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Slim Fest 2018 – Terlingua –

Carolyn Wonderland, Guy Forsyth, Jitterbug Vipers, Alan Munde, Dana Louise and the Glorious Birds, Amy Sue Berlin, Jacob Jaeger and a cast of hundreds gathered at the Starlight Theatre in Terlingua, Texas, for Slim Fest 2018.

What’s a “Slim Fest?”

Let’s start with Slim.

Here’s a link to Slim’s Wikipedia page where you can get the dry facts. (click here)

David Michael (Slim) Richie was the most dangerous guitar player in Texas. He lived with his sweetie, Francie Meaux Jeaux, in a creative house in Rolling Oaks, outside of Wimberley, Tx.

A little over 20 years ago, I was “invited” to Slim’s birthday party.  By invited, I mean that a buddy of mine who knew Slim from the Kerrville Folk Festival told me that the party was happening and how to get there. I had met Slim at KFF, but only superficially. I crashed the party.

The Jitterbug Vipers at Slimfest
The Jitterbug Vipers at Slim Fest

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Hollywood Terlingua – Music Documentary Part 1

It could have been just another late-afternoon pickin’ circle at George and Anita Goss’ house. Alton and Sue Watson, George Goss, Jim Keaveny, Roger Moon, Johnny Mississippi, and Dustin Diosdado sang and played. I played along on the Melodica.

There was beer, wine, tamales, chips and salsa, the makings of a campfire and a fine sunset to enjoy along with the music.

Songs and laughter echoed off the mountains, dogs were underfoot, and George and Anita’s daughter played and sang along.

Just another pickin’ circle except for the massive cameras, the film crew from L.A. and New York, and the microphones- lavs, an AT 2020, and a couple of shotgun mics. (scroll down for more…)

Sue and Alton Watson, George Goss, Jim Keaveny, and Roger Moon
Sue and Alton Watson, George Goss, Jim Keaveny, and Roger Moon
Tony Biancosino and Julie Bob Lombardo behind the cameras.
Tony Biancosino and Julie Bob Lombardo behind the cameras.

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Butch Hancock Art at the Starlight Theatre

Monday, June 5, 2017 – Butch Hancock art show in Terlingua.

I would have been there anyway, as it turns out I was booked to play a “Blue Monday” show at the Starlight that night anyway, so, with guitars and camera…

A lot of people who showed up for Butch’s show- some of whom have known Butch a long time- didn’t know he was an artist. He’s also an architect, record label head, playwright, actor, songwriter, performer, river guide, and, I suspect, anything else he wants to be. You don’t meet many real polymaths in real life. Butch is one.

A polymath (Greek: πολυμαθής, polymathēs, “having learned much”) is a person whose expertise spans a significant number of different subject areas; such a person is known to draw on complex bodies of knowledge to solve specific problems.

After sound check but before the restaurant opened, Butch was showing me around. There’s a photo he took on Hallowe’en in 1985 on 6th Street in Austin – the photo is pretty amazing, but the way Butch took it is, to me, even more amazing. Continue reading “Butch Hancock Art at the Starlight Theatre”

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McMercy Family Band at the Starlight Theatre

Tongue in cheek gospel group, the McMercy Family Band, performed their 9th consecutive Easter Sunday concert.

Eventually.

Trevor Reichman and friends started the show, Marc Utter and Jeff Haislip entertained on the patio, The Lonesome Heroes were the opening act on the main stage, and then the McMercy Family band took the stage.

Here’s what it looked like…

you should probably make plans to be at the Starlight next Easter.

a very cool sound- musical saw.
Trevor Reichman and friends
Trevor Reichman and friends

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Amanda Kitchens, Garner Sloan, Epic Porch Jam

Last Saturday night, Amanda Kitchens and Garner Sloan, along with drummer Daniel Warner, played the “big stage” at the Starlight Theatre.

I wrote about their last gig here. It was a good folky Americana show. This show rocked. The energy level was high, Garner put a little hair on his guitar for a grungy tone, and the drums added punch.

Garner’s got a new CD coming out soon. I’m looking forward to hearing what he’s created.

Amanda’s becoming a Terlingua regular. She’s been here with a handful of different bands, including her own band, and they’ve all been different and delightful.

woosh

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Amanda Kitchens and Garner Sloan – Last Minute Show at the Starlight

Garner Sloan and Amanda Kitchens

La Roja and I went to the Starlight Theatre last night to see Bruce Salmon with Amanda Kitchens on Accordion and Janie Cowan on upright Bass.

Due to life happening, Bruce and Janie didn’t make it so Amanda and Garner Sloan played- and a fine show it was.

Garner Sloan and Amanda Kitchens
Garner Sloan and Amanda Kitchens

They’re both seasoned professional musicians who make their living traveling the country playing their songs. Together, Continue reading “Amanda Kitchens and Garner Sloan – Last Minute Show at the Starlight”

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Music Festival! Terlingua Ranch – Labor Day Weekend!

First Rattle out the Cage banner

Terlingua Music Festival Alert- Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 3 & 4, 2016.

George Goss and Friends, The Purple Bee Crew, and a bunch of local musicians are putting on a music festival Labor Day Weekend. You should attend.

It’s going to be two days of fun, music, and festivities- and a  great opportunity to support a new music venue here in the Big Bend.

Originally, the South County Music Corral was Suzee’s Snack Shack. It’s located a short distance down the main Ranch Road at Terlingua Ranch.

Now, it’s a funky, rustic concert venue. George Goss and his ragged band of volunteers have built a stage, installed a bar, and decorated the Music Corral. Inside, it looks Continue reading “Music Festival! Terlingua Ranch – Labor Day Weekend!”

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The Porch After Voices From Both Sides 2016

Voices From Both Sides 2016 – Fiesta Protesta

I decided to sit this one out.

I think this was the 4th year that Terlingua has celebrated ” Voices From Both Sides.” For the last two years I arrived early, helped set up the sound system, and, with Trevor Hickle, sat behind the sound board in the sun.

The first year it was mostly a local event. This year national and International TV and news outlets attended and people flocked from all over. For pictures of this year’s celebration slip over to Google or Facebook and do a search- there were lots of great photographers in attendance.

I sat on the porch talking with some other locals and waited patiently. Sure enough, as the sun started to set the party moved to the porch. Guitars, dobros, mandolins, fiddles, a viola (not a fiddle!) and voices melded into a magical impromptu performance. Continue reading “The Porch After Voices From Both Sides 2016”