by Phil Houseal | May 11, 2017 | All Articles, Events, People of the Hill Country, Philosophy
May 10, 2017–Anyone who has ever owned a Volkswagen Beetle will understand. My wife does. She owned an early 1970s model, robin’s egg blue convertible. Cute, affordable, and got good mileage. But when she started dating this homeless farm boy musician, something...
by Phil Houseal | Apr 27, 2017 | All Articles, Events, People of the Hill Country, Venue
April 26, 2017–It’s Hollywood in the Hill Country. This weekend, film aficionados from around the world will be drawn to the flickering screens of the Hill Country Film Festival. The non-urban setting has grown to become one of the most appealing places for...
by Phil Houseal | Apr 19, 2017 | All Articles, Events, Music
April 19, 2017–Just out of high school, a group of my buddies and I were so anxious to see Crystal Gayle in person that we got a speeding ticket driving to her concert. The year was 1975 and Gayle, with her trademark long, dark hair, had just released her first album...
by Phil Houseal | Apr 13, 2017 | All Articles, Events, People of the Hill Country
April 12, 2017–While the world bubbles over with international conflict, one Hill Country enterprise is quietly working diplomacy using currency that is truly bubbly–beer. “We’re celebrating our fifth anniversary with a new beer–Pedernales/Albur Chico Temido–the...
by Phil Houseal | Mar 30, 2017 | All Articles, Events, Music, People of the Hill Country
Mar 29, 2017–She’ll be singing Gedenken-vergessen, a lieder composed by Frank Valentine Van der Stucken in 1892. But truth be told, mezzo-soprano September van der Stoel would feel just as comfortable singing jazz. “Jazz is my first love. I absolutely love...
by Phil Houseal | Mar 22, 2017 | All Articles, Events, Music, Venue
Mar 22, 2017–Cause that’s what makes her happy. That is the top reason Sloan Ruth gives for creating The Backyard behind Fritztown Cinema. The new outdoor music venue will open April 7 with its first of many regular concerts. “I’m not musical, though I took piano for...
