Last year, the Sons of Hermann Hall kicked off a monthly event called "Swing Sundays," with music provided by western swing band Shoot Low Sheriff. The evening starts with swing dance lessons. A BBQ dinner is available, with iced tea, soft drinks, and beer to drink. Shoot Low Sherrif plays Bob Wills classics, original western swing style compositions by band leader Erik Swanson, and other jazz, swing, and blues standards. Dancers enjoy the music from the dance floor while non-dancers enjoy then music seated at the long tables to the side eating BBQ or enjoying a beverage.
The old Texas Dance Halls have enjoyed a renaissance in the last decade, often filled with the popular "red dirt" or "americana" sounds of contemporary Texas country music. "Swing Sundays" in this 102 year old dance hall feels and sounds like being in the golden age of these dance halls. In recent decades, Sons of Hermann has hosted a who's who in Texas music, including western swingers Asleep at the Wheel, Leon Rausch, the Light Crust Doughboys, and Hank Thompson. I'm not sure who might have played there in the western swing hey day - I wonder.
One of my favorite times there was catching Robert Earl Keen Jr there when he recorded his second album "The Live Album." He was new folk winner at Kerrville a few years before that and his legend was just beginning to grow.
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