Rob, host of Stallion Springs House Concerts, makes a few announcements and then introduces Chuck Cannon. He basically tells us that if we haven’t heard him before, we are about to have our socks knocked off by this award-winning singer-songwriter talent from Nashville. I am one individual here who hasn’t heard him and his songs before, and I’ve done no research, preferring to be surprised, and taking the Forrest Gump approach, I feel House Concerts are like a box of chocolates—you never know what you are going to get.  But if you like chocolate, no matter which one you get, you are happy.

House Concerts

At 5:30 p.m. I turn on the grill and place precooked-smoked sausage links on the hot grate. I close the lid and return to the kitchen finishing my preparations, choosing a large white ceramic tray for serving and two types of Maille mustard to accompany the tasty bites of pork. At 6:30, after arriving at our destination, I place my pitch-in contribution to the Stallion Springs House Concert on the table. Tonight’s concert features the music of Chuck Cannon and a very special guest. I’m intrigued.

We have an hour before the show starts so we grab a plate and some snacks. Opening the bottle of wine we brought to accompany the finger food available, we find a place to perch close to their large outdoor fire pit. Being the middle of July a fire pit doesn’t even sound inviting, but I can just imagine how wonderful it is during a fall concert to be able to gather around a welcoming blaze.

Ordinarily, we would be listening to the music of Chuck Cannon under the stars, but this evening rain threatens, and it is always better to be safe than sorry. The house concert has been moved indoors. Rob McDonald apologizes for the fact that we are packed into the space like sardines, but the chairs are comfortable and we have plenty of leg room. It’s only slightly cozy, and we are happy.

Rob, host of Stallion Springs House Concerts, makes a few announcements and then introduces Chuck Cannon. He basically tells us that if we haven’t heard him before, we are about to have our socks knocked off by this award-winning singer-songwriter talent from Nashville. I am one individual here who hasn’t heard him and his songs before, and I’ve done no research, preferring to be surprised, and taking the Forrest Gump approach, I feel House Concerts are like a box of chocolates—you never know what you are going to get.  But if you like chocolate, no matter which one you get, you are happy.

Kyra Cannon

Chuck Cannon introduces his opening act, his fifteen-year-old daughter, Kyra. But before she sings her first note, he tells a story that touches my heart. It is a story about a baby in an infant carrier in the back seat of his car while he and his wife are in the front seat driving along, listening to music. His tiny daughter Kyra, is humming to the tune on the radio. He changes songs. Kyra changes her tune.  A huge bouquet of love shines through each word he says, each detail of the story he tells, till finally, we hear, “Dad!”

Kyra Cannon strums her guitar and begins singing softly, haltingly — “Killing me softly with his song, telling my whole life with his words…”  I smile, thinking it is a perfect opening song for her to sing. She is charming. Her lovely voice gentle and sweet and slightly breathy, reminding me of Astrud Gilberto or Claudine Longet, singers that Kyra has probably never heard of. But maybe I’m wrong, her next song is Somewhere Over the Rainbow, followed by one from Bob Dillon and another by the Beatles. Then she tells her father that she needs him to sing with her. Their rendition of Moon River is beautiful.  I think every grandparent in the audience is hooked. She reminds us often that she has a CD for sale. That we should buy it. That we are going to buy it.

I’m buying it for sure.

Chuck Cannon

Chuck Cannon—alone at the front of the room sings his opening song, accompanying himself on the keyboard and then takes the stage with his guitar. He is pretty much phenomenal.  Self-deprecating, funny, unpretentious with a good-ole-country-boy approach. He takes us through his life as a young boy to an aspiring songwriter, to a successful songwriter and beyond. His storytelling is only excelled by his mastery of the guitar, his songs, and his rich mellow voice.

At intermission I find him sorting through the many CD’s that he has recorded. Making stacks of each CD in the order that they were recorded. My question is, “Which one has The Ghost of Johnny Cash?”

The first time I heard it was tonight, and I really liked it.  Chuck Cannon looks through the stack of CD’s and tells me, “You know I really hate for someone to buy a CD before the night is over and they hear all of my songs.” The inference being that I might like another one better.  I put away my two $20 bills and head to the snack table, looking for Michael on the way.

I join the talkative group outside, grabbing a piece of cake and a bottle of cold water on the way. Walking around the outside of the house I come back in the front door, seeing Michael sitting in his seat.  I join him. The concert resumes, with the life and stories of Chuck Cannon continuing. We have never laughed so hard at any stories, or tall tales or yarns we have ever heard — anywhere.  And I think all of these stories are mostly true. His songs come from somewhere.

At 11:20 Chuck Cannon sings one more song and the concert ends. I hurry from my chair and pick up one each of his CD’s as well as the one Kyra recorded. I find him talking with another admirer. When she leaves he turns to me and I say, “I hear you accept credit cards.”

Sometimes, when you open that box of chocolates, you hit the jackpot — chocolate and caramel and nuts, soft and crunchy, smooth and creamy and utterly addictive. Yep, I want more.

Stallion Springs House Concerts

It took me living many decades before I even heard of house concerts.  And when it finally did happen it wasn’t till after moving to Wimberley. Coming here—discovering all of the music that emanates from these hills and valleys—I told Michael, “I feel like I’ve finally moved to the real Texas.”  This coming from a Texas native who has lived here practically all of my life.

Now I look for house concerts—a wonderful alternative to commercial venues like bars and restaurants where no one seems to be listening to the person on stage singing their heart out. At a house concert you listen to the music.  You hear and understand the song lyrics, and get to know the singer/songwriter personally. There is nothing better.

Rob and Tanya McDonald began hosting Stallion Springs House Concerts to promote artists they love, giving them the chance to sing their songs for individuals really interested in listening. They enjoy finding new, sensational songwriters they can share with friends and individuals on their email list.

A Stallion Springs Concert is a private event, not open to the public. You must be invited, either personally by the host, or by being on the email list. At times you may be notified through a Facebook event invitation.  Shows are typically on Saturday evenings, but that is not a rule written in stone. Depending on the artist and circumstances things can change.

For more information and to get on the House concert email list, check out their website at https://www.stallionspringsconcerts.com/

 

Chuck Cannon

When Chuck Cannon took the stage he mentioned something about “haven’t done this for awhile…just now getting back into it..it has been a difficult year.” Not doing any research and not being familiar with this man or his music, I heard what he said but did not know the meaning behind it.

When his daughter Kyra introduced Somewhere Over the Rainbow as the next song she would sing she said she loved it because it reminded her of her mother–it had bluebirds in it and they were beautiful, just like her mother was.  Then she let us know that she lost her Mom in January and the song reminded her she would see her again. There was a soft intake of breath in the entire room. What could we say? She was so young. We could not know her pain.

Then I realized why it had been a difficult year.

I have since discovered that Lari White, mother to Kyra and wife to Chuck Cannon and an amazing talent in her own right, was diagnosed with cancer in October 2017 and succumbed to this insidious disease in January 2018.

His Music

To give you some insight into this man and his music, below are two links. One was a YouTube video of both Chuck Cannon and Lari White singing the hit song he wrote, I Love The Way You Love Me, originally sung by John Michael Montgomery. (Let me tell you now, I think Chuck Cannon’s version is superior in every way.) The video was made in April 2017 and posted sometime in October 2017. The other YouTube video is a tribute to Lari White sung by Chuck Cannon and made in January 2018. It will break your heart. This is the sober side of Chuck Cannon.

Then there is the Chuck Cannon who was on stage Saturday night. Funny. Down to earth. Proud father. Listen. Read on. To glimpse a hint of the man, click on the link above and then click on READ. He is worth getting to know. I have to thank Rob McDonald and Stallion Springs House Concerts for giving me the opportunity.

To learn more about Chuck Cannon visit his website or check out his many accomplishments on Wikipedia.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Cannon And — if he is appearing anywhere within a fifty-mile radius of where you live, do your self a favor and make it a point to see his performance. It is stellar!

Chuck Cannon Concert Schedule as of July 12, 2018

August 24, 7:00 p.m. – Red Clay Theatre, Duluth, GA US

September 7, 11:00 a.m. – Kit Carson Memorial Park, Taos, NM US

September 21, 8:00 p.m. – The Bugle Boy, La Grange, TX US

November 10, 7:00 p.m. – Pearland House Concerts, Pearland, TX US

November 11, 8:00 p.m. – The Red Brick Tavern, Conroe, TX US