A Caddo Guy and a Crockett Girl

I first heard Adam Carroll many years ago on XM Radio- years before Siruis messed it up and I canceled.  He was on a show hosted by Robert Earl Keen.  I remember that it was a typical Saturday morning.  I had turned on the XM and then moved over the computer to do something.  I wasn’t necessarily listening the radio but it was on.  All of a sudden I realized this guy was just singing about a Caddo and Crockett. . . AKA East Texas.  My ears and interests perked and I listened. . . that song was crazy but it got my attention.

I’ve wanted to see Adam Carroll play for a while now.  Cody and I have grown to love his infectious sense of humor and his softer songs.   Just Monday, it was on my mind as I scrapbooked this layout.  I had no idea I would get to cross another artist off that list the following Saturday night.  I don’t listen to the radio and it wasn’t until Thursday that I heard about a new concert series and venue in town.  Cody and I were coming back from lunch when we heard the commercial. . . I heard ”Adam Carroll” and my ears and interest perked.  15 minutes later, I’d purchased tickets for this Pickin in Nac concert.

We really enjoyed it and are making plans to see Gary P Nunn next month at this new venue which is smaller, with tables.  It’s the imtimate concerts we’ve grown to love.   

Keith Whitton opened for Adam and Michael O’Conner.  (Harmonica’s seemed to be a trend for the night)

Michael O’Conner sang with Adam.  They are collaborating on a joint album that I’ll be sure to check out when it’s released.

Adam’s charm really came through during the concert and it was fun to watch others experience songs like Rice Birds and Sno-Cone Man- two very opposite songs.

And yes, he sang that song about a Caddo Guy and a Crockett Girl.

Valentine’s Day 2009

It’s Valentine’s Day here and I suppose everywhere.  Because our anniversary was just three or so weeks ago, we never do much for Valentine’s day.  It doesn’t have the ring that it has for some.  This year though we do have plans.  We’re heading out to the boonies of East Texas to see Fred Eaglesmith in concert.  We’re not going because it’s Valentine’s day, we’re going because it’s when the Canadian artist will be closest to us on this short stint into Texas.  As we speak, I’m awaiting my best friend and my nephew’s arrival as they will be going with us. 

It was just a little less than year ago that we were able to see Fred live for the first time.  His music is different and I sure hope our visitor’s don’t think it’s too different.  I do know that they’ll get a kick out of his sense of humor.

Looking Back

Today, I decided I was tired of trying to move my old blog posts the techie way and decided to just do it by copy and pasting.  While it seemed like it would be quite a task, it really was quite enjoyable. I’m also thankful to have a new blogging home that should make posting much easier. I hate the “holes” left in my story by not blogging consistently.

I’m reminded of all the twists and turns adoption has brought us. .  and just how much waiting. I think back to all the kids who hopefully have a forever home now that we’ve seen come through the adoption lists. And, I notice the progression in my thoughts and feelings. I’m now ok with the what if it doesn’t happen which I was so sure about just a few months back.

I still wish I had an airstream or other travel trailer, though during this trip, up and down and around the mountains, we realized we want a very small one. And that doesn’t even mention the next vacation we took. We had a great time tubing. But it’s funny reading this post knowing now that we got Ike’d by Hurricane Ike just a week before the wedding/trip. We were just thankful that the trip would bring warm showers and power.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Aaron Watson in concert. But, it won’t be long and I’ll get to see Fred Eaglesmith for the third time! Never would have thought Cody would have liked him this much. And, I got to see the Gourds sing that song in the same place I saw Ray Wylie Hubbard.

I found today that reading some of my old writing really surprises me. For example, this post or this post. (And, with the latter, I remembered a website I’d long forgotten.) I’d like to do some more storytelling too.

I’m reminded of missing tales and things I’d like to write about. This guy, well, over Christmas break he cooked pancakes from scratch without any help. (And even had to “churn” his own buttermilk with lemons.)

I’m also reminded of just how much I love Cody in our quiet moments and his hijinx (His Remote, Jpeg vs Raw, his emails). Or when he’s busted for what he does behind my back. I’d forgotten all about this meal and now am reminded how much I love living in a town where we have so much history. I need to go through my Codyism’s email folder and share some more funnies.

Oh! And to date, no invasion of the Lady Dudes this year.

Celebrating Music That Tugs At The Soul

It seems the theme of my life right now is celebrating music that inspires me. Perhaps is because the Americana and Texas music genre is often all about words, melodies, capturing life and good stories.

When we went to New Braunfels in November to see Chris Knight play at Gruene Hall, we also stopped by Lonestar Music. . . a music store with my kind of music. It was such a treat but it was difficult limiting the CD’s that I purchased. I wound up with Fred Eaglesmith, Ryan Bingham, and The Old Crow Medicine Show.

The Old Crow Medicine Show. . . well, it’s more bluegrass and I knew it would be stretch- at least for sure for my sweet husband. But, I wanted the song “Wagon Wheel”. I didn’t realize it for about a month but my husband has decided he loves that song. The week before Christmas, he and I were were working on cleaning the house. We took a break to listen to that song twice. It was just this moment where we both paused to truly enjoy great music. That moment has remained with me and brings me such happiness every time I go back to it.

Ryan Bingham- He brings me to my latest celebration. Each year they have a four day festival in Steamboat Springs, Colorado around this time of year. We’d love to go, even though we don’t ski, but being able to afford it and the travel in cold weather have made it only a pipe dream (for now). XM radio, which has a station devoted to Americana/Texas Music, is airing many of the concerts. Last night, while my husband and I were grinding some venison into hamburger meat, we listened to the concerts. Doug Moreland was a suprise hit with us and then it was Ryan Bingham’s turn. Oh wow! How I enjoyed that concert. I have it recorded on my XM at the moment and am resisting the urge to play it too loud here in the office. He’s definetely at the top of my list to go see in concert some day. . . next to. . .

Fred Eaglesmith- This Americana type artist is actually from Canada. I love his writing and his music. He’s actually coming to Texas for Fred In Texas. . . held at none other than Gruene Hall. It looks like he’ll also be in Houston and Beaumont. I really am hoping to get an opportunity to go see him while he’s in the state.

I’m looking forward to tonight’s concerts at Steamboat which include more Chris Knight. What can I say, this music just inspires me. Let my heart soar and my soul sing on

Me and Music

Many of you may already know this, but I doubt your truly aware of just how strange my music taste really are. And you’d probably won’t understand either.

I have my little niche of music that really makes my heart sing. It’s kinda like an celebration of creativity and independance, fun, or great writing, or who knows what. (Probably also the influence of illegal drugs that many of the artists may be doing)

Simply put, you could some it up as Americana. Sometimes rock, sometimes country, sometimes folk, sometimes bluegrass, sometimes, well, from another planet.

Sometimes. . . . it’s living a vicarious life far from my own. Songs with curse words that I love to sing at the top of my lungs. . . Like the Gourds singing “Gin and Juice” bluegrass style. Or songs about sticking it to the establishment or living a wild party life.

Sometimes. . . it’s a good laugh. Like the song that I just heard “Fat Girls and Weed” where the next line is “that’s all I need”. It originally caught my ear because it has this beautiful melody that you hear hears thinking that it will be this incredible song. . . and then you catch the lyrics and it’s a 180 from anything you were thinking. Then, there’s the Adam song about the “Snowcone Man”

But, most of the time, it’s well written powerful songs that truly make you appreciate the art of song writing or art in and of itself. Some of my favorites- Fred Eaglesmith, Aaron Watson, and Chris Knight. (I can imagine that you’ve never heard of any of these artists, right?)

Sometimes, I’m tempted to say “It’s a Texas thing Ya’ll”. And I once heard an interview by Kevin Fowler who in some ways explained it that way. It’s music free from what record producers force upon us. It’s a democracy- the fans rule the roost in this genre of music- we decide what we like and what we don’t like and put our money behind that. We search out for new music, new artists, etc. It’s music free from glitz and glam.

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of seeing Ray Wylie Hubbard- whose considered quite a legend here. It was him and one member of his band sitting on a stage in the downright chilly weather that has marked this April so far.

Music To Lift One’s Spirits

Tonight, DH and I will be going to see Aaron Watson in concert. We both love his music- twangy classic country sound with witty writing- most songs are swings, polkas, or waltzes. Whenever he comes to town, I want to go to the concert. Since the first concert we saw, I’m 2 for 3.

Great music can truly lift ones spirits or take you to another time or place. It’s quite the conincidene that as I headed over here to talk about one of the things this concert means to me, I read this post by Michelle and her musings on the power of music.

Since I absolutely love the music that Aaron Watson plays, his concerts are just such a great time. I enjoy watching the fiddle and steel guitar. I love to watch the music that I listen to so much come to life in our quaint little setting.

I remember the first time we went to his concert and sitting there thinking about how through all the struggles of my infertility, it was the first time I’d truly had let go and let myself truly have fun in ages. I remember how good it felt. So tonight, now that I’ve turned the corner with all of that, I’m truly once again looking forward to a great time.

The second time we saw him in concert, as I remembered the feelings I had during the previous concert, it was the words of this song that gave me the absolute chills as I thought about how much my spirits were lifted:

The Honky-Tonk Kid

He’s wrinkled and gray, but he’s still got the fire
And He sings on the stage like a bird on a wire
Oh he’ll pack ‘em in just like he always did.
Oh everybody loves the Honky-Tonk Kid

He got his first guitar when was sixteen
thristing for knowledge, hungry and green
strumming that six string just like lefty did
everybody loves the Honky-Tonk Kid

Well, the honky tonk kid loves a honky tonk crowd
he picks them up when this world gets them down
All the smoke and the neon will keep his pain hid
Oh nobody knows the Honky-Tonk Kid

10 million fans and a handful of friends
he’ll go home alone when each night ends
he’ll think about her and then twist off a lid
Nobody loves the Honky-Tonk Kid

Well, the honky tonk kid loves a honky tonk crowd
he picks them up when this world gets them down
All the smoke and the neon will keep his pain hid
Oh nobody knows the Honky-Tonk Kid

It won’t be long the Lord will take him away
he’ll have sung his last song, they’ll place a wreath on his grave
oh and he’ll draw a crowd just like he always did
oh one last goodbye for the Honky-Tonk Kid