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...
by Phil Houseal | Mar 16, 2022 | All Articles, Events, People of the Hill Country
March 16, 2022–Were you one of those people who pledged to use the lockdown to create your magnum opus? David Remschel actually did it. But then, the published playwright/middle school teacher is addicted to writing. “The whole idea came about at the very beginning of...
by Phil Houseal | Nov 29, 2021 | All Articles, Events, History, Music
Dec 1, 2021–I’ve mentioned before my obsession with 1940s radio entertainment. Every night I fall to sleep listening to Edgar Bergen, Burns & Allen, Jack Benny, and The Big Show (Tallulah Bankhead was waaaaaay ahead of her time). Every program featured a musical...
