Sherwoodstock 2010
Woodstock was held in 1969 in New York. Last weekend, we had our own version the organizers call Sherwoodstock. Now back in 1969, Woodstock was held from August 15-19 on Max Yasgur’s 600 acre farm almost 43 miles from the town of Woodstock, New York. Sherwoodstock 2010 was held on Donna and Ken Smith’s Ranch just minutes from downtown Sherwood.
Sherwood will not be found on many searches, and it really does not have a downtown, but it is where I live and it is where my great-grandfather had the newspaper in 1900 called The Irion County Advertiser. I live about a half mile from the old historic courthouse that was once the county seat.
Sherwoodstock is the creation of Chad Johnson & his band, Down 1450. It is also the creation of Jared, Donna and Ken Smith of Sherwood, owners of the property where Sherwoodstock is held. Jared Smith, the Smith’s son, is lead guitar player in the band Down 1450. Jared is from Mertzon/Sherwood, but now lives in Lubbock. Other band members are Tayt Todd (bass player) from Cedar Hill; Bobby Bowlin (fiddle player) originally from Palmer, Alaska now residing in Austin, TX; Mark Evans (drums) from Austin, TX; and of course, Chad Johnson (lead vocals and rhythm guitar) from Austin, TX.
This is the sixth year for Sherwoodstock that is held out in the pasture on Donna & Ken’s place. The visitors to Sherwoodstock wore T-shirts, shorts, wranglers, cowboy hats, boots, sandals, and other typical West Texas summer wear. Most were not old enough to even know what Woodstock was or what it represented. But I am and I do appreciate the difference. We drove down the road to the event in my golf cart. We drove back home with Ramona holding a flashlight for the half mile or so drive.
The invitation included the following warning: “Please enjoy yourself, but be careful. The perils include fire ants, snakes, cow manure, unlevel ground, longhorn cows/bulls/steers, and Ken Smith.
The ladies were ferried to a bathroom up near the house. The men were on their own. This is West Texas after all and if you can’t wander off down the road a ways, you have no business being outside.
Donna added, “friends don’t let friends drive drunk. Also, you don’t want to see Donna in another capacity.”
Donna is the local Justice of the Peace. There were officers walking around visiting with the crowd and eating barbecue. Nobody minded them being there either.
Sherwoodstock. I missed the 1969 version of Woodstock, but I probably won’t miss another Sherwoodstock. Good friends, good music, good barbecue, and good old Real Texas attitude.
I’m David
Out enjoying Real Texas…
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