Friday night was the premier of Cuervo Acres Concerts. First in the planned series was Audrey Auld Mezera with Darcie Deaville.  Mezera is a talented roots music singer/songwriter from Australia, recently relocated to the US, and doing more than dabbling in the Texas music scene.  Deaville is a singer/songwriter in her own right and a gifted musician with extraordinary skills with the fiddle, lead acoustic guitar and mandolin.  Mezera wove a riveting story between numbers that slowly unfolded her life and musical influences with each song she and Deaville presented.  The music was both beautiful and moving, taking the audience on a lilting journey that was happy, sad, sarcastic, amusing, and spontaneous. Both Mezera and Deaville seemed to really enjoy sharing their musical expression with the folks that were listening so raptly.  Before, after, and on breaks, both musicians took time to sincerely chat with concert guests.

Waresville Halle, near Greenville, Texas on Saturday night was the location of another "house concert"; this one in an outdoor setting.  It featured the talented Max Stalling with Exit 110, a local band with some original tunes.  The real draw, of course, was Max Stalling with Dale and Adian, providing the smooth & musically intelligent stylings for our pleasure and consideration.  Not only did Stalling treat us to many of his original favorites, we were also privileged to many new tunes not yet available on one of his CDs.  Sounded like he had enough for a new CD.  Hope to see that real soon.  From the time that Max, Dale, and Adian took the stage, until the audience reluctantly let them leave after a double encore, the place was in hushed and spellbound awe.  The evening was truly enchanted with the spell his music wove.  Stalling was truly at his best with an audience and environment like Waresville Halle.

Waresville Halle is another unique house concert locale.  This presentation is outdoors, even during Texas northers (sure wish there had been one on this June evening).  Jimmy & Cindy Ware converted their pole barn into the Halle, the holding pen area has become the Bier Garten, and the small barn is now the Barn & Grill.  On this Saturday night before the evening’s performances, the Barn & Grill served chili pie, featuring super homemade chili.  A few other dishes were contributed to the buffet and a feast was had by all.  Everyone brought their lawn chairs and BYOB coolers and settled in for a fun evening.  Everywhere you looked, you found proof of the hosts’ sincere love and support of Texas music.  It was evident in the murals and Texas music slogans painted on walls, and Texas theme accoutrements in every nook and cranny.  These folks are passionate about their obsession. The atmosphere was warm and family-like.  Matter of fact, about half the crowd was family. These folks have done quite a bit to their home to make it a fun and cozy place to enjoy good music and good company. This won’t be my last trip to Waresville.