I could use some cliché way to start this post. Maybe “well, it’s been awhile since my last post,” or something clever like that, but I think I’ll skip that for now. I mean, it hasn’t been near as long as this guy or this guy for that matter. Nonetheless, more so than blogging, it’s been a really long time since I’ve played live. Too long, in fact, for my liking. However, I was able to satisfy my craving a couple of weekends ago with my good buddy Will Martin. For those of you who don’t know, Will used to play at Cornerstone with Adam and I. He also played Christmas at the Harbor a few years back. All this to say that Will recently moved down to Brenham to take a worship/youth gig at a church. Other than his super country voice, the other cool thing about Will is that he’s an amazing song writer. He’s definitely got a couple of hits in the making.

Will got a gig at the Land of Leather Days in his wife’s hometown of Yoakum, and he asked me to play with him. I obliged, and headed down hill country way to take the stage with him. If you’ve never been to a small town, let alone a small, Texas town, then you’ve never really experienced life. If you’re from somewhere as trendy/pseudoly-hip as Dallas, then it’s definitely a shock, albeit step back in time to travel to such a place as Yoakum. Having grown up in the Piney Woods of East Texas, it was nothing new for me. In route to Yoakum, I made a stop in my new favorite spot, Austin. Getting to run at Zilker Park is always a treat, so after being made “one with nature,” I kept the wheels rolling and arrived in Yoakum.

After a quick run through of the evening’s set, Will took me out for BBQ at the town’s finest eatery. I wish I could recall the name, but obviously the food didn’t do enough to merit a remembrance. Nonetheless, my entrance was like all entrances in a small town. You have the fat guy in the corner with his buddies, who make it so painfully obvious that they’re staring. Keep in mind that I’ve got longer hair than a lot of women, so for that simple fact, I guess I deserve a stare, in a small town, even more so. I always enjoy the looks, as if I’m somewhat of a show or display of grandeur. What makes it funnier is that I’m one of them. I just happened to get out. Don’t get me wrong, living in a small town isn’t bad at all. There’s a lot to be sad about the simpleness and quiet ways of living that a small town affords, but I do think there is something wrong with being small-minded. The two go hand-in-hand far more often than not.

After Bubba got through staring and post-BBQ-induced coma, Will and I headed to the community center for a sound check. I knew there was an opening band, but I didn’t know we were playing during intermission. To make matters worse, I actually was due back in Dallas to play at Cornerstone. Ordinarily this wouldn’t be so bad, but the band was to start at 9, and intermission wasn’t due until 10:30. We had a 40 minute set, and then I had a 5-hour drive back to Dallas.

When we arrived, there was no grand entrance, or welcoming party, just the guitar player on the stage who was too important to recognize our presence. I’m not oblivious, so I took the hint and waited until it was out turn to sound check. A quick run-through and we were golden. The singer of the band was definitely very down-to-earth and even offered us introductions to his fellow comrades. I happily took them, as I am currently a nobody, and humbly displayed my “unworthiness” to be sharing such a stage, in such a town.

As we went to sit down to await our turn for show time, I did notice a man wearing camouflage. Now from my days in East Texas, I knew camou was important for hunting, but I somehow missed the acceptance of camou as a fashion statement. It must have happened quitely while I wasn’t looking. Nonetheless, I was told that while we were playing, Camou’d man said, “when she plugged that guitar in (obviously talking about me) she got feedback, y’all better turn that down.” Then it made since, since I have long hair, am playing guitar in a small town, and because my guitar created feedback, I must be a girl. I was honored, usually being called a girl is only something I get hear by the waiter at a restaurant, but now it’s spread to the likes of men wearing camo.

It wasn’t long before Will and I got to take the stage. Even though we only had two acoustics, we rocked their faces off. I’ve never had people two-step to my music before, but it was something beautiful. To bring such a force from two acoustics, enough to make people dance, was something amazing. To my disappointment, our set was over too soon. We did receive a few beer raises, hand claps, and yells, so I knew we were officially “accepted.” We exited the stage and passed the band on our way back out. Only this time, the “too-good” guitar player actually stopped and shook my hand. I guess I was worthy of a hand-shaking. Never too good to reply, I accepted and acknowledged his praises. If only he’d had been that nice to begin with, he wouldn’t be in my blog...but what can ya do?

Texas country, camou’d men, and two-steps were a first for me, but I can honestly say that I welcome them all. It was a trip down memory lane, and a chance to get to play. I think I’ll do it again sometime.

Until the next time,
.samuel

Tags: texas country, rednecks, BBQ, long hair, hippy, camouflage