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 |
| Find Elmer Kelton's books at your local bookstore or Amazon.com |
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 |
| Find Elmer Kelton's Books at your local bookstore or Amazon.com HERE |
Ted Gray showed up in the Alpine area with no money and a saddle on his shoulder around 1939.
Since then he’s worked harder than most folks, used his wits and made himself wealthy.
Ted Gray is in his 80’s now, but he stopped long enough to give me an interview and share his wisdom.
Ted Gray ...last of the real Texas cowboys.
Listen...  |
| 24:00 minutes |
| Music by Justin Gordon under Creative Commons License |
| Learn more about Ted Gray HERE |
(Originally published for The San Angelo Review. Worthy of you listeners of The Texana Review listeners)
The Cactus Hotel is an icon in San Angelo and is a vestige of a bygone era in Texas history that warrants attention and recognition even though the hotel is getting a little frayed around the edges.
Virginia Noelke is a Professor of History at Angelo State University and she’s been at the University for more than 35 years; she's seen a lot of changes.
But what’s interesting about Dr. Noelke is her fascination with the Cactus Hotel, built by none other than Conrad Hilton and opened in 1929, which turned out to be not such a good year for him, or the United States, for that matter.
Anyway, Dr. Noelke researched and wrote a book about the Cactus, titled A History of the Cactus Hotel and published in 1996.
Dr. Noelke agreed to talk with me about the Cactus and her book, which, sad to say, is no longer in print.
Listen to what she has to say…
Listen...  |
| 24:00 minutes |
| Music by Dave Howard under Creative Commons License Podshow Podsafe Music Network |
| Find out more about Dr. Virginia Noelke HERE |
Laura Trione is one of the best kept secrets in the Indie music world; probably because she’s wanted it that way …until now …maybe.
For any number of reasons, musical talent such as hers is oftentimes lost to those of us who would embrace it. Sometimes it’s because of the crushing competition in the world of music; sometimes it’s because of something personal.
Artists are sensitive and precise people and are mostly terrified of criticism. I suspect Ms. Trione is an artist.
Regardless, Ms. Trione has something special. I’ve heard her sing, and I’m here to tell you that it’s one of the richest voices I’ve heard in ages.
She also constantly messes around on the piano and produces melodies as handily as you or I might toast a slice of bread.
I was by her home in Houston over the holidays, heard a piece she’d been massaging for a day or two, and convinced her to play for my recorder. Perhaps she’ll agree to share her voice with us later.
Here’s “Released Tears of My Life,” by Laura Trione. If you have comments, please click on "Comments" below and share your thoughts.
Listen...  |
| 7:15 minutes |
| Music by Laura Trione |
Regarding the Buffalo Gap Historic Village and the McWhiney Foundation
David Gibson sent me an email complimenting me on the work I've been doing on The Texana Review.
I'm easy, so compliments catch my attention, especially as I evangelize New Media and The Texana Review.
Anyway, come to find out that David is interested in Texas history, too. His interest lies in the history surrounding Abilene, Texas and he's begun an effort at collecting oral histories for, of and about Abilene.
As our interests dovetailed, he arranged a meeting for me with Stephen Hardin and Don Frazier, who are two of several Texas historians promoting the Buffalo Gap Historic Village and the legacy of Grady McWhiney in the form of the McWhiney Foundation.
We had a very interesting chat.
Listen...  |
| 26:00 minutes |
| Music by Markovich under Creative Commons License Podshow Podsafe Music Network |
| Find out more about the McWhiney Foundation HERE |
| Find out more about David Gibson's Abilene history HERE |
| photography by David Gibson |
(Click once to activate, again to play. Double click on screen to enlarge)
Houston, Texas is the fourth largest city in the United States, 99th largest in the world; and it has taken only 171 years. Quite an accomplishment when compared to the other largest cities.
Houston history tells us that, through the efforts of a small but influential group of people, Memorial Park was founded, fostered, nurtured and became that island of respite from the frenzy of city life …a reminder to Houstonians that there is a slower, more measured approach to daily life.
Several of those people who had the understanding of what Houston was to become and had the foresight to recognize the importance of trying to blend nature with urbanization, were recently recognized for their efforts - Sadie Gwin Blackburn, Terry Hershey and Frank Smith Jr.
This video is a tribute to those efforts…
Produced by Stonefilms of Texas
When my father was doing research for his book on historic county jails in Texas, he made it a point to visit San Angelo and the West Texas Collection at Angelo State University and get guidance from Suzanne Campbell, who directs and oversees the Collection.
Long time family friend, Dr. Ralph Chase, when he learned of The Texana Review and my launching of the San Angelo Review, insisted that I have a conversation with Mrs. Campbell and avail myself of her knowledge.
Will Howard, who produces the highly informative monthly newsletter titled “Will’s Texana Monthly” and the related blog, "Will's Texas Parlor," also insisted that I contact Mrs. Campbell to learn about the assets at The West Texas Collection and perhaps “pick her imagination,” as he put it.
Well, with all that, you might imagine that my curiosity was piqued, and it was.
So, I called Mrs. Campbell and she graciously agreed to an interview and to give me the cook’s tour of the West Texas Collection which serves as an invaluable archive of historical photographs, books, documents and artifacts.
Listen for a few minutes as Suzanne Campbell gives me an overview of the Dr. Ralph R. Chase West Texas Collection.
Listen...  |
| 17:00 minutes |
| Music by Angel White under Creative Commons License Podshow Podsafe Music Network |
| Sponsored by Will's Texas Parlor |
Help us grow!
