June 26, 1999
Chris Buhalis brings a lifetime of experience with a windswept delivery and powerful insight to every song. His CD, Kenai Dreams, includes covers of Townes Van Zandt and Blaze Foley, but demonstrates Chris’s own talent for songwriting with songs like Employee 1209, Footprints in the Snow, and the title cut, Kenai Dreams. Chris’s collaboration with, and the influence of Townes Van Zandt is clearly evident and a welcome contribution.

From Ann Arbor, Michigan, Chris was first introduced to us by Ray Wylie Hubbard at TNHC last November. Those of you who were here will remember him “sittin’ here playing on Ray’s guitar.” Chris will be back in Texas for the Kerrville Folk Festival and a brief tour before heading back home. He has graciously accepted our invitation to do his final Texas performance for us on the TNHC stage. This show will only be 13 days after our prior show, but when a talent like Chris Buhalis is here, you simply do what you have to do.

We were treated to a small taste of Chris Buhalis last fall, now come listen to a full evening. You’ll swear that Townes is just beyond the shadows, and he just may be on this evening. Although Chris lives in Michigan, Texas will have a chance to claim him for one more night before he goes home. Don’t get left out of this one.

Ray Younkin opens
Formerly with Gordian Knot, Ray Younkin has recently launched his solo career. His debut CD, 1000 Years, is a telling collection of life’s impressions on this wistful songsmith. Tales of love, loss, hope, and sorrow are offered with lilting melodies and artful style. Ray is from Houston and can be seen performing at many venues around town such as Anderson Fair and Mucky Duck. Ray has a growing following, and you can join right here at TNHC.

Concert review

Chris Buhalis
With Special Guest Jeff Thomas
Ray Younkin Opened

Another Sunday morning of putting chairs away and taking out the trash. As I take a final walk through the house I realize the physical evidence is gone, but there still seems to be a glow and faint echo on the deck of what happened here last night. This was one of those shows that will be very difficult to find words to describe.

The summer rains finally broke, blessing us with the only dry Texas night for the past two weeks…a sign of things to come. Ray Younkin took the stage as the sun was drawn to the horizon. Ray was at his finest setting the mood for the evening. He kicked off with Nashville, his own tribute to every performing songwriter’s dream of the big time, followed by a litany of tunes demonstrating the art and style he weaves throughout his work. Those that were here should now understand why I think Ray Younkin, although relatively new to the solo folk scene, has great things ahead. Ray, we really appreciate the heart and soul you obviously put in your set…thanks for sharing your music with us.

After a short break, Chris Buhalis modestly approached the mic, opening with a solo offering of Blaze Foley’s Clay Pidgeons, with the obvious reference to going back down to Texas. Once again firmly planted on Texas ground, Chris brought Jeff Thomas on stage to amaze us with some unbelievable dobro accompaniments. No wonder Chris was so set on bringing Jeff along for the ride. You could see in their faces that these guys live to share their music and were meant to do it together. They closed the first set with a round of Happy Birthday sung to Lois Brown, who flew in from Dallas with David Byboth to catch Chris’ show to celebrate the day…what a birthday present! During the break, I told Chris, “I’ll pose Ray Wylie’s question to you…’Was it worth it?’” With a beaming face he responded, “Yeah!…But, we’re not done yet!”

Those that were able to stay for the second set were treated to one of those truly remarkable musical moments. A full Texas moon danced with the stars overhead while the deck basked in the richness of Chris’ performance. Chris shared with us that Townes had once told him he could teach him everything he knew about songwriting in one word…dynamics. Chris learned his lesson well. His closing encore was a moving offering of Townes’ To Live is to Fly. As I told Chris later, it made me realize the tragic loss we have without Townes and Blaze around. But, the circle is never broken while those like Chris who were touched and influenced by them continue to craft their own songs with the style and emotion of their mentors. Several or our guests described the show to me with the same two words…”Just perfect!” It was, wasn’t it? Chris and Jeff, thank you so much for making the trip…for REALLY going out of your way to do this show for us. The TNHC stage will always have a place for you whenever you make it back down to Texas.

Several new faces were in the crowd this time, evidence to the fact that TNHC is growing as the word spreads. Beverly and I want to thank each of you that came to support what we’re doing here and we hope you’ll come back for many shows to come. Thanks again to Ray Younkin for providing the sound system for the last two shows.

For the love of the song,
Barney & Beverly Goodman

Visit Chris Buhalis online
http://www.chrisbuhalis.com