Central Texas musicians to gather for Bradshaw benefit

By Sandi Horton

The Music Association of Central Texas is a close-knit group of local performing musicians. Most of the members play in bands that use guitars, bass, drums, and voice.

The group meets at 7:30 p.m. the first Monday of every month in the back room at El Chico. Meetings range from guest speakers to discussion about local events and the local Groovy Awards in the spring honoring outstanding musicians and groups.

About a month ago MACT began organizing a benefit for one of its longtime members and leaders of the organization, Johnnie Bradshaw. Bradshaw is most easily recognized as the head of the Bradshaw Gang, a country music band. He is also known for the 7 p.m. Sunday night Texas Barn Dance Radio Show on KBCT-FM 94.5 and as a leader in the monthly Stars Over Texas Jamboree at the Lee Lockwood Library and Museum in Waco.

Bradshaw has helped with numerous benefits for our community and for other musicians. Now a benefit is planned for him to help with medical expenses. In 1999 Bradshaw had triple-bypass heart surgery. Ten years later he had angioplasty and four stents installed. Last year four more stents were installed.

This amount of medical procedures is very expensive, plus recovery time equals loss of income to a performing musician such as Bradshaw.

On Sunday, Jan.15, from 2 to 10 p.m., MACT friends of Johnnie Bradshaw will be donating their talents in a fundraiser at the Hog Creek Icehouse. Besides great music, there will be food, an auction, and lots of Central Texas friends on hand.

Some of the musicians performing are Classie Ballou, Bobby James Gang, Wes Hardin and the Outlaws, Rewind Party Band, Dick Gimble, Red Rogers and the Durty Dawgs, Richard Paul Thomas, Lorna Willhelm, Terry Roller, Teresa Byford, John McAnally, Bill Gerick, Andy Thomas and Jim Guest, plus others.

      Email    Print