Music, Memories, Reunions
It's been too long between substantial posts. Work, faire, life... they all conspire. But until I find brain space to update, I have a story to tell.
You see, I am a very fortunate girl who knows and loves amazing people. Fortunately, most of them return the sentiment and I get to have amazing experiences because of it.
On Friday, April 29th, I got to go to a private, back yard concert by Tish Hinojosa. She's a Latina singer/songwriter and of course, Jimmy was the one who introduced me to her. It's not my usual, but he taught me to appreciate the simple, true-to-life stories and heartfelt Tejana style.
He's been gone since February of 2004, but as Leslie so rightly pointed out, he still throws a great party. Here's the back-story:
Jimmy purchased the domain name "Tish.com" to put up a fan site, but never felt his offerings were worthy of publishing on the interwebs (as if!). So when it came up for renewal, someone else wanted to purchase it. Judy (Jimmy's mom) received the request and didn't feel right about letting it go without notifying Tish first.
Judy reached out through Tish's Web site and received a reply back. Of course she remembered Jimmy; he came to every Dallas show and always had a doll from his travels for her daughter. Tish was very upset to hear of his passing, and honored to know that A Song for the Journey was the closing song played at his memorial. She was going to be in Texas at the end of April and offered a private concert for Jimmy's friends.
I wish I had words for the experience. I am still processing the mix of emotions. The music was perfection - Texas songs under the stars on a warm Spring evening. Candle light. Good beer. Dear friends, and the notable absence of the one who brought us together.
It's so fitting that a performer on Tish's level remembers Jimmy. His passion for music (and, really, all of life) made him shine so brightly. What a wonderful confirmation for us who know and love him-yes, present tense usage is intentional-to realize that his special way of interacting with the world was noticeable and memorable to someone who meets so many people across the world.
Then there were the reunions. I haven't seen Jo since... Lordy, I don't know when. His memorial, maybe? That's a damn shame. But the hugs and laughter picked up as if no time had passed. I'd seen Shawn once or twice and we've kept in touch online, but I couldn't stop hugging him! I got lost in the hug, in fact. Time stopped and I cried. Sorrow of loss? Joy of reuniting? Both.
Chris, too. I will never forget the Von Ehrics show right after Jimmy died. It was my birthday and I decided to drown sorrows in a rockabilly show, not knowing my beloved Chris was the drummer. We couldn't stop hugging that night, either. Just a couple of schmoobly idiots grinning and snuggling in the middle of a mosh pit.
And let's not get started on his sister Carol. She hasn't changed one iota. It's unnatural. Jo & I agreed that she's luring virgins and sacrificing them in her basement. She just giggled and smiled. Wicked creature (and I love her for it)!
That night was also the first Red Star Reunion. See, Lesa & Leslie adopted a star for Jimmy. It rises on his birthday and is high overhead when he left us. They got star tattoos (in red, because if Jimmy were a color it would be passionate and vibrant red) to commemorate. Shawn did, too. And later, Judy & I joined the ranks.
It sounds like a pretty simple story, but if you could hear the music and love behind the lame words... I'll never forget the experience, and the people who shared it with me.
You see, I am a very fortunate girl who knows and loves amazing people. Fortunately, most of them return the sentiment and I get to have amazing experiences because of it.
On Friday, April 29th, I got to go to a private, back yard concert by Tish Hinojosa. She's a Latina singer/songwriter and of course, Jimmy was the one who introduced me to her. It's not my usual, but he taught me to appreciate the simple, true-to-life stories and heartfelt Tejana style.
He's been gone since February of 2004, but as Leslie so rightly pointed out, he still throws a great party. Here's the back-story:
Jimmy purchased the domain name "Tish.com" to put up a fan site, but never felt his offerings were worthy of publishing on the interwebs (as if!). So when it came up for renewal, someone else wanted to purchase it. Judy (Jimmy's mom) received the request and didn't feel right about letting it go without notifying Tish first.
Judy reached out through Tish's Web site and received a reply back. Of course she remembered Jimmy; he came to every Dallas show and always had a doll from his travels for her daughter. Tish was very upset to hear of his passing, and honored to know that A Song for the Journey was the closing song played at his memorial. She was going to be in Texas at the end of April and offered a private concert for Jimmy's friends.
I wish I had words for the experience. I am still processing the mix of emotions. The music was perfection - Texas songs under the stars on a warm Spring evening. Candle light. Good beer. Dear friends, and the notable absence of the one who brought us together.
It's so fitting that a performer on Tish's level remembers Jimmy. His passion for music (and, really, all of life) made him shine so brightly. What a wonderful confirmation for us who know and love him-yes, present tense usage is intentional-to realize that his special way of interacting with the world was noticeable and memorable to someone who meets so many people across the world.
Then there were the reunions. I haven't seen Jo since... Lordy, I don't know when. His memorial, maybe? That's a damn shame. But the hugs and laughter picked up as if no time had passed. I'd seen Shawn once or twice and we've kept in touch online, but I couldn't stop hugging him! I got lost in the hug, in fact. Time stopped and I cried. Sorrow of loss? Joy of reuniting? Both.
Chris, too. I will never forget the Von Ehrics show right after Jimmy died. It was my birthday and I decided to drown sorrows in a rockabilly show, not knowing my beloved Chris was the drummer. We couldn't stop hugging that night, either. Just a couple of schmoobly idiots grinning and snuggling in the middle of a mosh pit.
And let's not get started on his sister Carol. She hasn't changed one iota. It's unnatural. Jo & I agreed that she's luring virgins and sacrificing them in her basement. She just giggled and smiled. Wicked creature (and I love her for it)!
That night was also the first Red Star Reunion. See, Lesa & Leslie adopted a star for Jimmy. It rises on his birthday and is high overhead when he left us. They got star tattoos (in red, because if Jimmy were a color it would be passionate and vibrant red) to commemorate. Shawn did, too. And later, Judy & I joined the ranks.
It sounds like a pretty simple story, but if you could hear the music and love behind the lame words... I'll never forget the experience, and the people who shared it with me.