On the Road
May 2017
My road went west a few miles to Roddy Tree outside of Ingram on Highway 37. The Sunday afternoon series with Jr. Pruneda and friends began on Easter Weekend, and I was there. I heard my favorite country classic, but better than that I spent time with musicians who have deep roots in Texas music. Jr. Pruneda, an octogenarian who has played with Bob Wills, Hank Thompson and many more, was joined by Fritz Morquecho, another octogenarian who grew up with Jr. in Kerrville, on accordion. Both men are interviews and chapters in a book manuscript I am working on, a collection of stories on Tejano, Tex/Mex, Latino and Hispanic voices in Texas music. Seemed fitting to be there at the first Sunday and to be there on Easter weekend. My heart was warmed when Bobbie Pruneda, Jr.’s wife, got up to sing. Her beauty both in spirit and song added to this special day. Also on stage were Sticks (on drums), David Spangler and Dow Patterson. The Sunday series runs all summer so don’t miss out on this local treasure.
Head a little further west to the Hunt Store. Another venue for great music and food, The Hunt Store has featured many Texas musicians, and on May 19, Charlie Robison will be playing. A songwriter from Bandera, then Nashville, now the world, Charlie brings his authentic rowdy perspective to songs that have become classics in Texas music. Yes, I am a Charlie fan!
Head south on Highway 16 to Quiet Valley Ranch for the Annual Kerrville Folk Festival, 18 days of workshops, performances, song circles, and special events. I have attended each year since 1973 (when it took place in town at the municipal center then moved to Schreiner campus at the Arts and Craft Fair), and I moved to Kerrville in 1984 to work with founder Rod Kennedy on his songwriters foundation. I am looking forward to too many performances to list here, but don’t miss out! Jimmy LaFave plays the first Friday, and Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines are followed by the rocking Peterson Brothers on the first Sunday night. Peter Yarrow has a weeknight show to himself. Great to have that focus.
And now for an April story. I headed to Austin on Friday, April 21, to hear a show at Threadgill’s with Jimmy LaFave. My sister and Rod Kennedy hired him as a surprise at my 60th birthday party. I was a longtime fan. At the Merle Haggard Tribute at Threadgill’s in April Jimmie and I talked. “I have about 3 months to live,” he shared. That story came out in the paper before the April 21 show so the venue was sold out. Of course. He is scheduled to play May 26 at the Kerrville Folk Festival. Many of you have discovered him there, with Bobby on drums and wild Radislov on keyboard. April 21 the state included Sergio and Rad on Keyboards, Jon Inmon on guitar, Bobby Kallus on drums, Eliza Gilkyson, Larry Wilson (on bass), Slaid Cleaves, Sam Baker, and a host of other friends. What an emotional night, as many had just read the story. He was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, fought the battle well, and was now giving us all he had. “There’s nothing new to try. I’m doomed.”
We heard Dylan songs (of course) and Woody songs (Kathy Guthrie was on stage), and he started the evening with his own song, ”There never is a moment when you are not on my mind.” Ah, Jimmy sang my own dreams. May 18 a large group of friends are gathering at the Paramount to pay tribute to Jimmy. As I write this, I realize he may not be there. We heard “I ain’t got no home in this world anymore.” All we have now is tears. Eliza sang the first Dylan, “My love speaks like silence.” Sam Baker and Raina Rose sang the words, “Hard times come again no more.” Jimmy sang another Dylan, “You’re gonna make me lonesome when you go.” I thought of my world literature class, also reading Chronicles by Dylan, when he sang the line, “Relationships have all been bad. Like Verlaine and Rimbaud.” My students just studied their poetry too. We heard stories from the Woody Guthrie Tribute, and Slaid played a song taking some unpublished words of Woody from archives and added the music. Dylan has just donated his archives to the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa, Ok, and they are newly open to scholarship. Sam Baker added, “I’m crawling back down in the ditch today.” A poignant song.
Then Butch Hancock arrived and added his 7 minute song about Leo and Leona and a circle in the sand. I was struck with the heavy presence of the moment, realizing once again that all we have is NOW. What if we did approach each moment by embracing it? I was sitting with Harold Eggers, manager of Townes, and we talked after the show, reminiscing memories and embracing what we do have now.
Other guests included Abra Moore, Jamie Harris, Grace Pettis and Ray Bonneville. Then the sing along. Of course, Woody Guthrie. Dylan would approve, and I hope he learns about this wonderful tribute. “This Land is Your Land” became our anthem as we left Threadgill’s that night.
Remember, a $125 donation to our 30th anniversary will get you a unique, signed, Bill Worrell piece of art, a silver heart with a treble clef. First 100 donations. September 8, we will celebrate the birthday of Jimmie Rodgers at Blue Sage Hall in Ingram. July 24-26 we are putting together a songwriters workshop for young people (15-21) at Schreiner University. Contact the office at [email protected] for details on reserving a space. And September 29 is the annual Texas Heritage Music Day with an evening concert sponsored by HEB featuring Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines. Sept. 28 the Austin Songwriters Group will host jam at the YO Ranch Hotel. Mark those calendars.
Ils sont partis.













