Ahhh Texas! As I sit in the airport, it is time to recap a marvelous trip to the land where songwriters seem to grow effortlessly from the soil. Saturday I went to Luckenbach for the first ever Ray Wylie Hubbard Grit 'n Groove Festival. It was a beautiful almost 90 degree day with ten hours of smoldering music. There is something about the musical heritage at Luckenbach that is pure magic. I think all the artists caught the vibe. The day started with an acoustic set from Ray, soon to be followed by Gurf Morlix who did his gentle yet ironic music. Sam Baker was sparse poetry in the Southern Gothic tradition set to atmospheric music. Carrie Rodriguez was spectacular in an acoustic-plus set. Omar brought the growl and the blues to a sunny afternoon. Hayes Carll was a total crowd-pleaser, with the audience singing along. The Trishas we're sweet and hot. Charlie Sexton just rocks whatever he does, and then The Band Of Heathens took the stage and took us to church. The night ended with and electric set from Ray Wylie Hubbard, with Gurf on steaming electric guitar, The Trishas singing backup for “Papa Was A Rolling Stone.” Ray's last song of the evening was “Wanna Rock and Roll”.....so glad it all did!

-Jessie Scott