Susan Gibson wrote the top selling county song, “Wide Open  Spaces.” The Dixie Chicks took that song to huge audiences around the world. Susan, a songwriter and performer who has experienced the wide open spaces of Texas, will be appearing at the Auslander Restaurant in Fredericksburg on Thursday, March 25. KFAN broadcasts part of the show at 7:30 on 107.9 FM or on the internet at their website www.texasrebelradio.com.

  I have to choose between a show with Willie Nelson and Family at the John T. Floore Country Store in Helotes (my favorite place to hear Willie and many others) and Susan, a significant interview in my book project. I’ll probably be at the show to hear Susan. She’s just too close to Kerrville to miss, and I’ve had years of shows with Willie Nelson. Of course, each is different and each is wonderful.

  March 26 a local group called The Jurazzic Cowboys will be playing at The Mountain Home Opry, located 21 miles west of Kerrville at exit 488 (Highway 27), on the access road ½ mile west. Close to my home on the high plain. I first met E.C. Willmann as he put his hands into my mouth, checking my teeth. This talented dentist has always harbored a huge love and respect for traditional music. He has teamed up with Hoppy Hopkins, whose story must fill another column, and often with Regina Matthews, a young fiddling queen filled with fire.  They will also play at the Western Art Museum of America in Kerrville on May 1 and at the Arts and Crafts Festival in late May.

  The Mountain Home Opry is the perfect venue for this group. Showcasing a fiddle player who has won a national championship as well as performed with Ray Price, The Jurazzic Cowboys (not so old, really) will fill this new venue west of town. Built to provide a space for people to gather, eat and drink, dance and jam, the Opry is open on Sundays for an afternoon of music (Fritz Morquecho, Frank Taylor, Faye Pace, David LeStrougeon and more) and is available for private parties and weekend bands.

  If you went to Buzzie’s Barbecue on Thursdays about a year ago, you heard E.C. and Hoppy playing with various other musicians. Buzzie’s still showcases traditional music on Thursdays.

  In fact, Kerrville is full of opportunities to support live music. I haven’t even been to the Solid Gold Club at the Econo Lodge, and I do love live Tejano music. That seems to be a weekly occurrence, as well. And let’s not forget the family owned Lopez Club on the Bandera Highway.

  Also, on March 26, Slaid Cleaves comes to the Hill Country Opry, located on Sidney Baker near I-10. Hot on the trail of his latest CD, “Wishbones,” Slaid performed last week during South by Southwest Music Convention, was featured all over Austin television, and continues to garner attention and respect wherever he goes in the county.

 I first heard him several years ago at the Kerrville Folk Festival. I loved his edgy and haunting voice, the stark and lonesome stories he tells, the beauty in all he does. Yeah, I’m a Slaid Cleaves fan.

  After his break-out album, “Broke Down,” he continued his successful with producer Gurf Morlix. If you’re a regular reader of this column, you heard me rave about Gurf, his music and his Sunday gig at Maria’s Taco Express in Austin. The New York Times portrayed Slaid as “one of the finest singer-songwriters in Texas.” No one is concerned with the Maine birth certificate. Some songwriters adopt Texas and Texas adopts some songwriters. Jerry Jeff? Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel?

    “Wishbones” was released March 9 on Philo label, distributed by Rounder Records, the Massachusetts label that also released the entire set of Jimmie Rodgers music on CD years ago.

  I attended The International Film Festival in Austin to see the documentary on Antone’s, a premier blues club in the country. I saw a film that emphasized the love and relationships between Clifford Antone and the brilliant array of people who have performed there. I also saw the world premier of “Portrait of Billy Joe Shaver,” a treasure in Texas songwriting. For those of us who love Billy Joe, this film captures an even deeper level of knowing him. Luciana Pedraza, companion of Robert Duvall (remember The Apostle? Billy Joe’s film debut) produced this as her first documentary. I’ve put the complete story on the website of the Texas Heritage Music Foundation (www.texasheritagemusic.org).

  After the blues documentary at the Paramount Theatre on Congress, the performers in town (original band of Muddy Waters, Angela Strehli, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmie Vaughan, Kim Wilson and more) performed a long evening of great blues at Antones. Clifford was there introducing the musicians and expressing love, just like the old days. I started listening to music carefully at Antone’s in Austin on Guadalupe in about 1985.

   As I began with Susan, so I end. On March 28, 6-9 p.m., she will be performing, along with Ray Wylie Hubbard and Jeff Planenhorn, at the Old Glory Ranch in Wimberley. Melissa May-Moncus, who now works at the Emilyann Theatre there, sent me this news. The proceeds from this performance ($25 ticket includes a chili supper) will help fund permanent sound and light system for the outdoor stage. For directions go to www.oldgloryranch.com or call 512-847-6969.

  Don't forget the Ingram scholarship fundraiser on March 27, at the Inn of the Hills ballroom, featuring Tommy Morrell and Craig Chambers. Now that's music to dance western swing by! Call 238-4098 for tickets

  I’ll be attending the annual Texas Music Concert at Texas State University on that same Sunday evening. This after spending Saturday with my mother on her 80^th birthday. Happy birthday Annabel! Happy Trails and down the road.