by Phil Houseal | Apr 4, 2012 | All Articles, Music, People of the Hill Country
April 4, 2012–For someone whose handmade guitars have been called “the perfect instrument,” “the Rolls Royce of guitars,” and “the guitar I want to take to heaven with me,” Mark Piper is surprisingly humble. “I don’t have a huge ego,” said Piper, who after a 30-year...
by Phil Houseal | May 26, 2011 | All Articles, Events, Food, History, Music, Venue
May 26, 2011–It’s been 10 years and a million memories: Will Owen-Gage rockin’ in the rain, a spritely Sarah Jarosz plucked from a jam session, Blaggards blasting Irish drinking songs, and a seasoned Johnny Gimble playing mandolin with an Austin jazz band. But that...
by Phil Houseal | Dec 22, 2010 | All Articles, Events, History, Music, Philosophy
Dec 22, 2010–Just as “fruitcake” is an affront to both fruit and cake, “Christmas music” often insults both the season and the sound. Not to strangle the spirits of Christmas, but even as the pageant at the Baptist church brought tears to my eyes, some of the drivel...
by Phil Houseal | Nov 24, 2010 | All Articles, History, Music, People of the Hill Country
Nov 24, 2010 105.7 The Deuce… Your number one choice for country music with a Texas attitude… it is 10 o’clock… thanks for tuning in to 105.7 KNAF-FM, Fredericksburg… JD Rose signed off and grinned at his co-host, Calamity Jane – better...
by Phil Houseal | Jul 10, 2010 | All Articles, History, Music, People of the Hill Country
July 14, 2010–She is where movie star Lynn Bari found her voice and how Joe Friday got his name. She is Fredericksburg TX resident Pat Friday, a delightful wisp of a woman who at the age of 15 hobnobbed with stars of film, stage and radio. As Helen Patricia Freiday,...
by Phil Houseal | Jan 27, 2010 | All Articles, Music, People of the Hill Country, Venue
Jan 27, 2010–You’ve heard of Jesus in a tortilla, and a crucifix in a baked potato. If you hurry to Hill Country Music store, you will see a demon in a guitar. “Phil, I might have a story for you.” It was Ron Sutton, manager of the local music outlet, calling. “We...
