by Phil Houseal | May 28, 2025 | All Articles, History, Music, People of the Hill Country, Philosophy
May 28, 2025–In high school I read the novel Bridge of San Luis Rey, and I revisit it at each stage of life. The story starts with the collapse of a rope bridge over a river in Peru, resulting in the perishing of assorted travelers who were crossing it. Through the...
by Phil Houseal | May 22, 2025 | All Articles, Education, Events, Music, People of the Hill Country, Venue
May 21, 2025–“Great music makes our lives better.” While the Lone Star State is revered for its western swing, outlaw country, Tejano, blues, and the whole Austin music scene, Joseph Kuipers is on his way to making it known for cello. Kuipers’ TexasCellos is launching...
by Phil Houseal | Apr 23, 2025 | All Articles, Education, History, Music, Philosophy
April 23, 2025–Was telling some youngsters about how my Music Theory final was to score out the melody to Jingle Bells without using an instrument. I don’t think I did very well. We used our knowledge of intervals to sing it in our heads. I could do it now with my...
by Phil Houseal | Feb 26, 2025 | All Articles, History, Music, Philosophy
Feb 26, 2025–Recently a gaggle of musicians were sharing road stories, talking about the highs and lows of making “a living” traveling across the country, picking in dives and bars, sleeping in cars, eating through the Dairy Queen menu, drinking too much, and...
by Phil Houseal | Feb 19, 2025 | All Articles, Events, Music, People of the Hill Country, Philosophy, Venue
Feb 19, 2024–It’s always about the song. What makes a good song, I asked Gary Nicholson, the prolific songwriter you might not have ever heard of, who will perform at the Hill Top Café north of Fredericksburg on Feb 27. “What makes a good song is a song that people...
by Phil Houseal | Dec 4, 2024 | All Articles, Education, Events, History, Music, People of the Hill Country, Venue
Dec 4, 2024–When we put a violin in our granddaughter’s hands last year, I would have been happy to listen to her saw away at endless Suzuki songs. But unexpectedly, and due to encouragement from her instructor, Theresa Britt, she has developed an affinity for fiddle...
