Tx Log

Cabin

Smooth Water Ranch, for the third time, put together another stellar Independence Day celebration.  Bobby & Susan Kerr, Cindy Outlaw, and a host of others work for months to put this Lone Star-studded celebration together each year.  Unlike other similar Texas music festivals, the Americana Jam does not have a primary artist/host.  This one free-wheels on the reputations of all enticed into the line up.  For the last couple of years, the Americana Jam has also provided a great place for new artists to get some exposure in short acoustic breaks between major performers.  I love that part.  I look forward to “previewing” the new talent that SMR so cleverly chooses for our entertainment. I can always find one or two that I will make a point of keeping up with for the next year.  There were only a couple of minor items that spoiled the special mood woven by the music and artists (more about those later).

I arrived Friday afternoon to set up the new “Bunkhouse” (BH) on its maiden voyage.  The old “Komfort Station” (KS) that used to be my camping companion has been retired (please place your hat over your heart in tribute).  The last trip out (Texas Music Nation Celebration) the old KS had to undergo some emergency road repair with duct tape on the way home.  Just so much living the Redneck Dream that I can stand!  So, I reluctantly parted with a few bucks and traded for the new BH.  Now I can share my space a bit and return home with all the same camping functionality with which we departed (the KS sometimes needed a little TLC!).  About 45 minutes later, with the MissLana.com”pound” almost set up, here came the rain.  I quickly checked to see if Tommy Alverson had just gotten there…;); he always brings rain to Hico!  Then ducked in the trailer to wait it out.  Tommy must have only just started his journey to SWR, ‘cause the rain stopped after about 30 minutes and I got the camp completed.  I took the opportunity to stroll (more like a muddy slip ‘n slide) and visit with some familiar faces.  Much to my surprise, there were lots of new faces to meet.  I could tell that this year’s crowd was going to be a bit different than the past. Before too long, the rain returned (Tommy must have finally crossed the county line ;) !)

According to the Smooth Water Ranch Friday menu (or program), they were serving a 5 course gourmet Texas Music “feast for our ears” starting at 6:00, and we didn’t intend to skip a single course.  So several of us gathered up our chairs, coolers, and umbrellas and headed for the stage.  Rain was only light and intermittent now, but the earlier downpours were responsible for some delay in getting the sound system operational.  That’s OK.  We find or make our own entertainment.

There was one devoted fan in particular that just has to be described.  Jerry Don was there by mid-morning on Friday (entertainment not scheduled until 6:00 that night).  Not just at SWR campgrounds, but with his chair and drink, right down by the stage.  He was dressed in his red, white, & blue brush popper and his chair stayed there all day and he came & went.  Just before the music started, Jerry Don fetched his cooler and a bag with several packs of cigarettes and lighters and lined them up along the stage.  Then he proceeded to try to smoke himself to death.  He literally was smoking 2 cigarettes at a time!  He claimed his cooler was full of Dr Pepper, but since when does DP need a water chaser?  Not even Dublin DP!  I noticed that his straw cowboy hat had been signed in several places and asked him if I could take a look.  Some Texas music fans have various artists they admire sign their hats or T-shirts.  However, Jerry Don definitely did things his way; he signed his own name, on the brim, the crown, and even under the brim.  Anyway, needless to say, he was quite a character and just watching to see what he might do next kept us busy until the sound system was ready.

Sometime between 7 & 7:30, James Mills (our master of ceremonies for the weekend) introduced the Jay Johnson Band, and they got things rolling and our ears a-thumping.  Everything they did was so familiar….I’m sure it had nothing to do with the fact that I had enjoyed 4 Jay Johnson performances in the past 48 hours, two of which were totally unscheduled.  I swear that man must be stalking me!  Certainly wouldn’t be the other way around, now would it?  Anyway, Jay’s sound was a delight and a pleasure.  His music always transports you to another place, and that night was no exception.

Bodie Powell and Borderline were our next course.  Bodie has such a smooth, but at the same time a distinctly honky tonk sound.  I’m not sure how he does it, but grateful that he does.  He’s got some great new songs for that up coming CD he’ll soon be recording.  It helps when you have such a great song-writing spouse that doesn’t mind lending a hand!  Keep ‘em coming, Donna and Bodie.  Bodie and Borderline were really cooking and the rain wasn’t gonna be left out of all the fun, so it joined in real strong before Bodie was through.  In front of the stage, we just huddled up under the short awning overhang and stayed as dry a possible (not very!).

Austin Cunningham was served up next and the rain continued to join in, uninvited (and at times, very unharmonious!).  Sometimes hard, sometimes light, but never gone for long.  Austin, on the other hand, has come a long way from when I first saw a short acoustic set at a previous festival.  His music has some great staying power, and I look forward to hearing more in the future.

By the time Mike Graham’s course was served, the area in front of the stage was absolutely soupy.  But also, by then, many fans were just as bedraggled. Some stood ankle deep in the mud and enjoyed the Mike Graham experience. Many began to give it up and retired to their camps to listen in slightly drier conditions.  Mike, with his band, has undergone a miraculous metamorphosis in the last couple of years.  The result is a very tight and cohesive team that uses his strongly authored foundation as the basis for their presentation.  I’m familiar with the songs from Mike’s acoustic days, but what a difference the full treatment can make!  Missed when the band was introduced, but did recognize Scott Walker.  He and the rest were exceptional!  Not only have Mike and the band “found their highway”, but it seems to be turning into an expressway!  Keep an eye out for future performances.

Tommy Alverson was served up for dessert, but fans were definitely deep in mud soup by then.  Fan numbers continued to slowly fade, but many faithful continued to stick (or maybe they were just stuck in the mud?) it out for Tommy.  He didn’t disappoint all who remained or those still listening in their camps.  His merchandise supply was running a little low; he’d been out on the road for several days in row and hadn’t had a chance to restock.  But the music was still strong and true...on that you can always depend; also that he brings the rain to Hico.  Sorry, Tommy, can’t help poking a little fun.  You know I love ya!

The rain continued to come and go all night.  Most folks gave up early on the struggle to keep the campfire spirit glowing; certainly couldn’t keep the actual flames flickering!  The next morning, the clouds were hanging low spitting a little rain, but finally the sun broke mostly free of clouds and tried to dry up some of the damage.  That treacherous red clay busted many a bunny before the sun dried it enough to just be sticky/stinky.  Many a comment was overheard about it being “as slick as owl s---, but it stinks just like cow s---!”  A very astute observation.  After all, in that part of the country, what do they think that land used to be used for?…. to raise flowers?  Nah, dairy cows.

Music began around 1:00 PM with Derick Smith.  Sounded pretty good from the camp.  We were waiting for the mud to dry a bit more before braving that slippery slope to the stage area.  Scouted the stage area without chairs and cooler to hinder us during Terry Rasor and Over the Edge’s performance.  So we stood in the area in as safe a place as possible during their performance.  Enjoyed their music as much as always, just weren’t quite ready to brave the most treacherous mud pits.  But we gotta teach that boy how to properly pronounce “pecan”.  How can he be from Fort Worth and make it sound like that?  Just kidding, Terry. Your spider and pecan tree tale is one of my favorites!  Decided the mud was still a little risky and retired back to the camp.

By the time Macon Greyson came up, we were ready to brave some of the mud. So we loaded up chairs and coolers and compromised on the location to about halfway down the hill.  We settled in for the rest of the Saturday schedule.  The sacrifice was worth it.  MG always gives the performance of their lives every time they are up on stage, and this one was no different.  Even though the stage was shaded, the guys worked up as much sweat as we did out in the full blazing sun.  They put every ounce of energy into that music that flowed out over the mud.

Kept our seats following MG for some good acoustic music (more about that below) and to wait on Ed Burleson.  The acoustic music completed and we waited and waited, then Bodie Powell, Dirt Stinnett, Mike Choate took the stage to keep the natives from becoming too restless.  Suited us just fine.  I personally can’t get enough of these guys in one puny set, anyway.  Bodie kept us entertained with more great music.  We were never told what the hold up was, but it took over an hour and a half before Eddie B showed his face on stage.  Once he did, everything clicked and we got our dose of “Special Ed”.  Also noticed that he kept lots of fans waiting at the t-shirt counter for his autograph after his set was over.  Guess, for whatever reason, his stage and fan priorities got some rearranging that day?

Next up was Davin James, who made the long drive up from a previous commitment in Port A to join us.  Guess he had some pent up energy after that long drive because he “electrified” us like he never has before.  Davin’s CDs are wonderful, but there is nothing like his live performances.  You know that you get everything he’s got when he’s on stage.  There is nothing else in the world, either for you or him, but his music during that time.

I promised you some commentary about the acoustic artists.  As I mentioned, they are one of the things to which I most look forward at the Americana Jam.  I always pick out one or two to follow till the next Jam.  This year Becca Dalrymple gets first place in my private pseudo-contest.  That may not be entirely fair to the rest, because I picked her out a couple of years ago and never got tired of monitoring her progress.  She’s matured and refined her style such that it would be hard to recognize her from the girl that did so much Patsy Montana and Patsy Cline style songs the first time I saw her.  Her original music really defines her as an artist, and Mike Boyd (from the Big Texas Boys (Randy Hopper)) accompanying her on guitar was a real musical treat.  Becca says her new CD is almost ready to hit the street, so be on the lookout for it. BTW: Hasn’t she earned a full set on the Jam schedule by now?

Since I stacked the deck a bit for Becca, I’ll mention two other acoustic artists instead of just one.  Ryan Bingham got a shot at some stage time and kept our attention with his original music.  He writes from personal experience and has jammed a lot of life into just a few years.  He has a self-produced and self-manufactured CD that is pretty good.  So get him to sell you a copy.  You won’t regret it.  Miranda Lambert, accompanied by her father and a back up vocal also could bare a little watching.  Miranda’s voice is true, but unmatured.  However, the original music really shows promise.  I think we will see more of this young lady in coming years.  She has music for sale, as well.

OK, the finale for the Jam was Cooder Graw.  How extremely appropriate that such an explosive , fireworks kind of band should headline something called the Americana Jam on the 5th and 6th of July!  The music is energetic, thought provoking, lilting, hard driving, but above all, entertaining.  Their performance is as important to their mystique as the authorship of the music.  Every member of CG is a very accomplished musician, but not outstanding on an individual basis. But collectively, the band is unbeatable.  Their selection titles really indicate what their music is all about.  They played “King of the Dairy Queen", "Dirty Little Hometown Girl", "My Give a Damn is Broke", "Llano Estacado” and many more.  If that doesn’t spell Texas, then I don’t know what would.  Anyway, CG was the perfect ending to another Texas music festival.  There was something for everyone both in CG’s performance and the whole Americana Jam.  So to quote CG, “If you don’t have fun….It’s your own damn fault!”

As much as I tried to focus on the magical mood the music wove, I mentioned that there were two things that spoiled it for me.  No, the rain was not one of them. To be sure, we could have lived without it for those two days, but I’ve slogged through the mud and rain in this same old cow pasture before to get the benefit of the performances into which these folks put their hearts and souls.  There was another addition to the Jam this year that had nothing to do with Texas music or even music, period.  I wanted to mention it only briefly, because, after all, the Jam is primarily about music, and that is my focus.  Anyway, a small display of classic cars and motorcycles graced us with their presence to the side of the performance stage.  The cars and bikes were certainly nice to look at, but I and several other patrons I spoke with were annoyed when motorcycles fired up and revved their engines in the middle of a couple of performances, with no regard to common courtesy.  As I mentioned, this was supposed to be about Texas music… or has it turned into something else?

The other annoyance has to do with golf carts and 4-wheelers, especially in the mud.  They absolutely destroyed several areas, especially the grassy area near the stage where folks needed to walk and sit in their lawn chairs.  It was such a blessing this year to have some grass still growing in July and it was all churned up in just a couple of hours by lazy folks trying to save a step or keep their precious tootsies dry.  At the total disregard of what they were inflicting on the rest of the Jammers, they turned the entire area in front of the stage into a mud pit.  The primary road from the port-a-potties to the far side of the stage could have been roped off after the all night Friday rains and available only to foot traffic.  It was absolutely treacherous just making a necessary journey to the facilities.  Instead, the carts whirled by, usually without lights, expecting foot traffic to get out of their way and making a messy situation a complete disaster. Obviously, no one at the wheel of the cart and 4-wheeler ship!

I love the Americana Jam.  I’ve been a faithful fan for all it’s three years.  I just hate it when things detract from the feature focus of the promotion and opportunities of Texas music that it affords.  Our hats are off to all the folks who worked so hard to put a good festival together and to the artists who give us their all during their performances.  On to number 4!

Written by Cheryl Arthur, July 2002

 

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