Last week at the Living History Day and at the Texas Heritage Seminar, I was thrilled to spend some time with Nolan Porterfield, the biographer of Jimmie Rodgers and of John Lomax. During the seminar we found out that both men were born in Meridian—one in Mississippi and one in Texas. Nolan explained that writing the biography of Jimmie was like creating a sculpture over a wire frame, carefully searching for enough clay to cover the shape. Writing about Lomax was like finding a ton of granite and shaping it with a toothpick. Over 18 feet of letters alone are archived in Austin at the Center for American Studies (orginally the Barker Texas History Center). Nolan is engaging with his stories and gathered a group of intense listeners wherever he went.

Sitting near the Jimmie Rodgers stage at the Living History Day, Nolan also met with Wilton Crider, the only performer who has been at every September tribute! Wilton and Tony Navarra (the ghost of Jimmie) spent the day sharing the story of the Father of Country music, and Nolan listened with the ear of a biographer. About 11:00 a.m. on Friday, a striking woman walked up, wearing a Jimmie Rodgers t-shirt. She was accompanied by two young men, smiling. It only took me a minute to recognize Karen, the ex-wife of the late Jimmie Dale Court (grandson of Jimmie Rodgers). Accompanying her were Austin and James Court, young men I hadn’t seen since 1997 outside the K.C. Hall when they arrived too late for the Willie Nelson tribute to Jimmie Rodgers and Jimmie Dale Court. That’s another story!

I felt the thrill of being in the presence of blood relatives; I felt the thrill of introducing more family to Nolan Porterfield. When he was writing this biography, he met with some resistance and hostility from some family members. He was the scholar who found the "first" wife, Stella, of Jimmie Rodgers. He also mentioned the role alcohol played in the life of this tuberculear singer who lived in Texas from 1929-1931. He was glad to meet friendly family.

I also got to spend the weekend with Allen Damron and his wife, Marie. Allen had participated in the Schreiner Founder’s Day program several years ago, he is an integral part of the Kerrville Folk Festival (original director and performer), he is known far and wide on the circuit of folk performers. Also an historian, Allen shared history in his songs along with the lore of the cowboy and the story of the Alamo.

He was joined by Jack Edmondson, a author of The Alamo, a book giving more perspectives on this Texas story. Jack reminded us of all the information that has moved into the story of the Alamo, both fact and fiction. He also covered the songs that might have been heard during this time, including a look at "The Yellow Rose of Texas," a song that originally had nothing to do with the story of the Alamo. I first met Jack when he was five, and I was eight. Our mothers were best friends. Now his mother is also one of my best friends. Ah, family.

Ruth Sullivan, a graduate student at Southwest Texas State University gave a paper on the life of Tary Owens, a musicologist who still lives in Austin. Jorge Garduno, a Schreiner University student, presented a paper on George Strait, beginning and ending with a song by George. Interesting bit of synchronicity, Ruth told of the influence of Amerigo Paredes (UT scholar) on Tary; Jorge dedicated his presentation to his uncle, Amerigo Paredes. I love that sort of unexpected connection.

Rufus Hayes, a Schreiner board member, said it best when he said, "We won’t have this seminar in this theatre next year. We won’t have room in here next year because I’m taking over!" Nothing sounds better to a founder’s ear than the support of someone else who sees the value in a project. We started the Texas Heritage Seminar at Schreiner this year with presentations by an outstanding group of scholars. I’m already looking forward to the program next year, the last weekend of September.

We also had the first Literacy and Learning Concert this year. No room in this column for that story, but know that you experienced (or missed) a heartfelt performance by Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines. Not a disappointed person in that audience and lots of new appreciation for this duo who really really share themselves with an audience. See www.terrihendrix.com for more of her story.

I know Red Steagall is in town on October 5 for a special fundraiser for the new theatre in town. Jack Fields has about 10 seats left at his house concert with Beth Williams and Shake Russell. I know Darden Smith and Shawn Colvin are coming to the Waldemar Rio Encantado Series on October 11-12. And I know the farewell party for Rod Kennedy at the YO Ranch Hotel that same weekend will bring a stunning array of performers to town, wishing to pay tribute to all this man has done in the world of music. Public invited. I also know he’s founder of a new organization, Special Events of Kerrville, and a jazz festival is ahead in November. Send me your stories. I love to tell them along with mine. Free Leonard and down the road.

Email Kathleen:  kat@maverickbbs.com

Visit the THMF website:  www.texasheritagemusic.org

Click here to return to the previous page