Friday, the San Angelo Folk Series held its 6th event at Fort Concho, featuring nationally renown singer/songwriter Pierce Pettis and local folk artist (but steadily gaining national momentum), Daniel Makins. The concert also marked the launching of Makins’ latest CD, Peanut Butter… and other things I know.

In entering the Quartermaster Gallery, formally the Museum of Fine Arts, LIVE! bumped into local folk singer Terry Mills. She looked our way with a strange expression on her face; like she knew something that we didn’t. After a quick exchange of pleasantries she simply said, “We’re in for a real treat tonight.”

What an understatement!

The San Angelo Folk Series was the invention of Makins after the successful launch of his 3rd CD, (self titled) in 2004. “I realized that there were a lot of people who would enjoy, and regularly attend a large-scale house concert type event. It is a great opportunity for the audience to see nationally known artists that would otherwise pass San Angelo by,” said Makins.

Prior shows, which for a nominal fee include cheese and wine, have seen the likes of Dana Cooper, Johnsmith, Susan Gibson, Adam Carroll, Gordy Quist, Ed Miller, Kim Miller and Karen Mal.

Although born in Dallas, Makins was raised in San Angelo, which he credits as a major source of material for his songs.

“Doc Snider” was written about a particular man who lived close to the Makins’ home, who young Daniel had an unjustified, although real fear of. Upon his return from a ten-year stint in Austin and Nashville, Daniel and his wife Claire, bought their first house… right across the street from the real-life inspiration for the song.

But it’s Makins’ music that has brought the 28 year old folk singer to this point in his life. It’s well-crafted with witty lines that will make you laugh, like in songs like “Peanut Butter”…

Keep your caviar and your Swiss fondue 
Brie smells funny and so do you
High class parties really give me fits
So I’ll be in the kitchen puttin’ it on a Ritz.
Singin’ peanut, peanut butter and jelly
Peanut, peanut butter and honey
Peanut butter… all the time

… and sometimes his songs can bring on a nostalgic tear, as in songs like “Hey Mathew”, a bittersweet (but more sweet) tune about the inevitability of children growing up.

Climb to the hilltops to look at the stars
Ask for forgiveness wherever you are
Sometimes I wish I was your age once more
But you’ll figure it out, you’ve never grown up before
…Hey Mathew, it’s so good to see you

Daniel’s father, local periodontist Patrick Makins told LIVE! that he was “extremely proud of his son”. And he should be: it was he who used to sing his son to sleep as a young boy with songs like the James Taylor classic, “Sweet Baby James.”

In a previous interview, Daniel confessed, "I secretly believe it was this bedtime ritual that led me to write and sing. That imagery just between awake and asleep made a powerful impact on me."

As it turned out that evening, Terry Mills was right, it was a cultural event for San Angelo and a musical treat for the audience.

LIVE! had the pleasure of sitting down with Makins after the performance to ask him a few short questions:

LIVE!: How does it feel to launch your CD in your home town?

Makins: It feels great… so many people that have been so supportive over the years are also here tonight and that just amplifies the experience.

LIVE!: The format tonight was alternating songs between you and Pierce Pettis. This says a lot about your own confidence. Were you nervous or perhaps felt challenged at times tonight?

Makins: Very few people would feel undaunted playing this way with Pierce. He’s a great songwriter with a lot of experience and a lot of great songs. One of the best ways to get better is to challenge yourself. It’s about feeding off of each other and that’s why this is such a great experience for me. I can only hope that I can have the press and career and the satisfaction that I know Pierce feels now.

LIVE!: It’s often said that coming home is never the same. Did you ever feel that their was more out there?

Makins: I grew up here but I was never one of those guys in high school who hated the place and couldn’t wait to graduate and get out of here. I’ve always liked San Angelo and when my wife and I wanted to buy a house… well, it’s also very affordable.

LIVE! Did you really buy a house across the street from the man who terrified you as a youngster?

Makins: Yes, we did. He’s endearing to me now, a super nice guy. He’s got a heart of gold but the story behind our long relationship makes for a good story and song.

LIVE!: Of all the songs you’ve written what is your personal favorite?

Makins: That changes every week. Generally my favorites of the moment are songs I’ve recently written. Right now it’s a song called “Make Believe”.

LIVE!: Do you really love peanut butter that much?

Makins: I do… I really love peanut butter but I’m not a jelly man. Jelly and peanut butter, texturally don’t do it for me. I’m a peanut butter and honey sandwich kind of guy.

The next San Angelo Folk Music Series will be held on September 14, and will feature Buddy Mondlock. Recently, Mondlock collaborated with Art Garfunkel and Maia Sharp on an album they wrote and recorded together called Everything Waits to be Noticed.