Live
priceless -– take one
May 2014
CELEBRATING
DAY
WITH
KAY McCONAUGHEY
Mother of Oscar Winning Actor
MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY of Longview, TX
May 2014 - Page 2
PineyWoodsLive.com
“A Artt iss defi fine ed as a p pro rodu d ct du c of de delibe era ate ely ging ele ements in a wa ay th hat appea e lss to arrrang the e sen nsess orr em motions ns. Pin ns neyy Woo ods Livve is an n exp xpresssio on of the h com omm mun nity ty it serr ve es.”
KAY Y McCONAUGHEY cCONAUG GHEY IN INTERVIEW NTERVIEW WITH
by Barry Rogers
Take a trip with the Piney Woods Live staff to Kay McConaughey’s house. Readers will be educated about her unique insight on motherhood, her charismatic personality, and her down home family values.
ABOUT THE CO ABOUT COVER... OVER... Kay McConaughey graces Piney Woods Live’s cover for our special Mother’s Day issue. We would like to give a special thanks to her for her generosity and opening her home to our very own publicist Andrea Johnson and writer Barry Rogers.
6
The A The Art rt o off Tammy P Pruitt ruittt
9
Calll T Call To o Artists Ar
13
by Claudia Lowery
The T he La LLanguage ang guage of Mother’’s Mother’s ’s Day Flower Flowers rs by Jan Statman
14
Cover Photo by Andrea Johnson
Place P lace Yo Y Your our Betts AB Book ook R Review eview by Jan Statman
18
4R Reasons eason ons Why Bein Being ng a an n Apache Belle Rocks Apache by Shea Vogel
19
Take T ake ke a B Big, ig, Ol’ Bite Out o Out off R Red ed Dirt Music Musiic by Claudia Lowery
20
Community C ommunity Ties Witth N With NaTusha aTusha Howard Howarrd by Jacob J. Mauldin
22
Uncle U ncle cle T Ted, ed, Mayor De Dean, ean, n, and A and All ll tthe he Little People Peo ople e by Jacob J. Mauldin
24
Cent nter er S Sta tag ta ge Cuis isin ine by Ben Valencia
PineyWoodsLive.com
Ar istt’s Arti sW Wor orlld d by Jan Statman
Wedd We Wedding dding Photograph Photography ph hy by Jan Statman
The “B Th B” Si Sd de e of Musicc by Randy Brown
May 2014 - Page 3
Publisher’s
NOTE Gary Krell Co-Publisher
We are pleased, and more than a little bit proud, to be able to bring our readers this month’s cover story, an interview with Kay McConaughey. As you might imagine, contributor Barry Rogers’ interview touches on the activities of her celebrity son, Matthew, but more importantly gives us insights into Mrs. McConaughey’s personality. Also in this issue, contributor Jacob Mauldin dives into the controversy that has occupied public discussion in Longview over the last several weeks. I’m referring of course to the events surrounding talent booking for Longview’s upcoming Independence Day celebration, the “Ted Nugent Affair.” It’s rare for decisions that directly affect the local arts community to rise to the level of visibility where they become known to the general public. The recent situation is a notable exception, as it included elements like a controversial celebrity and the expenditure of a large chunk of public money. Sure enough, everyone that heard about it had an opinion on it, which quickly sparked sometimes heated commentary in both local and social media. Most of that discussion centered on who made the decisions, who should shoulder the blame, and finally, who should bear the cost. Jacob approaches the situation from a different and very important angle, exploring the effect that actions by the City of Longview are having on local performing artists. I would be remiss if I did not offer an opinion of my own, this one on actions that were taken subsequent to the events Jacob describes. To recount briefly: after the City had made the decision to buy their way out of the contract City Staff had made with Nugent, to tune of some $16,000, Mayor Jay Dean elected to form an ad hoc fundraising operation to solicite money from private sources to repay the city. I think this was a regrettable decision, in that the effect it had was to suck $16,000 or more out of the private funds available to support OTHER similar public functions. There is a continuing effort by volunteers and community organizations to raise private money to sponsor cultural activities in the community. AlleyFest and the T-Bone Walker Blues Fest are two entertainment events that immediately come to mind. There are certainly many more. The pool of potential donors and sponsor dollars is not unlimited. Constrained by their budgets, the donor entities that contibuted to the Mayor’s fund will now almost certainly curtail their giving to other causes. The public will be the losers. It would have been preferable, in my opinion, for the city to stand for the loss. Perhaps they could have used $16,000 budgeted for legal expense to replace the huge hole created in the Independence Day budget, reasoning that many more thousands would have been spent on legal fees had they elected to contest Nugent’s cancellation fee? In any event, the 4th of July event is back in good shape, but the cost of the Nugent affair has simply been kicked down the road, to be born by other city events. What do you think? Post your comments online at pineywoodslive.com or email me at publisher@pineywoodslive.com.
STAFF Publishers / Editors Tracy Magness & Gary Krell Man naging Editor Ben Valencia Publiciistt Andrea Johnson Adv vertising g Dire ector Suzanne Warren Conttriibu uting g Wriiterrs Barry Rogers, Randy Brown, Jacob Mauldin, Claudia Lowery, Jan Statman, Ben Valencia, Shea Vogel Grraphic Artists Jeremiah Shepherd, Joni Guess, Ben Valencia, Andrea Johnson Sales Ben Valencia, Andrea Johnson,Carolee Chandler, Kathy Hollan, Cookie Bias, Lori Martin, Shea Vogel, Tracy Stopani
Sign up for our newsletter by going to our website: PineyWoodsLive.com m
www.facebook.co om/P Pin neyWoodsLLive e May 2014 - Page 4
PineyWoodsLive.com
РђюEye-popping glamour...a burlesque troupe with a racy show thatРђЎs not to be missed,РђЮ writes Steven Moser of the Austin Chronicle.
$10.00 Cover | Show starts 11pm
Luxury for Less
# $ # ! " !
! !
! www..PatterrsonSelec ct.com m On the e Loop p acrosss from Oak Fo F rest Country y Club b
906 W. Loop 281 | Longv view w, TX 903.2 212.3 3065
! " " ! ! ! ! " !" ! " ! # ! ! $ ! !" $ ! !
6 0DKRQ $YH ле 7\OHU 7; ле ле ZZZ W\OHUPXVHXP RUJ
PineyWoodsLive.com
May 2014 - Page 5
The
of
Tammy May 2014 - Page 6
You pick it up, turn it over, open it, maybe even raise it to your face to breathe in that unique fragrance that is undeniable to every true bibliophile…THE BOOK. Nothing short of the gentle, soft sound of cracking open a new book will satisfy the diehard lover of books, except maybe the feel of an old, familiar one that has been read and reread a dozen times or one that has marked passages that strike one’s heart with personal meaning. There is only one other that vies for the attention of a book lover, and that is the journal. Every young girl hides secrets within, and lads will write coded messages that the most diligent of spies cannot decipher. The book is a world of creative imagery through the written word
by Claudia Lowery
that began so long ago that even scripture says that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) Artist Tammy Pruitt has been on a journey that took paths through music, writing, teaching, clay, metal working, jewelry making, altered books, and now journaling. Her journey began this way… She says, “One can never have too many books. I have always loved to read. It’s so amazing to find an unexpected good story or a profound truth in books.” Because of Tammy’s love of books, she began writing and eventually journaling from a young age. “I am a binge journaler. Sometimes I feel so full of words, and I just write my thoughts or poems. Sometimes I just love the way the pen flows across a page and that little scratching noise it makes. Other times my journaling is without words. It may be colors, or pictures, or visual art that inspires me. But through the years, I have bits and pieces here and there.” Creativity flowing, Tammy was led to another level of journaling that naturally led her to share with others. She began making her own journals. Sometimes they were old books that she repurposed by altering the pages into journaling pages that she could draw, glue, or write on. Each “altered book,” a now popular creative outlet for many people, began to take on a life and distinct personality reflecting her own
PineyWoodsLive.com
unique experience. At some point, all her loves: reading, writing, books, journaling, metal, leather work, and paper melded into a treasure that was like giving birth to the spirit within her. The results are astounding. “As a child, my mom always encouraged us to make things and try different artistic mediums. Most of my endeavors as a teen and young adult were performance arts and media. At some point, I came to understand that we are deeply spiritual beings and to live authentically one cannot compartmentalize spiritual life from art life or from daily life. For me, that meant living every moment as an act of worship to God. In turn, that meant every moment became a creative endeavor because everything is spiritual. Suddenly you find yourself looking for the Fibonacci sequence in nature and the Golden Ratio in our bodies. You notice the smell of firewood and wonder how that would look. You hear a story that moves you and you wonder how can I convey that without words. One of my friends wrote a song called, “Everywhere I Go I See You,” and that’s my mantra. Next thing you know you are trying to convey that in clay or metal or books or writing. Life is full of beauty!!! Even the hard times have their own beauty. Our ‘dark nights of the soul’ have a lot to say if we listen and learn. I have a deep faith in God, and my whole life is lived from that place. As a result, I hope all of my life reflects that relationship.” Describing what inspires her when designing a cover, she says, “Ancient things fascinate me. For years I have collected ancient stories, artifacts, histories and books. I wonder who figured out how to do this or cook that? What lead that individual to the moment in time when a particular idea formed? So often a cover design comes from those questions. For instance, the blue cross cover pictured here happened like this: I wonder if you can make a book cover out of copper? I wonder how to make copper look blue? I wonder how long it would take to make copper deep blue? What inscriptions are on the earliest byzantine cross? I wonder if I can etch that into copper? Cleaned copper and this blue look really good together. I wonder if leather would look good? Anyway, it goes like that. Sometimes a cover comes from a theme or a whim but mostly from questions.” Within her large home studio is a wealth of strange and unusual materials waiting for use. Tammy enjoys trying new things and sometimes they work and sometimes not. “My eyes are always looking for unusual things to put on a cover. Most of them are leather or metal covers; however, I have been known to try anything. Last summer, there was a piece of thin leather on my floor, which is not unusual because I use leather all the time. Only it wasn’t leather. It was a little snake that had choked on a DUSTBALL!!!!! He still had the dust ball in his mouth! Well, he is in the process of being a book cover. I have used a bee, a crab, Roman coins, hummingbird feeders, bullet shells, forks, and other found objects. One of the biggest fails was a moth. They become translucent with resin. So, if you see anything cool, save it for me and I will try to make a journal.”
PineyWoodsLive.com
One of the most interestingly unique qualities of Tammy Pruitt’s journals is the binding. No two are alike, each are distinctive, and as a potential buyer picks one up, attracted to the cover, it’s the binding that seems to set the journals apart because the craft is somewhat rare. “Bindings are fascinating. There are books about different headbands and bindings on books from all ages. Part of the book is the binding, and it is definitely an art. The first books were tablets or scrolls. In the 2nd century, we find the first codices, which needed to be bound. This binding is called a Coptic binding. In reality, there are several forms of Coptic binding used from the 2nd to the 11th century. In the 14th century, a Greek binding was developed and so on until today. For me, part of the art is learning the various bindings.” Tammy’s personal thoughts on the benefits of journaling are based on her extensive work in the field of aiding those who need a special outlet of expression. “For many years, I have worked with traumatized children. The children are from all over the world. They have different worldviews, different traumas, different languages, and different cultures but they all have one thing in common – they each have a story. Besides the story, the other thing that transcends the differences is a place to keep their story. So, in my walk through life, I have encouraged children and adults to keep their story in a journal. Often, telling our story causes a metamorphosis to occur, and we find out who we really are. A journal doesn’t have to be filled with vocabulary, nor does it have to be filled with pictures. It can be filled with both or none at all. It can be filled with color, songs, prayers, collected memorabilia and anything else. Words can be exposed or hidden. Colors can pray. Numbers can smell. Pigs can fly. Anything can happen in your journal.” Most of the journals are sized for writing in like a diary or to record thoughts, prayers, or artwork. However, the smallest ones capture the imagination to make you wonder what could fill the tiny blank pages. “Tiny things intrigue me, so I decided to see how small I could make a book. On a whim, I put some of them in a show and they are very popular. When people buy them, they know exactly what they are going to do with them. People use them to write a blessing a day. Others write what they love about another and then give it to them as a gift. One lady did that for each of her children. Others write their favorite scriptures in them and keep them or give them away. The tiny journals are popular. The journals skillfully prepared by Tammy Pruitt are for everyone in the world. Large or small, leather or etched metal covers, each one is blank – their pristine, smooth, white pages waiting for someone to make the first mark … ready to hold the story it is destined to tell.
Upcoming Shows: May 3 – Josie Ranch Art Show Marshall Area (Jewelry and Books) June 21-22 – Far Out Art Fest Ben Wheeler
May 2014 - Page 7
,//<
:*¶V
• Drums • Guitars • PA Systems • DJ & Lighting • Karaoke • Band B Instruments • Pianos Pia a & Keyboards • Effect Pedals
Bar & Grill
Open Every Day 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. Come and enjoy our NEW drink specials! 115 E. Tyler St. | Longview, Tx
Monday-Friday 9-6 • Saturday 9-5
THE ADULT BOUTIQUE, HAS AN EDUCATED, FRIENDLY
STAFF THAT YOU WILL FEEL COMFORTABLE DEALING WITH.
VENUS LINGERIE
Ŷ
W W W.VENUSPLEASURES.COM TEX AS ADULT VIDEO & TOYS
May 2014 - Page 8
DVD’S
Ŷ
ADULT ACCESSORIES
55 FRJ DRIVE, LONGVIEW, TX 75602 1907 INDUSTRIAL BLVD, KILGORE, TX 75662
903.758.3687
E. Marshall Ave. (Hwy. 80) Frj Dr.
Loop 281
VENUS,
E XCLUSIVE DEALS THROUGH FACEBOOK !
Industrial Dr.
Things are buzzing at Venus!
ON
Frj Dr.
Spring is in the air.
LIKE VENUS L ONGVIEW
N. Eastman Rd. (Hwy. 259)
903.212.3850
2312 Judson Road • Longview 903-758-8872 • www.mundtmusic.com
E. Cotton St.
903.986.2090
PineyWoodsLive.com
B
Call to Artists Any artist that would like to exhibit in Marshall Regional Arts Council’s annual “Celebrate Art” show may do so based on specific guidelines. This is the beginning of the council’s annual membership drive. One of the missions of the MRAC is to promote area artists and showcase their talent. The competition, “Celebrate Art,” provides an opportunity for all entries to win prize money. This event is one of the few fundraisers for MRAC to support local arts and award grants through art education in the Tri-County area: Harrison, Panola, and Marion. There are two ways to qualify for entry. First, you must live in the TriCounty area mentioned above. Or, if you do not live in one of those counties, then join the Marshall Art League ($25 annual dues) and, regardless of your address, you may enter. The entry fee is $25 and will also make you a member of the Marshall Regional Arts Council. This competition is limited to 50 entries due to space. Artists must be 18 years of age or older. A wide variety of visual art medium is eligible to compete. In addition to the $1000 grand prize award there will be three people’s choice awards of $100 each. The people’s choice awards will be selected by members of MRAC. Family and friends are encouraged to join MRAC during this membership drive to be eligible
PineyWoodsLive.com
to vote on their three favorites. Every new MRAC member will be eligible to have their name placed in a drawing to choose any artwork on exhibit, and the artist whose work they choose will receive $1000. A condition of entering the main competition, “Celebrate Art,” is the additional donation of one small piece of artwork for silent auction at the closing reception. Last year’s theme, “Celebrate America,” raised $1800, and this year’s new theme, “Celebrate Texas,” brings higher expectations. Upon delivery of their “Celebrate Art” entry, artists will receive a 6”x6” gallery wrapped canvas for painting, or if they choose to do a 3-dimensional sculpture, they will receive a 6”x6” tile … artist’s choice. Interpretation of the “Celebrate Texas” theme will be entirely at the discretion of the artist. There will be a set opening bid on every artwork, and it’s believed this will generate a lot of excitement in bidding. All funds raised will go to the MRAC for the support of the arts. This event begins in June and culminates in July at the Marshall Visual Arts Center. For more information regarding dates and guidelines, call the MRAC at 903-935-4484, visit the website at www.marshallartscouncil. org, or find them on Facebook at www. facebook.com/CelebrateArtMrac .
May 2 - SStreet treet SSmart mart May 3 - Lady Chazz & The Tramps May 9 - Pocket Change May 10 - TO Be Announced May 16 - Adam Brown
May 17 - Sarah Hobbs May 23 - Cody Cooke May 24 - Westbound 21 May 30 - Darby Warren May 31 - Teazur
Wednesday - Steak Night Thursday - Taco Night
Friday - Fish Special Saturday - Burger & Beer
(903) 665-9200 | 124 E. Austin St., Jefferson, TX
A delightful day that offers tons of sweet treats, activities, vendors and entertainment! Find more at TexasBlueberryFestival.com
936-560-5533 Saturday, June 14 downtown Nacogdoches
Festival Event Map The Texas Blueberry Festival is produced by the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce
May 2014 - Page 9
CenterStage C|U|I|S|I|N|E A Taste from Near or Far column & photos by Ben Valencia
May 2014 - Page 10
PineyWoodsLive.com
Tacos Goyo
H
ello again fellow tasters! My taste buds can’t wait to tell you about the wonderful eating experience we have for you this month. In observance of May, which is the month we celebrate Cinco de Mayo, we thought we’d look for an authentic Mexican restaurant. Since I’ve always heard that Tacos Goyo in Longview is the authentic taco mecca, my coworkers Suzanne Warren, Claudia Lowery and I decided to give Tacos Goyo a visit to see if the word on the street about these delectable goodies was true. And boy was I surprised. Tasty doesn’t even begin to describe the flavorful Mexican explosion that was happening after each bite. Being of Mexican heritage myself, I’ve eaten plenty of tacos near and far, but these tacos were to die for. They were colorful, with hues of green cilantro and white chopped onion, and my oh my, the salsa that accompanied them was fresh and aromatic. The restaurant’s manager, Walter Pitman, told us how some of the ingredients for the salsas are roasted before they are all blended together, which in my opinion helps to bring out all of the flavors with a smoky twist. Walter also explained that the meats they cook with are bought fresh daily, dry seasoned and then slow cooked, which makes them more flavorful. I’ll take fresh ingredients over packaged ones any day. Up next, I tried a Torta de Bistek (steak type sandwich), which was just as savory as the tacos. The meat was tender and juicy, the bread soft and fresh. (You can build one the way you want it if you pay them a visit.) Mine had avocado, mayonnaise, and lettuce and of course I had to put salsa verde on it. Taco Goyo’s salsa verde with its smoky flavor is one of the best I have ever tasted. My coworkers and I then tried the Cocktel de Camaron (shrimp cocktail) and were blown away with its tangy taste, which is derived from two of the ingredients – orange juice and ketchup. Claudia described it as cool, fresh and sweet, helping to balance out the previously eaten salsa that was
PineyWoodsLive.com
deliciously spicy. It is served with crackers and avocado slices. The sweetness caught me off guard. You can tame the sweetness by adding a bit of lemon. Walter explained that they make the shrimp cocktail sweet because most of their clients are from different parts of Mexico where it is made that way. We even tried one of the quesadillas, which was jam packed with flavorful, juicy chicken and cheese, dipped in the very delicious avocado salsa. The restaurant also serves beer, and their famous Aguas Frescas, which come in melon, strawberry, and horchata. Tacos Goyo is definitely a restaurant you’ll want to add to your list of places to try. And they serve breakfast too! With a 12-year history and a dream that began with Walter’s parents, Alberto and Martha, Tacos Goyo has been enjoyed by East Texans for quite some time. Currently, there are two restaurant locations in Longview and one in Hallsville. If you are adventurous like me, you’ll want to head over to one of the restaurants in the near future for this one-of-a-kind, authentic Mexican cuisine – especially if you’re out late on the weekend. Tacos Goyo stays open late for late night customers. “We like to be authentic as we can,” Walter said, “and accommodate our customers.” I know I’ll be going back again soon! Let’s make a lunch date! Until next time …
¡Buen provecho! The opinions expressed here were based on the writer’s personal experience. Please be sure to visit and form your own opinion.
If You Go: 717 Hwy. 31, Longview, TX Hours of Operation: Mon.-Wed. 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thurs. 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri. 6 a.m to 1 a.m., Sat. 8 a.m. to 3 a.m., Sun. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ph: 903.236.3317
May 2014 - Page 11
E
X
H
I
B
I
T
O
P
E
N
I
N
G
Let our design team help you customize your dream and create your perfect home. Come by and see how our â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stone Worksâ&#x20AC;? for you!
AD MADDOX
ED ANDERSON
JOIN US FOR A WEEKEND
FULL
FISH!
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014
Swimming Pools â&#x20AC;˘ Outdoor Kitchens â&#x20AC;˘ Flooring â&#x20AC;˘ Lighting â&#x20AC;˘ Counter Tops â&#x20AC;˘ Plumbing Fixtures â&#x20AC;˘ Window Treatments â&#x20AC;˘ Shutters and Blinds
4523 Judson road â&#x20AC;˘ longview, tx 75605 â&#x20AC;˘ 903-663-3344 1208 hw y 110 â&#x20AC;˘ whitehouse, tx 75791 â&#x20AC;˘ 903-871-9819
www.Stone-Works.net
FISH FRY & MUSIC
P M s 0ER 0ERSON 2ESERVATIONS 2EQUIRED
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014
% "+n )3 <<<
FLY TYING & CASTING DEMONSTRATIONS Shown by East Texas Fly Fishers A M TO P M s Free
ARTWORKS PAINTING WORKSHOPP A M s 0ER 0ERSON
Paintings by
AD MADDOX ED ANDERSON May 17, 2014 s Reception: 7 to 9 p.m.
&OR -EMBERS AND 4HEIR 'UESTS s -USIC AND (ORS DgOEUVRES
215 E. Tyler s Longview, Texas s 9 03.753.8103
W W W. L M FA . O R G
May 2014 - Page 12
www.charlesevansmd.com Dr. Charles A. Evans M.D., Ph.D. To make an appointment, call (936)
699-LIFE (5433) PineyWoodsLive.com
The of
by Jan Statman Mother’s Day is the day of the year when we make a special effort to stop and think about everything our mothers have meant to us. This is the time to celebrate Mom with sentimental greeting cards, deeply moving poems and sweet gifts of remembrance. Perfume, silk scarves and T-shirts are always welcome, but flowers are traditional. It is also a day to make her feel wonderful and loved with a personal visit and possibly a lovely brunch or dinner. If time and distance make those things impossible, it is the day to pick up the phone or get on Facetime or Skype and tell her how much we care. Many religious organizations have dedicated services on Mother’s Day. Mothers often wear beautiful corsages or find a flower bouquet waiting for them at the kitchen table or delivered to the door. Since flowers have always been a distinctive part of this celebration, many of us are surprised to find out there is a secret but recognized language of flowers. Each flower and each color says something unique.
Carnations
are the customary flowers used for Mother’s Day corsages. The different colors of carnations show love and respect. If you want to express gratitude for all she does for you and recognize the love you share, remember that pink carnations say, “You are always on my mind.” But you don’t have to be limited to pink. Red carnations tell mom how much she is admired. Sadly, white carnations are the flowers to wear in memory of a mother who is no longer living, because they tell the world how much she is missed. There is something about a bright bouquet of sweet smelling roses that is sure to bring smiles and brighten hearts. For that reason, roses are the most popular flowers used in bouquets. Red is the color of love. Yellow says happiness or friendship and speaks of devotion. Pale pink roses speak of young love and joy. Dark pink roses represent thankfulness, while medium pink roses call attention to the beauty and grace that is in every mother’s heart. The modest violet may be a simple plant, but it is also a symbol of love and devotion. The delicate tint of violets can be a long-lasting
PineyWoodsLive.com
reminder of Mom’s thoughtfulness. Every time she looks at them, they will tell her how much we appreciate her devotion. The daisy is another simple plant, but daisies carry messages of loyalty. They return the loyal love that mothers have always showered on us. Snapdragons are another simple flower that stand for trust and hope. The daffodil, with its bright yellow color, brings thoughts of sunshine so that they say, “The sun is always shining when I am with you.” Whether they come in a corsage or as a potted plant, orchids are anything but simple. Unlike the delicate violet or the freshfaced daisy, orchids are exotic and elegant. Orchids not only bring messages of love, they also represent refinement and beauty. But be careful, because the orchid is also an Asian symbol meaning “many children.” A flowering basket of tulips will say “eternal love.” Pink tulips are for caring thoughts. Red tulips mean “true love,” while yellow tulips send cheerful thoughts and perfect love. Forget-me-nots bring thoughts of faithful love, and orange blossoms speak of love forever.
Everybody enjoys the graceful shape and the sweet scent of lilies. They are images of sweetness. They come in so many colors and varieties it is hard to choose which type is perfect, so it is good to know that the day lily is a reflection of motherhood. The star gazer lily brings thoughts of joy while the graceful calla lily stands for perfect beauty. If it is impossible to visit mother on Mother’s Day, remember that azaleas say, “Take care of yourself for me,” and striped carnations say, “I wish I could be with you.” There are many ways of expressing our affection and thanks to Mother on her special day, and the not-so-secret language of flowers has a way of speaking from heart-to-heart with a depth of meaning that is all its own.
Everyone’s Favorite Wet Spot Mention this ad for a $3 DRAFT PITCHERS EVERY WEDNESDAY Frozen Daiquiris • Beer • Jello Shots • Pool • Games
327 N. Spur 63 Longview May 2014 - Page 13
Place Your Betts BY KATIE GRAYKOWSKI A Book Review by Jan Statman
t’s not at all rare for a steamy, redneck romance to take place in East Texas, but when Katie Graykowski sets her characters loose in the mythical small town of Hollisville, which is located just a short hop skip and jump down Highway 80 from Longview, you can be sure there will be all kinds of fun and games mixed with plenty of laughs along the way. This is Graykowski’s second novel, and she starts it with a funeral. This is not a sad and sorrowful funeral, of course. Mama Cherie and Betts Monroe plan to pay their questionable respects to “Gigi,” which is their not-so-pet name for their grandmother, Erma Cherie Dittmeyer, who was known to one and all for being the meanest woman in several counties, and more often than not, as the devil all dressed up in disguise as a bitter, intolerant, and spitefully narrow-minded woman. Her body is on its way to Mama Cherie’s bar in the French Quarter in New Orleans, where she will be in and out before the start of Happy Hour, because Mama Cherie is certain that the only mourners who come to show their respects will be the bar’s regulars. For her part, Mama Cherie was once Hollisville’s most shocking, most outrageous, and least moral native girl. She could hardly wait to grow up and get out of town. She bounced about from one location to another, even spending time in several prisons before settling in, but not settling down in New Orleans. Betts Monroe got off to a questionable start as Cherie’s daughter. In spite of her rough and tumble beginnings, or possibly because of them, Betts has become a world famous country western singer. In an impressive rags-to-riches saga, she has managed to carve herself a fantastic career in the music industry. She has used every bit of her spunky determination, along with her native good looks, her bright red hair, and her spectacular singing voice to carry her far from the down and out bars of Bourbon Street to the Country Music Hall of
May 2014 - Page 14
Fame. Betts was able to use her talents as a musician, singer, and songwriter to become “America’s sweetheart,” best described as the “darling” of the media. She can afford to be selective about her appearances, and she can choose to grant interviews only to the most influential magazine and television reporters. Her recordings have gone platinum more than enough times to pay for several fabulous homes in several fabulous locations. Still, her “real” home is movable. She is most relaxed living in an incredible tour bus that is fitted out to provide for her every creature comfort. She has a hardworking agent, a full staff of keepers, aides and assistants, her own personal hairdresser, and all the perks that go with successful super stardom. She should be happy with enough fame and more than enough fortune to last her for a lifetime, but as a seemingly last cruel attack from out of the grave, her spiteful grandmother “Gigi” has sent Betts a letter that sets off a bomb of activity in her life and in her heart. The much loved and much adored singing superstar may be the envy of everyone she meets, but there is one huge heartbreak and sorrow that casts its long shadow across her life. When she was only 16 years old, she fell in love with Gabe Swanson, the handsome quarterback of Hollisville’s high school football team. He also happened to be the son of the town’s wealthiest and most influential family. Betts had a baby boy and was forced to give him up for adoption because her boyfriend, Gabe, abandoned her when she needed him most. Through all the long years, she imagined
PineyWoodsLive.com
that the child she had given up for adoption had been living happily with some unknown family who would love him and bring him up in a vine covered cottage in happy surroundings. She imagined he would have birthday parties complete with party hats and balloons. He would spend every Christmas being overwhelmed with gifts. She imagined he would have the best of everything. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out that way. “Gigi’s” cruel letter told her that during all the time Betts loved him and longed for him, her precious baby boy had actually been living with his father, Gabe Swanson, the man who had abandoned her. She returns to Hollisville, determined to find her son and to protect him from any unkindness that might be coming his way. In contrast to Betts’ rocket ride to success, Gabe Swanson is a Texas cattle baron riches-to-rags story. As the only son of the town’s richest family, it was a huge blow to him when his cruel father squandered the family fortune, leaving him land rich but cash poor. The elegant family mansion he grew up in burned to the ground, and he was reduced to living in a small cabin on a small corner of his land. He is so dangerously in debt that he is forced to work as a day laborer to make ends meet. All of this does not matter because he loves his son, and he is doing everything he possibly can to make life pleasant for him. Gabe is still handsome and he is still strong. He is raising his son. That is all that really matters to him. When Betts returns to the small East Texas town that once shunned her, there is no question that everyone’s life is going to change. She wants to find her son and to fill in all the empty places she missed in the boy’s life. There are twists and turns and some amazing revelations along the way. Grandma “Gigi” may have been vicious, but it turns out she may have also had a gentle streak somewhere behind her anger. Mama Cherie may be wild and uninhibited, but she is so determined to help her daughter that she might even be willing to trade her sequin tops and platform heels for a pale pink Sunday suit and flat heeled shoes, at least temporarily. The author insists this is a classic reunion love story as she asks, “Can Betts and Gabe leave their past in the rearview mirror so they can be a family?” She invites us into a rattley
PineyWoodsLive.com
back-road pick up truck and takes us on a wild ride through the tall East Texas pines as she spins a tale that investigates all the many levels of how true love can be lost and possibly found. It should be of no surprise that Katie Graykowski knows the territory between her fictitious little town and the very real city of Longview where she was born. She is a graduate of Longview High School, and is proud to say that many of her friends and relatives still live right here in the Piney Woods. She credits her mother, Barbara Richardson McLellan, for always believing in her, even when she didn’t believe in herself. The award-winning author now lives in the Austin area with Paul Graykowski, her “very tolerant” husband of nineteen years, her young daughter Karrie, and her three dogs. She says, “I live on the top of a hill outside of Austin, Texas, where my home office has an excellent view of the Texas Hill Country. My ideal writing environment would be a lonely stretch of warm beach where a legion of cabana boys fight to do my bidding … but I’ll settle for my home office with the door closed.” The beach theme is a constant in Katie Graykowski’s life. When she is not busy in that home office, writing with the door closed, she prefers to be scuba diving. The award winning author says, “I like sassy heroines, Mexican food, movies where lots of stuff gets blown up, chocolate cream cheese frosting, and glitter nail polish.” Every author will tell you that life’s experiences make the written word flow across the page to capture the reader. Graykowski enjoys writing what she calls “romantic comedy with lots of heart.” She insists that the ideas for her novels come from everyone and everywhere. She will admit they often come to her when she isn’t even looking for them. “I guess I’m one of those people who has that ‘please tell me your life story and don’t leave any insignificant detail out of it’ kind of face,” she insists. “Whether I’m in the bathroom at PF Changs or in an airplane on a transatlantic flight, strange people feel like I really care to know their life stories.” Please be warned that when her iPad comes out of her bag and she puts her headphones on, it would be a good idea to stop talking to her unless you want all or part of your story to appear in print.
2014 Dance Studio Recital
LeTourneau University Belcher Center Sunday, May 18, 3-4 pm Tickets $5 for students’ families who purchase ahead of time. $7 at the door.
No matter the medium, we’re pleased to support the Arts in East Texas. “There is incredible power in the arts to inspire and influence.” Julie Taymor American Director
3700 Gilmer Road 202 Hollybrook Dr. 903-759-0751 springhillbank.com May 2014 - Page 15
Doubletruck by
Text
ca an he
so sel th ou
go gr
as C. we be
It Ho
it’s aar tth hu h H
f fu du d yyo
Do D
sso
IIt’
t th mo m
W
b bu up u ttio
with What’s a typical day like for you, when you’re not on the red carpet? Well, three days a week, I go to Pilates. I play Bridge and Spades with friends. C.J. and I walk quite a bit. I’m involved with various groups like Seeds of Strength, an organization that gives grants to organizations that apply for them. I’m also a volunteer with the Children’s Advocacy Center. That’s where kids go that have been abused physically and mentally.
by Barry Rogers | photos by Andrea Johnson & Barry Rogers
The public knows her as Kay McConaughey, the proud mother of a certain Osar winning actor. She’ll tell you to call her KMac, as a way of combining her first nd two last names: McCabe and McConaughey. The nickname also lends itself to er fun and down-to-earth nature. KMac’s influence could be heard at this year’s Academy Awards during her on’s acceptance speech for Best Actor. Teaching her kids that respecting themelves is an integral part of respecting others was a big part of their upbringing. As he world looked on, Matthew said, “Thank you for that, Momma.” It was obvius that this family had plenty to celebrate. Life for the proud mom is an ongoing celebration, and at the age of 82, she’s ot no plans for slowing down. Her cup is “always half full,” and each new day is reeted with an unbridled enthusiasm. She welcomed Piney Woods Live to her home, a place where the Texas sky is s open and refreshing as the lady we’re about to meet. Upon arrival, her partner, .J. greets our photographer and myself at the door. He shows us to the den where we set up. KMac walks in shortly after, gives us a warm welcome, and the journey egins.
t’s easy to see that there’s a lot of spark in your eyes. How would you describe your personality? Very outgoing. Very honest. Exciting, in the sense that people around me know ’s all going to be very upbeat. I’m not a downer, and I’m really not going to run round with people that are downers. I choose my friends wisely. I don’t have hat many friends, but the friends I do have are not complainers. I don’t think I’m umble, but I’m honest and real. What you see is what you get.
Have you been like that your whole life? Always! Yes, my whole life. I have a lot of energy, and my cup is always half ull. I have a sign that Matthew carved for me. It says, ‘Are you going to look at the ust on the table or the rose in the vase?’ That’s kind of my philosophy about how ou look at life. I’ve brought my kids up to think that way.
Do you stress about things at all? I do not stress. I can honestly say I can’t remember the last time I stressed over omething. If I can’t fix it, then I think, ‘I don’t have to fix everything.’
’s obvious that you raised your three sons to be positive thinkers... We’ve always been a very positive family. We never talked about negative hings. Raising kids was really a joy. The best thing I’ve ever done, I think, is be a mother. I just love the role of being a mother. I really do.
What other words of wisdom were you always telling your kids growing up? Well, #1 … don’t say you can’t. Just say ‘I’m having a problem’ or something, ut don’t say that you can’t. Once you’ve said you can’t, you’ve already set yourself p to fail. Another thing I’ve always told them is ‘You are responsible for your acons. So think before you do something.’
PineyWoodsLive.com
When you were with Matthew at this year’s Academy Awards, what was going through your mind? How absolutely proud I am. He brings tears to my eyes. I’m so absolutely proud of him. And I’ve been on the red carpet with him before, with other pictures that he’s done, but this award that he got was just overwhelming, and he so deserved it. You’ve done some on-screen acting with Matthew in the movie Bernie. What was that like? Oh yes, that was fun! I had more fun doing that movie, and I just had a few lines. Rick Linklater asked me if I wanted to play this feisty older woman that smoked a cigarette, and I said, “Sure.” He gave me some lines, and then I started ad-libbing the scene with Matthew. Do you have any more movies that you’re working on? I would love to do another movie, but there are not many movies for 82-year-old women. You obviously seem a lot younger than 82. Well, I feel like I’m younger than 82, and I think I act it. I’m going to live to be at least 98. I’ve already figured that out and talked about it. That way I will live to see Matthew’s little girl graduate from high school. Hopefully, if I’m healthy, that’ll work. Where does your unique philosophy on life come from? My father. He raised us. My mother left my sister and I when I was two. My sister was four. My father would tell my sister and me ‘You are what you think.’ Think about it. If you think you’re dumb, you’re dumb. If you think you have self-confidence, you’ve got it. Are you spiritual? If so, how would you describe your spirituality? Yes. I have a very good relationship with God. I talk to God and pray to Him and thank Him all the time. I think if you obey the Golden Rule and treat other people like you want to be treated … what else do you need to know? Treat other people like you want to be treated. That’s exactly how I raised my children. What was the last experience that filled your heart with joy? Last week, being with my grandson, Miller. I went to see them, got out of the car, and he ran up and said, ‘Come on MaMac, I’m so glad to see you. Come on. We got things to do.’
How different are you at being a mom vs. being a grandma? I’m the same. I really don’t let my grandkids get away with things. If their parents say they have to do something, I follow up on it. I’m not a strict grandmother, but they have to obey rules. If they have to go to bed at a certain time and I’m watching them, then they go to bed. How much of Matthew’s father do you see in him, especially now that he’s a dad? I see this gentleness. Jim had a very gentle way, except when you made him mad. I see how Matthew takes time to explain things to his children. He will get down on their level, you know, eye to eye. The kids start asking him questions, and he really talks to them, not at them. He really has a lot of respect for his children. Did it ever occur to you when Matthew was growing up that you could be raising a movie star? No. Never. We never even talked about it in our family when he was growing up. That was never even something that we thought about. We always talked about sports. All the kids were always involved in sports. That was our life. You thought he would grow up to be… A lawyer. That’s what he was studying for, to be a lawyer. Matthew seems to be a bit of a philosopher. Does he get this from you or his dad? Oh, he gets it from me, but he takes it a lot further. We all have these one-liners, these sayings, you know. ‘Just keep living’ is one of them. But he’s a philosopher. He’s a deep thinker, and that’s why he takes time to go off by himself, to really get in touch with himself, and that’s why he’s so grounded. What’s it like, as his mom, to see him on-screen? I think he’s a good actor. The only movie of his I really cried in was Dallas Buyers Club. He played that part so well. You couldn’t help but cry, and it’s a true story. You can’t help but feel sorry for this man who doesn’t want to die. All the movies that he’s done, I just sit there watching with such pride. Do you have a favorite movie of his? Probably Lincoln Lawyer. I liked it a lot. What are your goals moving forward? Just to stay healthy. C.J. and I were walking yesterday. I said, ‘C.J., I don’t see anybody else out here that’s 82 and walking three miles, three times a week, like we do.’ So, it’s all about taking care of my body, so my body will work for me. This month is Mother’s Day, so what advice can you give to mothers out there, raising children? For heaven’s sake, be consistent. Follow up. Don’t just tell the kids ‘I don’t want you to do that or what not.’ Follow up and make sure they don’t. Consistency is so important. Mean what you say and follow up. As we wrap up our interview, I have no doubt that consistency and honesty have defined KMac’s whole life. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I can even hear Matthew saying, “Alright, Alright, Alright” … as I’m sure he would agree.
May 2014 - Page 17
Heading by
A
big part of being a Texan is football and the accompanying halftime show. One of the earliest collegiate drill teams to grace the fields in our great state were the Apache Belles, formed in 1947. They were the first to integrate the uniform as a prop with their skirt and cape routines. Many girls grow up and dream about becoming a member of this great organization. I actually had the opportunity to realize that dream and dance with the Belles. Dancing and kicking on the field as the marching band plays and the crowd goes wild is one of the greatest feelings in the world. Here are just four of the many reasons why being a member of this team is an amazing experience and an honor.
The Belles are Famous The Apache Belles are known around the world and have been featured in numerous media publications and movies. They have been in Woman’s Day, Texas Outlook, Dance and Drill Magazine, Venture Magazine, Southern Living, Texas Parade and many more. The Belles premiered in the movie True Stories, the Fox Network Breakfast Show broadcast out of New York in 1995 and Texas Country Reporter in 1997. The belles have met and entertained former President Ronald Reagan, former President George and Barbara Bush, former President Bill and Hillary Clinton and Governors Ann Richards and George W. Bush to name a few. The Belles are wanted around the world to host and preform at events. They are taught important life skills and how to be ladies. To be a part of this drill team is more than just dancing. As current director,
May 2014 - Page 18
Jasilyn Schaefer explains, “Being an Apache Belle is to accept a challenge to better yourself at a time in life when many are taking a much easier road. Apache Belles are held to a high standard, not only in their performances, but in all aspects of their life. As part of a legacy that spans over 60 years, each individual has the reputation of the organization upon their shoulders and the weight and expectation of that is huge. “An Apache Belle must learn the gift of listening and leading, how to prioritize and manage their time to not only give their all during rehearsals and performances but also in the classroom with all academic endeavors. Each Apache Belle is a unique individual but is also expected to look and act as part of a team, many times considering the needs of the team before their own wants or desires in order to bring about entertainment using our genre of precision dance. “When one has completed the two years of the Apache Belle experience, they leave with a knowledge of personal responsibility, leadership skills, integrity and ability to be part of a team. These skills, among others, enhance their ability to achieve their dreams and ultimately make them better students, citizens, employees, entrepreneurs, mothers and community activists.”
The Belles travel around the world The team recently traveled to Seoul, Korea and performed for the military families stationed at army base Camp Humphreys located just outside Seoul, experienced the culture, went sightseeing, and ended the trip with a surprise invitation from the Korean Professional Basketball League to perform halftime (which is nationally tele-
vised) at their first playoff game in Seoul. “The Apache Belles and TJC Administration traveled to Gyeongju University and met the students, had a traditional Korean meal, experienced a wonderful Taekwondo display by their Taekwondo team and Dr. Metke signed a memorandum of agreement with the president of their university making TJC and Gyeongju University sister colleges and able to exchange students. The Apache Belles then performed for the students and took pictures and visited with others their age,” explains Jasilyn. Every year the Belles take a special trip. The Apache Belles have also traveled to Nice; Metz, France; Dublin, Ireland; China; Hawaii; Austria, Germany, and Oahu, Hawaii, to name a few.
Being a Belle means being a part of history According to the Belle history page: “For the past 60 years the Belles have been entertaining fans across the globe with their precision dance and kick routines. In September of 1947, Tyler Junior College President Dr. Harry E. Jenkins asked Mildred Stringer, the wife of Tyler banker J. Harold Stringer and founder of the Tyler High School Blue Brigade, to form some kind of girls pep squad. Dr. Jenkins wanted TJC, now separate from the Tyler public school system, to have its own organization.” The Belles performed on the field next to the high school/ junior college in downtown Ty-
ler on North Bois D’Arc Avenue. Their first performance was on September 27, 1947 at a Tyler Junior College football game. In 1950, the Belles were invited to perform in the Cotton Bowl halftime set and performed at the Texas State Fair with singer Frank Sinatra. In 1955, they were labeled the “Prettiest Drill Team in the World.” They were the original Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, traveling to Dallas Stadium to wow audiences with their grace and precision during half time. In 1969, the Belles presented astronaut Buzz Aldrin and comedian Bob Hope with a certificate pronouncing them honorary Apache Belle Beaus.
The Belles continue to make history The Apache Belles recently had their annual Spring Show that was, as usual, a crowd pleaser. If you are interested in being a part of history, register now for tryouts, which will be held April 26-27 and June 21-22. But you don’t have to be a member to have the Apache Belle experience. During football season, the Belles will put on their hats, boots, red lips and uniform to entertain, inspire and awe people throughout our community. Apache Belles, “The line is long and the circle unbroken.”
PineyWoodsLive.com
Take a big, ol’ bite of Red Dirt music by Claudia Lowery Try building a band with a recipe of random ingredients, and the results may or may not be successful. But take a strong foundation of musical genius from the past, mix in an assortment of styles and tastes, and then blend in the choices that destiny places into your path, and the end product could turn heads. The Jason Helms Band’s music doesn’t casually fit into one category of country style but is evolving as they stretch creatively to bring fans the musical food that satisfies all their loyal and newly found fans. Open wide and take a big, ol’ bite of Red Dirt music. Mainstream country music still has a loyal fan base, but for the past 10 years or so there’s been a steady resistance from corporate radio to play the music that began coming out of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas along the Red River area. As the popularity of iTunes, Pandora, and satellite radio has grown, the number of listeners has widened like the rust-tinged mud of the river it’s named after. You’ll hear traces of Merle alongside a blues riff or a Jimi Hendrix run. There will be humor and heart, joy and pain, rebellion and patriotism. It’s all there just for the time it costs to listen to some of the best new songwriters around, and Jason Helms is here … and now. Recently, Jason shared some thoughts about the questions people might have about some of the music today. “It’s so funny to me to hear people debate about the Red Dirt music we play on Supercountry 105 – especially to hear people gripe and say it’s not country. I wonder sometimes what people think IS country music anymore! Luke Bryan? “That’s My Kind of Night” is about as country as Snoop Dogg! Jason Aldean? Nope. Brantley Gilbert? Nope. But Kevin Fowler? Yep. Josh Ward? Yep. Cody Jinks? Yep. The most country sounding stuff we hear anymore isn’t coming from Nashville! That doesn’t make it bad though! Country music is no different than any other genre of music. It’s an ever-changing art form. If it wasn’t, every song and every artist would sound the same. Thank God they don’t all sound alike – THAT would suck!” The Jason Helms Band consists of singer/ songwriter/guitarist Jason Helms, bass guitarist Joe Dunn, drummer James Williams, and the most recent addition, guitarist Wes Jeans. Known for hard driving blues and
PineyWoodsLive.com
rock, the addition of Wes Jeans may come as a surprise to some fans, but to hear him tell it, it was the most natural thing in the world. “I’ve known and admired Jason’s music for years. We’re long time friends. When he called me and asked if I knew anyone who could fill a spot that had come open recently, I offered to keep an eye out. Thinking about it, I suddenly realized that since several players in my band had recently taken new day jobs, I might be available to fill in for Jason’s band for awhile. After a couple of rehearsals, I thought… ‘Hey! Why don’t I do it?’” Several months later the Jason Helms Band is busier than ever. The decision to play originals more than cover songs was one they didn’t make lightly. Jason says, “I love playing songs that are by songwriters. I’m a songwriter. It’s been a hard road choosing to do originals, but we had to do it.” “Titans of Tennessee” is an homage to the pillars of country music that Jason reveres. While traveling through Tennessee, Jason noticed everyone was going crazy for the Tennessee Titans football team. He reflected on the meaning of the word “titan” and a song was born. “She’s Got It Goin’ On” is a fun tribute to that bar girl that everyone loves. “My Kind of Woman” speaks of love. “…she’s a dream that I can’t wait to dream again and when I do … don’t wake me up again … she’s my kind of woman.” With each story within the song, Jason’s voice cuts through the heart to the soul with enough grit to sand off the rough edges to a smooth and sensitive melody. That doesn’t mean you will never hear a familiar song not written by someone in the band. But when you do hear a cover, it will be fresh and new with each player’s own artistry apparent. Nothing is stagnant. As each band member talked about their personal journeys along this musical highway, they shared similar stories and experiences. All four members attribute their early days of music to their parents and extended families’ involvement in music. Jason’s mom, Debbie Mar-
tin, was a single mother who played 12-string guitar and introduced him to a huge variety including Willie Nelson, the Eagles, and Rush. Joe’s dad, Paul Dunn, and brother Paul, Jr., were his early influences along with Kris Kristofferson and Van Halen. James’ father, Buddy Williams, exposed him to Led Zeppelin and Southern Rock music. Wes gives his whole family credit for leading him into the world of music: his dad – Mike Jeans, pop – Hank Snow, and Uncle Robbie Jeans all had a hand in it. After receiving an injury playing baseball, Wes took up guitar to occupy his time. He’s had a band (the Wes Jeans Band) for the past 18 years. Each band member speaks with deep love, admiration, and respect for all their family members … parents, wives, children … they know their priorities and it shows. I asked Jason if he’d ever become tired of the whole scene and wanted to quit. He surprised me by saying, “Actually, I did quit for about six years, but I’d started playing when I was 13 years old, and that’s a long time to pursue a dream. I tried for a while and then decided I’d take a regular job and stop traveling. But I started again six years ago, and it just keeps getting better.” Most of the band has known each other for years, but sometimes a band member moves on. According to the guys, “Hey, life happens, especially with guitar players.” Wes explained, “And when you change guitar players, the sound changes.” It seems the change has been as exciting a development to the band as it is for the fans. “One of the up sides to adding Wes,” shared Jason, “is that we have each developed our own separate fan base over the years. So, we now have the flexibility to book gigs for the Jason Helms Band featuring guitarist Wes Jeans or The Wes Jeans Band featuring Jason Helms. We’re comfortable sharing that road together and to bring even more variety to our shows.” Over the years, the Jason Helms Band has been nominated for numerous awards and
recognition. Since their album Redemption was released, they have shared stages with the likes of Randy Rogers, Stoney LaRue, Reckless Kelly, Bruce Robinson, Kyle Bennet, Brandon Jenkins, Tracy Byrd, Lee Ann Womack, Rich O’Toole, Tracy Lawrence, Mickey and the Motorcars, Johnny Cooper, Justin Moore, David Nail, Joe Nichols, Cold Ford and more. The biggest compliment they received was in January of 2011 – the chance to meet and perform with one of the most respected and enigmatic figures in all of country music – Merle Haggard. In 2011, Jason’s music got the attention from MTV’s partner project, Outstage.com. Jason’s music won a total of 11 awards that year including winning top honors in the Country Singer-Songwriter, and Alternative Country categories for his songs “My Kind Of Woman”, “Headed Home”, and the heartfelt tale of a man searching for his soul, “Los Angeles.” He was also lauded by Ourstage magazine as “Country Artist to Watch in 2012.” Most recently, in 2013, Jason won East Texas Music Award’s Male Vocalist award, and the band won the Live Band award. In April 2014, his song, “First Class White Trash” debuted at #125 on the Texas Music Charts and was up to #52. On the TRRR charts it was at #48. The band’s newest album is Revolution and is available online or as Jason suggests… “Come out and hear the band, and I’ll sell you one for a great price! I just want our music to get out there.” They are currently traveling in the Texas/Arkansas area but have plans to travel to Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and Colorado in the upcoming months. Check their website and Facebook for gigs. So, call it country, call it rock ‘n roll, or as they call it “red dirt party rockin’ beer drinkin’ country”… it’s music, it’s from real people, and it’s all good. For more information go to www.jason helmsband.com or find them on Facebook.
May 2014 - Page 19
Community Ties
with NaTusha Howard
I
by Jacob J. Mauldin photo by Ben Valencia
t’s always fun to sit down with a former Los Angeles resident and trade war stories. I met NaTusha Howard for lunch at the Tyler Street Bistro, and we had a great time reminiscing about the road that led her west, her time in the trenches and the great work she’s been doing for Longview since her return. “I was in theater at Pine Tree. I did a lot of interpretive monologues, and one year we did a production of The Wizard of Oz. I played the Wicked Witch of the West, and that was a lot of fun. My performance was full out. I scared little children and a lot of old people,” she told me, giggling. After graduating from Pine Tree, NaTusha began her formal education. “I started at a junior college and got my bachelors from Prairie View A&M near Houston. I went to Cal Arts from ‘96 to ‘99 and got a masters in theater. I was in a Bertold Brecht play, and we all had to do cockney accents.” I asked if she could still do cockney, and she laughed, saying, “Not very well! None of us could, even then. We got some bad reviews because our cockney was horrible! But I enjoyed my time at Cal Arts. I learned a lot about myself – learned a lot about other people. In California, there are so many different types of people. There was so much to do and to learn. I love to see how other people do things, their customs, how they see the world. And Hollywood is like that, it’s just everything thrown in at one time into this big mix. “I lived on Van Ness and Wilton.” It doesn’t get more Hollywood than Van Ness and Gower. That location is wedged right between Sunset and Melrose Boulevards, two world famous streets. Look north on Gower and you’ll see the best shot of the Hollywood sign to be found in the entire city. Walk a few blocks that direction and you can eat at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffle, an establishment that’s been around forever but was one
May 2014 - Page 20
PineyWoodsLive.com
of LA’s best kept secrets until Quentin Tarantino popularized it in Jackie Brown. Turn south, walk one block and you can find world class shopping on Melrose Boulevard. It’s like Sixth Street in Austin, but instead of bars there are boutiques. The only place she could have lived more Hollywood than that would have been Hollywood and Vine. “I worked at a shop on Melrose called Morena’s Fashions. It was Russian owned, and they made their own clothes. I managed the store and was their only salesperson. I would put on their clothes and stand outside because that’s how it works on Melrose. You’ve got to get the people inside the store. I also worked at Hot Wings Café on Melrose for a little while. It was known across the entire city. People were always lined up outside, and on Superbowl Sunday, there would be a line around the block to pick up their orders for the big parties they were throwing. Jimmy Kimmel ordered trays all the time. And I’d always see David Arquette and Jermaine Jackson – they were both really huge fans of the place. You got used to seeing celebrities pretty quickly. After the first couple of times, you’d just be like, ‘How are you doing, what can I get you?’” NaTusha also worked in the entertainment industry. “I lived right by Sunset Gower Studios. I worked on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. It was great because I could just walk to the studio from my place. I was one of the P.A.’s in the back who kept the contestants calm before they had to go out on camera.” This makes a lot of sense to me because I was immediately at ease the instant I sat down with NaTusha. She has a very easy personality and makes you feel right at home. I’m sure she was a natural at smoothing over the potential contestants’ frayed nerves. “I’d make sure they felt good, get them a drink or some food, whatever they needed so that they were ready to go when we got the call.” She also did some work for Sex and the City on the few episodes during season three when the ladies invaded Los Angeles during the “Escape to LA” arc. NaTusha’s an upright church-going lady, and it was so cute to see her get embarrassed even saying the name of the show. “I was just a glorified extra on that production,” she told me, downplaying her role as she usually does. Very humble, this one. “They came to the Standard, which was the hotel I worked at.” The Standard is probably the ritziest hotel in LA, an exclusive hotspot dead center on the Sunset Strip. The PineyWoodsLive.com
club inside is one of the hardest places to get into in the entire city. I think they only hire doormen who are exNavy Seals. “You really learn a lot about people working there. You’d get to see people at their best and at their worst. But it was cool. I worked the front desk, and we had models behind us in a glass box for, like, ambience. They’d just sit there on lawn furniture, or read a book, or pretend to be trapped inside. Sometimes they’d even take a nap.” I’ve seen those people before and was always curious to know what kind of salary they earned. I was surprised when NaTusha told me, “Minimum wage. For them, it was just a regular eight hour gig. Well, not regular. But you know what I mean. We employed a lot of professional, pretty people.” NaTusha eventually decided that she missed living in Texas, and after eight years of life in California, she moved home. But she still utilizes her Cal Arts master’s degree. She’s very involved with the theater work in her non-denominational church, Abundant Life Ministries. “My pastor, Earl K. Bonner II, writes new plays that we perform annually. They have secular themes that anyone can relate to but always with the moral of Christ’s teachings at the center. Two years ago we performed his play, He’s Not the Father at the Belcher Center starring Countess Vaughn from Moesha and The Parkers. She came out from LA, and everyone was really excited to work with her. She was very nice. We just called her agent, and she liked the play, so she agreed to be involved.” Church is a very big part of her life that feeds her spiritually and artistically. “We do a lot of praise dancing. We make a lot of art in the community. I’m on the praise and worship team. I sing in the choir. Not very well, but I do it! I teach teen Bible study on Wednesday nights.” She’s also helping start a nonprofit organization. “It’s called D.P. Productions. That stands for Dramatic Praise Productions. Any money earned from this will go toward the ministry. I’m currently writing grants for it. That basically means that I find a foundation awarding money, and I petition them for funds to assist our causes.” Writing grants was a skill she picked up working for ETCADA, the East Texas Council of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, where she was employed for five years before moving to her current position with Partners in Prevention with the City of Longview, a department aimed at the betterment of our community. “We’re involved with raising awareness of drug abuse, drinking and driving, pharmaceutical and
marijuana abuse, among many other things. Synthetic marijuana abuse in particular has become an epidemic. People can literally go crazy from it, and no one has any idea what’s in it.” As a huge fan of horror movies in general and zombie movies in particular, I was very eager to learn about the Zombie Run which NaTusha is helping arrange for Partners of Prevention on October 25 in McWhorter Park. “I love zombie movies! Bruce Campbell even came to Cal Arts and showed us Running Time, and it was really cool to get to see a Q&A session with the star of the Evil Dead movies.” We spent enough time talking zombies to know that they have the right person spearheading this particular event. “This will be the third annual hosting of the Zombie Run, and I’m very excited to be involved. We have ‘survivors’ who put on fake blood, and they run a 5k. The Doc Wilkes people who host a popular haunted house will participate. They have actors dressed like Jason and Michael Myers – really, really scary people – who jump out at the survivors while they run through the woods. Then there’s the ‘dead end crew,’ and they’re people dressed as zombies who roam through the woods to make it spookier. And finally there are ‘running dead,’ people dressed up as zombies who run the 5k like the ‘survivors.’” It sounds like a lot of fun, and I definitely look forward to participating. I told NaTusha that I’d like it even better if they could turn it into a game, maybe something similar to flag football. “That’s actually what one of the Longview police officers who ran last year said we should do this year. Everyone would get two or three flags, and if the zombies tear away all your flags, you’d get a T-shirt that says, ‘I was eaten!’ and if you make it through with at least one flag your souvenir shirt would say, ‘I’m a survivor!’ But we were talking about that this morning with my boss, and we want it to be a kid friendly event; we don’t want to scare any five year olds.” I spent the next ten minutes begging her to convince her boss to arrange an adult-only version of the zombie run to be held later in the night. Fingers crossed. But out of all the fun and interesting work NaTusha does, she says her most important and fulfilling work is being a mom. I’ve seen a lot of people come back from LA with their priorities out of whack. It’s always great to meet someone who stepped away from that battlefield with their head still screwed on straight. Longview’s very lucky that she returned to enrich the community with her presence.
LIVE MUSIC FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT! May 3 - Wirelight May 10 - Earl Knobbs May 17 - Blind Mojo May 24 - Ramoth Gilead (The Really Bad) May 31 - Jaden Farnsworth OPEN N MIC NIGHTT 1ST TUESD DAY EAACH MO ONTH H Call or Email to book.
106 W. Main St. • Henderson, TX
903-3992-882000 Email: gomojoes@gmail.com Mon.-Thurs. 7am-10pm Fri. 7am-12am • Sat. 8am-12am
May 2014 - Page 21
by Jacob J. Mauldin I love Ted Nugent. I’m an unapologetic fan of Uncle Ted, the Nuge, the Motor City Madman, whatever you want to call him. “Stranglehold” is my favorite rock song ever recorded. “Great White Buffalo” probably ranks somewhere on a personal top twenty. I even love the largely unappreciated Damn Yankees recordings from the early 90s. He taught me to rock out without inhibition. He’s got some pretty screwy political opinions but so does just about every actor in Hollywood, and I still love me some moving pictures. When I heard the rumor that Ted would be playing in Longview on July 4 in our little old slice of East Texan heaven, I was obviously pretty pumped. This booking made Starship’s appearance at Alley Fest in 2012 seem like some pretty small spuds. Don’t get me wrong. That was a great show, and Stephanie Calvert did a fantastic job channeling Grace Slick. But let’s face it, Mickey Thomas was the only canonical member left in the lineup, and he wasn’t even an original. Nope, as good as that show was, it wouldn’t hold a candle to the spectacle I anticipated from the Amboy Duke. Slam cut to March 28. I’m enjoying a leisurely Friday afternoon, tuning up
for the weekend, and I decide to check my Facebook page. Little did I know that our sleepy burg had made national headlines. The word was everywhere. It was on ABCnews.com, HuffPost, even Gawker was getting laughs out of the fact that the city of Longview, Texas, paid Ted Nugent $16,250 to end negotiations on his concert at our annual Fourth of July Fireworks and Freedom Celebration. I was in shock. Why has this happened? Why don’t I get to throw horns at Maude Cobb while the Snakeskin Cowboy rocks my face off gonzo live with “Free for All” and “Dog Eat Dog?” Well, according to a quote from Mayor Jay Dean published by Rawstory. com on March 27, this is why. “Nugent’s concert ‘didn’t really fit what we [sic] trying to put together, a family oriented program … and I confirmed with his thoughts that that probably wasn’t the right act. And I still feel that it was the right decision. It just didn’t fit with what we were trying to put together,’” which makes me curious, Mayor Dean. Remember back when Nugent was initially contacted? Had you not heard “Wang Dang Sweet Poontang?” Had you not seen the album cover for “If You Can’t Lick ‘Em… Lick ‘Em?” Were you un-
aware of “Cat Scratch Fever” and what Ted claims he can do simply with the stroke of his hand? We’re not talking about a guy who’s built his reputation on “family friendly.” It’s built on machine guns, fast cars and faster women, on loincloths and skintight body suits with fur tails, on testosterone and flaming arrows shot into amplifier stacks, and with all due respect, Mayor Dean, you, me and everyone in the world who has ever heard of Ted Nugent knows that. We know it now, we know it tomorrow and we certainly knew it when negotiations began for Ted to headline. So clearly, it’s obvious that this “family friendly” excuse for funneling $16,250 of our tax dollars into goaway money was nothing but gobbedygook. I spent a week contacting the Mayor’s office, but I was told only that he was out of town for the week. I won’t tell anyone how to run their personal or professional business, but the week after our town makes controversial national headlines seems like a pretty lousy time to become unreachable. Unless it’s the best time. I was eventually able to talk to Shawn Hara in Community Relations, but he was tight-lipped. He took only a
few moments to speak with me over the phone and wouldn’t answer questions. He told me to submit my questions via email, but I had to follow up with him on three separate occasions to receive his terse reply two days later. All I finally obtained was a boilerplate press announcement about the event, which didn’t shed any light on the situation and this snippet addressing my questions, which only reiterated the few facts available on public record: “Working with a concert promoter, staff began exploring the possibility of several different musical acts. Ted Nugent was among the many acts that were being considered. The promoter was in discussions with Nugent’s booking agency to explore the possibility of a concert; however, prior to actually scheduling the performance or finalizing a written agreement, the City of Longview chose not to proceed with Nugent. When the City decided not to proceed, there was a dispute amongst the parties (City, Promoter, and Booking Agency) regarding liability related to the events, so all parties agreed to settle. I believe the initial discussions with Mr. Nugent’s booking agent began in early February. The city ended negotiations on February 24.”
Now! Two Great Radio Stations
1240 AM, 105.3 FM Kilgore & 101.9 Longview
Lii ! 100.3 3 97.9 ...Listen! Longview
May 2014 - Page 22
Tyler
Unforgettable PineyWoodsLive.com
No one in city government would give a straight answer about what happened until the April 9 KLTV nightly news broadcast. According to Channel 7, apparently we also paid the promoter another $1750 to make this situation disappear for reasons that are still unexplained. So, for those keeping score, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $18,000 of our funds city hallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thrown into the furnace. Apparently the buckâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stopping with Laura Hill, the Director of Community Services. She received a written and a verbal reprimand for opening negotiations for Tedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appearance without getting the green light from her superiors through proper channels. But this new development doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make sense. If Ms. Hill is really the one to blame for setting fire to that much of our tax dollars, why is she only getting a reprimand? Why isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t she updating her resume and looking for a new job? This is pure speculation, but since no one associated with the city is willing to offer transparency on this issue, speculation is unfortunately all that remains. If Laura Hill still has a job in the wake of a blunder this massive, the only logical reason is because her superiors owe her. I speculate that she fell on her sword and took the heat for the decision to kill negotiations. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe Laura was the only one involved in this. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a small town in the grand scheme. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ridiculous to believe that someone tried to bring a multi-platinum, world famous recording artist here without running it up the chain first, ridiculous to believe that executing an idea this bold wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have rung a bell heard all the way in the mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office. For pityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sake, even Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d heard about Tedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s potential appearance. And Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m far from the only one who thinks this situation is ridiculous. Ridiculous, as in worthy of ridicule. Unlike our close-mouthed representatives who are clearly just trying to ride out this storm in as much silence as weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll allow, the local musicians of Longview have plenty to say. Daniel Foster has been the most publically vocal. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good guy who spends a lot of time traveling to retirement homes and entertaining the elderly with his music, a guy who has played for the city of Longviewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events in the past. On his Facebook page, Daniel wrote: â&#x20AC;&#x153;To my fellow musicians in the piney woods of East Texas. â&#x20AC;Ś I ask that you not offer your services to the city of Longview anymore for the disrespect they have shown us the past few years. â&#x20AC;Ś They have no problem telling local musicians they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a budget for entertainment for local events. But they can write a check for $16,000? THIS IS CRAZY! They wrote me a check for $25 PineyWoodsLive.com
for Alley Fest last year. I am not saying I need hundreds of dollars, but money to cover the cost would have been fine for me. I WILL NOT PLAY A SINGLE NOTE EVER AGAIN FOR THE CITY OF LONGVIEW. â&#x20AC;Ś They have abused the tax dollars of the hard-working citizens. â&#x20AC;Ś $16,000 could have paid for local music for the next five years. Play for the venues, but when the city of Longview calls, hang up the phone.â&#x20AC;? Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have to know how nice Daniel is to fully understand how hurt he must be to publically make a statement so bold. But he does not stand alone in taking this debacle so personally. Shelby Downing, a local singer/ songwriter, asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Longview get some entertainment from home? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve worked many shows over the years for free. â&#x20AC;Ś To offer an out-of-town artist that kind of money is wrong. Musicians in Longview have been over-used and abused long enough. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shameful that we â&#x20AC;Ś have worked for nothing for so long. â&#x20AC;Ś I support local musicians. A clean up on the inside of those in power is a must. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll boycott and stand by our local musicians. This matter was run by politics.â&#x20AC;? I got the chance to interview Tony McCullough, the lead singer of Borderline, and he weighed in on this issue with some truly profound thoughts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I worked for the entertainment committee for Alley Fest the year my band opened for Starship, and even we performed for about half the price we usually get for a normal gig. I asked a personal favor of a lot of people to come out and play for free. Funds were cut again for the following yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Alley Fest, so I backed off the committee completely. And to find out that the city can manage to come up with $16,000 for someone not to play, well, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m trying to find the proper politically correct word for how I feel about that.â&#x20AC;? Tony went with â&#x20AC;&#x153;disheartening.â&#x20AC;? When I asked if he had any theories why Longview government would make such a decision, Tony said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just an entertainer. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to go into the politics of it. But Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m unnerved. So many bands have tried to help the city, and they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come up with funds to help them? These bands play for almost nothing, for just the publicity. We musicians call it publicity sandwich. You do the gig and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hungry again an hour later. You have people like Ken Chinn with the Guitar Foundation who spends time with kids in hospitals, Richard Bowden and Sammy Brasher who are working so hard, giving their free time to go into schools and teach kids music, men like this have to go out and find sponsors to do this because they have no help from
the city. Longview isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t assisting them with any money. Mundt [Music] does, and some national agencies do too, but the city of Longview gets the glory for it. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see Longview putting money into that, but theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re throwing $16,000 away to keep someone from coming here who they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t agree with?â&#x20AC;? For a guy who says heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just an entertainer, Tonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s words have the ring of truth, a peal absent from the words of our elected officials. Tony closed our interview by offering one final observation: â&#x20AC;&#x153;In a place that has more strip bars than museums, do you think the leaders of that town are supporting the arts like they should?â&#x20AC;? What I want to know is how can anyone take anything Ted says seriously? This is the same guy who told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hear from reliable sources that the [Longview] mayor is a racist and was offended that my band performs mostly African-American-influenced music.â&#x20AC;? Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a celebrity milking our little controversy for all the free publicity possible. Getting mad at Ted for saying crazy things is like getting mad at the Iron Sheik for waving an Iranian flag before a wrestling match with Sergeant Slaughter.
I love Tedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music. Even â&#x20AC;&#x153;Damn Yankees.â&#x20AC;? But hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the real deal. He has said some pretty dicey things in the past about minorities that are difficult to defend. Things that I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just neatly file away as silly flamboyance. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know if he really is a bigot. But I do know that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on record saying things that make it hard for me to love him now in the same way I loved him before the days he threw his hat into the realm of political punditry, when I was just a rowdy kid who did the best air guitar of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strangleholdâ&#x20AC;? anyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ever seen. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not really Ted Nugent anymore, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just the box he came in. Another thing I know is this. If Mayor Dean had just come out and said that he wanted to put as much distance between himself and the political fallout thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s come in the wake of Tedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent controversy with his recent comments about the President, that Tedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s representatives strong-armed our town into paying a smaller fee to avoid a far more costly litigation, everyone would be on our Mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side. And I know that no matter what the real reason is behind this mess created by our cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s officials, our local musicians deserve better from the town they love.
2 ' 2 2 ) 7 $ 2 *5(
,/ 9( 086,&
5'$< 8 7 $ 6 Â&#x2020; < $ ,' 5 ) Â&#x2020; < $ :('1(16'$'5 2) (9(176 )25 '(7$,/6 6(( &$/(
%52$':$< %/9' 2 .,/*25( 7; 2 /,.( 86 21 )$&(%22. 2 ::: 7+(%$&.325&+.,/*25( &20
May 2014 - Page 23
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY by Jan Statman
P
lanning for a wedding is not an easy thing to do. As everyone who is preparing for a walk down the aisle knows, it may take a village to raise a child, but it takes a virtual army to plan a wedding. Everything has to go like clockwork. Everyone from the wedding planner to the person in charge of the music to the cake baker to the dressmaker has to perform with the precision of a marching band. Over all of that, the wedding photographer has to be there with a keen eye and a sharp lens, recording every precious moment. If everything goes well, those photographs will last a lifetime and beyond. The wedding photographer is the unsung hero who will make it possible for the couple’s grandchildren and great grandchildren to look back at the images of grandma and grandpa as they stood together at the altar, filled with love and hope on their long ago wedding day. If everything does not go well, there will be disasters. Seasoned wedding photographers can all tell horror stories like the legend of the photographer who spent hours carefully documenting every moment of both the ceremony and the reception only to discover he had neglected to put film in his camera. Then there is the terrible story about the photographer who was so nervous he forgot to remove the lens cap. And then there was that beginning photographer who was so nervously dedicated that he made sure to take candid photos of every family member, every good friend, every new in-law from the latest little one to the oldest dowager grandaunt. Unfortunately, he was so focused that the one person he forgot to photograph was the bride. Even worse is the story about a famous British photographer who photographed a spectacular society wedding at the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles, only to see his own face looking back at him reflected in every mirror in every frame in every photograph. Harold and aj Melnick of New Mexico have recently retired as wedding photographers, and they graciously agreed to share some of the experiences they’ve had with brides, bridegrooms,
May 2014 - Page 24
and weddings. “The thing to remember is that there is a great responsibility in recording somebody’s wedding,” Harold said. “Wedding photography is really hard work both physically and mentally. It is stressful for the photographer because the pictures have to be very good, and you only have that one opportunity to make them good. They are the once and final record of the occasion of a lifetime.” Back in the days when film had to be sent off to be processed, producing truly good photographs was a collaboration between the photographer and the film processing service. Harold and aj said they always used the best laboratory available because they were dependable and reliable, and they knew they would have excellent results. However, there was one time when there was a rush on the photographs, and they decided to use a less expensive service. When the films were returned, they realized they had given the lab four rolls of film and they only got three rolls back. The service had managed to lose a whole roll of film. Fortunately, they had taken lots and lots of photos, and the laboratory hadn’t lost the photos of the ceremony. There were so many pictures to choose from that the bride and groom didn’t notice the missing pictures, but Harold and aj never used a less expensive processing service again. “The digital images we have these days let you instantly see what you are getting,” aj explained. “It is no longer necessary to worry about whether you will get all the photos back, but wedding photography is still hard work.” Of course, all brides are beautiful on their wedding day, but it does happen that some brides are more beautiful than others. Before the invention of Photoshop, photographers sometimes had to use a little bit of photo magic when creating their formal bridal portraits. Some poses will make a small bride seem taller or a heavy bride seem thinner. When used sparingly, lights and shadows can hide whatever flaws might need hiding or enhance what is absolutely charming. Preferring to take the bride’s portraits out of doors whenever possible, aj said, “Portraits
outside in the natural light are much nicer, much fresher. But we always picked the time of day and the place. I preferred to make those portraits late in the afternoon when the shadows are long or early in the morning while the world is fresh – never when the sun is high and full blast, bright enough to make dark circles under the bride’s eyes.” While most wedding portraits are happy times, the best and the worst experiences are the ones that are remembered. Occasionally the bride’s mother or mother-in-law will make difficult demands for reasons nobody can clearly explain. Weddings are times of transition and stress, and when someone is being difficult, it is usually best for the photographer to try to accommodate their requests. The Melnicks took an indoor portrait of a bride holding a rose. She was lovely, and the rose enhanced her loveliness. Unfortunately, her mother-in-law considered herself to be an expert flower arranger, so she went out and found some delicate lily-like florist’s flower and insisted the bride hold that instead. The hot studio lights immediately caused the poor flower to fade. Harold said, “We wound up with a portrait of a rather confused looking bride holding onto a droopy wilting stick.” On another occasion, the mother of the bride insisted she saw light flashes from the camera in her daughter’s eyes. The bride was young, bright, alert and happy. People who are alert and happy have a sparkle in their eyes. They remember doing a portrait of a girl with long, dark hair and a white wedding dress against a soft, burnt orange background. It was beautiful, but her mother insisted on a full length portrait standing in front of the draperies at her home. Unfortunately, her draperies had long ago seen better days. They reached almost all the way down to the floor. Almost, but not quite. It distracted from the portrait. Formal portraits are special, but the formal family group photos that are taken on the day of the wedding always offered a challenge. “Rounding up the family members can be as difficult as herding cats. It is always hard to get everybody together because they are all busy doing other things and enjoying themselves,” Harold laughed. “We always had to find somebody who could collect all the relatives, because I had
no way to know who they were. We had to find someone who would know who was who in the wedding party, and who was part of the family, and who really needed to be in the photos. Once we got them all together, we would arrange them in an attractive group and ask them to smile. That smile is important, and you only have a split second to catch it.” Sometimes the bride will have a friend or several friends who want to take pictures at the same time the professional photographers are working. Some wedding photographers resent this and let everybody know they are not happy about it, but aj and Harold were always willing to share their time and energy because if several people are taking photos of a special moment, they’re sure to capture it so that it will never be lost. However, if the friend’s flash or lighting would interfere with their photos, they would kindly, very kindly, ask the friends to wait just a minute. Sometimes they would even set the photo up for them. As wedding photographers, they shot photos of every sort of ethnic wedding. “We did our homework,” aj explained. “We would research the customs of the group. We always made it a point to visit with the clergyman and find out what was appropriate to their faith, what was essential to photograph, and most important, when and how the photos could be taken. Sometimes it was acceptable to take photos during the actual service, but sometimes it was not. Sometimes we could set up a photograph after the actual wedding so that it appeared as though it was taken during the service. We were always respectful and did what was most suitable. “Outdoor weddings were easier to take than indoor weddings. There is more room to negotiate. If we were taking pictures inside a religious institution, we would want to take photos without being intrusive, so we would have to shoot from the side, or we would use a long lens. We would try to be sensitive and capture the event as it happened but not be invasive. “We are pretty casual, but we always dressed correctly for the wedding, with a nice outfit, tie and coat so as to blend in with the guests and make them comfortable,” Harold added. “We tried to be as invisible as possible. The greatest compliment would be when they would look at the photo and say, ‘We didn’t even realize you were there.’ And the photos just looked as though they happened naturally.” They agreed that candids were easier than formal photographs. Candid photographs taken during the reception were always energetic and lighthearted. “They call them ‘candids’ because that’s what they are,” Harold said. PineyWoodsLive.com
Receptions at some weddings were more exciting than others â&#x20AC;&#x201C; some are spartan, some are completely overdone. One of their clients had a particularly elaborate party. He was not at all gracious and he demanded perfection. They did their best to give him what he asked for, although nothing really satisfied him. They took the photographs and were paid handsomely. They later discovered that they were lucky to be paid at all because the man moved to New England, was being extradited for fraud, and had left a long trail of unpaid debts and unpaid investors. They had other clients who were completely happy with everything they did. In fact, there was one bride who liked their work so much she had them photograph both her weddingsâ&#x20AC;Ś Her first wedding was to a male stripper. He was quite handsome, but for some reason the marriage didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t last very long. Her second marriage was to a less handsome but more reliable gentleman. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As far as we know, her second marriage is still intact,â&#x20AC;? Harold said. Of course the reception always had candid photos of the bride and groom dancing together, the father of the bride dancing with his daughter, and the mother of the groom dancing with her son, but they would always try to get a picture of grandma and grandpa out on the dance floor if they possibly could. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of the most touching photographs we remember was a picture of the grandparents of the bride,â&#x20AC;? aj recalled. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They were very elderly and very handsome people. They died within a few months of the wedding, and these were the
Decorate Ornate New Container from Italy Just Arrived! Must See! Stephani Chance
last photographs the family had of them. They were particularly meaningful because they were all dressed up. They looked so wonderful. They were having such a great time, and they were happy and smiling. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If there was a pretty, little child in the family, we always liked to have a photo of the little one taking a finger to the bottom of the cake,â&#x20AC;? she added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That way we not only had a picture of the cake, we had a picture of the child, and it would always be a picture to smile about.â&#x20AC;? Both photographers recalled the time a minister fell into a fish pond. They were doing a wedding reception in the outdoor atrium of an elegant high-rise building. There was a fancy rooftop garden with a big, beautiful fish pond, and the minister fell right into it. He was busy talking to a guest and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realize where he was standing. Fortunately it was after the service, and the fish pond was only eight or ten inches deep. The only thing that was hurt was his dignity. He climbed out and dried off. Everyone had a good laugh, and he went on about his business. The one question they are always asked is how did they manage to get those glorious photos of the bridal party coming back down the aisle after the ceremony. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t easy,â&#x20AC;? they agreed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We would sit halfway down the aisle and wait until they came up close. Then we would pop up like a jack in the box, leap up out of the aisle, shoot the photo, jump away and hide until the next person came along. It was pretty athletic. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t jump that fast anymore.â&#x20AC;?
--4 +
France
DecorateOrnate.com
903.845.2519 PineyWoodsLive.com
&20,1* 83
7+ $$118$/ &5$:),6+ %%2,/ 00$< 7+ $// <28 &$1 ($7
/,9( 0086,& :((./< ))($785,1* %%,77(5 :+,6.(< __ &&8/9(5 ++286( __ %%/$&. 723 __ --(5(0< 33(<721 *$%5,(/Š6 //$67 %5($7+ __ %%/((' 77+( 5$,1 __ &&+5,6 ::$<1( %%$1' __ 7($=85 .,1* 5,&+$5' 7+( %%$<28 %%2<6 __ 8/5,&+ (//,621 77+( 775,%( 23(1 23 (1 $$77 30 ((99(5 (5<' <'$< '$< $< ''55,,1.. 663( 3(&&,,$/ $/6 __ %%(((5 5 %20 20%6 %6 ( 6 ((9( 9(55<< : :(' ('11(((66''$$< ('1( $< <
.$5$2.( 0021'$< 77+528*+ 77+856'$< ::,7+ 11$7+$1 ''$9,6
6HUYLFH (GXFDWLRQ WR 5HGXFH 9LRODWLRQV E\ (PSOR\HHV
Program
provides education to deter violations and promote voluntary compliance with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code.
JUNE 8-20, 2014
202 S. Main St. â&#x20AC;˘ Gladewater
300 N Spur 63 Longview, TX (903) 236-4979
is designed for employees of licensed establishments.
Together g
Tuesday-Saturday 10:30am-5pm
7+856 11,*+76 ))5(( ''$1&( //(66216 __ .$5$2.( 7+856 11,*+7 ## __ )5, 11,*+7 ..$5$2.( .5$=< 6$7 11,*+7 ..$5$2.( :,7+ ++$0%21( __ 11(9(5 $$ &&29(5 ''5$)7 ((9(5< 11,*+7 3 $ 0021 6$7
is a FREE program taught by TABC.
Italy & Provence,
NEW ARRIVALS!
:('1(6'$< 11,*+76 %%$// 772851$0(17
/,9( 0086,& (9(5< ::('1(6'$< ))($785,1* $$57,676 '211,( ''2'621 :+,7( 775$6+ ::$11$%((6 -(5(0< 33(<721 7+( --(5(0< 33(<721 %%$1'
$'$0 %%52:1 7+( $$'$0 %52:1 %%$1' 0,.( 00,//(5 0,//(5 552:
# -"$
Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Go To
Taking king 2 gro groups ps ttwice ice a year. ea Sign up now! Everyday is a Treasure Hunt. Come Explore the Store!
&20,1* 83
202 E hwy 3 1 Kilgore, TX (903) 984-3 000
will provide employees the knowledge and skills necessary to provide responsible alcohol sales and service.
2 3 Ă&#x;, 8Ă&#x; 3' , 12' ++ ".-5$-3(.-Ă&#x;"$-3$1 %=J?A -AOOKJO KX?HK?G 'NAA SEPD L=E@ @=J?A PE?GAP
%=J?A KX?HK?G
3HBJDSRĂ&#x; Ă&#x;$@BG $=FQJ $KJ?AOOEKJ 4P=J@
addresses common issues such as those related to minors and intoxicated persons.
Maude Cobb Convention Center 100 Grand Blvd â&#x20AC;˘ Longview, TX
May 19, 2014 8:30-11:30 or 1:00-4:00 Please choose one class time to attend.
Questions? RSVP 903.237.1019 May 2014 - Page 25
"UA =J@U
CAFE â&#x20AC;¢ ESPRESSO BAR CATERING
HAIR SALON ON
Cut. Color. Style. Wax. Extensions. Brazilian C an Blow Blowout. wout. Air Brush M Make Make-Up. Up p. Chai Chair air Ma Massag Massages. ag ges ges es.
WALK-INS WELCOME W E 5501 01 N. SPUR LONGVIEW W
(903)-236-5444 24,,$1c +(&'3-(-^c ".-"$13c 2$1($2
Gallery Main Street 110 W. Erwin â&#x20AC;¢ Downtown Tyler
(903) 593-6905 downtowntylerarts.com
FREE CONCERTS,
110 s. pecan st. nacogdoches, tx
936-564-6178 monday-saturday 10-5 sunday noon-4 May 2014 - Page 26
M-F 8-5:30 Saturday 8-5
903-934-9902
7XUQ <RXU 3HW ,QWR $ .HHSVDNH RI D /LIHWLPH Animal Portrait Artist
EVERY THURSDAY IN JUNE 6/5- DEL CASTILLO 6/12- GUY FORSYTH 6/19- MALFORD MILLIGAN 6/26- THE DERAILERS J.B & Kathryn Sallas Amphitheatre 303 S. 1st Street, Crockett Tx 75835 For more info, call PineyWoods Fine Arts
93 36--544-42 4 76 or go online at
www w.pw pw wfa faa. a.orrg a.
&$//,1* $// 086&,$16 gifts & souvenirs with a texas ï¬&#x201A;air
GREAT FOOD & GOOD FRIENDS. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Central Perks Difference.
211 N. Washington Ave Marshall, TX 75670
Virginia Savoldi
/RRNLQJ IRU D TXLFN URPDQWLF UHOD[LQJ *HW$ZD\" URPDQWLF UHOD D[LQJ *HW$ZD\"
3267 <285 (9(176 %,26 086,& 3,&785(6 21/,1( )25
)5(( /IVE
::: 3,1(<:22'6/,9( &20
VSD GLQLQJ 1,FHO\ DS3RLQWHG JXHVWURRPV 3,1( &5((. &28175< ,11 2))(5V $ )$%8/286 :((.(1' *(7$:$< +,''(1 ,1 7+( 3,1(< :22'6 2) ($67 7(;$6
3,1(&5((. 5' 1$&2*'2&+(6 7; _ 3, 3,1( 1(&5 1(& (& &5(( &5 5(( ( . 5' 1 ((. 1$& $&2* $& $&2*'2 &2* 2*'2 '2&+ ' '2& &+(6 &+ & +(6 +(6 7; ; _ ::: 3,1(&5((.&28175<,11 &20 PineyWoodsLive.com
AArtirtist's World by JANSTATMAN
We all love the idea of time travel. Books and movies that make time travel seem possible have always captured our imagination. H.G. Wells was the original scifi genius, but even he posed more questions than we can answer. What would it be like to go back through time and actually meet our great grandparents face to face instead of in faded photographs? We’d find out what that handsome young man in the bow tie and stiff celluloid collar sounded like when he talked. We’d be able to ask the beautiful, young girl where she found that hat with all the lace and feathers. Did they speak with accents? What were our parents really like when they were young? Were they ever carefree? Did they ever get into mischief? What will the next century bring? Do we dare to take a peek? Fortunately, nobody seems to have come up with a worthwhile working time travel vehicle just yet, and this is a good thing. We are all creatures of our age. Our thoughts, our ideas, our dreams are all formed by the times in which we live. Civilizations grow and change, but there are certain formal systems that are inherited from the past. In the long chain of history, time is like a river moving relentlessly forward. The surface may look the same from day to day, but it is in constant motion so that as the years progress, time and the river will change forever. More than anybody else, an artist has the responsibility of holding up a mirror to the time period in which he lives. Art and artists have no choice. We have to be a part of that stream of history. When we stop to think about it, much, if not most, of what we know about the ancient world comes PineyWoodsLive.com
down to us through the art that was left behind. We know how the ancient Egyptians looked and dressed. Who can forget the ancient Assyrians with their curly beards? The Greeks gave us images of perfection in their statues. The Romans look back at us from candid sculptures and paintings. We can go through the ages and tell about the people and their surroundings because of their art. Artists can no more avoid that history than we can avoid using the formal systems we have inherited from our civilization’s past. If an artist has the vision and the ability to make a place for himself in the long chain of art, he must find a way to work around existing systems of the time. They cannot be ignored, but they cannot be allowed to overwhelm the artist’s work. Even if he or she chooses to ignore them on a conscious level, they are still there. Every civilization has certain ways of doing things. There are even certain acceptable ways of seeing. These systems can nourish and at the same time endanger an artist’s creative abilities. Whether we like it or not, that unconscious heritage is at work. An example of this can be seen in the difference between Eastern and Western attitudes toward paintings. In much of Western art, the individual is large and important. People count. They are upfront, and they are the largest, most visible figures on the canvas. In Eastern art, mountains and valleys are important. If there is a figure at all, it will be small and faint – not nearly as important as the world around it. It will be hidden by the landscape or the sky. The thoughts and expressions of earlier generations cannot be completely denied. However, in order to
create art for the time in which he lives, the artist must take the risk of balancing his personal vision against the power of the past. This is not an easy thing to do. These risks are taken with the full knowledge that they cannot be reversed. They have the power to create a whole new world. They also have the power to destroy not only the artist’s imagery, but also the very nature of his art. During our lifetime, we have seen beyond the spheres. The Hubbell telescope has allowed us to see outside our own world to the space beyond space. At the same time, high powered microscopes allow us to peer into worlds that are so small and so intimate we can barely even imagine them much less see them with the naked eye. One of the important inventions of the past century was the development of a type of painting in which no person could be seen at all, not large or small. There would be no subject. There would be no object. It was painting that told a story about light and color, movement and energy. Abstract painting refers to the experiences of space beyond space, even experiences beyond anything we can easily recognize. It tells a story that cannot be repeated with words. Sometimes the story it tells is involved with the sheer joy of paint. It is a form of art that turns itself inward and is able to focus on the subject of painting for the sake of painting. Obviously this offers more risk to the artist than art that contain easily recognizable images. For this reason, it makes perfectly good sense to describe abstract paintings in terms of music or dance. Sometimes, when we are not familiar with what we are seeing, we want words to define them for us. It is easier to describe abstract art in terms of music because we can all connect with music. From J.S. Bach to Los Lobos, from Beethoven to Willie Nelson, everybody responds instinctively to the beats and measures of music.
Every time an art form reaches the brink of exhausting its own possibilities, something happens in the real world to offer up even more possibilities – the path widens, and it grows again. Today’s world is creative, fluid and free, offering such a wide space in that river of history that the art of our age can never be complete. It is always moving, always changing. It is always exciting and always new. Because of this, artists are required to take new risks. Life expands. Ideas expand. We must take these aesthetic risks because they are the only way to grow. We must always experiment with the unknown, leaving the stuff of our art open to change and chance. This sense of unlimited possibility is combined with a feeling of responsibility. As tempting as it might be to just keep representing the past, we must remember to steer ourselves away from repeating the same things in a suspended history that is frozen in time. Painting has to be a form of discovery, both for the artist and for the viewer. This sort of connection can only happen when an artist can maintain complete trust that something positive will happen as a result of this voyage he is making on uncharted seas. Even though we stay put in the comfort of our living rooms, we are all time travelers who have looked out and seen those planets that are light years away from us in this ever expanding universe. We have looked inward and seen the miniature microscopic worlds that are all around us. If our work is to be valid, we must hold a truly reflective mirror up to the time in which we live. That time is right now, today. It is a challenge for 21st century artists.
Award winning artist and writer Jan Statman’s paintings are owned by museums in Italy and Spain and by corporate and private art collections across the USA. She is listed in Who’s Who in American Art, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the Arts, Dictionary of International Biography, and numerous other references. Best known for colorful acrylics, and delicate watercolor paintings, she also judges area art exhibits and teaches painting classes. See her work on Facebook at Artist’s Studio of Jan Statman American Artist.
May 2014 - Page 27
Downtown Jefferson
The Old Store The Fudge Store
THE CORK YARD
AND
Wine Bar & Bistro
It ta alia lia li an Re Re es stau tau ta aur ra ran ant
old world recipes lunch & dinner
eal
of m e s a h c r u ith p
ket w c i t r u o y f 5.00 Of
$
MUDBUGS & JESUS at 4:30 123 N. Walnut Street Jefferson, TX 903.665.3562 • 800.227.1030 JeffersonFudgeCompany.com
located inside the 124 w. austin st jefferson n, tx jefferson,
$5 off any entree on your next visit.
Crawfish Boil Sundays weather permitting. Mondays - 1/2 price wine! Sun., Mon., Wed. & Thurs. 11am-10pm | Fri.-Sat. 11am-Midnight Kitchen closes at 10pm 903.665.8500 | 122 E Austin St. • Jefferson, TX 75657
KNIGHTLIGHTTAVERN RESTAURANT & WINE BAR Smoke-free in an Old World Setting
BRING THIS AD IN for 15% off your food order
Steaks Stonebaked Pizzas Piz izza zas Tapas Pastas with wine ne and beerr from around nd the world. d.. d Movies & Music Musiic
202 North Walnut St. • Historic Jefferson, TX 75657 65 57 903-665-8546 • www.KnightLightTheater.com www.facebook.com/theknightlighttheater
4/- .-
at
Factory Outlet
JEFFE ERS SON N IMA AGE ES 108 East Lafayette Jefferson, TX 75657
BEST PIES IN EAST TEXAS!
903-6 665-11 128
Bring this in for
1-800-657-5073
1/2 off
a slice of pie with purchase of an entree.
101 Market Street • Jefferson, TX 75657
Special Factory Prices
903.665.8302 www.hamburger-store.com M-Th 11-8 • F-Sat 11-10 • Sun 11-6
59 3$5. &
JEFFERSON Ice Express
PROFILES
ART - MUSIC - VIDEO - WRITING and more! SUBMIT YOUR WORK AND BIO TO BE DISPLAYED IN OUR NEXT ISSUE! ben@pineywoodslive.com May 2014 - Page 28
Proudly providing purified Ice and Water using a Reverse Osmosis Filtration System the best drinking water in Jefferson!
We have ten (10) RV spaces available for rent $30.00 per night with full hook-ups located within walking distance of all the downtown shops and restaurants.
610 E. BROADWAY JEFFERSON, TEXAS 75657
(903)431-0043 OR (903)407-5599 WWW.JEFFERSONICEEPXRESS-RVPARK.COM PineyWoodsLive.com
“B si ”
The
de
ofmusic
by Randy Brown
One Is The Loneliest Number One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do Two can be as bad as one It’s the loneliest number since the number one
“One” – Written by Harry Nilsson “One” is a song written by Harry Nilsson and made famous by Three Dog Night whose cover in 1969 reached number 5 on the Billboard chart. The song is known for its opening line: “One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do.” It appeared initially on Nilsson’s third album, Aerial Ballet. Nilsson claimed to have written the song after calling someone and getting a busy signal. He said that he stayed on the line listening to the “beep, beep, beep, beep...” tone, writing the song. The busy signal became the opening notes of the song. In 1969, Three Dog Night covered the song on their debut album with Chuck Negron on lead vocal. It also is a great intro to this month’s column about solo performance. Over the past 45 years I have played in bands, trios and duos as well as in just about every other configuration you can imagine. None of those prepared me for that most exposed performance opportunity of them all – the solo performance. It is by far the most rewarding and challenging performance experience available to the mortal man. It is the equivalent to walking the high-wire without a net (well at least in a figurative sense). You feel like you are always one missed chord or one forgotten lyric away from total failure with no one but yourself to cover for you. It can simultaneously be one of the most exhilarating and terrifying experiences you can have in front of people. Playing in a duo, trio, quartet or larger band is a lot of fun. It requires teamwork, discipline, rehearsal and the ability to literally
PineyWoodsLive.com
“play well with others.” I have had some incredible experiences playing in groups. The magic that occurs when all the work suddenly gels and it suddenly feels as the entire band is one single organism whose heartbeat is the pulse of the music is utterly unforgettable. It is a transcendent feeling when everything clicks, and the hair on the back of your neck stands up, and you can suddenly read the rest of the band members minds and can effortlessly play passages and textures that were never available to you to play before. It is truly mindblowing. On the other hand, there are times when the drummer and bassist are fighting over something, and they bicker throughout the set, or the lead singer suddenly decides he deserves a larger cut of the money than anyone else despite your previous agreement and the “one for all and all for one” pledge you all took. Then there is the time when the lead guitar or keyboard player decides to self-medicate and can’t remember the arrangements or simply doesn’t take the whole band as seriously as you or when you have spent so much time with the other guys that you honestly can’t stand another moment of their “used to be” funny and lovable personalities. When all that happens, you should think about playing solo. Playing solo is a great way to find out if your songs, delivery and general artistry are really up to snuff. If you can get the music across with simply your voice and whatever instrument you play, then you can be sure that you have something to share with the world and that your songs are good enough. If not, then you have an idea of what you need to work on with some serious time in the woodshed before you try again. You will quickly learn that all the tricks you learned playing your instrument in a band simply won’t cut it playing alone. You are simultaneously drummer, bass player, lead singer, front man and roadie. It is a big and sometimes daunting job. PA problems? You fix it. Forgot some important part of your rig? You figure it out. Not to mention that before and after sets you’re faced with the load in, setup, tear down and load out, unless you can enlist some unwitting fan or friend to help. When folks line up to talk to you after the show, there is no one to run interference for you, you simply have to suck it up and act interested even though it feels you have no more
to give. These folks came to see you, and they deserve your attention no matter how fried and ready for quiet time you may feel. Also, you are also probably the booking agent, publicist, web master and merchandise person both selling and hawking yourself and wares over the phone, via email, from the stage, web and merchandise table. Sound scary? Well, it should be, because it isn’t for everyone. So, I have told you all the scariest things about playing solo – about one being the loneliest number. But we haven’t yet talked about the rewards. We haven’t talked about the sense of accomplishment you will feel when folks come up to you after a show and tell you how moved they were by a song or a story you told. The connections with the audience are much stronger at solo shows because you aren’t sharing the stage. Your message doesn’t get diluted by someone else’s antics or words. It is truly “your” show. You can play, say, act as you please. No set list? Well, you don’t need no stinkin’ set list! Try shooting from the hip based upon audience response. If you suddenly feel like the moment calls for a 20-year-old song you can barely remember, then you just go for it. Often times as a solo artist your failures can endear you to the audience even more by exposing your human side. As a band, it may only feel like a train-wreck, but by yourself it is often viewed and rewarded as an act of artistic courage. In my opinion, every artist should try playing solo at least a few times. It is a way to really see what you are made of. You may be the best team player there is, but the whole solo thing may make you want to shut down. If so, then certainly don’t do it. But if you decide to try it either temporarily or as your primary performance mode, you will eventually find your groove. You will learn to pare down your equipment to the barest of minimums so load in and set up goes quickly and smoothly. You will learn to always put everything back in the same place when you tear down and load out so you don’t have to fran-
tically search next time. The tools you acquire performing as a solo artist will help you in the studio and when you play with others. You may even find that playing with others is more fun after a long solo stint since you won’t be the only one responsible for getting it done. Playing solo can also ruin you for other endeavors. In my case I have allowed my performances to become very malleable, fitting them to the mood of the audience. I can change anything about the performance on the fly from tempo to key to feel without rehearsal or consulting with my band mates. It allows me more immediacy with my songs, which I personally love. Oh, to be sure, there are nights I wish I had a sideman or two to help me get through but those are few. Well, that is it for this month. I hope you are challenged to try performing solo if you don’t already. I promise it is a rewarding and worthwhile way to get your music out there. All things being equal, it is my preferred performance mode, although nothing can beat a great night playing with a great band. Truly great bands are hard to find and great players seldom stay in one place long simply because they are great players. There is always a demand for great players. Also, you don’t have to worry about how the money is split or piecing together a tour around everyone’s free time. As a solo artist you are free to fly as far and as fast as you want, provided you are willing to climb up on that tightrope and be exposed to the danger of failure. I guarantee if you do it a few dozen times, you will become addicted to the rush. So, in summary, maybe “One” isn’t really the loneliest number you’ll ever do. Maybe it will be the most fulfilling thing you ever do. You will never know until you try it. Until next month.
Randy Brown is a full-time singer/songwriter living in East Texas and has been involved with many sides of the music business over the years, from being a sideman, a sound man, touring songwriter, producer, venue operator, and a recording studio owner/engineer. He loves to play solo but maybe that is because his personality is too controlling. Nah! That can’t possibly be it.
6FDQ 7KLV
IHDWXULQJ (DVW 7H[DV $UWLVWV
*LIW &HUWLÀFDWHV $YDLODEOH
1 +RUDQH\ 6WUHHW /RQJYLHZ May 2014 - Page 29
Downtown Kilgore
TH HE TH HER RNEA AUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;S
% 20%Jeeweto 50 OFF elry y, Bag gs, Scarrvess, 903.218.5636 100 N. Kilgore St. â&#x20AC;˘ Kilgore 9
Orrien ntall & Assorte ed Giift Item ms
Dow wnttow wn Kilg gore â&#x20AC;˘ 12 20 N. Kilgo ore Strreet â&#x20AC;˘ 903.9 984 4.1420
&$//,1* $// 086&,$16 Friday, May 2
Nouveaux Cajun Xpress
Fine Gifts for the Whole Family 903-984-1420 120 N. Kilgore St. â&#x20AC;˘ Kilgore, TX 75662
8 p.m. - 10
Friday, June 6
Dazed and Ally Venable Band 8 p.m. -10 Friday, July 25
Street Stre Stre St reet et Dance Dan ance ance ce The Bluebirds 8 p.m. - 10 Friday, August 15
Back Back tto Ba o School Sc cho hool o Party ol Party artyy ar Daniell F Foster and d Levi L i Ki Kitchen
Incredible Instruments Learnable Lessons Music for Life 119 Longview Street â&#x20AC;˘ Kilgore
903.984.4900 604 S. Palestine St. (Hwy. 19) â&#x20AC;˘ Athens
903.292.1733
3267 <285 (9(176 %,26 086,& 3,&785(6 21/,1( )25
)5((
9 p.m. - 12
/IVE
www.cityofkilgore.com/mainstreet
::: 3,1(<:22'6/,9( &20
We are in need of volunteers for the upcoming T-Bone Walker Fest on September 12th and 13th as well as volunteers for the Longview Farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Market every Saturday morning through August. We are also still looking for musicians to perform at the farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market. If you are interested in helping or performing, please contact Andrea at 903.215.6217 or email at andrea@ pineywoodslive.com. Thank you all for your tremendous support of Piney Woods
Live magazine! We appreciate each and every one of you! Together we can keep the arts alive in East Texas. May 2014 - Page 30
PineyWoodsLive.com
pineywoodslive.com/events
EVENTS
The go-to spot for everything happening in the Piney Woods Area
FINE ART EXHIBITIONS Student Invitational Art Exhibit, Longview Museum of Fine Arts, through April 26. Mediterranea, Tyler Museum of Art, through April. Student Artwork of the Kilgore College Visual Arts Department, Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Gallery on the Kilgore campus, through May 5.
Tyler Civic Chorale Master Works Concert, Sunday in Paris, First Presbyterian Church, Tyler, April 27. Kyle Park in Concert, Graham Central Station, Longview, May 1. Nouveaux Cajun Xpress, Kilgore After 5 Concert Series, World’s Richest Acre, Kilgore, May 2. The Bellamy Brothers, Liberty Hall, Tyler, May 2.
Color and Texture Fiber Arts Exhibit, Gallery Main Street, Tyler, through May 5. A Celebration of American Indian Culture, American Indian artwork by local and not-so-local artists and artisans, Winnsboro Center for the Arts, through May 31. Texas National 2014, Cole Art Center at Old Opera House, Nacogdoches, through June 12. Jerome Witkin Drawings, Cole Art Center at Old Opera House, Nacogdoches, through June 12. At The Vantage Point Photo Exhibit by Scott M. Lieberman, M.D., Tyler Museum of Art, Through July 13. Architectural Aesthetic, A Juried Art Exhibit, Gallery Main Street, Gladewater, May 10 through May 30. Shades of Trout by artists AD Maddox and Ed Anderson, Longview Museum of Fine Art, May 17 through June.
Granger Smith with Earl Dibbles Jr., Kayla Reeves, Folk Family Revival, Crooks, Jonathan Fox Band, Buddy Flett, LuLu and the Vipers and much more, AlleyFest, downtown Longview, May 9 - 10. Tyler Youth Orchestra Spring Concert, First Presbyterian Church, Tyler, May 14. Keith Rea, Loretta Callens, Debra Johnson, Gary Jones, plus more, PIney Woods Wine Festival, Mount Vernon, May 16 17. Opera Star Mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves in Concert, Marvin United Methodist Church, Tyler, May 16. Brian Martin in Concert, Live Music Fine Arts Series, Longview Museum of Fine Arts, May 16. John Batdorf Folk Music Concert, The Old Firehouse, Edom, May 17.
East Texas Symphonic Band Pops in the Park Concert, Teague Park Ampitheater, Longview, May 22.
Diamond Bessie Murder Trial, The Jefferson Playhouse, Jefferson, May 1-4.
Country Music Hayride, The Esquire Theater, Carthage, every Saturday.
Saturday Morning Kidcom, comedy performance for children, APEX Theatre 20 @ Potter Place, Tyler, May 17.
Open Acoustic Jam every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, Ramsey’s Road House & Pub, Canton.
MUSIC Amy Speace, Original Folk Music Concert, The Old Firehouse, Edom, April 26. East Texas Symphony Orchestra, Power Play, Cowan Center, Tyler, April 26.
The Great Locomotive Chase and Naval Battle of Port Jefferson, Civil War Reenactment, Historic Jefferson Railway, Jefferson, May 3 - 4. Kilgore Geekend, “May the 4th Be With You” Comics Event, downtown Kilgore, May 3 - 4. AlleyFest / Historic Depot Days 2014, downtown Longview, May 9 - 10. Piney Woods Wine Festival, Downtown Plaza, Mount Vernon, May 16 - 17. FILM Steel Magnolias (1989), Liberty Hall, Tyler, May 10. COMEDY Comedy Improv Workshop Series with Jamey Whitley, Liberty Hall, Tyler, Six weeks April 14 - May 12. Improvisation comedian Wayne Brady, Cowan Center, Tyler, May 2. Saturday Morning Kidcom, comedy performance for children, APEX Theatre 20 @ Potter Place, Tyler, May 17.
Bing Futch in Concert, Winnsboro Center for the Arts, Winnsboro, May 17.
LIVE THEATER Geronimo, Life on the Reservation, Rudy Ramos oneman show, Winnsboro Center for the Arts, April 26-27.
Let The Praise Begin, Gospel Musical, Omega Ministries Intl., Tyler, May 17.
FESTIVALS Jefferson Civil War Days, downtown Jefferson, May 1 - 4.
Dazed, The Back Porch, Kilgore, May 31.
DINING Taste of the Oil Patch, Gladewater Rodeo Arena, Gladewater, April 26. Harvest Festival Crawfish Boil, Maude Cobb Convention Center, Longview, April 26. Historic Longview Farmer’s Market, From Plow to Plate, Cotton St. and High St. , Longview, every Saturday morning through September.
658a>:6a98;9e %#e)3**e
658a;<;a876: PineyWoodsLive.com
May 2014 - Page 31
ECU is for EVERYONE in Gregg and Harrison Counties
It’s true, some decisions are easier to make than others.
Live or work in Gregg or Harrison Counties? You can open an account!
And, where to keep your money, that’s a serious one. So go ahead...
MAKE THE BETTER CHOICE When you join Eastman Credit Union you’ll discover that we go above and beyond, we’re here to stay, and we’re consistently recognized nationally for extraordinary service. We’ll even make it a practice to look for ways to save you money. Now, did that make your decision just a little easier?
Come and be part of ECU today.
We help our members through all life’s stages.
Be part of the extraordinary difference. Open your account at one of our locations. North Eastman Road (near Buffalo Wild Wings)
Kodak Boulevard (near Eastman Chemical Company)
ĄûþďþăüďāĀûûǍĕǍ800.999.2328 PineyWoodsLive.com
Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency.
May 2014