Every Thursday, Ben Large invites fans of swing music to relax out back of Fredericksburg Coffee & Tea and enjoy the Lone Star Swing Orchestra while sipping custom-roasted coffee, 51 varieties of tea, and fresh smoothies. Photo by Phil Houseal

Details:
The Lone Star Swing Orchestra plays out back of Fredericksburg Gourmet Coffee & Tea every Thursday in April, from 7 to 9 p.m. There is no cover charge, and folks can bring a chair.  The shop is open daily. For information, call 830-997-TEAS (8327) or visit www.fredericksburg-coffee.com.

webmaster: phil@fullhouseproductions.net

Swinging out back

by Phil Houseal
April 4, 2007

If you are strolling along Main Street of a Thursday evening, you will hear the strains of a live swing band somewhere near the corner of Main and Milam.

That would be the Lone Star Swing Orchestra performing behind Fredericksburg Coffee & Tea.

Ben Large, owner of the popular coffee shop, is excited about this whole new way for customers to enjoy his signature coffees and teas. But he had to be talked into doing it.

"One of the trumpet players drinks coffee here every day, and he mentioned the band was looking for a place to play," Large said. "I said, well I’m not open in the evening, but if they’re willing to play, then I could stay open at night."

So one Saturday in March, the 20-piece swing group set up outside and played the big band hits of the 1940s. Despite no advertising or advance notice, a large crowd showed up to enjoy the music and fellowship under the stars.

"I never had any idea it would turn out like this," Large admitted, looking around at the enthusiastic audience that night. "Everybody I’ve told just lit up. This is fabulous."

Large was caught so off guard, he didn't even have a name for the new venue.

"Let's just call it 'out back,'" he finally said.

Turns out that having music "out back" takes Large back to his original vision when he started Fredericksburg Coffee & Tea three years ago.

"I first wanted to build a stage around that tree," he said, pointing to a large oak behind his shop. "My dream was to build a waterfall and add this and that. Then I wondered if that’s what we wanted, and it started wearing me down. But this has really invigorated my soul."

Large does not serve liquor, so guests indulge in 20 custom-roasted coffees, 51 teas, and fresh smoothies. ("I don’t care if they buy anything or not – it's just nice to have them here.")

Large, who previously purveyed coffee in Santa Fe, recently installed a roaster. Now he is the only one roasting coffee beans on Main Street, and has begun providing his custom blends to Fredericksburg restaurants and hotels.

"It makes a difference when people come to town, they are so surprised, and say where do you get this coffee?" he said. "It’s our house blend, a real good coffee. I’m hoping people will really get used to good coffee, because once you’ve had good coffee, the others don’t taste the same."

Judging from the size and high spirits of the crowd that showed up just by word of mouth, good coffee and good swing music are a satisfying combination.

"The people that are coming here that want to retire, they like this type of music," he said. "I just love it. My purpose in town is to be known, to be liked, and to be appreciated for what we are trying to do, which is to give a good product for a good price."

Since Large had to be talked into having music in the first place, what are the chances of him continuing to stay open late to let the band play?

"I will if they will – you bet!"

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