pickin

The Jones family loaded a borrowed, twenty year-old, rough but clean pop-up trailer, picked up the kids from school, and headed to Pine Mills, Texas for T-Roy Miller's Pickin In the Pines. The September 14-15 event was to be our first Pickin', and it definitely won't be our last.

We pulled into the gate of the Miller's property, which has been in their family for over 200 years. We could immediately see the acres of beautiful pines mixed with pecan trees. We were greeted by Mr. Miller and a couple others, who were visiting and sipping some cold beer. We were told by our gracious hosts to make ourselves at home and to just find any spot we wanted. Campsites aren't marked here, it's just first come-first served. Since we arrived about 3:00, we had quite a few choices.

We picked our site and began to set up the pop-up. Weather forecasts indicated we'd have sunny weather all weekend, a good thing since we could see quite a bit of daylight through the canvas. The kids ran and played as we worked. We settled in, and Andy finished off our campsite by placing duct tape on the various corners and holes, just to help keep the mosquitoes out. We were officially "Camp Duct Tape".

My OKOM family "Mom" Joyce Brown arrived about 5:30, and Andy deciphered her tent instructions, and between all of us, we got it set up in no time. The kids and I made a short trek back to the gate, so they could give T-Roy homemade birthday cards, a hot wheel, and a freebie second hand Kerr-McGee tape measure. Kids can be quite creative with gift giving! T-Roy acted as if he had been given gold, and thanked them with high praise, smiles and hugs. The gift of showing appreciation to them was more precious than any gift they could give him. They all walked away standing just a little taller.

Joyce and I, along with my sons, ran to Quitman (about 11 miles away) to buy a few necessities. Daddy and Sarah stayed behind oversee Camp Duct Tape. Arriving back at camp (worn out from Joyce and Moose's antics), we soon realized that I had gotten charcoal and not lighter fluid. We were glad the Sons of Hermann Hall bunch were close by, and gracious! Andy started the fire, and our first official meal was that of hot dogs...mighty fine hot dogs at that.

At dark we headed down toward the music. It was T-Roy's birthday party, too! Jay Johnson had just taken the stage. We knew as late as it was that our kids probably wouldn't last long. We found good spots to sit, grabbed a cup of the free beer, and settled in to a Planet Johnson show.

I've seen Jay several times in the past few months. His brand of OKOM is really unique, having almost a taste of the nostalgic 70s to it. The big tie-dyed tapestry probably helps feed me that image. Jay's music is well written, well performed, and always a pleasure to hear. Perhaps it sounds corny, but his music is "free". It's free of borders or boundaries of particular styles or similarities to others. It's no surprise to me that he's quickly gaining popularity, and I have no doubt he'll continue to do so. He does cover tunes well, but my preference is hearing his own stuff. His guitar player also did a fine job on the songs he performed.

Toward the end of Jay's set, Chance was sleeping in his chair, Moose was sleeping in Andy's lap, and Sarah had conked out on me. We told Joyce that I would be back, and we took the rugrats back to camp. All tucked in, my sweet husband gave his blessing for me to head back down to the stage area. I was glad he could at least hear the music pretty well from camp.

I got back just in time for a refill on my beer, and for T-Roy Miller and Generation teX to take the stage. I have seen T-Roy countless times, but never with his full band. It was a real treat. T-Roy's fingers can do miraculous things with stringed instruments, and tonight was no exception. A couple of his songs were by far the best I had seen him perform them. "Cherry Vodka Sour" was especially good. The whole show was full of energy and fun.

"Sister" Rhonda Brown arrived from San Antonio about 11:30, amidst T-Roy's show. She grabbed a beer and joined her mom and I. About that time some unthinking men stood in front of Joyce to watch the show. This was the closest thing we saw to a fight all weekend! Rather than strike out, Joyce just moved her chair. About 15 minutes later, someone else came and stood in front of her again! She promptly picked up her chair and moved down toward the front of the stage where she remained the rest of the show. You see, Rhonda and I are pretty content just being able to hear the music, but Joyce MUST see T-Roy as he performs!

Just as T-Roy began his final song, TxCindy and Ronnie arrived! God love her, she's always late! We were just excited to see them. After the show, many of us stood around visiting for a long time, enjoying the company of T-Roy's parents and others who came and went. We then led Cindy and Ronnie back to Camp Duct Tape, and helped them get set up. We talked with Andy through the pop up screen as we did, he had been listening to the Sons campfire singing. We soon joined the campfire group, singing along with their talented folks and enjoying some of their antics. If any of you see Bobby Wilbanks, ask him about his painted toenails! Later, I decided to take a stroll and ran into friends, Vicki Knipp and Steve Shipley, at the Zeig campsite. I saw yet more great talent here, and had a hard time finally tearing myself away. I have to say, Steve did the best original song I heard all night. It's funny how you know someone for a while, never realizing they not only appreciate good music, but can create it as well. It was a wonderful evening, indeed.

I crawled back into the pop up and asked Andy what time is was. It was exactly 5 a.m. Cindy and Ronnie were still up too. I couldn't believe how late it was, but the fun was well worth it. The kids were awake by 7 a.m., so our morning was off to an early start. Ronnie was up next door, we visited a bit. As our fellow members of Camp Duct Tape awoke, we decided it was time for a big breakfast. We all came up with three kinds of sausage, fried taters and onions, gravy, biscuits (well, okay, it was wheat bread, not enough pans to make biscuits), and fresh sliced tomatoes. We all enjoyed our big breakfast together, and enjoyed the fact that we had all the time in the world to enjoy it. Joyce and Rhonda were the dishwashers, which made it even better for me.

We spent all day Saturday relaxing and socializing. It was one of the most relaxing days we've had in a long time. We snoozed and then showered (hot "his and hers" showers on site!) in the afternoon and before we knew it - dinner time. Joyce had brought BBQ from Piggies, near their home I think. We added sliced tomatoes, onions, pickles, and friends of Rhonda's (Poppy and Lee) brought Cole slaw. It was a grand feast for all. Mid-meal, one of my children needed to visit "the facilities", so I took my plate with me. On my return to camp I had a nice visit with the Campbells, and I'm sure we'll be crossing paths with them again very soon.

As dinner finished, and time drew near to head to the concert area, the sprinkles began to fall. We decided it wouldn't last long, and hauled ourselves down to the stage. We had just missed "Zin Bubba's" wedding, but were there in time for the kids to score some cake. I think it's a perfect place for a wedding!

We spotted Brian, so I went over and gave our friend a hug. It was obvious as I stood there, and others came up for conversation and hugging, that Brian has quite a following. He took the stage and performed his new song "Six Strings and a Restless Heart", and then was told he didn't go on for another hour. We joked about it being the best sound check we ever got! By the time an hour later rolled around, we were in the midst of a downpour - one that wasn't about to let up. We dropped Brian a cold beer off at the van and fought the monsoon back to Camp Duct Tape. Not sure what time the rain let up, but the kids were asleep (including one who got ill), so Andy graciously stayed with them, and allowed me to go back and listen to Brian.

He put on one hell of a show. My only complaint was that it wasn't long enough for me. I could have listened to him for hours. I was soaking up Brian's music. As Vicki and Steve Knipp danced, like I have seen them do so many times before (but never before in their rain ponchos!), I finally felt comforted that all would be okay with the world...something I hadn't felt since before last Tuesday morning's attack on our nation. Thank you, Brian.

Brian finished with the National Anthem. As he sang and the audience joined in, the song ringing through those beautiful pines was a few moments I'll never forget and will always treasure. I was just a little extra proud to be a Native Texan that night, honoring my nation from where I stood, clothes drenched, with some of my OKOM family next to me, and my own family just yards away, safe and sound.

I took my chair and strolled back up the hill to Camp Duct Tape and called it a night. Andy and I listened to the sounds of Kevin Deal and Eleven Hundred Springs from the "comforts" of our wet mattress. Both sounded pretty good from where we were. Not long after Eleven Hundred Springs finished, I got up and made a trip in the drizzle to the facilities, crossing paths with Cindy. She told me her tent was pretty wet, so they were just gonna wander around a while. Vicki was coming out as I was going in, and invited me back to their campfire. I declined, not feeling right about me roaming around two nights in a row leaving the husband to babysit. The Sons campfire and music was going strong, as I headed back. I even heard one of my favorite Fred Eaglesmith tunes "Water In The Fuel", and they did a fine job.

As daylight emerged, so did our kids and more rain. We spent the morning packing and emptying buckets and bowls of water from our leaks. Rhonda and Joyce joined us for a combined effort of some of the best bologna and cheese sandwiches I have eaten. We finished packing, loaded the kids in the van, finished closing the trailer, said our good-byes, and headed down the road. Though the rain put a little bit of a "damper" on Pickin', it was a fabulous weekend. The Millers were the finest of hosts, and made sure every one felt right at home. The friendships, fellowships, food and wonderful music were still unbeatable. We'll be at the next Pickin'. But I think we'll bring dryer sleeping accommodations!!!

Written by Dana Jones, September 2001

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