Clay Blaker – Salutes America with Red, White, Blue & Gruene

On Tuesday morning, September 11, terrorist attacked our country as we watched on TV. Not since Pearl Harbor has our nation suffered such a brutal attack on our turf. It was a day that changed our lives forever. Like all Americans, we felt the effects of the attacks here in New Braunfels. Shock and disbelief soon gave way to anger and thoughts of revenge. We all want to help in any way possible. That’s exactly why local musician Clay Blaker is planning something special for his show on Saturday night at Gruene Hall.

America is blessed with many freedoms, far to many to mention here. The mere mention of our name stirs up visions of baseball, hotdogs and apple pie. Now add Gruene Hall to that vision. Where better place to host a special “Tribute to America” show than at the oldest dancehall in Texas. Blaker has a reputation as one of the nicest, most generous entertainers in the business. He does regular benefits for our community and has for many years. After the attacks on Washington and New York City last week, Clay felt the need to do something to help.

“I just wanted to do a special show,” said Clay, in a phone interview from his home in New Braunfels. “It will be a ‘Tribute to America’ type show. I’ve got Matt Powell opening the show. He’s the guy that wrote ‘$50 and a flask of Crown.’ I’ve invited the Red Cross to set up a table to collect donations for the victims of the bombing. We will also be saluting the men and women of the EMS, police and firefighters. Those people put their life on the line everyday. On Sunday, after our show, they are having a memorial service in Central Park in New York City to honor the police and firefighters that lost their life in the bombing. So we wanted to do our part in that way too.”

When asked what the crowd could expect at the show, Clay had this to say, “We’ll be doing some spiritual songs and some patriotic ones. It will be our regular honky tonk show but we will definitely add some special songs to fit the occasion. You know, songs like “Amazing Grace,” “America The Beautiful” and “God Bless America.”

Texans are known for their big hearts and deep pockets, so make plans now to take the entire family out on Saturday night. After our nation has suffered such a devastating tragedy, many Americans want to help but aren’t quite sure what to do. Well, think no more, this show will solve those problems and you will have a great time. Listening to some fine Texas music on a Saturday night at Gruene Hall might be just what the doctor ordered to help heal our city in the wake of such a horrible event. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. and the music starts at 9:00 p.m., see you there.