Poor David’s Pub open mic, featuring Bill Hearne

Bill Hearne

Photos and notes by Mary Jane Farmer — for many photos, click on the link at the bottom of this page

Bill Hearne has been around since the mid-70s, walking through and enjoying the heyday of the original Texas music revival, aka, the Progressive Country, Redneck Rock, Outlaw music brought to popularity by Hearne and his wife, Bonnie, and peers that include Jerry Jeff Walker, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Willie Nelson, Guy Clark, Billy Joe Shaver, and the ilk.

The story goes that Bill and Bonnie met at Rod Kennedy’s legendary Chequered Flag in Austin. Rod tells it that Bill was on stage and Bonnie in the audience, when she began singing along and harmonizing to Bill’s song. Bill sought her out the break, and the rest is romantic history. That was in the early 70s. Bonnie’s health no longer allows her to travel, so Bill keeps the songs and all they bring to the public alive with solo and sometimes full band sounds.

If you haven’t heard Bill Hearne before, go to his Website, BillHearne.com and treat yourself!

Well, back to the open mic… Bill Hearne was the featured artist, something that Poor David’s Pub owner David Card and the open mic promoter, Mr. Troll, bring to the show pretty often.

This open mic allows each artist 3 songs before a mic and with a sound system many venues attempt to copy, but somehow it just works better in Poor David’s Pub. Sign-ups begin at 7 p.m., This open mic also is about the singers, most of whom are also songwriters. It is usually the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, somethings, such as Dec.4, which is the 1st Wednesday of December, the open mic is vacated in favor of PDP’s being able to feature a traveling act. On Dec. 4, John Fullbright will be featured, with local Troy Cartwright opening.

This past Wednesday (Nov. 6), saw a baker’s dozen performers on the PDP stage, plus Bill Hearne and  guitarist, Jon Mastin. Those on stage included Alek Veloz, Scott Thornton, Roger Delney, Monk, Tim Spitzer, Megan, Mr. Troll, Baylis Laramore, John Mason, William Hunero, Tony Ramey, Rory Payne, Bryan Adam Joyner, and Mike Schikora. The finale included some other singers and pickers as well. (Sorry if I misspelled some of these — let me know and I’ll fix it.)

Watch Poor David’s Pub Website for a possible new announcement of one more incentive to come to these open miss. And let’s hope Bill Hearne gets back to town in the spring.

For all photos, click here

Category: *- Features, Poor David's Pub