Flanfire

The legendary Al Perkins joined hunky singer-songwriter Kevin Montgomery on stage at the Barn Dance on Sunday -- and with dobro and guitar, the duo put on quite a show. Of course, Leeann Atherton closed out the evening with some raucous rock - including a duet with Montgomery on the Buddy Holly song, "Not Fade Away" (whereas Kevin's prior Buddy Holly collaboration was with Mary Chapin Carpenter on "Wishin'" from the Holly tribute CD) that barn dancers will long remember (BTW - Kevin has clips of the barn dance on his website). Oh, by the way - Kevin's dad Bob Montgomery was Buddy Holley's (that's the original spelling!) first bandmate - way back in junior high!

Montgomery, who is probably better known in England than here in the States, has two CD's out right now - with many of the same songs (most of which are over a decade old). The studio CD, 2:30 AM, was first released in England in 2003, and only last year did it become available in the US of A; Live! from Glasgow was recorded in 2003 and released earlier this year. Both feature Tennessee Girl, Cherokee City and Melrose (penned in 1995) and Fear Nothing (which dates to 1992 and was the title track of his first CD over a decade ago). Both CD's feature Perkins on pedal steel, dobro, and guitar and Robert Reynolds (the Mavericks) on bass. The studio CD has the wonderful piano work of Matt Rollings (Lyle Lovett, Suzy Bogguss and half of Nashville). The live CD has Paul Deakin also of the Mavericks and Mike McAdam (Steve Earle, Radney Foster, et al.) on guitar - and a hot version of Ooh Las Vegas and an even hotter Crossroads featuring Perkins. There's a Springsteen cover on each CD - and the live CD has dad Bob's "Flower of My Heart," a song which predates the Crickets (which Bob did not join) but has that classic West Texas sound. [Perkins himself grew up near Odessa.]

Women (and music lovers of both sexes) of the world must know that Kevin Montgomery has one of THOSE voices -- think Vince Gill, Michael Martin Murphey, and few others. And he sings ballads -- and has HAIR! [Did I mention that both Tricia Yearwood and Lee Ann Womack and the lesser known Carter Wood lend their voices to 2:30 AM?] But best of all, his music is very listenable - soothes and makes you feel good at the same time. In person, Kevin was joyful and thrilled to be among friends, and Al was stoic and willing to share his vast repertoire with people who understand real music (including a hot version of Foggy Mountain Rock). Leeann noted that her very first recording, back in her Nashvegas daze, was "One Yellow Rose," with Al Perkins himself!

Also appearing at the Barn Dance was Austin singer-songwriter Cash Cooper whose three-piece band (with Ernie Buford and Dave Langhand) provided some rocking country moments while the sun was still high in the sky. I saw folks dancing in the heat! Cash's other hot talent is leather artwork (catch him at Capitol Saddlery). Cash is working with producer Terry Oubre on a forthcoming CD - but catch him live, hopefully at a club with a good dance floor.

Memories are also made of the reunion of the South Austin Gospel Choir (you can see Renee's yellow dress on Kevin Montgomery's website clips of the barn dance show) and the final appearance in Austin for a while of the wonderful Steve Ulrich. PLUS Jessica Shepherd belting out "Ethel's Purty Palace." Jessica, Eric Leikam, Shelly Knight, and a whole host of others graced the gospel choir, while chief songwriter PJ Lyles also brought out his newer gospel project for a fine set of music.

As befits the event, flyers were handed out announcing a "Free the Children" concert at Freedom Oaks on July 30 to support a local woman whose children are currently being held by Kerr County officials who want to permanently take them away from her. [It's a long story that we do not fully know, but apparently the 3-year-old was injured while "more than three feet" away from her mother.] Toni Price, Doak Short, Shelley King, and numerous others have already signed up to play at the potluck and BBQ (which you can get for a $15 donation).