Full moon rising at the end of the road. The still thick air clings to our sweaty skins, Big drops roll down the curve in my back, We follow the music coming from down the road.
The shadows of others reflected in the moonlight, Drawn by the heavy blues, thicken by the air, More real than ever in the old tin shack, In the Double Bayou Dance Hall’s 61st wind-blown year.
Blues lovers started coming in the 1940’s Creating generations of followers Captured by the feeling of the blues Returning often, or at least on Christmas Day.
Now standing badly damaged by hurricane Ike, Surrounded by overgrown weeds and storm debris, Yet inside the house still rocks By the ghost of Pete Mayes and his House Rockers.
(This was written about one of our visits to the Double Bayou Dance Hall, Christmas Day, 2002. Hurricane Ike came through September 13, 2008.)
Sweet Mama Cotton with Pete Mayes & The Texas Houserockers at The Double Bayou Dance Hall — Image by kenne
This revisit came about by an email I receive yesterday from Sheryl Shaw, who is with the Chambers County historical commission. They are gathering photos and memorabilia from Double Bayou Dance Hall and Pete Mayes and the Texas Houserockers for exhibiting at the museum. She requested use of the video of photos I a short time after Pete’s passing away, which would be an honor for it to be a part of the exhibited.
For the uninitiated, The Double Bayou Dance Hall, in the small black community of Double Bayou in Chambers County sixty miles east of Houston. I dedicated to the memory of Pete Mayes and Billie Dietz. It was through Art and Billie Dietz that we learned about the Double Bayou Dance Hall. Steve Bucher also educated me on Dance Hall. The old Double Bayou Dance Hall still exist, but barely since hurricane Ike played hell with the 1941 structure. As secretary for the historical commission, Sheryl is helping to renew interest in restoring the dance hall. If you would like to learn more about their efforts, you can contact Sheryl at Dunkit42@aol.com.
Pete Mayes and John Broussard at the Double Bayou Dance Hall — Image by kenne
Yesterday I was reminded how much we miss not having Pete Mayes around any more, because of a comment I received on a video I placed on YourTube after his death December 17, 2008. (Click on the date for a link to Andrew Dansby excellent article on Pete’s death.) The video is something I put together of photos I had taken on several occasions at the Double Bayou Dance Hall, owned by Pete.
In an earlier article by Dansby, Pete was asked what makes Texas blues Texas blues, and he replied, “Texas blues swings,” he says. “Do you understand what I mean? Chicago blues, they beat you over the head with the beat. Boom boom boom boom. Yes, yes.”
The Ghosts of The Double Bayou — Image by kenne
Pete Mayes and The House Rockers — Image by kenne
Becoming is Superior to Being 