Paul Derrick's Stargazer

Paul's Musical Photo Album

In his early elementary school years Paul played piano, but gave it up as performing in recitals terrified him. He took up the trombone in the 5th grade which he played through high school -- much preferring performing with a group...

In Clear Creek HS band uniform / In CCHS Dance Band (middle trombone player) (c 1957)

He took up the guitar in about 1957, first with an old Gene Autry guitar given to him by his grandfather "Pop-Pop" Cushing, and then with a new black guitar -- black because the Everly Brothers played black guitars!

With brother Wayne (c 1957) / In Derrick grandparents' yard in Bayview overlooking Galveston Bay (c 1962)

For two decades Paul played and sang almost exclusively at parties and other group jam session settings, rarely performing and never solo. He didn't began his solo career until 1980 at the age of 40, first playing free happy hour sets at the Water Works Bar & Restaurant in Waco.

Publicity photo (1981) / First trio: Jim Keyes, Paul and Buddy Edwards (1981)

In 1982 he formed the Texas-music country-western dance band, "Paul Derrick & Waco," which he disbanded in 1985.

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"Paul Derrick & Waco" playing a wedding party (1982) / Playing at the Water Works (1983)

"Paul Derrick & Waco" band t-shirt

Since disbanding his band, he has played solo and in a variety of informal duos, trios and other ensembles. He has often been accompanied by his wife, Jane, on banjo and vocals, and his younger daughter, Mary Jane, on vocals. He has also performed many engagements with long-time friends and fellow musicians Buddy Edwards, who was lead guitarist in Paul Derrick & Waco, and folk troubador John Boswell, Paul's folk music mentor.

From 1982 - 1992, and again since 2002, Paul and friends have performed each summer at the Speegleville Park amphitheater. Above is Charlie Burger and Paul (left photo - June 1988) and Charlie, Mary Jane and Paul (right photo - August 1988).

Regular gig at Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant in Laguna Park on Lake Whitney in 1986-87

Two of Paul's folk heroes: folk legend Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul & Mary fame) at the Kerrville Folk Festival (1989) and troubador John Boswell (about 1992).

Mary Jane & Paul practicing at home (1989)

Mary Jane & Paul open for Janis Ian at the Water Works / Mary Jane & Jane with Janis Ian (June 1990)

Paul & Jane playing a wedding party (about 1991) / Paul performing at SWUUSI at Lake Texoma (1988).

Singing for peace (1987) / Singing for social justice (2001)

In 1992 Paul organized a coffeehouse at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Waco which in 1993 became Waldo's Coffeehouse.

Paul, Mary Jane and Jane at pre-Waldo's Coffeeshouse (1992) / Waldo's Coffeehouse banner

Some Waldo's Coffeehouse performers for whom Paul has opened over the years...

Christine Albert & Chris Gage / John Boswell / Steven Fromholz

Shake Russell & Dana Cooper / Jack Saunders / Katy Moffatt

Marsha Webb / Lifelong Friends (Melody & Ray Dodd)

Emilie Aronson / Anni Clark

T R Ritchie / The Court (drag queen show)

Others who have performed at Waldo's Coffeehouse over the years include...

Allen Damron / Chuck Pyle / Cindy Kalmenson

Still on the Hill / Slaid Cleaves

Bill Ward / Lu Mitchell

Ruthie Foster / Therapy Sisters

Darcie Deaville / Kirk Edens & LaDonna Goetz / Annie Gallup & Sean Kelly

Joe McDermott / Carla Ulbrich

Emily Kaitz / Mary Reynolds & Caryl P. Weiss

Stonehenj / Greencards

Waldo's has even hosted folk legend (and Waco native) Carolyn Hester

Donna and Kelly of Still on the Hill entertaining the kids (of all ages)...

...and jamming with Drew Wenner and Paul before a Waldo's concert

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Jammin' at a stop in Marathon, TX (2006) / Mini-concert at U-Bar-U Retreat Center near Kerrville, TX (2006)

Paul & Jane at Brookview Neighborhood Association picnic (2007) / Paul at a nursing home (2007)

Paul doing a kids concert at J.H. Hines Elementary, Waco (2008)