As you’re reading this, I’m attending a Pillow family wedding in Ft. Worth. I’m still reeling from the 1^st Annual Rod Kennedy Farewell Concert on October 12-13 at the YO Ranch Hotel. Well, Bobby Bridger was the first to remark that this looked like the “first annual.”

  Let me start this story at the beginning of the weekend. Friday, October 11, I went to the Java Pump, expecting to hear Austin Owen and Patrick McCorkindale. Due to a booking mixup, they were not playing. I saw a duo standing in the front of a packed room, and I heard some haunting strains of “pure country.” I entered the porch of the Java Pump on Water Street and was fully present to a woman’s voice that made me think “Gillian Welch.” I discovered Welch in Cleveland in 1997 at a tribute to Jimmie Rodgers. Haunting and pure, that voice.

  Brennan Leigh, the young woman from North Dakota now living in San Marcos, told me later that Gillian was one of her heroes. I can’t say enough in this short space to cover my impressions of this stunning and distinct performance. Maybe saying the Hank Williams dressed in overalls with long blond hair was in the room. Or maybe saying that the spirit of Hank, Bill Monroe and Jimmie Rodgers all came forth when this duo gave their interpretation of “The Train That Brought Jimmie Rodgers Home,” or their interpretation of “Pancho and Lefty” by Townes Van Zandt. They also did an outstanding job with the songs of Billy Joe Shaver, Wayne Hancock and Steve Earle. I just can’t say enough about what I heard. We must get them back to Kerrville, soon!

  The Java Pump gives Kerrville a non-alcohol venue (with smoke, I might add) that provides a place for songwriters to find an audience. I might suggest that the smokers sit outside. After all, you can hear the music from the outdoor patio, as well. I take my students to the Java Pump to write during my afternoon class. That’s what a coffeehouse can do—inspire creativity.

  Saturday, I went to the farewell dinner and concert for Rod Kennedy, who is not leaving Kerrville, only leaving his position at the Kerrville Folk Festival. During the weekend, though, it became apparent that “Kerrville Folk Festival” is synonymous, around the world with “Kerrville.”

   We heard Suzanne Buirgy sing a heart-rending song about abortion from the point of view of the mother. Original performers shared stories and songs. Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines gave their usual great performance. Bill Ward sang about cowboys in Dallas (what a great song!); Dick Goodwin played some keyboard and trumpet, accompanied by David Amram. Allen Damron reminded us all of the following:  “I played the first chord at the first Folk Festival in 1972, and I played the last chord at the last folk festival this year.” Dalis Allen is the new producer of the Kerrville Folk Festival, and the show will go on!

  I missed the Sunday brunch, but I did hear a concert that lasted from 1:00 p.m. until about 8:00 p.m. Whew.  Every song was tied to a memory in my heart. After all, I discovered Kerrville through this folk festival which I attended in about 1973. Space will not allow me to share all those memories and all those songs. Just know, I shed a few tears, had a lot of laughs, and came home from the concert inspired to keep living life outloud. (I talk more about that on my 8:30 show on channel 2.) That’s what being with these folks does for me.

  Each songwriter commented on the significance of the invitation to play and the listening of a great audience. Seems a lot of lives and careers were formed and inspired at this folk festival. It’s a shame that many of the locals still don’t know the significance of this event to the community of Kerrville.

  I kept learning more information as each veteran took the stage, told a story, and introduced an act. I’ll just summarize some of the  highlights for me:  the Sisters Morales singing “Te Adoro” in Spanish; David Amram just being David Amram; Bobby Bridger telling stories of meeting Amram in Greenwich Village; Fromholz being the funniest I’ve ever seen him (and I’ve  known him over twenty years); Bill and Bonnie Hearne singing “New Mexico Rain,” Jimmy LaFave with David Webb on keyboard doing a jazz number; Sara Hickman singing a song she wrote with her daughters in mind (a real woman’s anthem that is on her album Spiritual Appliances);  Trout Fishing in America rocking out to “Fade Away”; Ruthie Foster and Cyd Cassone bringing the “church” to Kerrville (gospel is alive and well!); Vance Gilbert taking as long as he wanted, joking and mentioning the way the blacks were pushed to the end of the program; Rod’s beautiful response to the event and the final handholding, hugging version of “Heal in the Wisdom,” a song perfect for the post 9-11 era.

  No time for more memories. Just know a significant and powerful thing happened in the history of music last weekend in Kerrville, Texas. Look for a recording. There has to be one! Look ahead for a jazz festival in Kerrville in November produced by none other than Rod Kennedy, who did not really retire! The Halloween costume party at Double D in Comfort is a weekend event, featuring the Cosmic Dust Devils and Fco—a Houston Rockabilly powerhouse. Johnny Nicholas and the Big Band Bash are on. Tickets at Wolfmueller’s Books and Records. Free Leonard (film at Schreiner on October 22, 7:00 p.m.) and down the road.

Email Kathleen:  kat@maverickbbs.com

Visit the THMF website:  www.texasheritagemusic.org

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