Walser's March
And now, in the Olympic Yodeling Event...
Fri., Aug. 16, 1996
Day One: We got settled into our fleabag hotel and took a 45-minute bus ride to the Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. We were picked up there by volunteers in golf carts and transported to the Southern Stage where we performed a 45-minute set. Then we were transported by golf cart to the Dance Stage and performed another 45-minute set. A Native American group with beautiful costumes performed prior to our performance. They were wonderful.
At each stage location the volunteers saw to our every need and were very professional in handling the sound systems and other equipment. I was glad to see Pat Jasper [Director of Texas Folklife Resources] there, she is a fine lady. Also we were quite impressed by our main contact person, George Holt.
We performed in the afternoon and boy, was it hot. There were lots of people in the park, but few of them could sit on the uncovered benches down in a cement hole for more than two or three songs. I also noticed that the stages were painted black, which really absorbed the heat.
On the way back to the hotel we were held up while folks took pictures of Bruce Jenner. I made the comment to someone, "With all these folks carrying back packs, we will be lucky if someone does not bring in a bomb." I wish I had not said that.
Day Two: We arrived at the park just as the torch came through downtown Atlanta. The traffic was terrible on the way in. We watched as the Derailers performed and then we performed our set. There was a fellow signing for the deaf, and he even signed my yodel parts. Several couples danced in front of the stage and one lady clogged several songs. I would have died of heat stroke.
This was opening day of the Olympics.
Day Three: Last night, Waylon Jennings played a free concert. Several of the Pure Texas Band members attended. Waylon's sponsors were prepared for around 5,000 people. It being opening day for the Olympics, old Waylon had only around 100 or so folks to play to. However, the guys said he played as if there were 5,000 present.
Had some rain today but it was over prior to our performances. It was a lot cooler today and the crowds were much bigger.
Day Four: Had a good time today, enjoyed Michael Hooper, an Elvis Presley look-alike, who performed prior to us. He sang Elvis songs backed up by a great band and he used his own great voice, never trying to sound like Elvis. It was refreshing.
Day Five: The last three days we performed (day four, five, and six) were showcases for Watermelon recording artists -- the Derailers, Webb Wilder, and me. The crowds were bigger and everyone seemed to enjoy our music.
Day Six: Our best crowds were tonight. We said our farewells to all the great folks we met here and prepared to leave .
Some General Observations of Our Trip to Atlanta: In Austin, we musicians have a great media support system. Television, radio, and newspapers here give us so much help in free advertisement. If we had to purchase this support, most of us would have to stop performing. In Atlanta, I purchased several daily newspapers. Except for the Pure Texas Band, I found no mention of any groups performing in the Centennial Park, no schedules of who was performing on any stage, etc.
We enjoyed our trip to Atlanta and all the wonderful bands that performed there. There were jam sessions each night at the hotel and great music as well.
After all is said and done, we enjoyed ourselves very much in Atlanta, however, I prefer to perform at Babe's, Jovita's, the Broken Spoke, Stubb's, and other great Austin venues. There is no place like home. n
