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...
by Phil Houseal | Jan 20, 2010 | All Articles, History, Music, People of the Hill Country, Philosophy
Jan 20, 2010–Magnolia Thunder Blossom was just destined to be part of Luckenbach. Growing up in Alabama – before she became Magnolia – Maggie Montgomery marched to her own thunder. “I was a pretty rebellious teenager,” she said. “I always sang, that kind...
by Phil Houseal | Dec 23, 2009 | All Articles, Events, History, Music, People of the Hill Country, Venue
Dec 23, 2009–I wish I could say I recognized the musical brilliance of the 14-year-old boy hanging out at Luckenbach in the 1980s. When we wannabe musicians gathered under the spreading oak tree to do the traditional “guitar pull,” there was often a slight, shy,...
by Phil Houseal | Jun 24, 2009 | All Articles, Events, History, Music, People of the Hill Country, Venue
June 24, 2009–I first heard acclaimed tenor Donald Braswell singing in a vineyard near Fredericksburg on November 7, 2007. I–along with many of you–next heard Donald Braswell in the summer of 2008 on the national television program America’s Got Talent. That November...
by Phil Houseal | Oct 1, 2008 | All Articles, Events, History, Music, People of the Hill Country
Oct 1, 2008–As a top finisher on the first season of Nashville Star, John Arthur Martinez impressed millions of viewers. But what makes him most proud is the effect he had on one fan. Not long ago the country singer-songwriter received a note from a young man who...
