The winter weather we’ve had and the San Antonio Rodeo and Stock Show bring us that traditional great lineup of Texas music, not only during the rodeo but in various tents and on stages throughout the stock show grounds. And you’ve already missed some good shows. Willie Nelson returns this Saturday, February 21, for the evening show. After Robert Earl Keen takes the stage in the afternoon. Now that’s a full day of Texas music! Both performers just keep getting better, and both tour with bands that have become family. Both write strong songs, and both have stories to tell. Robert Earl likes to tell of an experience at a Willie Nelson Picnic. Might as well spend the day. The band Lonestar plays Friday evening this week, and Neil McCoy plays the final Sunday.

  Right outside San Antonio in Helotes, Terri Hendrix is bringing her lively show to the John T. Floore Country store on Saturday, February 20.  Carl Hayes is the opening act, and the last time I saw him at Floore’s, I kept thinking of Townes Van Zandt. He is on a record label that supports great songwriting, Compadre out of Houston. James McMurtry recently played Floore’s and announced his next CD release, March 23, on Compadre. I love the Billy Joe Shaver album they carried.

  Terri Hendrix just keeps gathering up a following. Touring with Lloyd Maines, she has always been a favorite with live audiences (not the dead ones!). Her sassy songs, her serious songs, are all delivered with that authentic presence that Texas women seem to have. After hearing her song about a Goodtimes Van, I met Susan Gibson at South by Southwest last year, only to discover that Susan, indeed, was the owner of that van. More autobiographical songs!  “Wide Open Spaces” recorded successfully by the Dixie Chicks as the #1 song in country music, was written by Susan, former member of a group called The Groobees.

  The Internet makes it so easy, now, to check out a performer. I love the space for journal entries on Susan’s site, www.susansongs.com I’ll use that in my writing class at Schreiner. Her photos reveal a spicey, sassy woman with a mane of blonde hair. My sister Carolyn joined us in an interview last year and commented, “You two really had a lot to talk about, and you just kept talking. I can’t believe how many different things you found to talk about.” Well, Susan and I are eclectic in our tastes and both love to read. That makes for a great conversation!

  Back to Terri Hendrix. She has played the coffeehouse at Schreiner several times, visited my English classes several times, and was the featured performer at the first Literacy and Learning Concert in September 2002. This community does love Terri, and I hope we can get her back soon. Seems that’s a Hill Country Opry gig.

  And speaking of that venue. Mark your calendar on February 27 and 28. Guy Clark, that pillar of the Texas music temple of songwriting, is coming to town. Watch out. We’ll have more great songs floating through that air that night on Sidney Baker. I heard great stories about the Savoy Brown show. I was spending the weekend in San Antonio at a seminar on the possibility of transformation. Hard choice to make, but I’m glad to have some new tools in my writing and living box. Meanwhile, a weekend without music. Now that’s a concept.

   Monte Montgomery performs at the John T. Floore Country Store on February 21. I’ve raved about his performance at the Hill Country Opry and his performance at Hondo’s in Fredericksburg. I met him when I moved to town and he was too young to be playing in bars, but sometimes he did. I’m a Monte fan, and my admiration just keeps growing. He works with his guitar in ways I’ve never seen, and he always moves the walls out a bit while seducing everyone in the audience.

  Susan will be playing a venue in Fredericksburg that is bringing an acoustic show to the area each Thursday, and featured artists on the weekend. Located on Main Street, this restaurant and beer garden, is bringing Susan Gibson to town March 23. Mark your calendar.

  Sister Morales and Ruthie Foster both played the Rod Kennedy Special Events Weekend, Music From the Heart over Valentine’s Day.  You’ll have to wait a week for that story. Deadlines don’t allow stories about the previous weekend.

  March 3 brings The Shelley King Band to the Schreiner Texas Music Coffeehouse. Singing Luckenbach bartender, Candace Kunz, will also be featured as we celebrate Women’s History Month. Mark you calendar again! Arrive early for free coffee. Event runs from 7-9 p.m. on this Wednesday.

Happy Trails and down the road. 

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