Kitchen Music

We meet on Thursday nights at the Freeman house to play string music. Musicians of all stripes, some pro, some rank beginners join for old-time tunes. Sometimes four, sometimes twenty crowd into the kitchen. I chord along on my guitar. That’s about my limit now. No amplifiers, no electronics, just acoustic music at the Freeman’s.

Growing up in south Texas we had music by radio and by Victrola. Bob Wills and his fiddles. Adolph Hoffner and Czech music. And lots of latino music too. These forms have now come together as Conjunto music now.

Guitars weren’t really part of my childhood. I grew up impressed by Big Band arrangements. I was not pleased when Elvis began to perform. I did begin to strum a guitar, tho.

In the Kitchen I’m the old guy and can lead in Bob Wills tunes. And explain some of the lyrics. What does “Deep Ellum” refer to? When another old-timer appeared he outdid me. He knew the “Westfalia Waltz” and how the Texas Playboys came to record it. Wow! Music is fun.

When I visit San Antonio I look for the mariachis at the Market or along the Riverwalk. Their instruments look like broken toys, yet they are masters of the traditional Mexican tunes I remember from my childhood, blasting out of that good old Atwater Kent in the front room, out on West Kennedy in Kingsville, Texas. Where did it all go? We keep some of it alive in the kitchen on Thursday nights.

Dac Crossley
February 7, 2016

“Reality is over-rated.” – Dac Crossley

Comments

[Teresa]

Dac,
As always your words bring to life every aspect of the time and place of an event. I would love to listen sometime. PS since it's a kitchen event I would be happy to cook something, not tamales I have no talent in that department, but I can make most Southern staples and no they aren't soggy.