Photo by Rodney Bursiel
Walt Wilkins, Tina Wilkins, Kristi Grider and Brett Danaher transport the audience with elegant, piercing lyrics and intensely-felt artistry.
Photo by Rodney Bursiel
Young performer Ashton Naylor created a buzz with his mature vocals and rockified country.
Photo by Rodney Bursiel
The Topo Chico Cowboys, Drew Kennedy, left, and Josh Grider, right, punctuated their songs with sharp imagery and witty banter.
Photo by Rodney Bursiel
ON NIGHT two, Kelley Mickwee’s soaring voice pulled heartstrings.
Photo by Rodney Bursiel
On night one of the showcase, Brett Danaher wrung out searing solos on lead guitar .
As with all Stars over Wimberley performances, including night one of the third WinterNights showcase at the Wimberley Playhouse last week, the word, crafted into powerful imagery and sent skyward, transported listeners into the quickening arena of spirit.
Susan Gibson led night one of the singer-songwriter showcase with a sleek and joyful performance, introducing young talent Aston Naylor of San Marcos. His rockified country and mature vocal licks created a buzz in the theatre during intermission and after the performance.
Stage troubadours and best buds, Drew Kennedy and Josh Grider of the Topo Chico Cowboys took to the stage, coming in hot with the warning, “If you’re not a fan of in-between song banter, we apologize.” But of course, listeners couldn’t get enough of their tales of failed stage jewelry, a questionable yarn of thumb wrestling with Tina Wilkins and finally, a partial reveal of cloud tattoos during their song, “West Texas Cloud Appreciation Society.” Their relaxed repartee did nothing to hide such powerful imagery as Drew’s “You try to keep a clean heart, but the hammer bends the nail. . .”
After a brief intermission, Susan Gibson introduced Kristi Grider and Tina Wilkins for a set she called, “Harmonies and Humor.” They were joined by Walt Wilkins and Brett Danaher on guitars. Kristi Grider revealed full-throated vocals as she sang, “I have no need to chase some far off dream. It’s all here. The light I seek is all around me,” as Tina Wilkins harmonized and Danaher wrung out the first of many potent solos on guitar. Tina led off on her “Spirit is Ageless,” cocooned by Kristi’s harmonies and Walt and Danaher on guitar. Other songs followed. Kristi sang “I don’t need no loving Cowboy” and the Wilkins paired up on, “We have more love than luck.” Kristi’s “Blessings” for her boys was followed by Walt’s song, “Angels This Way.” Sang and performed by Tina in sign language, the song was a fine way to end the evening.
Stealing looks at the audience throughout night one of the showcase revealed uniformly rapt faces, as if each person dared not miss a single image for fear of missing a rung on the ladder to the top of what was certainly an ecstatic performance.
