Music News from the Big Bend of Texas
Fall in Terlingua. The season. That time of year when the Big Bend goes from being a beautiful, parched, empty playground to being a luscious, cool, gorgeous playground packed to the corners with visitors.
Terlingua, including Terlingua Ranch, is still sparsely populated, but that population Continue reading “Here Comes Fall in Terlingua! (I’m almost ready)”
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.
Continue reading “McMercy Family Band at the Starlight Theatre”
It’s always a bit bizarre to hear Butch Hancock at a local venue. It shouldn’t be. He’s been a resident of Terlingua, off and on, for decades.
Butch also talked me into buying a new camera. Now, I’ve got to decide which one I want.
Butch Morgan was still in town- he came down for the “Terlingua Music Bash.”
Later, Jason Blum and Jenni Mansfield Peal sat in with Butch Morgan and did some songs. As I was leaving, John Hogan and Maria Moss were preparing to do a short set.
Just another night in Terlingua.
Continue reading “Butch Hancock, Butch Morgan – 2 fer 1 Butch’s”
Last weekend was about as “Terlingua” as you can get.
Saturday there was a big benefit at the American Legion post at Terlingua Ranch to raise money to buy food for the Terlingua Crisis Center food distribution program.
George Goss and Webb Abbot and the “Sons of the Legion” put on a day of skeet-shooting, axe-throwing, prizes, cake-walks and music. Oh yea- there was also a tuna steak dinner that absolutely rocked.
The music continued Sunday at the High Sierra. Jeffro Greasewood is back in town having successfully grown several inches and a huge smile. Jeff Haislip hosted an open mic that started on the stage, moved into the dining room and ended up outside in the new outdoor bar.
Here’s the pics- enjoy!
It’s spring break in the big bend.
A group of locals gathered on the porch to watch the show… and be the show.
Continue reading “Just another day on the porch in Terlingua.”
The first “Second Sunday” Jam at the High Sierra exceeded my expectations.
New location. New time. And the Terlingua Moon (the only “newspaper” out here) didn’t include our info, so the PR campaign consisted of flyers. It could have been lonely…
It was a blast. Somehow, word got out.
The room was full of locals, tourists and musicians. George Goss started at 2:00 and Moe and Brandi closed the show around midnight. In between, some truly amazing music happened. Unexpected combinations of musicians played together, some new musicians showed up, and everybody played like they meant it.
It was a good show.
For the musicians, it was also a chance for good friends to hang out, play together, and share gratitude for being part of such a vibrant musical community. For the audience, it was a free concert showcasing the region’s finest talent.
The High Sierra is a great location for the concert. They’ve got a large selection of cold beer, great food (Tacos Alhambra (sp?) for me), cheerful staff, and the best air conditioner in the county.
The experiment was a success. We’ll be doing a “Second Sunday” concert on a regular basis from now on.
We didn’t have a designated charity for this one, so the money raised will go to the Terlingua Music General Do-Gooder fund.
After the concert, a few dedicated partiers gathered at the outside bar for conversation under the stars. The moon was setting- a dark gold sliver over the ghost town. The Milky Way was a spray of diamonds across the sky. Music played from a pickup truck. And, somebody just happened to have a cooler of beverages.
Talking to the local track coach, I learned that he’s got a new batch of kids that he thinks can take State this year- if only they could afford shoes.
I think we’ve found our charity for the next “Second Sunday” jam.
Continue reading “1st “Second Sunday” Jam at the High Sierra”
Friday night, Pat Smith and band were booked to play the High Sierra. Pat made it but his band didn’t. The previous blog post describes how a team of talented locals filled in and the show went on. (The Show Goats on!)
Pat seemed a little disappointed that his band hadn’t made the gig.
Saturday night, Pat, Maggie Montgomery, and a crowd of locals formed a pickin’ circle at La Kiva. I had planned to go, but a rainstorm came through the ranch and the roads were flooded. By the next morning, the roads were passable, but I missed that show.
It’s all part of living with nature.
When I walked into the High Sierra Sunday afternoon, the “Hangover Jam” was over. George Goss, Nick Cooper, Jim and Anna Keaveny, and Pat Smith were hanging out, drinking beer, and talking about how good the jam was.
Continue reading “Special Message From Pat Smith to his Band…”
Last night at the High Sierra Saloon in Terlingua, Pat Smith and Maggie Montgomery pulled in after driving all day across Texas. No time to change or shower… it was show time.
The original plan was for Pat’s band to accompany him, but they were kidnapped by of viscous crew of nude marauding female pirates in a 57 Corvette – or maybe they had car trouble – it was unclear. So, word went out on the Terlingua grapevine and a band of top local hands joined Pat on stage. Chris Baker brought her flaut. Nick Cooper played his dog-house bass, Mark played mandolin and fiddle…
It was totally unrehearsed and absolutely delightful. Continue reading “Austin/Terlingua/Luckenbach Music Mashup at the High Sierra”
Terlingua Texas Americana Music –
Legiondary Jam 5 was the biggest one yet!
In the early afternoon, there was a skeet-shooting contest. The great frisbee massacre continues. Wes won.
Dennis (Humping Bear) started things off with a tomahawk and knife throwing contest. This was so popular that we’re going to make it a regular attraction. Wes won this, too.
Around 5:00 the pot-luck dinner was served. There was etouffe’, chili, BBQ, bar-b-que’d bratwurst, and whiskey fudge. Or many it was fudge-whiskey.
Around 6:15 the music started, and it rolled through until midnight.
I’ll post pics here of all the acts except the Rocky Top Aliens. They kinda laid down on the job, but gave a very grounded performance. You can see all that here.
There are some videos – more coming – including a hilarious performance by the Aliens. Click on Music Videos above or click here.
Continue reading “Legendary Legion Jam 5 – tomahawks, knives, music…”
Last night (2/15/13) Bruce Salmon brought a crew of top hands from Austin to the Starlight for a night of eclectic music.
On Bass: Brad Houser, who plays with Patrice Pike, the Dead Kenny Gs, and was in the New Bohemians.
On Drums: Dony Wynn, whose “other” gig is playing in Robert Plant’s band. He’s played with Brooks and Dunn, Robert Palmer, and Knuckle Yummy – and a LOT of other bands you’ve loved.
On Violin – the Berklee trained Michelle Alany. I’m not familiar with her background, but when she started rocking her violin in F#, I knew she was a talent to be reckoned with.
Continue reading “Brewski Salmineo and Friends at the Starlight, Terlingua, Tx.”