CLM Feb07 - Country Line Magazine

4 • The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine C OU N T RY LI N E M AGA Z I N E
IN THIS ISSUE
F E AT U R E S
the true rhinestone cowboy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
boot-strap tough series: paul pearcy . . . . . . .12
clay walker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
DEPARTMENTS
Nashville Music News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Texas Music News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
’Round About Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
by Sandra Greaney
Homespun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Cowboy Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
by Marc Bradberry
On Pit Row . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
by Chuck Licata
The Texas Outdoor Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
by Larry LeBlanc
Fishing Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
by Don Gordon
w w w. c o u n t r y l i n e m a g a z i n e . c o m
5 1 2 - 2 9 2 - 1113
MAILING ADDRESS
9508 CHISHOLM TRAIL • AUSTIN, TEX. 78748
LETTERS & COMMENTS
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PUBLISHER & EDITOR |
L
F Lee and I meet in the kitchen each
T. J. Greaney
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Shirley Baker, Marc Bradberry, Sheryl Bucsanyi,
Don Gordon, Sandra Greaney,
Larry LeBlanc, Chuck Licata,
Pauline Reese, Patty Ruland
morning at about 5:30 for our morning
coffee and to discuss the way of our
world, as it is that day. This routine just
recently restarted from days gone by,
over 17 years ago.
Lee is a friend I met at a 12-Step
meeting way back in the late ’90s. I had
a few years clean and sober; he was
trying to get a few days. We have built a
friendship since those days, which is
very special and important to me.
Lee has done some amazing things
in his life. He is the only person I have
ever met who actually ran away from
home and joined the circus. At 14 he
and a friend dropped out of school and
were headed to Kemah, Tex. to work on
the oyster boats. Along the way they
passed a circus. For the next year they
worked as setup and tear down hands for
one of the big Shriner Circuses of that
time. He traveled the country that year,
and his stories and photos are wonderful.
When Lee got back from his jaunt
with the circus, he wasn’t home long
before he signed up for his next
adventure as a merchant marine. Lee, at
the tender age of 16, was off on his first
ship and toured India and Japan,
including Hiroshima. That was in the
mid ’60s when Hiroshima was a strange
and rare place to visit. What a trip.
I can tell countless Lee stories here,
but I won’t here. Just suffice it to say he
is the most energetic and adventurous
person I have ever met.
Since I have known Lee, his life has
been centered around his daughters. He
had custody of them both and his biggest
joys, tears and wishes have been
centered around them. Now both are
young women with kids. When he gets
hugs and kisses from his granddaughters,
he absolutely lights up. A single dad
raising girls is one of the most difficult
things I could imagine. So much to
teach them and lots of girls things that
frankly I don’t think most men can even
talk about aloud.
So as we sit and drink coffee, my
workout partners at the gym go on
without me. They don’t wait, and I am
not rushing off. I love this time of day,
and to spend it talking with Lee makes it
a great day — no matter what happens
after that.
As I write this I am planning a
meeting with the CPA and some
doctors. We also have to work in a visit
to the hospital and talk with Hospice.
Both daughters, their kids and Lee’s
sister are at our home, and we need to
get back to the grocery store sometime
today, too. On most days this stuff would
be just another day, but right now
nothing is trivial or without cause.
Planning and making sure things are
taken care of and at the same time
keeping the wheels on the family cart is
tedious and wearing, but through it I
find a peace from God and things fall
into place.
Lee has cancer of the liver and
stomach and I am not sure how many
more mornings I will be able to sit with
him and drink our morning coffee. By
the time this is printed, he may be
better, he may not. The doctors couldn’t
administer his chemotherapy this week
because he is too weak; I expect he will
remain too weak for the treatments.
As we prayed over him Tuesday
night he gained a sense of peace.
Everyone saw it and it was so clearly
God’s hands holding him. I know that
Lee has accepted the Lord as his
personal Savior, and I will see him in
heaven. I can just imagine him there, in
perfect health and all his glory. Planning
adventures and exploring the depths of
heaven and what it has to offer. If you
can get in trouble for pushing the limits
there, he will. God will be spending
overtime on my buddy Lee when He
finally gets him, whenever that is. I did
my part down here, Lord. When you get
him, don’t say I didn’t warn you — he
gets up early, likes his coffee strong and
has a lot of things to do. Until then, it’s
one teaspoon of creamer and a teaspoon
of honey with Lee’s coffee about 5:20
a.m. and I will be there.
T. J. Greaney
Publisher
[email protected]
C OU N T RY LI N E M AGA Z I N E The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine • 5
In addition to her recent
GRAMMY nomination in the allgenre category of Best New Artist, the
ACM Top New Female Vocalist
winner
earned
a
GRAMMY
nomination as Best Country Female
Vocalist, for her six-week #1 single,
“Jesus, Take the Wheel” (which also
garnered songwriter nominations as
Song of the Year and Best Country
Song).
Fans can soon be listening for
Carrie’s upcoming single, “Wasted,”
hitting country radio in February.
TAYLOR HICKS IS
COMING TO AUSTIN
Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo will
host Taylor Hicks, the 2006 American
Idol Winner at Rodeo Austin 2007!
After much planning and negotiation,
the STFR Entertainment department
was able to secure Taylor Hicks for the
first Thursday performance, on March
15, 2007. This will be the second time
Rodeo Austin will feature a live
performance by an American Idol
winner; Kelly Clarkson entertained a
packed crowd at Rodeo Austin 2005.
The television phenomenon
American Idol, introduced Taylor
Hicks, a 29 year old from Birmingham,
Alabama, to the country last year.
More than 63 million people voted
Taylor Hicks the winner of American
Idol in early 2006. Since then, Taylor
has produced the chart topping hit “Do
I Make You Proud?” and his self-titled
debut album, Taylor Hicks, recently
went platinum, selling more than one
million copies since its release. Taylor’s
unique sound mixes pop, rock, blues
and southern soul and displays his
passion for singing and writing. His
down to earth nature and eclectic
sound has helped rally a large following
of fans, self titled the “Soul Patrol.”
SPEAKING OF IDOL,
CARRIE UNDERWOOD
Reigning CMA Female Vocalist of
the Year Carrie Underwood begins the
New Year with another incredible
accomplishment
as
her
19
Recordings/Arista Nashville debut
album, Some Hearts, vaults to RIAA
Quintuple-Platinum certification for
sales of five million units. The recordsetting milestone earns Carrie the
fastest 5x Platinum certification of any
female country debut in history.
With this accomplishment, Some
Hearts has now become the bestselling, single-disc country album by a
solo female in the new millennium.
Some Hearts is also the best-selling,
single-disc country album by a solo
artist (male or female) in the last six
years — since Tim McGraw’s Greatest
Hits released in November of 2000.
And with January 10 SoundScan
information, Some Hearts earns the
further distinction of becoming the
best-selling, single-disc country album
by any artist (solo, male, female, group,
duo, etc.) since the Dixie Chicks’
Home released in August of 2002.
Released November 15, 2005,
Some Hearts has now logged a total of
20 weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Top
Country Albums chart, beginning and
ending 2006 at #1 and holding the top
country spot for 14 weeks last year —
more than any other artist.
In 2006, Underwood’s chart-topping
singles also led all country artists as she
tallied a whopping 11 weeks at #1 on the
country airplay charts.
Carrie’s sales and airplay success
were celebrated across multiple charts
in Billboard’s year-end recap, which
recognized the Best New Artist
GRAMMY nominee at #1 among Top
New Country Artists, Top Country
Artists — Female, and Top Billboard
200 Artists — Female. Some Hearts
garnered the #1 spot amid year-end
Top
Country
Albums
and,
impressively, #1 on the all-genre chart
of Top Billboard 200 Albums.
6 • The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine C OU N T RY LI N E M AGA Z I N E
AND EVEN MORE
IDOL … NEW
TRAVIS TRITT ALBUM
CO-PRODUCED BY
IDOL’S RANDY
JACKSON
Most recording artists that have
sold over 25 million records, won
Grammy Awards, earned the respect
and admiration of the likes of Ray
Charles, Johnny Cash and Waylon
Jennings would remain in the comfort
zone that has brought such success.
Not Travis Tritt!
This is an artist that has defied the
odds from his very first record deal in
Nashville. Tritt has always taken the
road less traveled, when arriving in
Nashville as a non-hat act in 1989 he
met rejection. It was only after the
labels affiliate in LA told Nashville “if
you don’t sign him we will,” that
Nashville signed him and he received
his break.
As fate would have it, Tritt finds
himself drawn back to LA to begin
recording his new album on Nashville’s
hard-charging Indy, Category 5
Records, which will be released in the
summer of 2007.
Tritt has joined forces with Randy
Jackson from “American Idol” to coproduce what is destine to be an album
that will not only give Tritt fans a long
awaited new album, but attract new
listeners from every genre.
Tritt has always been known as a
genre-bending superstar and has
covered the likes of the Eagles, Otis
Redding, Ray Charles, and more.
Sources close to Tritt state that he will
not be playing it safe and will push the
creative envelope to its limit.
Raymond Termini, CEO of
Category 5 Records stated, “The
definition of insanity is doing the same
thing over and over and expecting a
different result. Travis Tritt has made a
career out of straight talk and smart
deals. When I signed Travis I vowed to
promote an environment that would
support the creative freedom that an
artist of his caliber deserves — no
constraints. I believe deep in my heart
that music fans everywhere will be
pleased with the storm that is brewing
in Los Angeles. The Category 5 Team
is poised and thrilled to debut our
flagship artist.”
Bob LaRosa, Travis Tritt’s Business
Manager stated, “I have worked with
Travis since 1989. It’s easy to throw
around clichés about getting to the
next level. I look forward to Travis
going to the top level and gaining the
position he deserves among the worlds
top talents.”
Travis and Randy Jackson have
begun the recording process and a
debut single will be released Spring
2007 on Category 5 Records.
FLIP FLOP
STADIUM SUMMER
Kenny Chesney is starting 2007 by
announcing his NFL stadium shows.
He had the most attended North
American Tour last year, and now
Kenny Chesney gets ready to kick-off
his Flip Flop Summer 2007 Tour by
announcing six stadium shows across
the country. With an all-star line-up
that includes 3-time Entertainers of
the Year hailed as “the Rolling Stones
of Country” Brooks & Dunn, triple
platinum new country sensation
Sugarland, current Academy of
Country Music Top Female Vocalist
Sara Evans and triple Grammynominee Pat Green, Chesney will play
his first stadium show June 9 at
Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field, home of the
Steelers.
“There is a whole other kind of
energy, other kind of dynamic. We’re
talking the firepower of one of country
music’s most hardcore, hard-rocking
duos,” the reining Country Music
Association and Academy of Country
Music Entertainer of the Year says of
his stadium shows. “All the acts
really… it’s a pretty intense line-up, in
what we’ve found to be a very exciting
place to do concerts!”
In addition to Pittsburgh, Chesney
will bring the same line-up to
Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field,
home to the Eagles on June 23;
Seattle’s Qwest Field, home of the
Seahawks on July 7; Cleveland, Ohio’s
Browns Stadium on July 14; Foxboro’s
Gillette Stadium, home to the Patriots
— where he sold out last year’s play in
less than a week — on July 28; and
Detroit’s Ford Field. Home of the Lions
on August 18.
The on-sale date is set for Feb. 10
— with Philadelphia and Seattle
hitting one month later on March 10.
Fans can buy their tickets through the
normal channels to the Flip Flop
Summer Tour, brought to you by
Cruzan Rum. Given the response to
Chesney’s previous stadium plays, each
with the stage customized to the field,
the all-day shows are a once-in-asummer experience.
“There’s nothing like it,” Chesney
allows. “You know, getting all those
people together for a little party… they
start tail-gating, cooking out early, and
then we rock straight through the
night. Anyone who’s ever been knows
it’s a helluva good time.”
Having sold out Boston well in
advance the past two years, Seattle and
Detroit last year and Pittsburgh the
year before, sales are anticipated to be
so brisk, some of the markets are
putting on extra operators to handle
demand. This year’s new stadium
Cleveland
and
markets
are
Philadelphia, traditionally strong
markets for the man who spent 6 weeks
at #1 last year with “Summertime”
from his well-past triple platinum The
Road & The Radio when it comes to
bringing the summer alive.
As the season heats up and
rehearsals for Flip Flop Summer kick
into gear, the man who spends his time
living in fast forward is gearing up for
his biggest year ever. “We’ve got a few
surprises, some new tricks, a few
different songs — and we’re gonna be
making it the summer of our lives.
We’re ready to join the fans in having
a good time … because we believe, and
we always have, the more the merrier
with shows like this.”
COUNTRY MUSIC
SUPERSTAR MARTINA
MCBRIDE
“BEST LIVE ACT”
Country music superstar Martina
McBride, named “Best Live Act” of
2006 by the Chicago Sun Times, will
open her 2007 tour in Kansas City on
April 12 before heading to Chicago for
a show at the renowned Rosemont
Theatre April 14. Joining her for the
tour will be 2006 breakout artists Little
Big Town (The Road to Here) and
Rodney Atkins (If You’re Going
Through Hell).
On April 3, just prior to the tour’s
kickoff, McBride will release her ninth
album, Waking Up Laughing, which she
solo-produced. “Anyway,” the debut
single, currently sits at No. 9 after only
8 weeks on the country charts, making
it her fastest-rising single ever and
marks her first songwriting credit. She
co-wrote two additional songs on the
new album as well.
“As exciting as it is to create a new
album, there’s nothing quite as
thrilling as getting the immediate
feedback from a live crowd,” says
Martina. “I’m especially happy about
being joined by Little Big Town and
Rodney Atkins. We put a lot of
thought into which artists to include
on this tour and I really feel like this
show is going to be a treat for my fans
from beginning to end. I can’t wait to
get out there on the road!”
The following dates feature
Martina McBride with Little Big Town
(additional artist TBA) in central
Texas: July 14, Austin, Tex. at the
Frank Erwin Center.
FUGITIVE STEALS
CRYSTAL GAYLE’S
TOUR BUS
In a bizarre turn of events, the tour
bus that normally carries country
C OU N T RY LI N E M AGA Z I N E The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine • 7
music’s long-haired beauty Crystal
Gayle, was used as an escape vehicle
by fugitive prison escapee Christopher
Daniel Gay. Gay, who escaped while
being transported between states, was
eluding police when he began his
journey to Florida from Tennessee in
Gayle’s blue Prevost tour bus.
“I am glad that no one is hurt, I
wish he would have went to see his
mother who is very sick instead of joy
riding in Florida,” said Gayle from her
Nashville, Tenn. home.
Thursday evening (Jan 25), at
about 6 p.m., Gayle’s office was
contacted by USA International
Speedway Operations Manager Barry
Williams to inquire about Gayle’s bus
being in Lakeland, Fla. Williams had
quickly become suspicious of the bus
driver who identified himself as
Daniel Pitts and said he was at the
track to pick up NASCAR driver
Tony Stewart. After being questioned
by Williams the bus driver left “to get
a sandwich.” Williams asked police to
run the plates of the bus, thereby
determining that it belonged to Gayle.
Rumors of Gayle’s bus being
abandoned by Gay and recovered by
Florida police are circulating. There is
no confirmation of that report, and no
information regarding the condition
of the bus or the whereabouts of Gay.
AARON TIPPIN FLIES
WITH NEW SINGLE
Aaron Tippin recently released a
family-inspired single “He Believed”
from his first independent release Now
and Then (a joint venture between
Nippit Records and Rust Records),
and it is garnering a great response.
The video for “He Believed,”
directed by Wes Edwards of awardwinning production company Ruckus
Film, features Tippin’s son Teddy as a
“young Aaron.” Filmed at the Upper
Cumberland Regional Airport in
Sparta, Tenn. on January 16th and
17th, the location was most
appropriate for Tippin, a certified pilot.
Tippin wrote “He Believed”
shortly after the passing of his father,
Willis “Tip” Tippin. Tip died in April
2005 in a car accident in North
Carolina. “My dad was the oak tree of
the Tippin family,” Tippin commented
of his father. “He taught me to ‘stand
for something;’ to stand for what I
believe in,” Tippin said.
same song re-mixed has landed inside
the Top 50 on the national radio charts!
Upon informing Williams of the
news, “No kidding! Well, you know
that song represents a lot of
Americans. It did 25 years ago and it’s
more profound than ever today with
the state of the world.” Williams
continued, “I performed this song
when Randal McCloy got to return
home last year, and he is a true
example of a miracle and a true
country boy that survived.”
“A Country Boy Can Survive,”
can be found on Hank’s current album
That’s How They Do It In Dixie; The
Essential Collection, which is in stores
nationwide.
A COUNTRY BOY AND
HIS SONG —
HANK WILLIAMS JR.
Now And Then has a total of
thirteen songs. Three are new and ten
are older hits. What is unique about
the older hits is they are done in more
of a southern rock sound. Twelve of the
songs were co-written by Aaron and
the disc was also produced by the artist.
Country music’s living outlaw,
Hank Williams Jr., has hit yet another
milestone in his career. Back in 1981,
during the week of January 23rd,
Williams’ song “A Country Boy Can
Survive” hit the national radio charts
and soon after hit the #1 spot … now
25 years later in the same week, the
countrylinemagazine.com
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8 • The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine C OU N T RY LI N E M AGA Z I N E
The True Rhinestone Cowboy
B
Becoming a bona fide living music
F
legend isn’t as easy as it may look. First,
you have to have a solid foundation of
talent on which to build. Then you have
to record songs that will stand the test of
time. It certainly doesn’t hurt to have a
witty, bantering stage style that draws
fans like college kids at Daytona Beach,
or a hit television show viewed by 50
million people every week for three
years. When you put it all together, the
result is a career that spans forty years
and fans that transcend generational and
international lines. In other words: Glen
Campbell.
On Saturday, February 17, for one
night only, the Austin Symphony
Orchestra presents Glen Campbell at
the Riverbend Centre. Campbell’s
appearance with the Austin Symphony
comes on the heels of his critically
acclaimed symphony pops television
special taped for PBS. The winner of
multiple Grammy® awards in both
country and pop categories, Glen
Campbell has sold more than 45 million
records worldwide, including 12 RIAA
Gold albums, 4 Platinum albums and 1
Double Platinum album. With
memorable hits that include “Gentle On
My Mind,” “By The Time I Get To
Phoenix,” and “Rhinestone Cowboy,” he
also owns trophies for Male Vocalist of
the Year from both the Country Music
Association (CMA) and Academy of
Country Music (ACM), and took the
CMA’s top honor as Entertainer of the
Year. Besides having one of the most
successful variety shows in television
history (The Glen Campbell Goodtime
Hour), Glen will be remembered as one
of the best guitarists of his generation. In
addition, Glen was one of the first
country artists to forge a path into
Hollywood’s studio back lots when he
portrayed John Wayne’s young sidekick
in the classic True Grit. He will be joined
onstage by his daughter Debby
Campbell, as well as his Goodtime Band.
Tickets for Glen Campbell can be
purchased
online
at
www.austinsymphony.org, where you
will also discover seating maps, price
options and a wealth of concert
information.
C OU N T RY LI N E M AGA Z I N E The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine • 9
by Pauline Reese
I
F
Okay, guys, final warning … you
better get those Valentine’s plans
made! I don’t know one woman on the
planet who wouldn’t like a day at the
spa! You can thank me later …
Things are picking up in the music
biz this February! The Freddy Powers
Parkinson’s
Foundation
Golf
Tournament and Pickin’ Party is coming
up in Reno, Nevada over Father’s Day
Weekend (June 14 – 16) at the Eldorado
Casino & Hotel in downtown Reno
(eldoradocasino.com). Mark your
calendars and go to freddypowers.org for
more information. While your there,
check out all of the autographed
celebrity items that are for sale to benefit
Freddy’s Parkinson’s Foundation.
If Reno is a little far for you to
travel then maybe you can catch
Freddy on tour with a few of his best
friends.
He’ll be on the “Last of the Breed
Tour” featuring Willie Nelson, Merle
Haggard and Ray Price with Asleep at
the Wheel March 9 – 25. See Merle or
Willie’s Web sites for locations and
dates. Catch the show in Austin at the
legendary Backyard March 16 – 17 as
well as Friday, March 30.
Bad Company Rodeo (a nationwide rodeo contracting company) has
a new heard of stock — horses and
bulls! Much of Mac Altizer’s stock has
been to the National Finals Rodeo.
Bull riding will be held in Del Rio,
Texas on May 6 – 7. If anyone knows
how to throw a party it’s Bad Company
Rodeo so make plans now!
badcompanyrodeo.com
I played a show with Jerry Jeff Walker
and his son Django Walker at the One
World Theater last month here in
Austin and caught up with what those
guys are up to. As some of you know
Django hasn’t been touring with his
full band these days. He and Jerry Jeff
have been performing more of an
acoustic set where Django opens and
plays a solo set. He said it’s just easier
for him right now, but there is a strong
possibility of him pulling a new band
together. He’s got a new guitar player
flying in from L.A. in the next month.
Hopefully we’ll see Django and his new
band this summer! To find Django’s
latest album Six Trips around the World
and more of his music, visit
djangowalker.com
with the full band every Wednesday this
month and March after my show at the
Saxon Pub on S. Lamar in Austin.
myspace.com/paulacarlenenelson
Mac says they are in the middle of
getting all of the stock trained and
ready for the road. The 30th
anniversary of the annual George Paul
F•E•B•R•U•A•R•Y
1-THU
Josh Grider (Acoustic)
2-FRI
Pauline Reese
Mother Truckers open
3-SAT
The Troubadillos and
The Magnolia Band
5-MON Andy Hersey (Acoustic)
22308 HWY 71 WEST
SPICEWOOD, TEX.
512/264-0318
Voted on of the Top 20 Places to
Visit in Austin . —Austin Chronicle
6-TUE
Mardi Gras Bash with
The Troubadillos
9-FRI
2007 Talent Search Contest
Winner Megan Tubb
Jeff Strahan opens
My friend Paula Nelson is really
kickin’ up the music scene in 2007. She
got the writing bug and has a ton of new
songs — I see a new album in the near
future! Go to her myspace page to find
out more or you can see her perform
Be on the look out for a video that
we shot at Saxon Pub with Willie
Nelson, Paula Nelson, Carolyn
Wonderland, Ray Benson of Asleep at
the Wheel and George DeVore. It
should air on ME Television (Cable
Channel 15) this month! Call in and
request it! metelevision.com
Happy Valentine’s Day 2007!
PA U L I N E R E E S E I S A P R O U D T E X A S
MUSICIAN. TO FIND OUT MORE, VISIT
W W W. PA U L I N E R E E S E . C O M
10-SAT Barnhill, Jeff Strahan opens
21 AND OLDER
16-FRI
TUESDAYS
The Troubadillos
Pool Tournament
WEDNESDAYS
Open Pickers Night
w/ Jimmy Lee Jones
Jimmy Lee Jones Bday Bash!
True Texas spring water
18-SUN Sunday Gras with Ponty Bone
and Gulf Coast Playboys
bottled right here in
Austin. Don’t buy bottled
22-THU Josh Grider (Acoustic)
23-FRI
city tap water when you
Debbie Walton
Rip Lorick opens
can enjoy natures pure
24-SAT Carolyn Wonderland
refreshing spring water.
KEEPIN’ IT LOCAL!
Check out our menu, music calendar and events at
WWW.POODIES.INFO
10 • The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine C OU N T RY LI N E M AGA Z I N E
Home or Office Delivery
Call Today! 512/280-4037
Official Water of
The Texas Outdoor Zone
Texas Proud!
C OU N T RY LI N E M AGA Z I N E The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine • 11
B O OT- S T R A P TO U G H S E R I E S
You hear a lot about a handful of Texas musicians and rightfully so, but there
are just as many, even more, who have worked hard playing the same
barrooms and dancehalls that have never won the gold buckle. In this series
of articles in 2007 we will introduce you to some of these hard-working
musicians and encourage you to go see them play and maybe buy a CD. They
get up every day and pull on their boots with long days and long nights ahead
of them. It’s Texas music, boot-strap tough.
P
paul pearcy
PAUL PEARCY IS ONE OF THE
better-known studio musicians in the
Austin music scene and one of the
premier drummers or percussionist in
the country being voted “Best
drummer” two years in a row by the
Austin Chronicle. And the old adage,
quality attracts quality is true here.
Pearcy has worked with all the greats,
Willie Nelson, The Dixie Chicks, Ray
Wylie Hubbard, Terri Hendrix just to
name a few and the advantage of
working with different artist in many
different genres of music is that you
absorb a lot of the techniques and
tricks along the way and commit them
to memory for later use. Now Pearcy is
going out on his own and producing
not only his own CD but that of some
other artists as well and the end result
is nothing less than amazing.
Following in the footsteps of such
musicians as Richie Allbright and Paul
English, Pearcy is using his talent as a
drummer to enhance his studio efforts
as a producer and singer on his own
project entitled Come And Take It, a
collection of songs that in my opinion,
transcends what would be called
“Texas Music” to more of a national
appeal. Excellent, interesting, edgy,
and highly original, this is not your
teenage angst, listen-while-you-putyour-makeup-on type of country gloss.
No, this is serious stuff for people who
appreciate the real deal when they
hear it. Production on the session was
compact,
tight, and to the point with Pearcy
playing many of the instruments
himself.
“Psychobabylon,” “Stage Door
Johnny,” “Ain’t No Law,” “Damage
Alley,” and “Houseboats And Chinese
Lanterns,” the titles alone spur your
interest then after you listen, you’re
hooked. Then, there is the production
on another artist’s CD, Idgy Vaughn’s
Origin Story that was so impressive, I
have to cover it in another story.
The bottom line here is, Paul
Pearcy, after working for over 35
years as a gold label musician is letting
you in on a little secret, he is also a
very versitile singer-songwriter and you
now have the opportunity to take a
listen to what I would consider a
definite must have for people who are
thirsty for truly original, well-crafted
songs.
Check it out at paulpearcy.com or
look for Come And Take It in your local
record stores.
www.texasoutdoorzone.com
Visit today and you can …
download our radio shows,
find current weather radar,
enter hunt contests,
find kids’ outdoor activities,
and more!
12 • The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine C OU N T RY LI N E M AGA Z I N E
clay walker
C
PA S S I O N AT E , L O YA L A N D D E T E R M I N E D D
CLAY WALKER BEGAN PERFORMING
professionally at age 16. By 17 his
popularity had expanded beyond the
coastal plains of the Beaumont, Tex.
area.
Walker kept the books and acted
as his own agent, manager, publicist
and roadie. In 1993 Walker hit it out of
the park with his first single that went
straight to number one “What’s It To
You.” That was followed by “Dreaming
With My Eyes Wide Open” and “If I
Could Make a Living,” also number
one hits.
Walker once said that the records
will always be the same, but it’s the
fans who give life to the music and that
is why he likes being on stage. He said
that making records is hard and there
is no immediate payoff. On stage, he
said that you know immediately if you
are really reaching people.
Now after a long three-year wait,
fans can buy his new CD in stores
March 2.
“It gets back to the basic sounds.
What you hear live will be the same
sounds that you’ll hear on the record,”
Walker claims.
The first single, “Fore She Was
Momma” is climbing the charts fast.
“It’s a tongue and cheek song —
fun and lighthearted,” Walker says.
“Fall” is Walker’s favorite ballad on
the new CD because it reminds him of
the huge ballads you used to hear on
the radio. When he sings this song
live, he receives standing ovations.
This new CD stages a special treat
— a duet with the late Freddy Fender
on “Before The Next Teardrop Falls.”
“It was an honor to sing with
Freddy Fender,” Walker says. “He’s
such an icon especially down here in
Texas. I got to sing the Spanish part in
the song. He was so complimentary. A
true gentleman. If he was to tell me he
was going to pass away six months
later, I wouldn’t have believed him.”
Walker’s last big hit was three years
ago. Since then, he says he’s mainly
been working on this new record and
touring. About a year and a half ago,
he went through a divorce.
“People do survive,” he says. “You
just have to do whatever it takes to be
happy. A lot of good things will come.”
Walker never gave up his calling
even after being diagnosed with
Multiple Sclerosis. His health has
never been better.
“I’ve been in remission ever since
I’ve been taking the drug Copaxone
eight years ago,” Walker insists. “I’ve
really been blessed. There’s a lot of
stuff out there that’s a lot worse than
MS. I’m in better shape now than I was
before I was diagnosed.”
Ten years from now, Walker says
that he can see himself walking his
oldest daughter down the aisle and
having a lot more children. He also
sees himself with a big smile on his
face.
His advice for a new artist is
“Don’t worry so much about the
business side. Just be passionate about
performing and making the music and
somebody will find you.” Truth spoken
by someone who knows!
C OU N T RY LI N E M AGA Z I N E The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine • 13
by Sandra Greaney
E
F Every
February 14th, across the
globe, people exchange chocolates,
flowers or some type of gift, all in the
name of love. Although Valentines Day
is the focus in February, I have found
lots of other things going on in and
around Central Texas this month too!
around
central texas
FEB 1-MAY 28 POWER TO THE
PEOPLE: THE ELECTRIFICATION OF
R U R A L T E X A S at the Lyndon Baines
Johnson Library and Museum. Walk
into a world before television,
computers, the iPod, even refrigerators
and running water. The exhibit is a
unique story of one of the most dramatic
events in Texas history. Rural Texas in
the 1930s was still in the dark as electric
lines hadn’t penetrated the beautiful,
but rugged Texas Hill Country. 512-7212000, lbjlib.utexas.edu
F E B 1 - 1 7 D E A R E D W I N A , J R . at
Zachary Scott Theater. A musical
comedy of manners starring a cast of
talented Austin-area kids. Move over
Dear Abby, here comes Dear Edwina.
For the best advice in town, visit Edwina
Spoonapple and the neighborhood kids
as they present their zany advice-giving
show, answering children’s letters
through a series of creative and comical
musical
numbers.
512-476-0541,
zachscott.com
FEB 3-4 WINTER NATIONALS,
There will be Superkarts zipping
around at speeds up to 100 mph! This
two-day race event has expert drivers
challenging each other on a 3/4-mile
Sprint track located between two
landing strips at the Austin-Bergstrom
International Airport. 512-530-7223
FEB 16-18 AUSTIN MARATHON
More than 10,000 runners participate in
this annual event. There is a marathon
(26.2 miles) and a half (13.1 miles), a
kick-off party on Friday, a runners’ expo
on Friday and Saturday and a post-race
party on Sunday afternoon. 512-4784265, attaustinmarathon.com
F E B 10 D A D D Y / D A U G H T E R
S W E E T H E A R T D A N C E in Landa Park.
Break out the black ties and patent
leather shoes for a magical evening that
will be remembered for a lifetime. Event
tickets include admission to themed
ballroom, dancing, refreshments,
14 • The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine C OU N T RY LI N E M AGA Z I N E
keepsakes and a memorable photograph.
nbpard.org, 830-221-4350
F E B 10 R O D E O A U S T I N G A L A at
the Palmer Events Center. This is a black
tie event held annually in which 3,000
guests come dressed in their finest for a
delectable dinner, drinks, extensive silent
auction, and big name entertainment.
This year’s entertainment will be
Sugarland and Joe Nichols. 512-9193000, rodeoaustin.com
F E B 11 A B O N E H E A D ’ S G U I D E T O
THE SEDUCTIVE VALENTINE’S DINNER
at It’s About Thyme. This cooking
class is for non-chefs who want to
surprise their Valentine’s Day date
with an absolutely sumptuous feast.
itsaboutthyme.com, 512-280-1192
FEB 15-18 SESAME STREET
L I V E ’ S “ E L M O M A K E S M U S I C ” at the
Frank Erwin Center. Sesame Street has
been capturing the imaginations of
children and parents alike with its
beloved Muppet characters, and this
year is no exception. Elmo will be
bringing Big Bird, Cookie Monster,
Zoe, Grover, and the rest of his friends.
512-471-7448, texasboxoffice.com
FEB 15-MARCH 25 DISNEY’S
L I O N K I N G at Bass Concert Hall.
Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of
animals brought to life and visual
images that you’ll remember forever.
512-471-1444, utpac.org
FEB 17-APRIL 15 REVEAL
CHARACTER:
ROBB
KENDRICK’S
T E X A S T I N T Y P E S at Bob Bullock
Texas State History Museum. Even
today, Texas boasts a number of reallife working cowboys on modern-day
ranches. Texas photographer Robb
Kendrick captures images of those
cowboys via the tintype, a 19thcentury method. This exhibition
features more than 60 tintypes of Lone
Star cowboys and cowgirls. 866-3697108, thestoryoftexas.com
FEB 26 NO SCHOOL, GOLF SCHOOL at
Harvey Penick Golf Campus. On AISD
staff development days The First Tee of
Greater Austin will be hosting “No
School, Golf Schools” at the Harvey
Penick Golf Course. The Golf School is
on Monday, Feb. 26 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Entry fee is $25 per youth and includes,
three hours of instruction, lunch and a
round
of
golf.
512-732-0380,
firstteeaustin.org
out of town
FEB 1-18 SAN ANTONIO STOCK
S H O W & R O D E O at the SBC Center and
Coliseum. 210-225-5851, sarodeo.com
FEB 9-20 MARDI GRAS
in
Galveston. The largest Mardi Gras
celebration in Texas has more than 75
events! mardigrasgalveston.com, 888425-4753
FEB 27-MARCH 18 HOUSTON
L I V E S T O C K S H O W & R O D E O at Reliant
Park. 832-667-1000, hlsr.com
Have a great February and see ya in
March!
E-MAIL YOUR EVENTS TO
[email protected]
F O R C O N S I D E R AT I O N . S PA C E L I M I T S
O P P O R T U N I T Y.
by Shirley Baker
MOVIE & BOOK REVIEWS
Each month Country Line has the opportunity to review lots of music. We also
have been blessed to preview many new books and movies over the last few
years and in the next few months there will be a lot of opportunities for you
to relax with one of these great books or films. Here are a few favorites we
picked to review this month. These are hand picked for the whole family.
MOVIE
The Last Sin Eater
BLACK BEAN, CORN
& TOMATO SALAD
1 can black beans, drained & rinsed
1 can corn, drained & rinsed
1 box cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup red onion, chopped
2 Tbsps red wine vinegar
1
/8 tsp salt
5 Tbsps salad oil
1
/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
FRANCINE RIVERS
VERNON SCHMIDT
We all have at least one — a
homeowner’s horror story of the time
we called a service repair tech to fix the
Mix together vinegar, salt, oil and basil. Add to vegetables and gently mix.
Marinate in refrigerator for 2 hours or more. Best if kept ’til next day. A do-ahead
salad that is delicious.
?
?
G R A N D M A’ S H I N T S
Another year is here and what better time to list our received
Christmas cards, keeping those we want to respond to. Do
so as soon as possible, time does fly!
Your eyeglasses scratched? Use plain toothpaste as polisher
Use lint from the dryer as a starter fuel for the fireplace.
air conditioner, washer or stove then
shelled out a hundred dollars for the
service call only to discover the
problem was something minor we
could have fixed ourselves. If we only
knew how. But most of us don’t know
enough about our own household
appliances to troubleshoot common
problems, let alone fix them. Instead,
we waste hundreds of dollars on
unnecessary repairs. And to make
matters worse, the real culprit could
stem from how we use our appliances.
That’s right; we could be using our
appliances wrong!
Most of us don’t have time to take
a crash course in appliance repair to
unlock the mystery of the washer that
won’t spin, the dryer that refuses to dry
or the dishwasher that insists on
leaving spots on the glasses. That’s why
we’re so dependent on service and
repair technicians to come to our
rescue. But now anyone who’s ever had
a showdown with an unruly appliance
has a new secret weapon in their
corner. Author and ‘Refrigeration
Doctor’ Vernon Schmidt is eliminating
the fear of appliance repair. “I’ve
serviced new and used appliances for
Sew rubber jar rings under scatter rugs to keep them from
sliding on floors.
At the grocery store, items at eye level are high market items.
Look above and below for store or bargain prices.
?
BOOK
Appliance Handbook for Women
Toss beans, corn together. Gently mix in tomatoes and onion.
?
Based on the best-selling novel by
Francine Rivers, will be in theaters
February 16.
A young girl begins a journey to
seek out the one man who can save her
soul in The Last Sin Eater. “Enlightening
while entertaining” (Baptist Press), The
Last Sin Eater, explores a community in
the Appalachians that practice the
belief that a human “sin eater” can
discharge the dead of their sins and a
young girl preoccupied by her own sense
of guilt and mortality, driven to uncover
the truth behind the long-held
tradition. Directed by Michael Landon,
Jr. and starring Academy Award Winner
and Emmy Nominee Louise Fletcher
and two-time Golden Globe Nominee
Henry Thomas, The Last Sin Eater is
based on the award-winning novel by
Francine Rivers. The Last Sin Eater,
marketed by Fox Faith and distributed
by The Bigger Picture, can be seen in
theaters in more than 128 U.S. and
Canadian cities, showing on over 500
screens. Locations and theater
are
available
at
information
foxfaithmovies.com.
Local CBA retailers including
Family Christian Stores, Lifeway
Stores, Berean Christian Stores,
Mardel and a number of significant
Christian retailers are offering
specially-priced
movie
tickets,
distribution of Bible study guides and
other in-store activities. Fox Faith is
making discussion guides, clip DVDs,
and other materials available to its
network of more than 90,000 churches,
ministries, youth groups and others
organizations for grass roots peer-topeer marketing.
more than twenty-six years,” says
Schmidt, “and you can save so much
money if you know the simple solutions
for many appliance problems.”
Schmidt tackles some of the most
common appliance problems in his new
book, Appliance Handbook for
Women: Simple Enough Even Men
Can Understand. Schmidt started his
own repair company more than 30
years ago and was such a skilled and
honest repair technician, he was
quickly dubbed the “Refrigeration
Doctor” by one of his customers. Now
he’s taken the most useful nuggets of
information from his experience and
compiled them in an easy-to-read and
practical format. The Appliance
Handbook also reveals some critical
but not widely known information that
could lengthen the lifespan of your
appliances and save you hundreds of
dollars:
Learn More about Vernon Schmidt
and ask specific questions about
appliances: refrigdoc.com. Available at
amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com
C OU N T RY LI N E M AGA Z I N E The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine • 15
by Marc Bradberry
I
Pinto beans and yaller bread
I’m sitting here, iced in and can’t
go anywhere. Well, I could, but I don’t
feel like being one of those brainless
victims up against the guardrail or
upside down on IH-35, trying to get to
a dead-end job, only to find out that
you are the only person that works
there that they forgot to call to tell you
that they were going to close for the
day. The weather on this particular day
is pretty bad. I’m seeing out the
window rain, sleet, snow and rain,
sleet, snow and rain, sleet, snow. I feel
like a groundhog afraid to come out of
his hole. It’s days like today that makes
me hungry for one of my favorite
meals, pinto beans and yaller bread.
I know you’ve eaten pintos and
yaller bread before, but I’ve got some
recipes that are quick, easy and
delicious. Let’s get started with the
pintos. My favorite pintos come from
Colorado. When I buy pinto beans, I
usually buy a years supply at a time. I
really like dry land beans that come in
burlap bags from Adobe Milling Co. in
Dove Creek, Colorado. They come in
10-lb. and 25-lb. sizes. The 10-lb. bags
F
make excellent gifts for special
occasions. Speaking of pintos, how
many times have you been hungry for
them and told yourself you can’t have
any because you didn’t soak them the
night before? Do you think cowboys
soaked their beans? Well with this
quick recipe they turn out just as good.
To get started sort out 1lb. of beans
into a strainer and rinse well. Put
beans in a 3-4 qt. metal bean pot.
www.texasoutdoorzone.com
Visit today and you can …
download our radio shows,
find current weather radar,
enter hunt contests,
find kids’ outdoor activities,
and more!
16 • The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine C OU N T RY LI N E M AGA Z I N E
Cover beans with water up to a couple
inches from top. Add 1 tsp. season salt,
2 tsp. table salt, 1 tsp. black pepper, 1
small chopped onion, 1 clove chopped
garlic, 1 can mild Ro*tel. Place beans
to cook on medium heat. While beans
are cooking, chop up 6 bacon slices
into 1 inch squares, fry in medium size
iron skillet and set aside. When beans
have boiled about 2 hours, add bacon
and leftover bacon grease, 1 Tbsp. of
Crisco oil, and 1 Tbsp. of chili powder.
While cooking beans, make sure and
do not let beans run out of water.
Continue cooking beans until desired
consistency and taste.
Now for the yaller bread …
sometimes referred to as cornbread,
corn pone or johnny cake. Yaller bread
was always more common than
sourdough in South Texas. Cowboys
liked to eat their yaller bread with
molasses and pintos. Personally I like
to skip the molasses and use butter. To
prepare yaller bread, mix 1 cup
cornmeal, 1 cup flour, 2 Tbsp. of sugar,
4 tsp. baking powder and 1/2 tsp. salt in
a mixing bowl. Then add 1 cup milk, 1
egg, 1/4 cup of vegetable oil and beat
until fairly smooth. Preheat oven to
425˚F. Heat your iron skillet, coated
with bacon grease until hot, then add
mixture so that it sizzles when you pour
it in the skillet. Bake for 20 minutes or
until you can stick a toothpick in the
center and it comes out clean. When
done, cut yaller bread into small pie
shapes and serve in a bowl with a slice
of butter and pintos on top.
Now that I think about it, being
stuck in the house for a day isn’t so bad
after all.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? E-MAIL
MLBRADBERRY@CENTURYTEL .NET
by Chuck Licata
W
F
Well, the Daytona 500 is here.
Unfortunately, our deadline for articles
will come before the race in Daytona is
run, so we won’t be able to discuss the
winner — and probably an improbable
one at that.
However, there’s plenty of preseason chatter to discuss here.
Before we do that, though, let me
say this: I’d love to start including
YOUR e-mails in this column. Thanks
to our buddy T.J. (well, I HAVE to say
that, haha), I got to know a few of you
over the course of last year.
Now, I want to include your
thoughts here.
Shoot me your monthly “Top 12”
drivers — we’ll call it the “Dirty Dozen”
poll — along with a line or two about
them, if you’d like. Send it to me at
[email protected]. If you
need an example, I’ve included it at the
end of this column. You can also catch
my picks at kmacsports.com and the
poll
in
which
I
vote
at
www.stockcarpitpass.com; look for the
Top 20 HeadBlade Poll.
Okay, here’s what I think are the
top two stories headed into the 2007
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season. Let
me know your thoughts via e-mail.
*Is Dale Earnhardt, Jr. becoming
Anna Kournikova? No, I’m not kidding.
Think about this — Anna Kournikova
is one of the sexiest women alive, yet
she was just an average tennis player.
While Junior certainly would be
considered an “above average” driver,
think about these two things: (1) He
entered NEXTEL Cup in 2000, the
same year as Matt Kenseth. It was
Kenseth (my favorite driver) who won
Rookie of the Year honors that season
and Kenseth (can you tell I’m enjoying
this comparison?) who holds a NEXTEL
Cup championship to his credit. Junior’s
best finish in the points was third (back
in 2003 - oh yah, that’s the year Matt
Kenseth
WON
the
Cup
championship!); and (2) While Junior
made the “Chase” last year after missing
out in 2005, he only won one race the
entire season.
Remember the “stigma” about
Kournakova — she’ll win more hearts
on a magazine cover than the number of
tennis matches she’d win? Junior is
clearly the most popular driver on the
OUTDOOR RADIO
LIVE
IN
AUSTIN
The Texas Outdoor Zone Radio Show
circuit — you’ve seen him in many ads
for Budweiser and Wrangler Jeans, and
he just inked a new promotional deal
with Sharpie (take that, T.O. fans!).
But unless he starts taking trips to
Victory Lane, his legacy (for now,
anyway) is that Junior is the “driver
with the best equipment and potential
who never won a championship.” Just
ask Dan Marino what that feels like.
*How big of a “splash” will Toyota
make in ‘07? Give those Toyota folks
some kudos, they did something right
— besides spending a lot of money for
two years in the Craftsman Truck Series
and now, they’re spending the
economic worth of a small country in
the NEXTEL Cup series. Or, as one
might say, they’re going to spend
millions of dollars — the salary of T.J.
Greaney for one year of Texas Outdoor
Zone!
Honestly, as we sit here today, the
only REAL contender for the Chase
among the Toyota drivers will probably
be Brian Vickers. Yes, that’s the same
driver who “nudged” Junior and Jimmie
Johnson at the Talledaga race during
the Chase to grab his first career win.
C’mon, do you honestly think Michael
Waltrip or Dale Jarrett is actually going
to win a race this year?
Again, shoot me your thoughts and
Dirty Dozen poll — along with oneliners
—
at
[email protected].
Here are my NEXTEL Cup ‘Dirty
Dozen’ Power Rankings for this month:
1. Matt Kenseth: Lost 2 titles last
year to Jimmie: Cup and “Mr.
Consistentcy” … that makes Matt mad!
2. Tony Stewart: T-Stew has lost a
lot of weight, gained a lot of revenge
factor after not making Chase last year
3. Kasey Kahne: Finally, Dodge gets
a Top-5 driver and one that will
contend for a championship
4. Denny Hamlin: Will become the
next Jimmy Johnson in terms of “So,
when is HE gonna win a
Championship?”
5. Jimmy Johnson: Defending
champ “smells” because of Daytona 500
cologne
6. Greg Biffle: “Subway boy” finds
the fast track back to the top — where
he belongs
7. Kevin Harvick: “Rubberhead’s”
tendency to grab a Top-5 or DNF will
hurt him in 2k7
8. Ryan Newman: Rocketman finds
his fuel
9. Kyle Busch: Maybe a Top-5
driver?
10. Brian Vickers: Top Toyota
driver, should make the chase and be
Toyota’s top winner
11. J.J. Yeley: Hard to imagine 3
Gibbs’ drivers making the Chase!
12. Jeff Gordon: His child and wife
serve as distractions … but hey, have
you seen his wife?
C H U C K L I C ATA , A N A W A R D -W I N N I N G
W R I T E R , H O S T S T H E M OT O R S P O R T S
Z O N E R A D I O S H O W O N A U S T I N K V E TA M 1 3 0 0 ( S AT U R D AY S 1 0 – 1 1 A M C T ) .
H E I S A L S O C O - O W N E R O F K- M A C
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C O M PA N Y T H AT B R O A D C A S T S H I G H
S C H O O L AT H L E T I C S A N D S H O R T-T R A C K
A U T O R A C I N G . E-MAIL:
[email protected]
Exclusively on 1300AM The Zone
6 - 8 am
Every Saturday
Morning
C OU N T RY LI N E M AGA Z I N E The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine • 17
by Larry LeBlanc
Shotgunning is more than full chokes
and duck hunting
Any folks who grew up on the
Texas Gulf Coast like I have probably
grew up with a shotgun in their hands.
Back then the question was never
asked, “Do you have a shotgun?,” but
instead the question was, “what kind of
shotgun do you have?” I would say the
most popular models seen were sideby-side double barrels and pumps,
although a few hunters had semiautomatics.
About that time in history
Browning had just come out with their
“Sweet 16” semi-automatic shotgun
that was one smooth shooting duck
gun. In our circles 12 gauge was the
most popular with 16 gauge running a
close second. My uncle Bobby had the
only 20 gauge I can remember seeing
prior to my joining the Air Force and
finding out the world did not end at
the Jefferson county line.
When it came to doubles I did not
realize there was any other choke
combinations available other than full
and modified, and about the same time
I found there really was a use for 20
A
The modern shotgun makes shooting sports available to all, as this
youngster demonstrates.
gauge shotguns and some people
actually bought single barrel shotguns,
be they pump or semi-automatic, with
a choke other than full. As you can see
my knowledge base exploded over
night.
You see, we were duck and goose
hunters. We would occasionally go
squirrel hunting, but to get into the
woods that were good for squirrels we
had to go way up north of Beaumont.
18 • The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine C OU N T RY LI N E M AGA Z I N E
That was a 2 hours travel time at best.
We only had to drive five minutes to
go duck hunting or at the most 10
minutes to the boat launch, put a boat
in the water, and in 10 more minutes
were so far back in the marsh that all
there was to see was rabbits, ducks, and
geese. It was also what all males did,
especially if your name had a French
flavor to it.
The years have taught me that
there were other things to hunt with a
shotgun beside ducks and geese. In the
1970s I was introduced to quail and
pheasants in Missouri and really got
into hunting behind a good bird dog.
Now here it is the 21st century and
right near has been opened trap, skeet,
and five stand ranges, so I went out to
see what they had to offered. I had
shot trap a few times in the past and
was generally poor at it. When I had
someone to point out what I was doing
wrong and I had time to correct the
problem, I can say with accuracy that
after 50 years of shooting I have finally
attained mediocrity.
While talking to real, live
shotgunners I got a good glimpse into
my shotgunning ignorance and it
wasn’t a pretty sight.
One such piece of knowledge that
I did not realize was the single most
important item in shooting a shotgun
is that the shotgun must fit the person.
If it does not fit, the person is fighting
their on natural mechanical swing and
forcing the swing to the target. Under
these circumstances the best one can
achieve is inconsistent results.
Something else that was pointed
out to me was trap or skeet shooters
should use target loads or light target
loads because they exhibit a much
more consistent pattern than game
loads. I guess I can console myself now
with the thought that the reason I kept
missing those doves this past season
was because they were flying through
holes in my pattern and not my poor
marksmanship.
Now I have had demonstrated the
different shotgun competitions that
are available to shotgunners I learned
enough to make me want to go out and
get involved in another sport for which
I do not have time..
So if you’re looking for a challenge
or just family entertainment, be you
novice or highly experienced, one of
the range offerings for the shotgun may
be just what you are looking for.
P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y L A R R Y J. L E B L A N C
F
by Don Gordon
F
F It was cold and dark at 8:30 p.m. on
the day after Christmas, and only the
sound of Michael Beers’ lure landing in
the water broke the silence on Town
Lake in downtown Austin. He thought
that he had gotten everything that he
had asked for Christmas, but as his line
tightened he realized he had one more
gift to unwrap. The battle that ensued
was terrific with a giant bass towing his
small Bass Hunter boat around the lake.
After landing the hawg, he knew that he
had a record fish. Texas Parks and
Wildlife’s certified scales confirmed his
catch as the new Town Lake record for
large mouth bass — 12.13lbs. This
weight eclipsed the nearly seven year
standing record of a bass weighing
11.58lbs caught by Buck Butgereit on
January 4, 2000. Mike was fishing the
south bank between Mopac Bridge and
Redbud Isles. He was “dead sticking” a
five-inch Yum Dinger in black with blue
fleck in eight or nine feet of water with a
very slow retrieve when the fish hit.
The occasion for his phenomenal
catch was the Town Lake Fishing Club
Tournament. The Club consists of a
small group of friends that meet twice a
month for night tournaments twice a
month on Town Lake. Anyone
interested in fishing these tournaments
can contact Rene Reyes at
[email protected]. Congratulations,
Mike Beers!
Not only does Mike Beers have the
new Town Lake record for the largest
bass, he has also invented a product that
will benefit anglers. How many times
have you launched your boat only to
realize that you had forgotten the plug?
The “Plug Boss” is a uniquely placed plug
holder that is installed on the handle of
the boat winch. Of course, you have to
operate the winch to get your boat on
the water. Now, with the “Plug Boss” in
place you will know immediately if the
boat’s plug is in or out. Info on this
product is available at plugboss.com.
The Fishers of Men Tournament was
to be held at Lake Belton on January 20
was cancelled. Tournament director, Jeff
Cook, had a hard decision to make
earlier in the week concerning
potentially icy roads. He decided that
the safety of the anglers was the most
important consideration when he called
the tournament. It will be rescheduled in
June to fill out a complete season.
Skeeter Bass Champs has made
another change in its season schedule.
The last regular event this year will be
held on June 9 instead of June 2 as
originally planned. As I have said before,
this is the only tournament that you can
fish a one-day tournament on a local
lake and win $20,000 for first place.
The FLW is hosting the largest
fishing tournament ever held in Central
Texas on Lake Travis February 15
through February 18. One million
dollars in prize money will be given out.
First place in the professional division is
$125,000. Fifty other placed will be paid
with the last place receiving $10,000.
The amateur champion will earn a
$25,000 payday. February 15 through 16
the take-off and the weigh-in will be
held at Highland Lakes Marina located
in Volente. The pro field will be cut to
ten fishermen after Friday’s weigh-in and
all weight will be zeroed. The take-off on
February 17 and 18, Saturday and
Sunday, will be at Mansfield Dam, and
the weigh-in will be at Austin
Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar
Chavez. (This is a change from Palmer
Auditorium location as previously
stated.) The tournament will be
nationally televised on the Fox Sports
Network. A Family Fun Zone will be set
up at the Convention Center on
Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m., so bring the kids.
Capital Chevrolet will host a
“Chevy Pro Night” featuring Jimmy
Houston, Larry Nixon, Luke Clausen,
Kim Stricker, Dion Hibdon, and David
Fritz on Thursday, February 15 from 6 to
8 p.m. at 6200 IH-35 South. Come out
and support the largest professional
fishing even in Central Texas.
With the spring tournament season
kicking off, Ben Hinds, owner of H & H
Marine is offering a $25 discount on
tune-ups for anglers. Just mention that
you heard about it on the Texas Outdoor
Zone Radio Show or read it in Country
Line Magazine to receive this discount.
Ben is located in Cedar Park and can be
reached at 512-335-1614.
Grande Bass, the makers of the new
and innovative soft plastic baits
company that I have been bragging
about, will be available this month in
Academy Stores. As soon as they hit the
stores we will have a promotional event
at the IH-35/183 Academy location.
The fishing products manager at this
store, Clint Foster, can be reached at
512-407-6310. (grandebass.com)
This year the Texas Outdoor Zone
Radio Show and Country Line Magazine
are adding a second fishing team. Cody
Ryan Greaney and Brian Booker will be
fishing the Fishers of Men Tournament
Trail with Jason Patureau and myself.
Good luck, guys!
CHECK OUT MY NEW WEBSITE AT
CAPITOLVIEWGUIDESERVICE.COM.
BUILT BY DARRIN LEBLANC, 512-736-6552.
FOR CURRENT FISHING REPORTS ON AREA LAKES
AND MORE — LISTEN TO THE TEXAS OUTDOOR ZONE
RADIO SHOW, SATURDAYS 6 – 8 A.M.
ON 1300 AM, THE ZONE OR VISIT
TEXASOUTDOORZONE.COM.
’07 Skeeter Bass Champs Tournaments
Feb 3, Lake Belton | Mar 3, Lake Travis
Mar 31, Lake LBJ | Apr 28, Lake Belton
June 2, Lake Choke Canyon | Oct 20, location TBA (Championship)
A D D I T I O N A L I N F O R M AT I O N AT B A S S C H A M P S . C O M
’07 Fishers of Men Tournaments
Feb 24, Lake Travis | Mar 17, Lake LBJ
Apr 14, Lake Austin | May 19, Lake Stillhouse
For more info or guide service,
call Jeff Cook 512-413-4178. www.fomcentex.com
C OU N T RY LI N E M AGA Z I N E The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine • 19