Sleeping Panther Press Releases Deer Dancer

Sleeping Panther Press released its first novel, Deer Dancer, by Fort Worth author Richard J. Gonzales today at a venue near the Fort Worth Stockyards. Deer Dancer is the tale of the Falcon family, members of the Yaqui tribe in the Mexican state of Sonora during the period known as the Porfiriato, the time of dictator Porfirio Diaz. Mr. Gonzales, who is also the author of the non-fiction work, Raza Rising: Chicanos in North Texas (UNT Press), spoke eloquently about the new novel and how he had traveled to Sonora to meet the Yaqui and do research for the book. I was particularly fascinated by the story of the Yaqui religion and how traditional Yaqui beliefs have been reconciled with Christianity. As a case in point, Mr. Gonzales related that the Yaqui Easter season celebration includes a pre-columbian deer dance. This book, which is a blend of the mystical and historical, sounds like a great read. I, of course, purchased a copy of Deer Dancer and look forward to reading the work of this Texas author.

http://www.sleepingpantherpress.com/p/deer-dancer-by-richard-j-gonzales.html

Driskill Hotel: An Austin Landmark

Last week I was in Austin for work, so I decided to step into the Driskill Hotel out of curiosity. A good while back I first heard Guy Clark's song "Ramblin' Jack and Mahan," which is set in the hotel, and I asked Ramblin' Jack about the song after a show he played at Fort Worth's now-defunct Live Oak a couple of years ago. According to Ramblin' Jack, Guy Clark was the first to go upstairs to his room, and the song is about what he imagined was happening downstairs. So I was curious about the place and its history.

The hotel was established in 1886, and Governor Sul Ross was the first to hold his inauguration ball at the Driskill. LBJ and Ladybird had their first date there, and LBJ even awaited the results of the 1964 election in a room overlooking 6th Street. So the hotel has a very interesting history, and I wanted to walk inside and absorb it. Although I didn't go past the lobby, I got a feel for the place. It is a hotel that is large in scale, with marble columns and a grand marble staircase with a painting of Colonel Driskill at the top. I could imagine cattle barons smoking cigars in plush chairs and ladies in hoop skirts going through the "women and children's entrance" so as not to be offended by the indelicacy of the male guests enjoying their leisure in the saloon. Although I didn't stay long, I am glad I stopped in for a gander.

I have included a link to a news story about the hotel's 130th anniversary and Guy Clark's song set in the hotel.

Allusions

In literature, we often see allusions to the ancient Greeks, to the Bible, or to writers such as Shakespeare and Milton. Such allusions can quickly convey complex thoughts as well as signal erudition and sophistication on the part of the writer. In my own work, I often allude to old country songs. The genre, called "hillbilly" in the days of the 78 rpm record, was hardly considered allusion-worthy in its day. However, today I unabashedly allude to old country songs in my work because I feel the genre is worthy of legitimization.  

This morning I was listening to Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers and realized how deliberately she must have chosen a pair of references she uses in the song "Never Be Fooled Again." She sings "When Hank Williams cries / And Bill Monroe hits those high notes / I know in our darkest hour / There's still a light shining down inside." Hank Williams is known for "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and Bill Monroe for that High Lonesome Sound. The way I interpret the lines is that when we are lonesome, the music reminds us that we are not alone. So here is a song with a Texas sound that is more well-crafted than it would seem at first glance. 

In my own work, although I have been known to allude to folks like Descartes, Nietzsche, and Dante, I will throw an Ernest Tubb allusion in the mix in a heartbeat. My poem, "Revisiting Your Last Days," which will be published in the upcoming Panther City Review, alludes to a traditional song, but I think I'll discuss that once the review has been published.

   

A Few Days as a Texas Tour Guide

Martina and I had visitors from the Czech Republic for several days, and we guided them around Fort Worth and the surrounding area. There is plenty of interesting history here, but very little of it is identified by a historical marker. While we had breakfast at JRs Cafe in Saginaw, I told them about Bob Wills recording "San Antonio Rose" across the road at Burrus Mill, and I told them about the mill's sales manager, Pappy O'Daniel, and his successful bid for the governorship. 

When we drove past Meacham Airport, I told them about Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart both flying through that airfield. At the corner of Main and Exchange, I pointed to the room once occupied by Bonnie and Clyde. A little farther up the road we talked about the Tarrant County Courthouse, and how it cost the city council members their seats once the public saw the price tag on the great granite structure, and I showed them the Knights of Pythias Building, where cowboys used to gallop down Main Street on their horses and fill the knight full of lead. 

We greatly enjoyed our visitors, and the fun was merely punctuated by me hollering about whatever was passing by out the window.