by Phil Houseal | Jun 12, 2013 | All Articles, Education, Events, History, Music, People of the Hill Country, Philosophy, Venue
June 12, 2013–All we wanted was to play classical music in a bar. We didn’t know we were part of a revolution. It started one cold, dark night back in February when our local string quartet–Theresa Britt, John Reeve, Tammy Widener, and I–stepped on stage at Hondo’s,...
by Phil Houseal | Nov 14, 2012 | All Articles, Events, History, Music, Philosophy, Venue
Part II of my visit with Ray Price. Read Part I… Nov 14, 2012–When I first came to Texas, I was expected to learn a drumming style called the “shuffle beat.” I had never heard or seen the two-step, let alone been inside a real dance hall. That beat, my band...
by Phil Houseal | Nov 14, 2012 | All Articles, Events, History, Music, Venue
So what do you ask a legend? If you could interview country music superstar Ray Price, what would you say? This gave me considerable pause when Gene Wolf of Sharity Productions arranged a phone interview in anticipation of Price’s Christmas concert at Cailloux Theater...
by Phil Houseal | Jul 25, 2012 | All Articles, History, Music, People of the Hill Country, Venue
July 25, 2012–Is it an itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny coverup or a double-D big deal? Or maybe it’s just B.S. The national news media have picked up the story about a town in Texas that is causing quite a stir around here. According to the versions I have been reading,...
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 | 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...
