At 30, Terri has worked herself into a position that many in her field might envy. You see, as Terri herself admits, she has a bit of a stubborn streak. A McArthur High School graduate of 1986, a scholarship got her into Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. Choosing to play her music rather than study it, she relocated to San Marcos in 1990. Looking back, she realizes this was a pivotal point in her life.

It was at Southwest Texas State University that Terri met music instructor Marion Williamson. Rather than lecture, Marion provided hours of hands-on lessons in music and the business that surrounds it. Her guidance helped Terri learn the ropes. She learned to read and write music, to fingerpick her guitar and how to set up a small P.A. system. In trade, Terri helped Marion with the chores on her farm, affectionately named "Wilory Farm". Before succumbing to cancer in 1997, Marion witnessed Terri releasing her debut album, "Two Dollar Shoes."

Choosing to follow the beat of a different drummer, Terri formed her own label, Tycoon Cowgirl Records, and took the independent route. She put together a solid team to help with publicity and distribution. Logically realizing that you can't be dropped from your own label. Sole ownership of her music is very important to her. Rightly so, as stories constantly circulate among musicians about signing your life away just to score a contract with a major label. By taking small careful steps, Terri continues to build a solid groundwork to ensure a long and healthy career. Another mentor figure in her life is producer, musician Lloyd Maines. Lloyd is the father of Natalie, recent addition to the red hot Dixie Chicks. Lloyd stepped in and helped remix "Two Dollar Shoes" for the second pressing. For her second album, Terri was more focused on how the finished project should sound. Her chops had also progressed to the point of confidence among her peers. This time, the studio was a happy place to be.  By using seasoned musicians and having a solid collection of original songs, "Wilory Farm" was a tour-de-force for the young performer. Dedicated to lost friend Marion, Terri wrote about all the emotions she had dealt with after
her death. Terri tried to follow Marion's example and focus on the positive.  "I took her advice," says Terri, "about issues in my life and music and she was right."

Finding little time for anything other than her music, Terri handles her career in a very businesslike manner. After several days of playing phone tag, we were finally able to hook up and talk shop. The second thing you notice about Terri (her smile always comes first), is how casual she appears to be. She seems to be in complete control of her life and is now enjoying that unique position. Though the lessons were often tough, she chalked it up to experience and moved forward. "We've learned a lot this year," she reflects. "When "Wilory Farm" was first released, we didn't have enough CD's. It came out about the time my story started to break in the larger newspapers. We were selling a lot of CD's at our shows and over the Internet. When we ordered more, we bought too many. My apartment was covered with CD's and manufacturing bill was very high. But, it was a good experience. On my next album, I'll know how many to order."

As the subject of the next album comes up, I learn it is going to be a live album. Taping will take place in early March at the Cibolo Creek Country Club, and Terri is planning several surprises for her fans. A spring recording date was chosen because the summer months can be brutal in these old Texas dance halls. The new album will continue in the style of "Wilory Farm," but will expand on several ideas. "We'll use the full band," she says. "I'll do the songs from both albums that work well in a live setting.  You know, songs like "Two Dollar Shoes" and "Hole In My Pocket." And, there will be some new songs, some I haven't recorded before."  

Like her musician peers, Terri is a virtual one person operation.  She believes in a hands on approach in every aspect of her career. There is a very small group of people that lend a hand. She consults with Lloyd on most music and business matters. Vickie Lucero and Julie Carr, of Propaganda Media in San Marcos, handle most of her publicity matters. Jason Best runs the website at www.terrihendrix.com. It's definitely been an asset to her career and is easily one of the best sites on the Internet.

Terri Hendrix is a perfect example of what a modern folk artist needs to be. She's extremely talented, fiercely independent and totally committed to her music. She approaches her career with a passion for her music and a level headed sense for business. Right now, her future is as bright as the Texas sun in July. There will be a west coast tour, a live album and more of those sweaty nights in historic dance halls. As our interview ends, Terri sums it all up. "I love to play for people who want to be entertained. Maybe what I do will catch on, on a national level, maybe it won't. But I know I have to be myself. And I have to keep making those payments on my Toyota," she says with a laugh.