I ate at Alligator Cafe in Casa Linda Plaza on Saturday with a friend. The place was packed to the rafters, of course, and a band called the Texas Rockets was tearing it up with some toe-tapping country and folk music. There was a wait, so we almost went somewhere else, but it was pouring down rain, so we decided to stay. I’m glad we did, or we would’ve missed one of the cutest things I believe I’ve ever beheld.
We had just taken a seat when the lead singer of Texas Rockets introduced a young lady who was dressed to the nines in western wear — cowboys boots, jean skirt, tan leather jacket and a cowgirl hat with a sparkly silver band. She was going to sing along with them, he said, which was followed by an audible ‘aw’ from the crowd as everyone craned their necks to see her (she was barely taller than the tables).
And sing she did. The band broke into “Chicken Fried” by the Zac Brown Band, and she sang along to every word. My friend, who was visiting from Arizona, remarked that “Only in Texas who a kid that young know all the words to that song.” It was darling.
Her parents, Shawn and Melinda Conrad, were there supporting their daughter from the front row, and filming with their iPhones. After she wrapped up her duet, I found out her name is Lauren, and she’s only seven years old. We couldn’t talk much over the music and the general restaurant noises, but her parents say Lauren wants to be  singer or entertainer once she fills out her cowgirl boots. She sings with the Texas Rockets occasionally in North Dallas, but this time she made it out to East Dallas to give us a show.
She’d barely stepped away from the microphone before her parents whisked her away into the rainy night — probably so she could get to bed — but we’re glad she made it out, and I’ve been humming “Chicken Fried” all weekend.
