Speaking of Gruene Hall

We get quite a few readers who are new to Fort Worth, or visiting, and are looking for the different "sights and sounds" of Texas.

Here's a suggestion: Gruene, Texas (pronounced "Green").

Why Gruene?

Well, Gruene Hall mostly, the original Texas honkytonk. The fact that Gruene Hall and Bass Hall have the same name is an oddity of the English language. Gruene Hall is a barn with a cement dance floor, a stage, and a bar that serves beer, lots of beer. And they have live music. Mostly country, but all kinds of rock-folk-country music, and all authentic Texan. On a Friday or Saturday night it is packed and a lot of fun. But also, Gruene is kind of a funky little town with shops, a wine tasting room, a few restaurants and the Guadalupe River that runs right through it. When you get down into the Texas Hill country you definitely get the feeling that you are in Texas. It's much drier, more like southern California than Dallas, rooftops are often galvanized steel and the stone is that beautiful whitish- yellow, Austin sandstone. It's hard not to fall in love with "Hill Country" Texas.

Of course, every new Texan needs a visit to the Alamo. But while you are down there get out to the country and enjoy the wide-open, warm, dry spaces of Texas.

Final related suggestion: Get off I35 and try Hwy 281.

Bass Hall and Gruene Hall - That's Texas.

There is a lot of good music coming to Fort Worth in the next few months. I'll be commenting on my favorites as they get close.

If you like choral music. If you like male choral music, it doesn't get any better than Chanticleer. That's not hyperbole. The New Yorker calls them "America's favorite choral ensemble", and the Los Angeles Times describes their sound as "luxurious perfection." From Renaissance to jazz, and from gospel to venturesome new music. These guys are good.

My son, training in voice for opera, has a couple of their CD's and we listen to them often.

Seats at Bass Hall range from $5 - 100. March 3 at 8pm.
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Take a bit of a musical 180 degree turn and on March 5 at Bass Hall you can hear Joe Ely and band. About 10 years ago my wife and I saw him perform at Gruene Hall, south of Austin in Gruene, Texas. His music is Texas country, with a strong guitar, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and even a little Mexican influence thrown in. Ely has been around the block a few times and it shows in his lyrics. He puts a lot of energy into his performances, at least he did in Gruene, and the audience responded. Of course, beer consumption and response kind of trend together, making Bass Hall and Gruene Hall a slightly different evening -- plus Bass Hall doesn't have tables to stand on.

March 5 / Bass Hall / Seats $20 - 100.

This recent album cover from 2007 shows a Joe Ely of many years ago.

You're Kidding?

I have to say that I am not thrilled with the Jason Kidd for Harris, Diop, and a #1 draft pick trade. The numbers say that Kidd is good, even very good, but I still can't see where he gets us to the final round this year and he doesn't have too many years left.

Somebody tell me I'm wrong.