Toy Hearts

The Toy Hearts

It is always with a little bit of trepidation that I go to Bournemouth Folk Club, I don’t go often but I am seldom disappointed. Last night was to be the same. Having just returned from 3 weeks in Texas and seeing artists like The Quebe Sisters, Red Steagall, Don Edwards & Dale Watson plus quite a few more. The Toy Hearts were going to need to be pretty good to satisfy my need for a quality act.

The Toy Hearts are basically a family act consisting of Dad, Stewart Johnson and Daughters, Sophia & Hannah plus an excellent bass player, whose name escapes me because he is definitely worth a name mention. (If you read this blog and know his name please let me know so I can amend this.)

The first set was a smattering of Bluegrass, Blues & Jazz. A couple of tracks from their album, Femme Fatale (the singles Femme Fatale & The Captain), which are all self penned and gives a hint of what we can expect from the multi talented Johnson family! I have listened to the album in  full twice this morning and it sends a tingle down the spine especially with the knowledge that these are a home-grown talent. The two tracks I have picked for my program on the 4th December 2011 are ‘Tequila & High Heels’ & ‘The Beck Is Rising’ It was difficult to choose what to play as there is not a bad track on the album but ‘Tequila & High Heels’ is following Alan Jackson ‘Long Way To Go’ which is fast becoming known as ‘Theres a Bug in my Margherita’. The Toy Hearts are well able to follow Alan Jackson on any playlist.

The second set was to send me into raptures of delight as it was going to point to The Toy Hearts change of direction to a definite Texas (Western) Swing flavour. Hannah’s lead vocals are excellent whilst Sophia’s harmony with her sister is exciting and a perfect accompaniment, like white wine & fish. Stewart’s steel guitar work would be at home with the best America could offer. The proof of the quality of his art was Sophia saying he had backed Imelda May on 2 tracks on her latest album. This is going to make me get out Imelda’s latest album just to listen to him working.

My personal feeling is that I would have liked to have heard a fiddle with the band but I don’t think it would have made them sound better but is just a personal preference of mine. The band is returning to the studio early in the New Year to work on a Texas Swing album and I hope I can get on their mailing list to review a copy for you. If last night was anything to go by it will be a big hit especially if it gets picked up by the likes of Radio 2. When we have artists like this performing in the UK it shows what a disgrace it is there is not more country music on the radio.

Overall I would recommend you buy Femme Fatale as a good snapshot of where The Toy Hearts are at this time. However, don’t spend all your Christmas money save the pennies for the release of their new album early in 2012.

Thank you The Toy Hearts for a wonderful evening and no wonder you got the long applause you deserved for an exceptional evening, on a par with the best I heard in Texas. I look forward to you returning to the Bournemouth area but would also love to see you in the Honky Tonks of Texas.

Femme Fatale

Texas Visit day 19

Today is our last full day of this busy holiday an we have great memories that are going to last forever. We awoke about 9 and looked on the computer for flea markets. We found a suitable market on the internet in Denton about 30 miles away, so off we go with our mind on breakfast at a Subway. About 10 miles along the road towards Denton we saw a sign indicating a Subway and pulled of the motorway into a fairly large shopping centre. No Subway but lots of cafe’s serving breakfast so we were both happy that we stopped there. I was especially delighted because at home I have a Chrysler PT Cruiser and we were sat opposite one that was customised!

PT Cruiser

From the front

These pictures show the vehicle that made me jealous although the cruiser that I have has more chrome than this one. I think I would love one with the chrome but perhaps the union jack flag on the bonnet!

After Breakfast we continued on our trip to Denton for the flea market. TomTom was set to take us there and stopping for breakfast threatens the poor thing with a heart attack but he soon settles down after we resume the journey.

It was another 20 miles before we reached Denton and TomTom declared ‘You have reached your destination. But there was nothing there, apart from a part finished housing estate, definitely no flea market! This was a lesson to check the date of your page updates on a Google search. Although it was a fruitless flea market journey it was a nice road trip and the journey back to Fort Worth was to be along the back roads for a change away from the interstate dual carriageways! So back to the hotel and a start on the suitcase packing and a couple of hours kip before dinner at the Fort Worth Red Lobster.

I hope you have enjoyed my blog on the journey through Texas. It has been a wonderful journey for us through a very different state to any other we have visited. We both have loved the state, the people, the history & the music and would recommend this place to anyone as a destination for a holiday. We have new friends that are hopefully going to receive our hospitality in the not to distant future. Thank you for reading it if you have got this far and have not been to bored and you started on day 1 and not day 19………………

Texas Visit Day 18

We decided to slow down a bit for the last couple of days and today was going to be a visit to Grapevine. The Texans call this a village but as with all things Texan it is pretty large. There is a little village type centre though, with small shops and a lovely atmosphere and today was going to be extra special in Grapevine. When we got there it was already busy and lots of people walking around in costumes from superman to Kings & Queens. This is one of the ways the Americans celebrate Halloween and it is a big thing for them,nothing to spooky fortunately! Everybody was having a wonderful time and for October the weather was still 80 degrees so very pleasant for  a walkabout.

Grapevine is also the home of the railway station that is in turn home to the old steam engine and the diesel engine that run to Fort Worth on a daily basis in the summer and from Thursday to Sunday in the winter. Unfortunately the steam train has been out of action for 3 years but the diesel is a sight for any enthusiast having been built in 1947. You can see a photo of it in day 11 when we at the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering when it was pulling into Fort Worth.

We were feeling tired by this time in our holiday so we called into the Visitor Information Centre to find a nice place to rest for a couple of hours. Ten minutes later we were parked up on the edge of Grapevine Lake where we both fell asleep for a couple of hours!

When we awoke it was time for another treat with Leon & Patty Blue and after making our way to their house we picked them up and made our way to Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie and an evenings quarter horse racing. Valet parking on arrival and because it was a quiet night, seating in a box in front of the winning post for 4 dollars a head. Even here the dressing up theme was carried on and one of the horses was painted to look like a zebra, much to the amazement of some of the children in the park. Some of the outriders were also dressed in outfits not normally seen on a racecourse but very good fun for all the onlookers.

I have never been quarter horse racing before and my knowledge of this type of racing is sprint races of 4 furlongs. I was shocked that the first race was 400 yards. The horses would hardly be out of the stalls before they were past the winning post! Leon went off and returned with a large pack of roasted peanuts, his treat when at the races and now my wifes treat well…………. The second race came up fairly quickly  and this was 300 yards, layer in the evening there were to be two races of 100 yards each.

The American Quarter Horse is well known both as a race horse and for its performance in rodeos, horse shows and as a working ranch horse. The compact body of the American Quarter Horse is well-suited to the intricate and speedy maneuvers required in reining, cutting, working cow horse, barrel racing, calf roping, and other western riding events, especially those involving live cattle. The American Quarter Horse is also shown in English disciplines, driving, and many other equestrian activities.

We had a wonderful evening Leon & Patty are wonderful company. I know we are going to miss them when we leave Texas whilst I feel like we have been friends for years!

Texas visit Day 17

Shopping day today, so not a lot to tell you about, apart from I got a couple of Texas t-shirts. One with just Texas on it & the second with a longhorn head & Texas.

It seems strange that we are going home in a couple of days. We have seen a lot of this truly wonderful state and its people so will be taking home a lot of great memories. The music has been exceptional and I am looking forward to playing these texan artists on my show.

Must not labour on the fact that we are going home we still have three days to enjoy! The big question of today is what do we do to eat tonight? Brenda normally chooses the restuarant with me in mind but today I am gracious and let her pick for herself. So its off on Molley the Trolley to Razzoo’s opposite The Ranch radio station. Its quite busy when we get there, full of people feeding themselves and expecting great things from the Texas Rangers baseball team which was showing, for the second night running, on the television screens. Tonight the food was going to be good and the Rangers a disappointment. Shucks there’s always next year!  

Texas visit Day 16

Paul Mateki at work

Helen Mateki the other half of this hard-working duo.

Excitement in the hotel room this morning as we prepared for the Marvellous Mateki’s concert and the rest of the day spent with Paul & Helen & Leon & Patty Blue. This was going to be a day of days in the Texas visit!

These artists put their all into making an elderly audience enjoy themselves. The answer was wonderful responses of singing, laughing & clapping for this duo who are rightfully ECMA duo of the year.

If the Mateki concert was the first outing of the day it was difficult to see the day improving and I am so glad we made this decision to travel to the Lone Star State. I have been in contact with Paul for a number of years now and this professional artist is one nice guy who also has the burden to shoulder in that he introduced me to Leon Blue.

We returned to Paul & Helen’s ranch and were shuffled next door to say hello again to Leon & Patty Blue at the ranch next door. (Well this is Texas and you cannot expect people to live in houses ;-))

The Blue’s are most welcoming and it was only a couple of minutes before we felt at home and enjoying their company again. We were later joined by Paul & Helen and the evening was set, we were entertained by Leon and some new songs he & Patty are working on. Paul & Helen joined in on guitar & maracas. Even the dogs Scooter & Sweetie Pie joined in for a howling time

I am not going to relay to you any information on the music Leon played and  sang you will just have to wait for about 4 or 5 weeks and you may be able to hear them on Bay Country. Another world premier!

We had a lap dinner which went down really well, I even had seconds and some of Patty’s home made apple pie. Paul & Helen had to leave and after a while we decided to seek out Slowhand Texas Earl Douglas in a local sports bar. It was not long before we were ensconced in a bar surrounded by so many TV’s showing a game of rounders that used to be a favourite of kids in England before they grew up and found football & cricket. They call it baseball and they are well into it however the Texas Rangers let themselves down & apparently they have to do it all again  in 24 hours time.

Slowhand came over to say hello and at the end of the baseball game he took to the stage to perform as the guitarist in a band called The Velvet Lovebox. Not my sort of music but slowhand showed a dexterity with a guitar that was second to none. The drummer was also a man of some talent and we enjoyed our time there. We drove Leon & Patty home about one in the morning feeling sorry they had to arise for work whilst we could lay in bed for as long as we wanted.

The day hadnt let me down.

Patty Blue, the talented song writer.

Leon Blue relaxing at home.

Paul & Helen engrossed in the conversation

Texas visit Day 15

Another quiet day for us after all the excitement of meeting Leon Blue and the gang at Los Vaqueros the night before especially with going on from there to see Landon Dodd.

It was going to be another day of arising late and getting to 4 in the afternoon and wondering where the day had gone! First though, I had a treat in store, Going to meet Charla & Betsy @ The Ranch a Fort Worth radio station concentrating on good Texan country music. I arrived there at about 11 and was ushered into the studio to meet these two girls both extremely easy on the eye! Had a short talk about the need for stations like The Ranch that plays local artists and not the top 60 rotation of lesser stations in the area. If I were living in the Dallas/Fort Worth area The Ranch would be on my dial 24/7! Betsy took my picture with the delicious Charla I took my CD’s and left walking on a cloud about 6 foot above the floor. If you look for Charla Corn on Facebook you can view the picture Betsy took of the Beauty & the Beast.

A drive around Fort Worth and then return to the hotel for Brenda to snooze and me to write my blog from the previous day.

We decided to treat ourselves to a special dinner that evening and went to Ruth’s Chris steakhouse in downtown Dallas. Brenda had a Filet of steak & I enjoyed a ribeye which melted in the mouth. Not a way to eat everyday but for a special occasion http://www.ruthschris.com/Steak-House/20773/Fort-Worth

We went there by Molly the Trolley and returned to the hotel the same way. What a lovely day for this old DJ!

 

 

Texas visit Day 14

The star of the show Mr Leon Blue

We are getting very lazy in our last week and it was 10 in the morning before we awoke to do battle with whatever was going to be thrown at us. First was a talk to Helen Mateki to confirm the evening with Leon & the gang. This was going to be a meet at a Mexican Restaurant called Los Vaqueros for 6 in the evening. This was to be another highlight to our stay here and it was not going to let us down!

But, before then we were still looking forward to a great day in Fort Worth. Just outside the hotel we are able to get a free bus service to the interesting parts of the city. The service is called Molly the Trolley and runs every 10 minutes. so we board the bus and 5 minutes later we are stepping off in the downtown area looking for something for brunch…………

As we walked around Brenda noticed a radio station, The Ranch 95.9, a country station and well worth a visit! We went in and had a chat about the station and its program content, picked up the station stickers and the t-shirt. Then it was off to search for this brunch which meant crossing the road to a Cajun cafe  opposite. I noticed whilst reading a music mag that we picked up an advert for a local singer I had not heard of, CHARLA CORN. When back at the hotel I emailed & telephoned Betsy Cathey, who looks after Charla’s interests, and made arrangements to meet up tomorrow to receive Charla’s cd’s. The spooky thing is that she is also anchor DJ on The Range 95.9 and we had seen this pretty girl at work on our unexpected visit to The Range earlier in the day. At our return in the evening I found the email from Betsy with some of Charla’s music attached. I am really looking forward to introducing this talented young lady’s music to you in my show on the 6th November and in the coming weeks. This will definitely be a John Baron, Bay Country, UK premiere! www.charlamusic.com

The afternoon was spent writing this blog and readying ourselves for the dinner with Leon & the gang.

We left for the restaurant at about 5.45 and were there spot on time although beaten there by the gang who were shouting friendly abuse at us from the entrance!  After handshakes & hugs we found our table and spent the next 2 1/2 hours chatting, eating & drinking. It was as if we had known each other for the last 20 years but not met for the last 6 months! Patty presented us with a poem that she had written in honour of our visit. I cannot express too much how pleasant these people are and we had a great time and had the restaurant not wanted to close at nine we may have still been there now.

L to R Paul Mateki, Leon Blue & Slowhand Earl Douglas. The good looking guy in front, John Baron

After dinner came longer hugs, kisses and handshakes and goodbyes until Thursday’s concert with Paul & Helen & meeting up with the gang to hear some of the maestro’s new music and a few beers.

Patty's Poem

The night was not over it was only 9.00 and there was a lot of evening left so we drove off to the outskirts of Fort Worth to a saloon called The Finish Line. It was we found, a small ramshackle bar packed with people interested in good music, good beer & dancing. They were not to be disappointed.

There was a guy playing there called Landon Dodd www.landondoddmusic.com whose music I had played in my show, a song called ‘The calling of the Wine’ I had a chat with Landon and he has agreed to send me some more music via the internet. He has toured the UK and it would be good to see him on our small island again.

The show was due to finish late but we left for our beds at about 11.30.

Texas Visit Day 12 & 13

After a long day on Saturday a lay in was called for and we slept until gone 10 in the morning and after a shower we dressed and set off in search of breakfast. We drove out to a local Wendy’s and a Texan? breakfast of burger & fries. There was also a visit to Walmart for milk and wine then back to the hotel.

I had to arrange my meeting with the Marvelous Mateki’s, Leon, Patti & Slowhand Texas Earl Douglas. A phone call to Helen Mateki and and we were just about set up for a Tuesday meet for a meal. I tried to phone Leon but no answer and the great man phoned me later in the day and we had our first chat apart one interview on The Bay 102.8.

The rest of the day was spent doing not a lot other than charging the batteries ready for our last week.

Monday was spent driving out to Denton  a horse growing area about 30 miles from Fort Worth. There was not many horses to see but a very pleasant area with good rich growing soil and rolling fields not unlike our farming areas at home.

We had lunch in Decatur a lovely little town with a history of Alien landings in the 1950′s. After reading a bit deeper it appears as if it was a ploy to get more residents to the town after work had dried up and many had left to find work elsewhere. The alien story still benefits the town as it is regularly visited by UFO enthusiasts who spend time and money in the town.

The evening was spent at a Mexican restaurant called Joe T Garcia’s where we ate to much and had a good conversation with the waiter Lake Martinec a keen soccer (thats football to the Brits reading this)player who had played in the Brazilian div 2 football league.

Texas visit Day 11

Breakfast time at the Rodeo & Western Swing weekend

This is one of the occaisions most waited for on our visit Rodeo & Western Swing all on the same glorious day. The picture above greeted us as we drove into Stockyards and it was like going back 150 years. To the days of my heroes and thoughts of Davy Crockett, The Range Rider, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and quite a few more came to mind. TV series like Wagon Train & Rawhide also passed through my thoughts and it was exciting to experience what the real cowboys and cowgirls would have lived like. The smells of burning wood from the fire pits coupled with fresh coffee made the experience one to be felt. I just hope my words and pictures can bring a bit of it alive for you.

It was called Red Steagall’s 21st Cowboy gathering and it was shaping as if that was how it was going to turn out. There was far to many different things going on for us to see it all but we were set to enjoy what we had gone to see and more. Brenda and I were going to separate at times of the day mainly because my priorities were the music and Brenda wanted to see the horsey events.

Just after arriving we walked through the chuck wagons to watch the induction of the candidates into the Texas Trail of Fame. The Texas Trail of Fame was established in 1997 to honor those who have made a significant contribution to the Western way of
life. They have a web site and it is worth a look rather than expanding todays lengthy post. http://www.texastrailoffame.org

It was then time for our first split of the day, Brenda to watch horse cutting & me to the music. I was at the stage early to obtain the best seat in the house and settled myself in for 2 hours of Texas country & swing music. First up was Jean Prescott who was there 10 minutes early and although there was no more than 40 in the audience she said she was there so she might as well play. Jean had a lovely strong voice and her songs verging on gospel, country & folk all had a strong story to tell. I would have the ability to talk for ages about these artists but they were all masters of their art and I will play their music on my program over the coming weeks and you may make up your own minds. The room soon filled when she started to sing and she was very well received. Next up was Dan Roberts a very likeable cowboy and adopted Texan again with good stories and music of traditional country & western style. His knowledge of western life that he spoke of between his music brought laughter to his audience.

Finally it was the turn of the Quebe Sisters Band, all three champion fiddlers with wonderful voices and this was a Western Swing treat for me.  I already had an album from these girls but it was instrumental and I love music with a story so it did not get the airplay that I should have given it. Western Swing is like a meeting of big band & country music and these girls brought memories of the Andrews Sisters with such good harmony & fiddle playing that is second to none. Their vibrancy, youth and enjoyment of the job they were doing shone through in the music they brought to a spellbound audience. I will be proud to play you their music on my program. At the end of the performance I was so pleased and excited to be able to talk to all of these artists that my only sadness was in not having a recorder to bring you the discussions I had with these wonderful & warm stars.

The Quebe Sisters Band

I must also mention that Dan Roberts introduced me to Dean Smith a gentleman unknown to me but with an extremely interesting past. Dean won gold in the 1952 Olympics 4 x 100 metre hurdles, in itself  a wonderful feat, he went on to work as stunt double in many films. I have spoken previously about our visit to the Alamo and Dean stunt doubled in the 1960 film The Alamo starring John Wayne. He can be seen in the first 10 minutes hurdling a horse and went on to say about 10 lines.

It was then time to meet Brenda in the Stockyards railway station and to see the train pull into this historic part of cowboy history. The leaflets speak of two trains, one diesel and one steam and although the advertising still talks of both engines, I was told the steam train failed three years ago and has never been repaired. Such a shame as I would have loved to have seen this big old beast of a steam engine pulling its cargo into that station. However as you will see from the pictures below the diesel was pretty impressive.

The Grapevine Historic Railroad Train

We then decided we needed something to eat plus a rest in the car before the afternoon and evening events kicked in. The music was due to start again at 4.30 and I left Brenda dozing in the car in favour of grabbing the best seat in the house again. As I made my way to the music at Mule Alley Stage I had to wait to cross the road because a wagon train was coming past. This consisted of about eight wagons drawn by horses with 15 or so outrider cowboys to protect them from the dangers of a harsh world!!!

I eventually got to my seat and saved the one next to me for the freshened Brenda. The artists were the same as the morning session with the exception of the addition of Don Edwards. This man was another gifted musician with wonderful voice and guitar playing to match. I have been playing his music for a while on my program and I was so proud & honoured to talk to him after his performance. He started his career at the White Elephant Saloon about 100 yards down the road some years ago. He told me it had been a long but mainly enjoyable journey to his performance tonight. I considered him a country singer but he likes to be known as a folk singer bringing the message of life to his audience. He is sadly a dying breed and when he goes, hopefully not soon, he will be sadly missed, however his messsages will carry on and be relevant forever.

Don Edwards

Brenda then went off to watch the rodeo whilst I stayed to keep our seats by the stage for the climax of the day (as far as I was concerned) Red Steagall & The Boys from the Bunkhouse. Suffice to say again that I love my Western Swing and this was no exception. The musicians, probably the best in their class and commited to the legacy encharged to them, the continuation of Western Swing.

We were treated to songs from Bobby Flores, Leon Rausch, Danny Steagall and the man himself Red Steagall. Four hours of excellence although tired bodies caused us to leave shortly after midnight to get me and my Cinderella to bed!

We both thoroughly enjoyed the day and were extremely pleased it was found and booked on the internet. The highlight for me was the Quebe Sisters Band who if I was judging the day would have received 11 points out of 10!

Chuck wagon heaven

Imagine doing this on the open range!

Texas visit Days 9 & 10

Two days of travelling with the main reason of returning to Fort Worth and the Red Steagall Rodeo & Western Swing weekend. This was booked via the internet after buying our journey tickets and is hopefully going to be one of the highlights of the visit along with meeting the Marvelous Matekis, Leon Blue & Slowhand Texas Earl Douglas. But that is for later blogs, so keep looking guys!

There is very little to report on a journey from Del Rio to Fort Worth via San Angelo but there were points you may be interested in other than squashed racoons & very large vultures & buzzard type birds, that scavenge on the road kill!

Common Black Hawk

Not  a good picture but an idea of the types of birds we saw on this journey. Although I have named the bird a Common Black Hawk please do not take this as a definite because with my skills it may have been a Texan sparrow. I should not have to remind you that all things are larger in the Lone Star State.

However on to lighter things on this journey, that does nothing to recommend this state for what it is, a beautiful piece of the USA with a great cowboy heritage full of the friendliest people I have met for a long time. Their songs, genuine positive attitude and a welcome second to none outweigh any negatives that I could give you even if I wanted to.

I think that a good thing to point out in this journey is the essential need for an English accent. On the journey to Fort Worth I received my second warning for driving over the speed limit. This always goes with the question ‘Where y’all from?’ and my story of being a radio presenter in love with Texan country music is well accepted, hence the warning. I have succumbed to a greater use of cruise control to combat the interruptions to our journey.

We were also stopped twice by Border Control. A reminder here that Del Rio is close to the Rio Grande which is on the border with Mexico. I was just left wishing that if the UK had such a strong attitude to protecting its borders as Texas, we would not have a lot of the problems with illegal immigrants as we do.

There were some very interesting parts to the journey, such as Historical Markers that one comes across with great regularity, marking out the history of the state and the reasons it grew to what it is today. Lake Amistad is also worth a mention, named to celebrate the friendship between the two countries. Lake Amistad is a part of the Rio Grande being fed by the river at one end and continuing as the Rio Grande after the holding dam at the other end.  I took some pictures there some of which I will post at the end of todays addition.

We also saw the largest wind farm ever, in the sense that we could not see the end of it in either direction, left or right! In the UK we are used to seeing 4 or 5 of these large obtrusive generators but we are talking about over two hundred.

The land on this journey was mostly scrub and land was often seen for sale not for farming but for hunting. After leaving San Angelo the horizon changed and the soil became red slightly akin to Cornwall and with the change came a change in the use of the land. We went from scrub land to increasing animal & vegetable growth. This was also reflected in a traffic and housing build up.

In San Angelo we stayed at the Super 8, not the most salubrious of motels but at a price to match. The breakfast was good and prepared us well for the days travel ahead. A worthy mention from the night in San Angelo was a visit to the Red Lobster. Those of you that know me may also know of my love for sea food and the Red Lobster lived up to my expectations. Lobster, scallops & prawns cooked to perfection and a waitress so pleasant, was as nearly as good as an accompaniment to the meal as the company of my wife, Brenda.

We arrived in Fort Worth mid afternoon and took a welcome rest in the Sheriton Hotel room 307 and made a semi conscious decision to forgo dinner in favour of an early night……….

Lake Amistad, water in a dry region!

Super 8 for a good breakfast!

Heron at Lake Amistad