Join me, tonight, at the last coffeehouse in the fall series at Schreiner University. Patricia Vonne, a woman with talent, verve and charisma, will perform. As I work on a book on women in Texas music, I have started noticing the distinct contribution that women bring to the history of Texas music and to the stage each night. The stories I have collected so far include stories of persistence, generosity, family and friendship. Yes, I know men also have these stories, but women tell them in a way that seems to also create family and friendship.

I am writing this two days after this community lost a vibrant voice in the local music scene, Cindy Terry. I have known Cindy, first as a musician, second as a friend. She created a niche for herself, strumming that silver flute in her hands while she sang harmony. She put it to her mouth, adding the high and rhythmic flute sounds to many types of songs, including blues, country, Texas original, Cajun and rock.

I had almost become a regular at her weekly open mike at The Downtowner on Thursdays. I remember when she told me that she was going to start doing this…on her own. That was the month we had showcased her as a songwriter at the Schreiner coffeehouse series. She was nervous about appearing alone or even in the spotlight back then. I had talked with her about her life in music, her passion for the music, and decided that a "spotlight" on Cindy was necessary.

She was part of the now legendary Dime a Dozen Band, featuring Greg Forest and Ronnie Leatherman. They played many gigs for many groups all over this community, including a weekly gig at the Wednesday night steak night at the Waring General Store..

She asked me at the coffeehouse almost two years ago if she could announce her first open mike night. Since then, it has run continuously in Kerrville, providing musicians and songwriters a place to be heard, a place to give expression to new ideas and new songs. Her last Thursday hosting, October 23, was also a night my sister Carolyn joined me. We both agreed that Cindy was special. We watched her go through the crowd, making everyone feel welcome and special. She had that quality in her listening.

She told me, "I love hosting this evening. I love seeing the new songwriters get up and share something; I love hearing my old friends share songs." She had Louis Real as a co-host by this time. And Cindy picked up that silver flute, adding a special rhythm to many of the songs. I always looked on in amazement as she danced on tiptoes, watching the other performers intently, lifting that silver flute to her mouth. It seems that just the week before she died in a tragic car wreck, I found myself watching her with new appreciation. And I told her so.

Cindy Terry made a huge difference in this community, and the local scene will not be the same without her. I sit here in a circle of grief at the loss of a friend and gratitude that I knew her. Gratitude that I hugged her that last Thursday night and told her what I was thinking. Her death is a reminder of the fragile thread that binds us all here. She wanted her life to serve a purpose, she would want her death to serve a purpose. I am immediately reminded of the talk Paula D'Arcy gave the Friday after I saw Cindy. Entitled "Say Yes To Life," this talk emphasized the importance of working with the life you have, not the life you think you want. Cindy was a master at this, always making a difference with her own life.

I visited The Downtowner Saturday night to see Cindy. The room was mostly empty, a few scattered people finishing pizza. Louis Real set up, and Greg Wall joined him. In walked Cindy, accompanied by Lawrence Clark (Dr. Clark, a professor and songwriter from Austin). They did play to an empty room, as many musicians do. But they swapped songs, and Cindy's face was still filled with the joy of sharing music. I'm glad I was there. I'm glad I have those songs and that look on her face as a reminder to say yes to life!

I've watched her on the stage of the Kerrville Folk Festival. Her performances with Dime a Dozen have taken her out of the country! Greg Forest and The Texas Music Office have provided a musical home for her. And he was working on her own CD, a collection of her own songs. Cindy loved playing in this group, and she also told me of her dreams to continue writing her own songs and performing them.

I haven't talked with anyone else about this yet, or this column would be a collection of all the testimonies that I heard about here. I am alone with my own sense of loss, the loss of a vibrant woman who encouraged me even as I encouraged her. We shared some special moments, but mostly I observed her pouring her love and her life into this local music scene. I immediately bought flowers and set them on the table by the jukebox in the band's corner at the Downtowner. It felt right to create a memorial and an altar there for her. I know several people are talking about a tribute at The Downtowner to also help raise money for her family to defray funeral costs. Call The Downtowner for dates and details. I might even be tomorrow night, November 6.

The Goliath Organization plays a special set on Friday, Novembert 7, at Jo Jo's in Kerrville. Andy Vickers, a student now at Schreiner, will be part of the trio. Come down and enjoy jamming with some funk!

Free Leonard (It is Native American Heritage Month) and down the road.