Dear Editor:

Boy howdy, if The Times wasn’t at this past Saturday night’s Bluegrass and “Roots Music” concert, you all missed the musical story of the year! The roof came off the barn with some of the best Bluegrass and Western Swing pick’n this old fan of both has heard. And I’ll bet the 300 or so folks who attended agree…the spirit of Bill Monroe and Bob Wills stood side-by-side on stage last Saturday night. It was a musical match made in heaven.

The hosting band was Hard To Make A Living, with appearances by The Seiker Band group and Eddie Collins and Friends. You may recall that HTML was in town a few weeks ago and played to a standing ovation. Individual performances were turned in by Steve Zimmet and his teenaged son, Max, who can stand on stage with the best guitar and mandolin pickers ‘round Texas. He’s a young man with a very big musical future. A great “family” performance was also delivered by Sarah Jarosz and her mom, Mary. Sarah charmed the crowd as only a lovely twelve year old girl can. Accompanied by her mom (notice moms are always known as just…Mom), Sarah picked mandolin and sang with a voice that was far bigger than her tiny size. She’s a young lady that will be knocking fans off their feet for a long time to come. Last, but by no means least, Fritz Morquecho was a very special guest and played throughout the evening, really helping put the show over the top. In all, more than a dozen terrific pickers and singers graced the stage. With all joining for a final “jam”, filling the late night air with a joyful sound that shook the timbers ‘round the old Pioneers Museum.

Betty and I, as well as a lot of other folks, want to thank The Gillespie County Historical Society and its financial supporters for bringing great family music to the Hill Country in a family friendly venue. They’ve given my wife and I an evening we will remember for years.

D. West