Palo Duro Records

By ERIC AASEN / The Dallas Morning News

With his Cowboy hat, western suit and guitar in hand, Matt Hillyer was eager to spread some love Thursday.
Lynn Crosby was in for a surprise on Valentine’s Day - a serenade by Matt Hillyer, lead singer in the band Eleven Hundred Springs.

First, he spread it in Rowlett. Then in Uptown. Eventually, he got to Richardson, Plano and Roanoke. In between, he spread some phone love while darting through traffic. Mr. Hillyer, who leads local country band Eleven Hundred Springs, serenaded wives, girlfriends, lovers and mothers around North Texas with songs. The women greeted Mr. Hillyer with smiles, tears and hugs.

Shortly before noon, after several singing stops, Mr. Hillyer barged through the front doors of Richardson High School. Inside, teacher Janie McGinty stood with her boyfriend. “What is this?” she shrieked. “Oh, my gosh!” Mr. Hillyer strummed his guitar and sang “San Antonio Rose.” Ms. McGinty’s eyes filled with tears.

While some men stormed flower shops, grocery stores and boutiques to find presents for their babes on Valentine’s Day, some chose a more imaginative gift, hiring Mr. Hillyer to sing. This isn’t your stereotypical singing telegram, and these aren’t your schmaltzy love songs. Many of the recipients are big fans of the band, and some know Mr. Hillyer.

“You can either pay a certain amount for a dozen roses or you can pay for something special – a human experience, a message to be given to people,” Mr. Hillyer said. “People are happy to see you all day. That’s a great feeling.”

Singing was the easy part Thursday. Getting around town was another matter.

Mr. Hillyer, 32, popped into each workplace for a few minutes before heading back on the road for the next gig. There wasn’t much time to breathe, but he remained cool and calm. It’s a moment that folks won’t ever forget, and I got to be a part of it,” he said.

Mr. Hillyer started the serenades on Valentine’s Day last year after being inspired to have someone sing for his wife. Initially, he felt self-conscious about singing to unsuspecting people. I’m not the kind of guy who says, ‘Oh look at me, look at how great I am,’ ” Mr. Hillyer said. His rates range from about $30 for a song over the phone to about $180 for a song performed in person with a dozen roses.

“San Antonio Rose” was especially touching for Ms. McGinty. It was the favorite song of her father, who died in 2000.

Moon in all your splendor knows only my heart

Call back my Rose, Rose of San Antone

Lips so sweet and tender like petals fallin’ apart

Speak once again of my love, my own.

As Mr. Hillyer sang, Ms. McGinty got a hug from her boyfriend, Jerry Walker. He kissed her on the forehead. This is very sweet,” she told him. “Thank you.” Mr. Walker, an assistant principal at an elementary school, said he chose the singing Valentine because it was unique. He’s quite the romantic,” Ms. McGinty said. “I knew he’d probably have something very sweet planned. I didn’t realize it would be something this sentimental.”

A lonely rain

Other songs were sentimental for other reasons. Beau Danielson has been through a rough patch with the woman he’s been dating, Jessee Smith. He’s hoping to win her back and figured he’d request a song to let her know how he feels. Ms. Smith wiped away tears and stared at the guitar and then Mr. Hillyer, in Uptown, as he sang “Why You Been Gone So Long”:

Every time it rains, Lord, I stand at my window

All I do is wring my hands and moan

Can you hear the thunder roar, can you hear that lonesome wind blow

Tell me, baby, why you been gone so long.

The song seemed to help mend their relationship. He’s definitely earned some brownie points,” Ms. Smith said. People try to express love through song, Mr. Hillyer said, calling love the greatest thing in the world. It’s kind of the air that you breathe,” he said. “Once you’ve been in love and you know what it’s about, you can’t hardly stand to live life without it.”

A road to home

Around lunchtime, Mr. Hillyer walked into Luna de Noche in Plano and approached Mistie Snowden, who was eating tortilla soup with her husband, Norm. He started strumming his guitar and sang “Anywhere I’m Loving You”:

The road leads back to your side

Where the love is good and true.

‘Cause I’ve never felt so at home

as anywhere I’m loving you.

Ms. Snowden, a fan of Eleven Hundred Springs, clapped and smiled. I’m about to throw up and pass out,” she said. “Other than that, I’m fine.” Ms Mr. Hillyer sat down at their table, Ms. Snowden quickly admitted she had a crush on the singer, wearing a ponytail and patch of whiskers under his lips. He’s cute and sweet,” she said. Aww,” Mr. Hillyer replied. But, sitting between her crush and her husband, she quickly rewarded Mr. Snowden for his thoughtfulness. He might get lucky tonight,” she said. Mr. Snowden flashed a sly smile. And a thumbs up.

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