By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
Two old friends got together and entertained more than 200 mutual friends Friday at Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q in Del Rio.
William Beckmann, a Nashville recording artist based out of Del Rio and Peter III, a Del Rio musician and singer who’s working on his second album, decided earlier in the week they wanted to perform together again.
The duo waited until noon Friday to announce the free show.
They kicked the show off to a packed house at 8:05 p.m. and went for two hours and 10 minutes playing 22 different classics from a cross section of genres.
They played Texas and country classics, along with Bruce Springsteen and Guns and Roses and threw in some of their original songs as well.
While both artists have busy touring schedules, spending more weekend nights out of town than in, family members stole the stage from them.
First, Peter III’s 3-year-old daughter Olivia Noelle took over the tiny stage dancing along to Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire, showing that musical rhythm can be passed along. About 45 minutes later, Beckmann called his grandfather, 84-year-old Santiago Hyslop, up to the stage to sing the Spanish classic El Rey with him. Once again, a family member brought down the house.
Both artists sing all over the country in classical venues. However, they both agreed with Beck’s comment afterwards.
“I get to play all over the country in some really neat places, but it’s always special when I get to play in Del Rio,” Beckmann said.
Contact the author at joelalangton@gmail.com.
