Sunday, July 31, 2016
Short Stories All the Time
Today I visited Denton writer Ann Graham's blog, Short Stories All the Time. In her blog, Ann has provided her thoughts on more than 800 short stories. The stories she muses upon tend to come from reputable literary journals or the collected works of established writers. For those of us interested in writing short stories, she also discusses books on writer's craft as well. In the name of full disclosure, Ann and I are in the same writers' critique group, and her understanding of point of view and the essentials of the story have helped me in my own craft. Thus, I am plugging her blog.
Friday, July 29, 2016
78 rpm
Many years ago, a small collection of 78 rpm records was passed down to me. When I received the records, not only did I not know the artists, I did not even have a phonograph. Now, after a few years of studying the various American musical idioms of the last century, I am finally able to appreciate these old records that sat gathering dust for forty years or more. After being cleaned with soap and water and dried with a microfiber towel, the music of a bygone time is being enjoyed again.
Considering that the old shellac records are now between sixty and eighty years old, one would think that they would have monetary value. But the truth is that the average 78 rpm record retails at about five buckaroos. One of the old sides that I have been listening to is "New Steel Guitar Rag" by Bill Boyd and the Cowboy Ramblers. Bill Boyd was a native of Fannin County, and he even recorded with the father of country music, Jimmie Rodgers. Some of the members of his band were also simultaneously members of The Light Crust Doughboys. Back in the 1930s, Boyd used to appear on WRR, the oldest radio station in Texas. The station, incidentally, still exists to this day, though the programming is now 100% classical. Below is a link to Bill Boyd's "New Steel Guitar Rag," which was recorded in Dallas in 1937.
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Considering that the old shellac records are now between sixty and eighty years old, one would think that they would have monetary value. But the truth is that the average 78 rpm record retails at about five buckaroos. One of the old sides that I have been listening to is "New Steel Guitar Rag" by Bill Boyd and the Cowboy Ramblers. Bill Boyd was a native of Fannin County, and he even recorded with the father of country music, Jimmie Rodgers. Some of the members of his band were also simultaneously members of The Light Crust Doughboys. Back in the 1930s, Boyd used to appear on WRR, the oldest radio station in Texas. The station, incidentally, still exists to this day, though the programming is now 100% classical. Below is a link to Bill Boyd's "New Steel Guitar Rag," which was recorded in Dallas in 1937.
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Log Cabin Village
This afternoon I visited Log Cabin Village in Fort Worth for the first time since I was a wee lad. One of the highlights is a dog trot cabin that was owned by Isaac Parker, the namesake of Parker County and the uncle of Cynthia Ann Parker, who lived in the cabin for a time. In case you don't know the story, Cynthia Ann Parker was abducted by the Comanches as a child and was raised Comanche, married the Comanche chief Peta Nocona, and was the mother of Quanah Parker, the leader of the Quahadi band. When she was "recaptured" by the Texas Rangers as an adult, she identified herself as Comanche and would run away trying to return to her tribe.
Isaac Parker is actually the famous hanging judge of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Yes, Isaac Parker is the famous judge from True Grit. He is also mentioned in Steve Earle's "Tom Ames' Prayer." The interpretive guide stationed at the cabin had plenty of interesting details to share. He told me that the cabin was originally in Birdville, the former county seat. From what the interpretive guide told me, the cabin would have been situated near the old Birdville Cemetery, a place I visited on a school field trip when I was in elementary school. I reckon I will pay Birdville Cemetery and its surroundings a visit for the first time in many moons.
Isaac Parker is actually the famous hanging judge of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Yes, Isaac Parker is the famous judge from True Grit. He is also mentioned in Steve Earle's "Tom Ames' Prayer." The interpretive guide stationed at the cabin had plenty of interesting details to share. He told me that the cabin was originally in Birdville, the former county seat. From what the interpretive guide told me, the cabin would have been situated near the old Birdville Cemetery, a place I visited on a school field trip when I was in elementary school. I reckon I will pay Birdville Cemetery and its surroundings a visit for the first time in many moons.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Panther City Review
A new literary journal, the Panther City Review, will publish its first issue this fall. The journal will launch at The Last Word Bookstore, the new indie bookstore in Fort Worth, though I can't yet provide a firm date on that. However, I do know that the journal will be available at the Arts Goggle in Fort Worth on October 8. Contributors will be available to sign copies of the inaugural issue. Considering that two of my short stories will be included, I plan to be one of the contributors in attendance.
The Panther City Review is the publishing arm of Sleeping Panther Press, founded by Rachel Pilcher. I am very excited about the new press and Rachel's mission to publish independent talent. I expect great things from this sleeping giant.
The Panther City Review is the publishing arm of Sleeping Panther Press, founded by Rachel Pilcher. I am very excited about the new press and Rachel's mission to publish independent talent. I expect great things from this sleeping giant.
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