Music has been moving me

I've been away for a while. There is a lot going on in Marshall, Texas, these days in both the city and its tourism effort. I'm really appreciating how near I am to all the different aspects of the city, from its night life to its business and industry improvements. It's growing clear to me that these really are different times for this town.

The enthusiasm I have found surrounding some of the venues seems to be suffering along with the heat but there are some real bright spots to keep it hot and hopping. Music in downtown has really had my attention. I've been going to the outdoor performances more and more, watching how the crowd changes. I love meeting all the people out there and getting to hang out with some of the musicians.

All of them are so cool. I was really glad to see Danny Haggar playing out at Summer Wonder. I've known him pretty much since I started trying to live here and go out and about around Caddo Lake and Uncertain. I like that touristy-not-touristy feel that little town has.

This is the Internet, so you will be scrolling down and not jumping there like in newspaper. I've added the descriptions in above the photos for this reason. These are also in no particular order.


I used to sing karaoke with Danny sometimes, and that was a blast.

He told me he played music with his son, Dustin, who is singing in the center.

Just got through listening to Pony Bubp playing an unexpected concert at Under The Texas Sun. Excellent music by Pony as always, and I actually felt honored to pass the tip jar around on his behalf. He has a great sound and lots of dedication. I look forward to seeing him out again.

Larry Tallant plays from his heart and sounds good at it. I appreciate the way he comes out as often as he can and supports all the other musicians. He's also one of the funniest dudes out there.

John Fox sings and plays guitar for the Good Time Rounders with Nick Brumley on drums, Eric Gardner on bass, Pap Watson on guitar and Sam Kilpatrick also on electric guitar. They perform around the East Texas region and into Shreveport, and some of them are known to sit in with other bands from time to time.

These guys play at Telegraph Stage every week on Thursday nights and used to have a regular night out in front of OS2 pub. Here, they're playing the stage for Second Saturday in May.

I absolutely love the way the street fills up for the monthly festival put on by his Illustriousness Bo Ellis, who should be praised and bowed to with utmost respect and servitude. No, seriously, he needs volunteers, can always use funding and deserves all the credit one can muster to acknowledge. 

I believe these are from the June set. I think the wayfinding banners are fantastic for photography. Nobody will be able to come downtown and have a great time on film without also telling the wide world that they were in Marshall, Texas. There was a way finding banner in most of these photos.

 There's no need for a wayfinding banner with the courthouse in view. I love the courthouse. I've called it "stupid" a few times but only because I think it's better if people view the courthouse than view artwork of the courthouse while in view of the actual courthouse. I think it would be cool if some historic trial were reenacted there and it could become famous for something other than its beauty.

How family is this one with the baby carriage? I love that family feel. It might be nice to have a little more for kids to do while they're there during the cooler months. I thought it might be neat to see a sandbox on a trailer or something where we could just pull it up and let them dig around in it and maybe hide little prizes for them to find and build castles.

The Monday night jams over in front of Under The Texas Sun are a light in my week. I've only been to three or four of them, but they are a neat hangout for the beginning of my week.

This is Billy Pool, and too cool. (if you know I got a name wrong, please advise... it's been a few weeks since I took this.

Eddie Reno plays the fiddle in front of Under The Texas Sun

Rickey Maxey, a truly compassionate biologist and a great guitar player who gives a lot of soul.

Nick Brumley, local rising star and multi-talented musician. Love his attitude and hattiude in this picture.

OK... well enough with the photos. I've loved being out there and taking them. Time to move along to something else for the day. Hope this doesn't take forever to load.

Peace,
Terri

Looking at you, looking at me

It's amazing how most people never notice their own reflections in other peoples eyes when they speak to one another. They don't know how to listen to each other, reach the solutions on the first try and keep right on going.

Real listening happens in the heart, and that's just how you get to the heart of any matter. Can you look me in the eye and share your mission?

Mostly, people are so focused on their own visions and purposes that they never heard yours. Maybe, as you explained, they imagined how yours fit with theirs. Maybe they imagined how yours fit beside theirs, but probably they didn't absorb a word you said and went right on having their self-centered thoughts. 

Selfish motivations are perfect if you are only trying to please yourself. After that, you have to consider that everyone has to get something out of it if they are expected to participate. 

Some people, rare people, will generously give anything for the simple pleasure of giving. Most, want something in return -- whether it's joy, entertainment, social interaction, a profit, sometimes love or friendship. It's easy to tell who works for the money and who works for reasons you can't package.

Why is it that some people find it more fulfilling to whine about what other people have than to figure out how to get it on their own? 

It's a great big sandbox world out there, people. There's room enough for everyone to actually build their own dream castles, enough resources for everyone to find something with which to create them. People really are just waiting at the gates to see what gets all mixed in.

There are enough people not doing anything these days that if you really want to do the leg work, you can find them and bring them to your aid. Better yet, find someone whose passion is to recruit them for you. There is enough money and attention wasted on things empty, unsatisfying, and meaningless that it doesn't take much to gain an audience for worthy things. Plenty of people have nothing better to do.

That said, just make it experiential and worthy of notice. Easy. Here's where you go back to the heart. Stir them.

After that, just make sure that plenty of people see it and that their experience with it is pleasant. Easy. It's the age of the Internet, after all. 

Forget all the bickering, the whining, the coveting of others' resources, the criticism of their vision. They and no one else will hear you talking about your projects after zoning out while you whined so well. Negative campaigning does no good unless you can use real proof, and your opinion does not count as proof.

Don't expect anyone else to care about your project as much as you.

Don't be an elitist. Be inclusive. Act like your neighbors are your neighbors. Even if they are from another planet, they will only hang around so long as they want.