Texas music is known by the quality of the songwriters. Freddy Powers and Sonny Throckmorton are two of the best, and January 1, the picking party at the house of Rogers and Hammerhead Publishing (Freddy and Bill McDavid) provided a Texas music day to begin the new year.

  The THMF has a mission to “preserve and perpetuate” the traditions in Texas music. I see this party as an example of the true heart of Texas:  people gathering to play music, share stories and songs, listen to others playing and singing. On the first day of the new year we heard Freddy begin the jam with some classic jazz tunes, accompanied by B.B. Morse on  colorful stand up bass, John Raby on sensitive fiddle, Steve Carter on guitar, Mo Monsarrat on electric bass and Pauline Reese on guitar. We heard Lee Duffy sing one of her songs, “Without You.” Beautiful. We heard Pauline “honky tonk” Reese sing her favorite Freddy song. In fact, the afternoon seems almost a tribute to this songwriter as a six-year-old named Laran Beller, performed a Freddy song, while playing the ukelele. This is a young lady to watch, having already played on the stage at Antone’s in Austin.

  Sonny Throckmorton took the chair under the mantle of the fireplace, singing some of his hits. I requested “This Is When The Cowboy Rides Away.” Nothing like hearing the writer doing his own song. And Sonny, along with everyone else there that day, has a heart as big as Texas. Yes, folks, these people who live for music are a rare breed.

  Jango joined the party, adding his flying finger leads to Freddy’s rhythm. We heard “I Always Get Lucky With You,” while Catherine Powers, beautiful in black, set out black-eyed peas and corn bread. I notice she seems to beam whenever she is setting something up around this songwriter husband. No one could be more proud of him than she is…and it shows.

  We heard the news that the new Freddy Powers CD will be out in February on Merle Haggard’s new label, Freddy’s longtime road companion. Freddy’s song, “On The Road To My Heart” was a wedding present to Catherine and was once recorded by Willie and Freddy. Now it appears on the new recording as a duet between Merle and Freddy. Catherine filled me in on the CD. “We have two duets with Merle and the song ‘Great Escape’ on this recording.” Called, appropriately, “All I Want To Do Is Sing My Song,” the CD represents the music and the heart of Freddy Powers.

  The THMF will sponsor a house concert soon for Freddy and Sonny to perform in Kerrville and perhaps Fredericksburg. Check out our website for details.

  Some of my other favorite venues include The Downtowner on Thursday nights with a local musician’s jam. The Ol’ Waterin’ Hole featuring Shelley King or Nathan Hamilton; The Inn of the Hills featuring Meyer Anderson; Hondo’s on Main in Fredericksburg (February features Ray Wylie Hubbard and Willis Allen Ramsey); The Hill Country Opry on Sidney Baker (see www.hillcountryopry.com for schedules….Guy Clark coming this spring); Luckenbach, Texas (of course); Kerrville House Concerts with Jack Fields; Rod Kennedy Presents with Special Events Association (Get ready for Ruthie Foster on Valentine’s weekend); and the Schreiner Texas Music Coffeehouse the first Wednesday of February, March and April 2 (Friday) for a special evening of world music with Ghandaia.

   Willie Nelson debuted a new “protest” song Saturday night, January 3, in Austin. Before the show radio deejays were asking the public to call in with opinions. I’ll be interested to see what this controversial song engenders in the music business. I, for one, say “Go Willie.” I support anyone speaking a personal truth. What a way to begin this new year. The internet makes it so easy to research your favorite venue. Check out the lineup for John T. Floore Country Store in Helotes. The new owner, James McKinney, has revamped the place for even more success. And the drive is not too bad from here.

  Support live music; support the local music scene. A good New Year’s Eve resolution to have. The Austin Chronicle named our own Ol’ Waterin’ Hole one of the ten best venues in the Hill  Country. Hill Country Opry, another way to experience music, is bringing a strong lineup to Kerrville. Don’t miss Shelley King (let’s all dance) and Floramay Holliday on January 16, Mike (a favorite) Blakely on the 17^th; Texas blues legend W.C. Clark on the 23.

Happy Trails and down the road.

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