Debbie Hanks
of "Cedar Creek" writes: "Our friends, The Herrin Family, created this postcard for us. It is for a multi-city
tour the dad, Curry Herrin, wants to start with a few of his favorite bands...which just happens to be us!
Lucky for us!" * * *
* The popular BATTEN FAMILY has been so
busy with festivals and other performances, that we don't even have a complete "accounting" of all
their whereabouts! We were glad to see some of the group members able to join us again for recent jams after their busy schedule
of bookings. To find out more about their appearances and new CD, you can visit their website: www.thebattenfamily.com. Notable among the Batten Family's other appearances this summer was their opportunity to serve as an opening act for
the premier season of "Peter the Rock" performed by Glenn Polk at the Ragtown Gospel Theater just off Hwy 84, 2
miles northwest of Post, Texas. Internationally-acclaimed performer Glenn Polk is best known for his dramatic solo presentation
as "Paul the Apostle". The Ragtown Gospel Theater, nestled in a crescent just below the rim of the Caprock,
is designed to represent the architecture of Jerusalem at the time of Christ. This stunning theater features beautiful brick
and stonework, columns, arches and murals of historic sites surrounding old Jerusalem. Information about future programs
at the theater is available at www.ragtown.com or by calling 1-877-724-8696.
********* BOBBY & RYAN PRICE , along with Chris Vandertuin, performed as "Vandertuin & Price" opening
for "Spring Creek Bluegrass Band" on Sept. 21st at the Cactus Theater. This performance was in conjunction
with the 2007 Lubbock Music Festival in the Depot District in downtown Lubbock, TX.
************* FLATLAND BLUEGRASS, composed of WTB/TMA Board member
RANDY REDMAN, along with WADE REDMAN, JEFF REDMAN and CRAIG CUNNINGHAM, represented
WTB/TMA very admirably at the awards banquet in association with the Cattle Baron's Ball this summer. Their unique abilities
to entertain and provide quality musicianship was doubly appreciated in that capacity. Thanks, guys! GOOD JOB!
*************
NORRIS (BARTO) & PHYLLIS
FANNING very generously have shared pictures they took during the August WTB/TMA jam. To view, click on the link below:
*************
WTB/TMA regulars DEBBIE & EDDIE HANKS with their group CEDAR CREEK, mentioned
that the song "Music Mountain", written by their guitar player Bobby Giles, was selected as Song of the Year 2007
from Gospel Grass Productions. You may want to visit their website to learn more: www.cedarcreekexperience.com Cedar Creek had a busy summer performing at festivals
including Deming, NM-Rockhound State Park, and Heritage Days Festival-Portales, NM, and a Gospel Grass Festival in Calhan,
Colorado. Cedar Creek also performed at the First Annual Trade Days at Quitaque, Texas. We enjoy the talent and enthusiasm
that they and their entourage bring to our jams. We're very pleased to see their band gaining well-deserved recognition.
* * *
WTB/TMA member Dr. Winston "Doc" Whitt and his wife died
in a tragic auto accident Oct. 19,2007. The medical community as well as the musical community is saddened by their loss.
Winston was a pain management physician practicing in Lubbock, Midland
and San Antonio. His wife Zenaida
was also his nurse for the clinics. Dr. Whitt had just been voted "Best Physician" for 2007 by the
readers of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. A soft-spoken man, Winston was a fine vocalist whose harmonies delightfully contributed
to our jams. We particularly treasure the memory of him and his family attending the jam held at poolside in June.
ALL YOU Aspiring or Established
SONGWRITERS & PERFORMERS . . .
LET US HEAR FROM YOU!
Email us at music_jam_wtbtma@yahoo.com
As many of you are aware, several of our WTB/TMA membership are professional or part-time performers.
We're well aware that several well-known groups such as the Batten Family, Flatlands, Cedar Creek, Flatland Bluegrass
Band, Ironweed, Wire & Wood, South Plains College, and numerous others are represented at our jams. Thanks to the
professionalism they contribute, WTB/TMA jams offer growth opportunities to us strictly amateurs. It is our hope to lend support
and exposure for these groups as well. One of the aims of WTB/TMA is to support and encourage local talent.
Toward
that goal, we would like to compile a list of professional, semi-professional, formal and informal
groups represented within our membership. Also, we would like to be made aware of local groups available for bookings
or with cd's and such to sell. We plan to provide links and information on these groups through our website and other
venues available to us.
Sooooo, if YOU or others you know of, have a group comprised of local talent ("local"
being anywhere between Nashville & Hollywood! -- but primarily West Texas & Eastern New Mexico) LET US KNOW!!!
Get in contact with us through our email link. We'd like to know the name of your group, who the members are, where you're
from, something about your style & experience, cd's available, website, and how we can get in contact with you. We'd
love to share your information here. We also receive requests from time-to-time from people wanting to book performers. We'd
love to recommend from within our membership. We just gotta know who you are!!!
Also, you SONGWRITERS
who have shared some of your original music at our jams . . . We'd like to know about you. There are probably
many, many or you "closet" composers who might benefit from the opportunity to share your music with others
or even to seek publication, distribution, performance contracts (and pay!) of your original works. Please
give us your name and contact information for the list we're compiling of composers in our midst.
Email us at music_jam_wtbtma@yahoo.com
Keep us informed of YOUR bluegrass, gospel or
other traditional music group's cd releases and performances. We're also happy to list festivals and events of
special interest. We're very pleased to include that news here to share with our membership and website visitors.
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WTB/TMA Memorial Fund
Donations to WTB/TMA have been made to honor the memories of Elsie Reece, who died in August 2007, mother
of WTB/TMA founder Tommy Reece, and WTB/TMA member Dr. Winston Whitt and his wife Zenaida who died October 2007 in a
tragic automobile accident.
The Board will be determining a special designation to use this fund for a worthy cause related
to music and WTB/TMA goals.
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