Worth the Risk?

Last weekend, I took a trip down into the beautiful Texas Hill Country to attend an outdoor music festival. I’m sure you’ve heard of Luckenbach, Texas (if nothing else in the song from Willie and Waylon.) But, if not, I’ll give you a very brief background.

The town was founded and named in the late 1800s by German farmers. It consisted of a general store, post office and saloon. In 1971, a visionary named Hondo Crouch, purchased the town. From all accounts, Hondo was quite a character. He was a poet, musician, artist, and as his business cards read, an imagineer. In 1973, Jerry Jeff Walker (Texas singer/songwriter) recorded a live progressive album, “Viva Terlingua,” in Luckenbach and from there, the tiny town began to attract artists and musicians from all over Texas and beyond.

So, it was at the tiny eclectic town of Luckenbach that Texas music fans gathered under the shade trees to hear live music that we’d been missing since COVID-19 shut down the music world.

Photo courtesy of Christie Kelley

It was hot. No, it was sweltering Texas hot, but no one cared.

Hondo Crouch wearing a mask.
The entrance to the famed Luckenbach Dancehall
Trying to stay cool in a shade
One of the many free-roaming fowl

The music started at noon on Friday and ended around midnight. Then, there was the traditional picker’s circle where songwriters kept the music going until around 4 am. I’ll admit I didn’t make it past 1 am. 🙂

Just a few of the music artists. The little girl, June, was sitting on stage watching her mom and dad, The Hamiltons, perform.

And there was even a wedding on Saturday morning.

Radio Disc Jockey, Jim Nash, ties the knot.

Jamie Richards closed out the show on Saturday night and other music artists joined him on stage for some fun!

And the big man himself, Thomas Michael Riley, who is the organizer of the festival, has a heart as big as he is! He has some awesome music and one of my favorites is “Get Back Up and Ride.” It’s a life lesson!

Me and Thomas Michael Riley

So, back to my original question, “Was it worth the risk?” I can easily answer that in one word! YES!

My heart was so full when I left there. Music sustains me and there is nothing that replaces the interaction between an music artist and an audience. It’s a special exchange of energies and for me is essential to living.

I hope you enjoyed this pictorial account!

Photos courtesy of Tara Bone Photography!

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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