Josh Abbott Band by Houston

Photos by Mary Jane Farmer, some as marked by Houston Hall — Click on links for individual bands’ pix.

Friday was awesome. Got to listen to an old buddy from the Kerrville Festivals days, Chuck Pyle, whose song about the 1976 flood through Estes Park, “Here Comes The Water.” In case you haven’t heard it (nobody ever recorded it and took it to the Billboard charts, like they did on his “Other Side Of The Hill” and “Jaded Lover.”) here’s a link to an earlier video of that incredible song that brings me to tears every time I heard it. (Aside: I had camped in Estes Park, in that very area, three days before the flood, so you can imagine my gratitude.)

Link to “Hear Comes The Water” video 

Link to a couple of Chuck Pyle photos

Security staff went on full alert underneath the  Allsops acoustic stage, which is set up as a listening stage rather than designed for moshing. Two bands, Dolly Shine and The Damn Quails brought enthusiastic crowds with them, after their fans behaved accordingly. Of course, Deryl Dodd’s fans are always accommodating, too. Also on stage that was were the Calamity Janes, who won the 106.9 singer/songwriter contest, and Michael Hearne, always a class act.

For photos of the Calamity Janes, click here

For Deryl Dodd and band photos, click here

And this is the way many photographers feel at the end of a 16-hour day of great music!

Dolly Shine and The Damn Quails. Their photos are combined here. You tag ’em and tell me who is in which band. (Both are new bands to me, so got them all mixed up.)

As I’ve said before, sometimes I have a hard time walking, and so didn’t go in front of every band Friday night. Missed out on Sam Riggs & the Night People, William Clark Green, and Josh Abbott band. Houston Hall sent me this pic of the JAB. Thanks, Houston.

But, here’s those I got!

Charla Corn Band

Roger Creager Band

Curtis Grimes, loving the ones who love him

For many pix, click on the specific links throughout.

Everything really kicked into full-time mode Wednesday, and stayed that way until the last set on Saturday night.

It all began with Bloody Mary Morning in T-Birds Garage Pub, which was moved into its larger room with raised stage, a boom to viewers and performers alike. Thom Shepherd and Coley McCabe are the perfect duo to host this daily event, bringing energy, charm, humor, and enthusiasm to each show, always now with their third team member, Mario, on the sound board and merch tables.

Then, Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines shared hosting honors on the Allsops Acoustic Stage, starting around noon. Lloyd, the ultimate steel and guitar picker, sat in with several this day and every day afterward.

Dalton Domino opened the day, having claimed his spot by winning the LJT songwriting contest earlier in the month. Lloyd loved mentioning that Dalton, as well as Joe Ely later on, are also Lubbock natives. Wonder why? 🙂

It was a greatest-hits hour for Nashville songwriter (look up his list of credits — lots of them) Richard Leigh. And then everyone’s favorite Walt Wilkins & The Mystiqueros  musically charmed their way through their set, and Joe Ely followed. Joe brought accordionist from Austin, Joel Guzman, with him. In all, great afternoon out of the sun.

For photos of the Allsops Acoustic Stage, click here.

Cody Johnson

Curtis Grimes opened the main stage. This singer/songwriter is one who will probably be closing the stage in a few years, he’s that good! And he brought a band that perfectly complimented his style. Grimes recently released “Our Side Of The Fence,” and the crowd seemed to already know each song on the new CD project. He played with the fans, personally talking with them at the 5-foot fence separate them from the stage.

For Curtis Grimes photos, click here

Uncle Lucius followed. This Americana band has taken America by storm.

For Uncle Lucius photos, Click here

And if you can’t tell by the number of pictures I took, the Cody Johnson Band was my favorite of the night. Like Richard Leigh before them, these guys dressed like professionals, as well as played and entertained as professionals. Cody is one Texas musician who is keeping the country in country music. Said that is the music he grew up on and wants to pass on.

For Cody Johnson pix, click here

For Stoney LaRue photos, all by Houston Hall, click here

Kyle Park and Eli Young Band also played Wednesday night, but the ‘handicapped’ portion of this reviewer’s physique kicked in big time, so watched them on the big screens. No pix, sorry. Wish I could have made that happen.

Buffalo Ruckus set list, photo by Houston Hall

After a rough beginning, getting settled in and learning the new lay of the (fest) land and new rules, things got easier for this media person, officially handicapped, when Zack Taylor told me to find a particular staffer, Keith, on a golf cart which also had his name on it. Keith would help me any way I needed it, Zack assured me. And the pressure was off.

The new showers for campers are really nice, made of cinderblock with lots of room in each shower. Took advantage of that Tuesday morning, while it was still free. Not handicapped equipped at all, yet, but hopefully in the future they will add benches in those large shower stalls to make them more accommodating.

Ice by the bag was added to that same near-stage area, and a nice convenient touch, bringing ice purchases nearer the campers. My lil’ ol’ hippie van sat beneath one of the two most beautiful trees on the 400-acre ranch, and that was a plus not only for the relaxation of the area, but also because the shade kept the van cooled off and sleep-ready after the concerts.

Keith was so helpful, too. He gave me his cell phone number (which became useless as more and more people arrived and the result was less and less telephone service), but he watched for my calls, and came a’runnin’ when I asked.

One night, late after concerts closed, we arrived at my patiently-waiting and inviting hippie van when Keith said, “Stay on the cart.” “Why?” I asked. “There’s someone behind the van. Turned out that someone was a drunk who had friends trying to help him get up and out of there. Eventually, they did; but he did require some medical attention, so I learned later.

Day 1 in the photo pit brought with it a valuable lesson — duck when you feel the first cold splash on your back. The mosh pit had several beer-slingers in it that kept up that action each night, every night, as if it were their missions in life! They were good at it, sometimes almost in rhythm with the band. Here’s how it worked — feel cold wet on back, duck instantly, protect the cameras. One videographer finally resorted to wearing a raincoat every day. I resorted to living with beer hair til I got home.

For T-Birds photos, click here

For Buffalo Ruckus pix, click here

For songswap photos, click here

For crowd and more fun shots, click here

Jack Ingram capped the event off with moxie and pizzazz — what? Not music words? Oh well!

Texas Music Revolution 18 was perhaps the best one yet — ever! From the opening set by Dolly Shine to Jack Ingram’s action-packed 75-minute closing set, the bands were non-stop fun and the music epitomized the best that Texas has to offer.  Click on all the links below for a view of the event from the eye of three photographers: Mary Jane Farmer, Mark Bickham, and Jack Browning.

For VIP Photos, click here:

For crowd shots, etc., click here:

For Kevin Fowler pre-party pix, click here

For Dolly Shine pix, click here:

For Carolina Story pix, click here:

For Green Light Pistols photos, click here:

For Erica Perry pix, click here:

For American Aquarium pix, click here:

For Austin Cunningham band pix, click here:

For The Os pix, click here:

For The Bigsbys pix, click here:

For John David Kent band pix, click here:

For Zane Williams band pix, click here:

For Rodney Parker Band pix, click here:

For Kylie Rae Harris pix, click here:

For Reckless Kelly pix, click here:

For Jack Ingram pix, click here:

For KHYI folks, click here: