Time for a memory and a book review. Seeing a book on The Light Crust Doughboys in my mail reminded me that Walter Hailey of Hunt, Texas, was once the emcee for this group. And Smokey Robinson, an original Doughboy, came to Walter's to perform at one of the weekend seminars Walter creates for the dental community. I had a chance to re-connect with this vibrant octogenarian then. He brought his banjo and announced his upcoming marriage. He did enjoy the last years of his long life! Just ask Walter.

I first met Smokey on rain swept day in September at our tribute to Jimmie Rodgers. We had rented the former KC Hall on Harper Road, then called the Longbranch Ballroom. A hurricane hit the coast, disturbing the weather here in a big way. No one came out to this special tribute by the Light Crust Doughboys except one special group. Traveling around Texas in tour buses, the British Country Music Association had us on their itinerary, and those buses did roll in.
My parents had traveled to Kerrville for the event, so we sat in the Longbranch listening to music that had already become a significant part of the history of Texas music. Outside the wind howled, and most of Kerrville stayed in. This book on the Dough Boys did not cover my own stories of the group, but the book delivers a real slice of the history of Texas music. First, the details for ordering:

The Light Crust Doughboys are on the Air: Celebrating Seventy Years of Texas music, John Mark Dempsey (University of North Texas Press, P.O. Box 311336, Denton, TX 76203-1336) 2002. Contents. Illus. Appendices, CD. Postcript. Index. P. 294. $29.95. Hardcover.

John Mark Dempsey and Art Greenhaw, a fan and a member of the Light Crust Doughboys, worked together to create a book that not only celebrates seventy years of Texas music but also defines, through stories, the distinction that keeps the group alive.

At first glance, the book seems to invite only the hard-core fans to delve in. At second glance, any fan of any form of Texas music will enjoy this in-depth discussion of a group that brought Texas music into the homes of a large and consistent audience.

Dempsey has done his homework. The book not only tells the history of the group, it captures the voices of all who have a story to tell. His introduction reminds the reader, "So what would have been the chances, back in 1931, that the Light Crust Doughboys would be taking the stage on a warm summer night amidst the opulent, high-tech ambiance of North Dallas in the first year of a new millennium?" Then the rest of the story takes off.

He does not follow a linear narrative, rather he captures the rich tapestry of Doughboys history by weaving many threads together, stories of each band member (and there were many) with stories of fans. Throughout the book Dempsey keeps his focus clear: the Doughboys were and are a phenomenon in the history of American music, representing Texas music.

The multitude of stories reveal a rich vein of gold in the history of Texas music, The Light Crust Doughboys. The accompanying CD, placed is a sleeve on the back cover, gives the reader the experience of the music. And the appendix gives the facts. Dempsey, a native Texan with experience in radio, uses the experience of Art Greenhaw, bassist and manager for the Doughboys, to document a group that continues to impact the history of Texas music. A delight to read these stories and hear this music.

It takes the ones who love the music and are willing to show support to keep the music flowing. April 2 at the Texas Music Coffee House at Schreiner, this support brought this community a moving performance by Oliver Rajamani, a man whose very presence speaks to the spiritual connection that can be present in the world. His performance inspired me to start thinking about a showcase of world music here in Kerrville. Anyone want to join that planning team?
Ahead on April 12 in Comfort is a new Texas Music Festival beginning at 10:00 a.m. Double D Restaurant in Comfort is showcasing music every weekend with the money at the door going to the artists. The new free music rag, The Texas Rising Star, will give you a look at many of the venues for the month of April. Pick one up at your local Mini-Mart. And Chili's has a full music schedule, becoming the next big venue in Kerrville, except for the Kathleen Cailloux Center, of course. Drop by and pick up their schedule. Nothing like sitting by the Guadalupe River and hearing great music. Free Leonard and down the road.

Visit the THMF website:  www.texasheritagemusic.org

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