Society Hall  "where community celebrates!"

For this year's HDMG fundraising concert, five different artists will perform in a songwriter-in-the-round setting, and it is truly an all-star lineup! Appearing will be HDMG board member Eliza Gilkyson from Taos, New Mexico, 2026 grant awardee Ben Jones from Austin, Texas, HDMG friend and patron Walt Wilkins, also from Austin, HDMG board chair Susan Gibson from Wimberley, Texas, and HDMG board member Don Richmond from Alamosa, Colorado.

Eliza Gilkyson is a twice Grammy-nominated (2006/2014) singer-songwriter and activist who is one of the most respected musicians in Folk, Roots and Americana circles. Her songs have been covered by Joan Baez, Bob Geldof, The Conspirare Choir, Tom Rush and Rosanne Cash and have appeared in films, PBS specials and on primetime TV. A member of the Austin Music Hall of Fame, and an inductee into the Austin Songwriter Hall of Fame, she has won countless Folk Alliance and Austin Music awards, including 2014’s Songwriter of the Year and the “Song of the Year” Award at the Folk Alliance International Conference in 2021. Having released more than twenty albums over the course of her career, Eliza has been working on her third album recorded primarily at the Howin' Dog Studio outside of Alamosa, titled Lifeline.

Ben Jones is an amazing multi-instrumentalist, originally from England, but has been making his home in Austin Texas for the last ten years. He is one of the most dynamic performers anywhere, with amazing skills on guitar and vocally as well, with seeming boundary-less expression in any number of musical genres. Ben is best known as one half of the amazing duo Beat Root Revival, but is also very active as a solo artist in the Austin area and is often seen joining with other Austin musicians for both live performances and recording projects. Ben was awarded an artist grant from HDMG in 2026 and is currently working on finishing up a new album project.

Walt Wilkins is one of the most beloved, poetic and widely-known singer-songwriters in the great state of Texas, and has played the hall several times as part of the Red River Songwriters Festival traveling show, and also as a solo artist, and has always knocked everyone out with his voice, his performances, and especially his songs. A true troubadour, Walt’s songs evoke the deep mystery and wonder of love and life and all it holds, and celebrate the things that make it worthwhile.

Susan Gibson, of Wimberley, Texas is also a long-time favorite of local audiences from her appearances here with the Red River Songwriters, and also from her own shows. Susan is a CMA award winner, was the BMI writer of the year, and the West Texas Music Hall of Fame entertainer of the year. She is best known for writing the Dixie Chicks' mega-hit "Wide Open Spaces" and has many other equally moving and entertaining songs from her numerous CDs. She has recently released her new album Dishes, which was recorded at Howlin' Dog Studio outside of Alamosa. (Susan will be coming from another show in Santa Fe, and will be part of the second set at the Society Hall show.)

Don Richmond is an Alamosa based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer and also a member of the popular New Mexico and Colorado trio the Rifters. He has released seven solo projects, eight albums with the Rifters, and has appeared on hundreds of albums that he has either produced or contributed to from his Howlin' Dog Studio.

Richmond remarks, “I don't know where or when you could see a line-up of artists like this sharing their music on one stage, but I can assure you that it is a rare and precious thing! We all hope you can join us for a magical evening for a very good cause – hope to see you there!”

Society Hall, at 400 Ross Avenue in Alamosa, is excited to invite the community to a free outdoor celebration Saturday September 26th , starting at 4:00 PM.  Board member Don Richmond explains, “Every year we block off Fourth Street and get one of the city stages and throw a party for the community with some great music, food and drink, and to celebrate another year of Society Hall bringing great entertainment to the Valley and to thank everyone for their support!”

This year Society Hall has one of the San Luis Valley's most loved and missed musicians and people, Mr. Billy Bond, coming back from Prescott, Arizona with his friend Kyle Phelan to play some music and see some friends, followed by a reunion of Hired Hands, a great band which featured Billy, Don Richmond and bassist Jim Bradley, both currently members of the Rifters. It will be a wonderful afternoon and evening of music and fellowship - we hope to see you there! And once again, it's free! (Although we will be inviting folks to donate to the Hall to keep us going for another year.) Here's some more info on Billy and Kyle -

Billy Bond, Jr. is one of the founding members of Hired Hands who returned to the band’s lineup in 2001. Billy covered many of the lead vocals for HH, playing both fingerstyle and flat-picked guitar, and is widely recognized as one of the premier dobro players in the region. Billy’s musical roots are deep in bluegrass, having been one of the original members of the Rocky Top Bluegrass Band in the late 1980’s and the bluegrass fusion band (with Don) the Rock Bottom Band. But just when you think you’ve got him pegged as a hardcore bluegrasser he’ll pull out his lap steel and play you some blistering blues-rock. Billy’s powerful and soulful voice plays a primary part in the commanding group vocals of Hired Hands. Whether in the almost sibling-like duo blends with Don or with Jim’s soaring high harmonies layered on top, the listener is touched, moved, and engaged.

Billy moved to Prescott, Arizona more than 20 years ago and has continued to play music in that very active music scene. Billy will open the show playing a set with his Prescott duo partner Kyle Phelan.

Kyle Phelan plays guitar and sings from his soul, rooted in southern rock and blues. He writes songs that connect with real emotion and the raw feeling inside of all of us.

He picked up the guitar at 13, played his first open mic night at 14, booked his first gig at 17 and never looked back. He spent the last 13 years solely as a professional musician in Phoenix, AZ and Chattanooga, TN. He moved to Prescott, Arizona in June of 2025 and balances his busy schedule from beautiful Groom Creek.

When you see Kyle play, you can expect to hear a mix of blues and country, some slow jams, a few soul covers and tons of original music. Music is a dynamic art, it is constantly evolving and moving, and if you want to experience all of the beauty that music has to offer, you have to move too. Kyle’s unique blend of his favorite genres will leave you smiling, singing along and coming back for more.

It will be a great afternoon of free music and fellowship outside on the street and the patio at Society Hall! The schedule isn't all nailed down yet, but things will probably start happening around 4:00 PM. Hope to see you there!

As both an excellent songwriter and a powerful performer, Patty Clayton is one of the best-known and most beloved female performers in the western music genre. Known as having a voice “as pure as the prairie wind”, Patty is a performing songwriter who renders her own brand of Buckaroo Ballads and Western Swing inspired by her life in the West. Patty was named the International Western Music Association Female Performer of the Year in November of 2024 for the second time.

Accompanying Patty will be the current two time IWMA Instrumentalist of the Year Ernie Martinez and bassist Dan Welch. Ernie’s musical career spans over 40 years teaching stringed instruments at Denver's Swallow Hill Music School. He is the go-to accompanist for many of the musicians and recording artists of the Colorado Front Range, knowing no boundaries in his ability to add just the right instrument to a performance. Dan studied music at the University of Colorado, where he proceeded to teach guitar, perform classical guitar programs and also performed with the Lorelei Duo. After pausing his musical pursuits to focus on his career and family, he returned as an active performer, playing a variety of instruments in Denver’s bluegrass and worship communities. Dan believes in bringing joy to listeners through his love of music.For more information on Patty check out her website at www.pattyclayton.com.