For years, Harriet Mills has been taking videos of her favorite blues and roots musicians in Fort Worth, including Bill Ham, Scott Copeland, Jake Robison, Steve Hill Trio, Chris “Silver Fox” Watson, and dozens more. Though she’s partial to the blues-friendly clubs in town (J&J’s Blues Bar, Keys Lounge, Mambo’s), she’ll go wherever there’s good music. And starting at 2 p.m. on Sunday, the good music will be at Magnolia Motor Lounge (3005 Morton St., 817-332-3344). Dozens of local cats are gathering to play a benefit show for her.
Mills is neither sick nor destitute. The 62-year-old has just been a scene supporter for so long that the musicians she’s filmed over the years want to give back to her in some way. Not too long ago, a young musician asked her for her dream local show. “I thought about it, made one long list, and that’s what happened,” Mills said.
The festivities will start at 3 p.m. with Big Mike Richardson and end at 12:30 a.m. with Scott Copeland, Gary Grammer, and Dirt Stinnett. In between will be Quaker City Night Hawks’ Sam Anderson and Dave Matsler; Terry Rasor, Johnny Mack, James Hinkle, and Dirt Stinnett; Hank Hankshaw Band; Jody Jones and Ed Rogers; Scott Copeland & The Haters; Ryan Tharp Band; Tom Flynn and Derek Larson; and Chris Watson Band.
Mills has been recording for about a dozen years, she said, starting with a disposable camera and progressing to what she’s been using for the past four years, a digital.
She goes to about two or three shows a week, she said. “I live near Keys Lounge, which where I first started going,” she said. “Instead of watching Jay Leno, I can go over there for an hour. But it’s not Jay Leno anymore, is it? Let’s put it this way, I started going there instead of watching Johnny Carson.”
Mills said she is humbled by the event. “I do [videography] for a hobby,” she said, “and I don’t really like a lot of attention, but on the other hand, there’s gonna be some great music.”
Check out Mills’ YouTube channel for more.
