The Grass Notes

Photos by Mary Jane Farmer

When one things about acoustic music, one might automatically go toward singer/songwriter style, picking’ from a barstool music… But other music enthusiasts have their own style, it’s called bluegrass, and it is alive and well in North Texas.

The Grass Notes hit the Chrystal Opry House stage Saturday night (Feb. 1) and brought a full hours of bluegrass, and then another hour of bluegrass gospel to an appreciative and receptive audience. This is a family band, with Jerry Shoemaker on stand-up bass, Larry Shoemaker on banjo, their daughter and son-in-law Kristi and Walter McElheney on guitar and mandolin, and the Shoemaker’s granddaughter,/McElheneys’ daughter, Becka McElheney on vocals. Kristi takes a lot of vocals, too, and Walter and Larry offer their share of tunes to boot. On fiddle is family-by-friendship, Johnny Luckie.

You can find the Grass Notes soon at a house concert in downtown Whitesboro.

There’s two venues in Grayson County that put on special bluegrass shows, The Barn Thang in Collinsville and Chrystal Opry House in Tom Bean. Then, over there in Fannin County, the Show Barn outside Bonham provides monthly shows as well. Look ’em up, and get on their mailing lists, or just keep your eyes on the Scene In Town Live Music Calendar.

For pix of The Grass Notes, click here:

Here’s some links for you bluegrass lovers

Chrystal Opry House, Tom Bean — http://www.chrystalopryhouse.com

Barn Thang, Collinsville — (The Grass Notes operate this house concert series) Email: larry@grassnotesband.com

Lake Bonham Hoe Down Showbarn, Bonham — Call 903-583-4731