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.