"Story of Willie's Picnic and Stephanie Urbina Jones in Kerrville"
A Correction: the Hill Country Opry, featuring Stephanie Urbina Jones on July 19, will take place at a venue on Sidney Baker that used to be a barbecue place.
When I saw Stephanie at the Willie Nelson picnic on Saturday, I couldn't help but notice the deep red jacket, the long black hair streaming out from under a big straw sombrero and the words "espiritu" in red sequins on her shirt. She is a visual delight, and that mirrors the beauty of her soul. Her espiritu shines out from her eyes.
"I have had such a great day," she beamed. "I sang the National Anthem to kick off the day, then Willie came out and sang with me during my set." Then she told me that she had never met Willie before and "Angels rained down in a moment in time" when he joined her on his own song, "Crazy." "We just looked at each other and sang the song," she said.
Since "Crazy" was first made popular by Patsy Cline, I can only imagine the thrill Stephanie had to share that moment in song with Willie Nelson, the absolute guru and spiritual godfather of Texas music. Be sure and hear Stephanie she plays Kerrville.
My picnic story is long and rambling. When the Grateful Dead kicked into "Truckin," I felt one of the grooves that calls me out to hear music. This column space will only allow for highlights. I'll put a longer story on the THMF website, www.texasheritagemusic.org .
Bells of Joy kicked off the two-day picnic on July 4 is a new and spectacular venue. Two rivers do meet in this natural amphitheater where every seat on the lawn is a clear view of the stage. 22 miles from Austin on Highway 71, the venue provides the perfect place for 40,000 to gather. Comfortably. Direct Events, headed by veteran (in many ways) Tim O'Conner, did the usual excellent job of handling crowds, food, water, comfort and of course, a stunning show. The core of regulars in both fans and performers make this picnic a homecoming for many.
Poodie, long pig tail flying, continues to be the road manager (and stage manager) that keeps the show running. During the rain on Friday, water had gathered on the plastic stage covering and emptied right on the top of my head as Willie and Merle sang "Working Man Blues." Imagine, I'm finally on stage getting the photos I want and suddenly I'm drenched.
A fellow music-lover named T.J. kept me informed on the dead culture I was going to experience. When the Dead came on stage, with about 8 drums on a rack behind Mickey Hart, I felt the music, joined in the trance (without any psychedelic help), and watched the brilliant sun setting behind me. Colors, matched only by the tie-dyed t-shirts surrounded me. "We need to watch the Grateful Dead from dead center," T.J. explained, as he lead me through the packed crowd to a place we could stand. This was my first experience and a great one. Willie came out and jammed in ways I've never heard from him before. And his beatific smile!
I remember that Jerry Garcia, former Dead leader, died while recording Blue Yodel #9, a Jimmie Rodgers tune, for the Bob Dylan tribute album. A connection for me.
My photo pass put me in an alley in front of the stage. Billy Bob Thornton rocked, but his guitar player, Steve Bruton, really captured my attention. Steve and I both hail from Ft. Worth, and my memories of the Juke Jumpers and the Bruton family run deep. And he's a great and colorful photo opportunity. In fact, I'll add a page of these photos to the web site. I did notice the "om" and lotus flower tattooed on Billy Bob's arms. Good stories, I'm sure.
Paula Nelson has a short set with Fastball, a band from Austin. Her voice is distinct, and I can tell she loves the blues. Shawn Colvin revealed her prowess as a singer songwriter, playing before the rocking Neil Young set. Now that's a set for a long story. Neil Young and Crazy Horse may be the wizards of rock and roll. I mean, this was serious rock and roll, played in a serious way. I looked around at all the young (younger?) people dancing and trancing around me as Neil sang the long song "Down By The River." Willie, once again, held his own and entered rock and roll history as he jammed with Neil.
The Crazy Horse finale brought out Chief Dan George, donned in a feather headdress even though confined to a wheel chair. He's been dancing at every picnic for years. And another dancer, fully covered in wheels of feathers, also came out as we all joined in on "Keep On Rocking In The FreeWorld."
Willie's family closed down the picnic about 1:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. He began with some jazz licks and the words "Listen to my song." We heard a gospel medley, reminding us that he and Bobbie have a gospel music album on the shelves now. The event came to an end with "Circle Be Unbroken," "I'll Fly Away," "I Saw the Light." Paula Nelson joined Willie. Father and daughter. Sister Bobbie stood elegantly at the end of the show, waving to the crowd as she was escorted off the stage. The huge American flag hung at the back of the stage and the picnic was over. Then Willie came back out, hair flowing over his shoulder and down to his waist, waving one more time at the crowd.
Another Willie and Family moment in the history of Texas music. I'm glad I was there. Free Leonard and down the road.