Nine years running, the annual opening weekend at Kerrville Folk Festival has become a tradition for me, and, a family reunion of sorts. It’s my “Kerrville family” reunion.

Year after year, I come away thinking, “how can the music and the artists get better?”

They do.

Without a doubt, this year’s opening weekend, May 22 through May 26, was the best for me.

I saw old friends, recently attained friends, and made some new friends I have no doubt will be friends for life.

My highlights:

The usual gang was there, with whom I camp and cook and laugh and cry. We are so bonded after nine years together, we seem to just pick up each year as if no time has passed. Y’all looked great and were just as fun as ever before. Mike and Carey from Phlugerville; Norris and Deannie from Buda; Barbie and Frank from Austin; Gayle and Alan from Phlugerville; Mark and Cathy from San Antonio; Chuck and Frannie from Austin; the Camp Bungee gang; my buds John Edelman, Jeff Martin, Terri, Sandra (Sabrina), Nancy, Jay, Lee, Sam and Emily, Cameron, Gabriel, George and Alice, Zoid, JD, Cheeks, Mona, and Julie from Camp La Mona Rosa… for those of you I didn’t get to see, I missed you and send you my love. Troy, Sue and the girls, I send you the biggest hugs. I love you all and will miss you until I see you again next year. Y’all mean as much to me as my blood family.

Then there’s Gary Sapone, Ken Gaines, Richard Berman, Steve Fischer, Tom Noe and Linda Silas, the Camp Coho gang, and all the others who “stake out” the meadow terrain. We didn’t spend much time together, cause Kerrville is such a happening place. I am glad I got to see you anyway.

Thanks to Teresa and Sharon for teaching me the embellished version of “Amazing Grace” on Saturday afternoon. Bill Nash, sorry I missed you. I tried a couple times to see you.

Frank, your harp playin’ rocks and I’ll trade licks with you in Dallas at SPAH in August. You inspire me for sure.

I made some rediscoveries:

Ray Withers, king of the soulful, country trail! You smooth cowpoke. I admire your style and am glad we got so much time to play the harp together. You are soooo smooth. Cathy is a doll and I know now why you rave about her. A dish and a doll.

What a wonderful time I got to spend with Jimmy and Scott of Arlington, Texas. You guys turn any song or tune into a high-energy sing-along, taking the crowd to heights approaching ecstasy. You guys rock, rock, rock!

Sassy (Stephanie Corby) of Boston, Massachusetts. Wow, girl, you take my breath away! So much so, I almost couldn’t play my harp. I kept drawing, and nothing came. Phew. I can’t wait to get your CD and experience you all over again.

Ed Florida, great seeing you again. Keep on your path. You’re a gem in an old-style mounting. You showed us how it’s done at EDHC May 10. My stage will never be the same.

And, then some new discoveries:

Bruce Hughes of The Resentments. Thanks for stepping into our Camp and playing your brand of music for us. You were gone as fast as you appeared, and left all of us wanting more. Hope to catch you again.

Jean Synodinos was my most amazing “new” find. Jean sings and plays guitar with so much soul and fervor, and her sultry, soulful sound just evoked all that can be drawn forth from the weakened state in which she left me. You knocked me out, and a few others from what I heard. I can’t wait for your new CD Jean.

Then there was Brain Joseph, another wonderful discovery. I listened to your CD all the way home Brain. You’re gonna be big, my friend. And you’ll knock the ladies alive. For years and years. Hope you made the airport on time, and thanks for the late night lullaby you sang for all of us at Camp O’ Unique. Artfully done, it did the trick.

I look forward to hosting Jean next Spring, Brian (hopefully) in October 2003, and Stephanie Corby in the near future. The three of you will make my stage an even greater shrine than it already is.

Ray Withers and Jimmy and Scott, we have to get y’all to East Dallas House Concerts soon, so the rest of the world can experience your energy. Stuff this good has to be shared if we’re gonna change this crazy world.