She has been a main stay in the ever-changing music scene in A-Town and has held down a spot @ Maria’s Taco Xpress on Fridays for awhile now. Tonight was a first there for us, Maria deemed it too cold to be outside and the gig was moved to the cozy confines indoors. Atherton made sure the sound was right and proceeded to put on a show like she always does-mixture of blues, rock, country and downright rib stickin’ music that makes ya feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Her harp playin’ always kicks the “feel” up a notch and she works a crowd, from small kidders to older dancers, like she owns them. “Some Kind of Sunset” was a a sweet tune and her cracker jack band handled chestnuts like “Bye Bye Love” and “Brand New Girl” off her first CD, which was a nice dancin’ tune. Leeann always make ya feel like you just saw her yesterday and cares about you and the music you are there to enjoy. Class act lady indeed.

She went over the top in calling me out for my b-day, especially on “Something to Crow About”! Some of her killer observations about her music style and her crowd were: “We need to play some ‘Funky Spunky Stuff’ and “You’re too young to be actin’ so old!” Other stand out numbers were “Hold On”, “Ode to Nowhere” and a tender smooth “Blue Bayou”.

In the second set Atherton proclaimed to the packed house it was time to “Clear your mind and let go!” Eye noe dats rite, woman! Rose and her brother Dave visiting from Wichita had zero problem doing just that!

LA had a fitting encore of a Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart” that she simply tore up to the bone bad ass. To me, people like Leeann personify myself in a lot of ways. She lives to promote and love music and the people who perform their hearts out to make our lives better. She runs a killer thang called Barndances at her made-to-order location on 3600 S. 2nd Street in South Austin. That is where we first caught her act years ago and it is beyond cool. BYOB and ‘Pot Luck” din-din rules and the music is always good.

In fact, she has a fantastic line-up 3/17/13 and y’all should pack the place. The gigs run 2-10pm and this next one features Baskery from Sweden, Randy Weeks, Ray Bonneville, Jimmy Lafave, Slaid Cleaves and Sam Baker to name a few!

In the words of Leeannie herself: “Dancing and dreaming by the light of the moon, and the warmth of your smile”. Amen to a real person who enjoys the moments with you without a hint of judgement. Now there’s a traditon I plan on holding on to folks…Love ya!