By Dru Willis / Special to the Reporter-News
April 15, 2007
What started as a small gathering of people to celebrate chili and
music has turned into a festival whose attendees nearly outnumber the
population of Stephenville.
The man responsible for this is Larry Joe Taylor, who hosts his 19th
annual Texas Music Festival & Coors Light Chili Cook-off this weekend
at Melody Mountain Ranch north of Stephenville.
Over the years Taylor's festival has brought in a ''who's who'' of the
Texas music scene. Many of those musicians return to the festival -
whether they are on the bill or not.
''You get this camaraderie. The fans that go out there to see it
always meet up with the same people at the same time and they have the
same campsite,'' said Willy Braun of the band Reckless Kelly. ''It is
just one of those things you can not describe unless you have gone to
it. It just gets better every year. Each time you go to it, you form
new memories and new stories to tell everybody.''
Matt Martindale, Cooder Graw's former frontman, said having a wide
spectrum of bands within the Texas music genre helps spread the music
to festival attendees.
''You take all walks of the musical life and put them all together,''
he said.
Jason Boland and the Stragglers have played at Taylor's festival many
times. Boland credited Taylor for the festival's success, and for
helping promote Texas music.
''I think it is a healthy give and take. Larry Joe is a really smart
guy and being in the music business, he does know how to put on a
show,'' he said. ''He picks good acts to do it and it took off. He did
it right.''
Braun said musicians like the festival because they get exposed to
potential new fans, either when they play on the main stage, or in
acoustic settings. Musicians also get a chance to hear their friends
who play in other groups, he said.
''1/8We3/8 maybe write some songs and maybe pick around the campfires
and get to know each other better,'' Braun said. ''It kind of
strengthens the Texas music scene as a whole in general.''
Martindale said the friendships he has made over the years are just
part of an unforgettable experience.
''I have met some of the best friends I have ever met at those
shows,'' he said. ''It is an amazing thing to be a part of and an
amazing thing to get to go to.''
19th annual Texas Music Festival & Coors Light Chili Cook-off
When: Tuesday through Saturday
Where: Melody Mountain Ranch, Stephenville
Tickets:
# Three-day - $34 in advance, $40 at the gate
# Two-day - $26 in advance, $31 at the gate
# One-day - $20 in advance, $23 at the gate
NOTE: Four- and five-day tickets sold out.
Advance tickets available by calling (254) 968-8505; or in
Stephenville at The College Shop and at Signs & Designs. For more
information or driving directions, go online at www.larryjoetaylor.
or call (254) 968-8505.
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