Kicking Up Our Heels At Hill Top Cafe

The last night we were in Fredericksburg we went to the Big Band Bash at the Hill Top Cafe. Hill Top is "inconveniently located in the
middle of nowhere". I do believe that quote is attributed to it's owner
Johnny Nicholas and his wife Brenda.

Actually, Hill Top is only about 10 miles north of Fredericksburg on route 87. It's well worth the drive for the food, the music and the eclectic ambience. Hill Top has been wowing it's patrons since 1980 with their mix of greek, cajun and Texas cuisine. The pies are legendary. I had the warm blackberry cobbler with a scoop of Blue Bell vanilla ice cream. Heaven on a plate! This little vintage former gas station turned cafe has received accolades from Zagat, Texas Monthly and Southern Living.
I knew we had to visit this cafe while in Fredericksburg and we timed it just right because the last night of our stay was the first night of the Big Band Bash to raise money for college scholarships for Fredericksburg performing arts students and to help them buy band instruments and funding to attend workshops. So we drove up the day before and reserved our table.
source
Now Johnny was a member of Asleep at the Wheel, so we knew we were in for a treat. He joined the group in 1978, but in 1980 he and his wife Brenda packed up and bought an old gas station, turned it into a family business and raised three sons. So for thirty four years they have cooked and performed for many happy customers in their charming restaurant filled with memorabilia.
Click on the clip below to hear Johnny sing John the Revelator.



As a girl who was born and raised just outside of Chicago, I must tell you that the Blues live in my soul, so Johnny's music is an elixir for me. Y'all remember the movie the Blues Brothers? I have watched that movie so often I know every line, every song. I used to have an enormous crush on John Belushi. Not everyone's heart throb, but he was mine. That's a story for a whole other blob post ;-)
Oh, and for those of you unfamiliar with Asleep at the Wheel, here is a youtube clip to put you up to speed:


Of course y'all know that Austin has a huge music scene, so from time to time expect me to put y'all in the picture.
Well, getting back to the Big Band Bash, there was a surprise guest of the evening ~ and it was Augie Meyers from The Texas Tornados. Don't worry, I did not know who he was either. However, he gave us a great show and had me tapping my cowgirl boots heels and clapping my hands in no time. Here is one of his hits ~ Hey Baby Que Paso



I do believe that music is the universal language and has the ability to improve our spirit. I know this for sure because of my own family history. My Mom's daddy was named John. Sadly, I never knew him because he died long before I was born. John was gifted with the ability to play any kind of instrument. He played the piano and the violin with such passion he could bring a room full of people to tears. At least that's the story. Well his own mom (she would be my maternal great grandmother) was quite a diva. There were times when she would "take to her bed" and summon the whole family to have one last visit. Then she would say "Johnny, play something for your dear Mama". Well, John knew his mama quite well and had the solution to her hypochondria. He would obey her dying wish, but instead of playing something somber, he would start playing something really lively because he knew she would be up and out of bed dancing in not time. Apparently it worked every time!

It sure was a fun evening. I listened to some performers I never heard before and widened my music knowledge. I hope y'all have a fun weekend. Do something you have never done before or try a different restaurant or just hang out at home and play your favorite music. The important message here is to take some time to have some fun!
Say G'Day
And if you should be in the Texas Hill Country some day soon and are anywhere near Fredericksburg, check out Johnny and Brenda's cafe. Here is the link:
Hill Top Cafe
Have the gumbo it was delicious and the Greek chicken too and don't forget the pie!
Big Texas Hugs, Susan and Bentley