Tx Log

Cabin

The Three Fools on Three Stools, Tommy Alverson, Doc Wesson , and Curtis Tilton, were up to their usual shenanigans to a packed house at the Texana Grill in Arlington  this past Thursday night.  They had the whole upstairs packed beyond capacity.  Last time I saw the Fools at Texana, they were playing in a very cramped area in the downstairs bar, so that tells you it’s been a while.  One thing you can’t keep a secret is a good night of interactive entertainment and that’s what the Fools can provide.  I found Tommy circulating in the room trying his best to greet everyone before the show started.  Simply an impossible task for as many people as showed up for this show.  I’ve never failed to see Tommy do this at any kind of performance; a true living of his philosophy of Texas music “family gatherings.”  He makes everyone simultaneously feel comfortable, special, and just like “family.”  Even though we were a bit early, we nabbed the only remaining available table, tucked off in the near corner, flagged a waitress, and told her to bring us a half gallon jug of beer (that’s one of Texana’s unique offerings) and keep ‘em coming.  The evening had begun.

The Fools started with one of Doc’s tunes, No Mas Cerveza (best appreciated the day after reenacting Tommy’s Una Mas Cerveza).  That set the mood for the rest of the evening.  The Fools shows are truly works of performance coordination, interactive audience participation, and master craftsmanship.  They carefully weave an entertainment package that combines plenty of classic country covers, original selections that their fans have come to love (and demand), humor, and audience participation.  There is something there for everyone, even if you aren’t specifically a Texas Music fan.  As a matter of fact, we were sitting next to a happy hour-lingering group from some workplace that had never heard of any of these guys before, and they were having a blast with the “trio” as they called them.  These guys have carefully blended their talents and experience in the various aspects of entertaining folks to produce this particularly on-target crowd-pleasing act.  They carefully share stage time and mix the presentations to give each of them and ALL in the audience something to appreciate.

Speaking of sharing the stage, we got even more than anticipated for our money (really great bargain ‘cause no cover!).  At their first break, the Three Fools turned the stage over to Sisters Morales, who were in town for a big show at the Texas Theater  in Waxahachie the next night, Friday.  The Sisters favored us with several selections that only left the crowd wanting more.  Even with less than their full band and some borrowed instruments, they filled the room with plenty of energy and fine music. Hopefully, all folks whose appetites were whetted moseyed over to Waxahachie the next night for the complete treatment by the Sisters.

I also have to mention how great the Texana Grill treated everyone.  The staff, service, food, and beverages were really outstanding.  They really know how to cater to their customers.  We walked in the front door and were immediately directed upstairs without having to utter a single word (I know we were dressed somewhat conspicuously, but I assure you it was completely by design).  We just looked like we belonged upstairs with all the other “special” people.  All our requests were met with courtesy and a genuine desire to make our stay pleasant.  We told the waitress when we placed our first beverage order to keep ‘em coming and we never had to remind her.  They even let us move furniture around to suit our needs (several times!).  I wish I could say they singled us out for this special treatment, but I saw it going on all around us.  I have never had a bad experience with the staff, service, facilities, or food when visiting with Texana.  Wish there was ONE other establishment about which I could say the same thing.  All this and Texana thoughtfully provided an evening of Texas Music with NO cover charge.  What a deal. Hats off to Texana Grill of Arlington!  My only remaining request is that they now build an even larger room for the 3 Fools and other Texas music performances.

We now rejoin the adventures of the Three Fools, still in-progress.  Even with the constant give-and-take witty chatter among the Three Fools, they were able to squeeze in a little music from time to time.  Curtis did lots of classic country hits like Marty Robbins’ ("Devil Woman"), BW Stevenson’s ("Maria"), Roger Miller’s ("Kansas City Star").  Doc provided the humorous counterpoint with selections like Steven Fromholz’s, "I Gave Her a Ring", She Gave me the Finger"; Tyson’s and Russell’s, "Navajo Rug"; Wesson’s own "Bitch and Moan" (not the same as Ed Burleson’s), "Too Much Dickel in my Pickle", and "Trailer Park Woman" (mobile home princess, queen of manufactured housing, … get the idea?).  Curtis even provided the now infamous and hilarious, "Name that TV Theme Song" competition.  Tommy gave us lots of our favorites from his extensive list of accomplishments like "Back Before the War" and "Two of a Kind".   And by the time he got to "I Don’t Think I’ll Go to Mexico", he had the audience singing every word along with him.  A little after 9 PM we all drank a toast to Miss Lana, per Doc’s rendition of "Here’s to You (and the Horse you Rode in On").  Those are the kind of Texas music memories I want to always keep close to my heart.  You can catch the Three Fools on Three Stools many Thursday nights at Texana Grill.  Hope you take the opportunity to experience it.  All too soon, the evening came to a crashing end.  No one could believe it was already time to go.  The Muttley Crew bade all our new and old friends goodnight, loaded up in the Aggie Mobile, and left the twinkling of the big city lights in our rearview mirror.

Cheryl Arthur 4/1/02

Tommy Alverson and Doc Wesson have music available at Impact Sound, Stephenville; Bills Records and Tapes, Dallas; Lone Star Music ; CD Now; Ernest Tubb Records-,Ft. Worth; summitartists.com; Texasmusicexpress.com and Amazon.com.
 

E-mail me about this review

Read about TxLogCabin

Click on image for larger view

Texicana Music Central

All content © 2002 Miss Lana's Texicana Music Central. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced or copied without the permission of the site owner. This includes html code.