June 26th, 2011 by carriagehouse
First of all… Thank You to my two favoritephotographers, my darling husband, Tom and his BFF, Craig Swancy. These two guys did an amazing job of capturing all of the wonderful action at the T-Bone Walker Blues Fest. I think you will agree that they are phenomenal photographers. I just wish I had a thimble full of their talent. Yucky things happen when I get behind the lens.
Here are the final set of pictures. I hope you enjoy them!!!
June 23rd, 2011 by carriagehouse
The Ladies of the Pleasant Hill Quilting Club, Texas-intro trailer from Kimby Caplan on Vimeo.
Of all of the performances that I had the privilege to see this past weekend at the T-Bone Walker Blues Fest, the ladies of the Pleasant Hill Quilting Group were the most interesting and they were certainly the most unique. These woman put on a very spirited and very spiritual performance each night. If you ever get the chance to see them in action, you should take advantage of it. Their performance is like nothing you have ever seen before.
Back in our pre-civil war times, the slaves of the South had many different ways to communicate with each other. Due to the cruelty of their enslavement, they were unable to just talk as we all find so natural. We have to remember though. It is our human nature to share information. One of the most common ways for slaves to communicate with each other was in their song and in their work. The slaves developed codes that they would sew into their quilts that would often pass on information such as the safest way to escape or the safest way to the Underground Railroad leading them north to freedom.
For instance, a North Star sewn into a quilt would signal that a slave should go north. This would often be used in conjunction with the old slave spirtual song “Follow the Drinking Gourd”, which contains a reference to the Big Dipper constellation. Two of the Big Dipper’s points lead to the North Star which again corresponds to the North Star sewn into the quilt.
The Pleasant Hill Quilting Group is a group of quilters from the East Texas town of Linden that lend their talents to the art of quilt making and also to the history of quilt making. Each quilt they sew is a replica of an old slave quilt and their performances are a wonderful mix of telling of the quilt codes sewn into these beautiful quilts as well as singing the old spiritual songs that tell the stories of how to escape to freedom. The song leader describes what each square means and in between the squares they sing.
The Pleasant Hill Quilting Group meets each Monday afternoon at the old Pleasant Hill/ Rosenwald School to quilt and build community. The Pleasant Hill/ Rosenwald school was built in 1925 to serve the African American community and was in continuous operation as a two room school house until 1964. Today the building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is used as a community center. If you are interested in stopping in and seeing this historic structure, it is open for tours each Monday while the ladies are there working. Each quilt that is sewn is sold to help defray the costs of preserving this little piece of East Texas history.
The ladies of the Pleasant Hill Quilting Group donated one of their quilts to the T-Bone Walker Blues Fest and it was auctioned off Saturday night. It was great to sit back and watch two of the Carriage House Bed and Breakfast’s guests fight over it. Greg from California finally won it for $750 dollars. You should have seen the look of delight in these ladies faces at the idea of getting that type of money.
I and several of our guests had the opportunity to look hard at the quilt Sunday morning after breakfast. Many of you know that my mother is a long time quilter and the quilts on our beds are all hand made by her. We all admired the beautiful hand stitching which is so rare to see today. Greg said that he was considering donating it to his local school district so that they can use it in their history classes.
The quilt tells the story of a very horrible time in U.S history and these ladies are keeping the stories alive through their performances.
June 18th, 2011 by carriagehouse
Although it was really hot, it was really cool!
We went with some friends last night to the opening night of the T-Bone Walker Blues Fest. There were some amazing bands playing and the music was just awesome. Because the Carriage House Bed & Breakfast is a corporate sponsor, we were able to cool down in the hospitality suite which is a huge plus in this 100+ degree weather that we have been having recently. The food in there was crazy good and it added to all of the fun of the evening.
Tom got some great shots of the Matthew Davidson Band out of Shreveport, LA playing on the outside stage last night. One of the really great things about the T-Bone Walker Blues Fest is that they try and support the youngsters in the blues community by showcasing the child prodigies. Matthew Davidson is one of those. He is 13 years old and an incredibly talented guitarist. His drummer, Greg Clifford, is an amazing 15 years old. This is no garage band banging around in their parent’s basements. These kids were channeling Stevie Ray Vaughan and showing off their musical chops. I have to say, these kids made an amazing first act!
We are going back out this afternoon with our friends. Tom and his buddy, Craig, will get some more pictures…I promise. Our favorite band, Ezra Charles, is playing tonight on the outside stage. Ezra Charles is a Boogie Woogie band and Tom and I have been fans (or groupies) since before we were married. We have seen them play in Dallas, Houston, Kemah and now tonight in Linden at Music City Texas which is hosting the T-Bone Walker Blues Festival.
As you can tell, we are very excited and proud to be a part of the T-Bone Walker Blues Fest. I hope you enjoy the pictures. I will post the pictures from tonight sometime tomorrow.
June 16th, 2011 by carriagehouse
5th Annual T-Bone Walker Blues Fest
June 17-18, 2011, Linden, Texas
Music City Texas Theater in Linden, Texas is hosting the 5th Annual T-Bone Walker Blues Fest – June 17 & 18. The festival is being presented by MetroPCS and other key sponsors: Don Henley, Linden Economic Development Corporation, MidSouth Engine & Machine, the Carriage House Bed and Breakfast, and the Linden Drug Company. The event will bring in 16 top blues artists from across the nation, including a stellar lineup of Texan headliners – Johnny Winter, Zac Harmon, Guitar Shorty, Malford Milligan, Diddley Squat, and Emily Elbert. The 5th annual festival is a fundraiser for two Linden non-profit corporations: Music City Texas Theater, a music venue, and the Fairview Community Center which offers free literacy and computer training to the community.
This two-day, two-stage festival is a living memorial to the music icon that was a primary influence to most postwar blues guitarists and early rock and roll greats. T-Bone Walker’s most enduring legacy was taking the guitar from a rhythm instrument to a lead instrument in a band. Honored by his peers by membership in the Blues Heritage Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he was first, and foremost, a loving father, a humanitarian, and a friend to so many.
Friday, June 17 will feature a Free outdoor concert focused on students learning about the Blues. The Pleasant Hill Quilting Group will present the history of the Underground Railroad Quilt Code; followed by the 20 year-old rising jazz star – Emily Elbert. Emily won the 2007 Texas Music Project Texas 10 Under 20 contest with a scholarship to the Boston Berklee School of Music. The free concert also presents Malford Milligan and Guitar Shorty. Guitar Shorty performed with T-Bone Walker in his youth, and is a multi-recipient of honors from the Blues Music Awards. Milligan headed the dynamic band – Storyville – and was with the Stephen Bruton-Delbert McClinton performance in the 2008 blues fest.
David “Honeyboy” Edwards is an icon in the world of Blues. A member of the Blues Heritage Hall of Fame, multi-honoree as Blues Acoustic Artist of the Year and multi-Grammy winner, “Honeyboy” represents the best of traditional blues.
The simple mention of Johnny Winter conjures up images Woodstock. Known for his prodigious guitar virtuosity, everyone in the music business has a Johnny Winter Story and he remains a true crowd pleaser.
Zac Harmon won The Blues Foundation’s 2004 International Blues Challenge as “best unsigned blues band.” Since then there’s been no looking back appearances at US festivals and international tours to Canada and France.
Like a bare knuckled boxer, Guitar Shorty strikes with his blistering, physical guitar playing and his fierce vocals, connecting directly with body and soul. This multi-winner of Blues awards always finds his way into the audience during his performance.
The lineup is rounded out by a stellar group of regional blues bands that includes a number of International Blues Competition bands: The Bluebirds (Shreveport), Buddy Flett (Shreveport), Malford Milligan (Austin), Diddley Squat (Marshall), Emily Elbert (Boston), Dorothy Ellis (Norman, OK), 19th Street Red (New Orleans), Bruton & Price Swingmasters Revue (Fort Worth), and Kayla Reeves (Honey Grove).
The festival will also feature a Guitar Hero Competition for the younger set.
For Times and Ticket Information: www.tbonewalkerbluesfest.com or call 903-756-7774.
June 15th, 2011 by carriagehouse
JEFFERSON, TEXAS
WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT
JUNE 16-19, 2011
* 6TH ANNUAL T-BONE WALKER BLUES FESTIVAL
Friday-Saturday, June 17-18
Location: Music City Texas Theatre, 108 Legion St., Linden, TX
Tickets & information: (903) 756-7774
www.tbonewalkerbluesfest.com
* AUNTIE SKINNER’S RIVERBOAT CLUB & RESTAURANT
Thursday, June 16: “Leon Vines” (Classic Acoustic Guitar) @ 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Friday, June 17: Karaoke @ 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Saturday, June 18: “The Legendary Bugs Henderson & the Shuffle Kings” (Blues &
Classic Rock) @ 9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
Reservations requested
(903) 665-7121
* KARAOKE
Saturday, June 18 @ 8:00 p.m.-12:00 midnight
Location: The Sandwich Shop, 123 W. Austin
(903) 601-2211
* BINGO!
Location: Pine Hill Nursing & Rehabilitation, 1307 MLK
Each Monday in June @ 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Prizes & refreshments
(903) 472-841
* TURNING BASIN RIVERBOAT TOURS
200 Bayou St.
Saturdays @ 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday-Saturday @ 12:00 noon & 2:00 p.m.
Sunday & Monday: Closed
(903) 665-2222
www.jeffersonbayoutours.com
* LONE STAR CARRIAGE COMPANY OF JEFFERSON
Historical tours of Jefferson by horse & carriage and Mule Drawn Wagon
Specializing in weddings
Friday-Sunday, June 17-19
(Weather permitting)
Groups and special events available by appointment
Departs from corner of Austin & Market (across from the Jefferson Historical Museum)
(903) 926-8216
www.jeffersontexascarriage.com
Call for reservations
* HISTORIC JEFFERSON GHOSTWALK
Thursday, Friday & Saturday, June 16-18 @ 8:00 p.m.
Departure location: Corner of Austin &Vale St.
(903) 665-6289
www.jeffersonghostwalk.com
* JEFFERSON PEDAL POWER
122 E. Austin
Bicycles, Trikes, Tandems, Surreys & more
By reservation
(903) 926-5167
www.JeffersonPedalPower.com
* HISTORIC JEFFERSON RAILWAY
Friday, June 17 @ 8:00 p.m. – Free Ghost Stories & 9:00 p.m. – Ghost Train
Saturday, June 18 @ 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. (Day Excursions)
8:00 p.m. – Free Ghost Stories & 9:00 p.m. – Ghost Train
(903) 665-6400 or (866) 398-2038
www.JeffersonRailway.com
* LAFAYETTE STREET VINTAGE VEHICLES CAR MUSEUM
112 W. Lafayette
Friday & Saturday, June 17-18 @ 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
(903) 240-6180
Call for additional tours
* CULBERSON HOUSE HISTORIC HOME TOUR
403 N. Walnut
Friday & Saturday, June 17-18 @ 3:00 p.m.
(903) 665-7888
www.culbersonhousebandb.com
Call to confirm tour
* HOUSE OF THE SEASONS HISTORIC HOME TOUR
409 S. Alley
Daily @ 11:00 a.m.
(903) 665-8000
Reservations required
www.houseoftheseasons.com
* SINGLETON’S VIRGINIA CROSS HISTORIC HOME TOUR
401 Soda St.
Saturday, June 18 @ 1:00 p.m.
(903) 665-3938 (903) 665-8518 or (214) 725-6232
Call for reservations & additional tour dates and times
* THE GROVE HAUNTED HISTORIC HOME TOUR
405 Moseley
Saturday, June 18 @ 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 19 @ 11:00 a.m.
(903) 665-8018
www.thegrove-jefferson.com
Call to confirm tour
* EXCELSIOR HOUSE HOTEL & JAY GOULD RAILCAR TOUR
211 W. Austin
Tours: Monday-Friday @ 2:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday @ 1:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m.
(903) 665-2513
Call to confirm tour times
www.theexcelsiorhouse.com
* JEFFERSON HISTORICAL MUSEUM
223 W. Austin
Open daily: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
(903) 665-2775
www.jeffersonmuseum.com
* H & D EXOTIC DEER FARM AND OTHER EXOTIC ANIMALS
359 P.R. 5730 & Hwy 729
Open: Sunday-Friday (Closed: Saturday)
(903) 665-2238
Reservations required
www.hddeerfarmtours.homestead.com
* THE GRACEFUL GHOST PADDLEWHEEL STEAMBOAT ON CADDO LAKE
Tuesday-Friday @ 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
Saturday @ 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
Sunday & Monday: Closed
Pontoon Boat tours at any time with prior reservation
Location: Shady Glade Marina, 510 Cypress Drive, Uncertain, TX
(903) 789-2238
www.gracefulghost.com
Call for reservations & additional tours
* BILLY CARTER’S GO-DEVIL TOURS ON CADDO LAKE
Location: Johnson’s Ranch in Uncertain, TX
(903) 789-3213
Call for reservations
www.caddoguideservice.com
* CADDO OUTBACK BACKWATER TOURS
Personalized Tours of Caddo Lake
Uncertain, TX
(903) 789-3384 or (903) 679-9138
Call for reservations
www.caddooutback.com
* CADDO LAKE PADDLEWHEEL TOURS “THE SWAMP THING”
Uncertain, TX
(888) 325-5459 or (903) 789-2101
Open: Tuesday-Saturday
Closed: Sunday & Monday
Call for reservations
www.caddolakepaddlewheeltours.com
* JEFFERSON CARNEGIE LIBRARY
301 W. Lafayette
Monday-Thursday @ 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Friday @ 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturday @ 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Closed: Sunday
(903) 665-8911
www.jeffersoncarnegielibrary.com
Free internet access
June 3rd, 2011 by carriagehouse
Don’t know if you know this, but legendary bluesman, T-Bone Walker hails from this area of Texas. T-Bone Walker (born Aaron Thibeaux) lived from 1910 to 1975 and was one of the great influencers of blues music. In fact, he created the sounds that we know of today as “jump blues” and “electric blues”. He was known as a blues guitarist but also was a singer, songwriter and was one of the first blues musicians to play the electric guitar. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine ranked T-Bone Walker at #47 in their list of “The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time“.
Each June, we celebrate his contribution to the blues movement with the T- Bone Walker Blues Festival in Linden Texas at Music City Texas. This year’s event will be held June 17th and 18th with two stages playing THE best blues music. Some of the acts we have this year are Ezra Charles and His Band, Honeyboy Edwards, Matthew Davidson (a Stevie Ray Vaughan protege) and many more.
The Carriage House B&B is an official sponsor and so therefore we have a special package for the T-Bone Walker Blues Festival. June 17th and 18th only, get any room in the house Friday and Saturday night with general admission tickets to the Blues Festival for both Friday and Saturday for $370. This is a $50 value!
Give us a call at 903-665-9511 if you are wanting to hear some hot blues music this summer while visiting some of the prettiest scenery in Texas.
