The Texas Country Reporter

Recently I have become enamored with a tv show that has been on the air for over 35 years. The Texas Country Reporter started in the early 70's and it features stories on people in Texas that are special in some way or just plain interesting and I have to admit that I haven't watched it in several years but now it has become an obsession. The host, Bob Phillips, does a fantastic job of interviewing the people featured on the show and it's just the combination of the production, the music, the whole process that grabs you and holds you until the very end.

One show that I recently saw featured a local Austin restaurateur, Lola Stephens of The Nubian Queen Restaurant. Now Lola has a very intersting story. She carries nearly as much food as she cooks for her patrons sitting on the inside of her restaurant out the back door to the homeless people that come by throughout the day, knowing that they can count on Lola for a little kindness and a hot meal. This is one of the hardest working people I have ever seen, arriving very early in the morning and continuing until late at night and it's a labor of love. I will be venturing down to Lola's myself next week to check things out because not only is this one of the most interesting people in this town but it appears that she is also one of the best cooks in this town as well. A great story indeed.

And on it goes, story after story about interesting Texans with none of the hype, overproduced editing or just plain lies of your normal reality tv. I love it. The show comes on several of the local cable channels or you can go to http://www.texascountryreporter.com/ for the schedules.

Cris Love Jr. Golf Tournament

Cris Love Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund
Cris Jr. passed away June 14, 2006 after a courageous battle with cancer. Cris graduated from Round Rock High School in May of 2000 and received a football scholarship from Iowa State University where he played quarterback. Cris graduated from Iowa State in August 2005 with a Bachelor's degree in Health and Human Performance. He had a passion for fishing - in particular fly fishing - and he was an avid golfer.Cris' parents, Cris and MeLynda Love, created the scholarship fund with the Greater Round Rock Community Foundation to memorialize their son. The scholarship fund has already had an incommunicable effect in the Round Rock community. In the last year at Round Rock High School, three overly deserving individuals received scholarships to assist in making their collegiate endeavors become a reality. Cris, Jr. is remembered by many for his character and willingness to give to others. Following the passing of Cris Jr. Iowa State Head Football Coach Dan McCarney said, "More than anyone, Cris was an example of selflessness and the epitome of a team player. I have often told my players that 'if you forget yourself, you won't be forgotten'. No one in my 30 years of coaching personifies that philosophy more than Cris Love."In addition to the scholarships provided by the fund, the memory of Cris has also moved many individuals in a number of different ways as his memory serves as a beacon to encourage others to be a team player and give more to others than self. To contribute to the Cris Love Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund and to the educations of Round Rock's youth, send checks to the address below, call with credit card information or or pay online at this link: Online Donations Cris Love, Jr. Golf Tournament To be held: Monday, June 1, 2009, 1:30pm. The majority of funding for the scholarship fund comes from corporate & private sponsorships. Descriptions of each sponsorship level and benefits to you in addition to your worthy contribution are below: Tournament Underwriter-$5,000 or more Benefits include special tournament recognition at announcements, prominent display on main tournament entrance banner, sign on tee box, opportunity to include business info in tournament bags, sponsor list recognition and 3 complimentary teams of golfers. Gold Level Sponsor - $2,500 Benefits include display on tournament banner, sign on tee box, opportunity to include business info in tournament bags, sponsor list recognition and 2 complimentary teams of golfers. Silver Level Sponsor - $1,000 Benefits include sign on tee box, sponsor list recognition and 1 complimentary team of golfers. Bronze Level Sponsor - $500 Benefits include sign on tee box, sponsor list recognition and 50% discount for 1 team of golfers. Hole Sponsor - $200 Benefits include sign on tee box and sponsor list recognition. Donations of products and/or services are always welcomed as these items are provided as gifts to participants in tournament bags, and used to raise money through the sale of raffle tickets for these prizes. Please call to arrange for pick-up/shipment of items.The annual tournament is held at Avery Ranch Golf course in Austin, TX as a 4 person scramble. Costs includes 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch, and golf towel. All for only $400/4person team.

Poodie Locke

I just heard on the news about the death of Poodie Locke, Willie Nelson's road manager for more than 34 years. I really can't believe my ears, this is such an incredible loss that it's hard to put into words. Poodie was one of those people that you thought would be around for a hundred years, always quick with a joke and just a fantastic person all around, he was a huge part of the music business in Austin and I just can't imagine what a loss this is for Willie and the Family, they are certainly in my thoughts and prayers.

Another true Austin legend has passed that's for certain, he had more stories and jokes than anybody and always seemed to be up to something. The last time I saw him was at Freddy Powers pickin' party last month and he seemed fine, the same old Poodie. I would never have thought in a million years that would be the last time I saw him. You just never know.

His Hilltop Grill on highway 71 was such a cool little place and I always tried to stop in when I was in the area, there was always something going on and it was a place where new artists could get a gig when it was tough to find work in Austin. He was always trying to help the new guys out.

Several years ago he had a place on sixth and Red River called the Red River Saloon and one day we were talking about it and he told me that it used to be a bottling plant for the Orange Crush soft drink company many years ago and every now and then he would still find bottle caps lying around with the Orange Crush logo on them. He thought it was funny that little things like that could linger on through the years and keep popping up in odd places.

Rest in Peace my friend, you'll be sorely missed.

Music Hating Loft Dwellers

I recently saw a story on the news about the citizens of downtown Austin once again complaining about the noise level of the clubs in the area and they always show someone holding a decibel meter measuring the level to make sure it doesn't go over 75 decibels or whatever it is and then they pan the camera over to the latest high rise loft to show how close the club is to them. Every time I see one of these stories I'm reminded of just how short the time is for musicians in this town. It's amazing to me to see the changes that have occurred in just the past few years in the skyline of the city and how it has impacted the local music scene and overall feel of the music business in the capital city.

I wonder, what is it that people really want in this town now? And if it isn't the music, history, college sports and general charm of the original Austin, then what is it? It might be easier if we knew who it is that dwells in those lofts reaching for the sky and what do they desire for the city of Austin? If they don't like the music that was here when they got here, then what is it that they want?

Surely it isn't the bicycles and trails that they want, but is it? Should we tear down some more historical landmarks so they can have a place to ride their bicycles in their new spandex shorts and matching helmets? I know I just love waiting for a pack of them to move along some of the busiest roads in the city at rush hour at a snails pace while everyone in cars pokes along behind them. We should ask the loft dwellers and just see exactly what it is that they want. I'm curious myself to see what would make them happy, if anything.

Maybe some of them will inform me just what it is that they want for the city of Austin.

I'm curious.

Cash Bash Is a Total Smash!

To say the 3rd annual Johnny Cash Birthday Bash held February 27th at the Continental Club in Austin was a success would be an understatement of epic proportions. It was a total blowout from the word go and it goes to prove that if there's one person in Austin who knows how to throw a party, that would be Martin "Rowdy" Tijmes of 91.7 Koop Radio. I knew from the moment I parked and walked up to the Continental and saw that line stretched from the front door of the club all the way around the block that this was going to be something special. Hundreds of people, all dressed in black, waiting to get in to join the hundreds that were already inside to help celebrate the birthday of one of the true music giants of the 20th century, Johnny Cash. With over 13 bands scheduled and numerous special guests, this was a night to remember for quite a long time.

And I've got to say the Continental Club can really take a beating because not only was it packed with wall to wall people, there was a mammoth amount of sound coming off the stage as well filling the place with an amazing energy from the front to the back of the club where there was a silent auction featuring numerous items up for bid.

With a Barnum Bailey atmosphere, Rowdy Tijmes kept the machine moving at a quick pace with barely a moment to breathe while never missing a beat and making sure all the bands and equipment got on and off the stage.

Raising tons of money, putting on a great show and throwing a party that I'm sure would have brought a smile to the face of the Man himself, it was definitely one of the best shows of the year and I'm already looking forward to next year.

Thanks Rowdy.

Goodbye, Paul Harvey

As I read the news that Paul Harvey had passed away I was surprised at how sad I really felt, as if I had lost a member of my family and then it came to me, I actually had. For as long as I can remember, there has been a Paul Harvey on the radio. Growing up in Wichita Falls, we got Paul Harvey on KTRN and I was struck even as a child at the humor and interesting stories that he told in that familiar voice and it was comforting to me. And as the years passed, while stations came and went, and tv shows came and went, there was always the unwavering fact that there was Paul Harvey, steadily progressing along through the years with his familiar views and opinions.

Growing up in the 60's and 70's, I took for granted just how much talent there was around me on the tv and radio. The comedians I grew up with were the standard bearers in the business and will go down in history as the finest of this century. There was Johnny Carson, Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Jackie Gleason, Red Skelton, and my all time favorite, Jonathan Winters. Not to mention Carol Burnet, Bob Newhart and many others of the era that we took for granted.

With Paul Harvey we had that midwest view of things and the wonderful way he used the language with colorful descriptions and warm candor. I don't think there will ever be another like him and he will be sorely missed. With radio in the condition it is in today with cutbacks, working skeleton crews and just trying to keep bases covered, there's just not a place for a Paul Harvey to be discovered. And his shoes would be too big to fill anyway.

Thank you Mr. Harvey for all the wonderful memories you gave us