Texas Heritage Music Foundation 20th Anniversary
KERRVILLE, Texas — The Texas Heritage Music Foundation proudly announces its 20-year anniversary in 2007. Founded in July 1987, Texas Heritage Music Foundation seeks to preserve and perpetuate the traditions of Texas music, to examine the background of Texas music, to trace influences and patterns in Texas music, to document the role Texas music has played in society and to provide free educational programming to the Texas community.

For the past 20 years, THMF has been committed to the belief that singing songs and telling stories make a difference in the world. THMF produces community education events and outreach programs each year to promote Texas heritage, history, education and family values, as well as working with at-risk youth in summer arts programs. What began as an annual tribute to father of country music Jimmie Rodgers has grown and expanded to include: • Texas Heritage Living History Day (every September) • Texas Music Coffeehouse at Schreiner University (6 times per year) • Wayne Kennemer Scholarship Fund • Texas Oral History Project (a taped collection of 300 interviews with musicians and songwriters) • In school educational programs presented by Texas singers, songwriters and storytellers.

Texas Heritage Living History Day 2006 boasted more than 2,500 in attendance and featured more than 40 performers. In addition, 15 songwriters, storytellers and performers shared their work in classrooms in local schools and with kids at risk.

Billed as “Another Way of Learning Using Stories and Songs,” the 2007 event is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 28, 2007. It will showcase more than 60 performers, including Native American storytellers and dancers, vaqueros, cowboy singers and poets, Texas singer/songwriters, chuck wagons, teepees and more. This community event also includes a teaching packet for those interested (www.texasheritagemusic.org). Texas Heritage Living History Day 2007 will feature a noon tribute to Jimmie Rodgers. In conjunction with the Texas Folklore Society, there will be an afternoon seminar on many aspects of Texas heritage. Both these events are open to the public and free of charge. Capping off the day’s festivities will be supper and a concert. The cost of the meal includes the performance. The public is invited.

As well as being the hometown of Texas Heritage Living History Day, Kerrville is proud to be the home of Blue Yodeler’s Paradise, Jimmie Rodgers’ dream house at 617 W. Main. The house still stands, as does Jimmie’s musical legacy; he was inducted into the Country, Rock and Roll, Blues and Songwriter Halls of Fame.

Texas Heritage Music Foundation extends thanks to the following sponsors: Texas Commission on the Arts, Schreiner University, Maverick Internet BBS, Glaze Designs of Texas, Kerr Business Services, ACPrint, Inc., Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau, The Family Sports Center, Dr. Pepper, Culligan Water, Back 40 Supply, Bank of the Hills, Barbara Dunbar Hailey, Dr. Kathleen Hudson, KRVL Radio, Kerrville Sunrise Lions Club and other generous Hill Country businesses and individuals.

CONTACT:
Dr. Kathleen Hudson, Executive Director
(830) 792-1945   |   kat@maverickbbs.com