Tommy Alverson's

Family Gathering #8

Tres Rios River Ranch

Glen Rose, TX

October 5-8, 2005

by Miss Lana

Tommy Alverson's Family Gathering has become "an event not to miss" among Texas music fans...and that includes me.  What a class act Tommy has put together and every year seems to get bigger and better.  This year was no exception.

This year brought an extra night at the beginning of the festival of acoustical acts and song swaps, a lagniappe if you will.  Jay Johnson, Kevin Deal, Walt Wilkins, Chris Wall, Bobby Rambo and Gary Nicholson, among others, performed.

Thursday was full of rock and roll and honky tonk...mostly rock and roll.  However, both The Insiders and Dale Watson catered to my honky tonk cravings.  The Unwound Band opened the night at 5 p.m. and from there it was non-stop music until wee hours of the morning.  Steve Young played after The Insiders and then Stoney LaRue came out and got the crowd movin' and groovin'.  Cooder Graw closed the show with a massive jam featuring Coby Wier, Dirt Stinnett and other guitar gods that was packed full of rock and roll.  What a night!

Friday's show opened at noon with a new act out of Houston that is primarily retro country, Miss Leslie and Her Juke Jointers.  It was my first time to hear them live, and they got it going on!  Ryan Turner Band, Snuffy Elmore and Bonnie Bishop came after them, respectively.  Doug Moreland and his new sidekick, Sadie (a Border Collie), entertained the ever-growing audience as did Steve Fromholz and Pauline Reese.  Then came the three Mikes...Mike Mancy, Michael Hearne (always a fantastic show) and Mike Graham.  Wow!  Next on stage was Ponty Bone & The Squeezetones who changed the mood with their jazzy Cajun tunes.  One of my favorites performed next, Cornell Hurd Band (always an entertaining experience) and then Rusty Wier.  The Great Johnny Bush closed the show with his pure honky tonk greatness.  How can it be any better than this?

Saturday came early with another noon start time and Kelly Spinks opened with Mike Blakely right behind him.  Heather Morgan played next and then Brian Burns.  It's always a pleasure to see Brian perform...his versatility and talent continue to amaze me.  Terry Rasor and Over The Edge played next followed by Eleven Hundred Springs.  I haven't seen Eleven Hundred Spring live in a while, and I enjoyed their set.  They're fun to watch and even more fun to hear.  My buddies, Ed Burleson and Davin James were the next two acts, and both these fellas pretty much brought the house down.  The Derailers were up next and then the awesome Bill Kirchen.  Man, can that guy play a guitar!  My first time to see Mr. Kirchen and he certainly has my respect.  I got to watch the original "Hot Rod Lincoln" being done the way no other can do it.  After somewhat catching our breath, Tommy and his band closed out the night with several special guests.  Tommy is the ultimate host and everybody's friend.  Through his music, his festivals, his hard work and his passionate support of Texas country music, he has helped to promote OKOM in a way that many can only dream about.  Thank you, Tommy (and staff) for another memorable festival.

I don't know how they do it, but every year this team of music professionals put on a festival that carves a memory in the hearts and minds of everyone there for many years to come.  It's one that when it's over and you say to friends or they say to you, "See ya next year," you mean it and they mean it.  See ya next year!

One more really cool thing they did this year was record many of the artists live, and you can purchase these discs at TheTexasMusicStore.com.  There are several discs already available for purchase on-line.  According to their website, they are still negotiating more live CD's from artists that performed at the festival, so you might check back for Bill Kirchen's disc if it becomes available...or the artist(s) of your choice.  It's all good!

                                                                                                Happy Trails,
                                                                                                Miss Lana

A personal note to Jenni Mansfield Peal...thanks for the private concert.  That was really special to me.                                                                               

Written by Lana Hughes, October, 2005

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