Lometa offers family-style music venue
By LISA CARNLEY Staff Writer

PHOTO BY BILL McDONALD Lampasas musician Jack Johnson, right, hit the stage with several members of Borrowed Time, including mandolin player Dan Ryan, at a recent family entertainment night at Lometa Music Hall. Serving as a backdrop is a panel on loan to the music hall that features a painting of the business district by Sue Shepherd and Anna Davis. See related photo, page 7C.

In its heyday in the first half of the 1900s, Lometa had a number of prosperous businesses, including feed stores, a tailor shop, druggists, a country doctor, banks, blacksmiths, a furniture store, dairy and several grocers.

On Saturdays, families headed downtown, which became the social gathering place for residents where they visited and shopped, and just people-watched.

Those days came to an end when many young Lometans left the area to enter the military during World War II, and families moved away to take war-related jobs -- and most did not return.

The town never completely recovered, and a number of businesses closed. Others that have tried to open shop have not remained long.

Yet that has not discouraged those who call Lometa home from hoping the community will see a resurgence of businesses and residents.

One of those is Betty Poe.

A lifelong love of music has inspired her to open Lometa Music Hall, a business that encourages families to gather on Saturday nights and enjoy an affordable evening of entertainment. Her establishment also offers a locale that encourages all ages to participate.

The music hall occupies the renovated McAnelly Dry Goods building just off U.S. Highway 183 -- at the town's lone red light. It is open three to four times each month, offering gospel music and country and western tunes for the family.

Built in 1915 by D.N. McCrea for a clothing/variety store, the building was bought by the McAnelly family in 1945 for a mercantile/dry goods store. It was operated as such for decades by Edward McAnelly and his wife, Mary Ethel, a longtime Lometa mayor.

Mrs. Poe purchased the building from Dr. Merlin McAnelly in December, with the intent of satisfying her lifelong goal to own a music venue.

The structure also fulfilled several other community and personal needs. Mrs. Poe operates a quilting/sewing shop -- Country Cottage Quilts and Crafts -- in a portion of the building. She has been operating her business since the early 1970s.

"I have sewed all my life and quilted by hand for a number of years. Combining my two loves together has just been great."

The music hall, which can seat up to 150 people, also serves as a gathering place for reunions, receptions and other gatherings.

"When we had the recent allschool reunion here, a lot of exstudents came and sang karaoke. It was so much fun. That's what people are looking for, and that's what I want to provide," said Mrs. Poe.

"I have always loved music, and we haven't had anything in our community specifically for families of all ages," she said. "The music hall not only brings in family-style groups to play, it also offers our kids a venue to share their musical talents."

Mrs. Poe hosted the first concert in the smoke-free building in May. It was a jam session featuring karaoke with Matt Aldinger, who brought in his band. More than 75 were in attendance at that event, and the number seems to increase with each offering, she said.

Since then, Lometa Music Hall has played host several times to Brian Byrne & Borrowed Time, a group Mrs. Poe saw play at the Gatesville Opry. "I fell in love with their folk music, bluegrass and bluegrass gospel sound. They bring real Christian-style music, and that's what we want to perform here."

They have performed at Gruene Hall, the annual Old Settlers Festival, Jazz Kitchen on Sixth Street and other venues.

Borrowed Time recently won a Battle of the Gospel Bands and its female performer, Erica Dale, was named best female vocalist.

Another recent group to entertain was the Joplin Family from Glen Rose, which also brought a bluegrass/gospel sound to Lometa.

This Saturday will be a potluck and open microphone/karaoke night, offering anyone the chance to showcase their musical abilities. Those who plan to attend can bring a dish to share and participate in karaoke.

Potluck nights are open to the public at no charge.

On Sept. 22, Ty Kelly of Gatesville will perform. Mrs. Poe said his country and western music will appeal to all ages.

Regular concert admission is $4 for adults or $7 per couple. Children will be admitted at halfprice and infants at no charge.

Barbecue sandwiches, drinks, chips, sweets and other concessions are available each concert night. Door prizes also are offered.

Mrs. Poe hopes to see the music hall expand in the future. "I would like to see more familystyle entertainers come to Lometa. It sure would be nice to see this turn into an opry-type music venue like they have in Pearl."

The music hall owner said performers also have the opportunity to showcase their musical ability. "It's good exposure for them. They can see what music audiences want to hear, and it gives them a good place to keep coming back to. And many of them do keep coming back. In fact, they said they look forward to it."

Mrs. Poe said even though she enjoys the benefits an entertainment venue brings to Lometa, it can be hard work to keep it going. "I go to Gatesville and the Cove Opry and talk to band leaders, and I make contact with others who are looking for a place to play. I am constantly on the go, but I love it. This is what I have wanted to do most of my life."

As for retirement, Mrs. Poe said she doesn't see that in her future. "I may slow down a little, but this is so much fun. I can't see myself retiring."

The music hall owner is on the lookout for a Hispanic music band as well as a permanent gospel group that would feature local talent to sing backup for gospel musicians. She also seeks a group that can provide four-part harmony.

Folks come from all around the area -- from Goldthwaite, San Saba, Lampasas, Pearl and other communities -- to Lometa Music Hall to be entertained, she said. "They want what I want -- a family-style atmosphere where they can have a good time and enjoy the music, and a place where people can gather for parties and other occasions."

Mrs. Poe hopes to get historical recognition for her building, which features the original pressed tin ceiling throughout, original doors and a number of original windows.

Restoration work was done by Lometa resident John Paul Harris and his son, J.P. Harris. They restored walls, masonry, floors and had new plumbing installed.

Anyone interested in performing or who would like more information may contact Mrs. Poe at 752-8808 or 752-3127.