The Texana Review - Podcasts

A chat with Bob Fussell about "Unbridled Cowboy," an autobiography by his grandfather

Bob Fussell decided to take a book and some notes written by his grandfather, Joseph B. Fussell, about his life (grandfather's) in the southwest in the late 19th century and early 20th century and turn it into a book titled Unbridled Cowboy, recently published by Truman State University Press.

A runaway at 13-years old, an undercover Texas Ranger several years later and 40-some-odd other occupations in his lifetime, Mr. Joseph B. Fussell must have been a handful.

Bob Fussell shares with me his thoughts about his book and his grandfather.

Listen...

18 minutes

Music by the Dave Lambert Band under Creative Commons License Podshow Podsafe Music Network

Buy Unbridled Cowboy from Amazon.com

 

Stephanie Barko is a book publicist in Austin, Texas and has arranged a "virtual tour" for Unbridled Cowboy during the month of December.  Follow along!  Schedule's below:

12/01	The Texana Review-Podcasts
12/02	Texas History Page
12/04	Michy's Book Reviews
12/06	Writer's in the Sky
12/08	Western Sensibility
12/10	Western Americana
12/22	Rough Edges
12/24	Bookgeeks

Technorati Tags: Texana Review,Ed Blackburn,Texas,history

Elmer and Anni Kelton - a Love Story: Part Four

The last segment of my interview with renowned western author, Elmer Kelton, and his wife, Anni, about how they met in Austria at the end of World War II and eventually married.

You can listen to the audio here or go watch on TexanaTV

Listen...

13 minutes

Music by Barry McCabe under Creative Commons License

Watch... Go to TexanaTV

 

Find Elmer Kelton's books at your local bookstore or Amazon.com
HERE

Technorati Tags: Literature,western literature,Texana Review,TexanaTV,Ed Blackburn,Elmer Kelton,spur award Winner,Western Heritage Award,Texas

Bill Leftwich - cowboy, writer, artist, Texan

HAPPY 85TH BIRTHDAY, Bill Leftwich!

Bill Leftwich lives and works quietly in Fort Davis, Texas. 

He's known as an artist, writer, sculptor, leather worker, educator and storyteller. 

He used to cowboy a bit and worked with the USDA down in Mexico while the United States and Mexico fought the hoof-and-mouth disease. 

But his love lies in his art and even at 85 years old, he's up-and-at-em every day - sculpting, drawing, painting and writing.

I visited with him about a year ago

Listen...

23:00 minutes

Music by Luke McNeil under Creative Commons License Podshow Podsafe Music Network

 

 

Technorati Tags: Texana Review,Ed Blackburn,Texas,cowboy,artist,sculptor,writer

An interview with David Wilkinson, co-author of "One Ranger"

In my opinion, David Marion Wilkinson is one of the finest, intuitive writers Texas has to offer these days.

I was introduced to David’s writing when I met Joaquin Jackson at a doowa in Houston, Texas about two years ago. He and David had written a book together … a book that has become a runaway bestseller – titled "One Ranger."

As a former Texas Ranger, Jackson told his story, and David converted it into exquisite prose.

David had written several other books before "One Ranger," and is currently working on a couple of others.

He visited me in San Angelo earlier this year and this is what he had to say…

 

Listen...

30:00 minutes

Music by liveloop under Creative Commons License Podshow Podsafe Music Network

Buy David Wilkinson's books HERE

 

Technorati Tags: Texana Review,Ed Blackburn,Texas,books,David Wilkinson,stories

Chapter One from Charles Chupp's "Frankly Speaking"

Charles Chupp came to my attention in a used book store in Houston about two years ago when I pulled his “Nth Reader” from the bookshelf …and where I immediately fell in love with his storytellin’.

When Charles called and asked if I would read a couple of chapters of his new book “Frankly Speaking,” I felt honored, and immediately accepted.

What comes next is my interpretation of the first chapter of Charles Chupp’s – “Frankly Speaking.”

Chapter Two to follow under separate posting.

Listen...

16:29 minutes

Song "Ja Da" by Cliff Edwards

buy "Frankly Speaking" HERE

Technorati Tags: Texana Review,Ed Blackburn,Great Depression,Charles Chupp,Texas,Texas stories

Chapter Two from Charles Chupp's "Frankly Speaking"

 

What follows is my interpretation of the second chapter of Charles Chupp’s – “Frankly Speaking.”

Charles Chupp came to my attention in a used book store in Houston about two years ago when I pulled his “Nth Reader” from the bookshelf …and where I immediately fell in love with his storytellin’.

When Charles called and asked if I would read a couple of chapters of his new book “Frankly Speaking,” I felt honored, and immediately accepted.

Listen...

16:51 minutes

Song "Ja Da" by Cliff Edwards

buy "Frankly Speaking" HERE

Technorati Tags: Texana Review,Ed Blackburn,Great Depression,Charles Chupp,Texas,Texas stories

Elmer and Anni Kelton - a Love Story: Part Three

A continuation of my interview with renowned western author, Elmer Kelton, and his wife, Anni, about how they met in Austria at the end of World War II and eventually married.

Listen...

18:23 minutes

Music by Barry McCabe under Creative Commons License

Find Elmer Kelton's books at your local bookstore or Amazon.com HERE

 

Technorati Tags: Literature,western literature,Texana Review,Ed Blackburn,Elmer Kelton,Spur Award Winner,Western Heritage Award,Texas

Sharon Spinks talks about her book, "Law on the Last Frontier"

I met Sharon Spinks in San Angelo where she was speaking at an author’s conference for area high school students.

She had recently published a book titled “Law on the Last Frontier,” framed around the exploits of her grandfather-in-law, Texas Ranger Arthur Hill.

Several weeks later, Sharon and I met in Abilene to chat about her book.

"In a career forged in the saddle on scout duty along the Rio Grande, Arthur Hill witnessed dramatic changes in his working life as a Texas Ranger from 1947 to 1974. Whether inspecting brands, deterring smugglers of everything from cattle to candle wax, or giving horseback pursuit across unforgiving terrain, often into Mexico, Hill found himself immersed day to day in a world that straddled centuries as well as cultures." - from dust jacket

Watch our chat!

Watch with Windows Media Player...

Get "Law on the Last Frontier" at Amazon.com HERE

 

Technorati Tags: Texana Review,Ed Blackburn,Texas,Texas Ranger,Books,Texas History

A chat with Don Griffis about his "Eagle Days"

(Originally produced for the San Angelo Review which merged with The Texana Review in March 2008)

Don Griffis is a lawyer in San Angelo. As a matter of fact, he grew up in San Angelo, went to public schools in the city and married the girl down the street.

He went off to college and learned to be a lawyer – a good one. He’s a partner with the Jackson Walker law firm.

He’s also been active in the San Angelo community, offering his time and effort with organizations ranging from the YMCA to the Boy Scouts.  He contributed his leadership talent on the San Angelo City Council and the Concho Valley Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council.

Mr. Griffis is a Vietnam veteran. He was a Marine who wore two hats – one as a Legal Officer, the other as an Infantry Officer.

While many served in Vietnam, only a few have written about their experiences.  Don Griffis is one of those.

His book is titled “Eagle Days,” and he agreed to talk with me about it and a little about himself.

Listen...

18:30 minutes

Music by Brian Drotar under Creative Commons license

More about Don Griffis HERE

buy "Eagle Days" at your local book store or at Amazon.com HERE

 

Technorati Tags: Texana Review,Ed Blackburn,San Angelo,Texas,San Angelo Review

Elmer and Anni Kelton - a Love Story: Part Two

A continuation of my interview with renowned western author, Elmer Kelton, and his wife, Anni, about how they met in Austria at the end of World War II and eventually married.

Listen...

14:40 minutes

Music by Barry McCabe under Creative Commons License

Find Elmer Kelton's Books at your local bookstore or Amazon.com HERE

 

Technorati Tags: Literature,western literature,Texana Review,Ed Blackburn,Elmer Kelton,Spur Award Winner,Western Heritage Award,Texas