Head out October 1, to the second Texas Music Coffeehouse at Schreiner University. Beginning at 7:00 p.m. with an open mike, this event showcases distinct and creative performers. Tom Russell, a veteran of worldwide music festivals and a powerful songwriter, will bring his collection of stories and songs to the stage. His label, Dark Angel, is a repository of gems, including "Gallo del Cielo," a song also recorded by Joe Ely. A troubador in the truest sense of the word, Tom has taken his music to the world.

Head out Friday, September 26, to Schreiner University for a day of stories and songs as another way of learning, The Living History Day. Over 45 performers will be available for short presentations, and the noon hour will feature Tony Navarra and friends in our annual tribute to the Father of Country Music, Jimmie Rodgers. Saturday morning from 10-noon, four authors will give presentations in the Cailloux Student Center Theater. Another event free for the community. Nolan Porterfield, Ramiro Burr, Gary Hartman and Jean Boyd will amaze and entertain you with their stories. At the same time, the Hill Country Youth Orchestra is hosting a fiddle contest at the Robbins Lewis Pavilion. The Poverty Playboys will be performing!

After the seminar, head down to the fiddle contest that will last until late afternoon. Sunday, the Literacy and Learning Concert will feature Ruthie Foster with Cyd Cassone at 3:00 p.m. Proceeds benefit Families and Literacy and the Wayne Kennemer Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $15. Call THMF at 367-3750 or see www.texasheritagemusic.org for more information.

Chili's has been hosting an array of talent and creating another Hill Country music venue. The Hill Country Opry has its debut on Friday, September 19, with a lively show featuring Ponty Bone and the Squeezetones. I experienced the Mike Blakely First Fandango at Luckenbach September 12 & 13. I sat in the dance hall, late afternoon sunlight filtering through the open windows, and listened, sometimes with tears in my eyes, to Elmer Kelton reading from his new book on Christmas and Becky Patterson, reading from her book Hondo, My Father. What a place to hear these words. Mike Blakely read and sang some of his music, as did Geronimo Trevino. Geronimo has written a colorful and interesting book on Texas dancehalls, based on his own experience with many of these locations. Mike, a prolific historian and writer, sang songs for us that came from his research. His research led to some fascinating historical fiction. Yes, I'm a Mike Blakely fan! My favorite photos from the day are of Becky Patterson and her son Kit, who now runs Luckenbach and my photo of Becky sitting with her mother listening to Elmer tell his story of his experience of Christmas on the ranch many years ago. I bought the book for my dad.

Craig Hillis added his guitar licks as he also talked of his book, Texas Trilogy, based on a Steve Fromholz song by the same name. We heard some stories. I kept feeling the light as it streamed across the wooden floor.

I returned Saturday to hear Brennen Leigh. I had first heard her at the Java Pump singing about Jimmie Rodgers. Her voice stopped me in my tracks then. Now, with a banjo player and B.B. Morse on standup bass as additions to her duo, she still stops people in their tracks as her high and lonesome voice carries years of tradition and heritage. And she's only twenty years old! She and her brother, Seth, chose Texas, as a move from Minnesota.
 
She considered Nashville, but the school there was too expensive. Turns out the university in San Marcos did not find the scholarship money for her, saying she needed to sing classical music to qualify. After a little school, she opted for a life of music, at this time. What a contribution she is already making. I immediate invited her to my Schreiner English classes, not as a story of leaving school but as a story of following a dream. We all do better in life when we express our passion! My mantra.

At 5:00 p.m. Pauline Reese took the main stage, giving all those who love honky-tonk music a time to dance. I even danced since the vioxx was working. Yep, I remember the day that horse fell on me in front of my house on Valley View. I got the arm fixed and ignored the knee. Now it's talking to me. Nothing I love better then dancing, so I do it every chance I get. Then she kicked off the evening show with a stunning version of "The Star Spangled Banner," after we had heard Mike Blakely sing "Let's Roll." I hadn't mourned the tribute to the September 11 tragedy until I heard Mike sing his song. The tears came a day late.

On Friday, I left Luckenbach early in order to catch Floramay Holliday at the Ole' Watering Hole. Remember, I'm writing a book on women's voice. She was rocking the place, and her guitar player, Will, added a sharp edge to the whole performance. Kim, the owner, brings a string of great talent through this small place. And they love to play a small joint in Texas. Colorful and part of the Texas music heritage.