My road is taking me out to Monterey and San Francisco for the next two weeks. Not only will I present a workshop at the annual Young Rhetorician's Conference, but I will also interview Shemekia Copeland, blues diva, at the Monterey Bay Blues Festival. When you're on the West Coast in June, this is the event to attend. In the past I've heard Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Aaron Neville, Johnny Copeland, Brenda Boykin and a host of other great performers playing blues and jazz in a town that also belongs to the name "Steinbeck."

Thom Steinbeck, a famous son I met at a Willie picnic years ago, is the guest speaker at the conference on June 20. His first book of short stories, Down To A Soundless Sea, published by Ballantine Books, is subtitled "Stories." Yes, this man knows the value of a story. "My brother and I were particularly blessed with a family convention that involved storytelling. We sprang like noisy chicks from a gaggle of writers, composers, and entertaining raconteurs. My father, the ancient gander of our flock, was particularly fond of a ripping good yarn cleverly and deftly told," so beings the author's note.

Thom is part of my story as well. He was a speaker at our Texas Writers Conference at Schreiner University one year. During our friendship in Texas, he once told me, "Hudson, you put things together. That is what a producer does. Quit denigrating your projects by saying that you are 'only' an English teacher." That started me thinking about and accepting the many hats I've chosen to wear. Acceptance makes life a lot gentler, as well. Thom encouraged me as I have collected stories of Texas songwriters and musicians. Many have encouraged me, and I remember each and every one of you! Yes, we all need encouragement and acknowledgment for what we are doing.

I was surprised at how pleased Thom was to be our guest speaker. His book of seven stories traces fates and dreams of an extraordinary cast of characters living along the rough and rocky California Coast. "I love any opportunity to visit Monterey," he said when I asked. Upon returning I'll be heading to the Willie Nelson Picnic and remembering my first meeting with Thom, the son of John Steinbeck. He was in khaki safari type clothing, standing backstage at the show in Austin, sweltering with the rest of us. Seems he had a heavy gold chain on his neck with a golden lion on it. Not sure if he's Leo, but he should be.

When my friend, now deceased, Roxy Gordon, said, "That's Steinbeck's son," I headed over and introduced myself as an English teacher in Kerrville who loved the literature. Roxy was miffed that I ditched all further conversation with others and followed Thom around, but that's what I did. I wanted to hear his story.

Thom's book is covered with a photo of a dark sky and a dark sea, waves crashing. I'll get to see that sea from my hotel at this conference. I'll enjoy reading some of these stories by that sea. By now you realized that my travels are more interesting to me when I have a literary story to follow. The writers who chose to live in and visit San Miguel de Allende make it more interesting to me. Knowing Steve Earle wrote his album "Copperhead Road" while in San Miguel is part of my own collection of stories.

Let me end with a discovery. I was invited to a CD release party at Buzzie's Barbecue. The CD, entitled "Segovia," is a collection of classic western swing tunes as well as some originals. Reid Wells has a story to tell, and part of it is on this CD. Reid was in Nashville in the early 60's when he met Willie Nelson, Wade Ray, Johnny Bush and Jimmy Day. As he wrote songs in Nashville, Faron Young liked what he heard and asked him to write for him. Eventually, Reid became "disgusted with the system," and left Nashville. That music business is tough on people. Ask Willie.

He credits his brother, Carson, with bringing him back out. "It's more fun now to play and perform," Reid said. "I enjoy entertaining people." The band he has put together is available for private parties and events. Some of the songs are "San Antonio Rose," "Footprints In My Soul," "The Day You Left Me," "Begin the Beguine," and more. I'll bet you can find the CD by heading to Buzzie's in Kerrville on a Thursday night around 6:30 p.m.

Free Leonard and down the road.

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