by Phil Houseal | Aug 3, 2022 | All Articles, Events
Aug 3, 2022 Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated! Anyone with even a passing familiarity with American pop culture will recognize that ditty from LaVerne & Shirley, the iconic 1970s TV sitcom featuring the day-to-day drama of two working girls in a...
by Phil Houseal | Jul 27, 2022 | All Articles, Events, History, People of the Hill Country, Venue
July 27, 2022–On a hot night in July something happened to me that hasn’t happened in at least a decade–I went to a dance and recognized a dozen people. More accurately, they recognized me. I couldn’t cross the dance floor without being stopped three times to shake a...
by Phil Houseal | Jun 15, 2022 | All Articles, Education, Events, History, People of the Hill Country, Venue
June 15, 2022–When I first came to Texas, the day called “Juneteenth” bewildered me. Every time I asked what it signified, native Texans would mumble and turn away. I got the feeling it was a litmus test to screen “yankees,” in the same way no real Texan ever called...
by Phil Houseal | Apr 27, 2022 | All Articles, Events, Music, Philosophy, Venue
April 27, 2022–I remember the exact place and moment I decided to play drums. I was in the 5th grade, attending Homecoming Weekend as the University of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band passed by on Iowa Avenue in Iowa City, Iowa. Standing on the curb as the drum section...
by Phil Houseal | Apr 13, 2022 | All Articles, Events, Philosophy, PR Tips
April 13, 2022–I finally became that guy–the stranger telling a youngster how to run his business. It all started when I tried to buy a ticket to see a show. Even though I knew there was a matinee scheduled, when I went online to get a ticket the day of the event, it...
by Phil Houseal | Mar 24, 2022 | All Articles, Events, People of the Hill Country, Venue
Mar 23, 2022–Back in high school, my friend John approached me with the complete libretto (text and lyrics) for an Amish Rock Opera he wanted set to music. I remember the first line to this day: Just been existing in an Amish world, Driving my buggy with my Amish...
