I was always fishing for something on the radio. Just like trains and bells, it was part of the soundtrack of my life. —Bob Dylan

Welcome to Radio Free Lockhart, Episode 27, where the magic of radio comes alive. Join guest host, Grace Reyer, for this journey through the frequencies. Turn the dial to unravel the story of Ed Mayberry, Houston Public Media's Beatles aficionado, whose career began in a tiny Lockhart station in 1971. Hear an exclusive interview with the founders of our NEW community radio station that will be launching in early 2024 called Radio Lockhart.

Explore the vibrant artistry of Juan De Dios Mora, reflecting the rich tapestry of cultures in Texas. Meet David Beck, a Texan producer and artist, and experience the resonant melodies from his latest album. Lastly, catch up with country music icon Dale Watson, sharing tales from a lifetime devoted to the honky-tonks.

Plus, don't forget to TIP THE BAND!

Join us this weekend in Lockhart, Texas, as we celebrate Texas Monthly's 14th anniversary of all things meat. To kick off the festivities on November 3rd, the first Friday of the month, we're hosting our very own live show titled "A Smoky Home Compadre: A Celebration of Tasty-Ness." But that's not all; we've also prepared a special 78644 Showcase for Saturday!

In this episode we get a sample of the kind of music that will be on the main stage in Lockhart. We hear interviews and performance by Tomar Williams (Tomar & the Fcs), Shane Renfro (RF Shannon), Sean "Lou" Lewis (Rattlesnake Milk), and an exclusive interview with the versatile Jaston Williams, renowned for his contributions as a humorist, playwright, actor, director, producer, essayist, and novelist, especially in the iconic Greater Tuna quartet of plays. All because of BBQ!

BBQ has a special way of bringing people together, and what BBQ Fest brings to our world, particularly in Lockhart, is its ability to amplify just how fascinating people can be, especially the people of Lockhart! So, grab your napkins and a cold beer because it's time for some delicious SMOKY MEATS!

Transcendentalism, a 19th-century American philosophical and literary movement, championed individualism, intuition, and a profound connection with nature. Notable figures like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau believed in people's inherent goodness, promoting self-reliance and trusting one's inner wisdom. They drew inspiration from the beauty of the natural world as a path to higher truths and challenged societal norms, advocating for social reform.

This uniquely American perspective seeks to attain transcendent good by critiquing the status quo and striving for improvement in all aspects of life. In this episode, we'll discuss "becoming" with various artists and musicians.

Playing the long game means pursuing lasting success through patience and persistence over time, rather than seeking quick wins. The payoff is typically achieving significant, sustainable success, even if it takes time and effort to reach that point. On this episode, we discuss The Long Game with Graham Wilkinson, Theo Lawrence, Tamara Deike, Shane Renfro, Eric Beck, Miranda Martinez.

Beginnings invite us to paint our stories with the colors of possibility. They are the foundation upon which dreams are built and aspirations take flight. Interestingly, endings are not just conclusions but also the genesis of new beginnings. As one chapter closes, another unfolds, offering us the chance to learn, evolve, and embrace fresh experiences. In this way, endings and beginnings are intertwined threads in the intricate tapestry of our existence, each contributing to the beautiful narrative of our lives. As

TS Elliot said
We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started

Join us for a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Jerry Jeff Walker's iconic record, ¡Viva Terlingua!, with special guest Hector Saldaña, Texas Music Curator of The Wittliff Collections. Next, take a trip to Nashville with Jenn Hodges as she dons "the jacket" designed and chain-stitched by the talented local artist Sara Thompson on her visit to the Grand Ole Opry. And if you're feeling inspired, grab your miniature guitar and dive into Mags Baker's incredible musical journey.

Outside Lockhart’s Texas Hatters is a sign that says “There ain’t no place like this place, anywhere near this place so this must be the place”. And that certainly is true. To quote Lewis Carrol, Lockhart grows “Curioser and More Curiouser” with each year. What once was a slow sleepy town known for slowly smoked meats is now starting to hum with activity, music and events. But it’s not like this phenomenon is completely new, I’ve been here long enough to tell you that the potential was always there. The square has always had festivals going on and I’ve woken up many times to the sounds of music and commotion going on on including formula one style go-carts racing that flew past the intersection near my house. There was already a willingness to be a bit unconventional, a spirit to put on festivals, a sense of awareness adventure. So it makes sense that artists would come to Lockhart. Because… This must be the place.

In this episode we interview and hear performances by HeartByrne, Bear Ryan, Jeff Hammett, The Go Go Rillas and we learn about the work of artist Christy Stallop.

In a recent Ted Talk, actor Ethan Hawke said "Most of us really want to offer the world something of quality something that the world will consider good or important.And that’s really the enemy because it’s not up to us whether what we do is any good. And if history has taught us anything the world is an extremely unreliable critic. Right.So you have to ask yourself do you think human creativity matters? Well hmm most people don’t spend a lot of time thinking about poetry right? They have a life to live and they’re not really that concerned with Allen Ginsberg’s poems or anybody’s poems until their father dies. They go to a funeral you lose a child somebody breaks your heart. They don’t love you anymore. And all of a sudden you’re desperate for making sense out of this life. And has anybody ever felt this bad before? How did they come out of this cloud?Or the inverse something great. You meet somebody and your heart explodes. You love them so much you can’t even see straight. You know you’re dizzy. Did anybody feel like this? What is happening to me? HUMAN CREATIVITY IS NATURE MANIFEST IN US. And that’s when art’s not a luxury. It’s actually sustenance. We need it”.

In this episode we explore this idea with interviews and performances by Chris Dye, Sonora Expolosiva Dinamita, Jack Burton and we learn the about the art of Jiu Jitsu.

Overcoming limitations, letting go of self-doubt, and embracing change. It's about challenging assumptions, taking risks, and believing in your potential. By doing so, you open doors to personal growth and authentic self-expression. In this episode we speak and hear performances by Parker Chapin, the cast of 9 to 5: The Musical, Lars Roeder, and Gus Clark who found their own method to get out of their own way.

One of the interesting things about doing something for a long time is the subtle changes that happen in focus and style, how something begins rough and wobley and smoothes out under pressure and time to be gentler with a strong unique and singular identity. In this episode, I speak with several seasoned songwriters, musicians and artists who all share this in their stories about their work and process.

We feature interviews and performances by Emily Herring, Daniel Thomas Phipps, and Todd Deathrage, along with conversations with artists Allison Geneser and Lindsey Dickson. We also have a special tribute to Joe Burks.

If you went around and asked what Texas music sounded like, what would people say? Well, we did and found out that Texas music may be more of a philosophy than a sound. Join us as we interview and hear performances by Van Darien, Deadman, and Courthouse Nights special guest Garrett T. Capps. We also hear from writer, animator, director, illustrator, fina artist and advertising creative, Rohitash Rao.

In 1972, Italian artist Adriano Celentano released a song that sounded like English spoken with an American accent to Italian listeners. Despite the nonsensical lyrics, the song reached number 2 on the charts. Celentano aimed to explore communication barriers rather than create a humorous novelty song. This concept is intriguing because music can convey universal emotions even before the lyrics acquire meaning for the listener. Visual art also shares this ability to evoke feelings without relying on explicit themes. Join us as we interview songwriters Fletcher Clark, Ryan Quiet, and Jacob Furr, as well as an exhibition at the new Lockhart Post Gallery called "Heck Yeah" by artist Beast Syndicate.

Bloodletting is a historical medical practice that involved deliberately removing blood from a person's body. However, with the advancement of scientific knowledge and modern medicine, bloodletting has been discredited and abandoned as an ineffective and potentially harmful treatment. However, this phenomenon is exactly what happens emotionally when one plays the blues. They let out all the pain and suffering in musical lament, and in so doing - join both themselves and the listener in a catharsis by which healing begins. 

Join us as we talk the blues with Sarah Barlow, Melissa Engleman, and the band Sidetracked.

Fella Kuti was Nigerian musician and activist who launched a modern style of music called Afro-beat, which fused American blues, jazz, and funk with traditional Yoruba music.

The rhythms and sentiment that mix in it covers a lot of ground that we hear in latin music or in the music of New Orleans. In this episode we are gonna dive into all of it. Join us as we interview and hear performances by Hard Proof, Jeremy Joyce, and the debut of Mia Alejandra.

“The Blue Highways” are the term used for the back roads and less traveled high ways in rural America. It’s on these that you’ll find unique and authentic experiences, culture and people. Robert Frost’s famous poem “The Road Less Traveled” comes to mind when thinking about the blue highways and how taking the road less traveled by can make all the difference. In this episode we interview the founders of Courthouse Nights, Rachel Lingvai and Will Rhodes, and hear from their first player, famous Cajun Hall of Famer, Jesse Lége. We head down the road to meet Country Willie Edwards and talk about his gig at the end of the month. Then we pull into the old gas station and introduce ourselves to owners, Max Yancy and Grace Reyer, of Plum Creek Records and talk to them about why Lockhart needed a record store.

Art Garfunkel studied architecture at Columbia University before Simon and Garfunkel broke on the international music scene. He asked Paul Simon to write a song about Frank Lloyd Wright. By the 1960’s Frank Lloyd Wright had become a household name due to his prolific and profound influence in designing common spaces where people would gather. But household names don’t start off that way, they come that way over time due to artistic endurance

The same phenomenon happens in music between the artists, audience and the place that holds them. In this episode we will speak with some musicians and promoters of the Old Settler’s Music Festival which has managed, since 1987, to keep the spirit of the music and the experience alive and well. Where music goers find themselves calling it home for a long weekend that influence all involved.

How many hats do you wear? Cowboy, top hat, ball cap, musician, artist, business owner, coach, parent…in this episode we will discuss hats and the man who made many, many, many of them, from Robert De Nero’s to maybe yours. And he made them here, humbly, with love and care in Lockhart. 

We also talk to the new band The Light Aluminum as well as deFrance! Artist Tim Wakefield joins us from Soundwaves Art Foundation and talks about why he chose Lockhart as the gallery space for his art made from sound waves of iconic songs signed by famous artists and bands. 

St. Patrick’s Day reminds us of Ireland and the various traditions associated with Irish culture. In this episode we will speak with some Lockhart residents with Irish ties, songwriters Luke Langsjoen and John Mutchler and an interview with rising New Mexican painter, S.M. Chavez.

Plus, all things happening in the 78644 area from March 9 thru March 23. Give it a listen and remember...don't forget to tip the band.

“Don’t look back . . . in anger”, but that’s different than looking back to find out where you are now. In this episode we explore that phenomenon. We hear performances from Jen Hodges, Ben Sparks and Rollfast Ramblers and Jenny Saad as well as the origin story of the Lonestar Workshop. 

Plus, all things happening in the 78644 area from February 24 thru March 9. Give it a listen and remember...don't forget to tip the band.

February 14th has been designated as Valentines Day. But the date and the name refer to the two separate executions in two different years of two different men with the same name: Valentine. And now its a holiday celebrating romance and love? That makes no sense. This episode, like the holiday, is not about Valentine’s Day … well, ok, maybe it is a little bit. 

We hear performances from James McMurtry, Jane Leo and Kara Bliss with Kevin Mooney. Also, an audio tour of the LockhARTHouse with Chad Rea. 

Plus, all things happening in the 78644 area from January 26th thru February 9. Give it a listen and remember...don't forget to tip the band.