Lone Star singer-songwriters team up for Rose of Texas benefit
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
MARBLE FALLS — Penny Ney admitted that, when she was growing up, her house was a bit dysfunctional. But the one thing from which she drew strength was music. Her first guitar, a beat-up one she received in her teens, helped Ney transform her life into something more than some might have expected.
Now Ney, who returned to the music scene after a break to raise her own children and manage a ranch, wants to again use music to help heal. This time, her focus is on others.
“After I got back into music, I wanted to do something to give back and support the community,” she said. Two Highland Lakes organizations jumped out at her: the Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center and the Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center. Both work with families and youth dealing with neglect and/or abuse.
Three years ago, she organized the first Rose of Texas benefit concert to raise money for and awareness about the two organizations. This year, the event, which features a lineup of incredible singer-songwriters, returns to The Uptown Theatre on Main in Marble Falls on Nov. 22 at 7 p.m.
While it does bring awareness of the two groups and their roles, people attending can expect one thing: great music.
“It’s really a concert,” Ney said. “And the songwriters come from all over Texas, and they’re just great. This is going to be one night of some of the best performances you can expect.”
The lineup includes Ney along with Brigitte London, Chrissie Natoli, Emily Herring, Jean Synodinos, Leeann Atherton, Tina Wilkins and special guests. Kathleen Ann Hudson and VelAnne Howle are emceeing the event, and both of them are outstanding entertainers in their own rights.
The music features a mix of styles and genres, but the strength comes from the powerful lyrics and masterful storytelling found within the words and music.
“Each of the women are doing this to support these two organizations,” Ney said. “We all believe in what they are doing.”
The Uptown Theatre offers a great place to enjoy the show. Ney said the theater really adds to the night.
But it all comes back to helping people and the two organizations. Ney pointed out that what the Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center and the Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center offer not only changes the lives of the people who get the service but permeates through the rest of the community and the society.
“In order to have a healthy world, we need to have healthy people,” she said. “And to build healthy people, sometimes it takes getting help. These two organizations offer that help.”
And the Rose of Texas, well, it offers music, which brings a healing power all its own.
Go to www.theuptownonmain.com and click on the calendar for more information. General admission tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. VIP balcony tickets with private bar service are $30 each. Go to www.eventbrite.com for advance tickets.
daniel@thepicayune.com