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Donkey Flats – South County Music Corral

There’s a new community gathering place and music venue on Terlingua Ranch, and yesterday George and Anita Goss hosted a party there to get it going.

An old airplane hanger near Camel’s hump on the Terlingua Ranch Road – formerly Suzie’s Snak Shack – is coming back to life as a community gathering place and music venue.

The Bar-B-Que was donated, and sold for $10/plate- all proceeds to go to getting the electricity turned on. The stage was built with volunteer labor and donated materials. The vibe was “old Terlingua” and so was the music- hand made, acoustic, and from the heart.

“I’ve never seen this many cars at Suzie’s before,” was a sentence I heard at least a dozen times yesterday.  People came from Lajitas, Terlingua, Study Butte and Terlingua Ranch to gather, dance, sing, and enjoy life in the desert. There is certainly a need for a community gathering place at the Ranch, and it won’t take much to make it a reality. Terlinguists are famous for making their own entertainment- we don’t need much more than an excuse and a place to create an excellent time.

There’s still a lot of work to do. George has a vision of turning this place into a concert hall, recording studio, possible video location, and a tribal gathering place for family and friends. It’s going to take money, materials, labor, and lots of beer- yesterday’s gathering proved it could be done.

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New Terlingua Music: Paul Sprawl at the Boathouse

A couple of weeks ago, a tall lanky guy wandered into my recording studio by accident. We got to know each other, and found we had a lot in common.

Then, I pulled up a youtube video of him playing… wow. Here’s a video- you can go to YouTube and type in his name and be entertained for hours.

He and his wife have moved to Terlingua and are creating a space for artists called “Glint” on their land.  He told me a little about himself:  he’s a touring musician, does better in Europe than the U.S., is quite technologically savvy and knows his way around a recording studio.

We talked a while, and I encouraged him to play the local venues here in Terlingua so his neighbors can get to know him- and enjoy his music. Very soon, I heard he was going to play at the Boathouse. Continue reading “New Terlingua Music: Paul Sprawl at the Boathouse”

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“Will play for food – for others.” Terlingua Musicians Rock!

Jeffro hands Mike the check.

 

Terlingua musicians rock in many ways- musically, compositionally, harmonically, personally.

Yesterday, they rocked compassionately as Jeffro Greasewood handed Mike Drinkard a check for $1,200.

Jeffro hands Mike the check.
Jeffro hands Mike the check.

Jeffro runs the open mic at the Boathouse on Wednesdays.  Anybody who runs an open mic knows this one:  you might run 30 musicians across that stage- who gets the tips?

Jeffro’s solution was to pool the tips and donate them to the Big Bend Crisis Center’s Food Distribution program- the local food bank.  The open-mic participants agreed that this was a grand idea.  The food bank is a popular charity for local musicians- in our small community in some months 240 households get food assistance.  The majority of the recipients are either children or the elderly.

That $1,200 check will completely fund the food distribution program for 2-4 months.

Congratulations and a big round of applause to Jeffro, Jeff Haislip, Charlotte Teer, Jim Keaveny, Anna Oakley, Alex and Marti Whitmore, Emy, Bryn Moore, Hank Woji, Mark Lewis, Chase Peeler, Shannon Carter, Laird Considine, Trevor Hickle, Trevor Reichman, Webster Delcambre, Jana Laven, and the rest of the open mic gang, and a deep bow of gratitude to the Don and the Boathouse for supporting local music and musicians.

 

Jeffro Greasewood (with Jeff Haislip)
Jeffro Greasewood (with Jeff Haislip)
Mike Drinkard, director, Family Crisis Center
Mike Drinkard, director, Family Crisis Center

 

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Keith Gattis in Terlingua – (not El Cerrito Place)

Talking to Keith Gattis last night was pretty mind blowing.

I know a lot of songwriters. I am one. Songwriter friends, try saying the following sentence out loud and see how it feels:

“It’s been kind of a slow year- so far, I’ve had four cuts by George Strait, one by Willie Nelson, and one by Randy Travis.”

Feels good, doesn’t it?  For those of you who, like me, have kinda wished for a major artist to record one of your songs… or, like others, have actually tried for decades to make such an event occur… well, it’s mind-blowing.

Add in a new wife and a gorgeous baby daughter (he showed pics on his phone) and it’s no wonder Keith is smiling.

He’s also starred at the Grand Ol’ Opry, played guitar for Dwight Yoakum, had hit records of his own and written hits for many other country stars.  He produces albums in his Nashville studio. He’s got a new CD coming out soon. Tours will follow.

For fun, Keith comes to Terlingua and plays guitar with the locals.  He and Webster do a collection of classic country standard tunes.  It’s very Terlingua.  Inclusive.  Alternate chords and non-traditional time adventures abound.

Last night, Laird Considine played bass, Charlotte played her (do NOT call it a fiddle) viola, I played keyboards, and Abbie (not pictured) played harmonica and mandolin.  Webster played guitar and sang the country and cajun songs.  Keith played blistering leads on his tele and sang.

High points, from my vantage point behind the piano, were a minor-key variation on “Dang Me” by Roger Miller, and “Bones” and “el Cerrito Place,” which Keith wrote.

The High Sierra bar and grill was packed.  Word got around fast that something was happening. Most of the listeners had no idea who they were listening to, but knew they were seeing a hell of a show.

Here’s a YouTube clip of Keith doing “El Cerrito Place.”  You might enjoy typing his name into YouTube and seeing what comes up… he’s fearless about what he puts out there, and you can find some incendiary honky-tonk performances if you look.

Here’s Keith and a group of locals – Charlotte Teer on Viola, Laird Considine on Bass, me on keyboards- doing a bluesy, minor-key version of “Dang Me.”

 

 

Here’s what last night looked like-

band keith 1 keith and web

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Hank Woji Conspiracy at the Boat House

Hank Woji gathered an all-star band for a pair of goodbye concerts last weekend.

Friday night at the Boathouse, the core band of Hank, Ted Arbogast, Laird Considine, Chase Peeler, and Eric Clark- possibly the most musicians to ever gather at one time on the Boathouse stage- played. The interaction between the musicians in that intimate setting was fun to watch and hear.  The bar was packed and stayed that way until closing time.

Saturday night, the band moved to the Starlight and added keyboards, Mark Lewis on fiddle, Jana Laven on vocals, and Ted added electric guitar to the mix.

Pics below. Video and audio clips coming soon.

Woji

Continue reading “Hank Woji Conspiracy at the Boat House”

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J. Michael Combs at the Boathouse

Living in the desert, 80 miles from the nearest town, has its ups and downs.

The up part:  Saturday night I didn’t get to see Bruce Salmon and Michelle Alany at the Starlight or Ted Arbogast and Chase Peeler playing jazz at the Boathouse because my band, the Fabulous Vortexans was playing an outdoor concert in Lajitas.

There is amazing live music everywhere, all the time here.

The downside: cell phone service and internet access is fairly primitive.

Another upside: all though it takes a long time to download files from the internet, there are several entertaining places to hang out while you’re doing it.

I set up my repaired iMac in the studio at the Terlingua Store, opened my recording software, and was greeted by a notice that said, “No internet connection. Logic must download massive files before you can use it.”

No problem. I boxed up the huge 27″ computer and headed down to La Posada Milagro, where there is internet access, great coffee, and a majestic view of the ghost town.

my office at La Posada Milagro
my office at La Posada Milagro

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Bottom Dollar String Band, Bruce Salmon – Music in Terlingua

Another great night of music in Terlingua-

 

Trevor Reichman played the dinner set at the Starlight Theatre, accompanied by the newly returned Chase Peeler. Chase slipped out early to play with Hank Woji at the Boathouse.

Then, the Bottom Dollar String Band played. They look like a high-school field trip gone bad, but they play like seasoned veterans. Dancing was.

I left after the first set, but stopped by the High Sierra to say howdy to Bruce Salmon, who was playing a passionate set to some very intent listeners.

Tonight is going to be just as strong, musically.  The Bottom Dollar String Band will be at the High Sierra, Frank Myer is at the Boathouse, and I’ll be with the Fabulous Vortexans at the Starlight Theatre.

Trevor Reichman with Chase Peeler at the Starlight Theatre

Trevor Reichman with Chase Peeler at the Starlight Theatre
Bottom Dollar String Band at the Starlight Theatre

Bottom Dollar String Band at the Starlight Theatre

Continue reading “Bottom Dollar String Band, Bruce Salmon – Music in Terlingua”

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Butch Hancock, Butch Morgan – 2 fer 1 Butch’s

Butch Morgan and Butch Hancock did a song swap at the Starlight Theatre during “Burger Night.”

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.

Butch Hancock playing at the Starlight Theatre.

Butch Hancock playing at the Starlight Theatre.

Continue reading “Butch Hancock, Butch Morgan – 2 fer 1 Butch’s”

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Brittany and Billy – at the High Sierra.

In Terlingua you’ll hear it said, “we take care of our own.”

Brittany and Billy are certainly “our own,” and the community gathered to support them as they launch their new family.

The parking lot was full of contestants in the dutch-oven baking competition. The club was full of well-wishers.

There was a live music and a huge auction, with heated bidding on many items. All money raised went to the soon-to-be newly weds.

Here’s the pics-

 

SRO

Full House.

Continue reading “Brittany and Billy – at the High Sierra.”

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Big Music Weekend in Terlingua

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!

bruce-bw_color-

Bruce Salmon playing the benefit at the High Sierra. Jim Keaveny on tambourine. George Goss on beer.

Continue reading “Big Music Weekend in Terlingua”