In March 2023 Ron Hastings took part in a musical tour of Texas.
This is his report on a week of fun filled adventure in the desert with his guitar and some friends from Scotland.
“Hello! (Or howdy, y’all!)
“This was all started and inspired by Sandy Devers from Kelso who cycled across the U.S. and got “stuck” in Far West Texas for a few days. There he enjoyed great hospitality, magnificent landscapes and generally, let the outside world go by; meanwhile experiencing everything that Far West Texas had to offer from the Big Bend to getting stuck in Marathon with mechanical problems, and where it seemed, like Hotel California, you could check out, but you could never leave.
“Eventually, back in Scotland,
“Sandy continued to link with those new found friends in Texas, with a view to starting exchange programmes for Scottish and Texan musicians. In just a matter of months, ‘Tartan Twang’ was born. In November 2022 music students went over and toured Far West Texas, based mainly in Marathon, performing ninety-minute shows that showcased our music, stories and traditional Scottish dance.
“From there the story continued……
“Sandy encouraged a disparate (or should that be desperate?) group of friends and musicians who set off from Scotland in March 2023 to continue the tradition with another tour of Texas. We played gigs, and enjoyed great hospitality and a once in a life time experience. We were blown away by the rugged, desolate beauty of Texas and the charm and warmth its people and we had a peek into a completely different world.
“The collaborative nature of our jam packed tour required careful planning.
“Accommodation and performing opportunities had to be booked, and even guitars had to be sourced locally as the expense of flying our own guitars was prohibitive. Accompanying Sandy on pipes were “the famous” Seamus O’Sullivan on accordion, big Tam frae Glasgow and our own country singer the lovely Louise. Musical highlights included playing a bikers bar at The Old Gringo in Alpine, an afternoon concert in the courtyard of the Gage Hotel and an evening barbecue at the back of The French Grocer not to mention the many impromptu performances in bars and way-out places we visited along the way. Accommodation was comfortable and we never stayed still, moving on to enjoy and pack in as much as humanly possible in a week. Everywhere was a new experience and there was no time to lose as we moved venues staying in quality motels, hotel rooms, quirky and colourful houses built of paper, village rooms at Bacquillas Mexico. We had a fantastic stay at Dead Horse Ranch, with stunning views over The Rio Grand. We were accompanied along the way by our tour organiser Danielle’s running commentary, delivered in a Texas twang, as we travelled between experiences allowing those of us of a certain generation to relax, learn more about the amazing landscape, culture, lifestyle, and of course, share songs along the way.
“What’s next for Tartan Twang?
“This summer will see a group of young musicians from Texas let loose in Scotland for a series of performances and unforgettable experiences with excursions to beautiful rural and rugged parts of Scotland, including a must-visit trip to the Scottish Borders. For one week, there will be a little bit of Texas in Scotland. As a frontier region Far West Texas shares much in common with The Borders. which has also had it’s fair share of hostilities with displacement and cross-border skirmishes giving rise to a tradition of music and story-telling.
Hopefully their visit will coincide with one of the Common Ridings if this can be included in the programme.
“I’m back in Scotland now but I can feel the magnetic pull of Far West Texas.
“Having discovered the culture and music and people it feels like I might also be hooked. If you are a musician, an artist, a creative person, or even just curious, and fancy the notion of seeing West Texas, experiencing its music, culture and beautiful scenery there may be an opportunity as further trips are planned.”
You can find out more at www.tartantwang.com or contact Sandy Devers
© By Ron Hastings March 2023
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