Linden has big music concerts coming up

T-Bone Walker Day returns to area; Vince Gill, Bellamy Brothers coming later

Linden is hoping to energize its music scene with T-Bone Walker Day on Oct. 20, the coming of Vince Gill a week later and the performance of the Bellamy Brothers in December.

“We believe music and the coming of these performers are good for Cass County and especially Linden,” said Gus Gustafson, executive director of the Linden Economic Development Corporation.

“We’re hoping the proclaiming of T-Bone Walker Day and a good celebration will bring back the T-Bone Walker Festival to Linden after it slipped through our fingers and went to Longview. This is a first step to honoring Walker in a good way.”

While the LEDC is taking the lead, it is partnering with Music City Texas Theater with the Walker festival day.

“We’re assuming all expenses and more, thanks to a sizable donation from Don Henley. The day promises to be a wonderful musical experience, not to mention the T-bone steak dinner, which is to be cooked on site by local champion steak cookers that evening.”

Gustafson said the LEDC hopes Music City Theater will take up the festival annually.

“It’s all about the expansion of business and music here in Linden. That’s the keeping of momentum going for the improvement of the quality of life here.”

The festival will include the following program:

■ 3 p.m. Gates open and silent auction

■ 4 p.m. The Whitey Johnson Band

■ 5:30 p.m. T-Bone Steak Dinner

■ 7 p.m. Proclamation and Live Auction

■ 8 p.m. The Duke Robillard Band

Details are available by calling 903-756-7774 and by googling T-Bone Walker Day, EDC-Linden, TX.

Staff photos by Neil Abeles left■ Gus Gustafson of the Linden Economic Development Corp. shows the electric guitar that will be signed by musicians and auctioned during T-Bone Walker Day in Linden, Texas, on Saturday, Oct. 20.

Staff photo by Neil Abeles left■ The signs are up along U.S. Highway 59 in Linden for the T-Bone Walker Day in Linden on Oct. 20. The Saturday event will be at Music City Texas Theater.

above ■ T-Bone Walker’s daughter, Benita R. Walker, welcomed visitors to a previous T-Bone Walker Blues Festival on behalf of the family. The festival was also held in Linden, Texas, at that time.