House of Texas Music was one of our favorite hang out’s down in Austin.   As mentioned in my previous post, one of my Stevie Ray sketches found a home with Ray Hennig.  Never did I imagine they would be as kind to display it front & center.

When we left the shop on Thursday, I figured Ray would hang the picture in the back of his store, he said he did not want it to get stolen. 

Well, we stopped in Saturday before we left, and when Buck held the door for me, there in the front of the store, is my Stevie.

My passion for drawing Stevie is like no other, the lines of his face and that boxer nose of his flow pretty freely with any type of pencil.  He has a unique nose, from a surgery from when he was a young child. 

I am completely honored that in Stevie’s favorite guitar store, hangs one of my sketches.   The store is filled with walls of guitars and nostalgia on the wall.  I spent hours walking around and reading about all the accomplishments of Ray and many of the players that have walked through House of Texas.  1002-1004 South Lamar Street, Austin!

Sitting in the aisle where Stevie found Number One, knowing he sat there for hours felt as if we were living a piece of true blues history.  A man that had a passion, but no cash, rose to fame because of his true love and dedication to what he knew he was supposed to do.  The feelings and emotions that were part of  Stevie’s soul, came out through his music, he left us with so much of it to enjoy. 

But, let’s not forget the man, listening to Ray’s stories, behind this player, was a compassionate, humble and loving person.  For those that knew him, he left a mark way beyond his music.  For those of us who didn’t, we could only hope to be as dedicated and humble to our passions, family & friends.

Yeah, I know, it’s a repeat Stevie Ray Vaughan Drawing.  I originally brought two with me to allow Cutter his choice for the SRV Memorial Ride, but on our second visit to House of Texas Music on South Lamar Street, and meeting Ray Hennig, I knew that this picture was to have a home in one of Stevie’s favorite hangouts, and the place he first layed his hands on his ‘59 Strat.  AKA Number One, the story behind that is a great one, I will share it the upcoming days.  Stevie was in Ray’s store each and every day.  It was great to hang out and just feel the nostalgia there.

Ray Hennig was one of Stevie’s closest friends, and what a kind southern gentleman he is.  Ray took the time to share stories about Stevie and several things that went on during those beginning years, and told us the story of how he would throw Stevie a pack of strings over the counter, when he would buzz in before he was going to do a show. 

As we were getting ready to leave, Ray asked Jake what strings he used, and set him up with a bag full.  I got one of the greatest compliments that I have in my life, being that Stevie is such a passion of mine to draw, Ray asked if I would inscribe it to him, as I was doing so, he put his hands over Stevie’s mouth, and said the mouth looks good, and I have seen a lot of drawings of Stevie, but you really captured his eyes, and that nose dead on.

Ray was going to hang this in the back, so no one stole it, and I inscribed it - To: Ray, thanks for sharing your stories.

Susie Kleiner

~ Soul to Soul from Austin !