Jerry Max Lane honored by his peers

| May 20, 2014
Jerry Max Lane

Jerry Max Lane

Oh, my — I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone! For lots of photos, click on the link at the end.

The location was perfect, Longhorn Saloon in Fort Worth’s historic Stockyards; the staff was incredible, including Steve-O on maintenance and Kirstin on wait staff. The 8-hour line-up was jammed packed with classic country musicians at all level of stardom. But the star of the day was Jerry Max Lane.

Lane had the house band in the 60s and beyond at the now-passed-into-obliviion Rustlers Rest, one of those traditional country dancehalls that venue owners try to replicate in today’s times. He then became the leader of the Billy Bob’s Texas house band. Plus he has penned several songs that hit the national charts.

No question, Jerry Max Lane has left his mark on classic country music, and on the lives of all his faithful fans.

The fundraiser, Sunday, May 18, for Jerry Max Lane was being held to help him and the family with medical and other expenses incurred because of his Parkinson Disease. But also as a tribute day, with so many people wanting to honor the man who honored country music with his talent and style for decades.

Sunday was a day for chil-laxing (the greatest new word coined since Shakespeare made up ‘newfangled’.)

Dr. Tonkytonk band opened and soon country icon Janie Fricke joined them on the world-famous Longhorn stage, singing, among other of her hits, “I Need Someone To Hold Me When I Cry.” The band offered a good selection of waltzes and two-steps, and even as early in the afternoon as it was, the dance floor came alive.

Jerry Max and his family, including wife Jeannie Max and a granddaughter, arrived and took the spotlight as his fans each wanted a minute or two with him. Jeannie was great to take him from table to table, where Jerry Max let people take photos of and with him. His energy never waned, he kept this up all day and way into the evening.

Playing up next with The Randy Brown Show, and the fiddlin’ great Kelly Spinks sat in with Randy and the band. Following them were Curtis Potter and Leon Rausch, both backed by the band made up of Steve Stewart, Ron Stafford, Hank Singer, Bubba Stephens, and Jim Fincher.

Leon Rausch

Leon Rausch

Slight break time for a live auction, which raised another several thousands dollars for the cause.

Lots of fun items in the auction: Janie Fricke’s old straw hat she wore on HeeHaw (“And what was I thinking?”) she laughed. Autographed picture and new straw hat from George Strait; photo of Willie Nelson and Jerry Max on the night that Willie opened for Jerry Max in Fort Worth; several posters from days gone by, exquisitely framed; guitars signed by Willie Nelson and Johnny Bush, among others; and so forth.

Then, Steve Stewart and his band got back up for their own set, with guests bringing great harmonies to the world-famous stage.

Tommy Alverson and his band closed the night down. He introduced his “Maybe It’s Mexico” by saying that he does get tired of singing some of his songs over and over again, but never that song, written especially for him by Lane.

Alverson, well actually, almost every group on stage, played “This Ain’t No Beer Joint, (It’s a tear joint),” one of the better-known Jerry Max songs. And every one who sang presented it a bit differently.

Randy Brown’s smile never has been bigger than when Janie Fricke got back up on stage and sang a duet with him. “I’ve been wondering how I could make this happen since I got here today,” he confessed as he saw Janie walk up to the mic.

Carl Vaughn also sat in with Randy Brown Show. This now-Whitesboro Texan sang the very first song that, he said, Jerry Max wrote, “Hardest Easy Thing I’ve Ever Tried.”

The first words out of Texas Playboy Leon Rausch said, as he pointed to a smiling Jerry Max Lane, were “God bless you, God bless you Jerry Max. You are my friend.” And then he broke out into some of the best of the best Texas swing songs, with a great backup band making it all as if it were something they do together every week. Amazing vocalist still, especially one might say, for an octogenarian, which Rausch is.

 

Janie Fricke

Janie Fricke

Curtis Potter sang the classics, “I Didn’t Kow God Made Honky Tonk Angels” and songs of Ray Price & The Cherokee Cowboys.

Of note to today’s dancers who try to get out on the floor in flip-flops, then spend half their dance time trying to keep those sandals attached to their feet — There were only two pair of flip-flops seen all day long. Likewise, one has never seen so many cowboy hats and boots since their most recent trip to the Texas Hill Country.

My friend” was probably, most possibly, absolutely was the most used phrase of the night, after musician after musician thanked Jerry Max Lane for his decades of dedication to the music world.

And, frankly, if you want a night of greatness in honky tonk music and dancing, hit the Longhorn Saloon.

For way-lots of photos, click here

 

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In the music production business, including event production, booking, photography, reporting, and other such essentials, since 1980.

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