Small-town dance halls and theaters play up Lone Star music

Lightning in Linden

Because of his own lofty connections in the music business, Richard M. Bowden has a knack for bringing big names to Music City Texas Theater.

Jackson Browne and Don Henley performed sold-out shows in 2004, and June 17 will feature the first T-Bone Walker Blues Festival, with noted artists Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Keb' Mo' serving as headliners. T-Bone Walker was born in Li! nden, wh ose surrounding woods were once home to blues great Leadbelly and Scott Joplin, the father of ragtime.

As Mr. Bowden says, "It's in the water."