by Phil Houseal | Nov 12, 2025 | All Articles, Education, Events, History, People of the Hill Country, Venue
In 2019, Lee Ann Whatley set off on a scavenger hunt to track down all the original paintings done by her grandfather, Lee Ethel. Like every good treasure hunter, she uncovered more than she originally sought. Lee Ethel was a successful graphic designer in Dallas for...
by Phil Houseal | Oct 29, 2025 | All Articles, History, Music, Philosophy, Venue
Oct 29, 2025–Recently I had to embark on something I haven’t done, nor had the desire to do, for three decades: Travel. More specifically, I had to undertake a cross-country car trip. In my youth, traveling coast to coast and border to border was in my blood. In fact,...
by Phil Houseal | Sep 10, 2025 | All Articles, Events, History, Music, People of the Hill Country, Venue
Sept 10, 2025–How does it feel to take center stage at The Grand Ole Opry? “Well, it was wonderful.” So saith Gary Nicholson, who as a Hall of Fame Songwriter and Grammy Winner, got his first solo spot under country music’s biggest spotlight at the age of 75. Not that...
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 | 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 | Feb 12, 2025 | All Articles, Events, History, People of the Hill Country, Philosophy, Venue
Feb 12, 2025–I must admit to a feeling of guilt that I have never visited the great museums and cathedrals of Europe. I have not gone on safari in Africa, nor ridden on the Orient Express. I haven’t waddled with penguins in Antarctica nor left REI gear on the slopes...
