Timing Is Everything By Linda Fryer

Above: The writer of this story Linda Fryer. Click Image to enlarge.

“Timing is everything” Ever heard that old cliché? Well, today was one day that it truly became much more than a cliché for me! Yep, I finally found out what that saying means. And boy, what a blast it was! Okok, I’ll get a little more specific…See, here’s the deal….

I’d been on the road for about a month, vacationing, seeing the South and Southwestern US, from the cab of a motor home, and staying in some of the prettiest places you can imagine. Just relaxing, right? Wellllll, not exactly. Cause, as many of you know by now, THIS yankee gal never REALLY relaxes. Nope. I was on the lookout for somethin’ interestin’…ANYTHING interestin’…especially good country music from good country artists who I can almost NEVER find on a radio station. And hear it I did! I have to say, I think the best came from Texas. At least, the FIRST of the best. I was in San Antonio for about 4 days, and there, I just could NOT find bad music! Every radio station I turned on seemed to be blasting with the stuff. 24 hours a day, every day! I heard bands that would put some of the “stars” to shame! I heard artists that had more heart in their one body, than the entire CMA award show line-up—all put together! It was GREAT! (Not to mention, the experience of seeing the Alamo!) I was in awe of that place, I have to tell ya. Can you even IMAGINE the hell those people must have gone through, trying to stand up for what they believed in? And we should be grateful. I know I am! …Anyway, I digress. Back to the music. I don’t think you picked up this article to read about the Alamo…. Or DID you?

Well, the music didn’t stop in Texas. Nope. It was EVERYWHERE! And the next real good dose of it came in Louisiana. I don’t remember exactly where we were by then, but one night I turned on the TV, and happened to tune in to a real Cajun jam fest! Ohmygod! The people were dancin’ in the streets, the food was being served up in tubs, and the beer looked really, really cold!! But the music was anything BUT cold! It was totally HOT! If you could sit still while listening to THAT music, I guarantee, you were dead! It was amazing! Pure Cajun country. I loved every minute of it! Yep, just me, in the coach, with the little TV blasting, and loving EVERY MINUTE OF IT! I swear!

Next, it was on to Mississippi. You remember that state, dontcha? It’s the one that was in ALL the spelling bees when you were a kid. It was the one with all the “I crooked letter, I crooked letter , I pp I “

Yeah, that’s the one! Well, we happened to be visiting the coastal town of Bay of St. Louis, and staying at a place called “Casino Magic”. And as we drove down the winding roads, lined with trees and ominous looking swamps, suddenly popped up a sign that said “Hank III appearing April 6 and 7^th”! I was almost unconscious! My heart leapt into my throat, and I choked out, “we HAVE to see him!” See we’d planned to leave that day, and had made plans with friends to meet them further north in the “crooked letter” state, that night. But, now…there was NO WAY I was gonna miss this opportunity! So, I talked my photographer/ hubby, into staying. At least we had to TRY to get tickets. And I had to TRY to snag an interview! Didn’t I? You better believe it! So we did, and I did, and the whole thing worked out so well, that I have to tell ya, “timing IS everything”! I’ll tell ya more about it next time. For now, I have to sort out some photos, and some thoughts, and hopefully I’ll write one of the best articles you’ve ever read about Hank III. You remember him…. the son of Hank Jr. …. the grandson of the legendary, Hank Williams, Sr!!!!!

So, come on back folks. I think you have a real treat in store. But then, that’s only “an independent view”

“an independent view” by Linda Fryer, BMI, CLA

Freelance Music/Entertainment Journalist

http://www.countryfryednews.com

Lfryer1324@aol.com

“Timing Is Everything”

“an independent view” 4/14/01

By: Linda Fryer, BMI, CLA