I've had a great time just enjoying the local music scene. Chili's on Wednesday, September 10, was a place for some kind of rebirth. I saw the shadow of Stevie Ray Vaughan even as I heard the fast notes and Texas shuffle. Will Owen-Gage was fourteen the first time I ever heard him at the Double D Restaurant in Comfort. Now he's fifteen going on sixteen. His chops get better, and he provides me with just the dose of blues I need. I do love Hendrix, and Stevie Ray took Hendrix to new heights. Will is working on his own take. I keep wondering, "When did he hear this stuff."

From a story gathered by Rob Booth I heard that at the age of three, Will walked into his mom's kitchen while a Hendrix concert was on television, saying, "Come hear this reverb." I also learned that Will had been playing for about ten years. Yes, that is from the age of five. I had gone home during the afternoon to attend to furniture moving and a new carpet. The guys finished at 5:00 p.m. I headed to town, attended the dinner for students with a grade point of 3.7 and still got to Chili's to hear The Krybabies, featuring Will.

I had been at Chili's on Friday to hear Big Hands, Yes, Chili's is the perfect venue on the river. Jo Jo's on the river also provided us with music when Texas Wildfire took the stage. I had also heard them on Saturday night at Chili's. They are hoping for a regular Friday rock and roll/blues gig in Kerrville. Maybe Jo Jo's can sustain them. I did get to celebrate the September birthday of Jimmie Rodgers by accompanying Texas Wildfire with my tambourine playing on "T for Texas." I also told my writing class the story of Jimmie Rodgers on September 8, his official birthday.

The Living History Day has become "Another Way of Learning: Using Stories and Songs." It occurs over a Friday-Sunday, ending with a 3:00 p.m. concert with Ruthie Foster and Cyd Cassone on September 28. The Saturday seminar from 10-noon is a sleeper. When you discover this, you will wonder how you missed it last year. Of course I love the opportunity to hear writers who have based their books on research. Gary Hartman, accompanied by John Krause, will kick off the seminar with some music. Imagine that! We'll hear about Jimmie Rodgers and Kerrville, John Lomax, Tejano music and the Lightcrust Doughboys. Arrive early for a seat in the intimate setting of the Cailloux Theatre in the Cailloux Student Center. Also on Saturday, the Hill Country Youth Orchestra is adding a fiddle contest to the Living History weekend. Lynda Ables came up with this very good idea of working together. That is what "community" means. Come out all day Saturday to the Robbins Lewis Pavilion and hear the contests. All ages.

Club Ed is sponsoring a "Meet the artist" moment with Sheriff Jim Wilson at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, September 26, in the Cailloux Student Center in the theatre. Sign up through them for this workshop then head over to the Robbins Lewis Pavilion on the campus and enjoy the entire Living History Day at no charge, thanks to the generosity of business sponsors and local foundations. We'll even bring in kids at risk thanks to another grant.

Ponty Bone brings his rocking zydeco party music to Kerrville on September 19, when The Hill Country Opry has its grand opening on Sidney Baker Street. We all loved the Stephanie Urbina Jones show that was held at the YO Ranch Hotel. Now another great venue has been born in Kerrville, Texas. See www.hillcountryopry.com for more information. I know my exercise spot, The Family Sports Center, has tickets, along with many other outlets. Don't depend on buying at the door. It just may be sold out.

Don't forget the amazing show of Texas heritage at the YO Ranch on Saturday, September 20, as the YO Social Club, a gathering of people who enjoy a great party, brings a lineup of Texas talent to the area. Jack Ingram, Billy Joe Shaver, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Ed Burleson will not disappoint us!

My Sunday afternoon at Luckenbach did not disappoint me. I loved the lineup of Harley's, the array of interesting faces, the stories I heard and the music, always the music. Ben Beckendorf's trio, showcasing a new CD recorded live at the Hilltop Café, gave us a dose of blues and jazz.

Lonesome Doug Davis showed up. My memories of him would take up the entire column. I have enjoyed his CD, Rough String, a collection of authentic cowboy and western classics. I remembered every cowboy I've ever loved as I listened to this-Buck Ramsey, Red Steagall, Don Edwards, Don Hedgpeth, Mike Blakley, Jim Wilson and many more. Doug sings "Red Wing," "The Yellow Rose of Texas," "The Old Chisolm Trail," and "Jack O'Diamonds." This CD is for sale at Luckenbach. Free Leonard and down the road.