AUSTIN HELPS HAITI at Scholz Beer Garten 1-20-10

A benefit with all proceeds going to the Haiti earthquake relief effort. $10 minimum donation at the door. The 3 artists who played were Jenny Reynolds, James McMurtry and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Music was from 5-7pm.
Jenny kicked it off with a short, 4 song set and had the Flyin' A's with her. Stuart played guitar and did some singing while Hilary harmonized. It was a nice start to the evening. She did a couple of my favorites, "I Forget Myself" and "Never Let Him Go."
After Jenny came James McMurtry. I'd say he did at least 45 minutes and was fantastic! I didn't realize, until I saw him very recently solo, acoustic, just how good a guitar player he really is. On this night it was just him, along with 2 of his guitars, a 6 and 12 string. It was a stellar set. "Choctaw Bingo" like this is unGodly great.
Jimmie Dale had his son Colin, along with a bass player named Billy Crompton, I think. Jimmy was lead on a few songs, then Colin came out front, back to Jimmy for 1 last song and that was it, probably about 30 minutes. Very enjoyable. They opened with "Ramblin Man" and were off and running from there.
Austin musicians, as usual, are taking the lead and volunteering their time and talent in shows all over town to raise funds for Haiti.