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.
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”
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
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.
The 4th annual Townes Van Zandt tribute concert was held last night at the Starlight Theatre in Terlingua, Texas.
Four years ago, John Hogan and Maria Moss had the bright idea of hosting a TVZ tribute. It’s turned into an annual event attracting performers and listeners from all over the Southwest.
Now hosted by Butch Hancock, who had a personal connection with Townes, it’s a night of celebration of Townes’ music.
This year’s show featured performances by Butch and Rory Hancock, J.P. Schwartz, Bonnie, Alex and Marti Whitmore, and many others.
The Starlight was packed- standing room only, so I left before the show was over.
Last night was the 3rd (?) annual Mark Kneeskern Memorial Art Party/Auction at the Starlight Theatre in Terlingua, Texas.
All art you see in the pics, and more, is available to purchase. Proceeds go to a fund to finance various art-related charitable activities including free art lessons for local children, scholarships, art supplies, etc.
I’ll add more detail later, but here’s how it looked to me.
You’re welcome to share these photos for any non-commercial purpose. (right-click (ctrl-click on Mac), “save image as”)
Wednesday night was another amazing night of music in Terlingua.
I met Sarah Burton at the Las Ruinas Campground, which I run and where she was staying for the night. She’s a Canadian singer/songwriter touring the Southwest U.S. for the summer.
She was late for soundcheck, so I cleaned the bathrooms and shower at the campground while she hurried to the Starlight Theatre, where she would be performing later that night.
Later, I joined her for dinner and then sat down to catch the first few songs, thinking I’d head for the Boathouse for Open Mic. Two and a half hours later, I was still sitting there. I turned to Buckner Cooke, who is entertainment manager and sound guy at the Starlight and said, “I would have paid for this show.”
Bucky informed me that he had just decided to charge a retroactive $10 cover.
Sarah is one of those rare performers who is able to take on the character of the protagonist of her songs. She becomes the song. Her show was mostly originals, with a few tasty cover tunes.
She played for a half-filled room, but people lingered over dinner and drinks and she held the crowd. I suspect that the next time she plays in Terlingua she’ll fill the room. I’ll certainly be there.
After Sarah’s show, she, Buckner, some of the staff from the Starlight, and I headed for the Boathouse, where Santa was hosting the Open Mic.
Santa sang. Chris Baker and Shanna Cowell sang and played. John Cronin, who plays with Ian Tyson, was visiting and he played and sang (Another Canadian!). Shannon sang and Trevor played. Trevor sand and played while I accompanied him. And then, Sarah played and sang.
Once again, it was just another night of amazing music in Terlingua.
Last night, the Jackie Myers band played a jazzy set at the Starlight. I found it to be a delightful change of pace. We’re rich in “poets with acoustic guitars,” but jazzy trios with hot, tasty licks are pretty thin on the ground.
The set was tight and well rehearsed, with jazzy keyboards, strong vocals, and an excellent rhythm section. Think: Diana Krall with a rocking bass and drums.
Over breakfast this morning at La Posada Milagro, I talked to the band- their next stop is Abilene, then on to New Mexico. Like many Austin musicians, they all play in several bands and although they’re based in Austin spend most of their time on the road.
They’ll be back in March. I’ll be there.
Tonight, the Paper Moon Shiners will be at the Starlight and Daisy O’Conner and the Late Bloomers are at the Boathouse.
Saturday night- Hallowe’en – The Fabulous Vortexans will be at the Boathouse for the big party.
