Know as you read this that I just arrived in San Miguel de Allende with my class of Schreiner students. Know I am already enjoying our sunny neighbor to the south. Yes, May is the hottest month of the year in Mexico, and we'll still enjoy Las Grutas, the hot springs near Atotonilco.

Before leaving town I attended the CD release for one of our favorite Texas sons, Ray Wylie Hubbard. Some still know Ray by the song "Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother," but most know him as the rocking Texas songwriter that he really is! And he has no complaints about that song, once called an Albatross around his neck. Jerry Jeff Walker took that song to new heights and depths. I loved the Reggae version Ray once played when fielding the ongoing request.

Ray has been in my classroom at Schreiner University, telling the stories of his songs and his life. Part of the cosmic cowboy revolution in Texas, part of the Dallas singer/songwriter scene, he first appeared in my classroom in the Aledo High School outside of Ft. Worth. There I learned of his love for Flannery O'Conner, and there I realized he "almost" had an English degree. Just lacked some Spanish requirement.

Later at Schreiner we talked of that old poet Rilke, and I gave him a copy of Letter To A Young Poet, by Rilke. His song "The Messagner" continues to inspire writing assignments with my students. And he's played the coffee house at Schreiner and the Old Number Nine Concert Series, as well as the Kerrville Folk Festival. Yes, Ray Wylie Hubbard has a following in the Hill Country.

If you missed his performance at John T. Floore Country Store on Saturday, May 3, you missed another major step for Ray. His new CD, "Growl," is his second produced by my favorite quirky guy, Gurf Morlix. The raw guitar, the ragged edges, the rocking rhythm all fulfill Ray's desire to really rock! This is Texas music at its best. Rounder Records is distributing this Philo Records recording. See www.raywylie.com for more information!

And, the famous John T. Floore Country Store has undergone a facelift. New asphalt surrounds the walkway between the indoor area and the huge concrete outdoor dance floor and concert arena. New metal fences surround an area that can hold about 2500 people. I saw that many and more at the April 26 Willie Nelson concert. For Ray, we filled the indoor site where tamales and barbecue are served along with the cold beer.

The ceiling is adorned with cowboy boots, hats, saddles, and cowboy gear, all hanging from the roof. Photos of years gone by ring the area, and picnic tables down the middle allow for lots of comraderie. John T. Floore Country Store was a classic before the renovation. Now, with some cool air conditioning soothing you on a hot summer night, the place reeks of its history while adding to your comfort as a concert goer.

Go to their website for an update:  www.liveatfloores.com. Sign up for the e-mail announcements. Notice that Nickel Creek plays May 23, their first appearance this far into the Hill Country. A Sugar Hill Recording act (great label!), they are a young group taking bluegrass to new heights. Do not miss this performance.

I have a story brewing now about our own Jurazzic Cowboys, a swing group that plays regularly at Bzzie's both in Comfort and in Kerrville. E.C. Willmann and Hoppy Hopkins add to our own music history. Check them out some Thursday. I have stories brewing about all the wonderful performers coming to the Kerrville Folk Festival.  Check out Channel 2 at 8:30 p.m. for my interview with Dalis Allen, the new producer.

Free Leonard and down the road.
Contact me with your stories at www.texasheritagemusic.org.

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