Clark Library welcomes Songwriter Judy Painter
Evenings with the Songwriter at the historic Dr. Eugene Clark Library in Lockhart opens the2023 season this month with Judy Painter on the last Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m.
Greg Whitfield was to have been the guest for January, but weather forced a cancellation, and he has been re-scheduled for June.) The monthly series is free to the public and has been hosted and produced by Lockhart songwriter Fletcher Clark for eleven seasons.
Judy Painter is from Chicago originally and started out playing open mics and stages locally in the city and surrounding suburbs. She relocated to Texas in the early 80’s and continued to play the folk listening venues in Austin: Chicago House, Colorado Street Café, Saxon Pub, and Cactus Café. Teaming up with her wife, Rose Kimball, in 1991, they played Austin stages and festivals as well as the Woody Guthrie Festival in Oklahoma and the famed Strawberry Music Festival in California. They released two records as a duo, ‘The Journey’ (produced by Fletcher Clark) and ‘Goodnight Moon.’ The duo was also featured for a cut on Fletcher’s compilation album ‘Taking Turns.’
Songwriting has been a passion for Painter throughout her career. Her songs ‘Ghost of Billy Grey’ and ‘The Journey’ won 2nd place and honorable mention respectively at the Woody Guthrie International Songwriting Contest. She has also received honorable mentions in the Song Door competition.
While Rose is currently taking a break from performing, Judy is getting back at it on the singer songwriter circuit. With her guitar in hand and recognizable vocals, she presents well-written, visually compelling songs for all to enjoy.
“I actually swooned when first I heard Judy sing her songs with Rose,” recounts Fletcher, “and I boldly pressed the case that I should produce their next CD. My esteem, however, is not merely professional, but familial. It is always a joy to swap songs in a circle with this wonderful talent”
Evenings with the Songwriter began in 2010, bringing artists “to explore the art and craft of songwriting”. Celebrated guests in the past have included Tish Hinojosa, Shake Russell, Don Sanders (RIP), Vince Bell, Susan Gibson, Butch Hancock, Christine Albert, Eric Taylor (RIP), Dana Cooper, Ken Gaines, Shelley King, Rex Foster (RIP), Walt Wilkins, and Bianca DeLeon; plus local favorites Jim Mugford, Stoney Gabel, and Talia Bryce; and scores more. The 2023 season will continue with Michael Hearne, Lorrie Singer, Lynn Dowdy McCracken, Greg Whitfield, Dustin Welch, Matthew Wise, Eric Gerber, Mark Jungers, and HalleyAnna Finlay.
The ambiance of the Lyceum of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library (oldest continually operating library building in Texas) and the exceptionally attentive audience offer artists an experience unlike any other in their careers. Free to the public, the dedicated staff of Library Director Bertha Martinez make this possible on the last Tuesdays of the month (except December). Local support comes from Old Settlers Music Festival and LockhartArea Music Association.
