Winnsboro Center for the Arts

Update!

June 26, 2016

In its TENTH year, Crossroads shifted the focus of its existence from concerts to developing the Ultimate Finger Pick invention. With Gus getting hired back in Winnsboro, and departing from his duties in Sulphur Springs, it was logical to continue supporting what the Winnsboro Center for the Arts [WCA] had going on the Bowery Stage [formerly the Crossroads Music Company & Listening Room Stage].

As of October 1, 2015, Gus’ full time responsibility as Winnsboro’s Main Street Manager also included overseeing all the wonderful things happening in the Cultural Arts District, which is the same overlay downtown, and boasts the WCA as its ANCHOR for everything happening in the Cultural Arts District! The Winnsboro Center for the Arts, with Jim Willis handling all the bookings for the Bowery Stage, is selling out performances right and left, and just hosted Judy Collins [Sweet (Suite) Judy Blue Eyes] on June 14th in little ol’ Winnsboro, Texas. That’s right, you heard right! Stay tuned for the next chapter as it unfolds, and help us keep live music ALIVE here in East Texas!

Crossroads 8th Anniversary Concert was Magical!!

December 17, 2013

Eight years of global entertainment in the small town of Winnsboro, Texas, boasting a population of less than 5,000 people. CRAZY! The original founders of Crossroads were our entertainers, and a few more joined in the fun! This was the final Crossroads show of the year, and there are no other performances scheduled until the Winnsboro Center for the Arts works out their renovations during the Winter months, as well as what weekends THEY will be needing the stage. I’ll post another blog addressing what lies ahead for 2014, once we know more. For now, enjoy the pictures in the Facebook album, and don’t forget to click on the Crossroads YouTube icon on the homepage to catch of few of the songs that were performed on Saturday night! Two songs from Saturday night!!

Below: Everyone was there! Lynn Adler & Lindy Hearne [original founders]; Denice Barton, who climbed on board, joining owner Stephen Marshall, who took the reins from Adler & Hearne to keep things rolling along while Adler & Hearne took their show on the road!…Then came Gus Gustafson in 2010, which is when “& Listening Room” was added to the Crossroads Music Company name 🙂 Global talent, sharing their original music & connecting with their audience in a fantastic intimate listening room setting! That is how the MAGIC happens!!

THANK YOU to all who have shown such wonderful support over the last 8 years. Allow us to keep you in the loop for what waits around the next corner. Good things on the horizon! ~~Gus Gustafson

Heather McCready, with Milo Deering!

November 14, 2013

“Refreshing” is a descriptive term that comes to mind as I attempt to describe a night filled with the vocal expressiveness of Heather McCready. I believe this term has been used before, but it truly is fitting. The full house was entertained from start to finish, with everything from Amazing Grace–blues style–by Love & Grace [opening act], to Milo Deering doing Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues while waiting for the train to pass! Very well-crafted songs filled the night, and we even included a speaker on Market Street, spreadin’ the love in between the buildings downtown! Heather was simply wonderful, performing her sweet originals like the whimsical “Give It A Day” by her & Milo, great covers like “Smile,” and injecting her personal story that revolves around her Bi-Polar disorder–a very complex brain disease, but one that can be managed by today’s mental health professionals. Heather McCready is living proof!

Pictured [l to r]: Gus Gustafson, Lindsey Gail, Heather McCready, & Milo Deering. Photo compliments of Watson Photography.

Lindsey Gail shared her powerful vocals with the crowd, and it was great having her back on stage–this time, sharing the Word through new original Gospel tunes, and covering other popular tunes. Love & Grace warmed up the audience for Heather & Milo. There was “magic” in the air that night, from start to finish! I hope you were one of the fortunate ones to be inside the Winnsboro Center for the Arts last Saturday night, but if not, click on some of the links above to get a taste of what you missed. ~Gus

Remaining Crossroads shows for 2013!

October 20, 2013

If you’ve waited this long to experience what all the hype is about, within the four walls of a true “Listening Room” where musical artists really get to CONNECT with a crowd, you owe it to yourselves to catch one of these final three shows. ~Gus

Jimmy LaFave, back HOME in East Texas!

October 20, 2013

[photo by: Lindy Hearne]

Jimmy LaFave’s hometown of Wills Point, Texas, is actually less than sixty miles from the Crossroads Stage here in Winnsboro, Texas. That is certainly close enough to say that Jimmy was “Home” on Friday night, playing to “His people.” [pictures] These are terms Jimmy himself used to describe some of the feelings dancing around inside this great singer/songwriter/musician/entertainer, as he shared some thoughts & some stories of the past with his band and those lucky enough to be in the audience that evening! There was a great vibe & energy bouncing around the Crossroads Performance Hall that night! Jimmy & his band tapped into that source, and truly delivered an inspired performance! The only set list present was between Jimmy’s ears, and I believe he allowed that to change throughout the night, playing tunes inspired by the tune/story before, and trying to satisfy the requests coming from the appreciative crowd. At times it felt like Woody Guthrie’s spirit was up on that stage with Jimmy & the band. There will never be another performance quite like the one delivered last Friday night! That’s an easy statement to make, since Jimmy is one of those musicians that prefers NOT to play a song the same way twice, which allows for creative MAGIC to show up during his shows–magic you can’t get listening to a CD! In honor of where they were performing, they even did a rendition of Robert Johnson’s “Cross Road Blues,” totally unrehearsed! It was AWESOME, and guitarist Phil Hurley totally SHREDDED IT!!

Crossroads Music Company was honored to have Jimmy back for a return visit! ~Gus Gustafson

“Never a Moment” performed by Jimmy LaFave a couple nights ago!

Kinky gave Winnsboro both barrels!

September 30, 2013

What can I say? EVERYTHING just FIT together Saturday night with Kinky Friedman, logically speaking. Singer/Songwriter music, comedy, politics, important issues brought to light–we had it ALL!

Winnsboro got a full spectrum of entertainment; light-hearted humor, serious issues, stories from the past, comical lyrics mixed with fun melodies–it was all part of the show. We even had Winnsboro’s new Mayor, Tom Howard, do the Kinky introduction, to properly set the stage. Kinky plans to run for the Commissioner of Agriculture position, for the Texas Department of Agriculture, a position currently filled by Todd Staples. We got a glimpse of his platform Saturday night, and Kinky will be a serious contender!

Kinky, performing “Rapid City South Dakota”

Winnsboro’s own Kate Hearne did the honors as the opening act, assisted on percussion by Ashlyn Shanafelt. Kate’s career is just starting to gain momentum. Fresh out of college, she’s working on her first CD, residing in Fort Worth, and carving a place in the world of the singer/songwriter/musician–Kate is the complete package, and she certainly showed the full house at Crossroads that she’s been making great use of her time!

The magic returned yet again to Crossroads Music Company!

September 15, 2013

WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW! Yup, it was another night of MAGIC you missed, if you chose another activity besides coming to Crossroads to witness these three wonderful singer/songwriters. Lined up across the stage, they took turns presenting their original pieces of musical art, along with the life-experiences, moments, visions, etc, that sparked the creation of those songs. Rather than bringing a structured song list to the table, they all allowed the songs that were played ahead of their next turn to inspire which one from their own repertoire ought to be performed next. The magic emerged, NATURALLY! 🙂

Helene has some tunes available on itunes, including “Lucky Me,” a song about her encounter with a United States soldier in an airport. The song has received global attention, and drew a standing ovation from the crowd–great presentation by Helene!! She’ll be talking to folks in Nashville this upcoming week about recording her next CD–one that will reflect what she’s creating today.

Out of the three, Lisa Markley was the most “jazzy.” Clever & witty, in both content and delivery! Both Lisa & Helene helped us all realize how spoiled we are to have Lynn Adler in our own backyard! Winnsboro was Blessed when Lynn Adler chose to call these Piney Woods her home, over 10 years ago they tell me…She spoke of those things in her life that inspired much of her writing–Winnsboro historical events included.

[Top photo by Jim Willis/photo above compliments of Dave Sanders]

As “THEY” say: “You had to BE there” to truly appreciate what transpired on the Crossroads Stage last night! Magic like that doesn’t happen while you’re listening to an artist’s CD, plain and simple…A HUGE thank you to Helene, Lisa & Lynn…CHEERS! ~Gus

Billy Joe Shaver brought the MAGIC!

September 4, 2013

Billy Joe Shaver, Texas’ very own Honky Tonk Hero AND Preacher, shared some of his MAGIC on the Crossroads Stage! A comfortable crowd filled the Winnsboro Center for the Arts, and our special guest Pauline Reese returned to the stage to honor Billy Joe as his opening act! Pauline had returned from a Crossroads performance, as headliner, just a few weeks beforehand, which worked out well for those that missed her great individual performance on August 3rd. This time, additional guitar licks were provided by J.C., out of Waco, Texas, and Pauline even invited her daughter “Sky” to the stage to sing a number.

Billy Joe Shaver hit the stage with his band, and they gave the audience a couple hours of meaningful melodies, legendary lyrics, great stories of his life, and some bonus honky tonk preachin’ to balance things out. I hope you were one of the guests there that night, because shows like that have to be experienced to be appreciated, and there’s no better way to experience a show than up close and personal in a listening room environment like Crossroads! If you DID miss this show, Billy Joe Shaver has a book and CDs you may want to get your hands on! The book is filled with a catalog of lyrics from the many songs of his legendary career in the music business.

PICTURES [Top to Bottom]: Gus, Karen L., Billy Joe, & Carol; Billy Joe with Lindy Hearne; Billy Joe Shaver & his Band; His great smile during a bit of Honky Tonk Preachin’; Billy Joe Shaver with Carol & Gus; Pauline Reese w/ guitarist J.C. in the background; Pauline backing up her daughter Sky’s vocals 🙂

Thank you WCEC!

August 25, 2013

A big thank you is in order for the Wood County Electric Cooperative [WCEC]! Their generous contribution to the Winnsboro Center for the Arts [WCA] will go a long way to help keep the doors open, which will keep the Arts alive in Wood County–for the kids and the community as a whole. This includes the performing arts, like kids Summer Drama Camp, which always ends with an entertaining community theater performance–great opportunities for the youth of our area! As many of you know, Crossroads Music Company & Listening Room shares the WCA stage, fitting in performances by Global talent in-between the community theater events. Thank you WCEC, for helping keep all the Arts ALIVE in Wood County!

Click on the logo above, and visit the WCEC website.

2-Bit Palomino Rides Again!

August 25, 2013

Yes, 2-Bit Palomino made a return visit to Crossroads Music Company & Listening Room, loaded with new songs, stories, and their latest CD, “2-Bit Palomino Rides Again.” I couldn’t help but use the title for this post, too! Click on the title to go their website, buy a CD, or learn more about Bill Ward, Ren & Andi Renfree–the three truly talented individuals that make up this band.

We opted to go without an opening act, which proved perfect. 2-Bit Palomino led the crowd through a night filled with tight harmonies, great music, stories of the road, and even some insight into what inspired some of the songs they’ve written.

All three members of the band contributed to the songwriting for this latest recording, “2-Bit Palomino Rides Again.” We highly advise getting a copy! You’ll see some of the other artists that co-wrote or contributed songs, including East Texas’ very own Lindy Hearne, who co-wrote, with Andi, the opening selection entitled, “My Own Backyard.” Tulsa Tempest will get you moving in your seat!

“The Buffalo Grass,” recorded by Chris Ledoux, and written by Andi Renfree, is not on the latest CD [Rides Again], but you can hear how Bill Ward has made it his own, as the three of them really grabbed the room’s attention during last night’s performance! Click on “The Buffalo Grass” and catch last night’s rendition on Crossroads’ YouTube!

Thank you, 2-Bit Palomino, for sharing a piece of your musical journey with all of us in attendance! Below photos: 1st: Andi (l) and Ren (r); 2nd: Bill Ward on keyboard; 3rd: Ren, trying out his custom Ayers mandolin.

Fall Concert Series 2013!

August 7, 2013

Hope to have all tickets for all the shows available in the Crossroads Store by the middle of August, so keep checking back! ~Gus

Crossroads Music Company presents Pauline Reese!

August 1, 2013

Click on Pauline’s picture, for a backstage interview and a glimpse into Pauline Reese. Then come on out Saturday for a great show!

Click on Pauline’s latest CD cover, “Just Getting Started” and visit her online store!

Photo above, compliments of Jim Willis, shows Pauline enjoying the crowd during her Crossroads performance last Saturday night, Aug. 3, 2013. This time around, Pauline left her band at home, brought Road/Sound Manager Dave Gardner along to balance a full & rich acoustic performance–the PERFECT choice for a hot August night in Winnsboro, Texas!! Pauline had a fair share of stories accompanying a strong variety of original songs, and she sprinkled in a few covers along the way. We got a very sincere, authentic Pauline Reese, and she exposed a whole lot of Texan, even without the wardrobe malfunctions! Those who were in the audience will understand the reference! Even Dolly Parton would have been proud of Pauline’s poise 🙂

Anyway, by the time the show was over, it kinda felt like Pauline was, “Just Getting Started!” Do yourself a favor, and visit Pauline’s website and follow her career. Lots more to come for this very talented Texas Singer/Songwriter!! ~Gus

Jive Jumpers; Johnny & the Nightcrawlers

May 19, 2013

Saturday night at Crossroads Music Company & Listening Room on May 11, 2013, and we had a “roomful” of Blues!! Not only was the listening room FULL of Blues, but it lasted for over THREE HOURS! Pretty cool, I must say!

This was a co-billing between the Jive Jumpers [formerly known as Diddley Squat Blues Band] and Johnny & the Nightcrawlers. By the end of the evening, BOTH bands were on the stage together for one HUGE joint encore!!! Click on the band name for a taste of what you missed!

The dynamics & song presentation of the Jive Jumpers really stood out–very tasty! Johnny Simmons & the Nightcrawlers were really enjoying themselves on the Crossroads stage, and it was quite apparent with all the cuttin-up between tunes. Both bands have a great time while performing, and it shows–excellent chemistry!