I couldn't help it. Any excuse will do. I need time to work on my book -- transcribe interviews. I need the sun, like Rimbaud. So, I used some airline miles to get a ticket to San Miguel de Allende. Even though I'm teaching there in May, I had to do it now. Easter season. I'm missing good music, but I'm going to be sitting in the park facing the cathedral and……doing what we do on that bench. Socializing and sitting. Those of you who have been there know.

Texas Wildfire is bringing some classic rock and roll to the Elm Waterhole Saloon at the YO Ranch Hotel on Saturday night, April 19. I'll be missing that. Scott Rotge is playing Chili's on the River on April 19 as an acoustic duo. His band will play at Jo Jo's Bar on April 25. Scott came to a Pat Green concert at Schreiner University on a cold afternoon. We met then. He played a great set at the annual Johnny Nicholas Big and Bash, and he's playing Nelson City Dance Hall on May 2. His mentors include Billy Joe Shaver and Pat Green. Recently he sat in with Canadian Rag Weed, another hero. When we last talked, he told me that he had a CD ready to go. In his band are Levi Darr, Trent Wunstel and Chris Doege. Watch for them in your neighborhood.

The Terri Hendrix Concert at the Waring Store on April 5 was a great one. The energy she shares with her band, Lloyd Maines and Paul Pearcy, is contagious. They have a good time, we have a good time. Lloyd emits some kind of wild energy that also carries all his many experiences into the room. This man is a giant in many ways. And gentle. Those steel guitar leads just about stole that show.

Terri, generous with her smile and her energy, had just spent a couple of days with a group of 25 songwriters at her Old Number Nine workshop. Plan ahead for another workshop next October featuring another songwriter. This educational facility in Waring inspired me to think about overnight creative writing camps! Who'll join me?

I hear some new songwriters, met inspired songwriters and brought away a CD of 20 songs by John Prihoda. When I called to tell him how his songs reminded me of Townes, he seemed dumbfounded. Then he told me. "I had never performed before that workshop. Now I'm overwhelmed. So many talented people there." Well, Mr. Prihoda is one of those talented people.

Abi Tapia was one of those participants, and she performed at the Java Pump (www.javapump.com) on Saturday, April 12. Unusual songs and wonderful talent. Terry Penney and John Holt perform Friday, April 18. While I'm in Mexico! Terry also plays with Big Hands, a band that alternates weekends at the Elm Watering Hole. Now Terry is "a fine hairdresser" and a screaming guitar player. I'll be getting a new haircut soon!

Isn't it fun to be in the Hill Country? Ponty Bone and the Squeezetones perform at the Easter Chili Festival. If I were going to be here, I'd take down my frattoire and head out to Zydeco with Ponty.

I do know that Austin Owen, a man I first met at the soulful production at the Hill Country Youth Ranch called "Broken Wings Can Fly," is performing again. Who is that voice? Those bright eyes? Well, I met him, and we decided to work together at the THMF. He took the work/study offered by Schreiner and produced the entire coffee house series at Schreiner. And now he's on the stage at the Kathleen Cailloux Theatre playing in "Big River," opening on April 17, the day I fly to Mexico. I'm on board to see it the next Thursday.

Luckenbach must be gorgeous this time of year. The drive on Willow City Loop is laden with blue bonnets, but not like my pasture. Now that's a sea of blue right outside my window. Still glad I live out on the high plain. My writing class will meet at the river soon. How can we not enjoy the many treasures this Hill Country has to offer? I want to thank all those who came out to the Texas Writers Conference at Schreiner on April 8. I set up 50 chairs, dreaming conservatively. We had to bring out fifty more! Our showcase included Sam Skeist, 3 students, 4 Schreiner professors and Anne Schneider. I loved hearing her husband, Harry, say, as she read, "She really knocks me out." Now that's a real man!

I'm writing this column later than usual, and I sense a rambling tone. Maybe I'm already on the road to Mexico. I love the experience Ram Dass suggested once. He said to look up at any moment and ask yourself, "Where am I?" The answer, of course, is "Here." Then ask yourself, "What time is it?" The answer, of course, is "Now." So, let's Be Here Now as we journey on. Free Leonard and down the road.

Visit the THMF website:  www.texasheritagemusic.org

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