Hey and howdy, friends and neighbors.  We'll be cruising around Texas this month in our F-150, playing some of our favorite venues and breaking new ground with a couple.   We'll perform a concert at Texas A&M Kingsville on the 4th, sponsored by the French department.  Christine has started work on the "Texafrance-Ecoutez" project - a companion book of exercises for French students to accompany the Texafrance music.  Professor Jacki Thomas is the author of the book and our partner in this endeavor.  Vive la musique!

The Swan Songs fundraiser with Jerry Jeff Walker was a grand success.  Thank you to those of you who attended, donated items for the silent auction or sent in a contribution.  We raised just under $18,000!  Swan Songs fulfills musical wishes at the end of life.  Concerts are offered free of charge by request, and there have been some very profound moments.  Click here to view Jim Swift's story about Swan Songs that appeared on KXAN News in Austin on September 30, 2010.  To learn more or donate visit swansongs.org. 

Jerry Jeff Walker and Chris Gage play for Swan Songs
photo by Winker with an Eye

So....a couple of new venues, a couple of old favorites, Donn's Depot, Thanksgiving, a trip to LA for Christine, many hours in the studio cave for Chris....life in all its glory continues on.   Thanks for sharing it with us.     Chris and Christine

A note from Christine:     
     I am now past the midway mark of my 50's.  56 - to be exact.  I have never been one to try to hide or lie about my age.  That seems completely antithetical to respecting and embracing life.
     We lost two women in the last six weeks who were mentors for me and examples of aging gracefully with class, wit and wisdom. 
     Beth Gammage (92) was my mother-in-law for 13 years and my "Texas mother" from the day I met her until she died on September 16.  She is my son's grandmother and embodied the sweetness of a small town Texas girl who grew up to see the world but stayed connected to her roots; she was kind and gracious yet didn't suffer fools; she knew who she was and was fiercely loyal without ever being harsh; she taught me that true social graces come from the heart.
     Sudie Campbell (93) was another Texas girl whose spunk and joie de vivre stayed intact, in spite of some harsh blows along the way.  She was regal but never haughty; she was salty but never crass and irreverent but never really disrespectful.  She rolled into Donn's Depot on Monday nights for as long as she could, until just weeks before her passing.  We were the young whipper snappers who flocked to her side to soak up her energy and joy.  She was 70 years older than my son Troupe and they celebrated their birthdays together several times; she joined us for parties and holiday gatherings and was "The Queen Mother" to dozens of wayward souls far from their own families.  She slipped away on October 25.  Thank you, Sarah Elizabeth, for sharing her with us.
     I will miss them both. Love,  Christine

 
Beth Gammage 1919-2011

Sudie Campbell 1918-2011