On Friday, Terri Hendrix will kick off a weekend of California dates starting at the Live Oak Music Festival in San Luis Obispo. Then it’s back to Texas for the release of Hendrix’s new album, Cry Till You Laugh.

Back in May, Hendrix opened for two packed Texas music dates (at Dallas’ House of Blues and Austin’s La Zona Rosa) for the Indigo Girls. After her set at the 39th Annual Kerrville Folk Festival in front of a record crowd, she joined them on harmonica and harmony on a few songs like the evenings prior.

This year, she received the 2010 Art of Peace Award from St. Mary’s University, was inducted into the South Texas Music Walk of Fame (see “News” in “quick links” for info on all involved), and received notification that she will receive the Hardin Simmons University Distinguished Alumni Recipient Award in 2011.