’s Mandolin,” a song about painting with nerve. I heard “The Cape,” which says “He did not know he could not fly, and so he did.” We heard, “There’s such a thing as trying too hard.” Guess these are all messages I love to hear!

  A crew of the National Museum of American Art were in the audience, and I thought of them when Guy said, “Our life was like some old Western movie,” in “Desperados Waiting for a Train.” I noticed lots of Kerrville musicians and fans in the audience. Eric and Cindy Gerber were holding down the front row, while Becky Crouch and Oscar (Hondo’s daughter with her amazing Charro performer partner) sat closer to the back. I kept wondering what others were hearing. Becky told me once that meeting Oscar (from Mexico) made her want to write poetry. Listening to Guy Clark certainly makes me want to write poetry.

  We heard this great acapello number with the line, “Let’s strike a balance between a whisper and a scream.” The encore included “Texas Cookin,’” and the duo cooked and cooked. Not a still person in the house. I mean, we had to cook on this one.

  I drove home, slowly, savoring the evening. Like the enchiladas and home-grown tomatoes that Guy Clark loves, an evening at the Cabaret is just the Texas dish, served up hot and steaming.

  Ahead at the Cabaret is the following lineup:  May 4, our own country favorite Rodney Hayden; May 5 is a taping for the Oprah Winfrey show; Johnny Bush brings the dance hall to life on May 11, and Reckless Kelly (sons of Joe Ely in spirit) brings Texas original rock to the stage. May 18 is a traditional country dance with Billy Mata, and Chris Chandler brings social commentary and spoken word to the stage on May 22. Wish I could be there. I return from Mexico either May 23 or May 27.

  Don’t forget Ray Price and classic country at the Point Theatre on May 4. Free Leonard and down the road. 

Kathleen
kat@maverickbbs.com

www.texasheritagemusic.org

Click here to return to the previous page