Last Thursday, Jan. 22, the Cowhill Express Coffee Co. in downtown Commerce held Songwriters’ Night with Brad Davis. This event gave local musicians and songwriters the chance to showcase their talent in front of a live audience.
It was hosted by Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Brad Davis. Davis, who lives in the Commerce area, has worked with some of music’s biggest names, including Johnny Cash, Billy Bob Thornton and Willie Nelson.
“The response has been unbelievable,” Jerald Thomas, owner of the Cowhill Express Coffee Co., said. “My wife and myself and so many people around me, we recognize the talent that is here in Commerce, Texas, and the talent that’s all around us. We just wanted to bring some in and let them showcase it and do what they can.”
Songwriters’ Night has been going on for about a year now, and shows no signs of slowing down. There were close to 100 people attending last Thursday night, and plenty of talent on hand.
“There’s just so much here,” Thomas said. “We like to look at what everybody’s doing, not just what we’re doing here, and showcase some of it. And it’s here. The University’s full of it, and this whole surrounding area is. We’re just excited, and happy to do whatever we can for it.”
Among the talent presented was the singing duo of Matt Plummer and Joanna Firth, or Wheels and Whimsy as they are known on stage. They are both students of Texas A&M University-Commerce, and struck a good tune with the local music expert on the night.
“I really enjoyed what they did, because the guy was serious about his whole technique on guitar,” Davis said. “They sat down there, she didn’t play but she sang great, and he played great. He had some cool stuff.”
The songs presented on the night came from all sorts of musical genres, from folk, to country, to indie. The performers covered many different age groups. However, there is one thing they all had in common: they loved music and had fun with it.
“We’re doing it for fun,” Davis said. “That’s all it’s for, is to have fun and hear those songs in the rough. I love it, it’s really cool.”
Another nice surprise on hand for those who attended this event was Rory Fanning, a military friend of Pat Tillman. Tillman was a top NFL prospect, but turned down a multi-million dollar contract to join the U.S. military. He died in Afghanistan fighting for his country, and Fanning has taken it upon himself to help keep Tillman’s spirit alive.
He is currently undertaking a walk across the entire United States to raise $3.6 million for the Pat Tillman Foundation. On this night, he found himself in Commerce, where he received a proclamation from Mayor Quay Throgmorton. The mayor also deemed Jan. 22, 2009, Rory Fanning Day in Commerce, Texas.
“I haven’t had a day named after me yet, so the Commerce naming Rory Fanning Day was pretty cool,” Fanning said. He also enjoyed hearing Wheels and Whimsy.
“They were an inspiration,” Fanning said. “I was definitely moved by their music, and she’s got a very fluttery voice. I kind of liked it, and it’s nice to have that image implanted in my brain as I walk for the next few days.”
The local radio station, 88.9 KETR, was also in attendance. In fact, some of the songs performed that night were recorded and may be played on that station over the next few weeks. The next Songwriters’ Night at Cowhill Express Coffee Company will be on Feb. 12.