First "Poodie Party" to benefit Austin musicians

From Staff Reports

Austin musicians and Spicewood community members are celebrating a local icon with a benefit in his honor.

The first Poodie Party will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4 at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Cut-N-Putt in honor of James Randall “Poodie” Locke.

Poodie passed away suddenly on May 6, 2009, and his funeral was standing-room-only. Celebrating Locke’s birthday, the event will include the “No Bad Days” Golf Tournament and an afternoon of live music.

All proceeds from the golf tournament and daytime event will be donated to HAAM (Health Alliance for Austin Musicians) and the Cut-N-Putt Golf Course, where Poodie loved hanging out with close friends.

General Admission gate opens at 10 a.m. General admission wristbands for the Music Concert are only $10. Children 6 and under are free.

A stage will be set up on the Cut-N-Putt parking lot where live music will begin at 11 a.m. and be played all day till 6 p.m. The bands include: The Tejas Brothers, Waylon Payne, Bobby Boyd, Bad Rodeo, Jimmie Lee Jones, Ru Payne Coleman and the fabulous Troubadillos. Paula Nelson will also make a special guest appearance.

“Always remember, you never know who else might show up,” said the Poodie Party website.

Food and vendors will be set up and available near the practice putting green. Face painting will be available for the little ones and for the little ones at heart. Several arts and craft vendors are expected to attend as well.

There will be an autographed Willie Nelson guitar that will be auctioned off after the final round of golf and Poodie trophy presentations. Several additional items will be offered in auction and prize drawing as well as a silent auction items, including golf items and dinners for two donated by area restaurants. Prize drawing tickets will be sold for $2 each or six tickets for $10, 15 for $20.

Email mooniekathy@gmail.com to sign up to volunteer or to donate an item to the prize drawing or auction.

After the day long event, participants can head over to Poodie’s Hilltop Bar and Grill for a long awaited “Troubadillo Reunion” with the one and only fabulous Louie Long hosting!

“The Troubadillos, Louie Long, BB Morse, Pete Mitchell, Dean Rimmer, Ron Erwin and Action Jackson were the house band for Poodie’s for over 10 years and you won’t want to miss this reunion including a ‘Special Guest,’” the website said.

HAAM provides access to affordable health care for Austin's low-income, uninsured working musicians, with a focus on prevention and wellness. Many Austin musicians are self-employed and have no access to health insurance or basic health care. HAAM and its partners improve and save musicians' health and lives and enhance Austin's economy and quality of life. Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World, and HAAM aims to keep it that way.