The Texana Review - Podcasts

Texas History Tidbit: Battle of Velasco, 1832

The Battle of Velasco took place on June 26, 1832. 

It's considered by historians to be a harbinger of the Texas Revolution.

Although Texas independence wasn't actually declared until March of 1836, tensions had been running high for years between Mexico and it's Tejas state bordering the United States.

More and more lethal spats broke out between Texas settlers and Mexican soldiers after the Battle of Velasco, in which were involved many future leaders of Texas.

For example, William B. Travis, who perished at the Alamo, was involved, although indirectly.

Anyway, here's another Texas History Tidbit.

Listen...

5:56 minutes

Music by Deyo under Creative Commons License Podshow Podsafe Music Network

 

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

 

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

Texas History Tidbit: La Reunion, Texas b. 1855 - d. 1857

Back in the 19^th century there was a socio-political movement very much in vogue. It was called Utopianism and was making its way from Europe to America.

One of these Utopians came to Texas to found a colony on the Trinity River in a location that is now inside the city limits of Dallas. That colony was dubbed La Reunion.

The Utopian I’m speaking of was named Victor Prosper Considerant. According to historical records, he was one of the leading democratic socialist figures in France in mid-19^th century.

He wandered into northeast Texas around 1852 looking for a place to colonize under the Utopian philosophy; in other words, his Texas Utopia.  He found his spot on the Trinity River and invited about 2,000 people from Europe to come a settle at La Reunion.

Listen to this Texana Review Texas History Tidbit.

Listen...

3:30 minutes

Music by  Dave Howard under Creative Commons License Podshow Podsafe Music Network

More on La Reunion Here and Here

 

Technorati Tags: Texana Review,Ed Blackburn,La Reunion,Texas,Considerant,utopia,Dallas

 

 

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

Ted Gray - last of the real Texas cowboys

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

 

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