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MUSIC MECCA S teeped in a 150-year history of German and Czech musicians, including storied brass bands, it's no surprise that Round Top's music lineage runs deep. Factor in proximity to one of America's music capitals, the land of Austin City Limits, and today's music scene in the hamlet of Round Top is amping up. Witness these recent and upcoming headliners, as well as this spring's second edition of the One Square Mile Music Festival. Take Me Home to the Armadillo: It doesn't get any more Texas than this: a historic Texas music hall on Saturday night in a town of less than 100. Couples take a slow courtly turn about the old pine floor, its honeyed surface buffed by generations of caleche-polished boots. From its low, small stage, just high enough to be seen over the heads and hats of the audience on their bench seats and the dancers up front, Texas music godfather Gary P. Nunn held forth in classic troubadour style at the recently reborn Round Top Dance Hall during the Spring 2023 Antiques & Design Show. The evening was about history and storytelling as much as music and celebration. And the stories … Nunn's easygoing manners and youthful looks belie his 78 years; 50- plus years of making music have kept him an image of his younger self, from the iconic tinted glasses to the collar-length curls and the ever-present, half- mischievous smile. His plain-spoken modesty hides his legacy as one of the most influential singer- songwriters in Texas history. Nunn began with a sampler of his earlier songs from the legendary Cosmic Cowboy days of the 1970s — "Dead Armadillo," "What I Like About Texas," and, of course, "London Homesick Blues" and covers of "Luckenbach, Texas" and "Margaritaville." Dipping into his early days influenced by music in the west Texas/Lubbock scene, he gave a taste of the country rock sound, mixing in the Beatles' "Day Tripper" before moving on to his story of opening for Elton John, relayed before performing "Your Song." Nunn closed with a rendition of "Friends for Life," which led to a group embrace, packing dance floor and stage. At a show like this, there's what Gary P. brings, and there's what you bring. And there's where you are: It doesn't get any more Texas than this. Stay tuned for more music royals on the lineup at thestonecellardancehalltx.com. Texas Swing: Saturday, January 27, 2024, 7 pm, Round Top Festival Institute presents Texas and Western swing l e g e n d A s l e e p a t t he Wheel for a unique concert to benefit Festival Hill, one of America's most acclaimed music conservatories. (Asleep at the Wheel follows last spring's sold-out fundraiser featuring the Lyle Lovett.) The widely touring torchbearers of Texas music will perform in the 1,000-seat Concert Hall at Festival Hill, a Texas architectural and acoustic icon in its own right. Founded in 1970, Asleep at the Wheel began in the San Francisco Bay Area before being quickly transported to Austin by Willie Nelson, where their blend of Texas melodies with a hippie- rock aesthetic played well in the burgeoning Austin music scene. Longtime players of Western swing, the band re-emerged in the '90s as full-fledged Texas music ambassadors. Now well past their 50th year in the game, with 10 Grammys and millions of miles on the road to show for it, they are still directed by the vision of their original towering frontman, guitarist, and vocalist Ray Benson. General admission $75; Festival Hill box office, 979.249.3129, festivalhill.org. One Square Mile Returns: Make plans to bask in Round Top's homegrown music festival on the grounds of The Stone Cellar & Round Top Dance Hall when One Square Mile Music Festival returns for year two, Thursday through Sunday, April 18 through 21. Last spring's inaugural festival was a rousing, high-energy success, with headliners including Pat Green, David Caceres, Blue Water Highway, and Tyron Benoit Band. Don't miss its second act. Sign up for email notices, and be the first to receive One Square Mile updates on 2024's eagerly anticipated lineup. onesquaremileroundtop.com. By John Mason Walker with Catherine D. Anspon Gary P. Nunn at Round Top Dance Hall JORDAN GEIBEL Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel come to Festival Hill. Pat Green and band at the 2023 One Square Mile Music Festival MIKE SHORE JORDAN GEIBEL 16