Pickin' In The Pines

This fall’s festival event included an open mic night on Thursday night where all ticket holders with musical aspirations can take the stage for a few minutes and entertain the crowd. It is one of those rare times when you get to hear talent you haven’t ever heard before and may never hear again.

Friday night’s line up included T-Roy Miller (of course), Tim Shirley with Damon Carroll, Jay Johnson Band, Max Stalling and Bodie Powell & Borderline.  This was T-Roy’s birthday celebration, a tradition of Pickin’ in the fall.  On this night he was presented with a very special birthday gift…a plastic blow up doll that was dubbed "Wendy", of course, in honor of the song he sings about his girlfriend, Wendy, who happens to be a blow up doll.  The song was written by Kent Finlay, but T-Roy has made it a favorite among the fans in North and East Texas in the past couple of years.  This new Wendy doll even has a hole in the top of her head that holds T-Roy’s beer...nope, I’m not lying.  It was quite the hit at Pickin’ and she made a special appearance during Saturday night’s opener with T-Roy, who did a great set of music that he’d written throughout the years. Not that T-Roy is that old, but he’s been in music most of his young life.

Then came the time everyone had been waiting for, the reason for the big buzz the week before it was time for PIP again…the legendary Guy Clark, who is one of the most respected and best loved songwriters and performers of Texas music, was next to take the stage.  With him was his talented friend and music partner, Verlon Thompson.  It was just the two of them with their guitars up on stage to perform to a sold out Pickin’ In The Pines crowd.  One of the first things Guy said was, "What a beautiful spot."  After the first two or three songs, I think he realized it was also a beautiful audience, who sat so quietly taking in every word and every note that you could hear the crickets singing in the background.  He made the comment, "This is down right civilized!" and then broke into the next song.  Even the dancers, out of respect for Guy, opted to dance on the sides of the stage area instead of in front of the stage.  He and his more than adequate side man, Verlon, would sing several of Guy’s songs, then Guy would give Verlon the stage to sing a couple of his songs.  I’m telling you, both of these gentlemen are so talented, it’s a phenomenon.  Guy would sit back there and smoke a cigarette and smile occasionally as Verlon entertained us. Then they would both start in singing Guy’s songs again.  This was amid a silent audience, folks, the quietest I’ve ever heard that many people EVER at a concert (except house concerts, of course).  Anyway, it was a totally magical night of the best music Texas has to offer, and it was all because the Millers made it possible.  Without all their hard work and generosity of opening their land and their hearts to Texas music fans, I would not be writing this article because I wouldn’t have been able to experience it.  Thanks to ALL who worked tirelessly to make this festival happen.

I asked the Millers for a little history about their family farm out in Pine Mills. It is complete with a family cemetery, and many of the graves are very old.  I am always interested in history, and here is the answer I received from Geri Miller, T-Roy’s mom:

"The first PIP was held in the fall of 1993.  Richard suggested that we have a small music festival after we had hosted several jams with camp outs.  So we, and friends from Dallas, put together the first one.  We had people on stage for several years and then had only jams for some of the time.  Headliners include Alan Dameron, Chris Wall, Rusty Weir, Slaid Cleaves.  Ray Wylie Hubbard, Billy Joe Shaver, Guy Clark, Max Stalling, Eleven Hundred Springs, Brian Burns, Mark David Manders, Kent Finlay, and Tommy Alverson have also performed.  Richard's great-grandfather, Richard Reed, came to Wood County in about 1860.  The land has remained in the family since then.  We were the first members of the family to move back to the property after the family moved in 1927 after the death of Richard's grandfather."

I’ll tell you something else about the Millers. They have a BIG family.  I have met several really nice folks who claim to be related to them.  I bet I'm related to them, too...somehow!

The song circles at night around the camp fires are something special at this festival.  Locals who are musically inclined come out and pick and sing, as well as the artists that are hired to play and many of the festival-goers that play an instrument.  It is something most of them look forward to, and many stay up all night swapping songs and stories.  It's a time for everyone to sit around in an informal atmosphere and enjoy the music and the people who make it.  I love getting to hear the local folk and their music...some of them are very talented but will never be heard anywhere but in their own environment.  One of the memories I have of this festival is when I saw a young man being tutored on guitar by a very elderly gentleman.  I could tell the young man was trying to soak in everything this old man had to show and tell him, and I could see how patient the old man was being with the young man.  For some reason, that really made an impression on me.  This is how our music is passed on to the next generation, and it's an important part of teaching our children the cultures of Texas and America.

This is one of my favorite festivals of the year, bar none, and it’s so cool that it happens twice a year instead of only once.  It’s the most laid back festival (even though the music schedule is always full).  It’s just our music family getting together enjoying one of our mutual loves….Texas music by some of the greatest people on earth.  I didn’t take any pictures this time (see, I was too busy being laid back), so visualize this: Tall pines with a stage nestled in among them, kids and dogs roaming around, friends helping to put up camps, laughter from a camp way down the road, camp fires smoldering, the smell of fresh bacon cooking, music that is almost constant…either on stage, at the camp fires or strolling through the woods looking for another picker to play and sing with.  This is what Pickin' in the Pines is all about.  It’s about music, family and friends-and life is the best when you’re at PIP!

If you want to experience Pickin' In The Pines, you can visit http://www.t-roymiller.com for information.  The next one will be the third weekend in May of 2004.  Don't wait until the last minute to get your tickets.  They are limited, but the memories you can bring home with you certainly aren't.

                                                                                                      Happy Trails,
                                                                                  Miss Lana

Lana

Diva Central