Author Archives: Mary Jane Farmer

About Mary Jane Farmer

In the music production business, including event production, booking, photography, reporting, volunteering, and other such essentials, since 1974.

Texas’ Blake Burrow’s New Song Available for Download

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Press Release from Jeremy Westby, 2911 Media

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Native Texas singer-songwriter Blake Burrow returns with a beautifully crafted mid-tempo ballad, “Don’t Blame It On The Bar,” perfect for the honky tonk dance floor. Burrow bemoans the barfly’s life and recent lost love, but insists that the hearer shouldn’t ‘blame it on the bar.’

  • Don’t blame it on the one serving up the drinks
  • Don’t get it twisted because they mixed it
  • That Coke with some Tennessee whiskey
  • Blame it on my pride, my stubborn mind, my broken heart
  • But don’t blame it on the bar

“I’m excited to release ‘Don’t Blame It On The Bar’ as my first single off the upcoming record,” Burrow shares. “My buddy Joey Green and I created the song based on true events at a Nashville bar. We went home and turned around and wrote it the next day. The vibe and meaning of the song can hit audiences all over the world. It is one of those songs everyone can sing along with when it hits the chorus. It’s a catchy tune.”

Blake penned the song with co-writers Joey Green, Grayson Green, and Brady Irby. The song was recorded at East Iris Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, and produced by Dan Frizell (Highwaymen, Lee Brice, Craig Morgan, Chris Janson, David Ball and many others) Musicians on the recording include A-list Music Row studio stalwarts Miles McPherson (Drums), Mark Hill (Bass), John Willis (Acoustic), Rob McNelly (Electric Guitar), David Dorn (Keyboards), and Mike Johnson (Steel Guitar). Lead vocals: Blake Burrow. Backing vocals: Joey Green.

“Don’t Blame It On The Bar” was premiered on Friday, September 29, by The Hollywood Times and is available to stream/download HERE.

Blake Burrow is a talented country singer from the small Panhandle Texas town of Tulia, Born and raised in Texas, Blake’s love for music started at a young age and grew with him as he got older. While pursuing his education at Wayland Baptist University, he discovered his passion for playing the guitar.

After moving to Texas Tech, Blake started writing music and performing at various venues in the area. He played his first show at The Blue Light Live in Lubbock and quickly gained a regional following. In 2016, Blake recorded his first album, “Cotton on Concrete,” which showcased his unique sound and songwriting ability.

Since then, Blake has made a name for himself in the greater Texas country music scene. He has opened for well-known artists including Reckless Kelly, Stoney LaRue, Mike Ryan, and Dennis Quaid. Burrow has also had the honor of performing the national anthem at the Red Bull Cliff Diving event.

Blake’s music reflects his strong Texas roots, blending traditional country and rock influences. His lyrics are honest and heartfelt, often drawing from personal experiences and the world around him. Burrow released his latest single, “Don’t Blame It On The Bar,” on September 29, 2023. His upcoming album, ‘Faded,‘ is set to be released in the fall of 2023. He is sure to continue making a name for himself in the country music community.

National Night Out -Tuesday, October 3 – UPDATED 10/1

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Story and photos (from past years) by Mary Jane Farmer,  for the Van Alstyne News

In this, the 40th anniversary year of the establishment of National Night Out, Van Alstyne Police are hosting its yearly community gathering from 6-8 p.m. this Tuesday, Oct. 3. The full event will be held at the Central Social District park downtown. Van Alstyne Fire Department also will be out, as those first-responders work often with the police officers, helping with Van Alstyne residents’ and visitors’ safety and well-being.

Two then-new members of the police and fire departments learned quite a bit about dancing from this young lady and others who joined her. – Pre-2020 NNO

City Event Planner Kandi Hessell invites everyone to get involved. “Bring your family and friends out to the Central Social District Park for a night of free fun.”
In addition to meeting all the peace officers and first responders, there will be free train rides, bounce houses, face painting, hot dogs, and other fun activities. “A Care Flight helicopter will be on site, along with the city’s police cars driven around to protect and serve our wonderful community,” Hessell said. Also on hand will be many of the city’s ambulances and fire trucks. Big Dave with Mad Rock 102.5 radio station, who will also be broadcasting live. “Giveaways and fun for the whole family – you won’t want to miss this event!” Kessell added.
Another media said there will be a tug-of-war between police and fire officers, but that is not confirmed. NOW CONFIRMED:  This tug-of-war will be at 7 p.m., inside the park.
It will be, at the least, Van Alstyne’s 24th year of involvement. Police Chief Tim Barnes said it was Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 David Hawley, then a high-ranking deputy with the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, who organized NNO in this

A Van Alstyne policeman drove the traditional train filled with children through the night – About 2017

county.
National Night Out is parented by the National Association of Town Watch, organized in 1984. All cities, including Texas’ towns then, across the United States celebrated NNO on the first Tuesday of August.
For the law enforcement agencies in Grayson County and all of Texas, August was, and still is, an extremely hot time, and thus the NATW designated that Texas’ NNOs be held the first Tuesday in October. Van Alstyne PD switched over that first year, and it remains on the first Tuesday every October.
“NNO enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement in a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances” – National Night Out Click Here for its Website

The kids are allowed nowadays to get into patrol cars now as they were in years past.

Police Chief Tim Barnes said, “It’s (NNO) just been a long tradition with our community. It’s a great event that brings the community and the department(s) together and at no (taxpayer) expense.”

Construction to Begin on New City Park

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Story by Mary Jane Farmer for the Van Alstyne News. Photos by Paige Boatman

 

The City of Van Alstyne will soon have a sixth city park for its residents and visitors to use for their enjoyment.Monday (September 25), city and business leaders were joined by residents to break the ground for the Eula Umphress-Robert Hynds Park, to be built between Dallas Avenue and Kelly Lane on the east side of U.S. Highway 75.
City Manager Lane Jones, Mayor ProTem Lee Thomas, and Parks & Recreation Director Tyler Bank all addressed the crowd, after which they and seven others picked up shovels and ceremoniously began moving dirt.
According to Jones, the Umphress/Hynds Park construction contract has been awarded. It was Piazza Construction LTD of Denison who received the award. Construction will begin on the 24-acre green-space park in October. The targeted completion date is late Spring of 2024. The park will include, Jones added, a fishing pond and fishing piers, walking trail, pergola, and playground, two parking lots. There will also be a large open space for individual or group activities.
The other city parks include North Park, Wilson-McKinney Park, Dorothy Fielder Park, Forrest Moore Park, and the most recently added Central Social District Park, which has been in use for two years.

Mayor ProTem Lee Thomas was one of several who addressed the crowd at Monday’s park groundbreaking.

Van Alstyne Police Chief Tim Barnes and Fire Chief Ryan Dockery were among the many city leaders at Monday’s groundbreaking.

TxDOT Seeks Input on US 82 Texas Corridor Study

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Highway spans all of Texas from Arkansas to New Mexico

US 82 Corridor map

Press Release from Texas Department of Transportation, Sept. 13, 2023

PARIS, Texas – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is working to shape the future for one of the most important highways in the Paris area (Grayson County is in this Paris, Texas area), and public input is crucial as the agency looks to meet the transportation needs of tomorrow.
TxDOT is conducting an online survey between Sept. 11 – Oct. 18, asking the public for its input and perspective on US Highway 82, which stretches across Texas for more than 570 miles from Arkansas to New Mexico.
The survey, part of TxDOT’s US 82 Texas Corridor Study, will give the public an important voice in shaping the future of US 82 and the many communities it serves. The corridor study is looking for ways to keep up with the state’s growing population, increasing traffic and booming economy.
The study examines currently planned transportation projects and analyzes additional safety, connectivity, bottlenecks, and other mobility needs along US 82 in Texas. The results of the survey will help TxDOT identify potential improvement needs and prioritize plans, policies, programs, and projects.
The study will consider the following key elements to identify and prioritize proposed projects along the corridor:
• Safety
• Mobility & Congestion
• System Connectivity
• Multimodal Passenger & Freight

Click here to find out more about the US 82 Texas Corridor Study and to take the survey.

The survey is also available in Spanish.

Dana Hubbard Coming to Harmony House

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Dana Hubbard

Press Release

Coming on Sunday, September 24th, 5-7 pm
D A N A . H U B B A R D !!!
What Dana does with the guitar, using only his hands is amazing to watch and a joy to listen to. You hear the bass and the backbeat rhythm along with the melody and chords. If you look around for his backup guitar, you won’t find one.
Dana Hubbard combines the socially conscious singer/songwriter with the master acoustic blues guitarist, awing people with guitar skills that defy the ear and eye. On his third CD, “The Grounds Keepers,” each track is a single guitar performance with no overdubs, no re-takes. What you hear is a singer/songwriter front and center, addressing issues of environmentalism and social injustice in a voice that sometimes growls, sometimes lilts or laughs, but he’s always got a little twinkle in his eye. He has a social activist soul with a bluesman’s grin. The list of folks he’s opened for and shared the bill with span the spectrum from blues to folk to bluegrass: Buddy Guy, Chris Isaak, Jesse Winchester, Sam Bush, David Wilcox, Greg Allman, Etta James, Little Feat, Robert Cray, Albert King, Charlie Musselwhite, Joe Ely, John Hammond, David Lindley. To hear/see videos of Dana’s work, visit his website, www.danahubbard.com. To hear selections from his newest CD, “Crazy Contradiction”, come to the concert!
Comments about Dana froma  previous house concert host:
“His interaction with the audience was so present, so involving. His songs and songwriting were varied in style and held the interest of the audience throughout the performance. And so many of our guests commented that they were completely mesmerized by watching his playing skills.”
“Members of our audience said, ‘Best show yet!’ Dana definitely knows that his business is to entertain. His show was a two-way conversation. Our audience sang along, shouted, hollered, made suggestions, stomped, rocked, and came away wanting more!”
Call 903-583-2661 for reservations. [Seating is limited, so no shows are a no-no; please call in advance to cancel.]
Concert is $25 per person donation – cash or check payable to Dana Hubbard at the reservation table.
• Enjoy coffee, tea, punch, and cheeses at intermission ($1 suggested donation).
• Guests are requested to bring a finger food to share.
• All artists have been fully vaccinated and boosted. If you choose to wear a mask, please do so — we’ll even provide one for you, if need be.
as (65 mi. NE of Dallas) near Ravenna. Ask for directions when you call for your reservation