You may have heard Bill and Bonnie Hearne in one of their memorable past performances for the Black Rose Acoustic Society. If so, even with Bonnie absent this time you’ll do yourself a favor by being there on July 8. Why? Because you already know that Bill always presents wonderful acoustic music, performing with any other musicians in any other venue. Bonnie is on health leave. So, two totally talented gals will be with him this time: Sharon Gilchrist on mandolin and vocals and Susan Hyde Holmes on bass and vocals. Bill is a dazzling flatpicker and a memorable singer. So with Sharon and Susan thrown in for good measure, we can expect some jam-up fantastic music. As always, he will dip into songs by Ian Tyson and Chuck Pyle. And you will also hear Bob Wills’ style western swing and honky-tonk tunes like those by Lefty Frizzell and Merle Haggard. The trio will deliver knockout versions of music by roadhouse players, as well—songs by folks such as Delbert McClinton, and soulful ballads by Greg Trooper, Gordon Lightfoot and Gillian Welch.

It will be worth your trip to this open stage just to hear the trio sing and play “New Mexico Rain.” But of course, rain or shine, you’ll hear a lot more than that. In fact, you’ll be privy to what Nanci Griffith has referred to as “the best darn folk music I ever heard.” Indeed, because Bill and company are so good, he has recorded very successful CDs, among them the 2004 release “From Santa Fe to Las Cruces.” Adding to the collection soon will be a limited edition EP of the Bill Hearne Trio—including six songs recorded in Santa Fe last April. There will also be excerpts from a radio broadcast of KUNM’s “Ear to the Ground,” recorded live last December. But why rely only on those great recordings when you can see and hear The Bill Hearne Trio on July 8? Yep, just when the July 4 fireworks will have faded, you’ll get an even bigger bang from this musical treat.