Where the Stories Become Songs - Devil's Backbone Songwriter Revue
Fischer, TX – There's something about a Texas backroad that always sparks my curiosity, especially one with a name like Devil's Backbone. This winding stretch of Hill Country highway comes with its own collection of ghost stories, from Confederate soldiers on horseback to a mysterious woman wandering the roadside with a baby in her arms. Now, I love a good story, but traveling a supposedly haunted road after dark gives my imagination plenty to work with. Dark backroads aren't typically on my schedule, but then again, it's October. What better time for a little mystery and an evening of live music?
When I arrived at Devil's Backbone Tavern in Fischer, an old Volkswagen Beetle covered in colorful stickers caught my eye. Surrounded by weathered buildings, faded signs, and murals, it looked like a rolling scrapbook of adventures. The entrance was tucked just to the right of it, and before long I was inside, ready to see what the evening had in store.
The tavern had that familiar old Texas feel, with wooden floors, worn chairs, and walls covered in years of collected odds and ends. The music room was off to the left, while a doorway almost hidden behind dollar bills led to a separate bar with shuffleboard and bathrooms. I liked that setup. You could sit and listen to the music without the usual noise from the bar.
I found my seat, pulled out my notebook, and settled in for the evening. The room was intimate, with the musicians close enough to watch their expressions and hear the conversations between songs. Every time I looked up from my notes, there was Burt Reynolds stretched out on that famous bearskin rug. Now, how's a girl supposed to concentrate?
I'd come to hear the Devil's Backbone Songwriter Revue, an evening that brought together thirteen songwriters, from longtime country hitmakers to artists making names for themselves. The lineup included Amanda Kate Ferris, Jessee Lee, Kylie Frey, Chuck Cannon, David Lee, Bill Kenner, David Adam Byrnes, Scotty Alexander, Trent Cowie, Hank Weaver, Cameron Wrinkle, Cole Whittlesey, and Ashton Naylor. What I loved about the format was hearing the conversations and memories behind the songs, often with a little humor thrown in. I was especially interested in the three women on the lineup. Newsboy Local has been highlighting women in music, and as a photographer and writer, I'm always curious about the people behind the art.
Amanda Kate Ferris brought me back to the traditional country music I loved in the 1990s, with a beautiful voice and a style rooted in country storytelling. Before singing "Healing When I Ride," she shared how she and her mother, Kathy, wrote the song during her mother's battle with cancer, inspired by the peace she found riding horses. In my notebook, I simply wrote, "Felt every word." Her song "Cheat on You" brought a little humor and a different perspective on long marriages, something I could appreciate after thirty-two years of my own.
Later, Scotty Alexander, Jessee Lee, Kylie Frey, and David Adam Byrnes took the stage together, bringing plenty of laughter, good-natured teasing, and some wonderful music. Their easy chemistry made the round especially entertaining, with each bringing a different sound and personality to the mix. Between songs, the banter was nearly as entertaining as the performances themselves.
Jessee Lee caught my attention with her bluesy, soulful voice, full of grit, rhythm, and personality. I'd listened to her music before the show and thought, Damn, this girl is good. Hearing her live confirmed it. She was funny, engaging, and quick with a story, including one about a grandmother who apparently knew a thing or two about being a groupie. I couldn't help but smile at that one. I may know a little something about being a music fan myself! Somewhere between the laughter, stories, and music, I got so caught up in her performance that I forgot all about taking notes. Before I knew it, I was tapping my foot, humming along, and singing bits of a song I'd only just heard. Something about "honky tonk history." I never did catch the title, but that little tune followed me right out the door. And wouldn't you know it, I'm still trying to find it!
Kylie Frey brought her Louisiana roots, rodeo background, and one heck of a voice to the stage. I'd met her before the show, and she immediately made me feel welcome and at ease. That same warmth and easygoing personality came through in her performance, along with a voice full of soul and emotion. She shared that Reba McEntire had recorded "One Night in Tulsa," a song she co-wrote. Having grown up listening to Reba, I could only imagine that excitement. But it was "Horses in Heaven" that stayed with me, its story and lyrics touching on parts of my own journey. I love when a song does that, when someone else's story feels a little like your own.
By the time the evening ended, I'd heard thirteen talented songwriters, laughed more than I expected, and added more than a few new songs to my playlist. Not bad for a Tuesday night in the Texas Hill Country. Heading home along the Devil's Backbone, with its winding curves and ghost stories, I had plenty to think about. I hadn't encountered any wandering spirits, but I'd certainly met some interesting characters, heard some remarkable music, and found more stories worth telling. And isn't that why I keep wandering these Texas backroads in the first place?
