Published: September 21, 2009 12:37 pm      

Walking, talking miracle to perform at Pawlessfest

When Vince Bell takes the stage at Pawlessfest on Sept. 26, few in the audience will fully understand what it took to get there.

Bell, a Houston native who now lives in Santa Fe, N.M., survived a gruesome automobile accident in Austin on Dec. 21, 1982. The Austin American-Statesman erroneously reported the death of one America’s more promising songwriters in its early editions.

The accident left Bell almost completely disabled. Defying all odds, he taught himself first to function and then to create, play and perform music again. Recovery took most of a decade.

One Man’s Music: The Life and Times of Texas Songwriter Vince Bell (University of North Texas Press, 2009) is Bell’s autobiographical account of his triumphs and struggles. As Kathleeen Hudson wrote in the foreword, “Finishing this book will leave you with your own serious questions to answer. One just might be: ‘What would I have done?’”

The festival, begun with a “trial run” last year, runs Sept. 24-26 at the Cedars Ranch, 2621 FM1201, Gainesville. Tickets are available online by clicking on “Pawlessfest” at www.pawlessfest.com. An online ticket for all three days and nights is $25, (Gate $35). Single-day admission is $5 Thursday, $10 Friday and $20 Saturday.

“What makes Texas unique is its abundance of music venues,” said Burns. “A recording artist can still earn a living in Texas with live performances. No other place in the country offers so many venues for live music.”

Opening night of Pawlessfest – Thursday, Sept. 24 – features an open-mic party attended by some of the area’s brightest up-and-comers.

Friday (Sept. 25) performances begin at 5 p.m., with Up the Creek, Boxcar Bandits, Bonedoggie and the Hellraisers, Alex Whitmore, Mike Rickwa and Lindsay Lonestar, Headrick-Ford, Tom McElvain, Chase Hutson, Aubrey and Audey Teeter, and John Nitzinger.

Live music begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday (Sept. 26) with appearances scheduled by Scotty Thurman, Ripper and the Bitter Pills, Randy Brown, Pump Jack Mary, Honky Tonk DFW, Tony Desmuke and Simon Guitarfunkel, Uncle Rummy, David Byboth, Marci Garcia, Jeds Dead, Jessi Lynn, Sarah Peacock, Bell and Brian Burns.

NASCAR journalist and singer/songwriter Monte Dutton will be hosting the event.

Pawlessfest benefits the VISTO Backpack Buddies program. VISTO operates Cooke County’s emergency food bank and offers assistance to area residents.

For more information, call (940) 612-1375 or (972) 816-6139.