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Homegrown and Homemade to perform April 3rd at the Rio Theater - March 9, 2010
Submitted by Andi Foster

Homegrown and Homemade is a music series that will highlight local Shelby County guitar-pickers and songwriters. Spanning many different styles, ages and musical influences, five musicians have been picked to showcase in 2010. These Shelby county songwriters include Colby Miller, Thomas Morrison, Tim Hopkins, Tom Peterson and Danny Paul Windham. In an intimate setting, each songwriter will share the stage and highlight a handful of songs that were hand-written in and about Shelby County.

The past year has been a busy one for Colby Miller. Since the first installment of Homegrown and Homemade in 2009, Miller has shared the stage with artists such as Walt Wilkins, Jason Allen, Radney Foster, Chris Knight, Shake Russell and The Band of Heathens. Gearing up for his debut studio project, Miller is quickly gaining music industry attention and fans around the country. His pop-folk style is particularly remarkable, and his flowing, refreshing lyrics continue to turn heads. "When I heard it, I was blown away! Miller's sound is like cool, cool water in the summer heat," said Radney Foster, highly acclaimed singer-songwriter and producer. Having grown up in Center and graduated from Center High School, Colby Miller always enjoys the opportunity to come home and play for family and friends.

Playing guitar and writing songs since high school, Thomas Morrison has been learning and growing in his musical pursuits for almost 10 years. After being introduced to the music of the 60’s and 70’s from his parents at an early age, Morrison has loved music all of his life. The support group that will be sharing the stage with Morrison on April 3, 2010 has encouraged him to write, play and entertain Center, Texas audiences for the last three years.

Tim Hopkins is relatively new to the songwriting club, but has cranked out some tremendous tunes. Hopkins’ songs are crowd-pleasing, upbeat and very genuine. Painting a beautiful image of small-town life, Hopkins touches on topics ranging from high-school aged activities to finding faith in small country churches. After one listens to any song from Hopkins, you cannot deny that his major influences are Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams Jr. Heavily influenced by gospel music, Hopkins creates a unique sound that fits into any southern atmosphere. Also a Center High School graduate, Hopkins has spent several years in Dallas, but has returned to Shelby County to raise his two little girls with his Shelby County wife. Hopkins works for Shelby Savings Bank in Hemphill and leads the music for McClelland Baptist Church in Shelbyville.

A former native of Wharton County, Tom Peterson moved to Shelby County over 30 years ago and has been practicing pharmacy in the area ever since. Peterson began learning the guitar at age 35 and began writing songs shortly thereafter. Playing with Danny Paul Windham and the Pine Hill Revue for almost 20 years, Peterson has enjoyed seeing the young songwriters in Shelby County blossom. As a very detailed writer and a talented musician, Peterson believes the best songs come from the heart with personal meaning to the writer.

Danny Paul Windham needs no introduction in East Texas, as his “larger than life” presence will hold your attention in any size room. Playing with bands from the time he was in college, Windham has traveled around the state and country sharing his own homegrown music that he calls “country as a dirt clod.” A true gem of Shelby County, Windham and his band, The Pine Hill Revue, will break into song at the drop of a hat. As a local dentist, Windham and his wife, Sally, are well known. They have also entertained the county for years as musical coordinators for the East Texas Poultry Festival. Original influences like David Allan Coe and Willie Nelson, Windham’s repertoire has grown over the years to include works of Rodney Crowell, Chris Knight, Todd Snider, Monty Montgomery and Robert Earl Keen. His personal songs are the true crowd pleasers as they touch on topics we all can appreciate and relate to as Shelby County citizens.

The Homegrown and Homemade performance will be held Sat., April 3, 2010 beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the Rio Theater on the downtown square in Center, Texas. Advance tickets are $10.00 per person and $15.00 at the door at show time. Tickets are available at Austin Street Marketplace, Attoyac River Gallery, Gatherings and Morrison Insurance; all businesses located on the downtown Center square. Proceeds will benefit the Lakes Area Arts League.

For additional concert information, contact Karen Thompson, 936.590.0070, or Thomas Morrison, homegrownandhomemade@gmail.com.

Please visit the website www.myspace.com/homegrownandhomemade to check out song samples and pictures.

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