Well, I have some good news and some bad news concerning our trip to Atlanta. The bad news is, there was a bomb that exploded
right in front of the stage where the Pure Texas Band (Scott Walls on steel
guitar, Skinny Don Keeling on bass, Howard Kalish on fiddle, guitar, and
harmonica, and Phillip Parjado on drums), the Derailers, and another Watermelon
recording artist, Webb Wilder, performed for several days. The good news was,
we had already returned to Austin before the bomb exploded.
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
This article appears in August 16 • 1996 and August 16 • 1996 (Cover).