I'm in Waco around the Christmas through New Years time frame. I want to take my HS aged kids and torture them with an evening of Country Western dancing.

Back in my era, we would go out to West Fraternal, Linden, Elk, etc. Guys in my National Guard unit who were 20 years older than me would always talk about how great the Melody Ranch was but I don't think they were going there for the dancing.

Anyway, could somebody give me a current update on what's what with the live music, Country Western dance scene in Central Texas. With respect to drive distances, etc. consider my base of operations to be 5 minutes away from the Hog Creek Ice House.

Thanks in advance. And for whatever it's worth, I'm happy to reward useful advice with either Pepperoni Rolls or Freebirds. Or maybe even Chuy's. You know... as I'm talking myself through this... it sounds like Waco isn't as bad as I remember it.

Nothing is as old school as the upstairs at Sefcik hall in Seaton. IF flag or star hall have dances go there.

Both are still "open" but I have no idea how to find out if any of them have dances over new years.

All three are east of Temple.

I'm pretty sure I remember a recent ad for sefcik hall having a NYE dance. And I think Star hall always does. Google it and give 'em a call.

Or maybe call one of the local radio stations and ask. There is a new one, Shooter FM 92.3 or 92.9, I can't remember, than plays old country.

You're about 20-30 years past the East Bell County SPJST country western dance heyday...

Flag, Academy, Seaton Star, Holland.... Throw in Westphalia, Temple KC

Debonaires, Casuals, Leather & Lace...

Sigh. The good ol days....

As for Sefcik, if you REALLY want to treat yourself to an East Bell County Christmas tradition, go see David Zychek. I think he'll be out there on December 22d.









[This message has been edited by Captain Pablo (edited 12/14/2012 7:41a).]

Oh, yeah, this is all outside your range. Probably 45 minutes away...

Welp, Jerry Haisler and the Melody 5 will be at Karem Hall in Waco on NYE

As far as West, the West Fraternal is closed down (sad, I know), and the West KC Hall (which is the big hall in West now) is having a polka band on NYE. Need to check what Tours Hall is doing. They usually have a country band and a good crowd.

Looks like Geneva Hall is having someone....they have really taken the place of Linden Hall for that part of Waco. Last I checked, Linden was up for sale

quote:

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Out of the Blue (country), New Year’s Eve Dance, 7 p.m. Dec. 31, Geneva Hall, 740 S. Connally Drive, Elm Mott.

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Thanks for all the suggestions. And yes, I know I'm 20 years out of date. But... (and I know the Texas Hall of Fame is gone too), my oldest has been accepted to Texas A&M and since we've been living in urban areas for the past 9 years, I wanted to make sure that there's some exposure to C/W music before enrollment.

I did take the kids to Floore's Country Store when we were in Bandera about 5 years ago. I don't think that's fresh enough in their minds anymore. I was hoping for something in Central Texas within an hour drive of Speegleville. Some of the suggestions east of Temple are just on the fringe of that driving distance.

Well, the old SPJST scene of the 80s and something like Floores are totally different. But you knew that.

The SPJST scene was local bands playing Nashville covers, lots of George Straight, and rock and roll, usually stuff along the lines of zz top, billy idol, Eric Clapton, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, etc...

And you danced, and drank beer underaged, tried to scam on girls, and the evening was typically topped off with a pretty good fight in the parking lot..

Floores is singer-songwriters venue, with lots of Texas originals. For something like that, your best bet is Austin or Gruene, both out of driving range.

But --- check the local newspapers. They will have a line-up of local entertainment...

Good luck, and have a good Christmas...






[This message has been edited by Captain Pablo (edited 12/14/2012 5:27p).]

I'll try to post some as I come across them:

12/29 - Robert Earl Keen at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth

quote:

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As for Sefcik, if you REALLY want to treat yourself to an East Bell County Christmas tradition, go see David Zychek. I think he'll be out there on December 22d.

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There WILL be some serious guitar playing, but definitely nothing remotely country at David's show. I love Sefcik Hall.

Oh, and the Debonaires are still around...at the Cotton Club in Granger this Saturday I think. They played a great New Year's Eve shindig at Flag Hall last year and they are regulars at the Oscar Store.

edit: Debonaires are playing the NYE gig at Flag Hall again (hosted by Oscar Store). Great fun last time.

[This message has been edited by Shorty (edited 12/19/2012 3:08p).]

Captain Pablo,

quote:

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Flag, Academy, Seaton Star, Holland.... Throw in Westphalia, Temple KC

Debonaires, Casuals, Leather & Lace...

Sigh. The good ol days....

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We have very similar memories from those days. Many a great Saturday night were enjoyed at those venues.

Yep

Oh yeah, Zychek. Definitely not country, unless Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath are considered "country"

Cherokee Rose

Turns out my cousins band, Wayward Sons, will play at Tours Hall on NYE. They were the band at our wedding and did a great job. Not sure what the crowd will be like there

Just found the link for the Debonaires http://texasdebs.com/

Good find. From the looks of their schedule, they'll be plenty busy this holiday season. Flag would be your best bet to "recapture" that 80's, bohemian, country western, Saturday night experience...

Bo's barn oughtta be OK, though I cant speak from experience as I haven't been out there since it reopened...





[This message has been edited by Captain Pablo (edited 12/20/2012 7:47a).]

Cotten club has that honky tonk feel also, but it is a little bit longer a drive.

http://www.wacotrib.com/accesswaco/events/waco-music-shows-concerts-events.html

This is a page to watch as they update it.

Cherokee Rose (sound only) live from Linden Hall in April, 1992...my senior year in HS. Wow. With the great Brian Burns as lead singer. Brings back a lot of good memories.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=308OwRqomhg

[This message has been edited by BohunkAg (edited 12/20/2012 8:44a).]

Capt. Pablo,

What year did you graduate from High School?

I was in HS in the late 80's






[This message has been edited by Captain Pablo (edited 12/20/2012 3:08p).]

I thought maybe we crossed paths back in the day...probably not. I was in hs in the early 80's.

The good old days of following Cherokee Rose around the Waco area. Linden, West, rarely Elk. Elk is still around and one of the only dance halls in the Waco area still hosting dances all the time. I believe the Nolan Pick Band is playing there on New Year's Eve. Since I coach at a school very close to there, I have not been back since I was in high school, but all of my students tell me that it is a good time. Sounds like it used to be when I was in high school.