Dallas,TX

This is the time for Oktoberfest celebrations to begin. The Addison Oktoberfest begins Thursday at 5 p.m. The four-day celebration includes carnival rides, midway games, arts and crafts. A children’s tent will have live performances for the younger set. Obviously, there will be German food, German potato salad, beverages, and live polka music and yodeling. You can also stroll through the biergarten with its strolling musicians. Thurs. 5-11 p.m., Fri. 5 p.m.- midnight, Sat. noon to midnight and Sun. noon to 6 p.m.

Addison Oktoberfest, Addison Circle Park 4970 Addison Circle Drive.

Have a good morning and Peace be with you.

Some of the more soulful songwriters are performing tonight in the Dallas area. Lucinda Williams has honed her skills over the years, gaining speed with each new release. Her new album, West, as well as her Live @ the Fillmore release, demonstrates the power of mind and voice joining in beautiful musical unison. Her songs have been recorded by many other performers for years.

Houston Marchman and Django Walker (son of Jerry Jeff Walker) are coming into their own. All three songwriters do not write songs so much as live them and see them and write them down. Their songs touch the heart, mind, and soul of everyone. Not to mention their appreciation for the humorous side of life.

Kind of makes you wish you could be in three places at the same time.

Lucinda Williams, Longhorn Ballroom, 216 Corinth, St., 214-428-5900. 9 p.m. Front Gate Tickets.

Houston Marchman, Love and War in Texas, Plano, 601 E. Plano Pkwy, 972-422-6201. 7:30 p.m.

Django Walker, Love and War in Texas, Grapevine, 2505 E. Grapevine Mills Circle, 972-724-5557. 9 p.m.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

For being the music of many cultures and having a longer history than any other type of music, folk music always gets the short end of the stick. Modern American folk music began about the time of Woody Guthrie. His legacy helped form the genre as it exists today. He would be proud of the many facets of folk music today. Guthrie was not the first, but he was the one to help propel the musical form into the musical melting pot it has become.

The 1960s are mostly remembered for the popularity of rock and roll which began in the 1950s. Folk music had its distinct role in the ‘60s, but took a backseat to rock and roll and psychedelic sounds. The 1970s brought a resurgence in folk and folk/rock music. In Texas, Dallas in particularly (before they moved to Austin) the early ‘70s folk/rock merged with country to begin the emergence of “Redneck rock,” country-rock, and the outlaw movement. On today’s radio folk and its related cousins can be found, as a general rule, on so-called Americana stations.

In the late 1980’s there was - as there had been in many successive decades - a resurgence of folk music with an updated train of thought. The Indigo Girls were part of that particular resurgence. Twenty years and ten studio albums later, Amy and Emily Saliers are still going strong as the Indigo Girls. The tour is supporting that tenth album, Despite Our Differences - their first since signing with Hollywood Records earlier this year. The Indigo Girls have always put on a dynamic performance and tonight’s show at the Majestic should be no different.

The Indigo Girls, tonight at 8 p.m., the Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm St., Downtown, 214-880-0137. Tickets at Ticketmaster or the theater box office.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

The largest wine festival in the Southwest returns to Historic Downtown Grapevine Thursday through Sunday. Obviously there will be a wine tasting - or two or three. As well as an International Wine Garden. The GrapeStomp will test the contestants’ stomping agility and entertain the spectators.

For the family, there will be a Kid Zone area for younger children. The carnival and midway games will please kids of all ages. Then go by the arts and crafts booths for that unique gift for yourself or someone else. Take a ride on the Grapefest Express Railroad. There are many other things to see and do including the live music stages with continuous entertainment. Not to mention people-watching.

There will be free admission all day Thursday and up until 5 p.m. on Friday. Go to the Grapevine website for parking information and directions.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

Charlie Robison is appearing at Love and War in Texas in Plano this afternoon at 4 p.m. Be part of the live broadcast on KHYI 95.3. Bobby Duncan is opening the show. Charlie Robison, as well as his brother Bruce, is a talented songwriter. Both have written songs from the hilariously absurd to gut-wrenching ballads. Charlie Robison puts on a great upbeat show which should include most of his most memorable tunes.

While you listen to the show, try some of the mouthwatering dishes served at Love and War in Texas. Food from all areas of the state, such as Roasted Wild Boar from the Hill Country or Caddo Lake Catfish from the East Texas Piney Woods. Or indulge in ribs with the Sunday all you can eat Big Beef Ribs. A relaxing Sunday afternoon on the patio listening to good music and munching on ribs. What could be better than that?

Love and War in Texas, 601 E. Plano Pkwy (just off Central) 972-422-6201 Charlie Robison with Bobby Duncan 4-6 p.m.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

Terry Fator may have talent as an impersonating singer and ventriloquist, but he is not the first, or the best, ventriloquist to come out of the Dallas area. Jeff Dunham, one of the best ventriloquists I have ever seen perform, is from Richardson and appears tonight at the Addison Improv on Beltline. When my wife and I witnessed his show, the tears flowed freely from laughing continuously.

Dunham has a new DVD titled “Spark of Insanity” being released the middle of this month. My family has watched his last video “Arguing With Myself” so many times that we know it by heart. Yet we will still watch it and laugh just as hard as we did the first time we saw it. Peanut, Walter (the grumpy old man), and Jose Jalapeno “on a stick,” his reliable sidekicks, are in both videos. It is hard to call them puppets when they take on a personality of their own in contrast to Jeff’s personality.

The new characters, taking the place of Sweet Daddy Dee and Bubba J of “Arguing with Myself,” are Melvin the Superhero and Achmed the Dead Terrorist. You really should see Jeff Dunham perform life. It is an experience you will not soon forget. If you cannot make it to the show tonight, be sure to catch Jeff on Comedy Central on Sept. 23 for the premiere of the new video, Spark of Insanity. He is performing two shows this evening, so you have two chances to see him.

Jeff Dunham tonight at Addison Improv, 4980 Beltline Rd. #250 (upstairs), 972-404-8501. 1st show 7 p.m., 2nd show 9 p.m.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

For mainstream country music fans, the Alan Jackson - Brooks and Dunn tour is coming to Dallas Saturday night at the Smirnoff Music Centre in Fair Park. Brooks and Dunn are opening the show and Alan Jackson is headlining.

Brooks and Dunn are on tour in support of their two upcoming CDs. The Forever Brooks and Dunn CD will be released on September 18. The CD Cowboy Town will be on sale on October 2nd. The duo and their band have been a staple in country music for many years. Now they are opening tour dates rather than headlining. Beware of artists when they keep putting out greatest hits albums.

In years past, a greatest hits album was a sign that either a band’s popularity is slipping or they have run out of original material. With the majority of country hits not written by the artists that record them, a stash of original material is no longer necessary. Greatest hits albums are simply ways to make more money from a stagnant fan base.

Alan Jackson is still touring on the heels of his highly acclaimed Like Red On A Rose released last year. As well as his album of classic hymns from last year, Precious Memories. Not a very original title, but the songs are well done. Jackson released Live at Texas Stadium in April, a recording of a show with Jackson, George Strait, and Jimmy Buffet. Denise Jackson has also come out with a book about their trials, love, and faith entitled “It’s All About Him.” Alan wrote the foreword for his wife’s book, written with Ellen Vaughn.

Brooks and Dunn/Alan Jackson, Sept. 8, Smirnoff Music Centre, 1818 First Ave., Fair Park. 214-421-1111 or Ticketmaster for tickets. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Show starts at 7:30.

Have a good afternoon and Peace be with you.

For a relaxing change of pace, take your girlfriend/boyfriend, spouse, or family to the Oak Point Amphitheater in Plano. Coolers, picnics, blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. Sit back and eat your picnic supper as the sun goes down, listening to Billy Jonas and Trout Fishing in America. This is a wonderful pairing of musical acts and should make for a thoroughly enjoyable show, alternating between joyous humor and musical artistry.

Both are eclectic acts that enthrall children and entertain adults. Billy Jonas, in addition to traditional instruments, plays “industrial re-percussion” instruments made from found objects. His performance is energetic and the audience becomes part of the songs and their own entertainment. Among other awards, he has a received a Parent’s Choice Gold award.

The duo of Trout Fishing in America has been performing for three decades. Although they perform for children, they have songs that will drive straight to the heart and mind of adults as well. They play a mix of folk/pop and family music with laces of reggae, latin, blues, jazz and classical music running throughout the mix. They have garnered three Grammy nominations and numerous other awards including National Indie Awards (recording on their own label), Parent’s Choice Gold, and American Library Awards.

Drive on out and join in the fun and be part of the show and the audience at the same time. Oak Point Amphitheater in Oak Point Park, 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano. 972-941-5600. www.planostages.com.

Have a good morning and Peace be with you.

If you’re looking for something to do during the week - and these days inside activities are preferable, go to Main Event for a bowling outing. With a location in Plano on Central Expwy. and another on Stemmons in Lewisville, one or the other location is convenient to many parts of the Dallas area. If you are not in the mood for bowling, laser tag, glow golf, and video games are options. Or just play pool and enjoy happy hour. Or just enjoy happy hour and some people watching.

Wednesday night is Family and Friends Night with special prices for groups which include bowling, shoe rental, pizza and soft drinks. Added options at special prices are available. If you want something other than soft drinks, you can order from the bar. Take your family or get a few friends to go after work to wind down. Main Event also has adult party packages for larger groups of ten to twenty or more. A good idea for employee parties or a get together with a bunch of friends. Main Event is also an ideal place for a fun date of bowling and pizza.

Main Event, Lewisville, 2070 Stemmons Frwy, 972-459-7770.
Plano, 3941 N. Central Expwy., 972-881-8181. Sun. - Thurs. 11 a.m. to midnight, Fri. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Have a good afternoon and Peace be with you.

The Smothers Brothers are appearing tonight and Saturday night with the Dallas Symphony. If you have not yet enjoyed their performance, you need to make an effort to see them this time through - and support the Dallas Symphony at the same time. If you have never seen the sibling duo you will find their routine humorous and relevant. Which it should be. The duo has had almost fifty years to get it down to a science - so to speak. Yet it always seems new and fresh.

In the Smothers Brothers show, the audience will hear no foul language. They will simply be treated with delightful music and down to earth humor. Tommy’s Yo-Yo Man routine is unforgettable. And yes, he really is good with a Yo-Yo. All that and the symphony to boot. A nice relaxing evening listening to marvelous music while being treated to some true family humor from the two brothers.

Smothers Brothers w/Dallas Symphony, Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora, Dallas. 214-692-0203

Have a good morning and Peace be with you.

Celebrating 50 years of the Mesquite Championship Rodeo, those that bring in the ad from the Dallas Morning News or drive a Dodge to the rodeo on Friday and Saturday will receive free parking and free reserved grandstand admission. Talk about a cheap date or outing with the family! And if you go Saturday, be sure to register for the contest. If the cowboy successfully rides the bull in the Dodge Fan Bull Ride Challenge, a lucky winner could receive $10,000. If he gets bucked off Southwest Airlines will still give away tickets.

That does not even include the rodeo itself. There are over ten events in the rodeo. Among those events are Cowboy Poker, Cowgirl Barrel Racing, and of course, Bull Riding. In Cowboy Poker, four cowboys sit and play poker at a table in the middle of the arena while they let a bull into the arena. The last cowboy sitting in his chair wins. It can be humorous even while being quite dangerous. The precision of the barrel racing and the dangerous athletic challenge of bull riding can keep you on the edge of your seat. Our family and other friends have not been disappointed. There are even events in which the younger children can participate, including the Calf Scramble and Mutton Bustin’. Ask at the rodeo for how to register your children.

Mesquite Championship Rodeo, Resistol Arena, 1818 Rodeo Drive, Mesquite (I-635 @ Military Pkwy - Exit #4). 972-285-8777. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., rodeo from 8-10 p.m. both Fri. and Sat. nights.

Have a good afternoon and Peace be with you.

Wednesday

Country - Kenny Rogers with the Dallas Symphony
Meyerson Center at 7:30 p.m., 214-692-0203.

Country - Ed Burleson
Love and War in Texas, Plano 601 E. Plano Parkway (just off Central)
7:30 p.m. 972-422-6201

Rock - Peter Frampton
House of Blues Music Hall Doors open at 7 p.m.
Tickets from Ticketmaster.

Thursday

Alternative Metal - Marilyn Manson, Slayer, Bleeding Through
Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie, 6:30 p.m. Tickets from Ticketmaster.

Country - Big & Rich
Gilley’s Dallas. Doors open at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m.
Free; required tickets available at www.samsungsummerkrush.com.

Country - Reckless Kelly
Rockin’ Rodeo, Denton Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets from Front Gate Tickets.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

Take the family to Six Flags this evening for some good Christian rock music with Kutless, Skillet, and Grits. Kutless and Skillet are two of the most popular bands at Christian music showcases such as Celebration Freedom promoted by 94.9 KLTY at Southfork each year. They also appear at Christian music showcases throughout the country. The shows tonight and tomorrow night are part of Six Flags’ One Voice Christian Concert series.

Tomorrow night, Leeland and Chris Tomlin perform. Chris Tomlin is an excellent entertainer as well as faith ambassador. It will be a very entertaining show. Both shows will be spiritually uplifting, from which you will leave in a spirit of peace and harmony or just plain feel good. Tickets for the shows are just $8 over the park admission price. They are available at the front gate or from Ticketmaster.

Six Flags Over Texas, 2201 Road to Six Flags (off Hwy 360 just south of I-30), 817-640-8900. Park hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days.

Have a good weekend and Peace be with you.

Speaking of blues, B.B. King’s Blues Tour is coming to the Nokia Theater this Sunday. The veteran blues guitarist/singer brings with him this year Al Green and Etta James. Just thinking about these three incredible performers on the same stage at the very least gives one pause. It makes me drool. I have seen B.B. King many times over the years, but I have never seen his guests at this year’s festival. I have wanted to hear Etta James live for, let’s just say a couple of decades. It will be a jaw-dropping, eye dabbing, night of the blues.

B.B. King Blues Festival - Sunday - Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie, 1001 Performance Place, Grand Prairie - adjacent to Lone Star Park. Tickets at Ticketmaster.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

The annual national convention of the Tuskegee, Inc. nonprofit group honoring the accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen is meeting for the 36th year beginning today at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine. The convention will run through Saturday, culminating with an awards gala and banquet benefitting the Tuskegee Airmen National Youth Program.

Although some activities are for delegates only, there are activities open to the public. The most notable activity is the ribbon cutting of the Tuskegee Airmen memorabilia exhibit at 3 p.m. Wednesday. The exhibit can be viewed until 6 p.m. on Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The exhibit is free to the public.

Take the time out to see this exhibit of memorabilia of these heroes, including pilots, ground crew, and other personnel who served in World War II. Despite, mind you, encountering hatred, bigotry, and racism. After a long wait, the Tuskegee Airmen were finally given their Medals of Honor last year. I plan to take our family to the exhibit so that our boys can learn about this important part of our country’s history.
Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine. 214-366-0090. www.tuskegeeairmen.org