Austin Author Is Guest for Lockhart Songwriter Series
(Lockhart) Veteran Austin musician, producer, club owner, and author Craig Hillis will be the featured guest for Evenings with the Songwriter, at the historic Dr. Eugene Clark Library, Tuesday, August 29, 7:00pm. Now in its seventh season on the last Tuesday of each month, the Evenings are free to the public, hosted by Lockhart songwriter Fletcher Clark.
Craig D. Hillis, PhD is a veteran of the Austin music scene from its nascent times: as sideman guitarist for songwriters Michel Martin Murphey, Jerry Jeff Walker, Steven Fromholz, B.W. Stevenson, and Keith Sykes; as co-founder of Moon Hill Artist Management; as early Talent Consultant for Austin City Limits; as Felicity Records head and producer of its acclaimed collection of Austin Christmas music; as club owner of Steamboat and Saxon Pub; and continuing player with the Lost Austin Band, descendant of the The Austin All Stars.
Craig completed his BA in History in 1992, then his MA and PhD in American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2011, with his dissertation on the musicology of Austin Songs and Songwriters. In 2002, he authored 'Texas Trilogy: Life in a Small Texas Town', based on that seminal musical work of Texas Poet Laureate Steven Fromholz. Recently, he has co-authored 'Pickers & Poets: The Ruthlessly Poetic Singer-Songwriters of Texas'.
Craig’s co-author for ‘Pickers & Poets’ is Dr. Craig Clifford, Professor of Philosophy at Tarleton State University. Still performing as a musician, Clifford had worked with three famed Texas songwriters, David Rodriguez — a college friend of Clifford’s — Townes Van Zandt, and Terry Allen. Their book began with an essay Clifford wrote for Tarleton’s Langdon Review journal. Clifford said. “I met Craig Hillis through a mutual friend and he was finishing up a dissertation in American Studies at the University of Texas on Texas music in the 1970s. So I said, ‘Why don’t we co-edit a book of essays?’” This collection is published by Texas A&M University Press, enjoying wide success with critics and readers alike.
“Craig Hillis and I have been friends and colleagues for forty-five years.” said Fletcher Clark. “We met when he was playing a show with Michael Murphy at Armadillo World Headquarters and I was the Business Manager there at the time. Joining me as part of famed Texas songwriter Steven Fromholz’s stable of ready sidemen, Craig founded and operated their label Felicity Records. We continued our association through the recordings I helped engineer and produce with Steven. Here is a skilled and experienced musician and producer, who also has the business experience of running a label, managing live music venues, managing and booking talent, and the solid academic view of a musicologist. What better way to pursue our mission to explore the art and craft of songwriting?”
Over sixty celebrated artists have been featured in Evenings with the Songwriter (many of whom show up in Hillis’ book). They include such luminaries as Shake Russell, Christine Albert, Tish Hinojosa, Vince Bell, Sara Hickman, Eric Taylor, Butch Hancock, Lisa Morales, Dana Cooper, Karen Mal, George Ensle, Shelley King, and Walt Wilkins. The 2017 Season continues with Bianca De Leon & Butch Morgan, Freddie Krc, and Claudia Nygaard.
Evenings with the Songwriter is not just a performance nor an interview nor a song swap nor a lecture, but elements of all. In this oldest continually operating library building in Texas, Producer Clark credits the ambiance of the room for the special focus appreciated by the audience and his guests alike. The series is presented to the public free of charge on the last Tuesday of the month, thanks to City of Lockhart Library Director Bertha Martinez and her staff. Support comes from local Friends of the Song sponsors Todd Blomerth & Patti Payne, Donaly & Clare Brice, and Robert & Esther Wilson.
Date and Time
Tuesday Aug 29, 2017
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM CDT
Tuesday, August 29, 7:00pm
Location
Dr. Eugene Clark Library
Contact Information
512.376.0340
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