I recently shared a stage for the umpteenth time with San Antone based singer/songwriter Jeremy Parsons. He's got a real Johnny Horton thing going. It's amazing. After we were done he asked me what I thought of his song. I couldn't answer. I was too busy enjoying seeing this young talent revel in the song. I have no clue what songs he sang. He came to life the minute he started singing with a true love for the music in his eyes. The little things.

I awoke for the first time ever in my new home in the Hill Country yesterday and immediately had that horrible, "Where am I?" feeling. I walked out to the garage, sat down in a camping chair amidst a mountain of boxes and furniture, lit a smoke and noticed something. Silence. I realized that I hadn't experienced silence in the last ten years or so. There were no helicopters overhead. No sirens careening up and down the road. No 20's with spinners. Just 39 degrees and silence. The little things.

0545 rolled around and I heard my daughters' alarm clock go off while I sat in the garage reading the news. In true twelve year old fashion she woke up slamming and banging around the house. She was talking to nobody in particular at the top of her lungs and pissed about Lord knows what. I half pray that she stays this age forever, and that she skips to thirty five immediately. But if that crashing and banging wasn't there, I'd be heartbroken. If it weren't for her and all of her, "Well, duh, Daddy" comments, I wouldn't realize that I am single handedly the dumbest Dad in America. I love these times. The little things.

My songs were recently solicited by a publisher. GONNA BE AS BIG AS JIM CROCE!!! Yeah, not. I got shot right the heck down. I was down trodden over the whole thing once I received the response. I was told I was too original. I was told that my folk-ish style wasn't "radio friendly." I really felt like a turd. That's the only way I can say it...."turd." Then my wife said something to me that will forever ring in this one ear that works properly. She said," Too original? Isn't that a perfect 'scope on you? What are you upset about? Get your ass back out there and keep doing it! Isn't that why you started gigging? You be you!" Sometimes Big Things fall shy to the Little Things.

There's meatloaf cooking in the oven right now. I love meatloaf. Ya know the kind without all the veggies? Yeah, that kind. Ya know the point when whatever is being cooked just starts to smell good? That point where the spices just start to fill the house? Yeah....that's our music scene. We haven't even added the garlic salt yet. It's game on. Little things.

I thought about my wife and one of the greatest afternoons she has ever had. I thought about Chuy's with Jenn Ann, Brad, Kristin, Justin, and Andrew. It's Dickey asking me if I had a rough night. It's Dickey smelling the devil's den on me in the lobby of Chuy's and figuring out that I had had a great night. It's Kristin drinking my Bloody Mary because I just couldn't. It's Andrew on my back patio the night before Greenfest and I won't even speak about that. That was the funniest thing I've ever seen. Little....err....things.

Then I found myself right here in this garage. I realized that it is the little things that make this scene go around. Card swaps, ornament swaps, song swaps, you name it.....I'm proud to be a part of the little things.

Scott Matthews is a singer/songwriter and frequent Galleywinter.com contributor from the San Antonio area recently relocated to the serenity of the Hill Country.

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Maybe you got to be there to hear Eric Johnson, Monte Montgomery, James McMurtry, Asleep at the Wheel, or Joe Ely learning their chops. Perhaps you heard Willie, or Jerry Jeff, or Billy Joe, or Steve Earle, or Townes, or Shake and Dana, or Delbert, or Hal Ketchum, or Gatemouth. There have been so many -- and there are so many yet to come. Kent and his crew are still going strong there in San Marcos, and the current crop of regulars at the Wednesday night Songwriters' Circle includes some really talented people that I think you're going to hear a lot about in the future.


Kent has done a lot for songwriters like me over the years, and I'm writing to ask you to help me give something back to Cheatham Street.


I was surprised to find this out, but while Kent has owned the business of Cheatham Street Warehouse, he's never owned the property or the building. For decades, the owners wouldn't sell ... then when an illness forced them to make a quick sale a few years back, the property was almost purchased by someone who wanted to tear down the Warehouse and build a strip mall shopping center. Luckily, Gregg Andrews, of Dr. G and the Mudcats, and his wife Vikki bought the Warehouse property and saved the day! In the meantime, Kent formed the Cheatham Street Music Foundation with the plan to buy the property from Gregg and Vikki as soon as possible. A few years ago, Kent was diagnosed with cancer, and while he's doing fine now, I think that was a real wake-up call. He wants Cheatham Street to not be dependent on him, but to carry on forever, and the Foundation is the perfect way to make that happen.


The Foundation has a website that explains all of their plans for carrying on Kent's legacy of promoting and developing Texas songwriters -- you can check it out at Cheatham Street Foundation.org -- but right now they have a big goal, and this is where I need your help. Gregg's retiring and moving home to Missouri, and he needs to sell the Warehouse property to the Foundation this spring, by June 2009. The Foundation has been raising money for the past couple of years, but it's not enough. They need to raise about $182,000 to buy the property and then another $250,000 or so to make some much-needed and very serious structural repairs, fix the roof, and replace the handicap ramp.


I know that everyone's been affected financially by the state of our economy, and this is a hard time to have to go out and raise money. That's why it's so important that we get the word out about Cheatham Street and round up support from as many people as possible.


If you can join me and make a donation to the Cheatham Street Music Foundation, please click here today!

You can also send your gift to Cheatham Street Music Foundation, 119 Cheatham Street, San Marcos, TX 78666. No amount is too small! It all makes a difference. And whether you can help with a financial gift or not, please help me spread the word by forwarding this to everyone you know who loves Texas music and values the art of songwriting.


Thanks for supporting Cheatham Street Warehouse for the past 30 years! Let's keep it going for many more years to come.

Angie McClure is a singer/songwriter who has paid her share of dues at the altar of Cheatham Street Warehouse. She's also tended bar and help run sound. Basically, you name it and she's done it at CSW. She is part of the late 90's/early 00's Cheatham family of songwriters that includes Randy Rogers, Ryan Turner, Mark Sanders, Brandon Wayne Jones, Micah Harris and HalleyAnna Finlay among others.

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This scene is genuine at all levels, and it starts with the fans. DJ, better known to most of you as San Diego on the message boards has jumped to help however she could each time we’ve had an event. And with her generous help, we’ve always been able to secure the best Pat Green raffle and auction items. From rare George’s Bar autographed schwag to t-shirts from the latest tour, she’s on top of it. Wendy, who many of you know as Bleu’s Mama, has been the first to donate the musical services of her son and limited autographed prints of various cool things like a Purifoy print circa 2004 of Bleu and Stoney acoustic. Andrew, who when not competing to be on “Daisy of Love”, has driven many miles out of his way and picked up auction items across Texas to deliver them to the right place is indicative of the dedication fans of this scene and the members of this website have. The folks over at RadioFreeTexas undertook a huge benefit day just recently planning multiple benefits with tons of artists at tons of venues across the state. Find me another media outlet willing to step up to the plate like that. It certainly won’t happen on your favorite terrestrial radio station now that the geniuses at the Wolf parted ways with Justin Frazzell.

These acts of paying it forward (or is it back?) would be impossible without the music to draw folks in. Again, each time I’ve been a part of one of these events I’m amazed at the selflessness of the many artists that participate. These events are most always held on Sunday, the typical day off for musicians as they drive home to see the family they neglect all too often to chase the dream they love. Yet, here several of them are each time for no pay or recognition just to help out some people who need help. I’ve seen the Modern Day Drifters arrive at benefit venues many hours before the actual “show” starts to load their PA in and sound check it for everyone to use. Then, run sound for all the artists all day. I’ve seen Drew Kennedy play benefits for different events in Dallas, San Antonio, New Braunfels, Waco and Austin. Jason Eady and Owen Temple have been the first people to say yes no matter the place, the cause or time. They’ve always said just tell me when to be there. Randy Rogers, Wade Bowen, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Aaron Watson and Cory Morrow always send more schwag than we can raffle or auction off in three benefits. Everyone pitches in.

My point is that we should all be thankful to be part of such a sincere movement. This website grew out of a common love for music and has turned into a giant, dysfunctional family that mirrors the growth of the scene at large. We are all part of something that is larger than ourselves and serves a purpose.

This scene and website has plenty of flaws, but those are far outweighed by the coolest aspects it possesses. Our little music scene has played a gracious role in my life in many ways and has made me truly thankful for the following things:

-Randy Rogers Band for a tremendous list of things from me meeting my wife at the Billy Bob’s recording, to including me on the rollercoaster ride to the top, to the youthful enthusiasm you take on the stage each night.
-My aforementioned wife Kristin for putting up with this crazy life.
-The lifelong friends I’ve made along the way. Be it Tank, Nee Nee, or the many musicians who’s paths I’ve crossed due to this website and my love of music. I appreciate you. If I need prayers, advice or a good laugh I have a lengthy inventory of friends that can help me accomplish whatever is needed.
-JP for bringing me into this madness.
-Wade Bowen for being so sincere and dedicated that he continually inspires me to be a better man.
-Drew Kennedy for his sense of humor and humanity. He never fails to make me laugh or think. A true friend. And, hearing “Can’t Slow Down” for the thousandth time is as cool as it was the first.
-Pat Green for opening my ears and mind to a whole world I didn’t know existed. He inspired me to pick up a guitar…and JP to start a website. What more needs to be said?
-Cory Morrow for “Just Along for the Ride”
-Josh Grider for understanding and always lending an ear. And for marching to the beat of your own drummer…literally.
-Jack Ingram for showing me that intensity doesn’t have to solely exist at a rock show.
-Peter Dawson for being man enough to walk away without regret.
-Kristen Kelly for her passion and drive. The innocent stars in her eyes make me want to work harder. She’s been through more in her 27 years than most people experience in a lifetime and is stronger because of it.
-Larry Joe Taylor and John Dickson for giving us all heaven on earth for a respective week each April and January.
-Jason Boland for that voice, that songwriting and that perseverance. Hang in there bro.
-Justin Frazzell for treating me like family from the first time we communicated and exposing so many folks to our favorite artists.
-Michael and Clair Devers for giving me a literary outlet and the artists an outlet to get their tunes to the fans.
-Robert Earl Keen for Live No. 2 Diner and the blueprint.
-Chris Knight for “It Ain’t Easy Being Me”. The unofficial most covered song in this scene.
-Shayne Hollinger for expanding my musical mind and saving me from tornadoes.
-Jason Eady for his kindness and talent.
-Rusty Wier for his timeless and cosmic optimism in the face of adversity.
-Brandon Wayne Jones for always challenging me and making me think of that other side of the coin I sometimes forget.
-People like Lori and Meg who believed so much in what’s going on around here that they picked up their lives and moved to Texas to be a part of it. That freedom is truly inspiring.
-To all the folks I didn’t list…and to those who fill venues and buy albums…you keep us all going!

This is only a partial list as I could fill up page after page. I’d love to know what you are thankful for in regard to this music we all love. Hit up the comments and let me know.


MINOR CHORDS:

-I heard Pat Green’s “Trailer Park Tune” on a IPod mix the other day and thought to myself it’s been too long since I’ve seen PG play live. I’m looking forward to going to a show. I’ve wanted to go to another PG show since Tank’s “West Texas Holiday” experience at WhiteWater this summer. And, I need to add Jack Ingram to that list too. Jack was always my favorite live performer, but I haven’t seen in him since he deservedly hit the big time. It’s time to go back to church.

-We took a stand on the political hot-topic threads in General Discussion a little too late. But, as Tank said better late than never. As I’ve said before, please remember this is a music site first and foremost. When it gets to the point that politics can’t be debated without turning into children…it’s time to pull the plug on that debate…or change the channel. So, please take the venom to a political site as we’re still attempting to take Texas to the masses.

-Our new “Off the Cuff” feature is getting a great response. We hope to keep it updated every 10 days or so, and have a ton of cool people lined up and ready to contribute. Look for updates from Wade Bowen, Brandon Rhyder, Scott Matthews and many more. Maybe I can get

-This has been one of the craziest football seasons I can remember…but don’t we say that at some point every year?

-AC/DC sold over 700,000 copies of Black Ice in the first week of release. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Generation after generation will keep rediscovering great, straightforward rock n’ roll. Oblique offshoots like emo and screamo will never catch on with the mainstream. But three-chord, three minute stomps full of sex and booze innuendos will never completely go out of style. And, by the way I’m looking forward to seeing the AC/DC tour in January…and Black Ice rocks.

-If Chinese Democracy is any good, I'll be surprised.


-Dressing up as Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson for our Halloween costume contest might just be the smartest ideas I’ve ever had. Clever and comfortable all at once.

-Is it sacrilegious that I like Def Squad’s 1997 cover of “Rapper’s Delight” more than the o.g. Sugar Hill gang version?

-Twitter is frighteningly overtaking the life of everyone I know. I hope none of you have stalkers!

-Check out Mike Farris…he’s amazing.

-This month’s recommended film: Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Combine the genius of Kevin Smith’s best work, with the zeitgeist capturing Seth Rogen, and the hotness that is Elizabeth Banks and you have a surefire winner.

-This month’s recommended album: Brandon Jenkins-Faster Than a Stone. Long an underrated member of the Texas/Red Dirt scene, this is Jenkins’ finest work. A collection of gritty and creative tunes cradled by Jenkins’ unique voice. Punchy production work in all the right places make this a must have if you’re searching for something with all the hallmarks of Red Dirt’s best with some fresh touches.

-“Of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the most.”-Mark Twain

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I recalled having a few more hands to assist and quite a bit more day light for tent assembly (Rowdy Float Trip) or having a tent set up when we arrived (LJTs) don't get me wrong - I'm not complaining - just making the observation that a 10-12 man tent doesn't go up quite as easily when you have 1 person setting it up. None the less I got the tent up and began blowing up the air mattresses. After dealing with the tent for what seemed like hours, the guys are here and they begin setting up the PA. I help set up our equipment and we do what we love - play music. A few hours later it's time to eat some amazing hot links, sausage, etc. ... all the great camping food that just doesn't taste the same in a different setting. We hung out by the camp fire playing catch phrase and telling the usual dirty joke ?!?!

The night goes on and it's steadily getting colder - don't get me wrong I like the colder temps but I was beginning to think I came unprepared. Just as we're settling in to attempt getting some shut eye ... we have a spot light directed right at our tent from our wonderful neighbors (the spot light came in handy as I ran out of daylight setting up the tent - but it's not so handy when it's almost 4 am and I WANT DARKNESS!!!) So, I sneak up to their camp and am feeling a bit rebellious. So, I quickly un-plug the spot light and scurry back to tent, and I layer as much clothing on as possible I recall Larry Joe Taylor festival ... we had played the Mandatory FM stage and again stayed up extremely late drinking/eating crawfish from an oversize ice chest until some drunk slobbered all in it. Somewhere around 4 am we decide to call it a night. As we were attempting to get some quality shut eye, we didn't have any spot lights to deal with but we did have rowdy drunks (like rowdy float trip- maybe that's why they call it rowdy float trip?!) and EXTREME COLD. We layered on as much clothing this night as well ... but somewhere through the night I tacoed up in the blanket leaving my fellow tent mates without ... ooops. After just a few hours ... the alarm clock sounded right on time (wait ... we're camping ... who brought the frickin alarm clock???) A CAR ALARM!!!!!!... NOT ONLY WAS IT A CAR ALARM BUT IT FELT AND SOUNDED AS THOUGH IT WERE RIGHT OUTSIDE OUR TENT!

Back to the camping trip at hand ... with the spot light out and layers of clothing/blankets I thought to myself ... I'm actually warm ... off to sleep ........... again the alarm clock sounded right on time (wait ... we're camping ... who brought the frickin alarm clock???) ANOTHER CAR ALARM 6 AM .... I pop up out of bed "really?.... REALLY?" what felt like a few hours later - the car alarm stopped "THANK YOU" ..... what is that ....a BUGLE HORN?? .... "OK, I'M UP" .... as I am gathering my consciousness and my shoes to make a port-o-potty run .... "I know that voice ... what's he doing up that early and I didn't know he was gonna be here?" .... as I'm stumbling through camp one eye open adjusting to the cool air and bright sunshine, "wait ... that's our neighbors stereo…" - whatever it was sounded like we were at a LIVE KEVIN FOWLER CONCERT!!! All I can do at this point is laugh it off ... find the port-o-potty, pray someone made coffee and enjoy the music.

After coffee, breakfast and toothpaste we take down the tent and hang out for a while. Note to self ... book as many bar-b-que cook-offs as possible ... the cooks were constantly askin’.... "how does this taste?" (ribs, fajita's, steak, pico... you don't have to ask me twice!) it's now about 3pm and I thought I had a 2hr+ drive ahead so I said my goodbye's and hit the road. I made it to college station in an hour. I had made arrangements to shower at a friend’s house but my friend wasn't home yet, so I started looking for a truck stop so I could take a shower. Where's a Flyin J or Williams Travel Center when you need one? ... As my luck would have it ... there are ZERO truck stops in college station (if there are any ... I couldn't find them and neither could my Garmin) .... ahhhh - I love that sound (1 new text msg) my friend is home and I can shower there. I get showered and it's off to grab a bite to eat before load in. I ate Chili's and it was everything I thought it was going to be!! off to load in - the venue was bigger than it looks on the outside. We set up - got to do what we love and it was another great night.

Maybe I’ll run into you during my next adventure!

Kristen Kelly is part of one of the hottest up and coming bands, the Modern Day Drifters. Be sure to check them out if you get a chance!

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I also probably drooled a lot, ate a strange variety of processed foods in
paste form, and could not yet speak or comprehend those speaking to me.
Needless to say, I have no memory of this fantastic achievement by my team.

I do remember Mitch Williams giving up a home run to Joe Carter and the
Blue Jays to end the 1993 World Series, but I refuse to allow myself to
access that memory for further comment.

Yesterday, the Phils punched their ticked and are headed back to the World
Series.

What is this doing on Galleywinter? What does this have to do with music?
It has nothing to do with Galleywinter. As a matter of fact, it also has
nothing to do with music.

I'm a musician. A writer, a player, a tourer, a recorder, a merchandiser,
a tour manager, a van driver, and a gear hauler.

I'm also a fan.

I'm a fan of a lot of things. I love music. I love sports. I love books. I
love fall in the northeast. I love it when the sky is blackened with the
approach of a rocking thunderstorm, yet the sun still shines in front of
the storm, setting the landscape off like a permanent orange flash bulb. I
love pizza. I love vintage cowboy boots. I love knowing when to stop
rambling.

So, again, what does this have to do with anything relevant on this website?
Loving a team is like loving a band, or a book, or a director. Any time
you meet someone that loves the same thing that you do, an instant bond is
born. You don't have to know their last name, or their shoe size... you
just know that, because they hold something in the same high regard that
you do, you're starting ahead of the friendship time curve. Head starts
are good.

I love the Phillies because my grandfather was the team bus driver for
years. Taking them to the train station or the airport. Picking up the
opposing teams to take them to the Baker Bowl or to the Vet.

Maybe you love baseball. Maybe you love to hate baseball. That's all fine
with me.

But if there's one thing I know, it's that all of you love music. That's
what brought you here.

So, if you love the Phillies, or you love the Rays or Red Sox, talk to me.
Shoot me a message. I'd love to chat baseball with you. Why? I'm a fan,
that's why.

Isn't that what you guys do on here every day? Talk about your love of
music? Occasionally (although not too occasionally, judging by the number
of conversations in the thread named after me) even talking about me?

You talk about a lot of musicians on here. You know what? All of them are
fans of something or someone. Being a fan is human. It's what links us all
together.

Get back to talking. Especially about music.
And baseball if you'd like.

I can't believe I just came up with all of that. I really only wanted to
have Brad post this on here to let me gush about the Phillies.

Fans!!

Drew Kennedy kicks off one of our new features here on Galleywinter called "Off the Cuff", where artists and other people in the Texas/Red Dirt scene will blog about whatever inspires them at that given moment. Keep your eyes on the homepage for updates from a variety of people. Drew will be just one of our regular contributors...enjoy!

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