Pam Scheirman was my sister.  She was born Pamela Jean Benge in Youngstown, Ohio in 1951.   As a child she listened to music, but never expressed an interest in singing, playing an instrument or writing music.  In her twenties she picked up a guitar and, as they say....the rest is history.  She had a good ear.  She taught herself how to play.  She sang to herself and eventually combined her efforts on the guitar with her singing.  Surprisingly, she wasn't half bad.  Unknown to the family and most of her frinds, Pam began writing lyrics for songs she later played for us.  She wrote songs for the family, special occasions and for her first born grandchild.  

One day a high school friend suggested Pam make a recording of the songs she had written.  To her, that was impossible because she was so shy. She always felt she was too inexperienced to publish her music or to even play before a crowd.  But the shyness and inexperience didn't stop her.  She had so much passion for her music. Recording her songs helped her come up with the idea of a Songwriters' Festival.  Pam wanted to give other talented songwriters a place to come and play their music for anyone willing to listen. 

In 2001 Pam Scheirman organized her first Songwriters' Festival in Kemah, Texas.  She gave songwriters and artists across Texas an opportunity to showcase their music and sell their CD's.  It was truly a remarkable turnout.  The venue was small but she managed to fill twelve hours full of music from rock-n-roll to jazz to country and so on.  The crowds loved it. The sun was out, the weather was warm and the crowds of spectators were better than she had hoped for.  The music flowed into the night and everyone talked about it for weeks. 

The next year, 2002, Pam was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  Her battle with cancer lasted almost three years until she gave up the fight.  At her funeral, I was approached by my cousin, whom is also a musician, and asked if I would continue on with the songwriter's festival in her name.  Although I thought that was the craziest idea ever because I don't sing, I don't play and I don't write, I said no.  Several months later I reconsidered the request and decided to continue on with my sister's dream.  It was there at her festival that I met so many wonderful and talented people and heard such great music.  I remember the joy and laughter and how so many musicians asked if she would have the festival again the next year because they would like to come back.  She had plans and dreams, but she was too sick and too tired to see them through. 

I am honored to bring back the "Great Texas Songwriters" Festival.