Best Show We Never Saw

My last Shaver show review for www.misslana.com told of how I knew I was in exactly the right place at the right time as I sat and listened to Billy Joe and his band’s WONDERFUL performance. We were in this same venue, and I really expected I would feel the same way as I walked in the door. It felt different.

Maybe it all started when I entered through a different door this time while helping a Sons member coming in. Or maybe it was that I wore a different shirt, or because I had a couple of beers before we went, or that writer Tom Geddie wasn’t already sitting at the bar when I arrived. I am somewhat superstitious at times, so I was first inclined to believe that. Something just felt different, not bad, but different.

Hubby Andy, Uncle Don Landis from Kansas and I were in for a bit of a surprise when we entered. We couldn’t believe the long line that had already formed to go upstairs. It was nearly two hours before time for the doors to open upstairs (and trust me, you don’t wanna even get me started on that topic). I began hearing talk of advance ticket sales had been big, and there would only be 100 spots upstairs. Pretty impressive at $25 bucks per ticket, plus obnoxious surcharges (another soapbox topic for another day). I didn’t think too much about it- I’ve never seen Sons too full to hold everyone.

I looked down the crowded downstairs bar, and there sat Jesse “Guitar” Taylor. I had to go over and say hello to him. He’s one of the most incredible guitar players around today. As I walked up, he seemed to recognize me, smiled brightly, and gave me a warm hug. I told him “Welcome Back to Dallas, Jesse!” And for the next half hour or so, with Andy and Uncle Don and other fans in and out, we had a really nice visit.

In conversation, I mentioned being on the Billy Joe Shaver list, and Jesse asked me if I did some chatting back and forth. I told him I did, and he began to tell me about his daughter. When I spoke her name, his face lit up like a Christmas tree. In my eyes, this “guitar playing celebrity” suddenly became a loving father. He spoke so wonderfully of his daughter, and of his family as a whole. It became evident to me he’s not only a man full of music, but a man full of love and pride. I really got the impression he considers his children his greatest gift, above his talent. It was a very poignant conversation for me, one I won’t soon forget.

I watched as a man came up and asked Jesse if he had ever played at Love and War in Texas in Plano, a much smaller place than Sons but a great venue. Jesse politely replied that no, he hadn’t. The guy just knew he had seen Jesse somewhere. And as Jesse began to name the artists he’s played with to help the man figure it out, I was reminded of how many times Jesse must have gotten on that stage and blown audiences away with his talent. And how many went home from shows saying “Man………….so and so has a great band, that show was awesome” and didn’t remember the name of that guy creating magic with his fingers. I don’t think he minds that everyone doesn’t exactly remember his name. But there are some of us who will remember it always. We chatted a bit longer about his friend Billy Joe, about the show in Ft. Worth the previous night, and about beer. He then had to go upstairs and we wished him well.

Two more of our party soon joined us. Miss Lana and Jim “The Recordman” Hughes came into the bar. The line was already out the door. We saw more friends and acquaintances wandering through and in line. While waiting we were treated to the wonderful blues stylings of K.M. Williams. It was quite noisy, and not many people seemed to listen, but he was really, really good. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t get a photo of him. I hope to check him out in a quieter, listening venue sometime soon.

Andy and I made several rounds over the course of the two hours to find yet another friend, and each time the line grew much longer down the street. As it grew near 9:00, we knew that not being in line our chances of having a seat upstairs was going to be slim to none. One in our party had a knee problem, and no chair for three hours wasn’t going to be a good thing. I chatted with a lady near the front of the line who had bought advance tickets. I said something about Billy Joe….and she said, “who?”. I repeated myself with “Shaver” tacked on the end, she thought a second, and said, “Oh.” Obviously there to see Kinky, I thought to myself. As our party of five cussed and discussed, we decided maybe some Kinky fans needed to get a good dose of Billy Joe Shaver to find out what he’s all about. It felt like it was the right thing to do, just like walking over to Jesse earlier in the evening did. We sat a few minutes longer, and then got up to leave and catch another artist we’d all wanted to see.

I stopped in the burger kitchen to hug friend Bobby who was cooking burgers with wife Juliea and say goodbye. As I turned around to go out, Andy waved me into the “green room” area. He and Uncle Don were visiting with Jesse, who was really disappointed we weren’t going to the show. He offered to try and get us up there, but we declined, after hearing it was standing room only now. Lana and Jim soon joined us, and we did get to visit for a little while longer with Jesse.

And then, Mr. Kinky Friedman himself entered the Green Room, followed by band members Little Jewford and Ratso. The room was very hushed for just a few seconds. Kinky has an aura of greatness around him, yet he’s very nice. That famous cigar in his mouth, wearing his Black felt cowboy hat, black boots, and long black coat, he graciously shook hands and gave autographs to the few who asked. He didn’t seem to mind when we asked him to pose with us for a quick photo. He’s quite a character.

Shortly thereafter, Billy Joe Shaver entered. He had almost the opposite effect on the room. There was applauding, cheering, and it was noisy for a bit. Billy Joe greeted and met folks, smiling and looking absolutely wonderful. I patiently waited for my wonderful Billy Joe hug, and Andy snapped a quick photo of us together. We had a short visit about several things. We talked about Brian Burns’s CD “The Eagle and the Snake”, about his health, and about his upcoming overseas tour. I can’t say how happy I was to have gotten to see him. Well worth sacrificing seeing the show for a few, treasured, private moments.

It was soon time for the celebrities to head upstairs, and we bid them all farewell. We five gathered ourselves together, and exited, agreeing this was definitely the best show we never saw. We headed to Love and War in Texas to see Mark Jungers for the first time, and he was an excellent treat! (More details soon on this artist!) Other friends who saw the very packed show said it was outstanding. I just can’t help but wonder if their memories of this night at Sons will be anywhere near as precious and treasured as ours.

Lone Star Mama

Written by Dana Jones, January 2002

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Jesse "Guitar" Taylor and Dana Jones Kinky Friedman & Bobby

Dana & Billy Joe Shaver Uncle Don, Dana, Kinky and Me