Spring Specials

www.Brookspub.biz March E NTERTAINMENT Kids square toe boots FRI 2nd RAD FRI 23rd Prototype 10% OFF FRI 9th MTO FRI 30th GTB (Get The Belt) FRI 16th Spitfire Ladies Corral boots Happy St. Patricks Day 10% OFF 17th Drink Specials All western belts are 20% OFF Mens & Ladies Durango boots $10 OFF All Stetson & Resistol Mens Ariat boots straw hats 15% OFF $10 OFF Daily Drink Specials Everyday! Ask one www.cowtownboots.com of our beautiful bartenders for details. 4522 Fredericksburg Road G San Antonio, Texas G 210.736.0990

• 2 • Action Magazine, March 2018 advertising is worthless if you have nothing worth advertising Put your money where the music is. . . Advertise in Action Magazine

• DEPARTMENTS • Music Matters ...... 4 Editor & Publisher ...... Sam Kindrick Sam Kindrick ...... 6 Advertising Sales ...... Action Staff Photography...... Action Staff Scatter Shots ...... 11 Distribution...... Ronnie Reed Composition...... Elise Taquino Volume 43 • Number 3

• FEATURE • Jerry Jeff Walker ...... 7

Green Machine ...... 12

Action Magazine, March 2018 • 3 • Chesnut says ‘stop and smell the music’

I have been performing end of a good-time Satur - Blanco Road in San Anto - formers, on the other There are countless performance. In my opin - live country music full-time day night. Nothing much nio. As it turns out, those hand, are depending on other venues and perform - ion, traffic noises from or part-time since 1969. I surprises me. folks love country music. the venue to have a crowd ers in synergistic relation - congested roadways have performed on stages But, much to my sur - After my cancer diag - that will add to the per - ships throughout the city, would be a lot harder to behind chicken wire, prise few years back I nosis last summer, I was former’s income and num - but no amount of synergy deal with. So, please sup - dodged thrown beer bot - began singing periodically forced to cancel all per - ber of followers. will create and sustain port those venues that do tles, and even had patrons at Heavenly Pho, a Viet - formances for a while and Gee, I wish it were that success without the sup - offer live music, and take a destroy furniture at the namese restaurant on just returned to Heavenly simple for both parties, but port of customers. There moment to stop and smell Pho last month. It was a it isn’t. There is a com - are noble efforts being the music by acknowledg - great venue when I first bined energy in the pro - made at the state and ing the efforts of the per - started there, and, under motional efforts made by local level to help San An - formers. new ownership, it still is. both the venue and the tonio become known as a Some of us are not all The food and service are performers. Working to - music-friendly city. that secure. outstanding. gether, better things can But, the danger that ... Jim Chesnut, founding It was my good fortune happen for both parties. I presents itself in my mind president of the Texas Live to return to a packed think the word I’m looking is this: if every venue in Music Association, is a former house, but I cannot take for is synergy. town featured live music, it major label recording artist credit for that. While a I have had the pleasure would be so easy for lis - and staff songwriter with number of my followers of working synergistically teners to take each per - Acuff-Rose Music in Nashville. After 25 years away from the came, many, many more with Patrick Flores who formance for granted, music business, he began per - people came, because it owns and runs Las Chi - because it would become forming in and around San An - is a great restaurant that ladas Mexican Restaurant so common. All of the live tonio in 2008. Since then, He happens to book live for a number of years. I re - music performers I know has self-produced and re - music. spect his views, and I be - put a lot of effort into what leased four CDs. Since Janu - And, that’s what I want lieve he respects mine. He they do to entertain audi - ary 2016, he has had five consecutive Top-10 national to write about. runs a tight ship with great ences to help relieve the indie country singles, three of In today’s ubercompet - food and service, just like stresses of daily living. which reached #1 in the Top-40 itive restaurant market, Heavenly Pho. He even It is, therefore, incum - chart of IndieWorld Country many proprietors are look - had a stage with lighting bent upon the listeners to Record Report. He has been a ing to live music perform - built to accommodate live pause and think about freelance contributor to Action Magazine since the beginning ers to bring them music and comedy events what life would be like of 2016. Contact info: business. Live music per - he books frequently. without live music in public [email protected]

• 4 • Action Magazine, March 2018 KITCHEN HAPPY HOUR OPEN MON-SAT DAILY 11A-7P & 11A-2P & 7P-1A ALL DAY SUNDAY We are now open 7am Monday-Saturday Karaoke Sun, Mon, & Wed Night Tuesday Nights WE NOW HAVE A DJ Bike Night Every Thursday

LIVE MUSIC FRIDAY & SATURDAY 13247 BANDERA RD, HELOTES, TX 78237 210-695-4941 MARCH MUSIC FEATURES: 3/2 Texas Hill Country Outlaws 3/17 JR Herrera NOW FEATURING LIVE MUSIC! 3/3 Los Tovares 3/23 Texas Alley Katz 3/9 Rex Allen McNeil 3/24 Bongo Katz 3/10 Black Light 3/30 Mark Stewart MARCH Join Us 3/16 Trey Gonzalez and 3/31 TBA BAND SCHEDULE Every Wednesday the Road Less Traveled Singer 6 LARGE COLOR TV’S LARGE COVERED SAT 3 MEYER/ANDERSON AND LARGE PROJECTION SCREENED IN PATIO Songwriters Night SAT 10 FELIX TRUVERE SWEEPSTAKES hosted by 2 POOL TABLES SAT 17 JEFF MATHEW WOOD POKER EVERY SUNDAY @ 3P Amy Hermes 2 DART MACHINES SAT 24 BRYAN BROS 6:30-8:30pm 210-368-2264 SAT 31 MEYER/ANDERSON Find us on Facebook @ tworiverstavern

Action Magazine, March 2018 • 5 • back then, and the Lintons wanted the world to know side if nothing else. that they were turning their lives over to Jesus Christ In 1960, after only a few years of preaching with the Bourbon Street Chaplain’s blessings. throughout the South on flatbed trailers and in tents, The script had been written before Harrington’s Harrington moved to New Orleans Baptist Theological thunderous strip joint sermon: There would be no more Seminary with his wife Joyce, and daughters, Rhonda alcohol drinking and no more naked female bodies in and Mitzi. During his time in seminary, Harrington the Green Gate. I can distinctly remember Candy Cane, served as assistant pastor of First Baptist Church the Green Gate headliner at the time, blushing and try - of New Orleans with J.D. Grey and continued his ing to cover her tits with a T-shirt. Poor little Candy didn’t ministry as an itinerant evangelist. In a chapel serv - know whether to spit or go blind. The Reverend Bob ice, NOBTS President Leo Edleman said, "Wherever was wound tight and hitting on all cylinders. there is a pocket of sin, there is a mission field, and I was drinking heavily in those days, and I the nearest Christian to it is a missionary." Accord - told Evelyn Linton over the telephone that I ing to Harrington, "the nearest pocket of sin was wouldn’t cover the Green Gate closing event unless Bourbon Street." I could drink beer. The Lintons wanted the daily Harrington had begun a street ministry armed newspaper ink in the worst way, so a concession with a microphone and a Bible. Several months later deacons at First Baptist New Orleans loaned him was made. enough money for a few months' rent to open a chapel With much fanfare, I was allowed to drink the on Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter. last alcoholic beverage ever consumed in San Antonio’s Harrington began witnessing and preaching in the bars Sam Kindrick and Rev. Bob Harrington infamous Green Gate. It was a Falstaff beer. and strip clubs of Bourbon Street. at Action Magazine’s Outdoor Revival After Bob’s sermon, the Lintons paid off their And in 1962, Mayor Victor Schiro proclaimed strippers and bar staff, and hung a sign on the Green and Music Extravaganza. him "The Chaplain of Bourbon Street." Gate’s entrance which read: Closed Forever. See you Harrington's street ministry message was bold in church. and simple. "God loves you just as you are. He knows Harrington became a well-known evangelist you are a sinner and wants to save you. Don't figure it during the 1960s and 1970s following his conver - out. Faith it out.” I am sad to report that famed evangelist Bob sion to Christianity at age 30 in his hometown of Before long his unorthodox story reached Dou - Harrington is gone. I just learned that he died of kidney Sweet Water, Ala. He was a popular guest on na - bleday Printing. "The Chaplain of Bourbon Street," writ - failure on the Fourth of July at his daughter’s home in tional television shows including Phil Donahue, ten by Harrington with Walter Wagner, was published in Stigler, Oklahoma at age 89. Merv Griffin and The Tonight Show due to his one- 1969. Harrington went on to publish seven more books This is the celebrated Chaplain of Bourbon liners and unconventional religious wit. In the and released more than 30 record albums. Street known for his television debates with world 1970’s, Bob met famed atheist Madalyn Murray The sermon album "Laughter, Truth and Music" renown atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair. O’Hair. was released in 1965 and Harrington was presented The Reverend Bob was my friend. He was best The two could not be more polar opposite peo - with a gold album for more than $1 million in sales worldwide. Later he received a second gold album for known in San Antonio for closing down the infamous ple. “Yes, many may say Madalyn knows the Scriptures better than I do, but I know the author,” said Harrington. "Chaplain of Bourbon Street," a recording of his first tel - Green Gate strip joint on North St. Mary’s Street, then The unlikely duo toured 38 cities debating the existence evision show. leading Green Gate owners Guy and Evelyn Linton into of God. But Bob Harrington was to fall out with his the Castle Hills Baptist Church where they remained You can listen to some of these rancorous word faith and hit bottom after divorces and bankruptcy. faithful members until their deaths. duels by Googling Reverend Bob Harrington and Mada - He says the devil threw him a pass which he caught Several years after that fateful night in the lyn Murray O’Hair. and ran into defeat. He said he came back to God burlesque house, the flamboyant preacher returned “Do you mean to say,” Madalyn asks, “that for good before retiring to the home of his to San Antonio where he was to co-star with Gary you actually believe that all of these dead people youngest daughter, Mitzi. will crawl up out of the ground and start walking When I telephoned him more than a year ago, P. Nunn and the Lost Gonzo Band at Sam Kinrick’s Mitzi answered and asked how I was getting on. Outdoor Revival and Music Extravaganza on the around with us? We certainly don’t need them. We have a population explosion as it is.” I told her I hadn’t had a drug or a drink of alco - banks of the San Antonio River south of the city. hol in 27 years. This was the sequel to the World Championship To which Bob replied: “I believe in God because I want to believe in God, and that is your answer, Mada - “Hey, Daddy,” she called out, “Sam says he has - Menudo Contest I had promoted in Raymond Rus - lyn.” n’t had a drink in 27 years.” sell Park, featuring Willie Nelson and some 30 other I had interviewed Madalyn O’Hair in the Ex - Bob’s evangelical bass boomed in the back - bands. ground; press and News city room shortly after her lawsuit that “Praise the Lord.” I met Bob Harrington that night in 1968 when ended prayer in publi schools. Like Harrington, she was he chased the devil out of the Green Gate. We became I will never forget the Chaplain of Bourbon a hard act to follow when it came to outrageous flam - Street. instant friends. I was writing for the Express and News boyance, and the two of them entertained the country - • 6 • Action Magazine, March 2018 Wild assed Walker still outlaw icon

By Hector Saldaña hats and drinking Lone Before there was Willie, Star longnecks. Shit kick - before there was King ers let their hair down and George, there was Jerry got high. Jeff Walker. Jerry Jeff’s songs on Forty-five years ago the record were first-rate, this summer, he embodied from the woozy ditty “San - outlaw country and red - gria Wine” and the lovely neck rock with the album “Little Bird” to the harrow - “¡Viva Terlingua!” ing “Wheel,” which was re - He was arguably its ally about witnessing the most influential proponent. death, when he was a Certainly, Walker is teen, of his maternal among its most menacing grandfather in a tractor ac - and wild talents. cident. Before that, he’d been But it was Walker’s in - mainly known as the stincts and uncanny ability drifter folk singer-song - to pick songs by unknown writer who wrote and Austin songwriters that ef - recorded “Mr. Bojangles” fortlessly suited his voice and settled in Austin in and vibe that really was on 1971. display. His breakout album, There was Ray Wylie recorded with the Lost Hubbard’s “Up Against the Gonzo Band in August Wall Redneck Mother,” a 1973 at Luckenbach tongue-in-cheek answer Store, captured lightning to Merle Haggard’s “Okie in a bottle and defined From Muskogee.” “Red - what it meant to be a pro - neck Mother” became a gressive country, party an - rowdy anthem, albeit one imal, cosmic cowboy. which would become an “Jerry Jeff was more albatross for Hubbard, outlaw than Willie ever who was more of a bluesy was,” recalled Augie Mey - folkie, deep down. He There will never be but one Jerry Jeff Walker. ers, who first met Walker couldn’t escape it. at a miserable, rain- In a mid-1970s inter - and Gary P. Nunn’s “Lon - binges and an explosive were to eventually learn to tial singer-songwriter.It soaked outdoor racetrack view, Walker revealed that don Homesick Blues.” temper and ego. tolerate each other. “Night runs through July 8. gig during those early he’d winged the lyrics dur - Who didn’t wanna go Action Magazine’s pub - Rider’s Lament” ended up The exhibit is based on days. “He was fucked-up ing “Redneck Mother.” home with the armadillo? lisher/editor/columnist on “Ridin’ High.” Walker’s massive archive. drunk and dropped his “Like when we spelled Two years later, pho - lived through, and partici - Walker wasn’t always It contains handwritten Telecaster in the mud.” ‘mother,’ we just made it tographer Melinda Wick - pated in, those crazed like that. And thanks to his lyrics, letters, posters, Walker, Meyers re - up,” Walker explained to man captured one of the days and witnessed and wife and manager, Susan photographs, journals, members, simply picked journalist Jack Handy most enduring images of chronicled those tantrums, Walker, he got straight in stage outfits, the master up his electric guitar and about the famous part of Walker at the height of his guitar-smashing outbursts the mid-1980s and will be tapes of his entire told the drenched crowd, the song in which “mother” fame. – and the genuine song - celebrating his 76th birth - recorded catalog and rare “Shit happens some - is given its rowdy mean - He’s sitting atop a writing genius. day on March 16. artifacts. times.” ing. horse, smiling at the cam - “I was getting dog His buddy, the late Bud In January, The Wittliff “¡Viva Terlingua!” was “We used to say ‘T is era, wearing an open drunk with Jerry Jeff when Shrake, the respected Collections acquired his equally loose, unpre - for titty. E is for enema.” western shirt and tipping he wrote ‘Night Rider’s journalist and screen - earliest known recordings dictable and inspired. It’s a Guy Clark’s “Despera - his hat. It was for the cover Lament’ out behind the writer, never thought ol’ – New Orleans coffee - bible to some. Music critic dos Waiting on a Train” of the “Ridin’ High” album. Luckenbach Store,” re - Jerry Jeff would make it to house performances in Thom Jurek called it “the played into the image The title was literally called Sam Kindrick, who 50. the summer of 1964 when ‘Live at the Fillmore East’ Walker was creating, right true, professionally and ranks Walker as “one of An exhibition at The he was working under an of redneck, Texas folk- down to Walker’s hand - personally. He’s a little the best songwriters I ever Wittliff Collections at Texas alias and a reel of original rock.” made Charlie Dunn boots. bleary-eyed if one looks met.” State University – “¡Viva songs (some unpublished) There’s no argument it close. Both men never liked Jerry Jeff! The Origins and from December 1965. was a seminal record. Hip - The same was true Walker, mercurial as each other much and Wild Times of a Texas Both captured Walker pies and rock ‘n’ rollers with Michael Martin Mur - hell, had gotten a reputa - viewed each other with Icon” – sheds new light on talking about the songs. started wearing cowboy phey’s “Backslider’s Wine” tion for drunken cocaine suspicion, although they the legendary and influen - Continued on pg. 9

Action Magazine, March 2018 • 7 • • 8 • Action Magazine, March 2018 was better known by anti-war movement. No re-arranged for his stint in towns when they were Greenwich Village folk and Jerry Jeff Walker the alias Jerry Ferris. doubt, some fans wouldn’t the Houston psychedelic young, changed their poetry scene barely into continued from pg 7 The 1964 record - recognize his voice or acid-rock act Circus Max - names and took over vi - his 20s. Walker’s conquest The mono, quarter-inch ings reveal a talkin’ Lightin’ Hopkins-style gui - imus and solo records. brant, if chaotic, music of Austin would come reel-to-reel tapes have blues performer still in his tar picking. Some remain unpub - scenes. many years later. been digitized and will be formative stages and By 1965, he settled on lished. Dylan became the dar - available to researchers heavily under the influ - the name Jerry Jeff Walker’s road to be - ling of the Continued on pg. 14 and to the public and will ence of Woody Guthrie Walker and his true voice coming a Texas music become part of the exhibit. and Bob Dylan. began to emerge. star was unlikely. In Many fans aren’t too fa - Some of his lyrics The 1965 recordings, many ways, it mirrors miliar with Walker’s folk touched on civil rights, true song demos, would Dylan’s path. Both left singer period when he urban renewal and the later be re-recorded and their rural home

Old Action photo of Jerry Jeff and wife Susan. J erry Jeff in his p rime.

Young Jerry Jeff was known as Ron Crosby when this early photo was taken.

Jerry Jeff and Bob Livingston of the The Upstate New York kid wanted to Lost Gonzo Band harmonize on be a cowboy when he was 6. From stage at Willie Nelson’s July 4 Picnic this shot in 1948, Jerry Jeff Walker In his youth, Walker hitched and rode at Gonzales. evolved into a country music figure the rails. He looks downright happy like no other. about it in this early photo. Action Magazine, March 2018 • 9 • Come check out the world’s most unique barbecue joint A-ACTION and entertainment venue License #25 B102A S. ICLOM ABL #O2, SNATDX 78S 207 Texas Pride Barbecue Bike nights start in march 25% OGFF Most Bonds LIve Music Schedule 1126 W. Commerce Street South of jail parking lot (under the over pass) March 3 Wrangler Country Victoria Embrey, Manager March 9 Lonestar Pickerz 210-226-5487 March 16 Cactus Country March 23 Bimbo March 30 Burgundy Bring the kids We are family friendly See our giant Rainbo playground and game arcade Hwy. 181 S • 210-633-3400 Phone: 210-649-3730 COLD DRINKS AND A WARM Address: 2980 E. Loop 1604 near Adkins ATMOSPHERE IN SOUTH SAN ANTONIO.

The Award Winning painting “ Dos Amigos ” is now Karaoke available in a new size 12x16. For a limited time only Fridays & Saturdays A GREAT GIFT! Only $20

Pool • Darts • Televised Sporting Events

MAKE MY DAY LOUNGE Corner of Perrin-Beitel & Thousand Oaks Across from HEB We are always open at 7:00 a.m. for our night shift patrons THANK YOU DISCOUNTS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS We open Sundays at 12:00 N (210) 655-6367 FREE POPCORN, POOL AND WI-FI 3 ALLH oSsTteAd bRy MJiAkeM El lis, Ja2ck7ieT HHud dYleEAR The world famous painting “Dos Amigos” created in the mid 70’s by renowned and the Fabulous Funtones western artist Clinton Baermann is also available in its original lithrograph size as well. After being lost for more than 30 years these 16x20 prints are in Every Sunday at 9:30pm remarkable shape. $75 per print plus $10 shipping & handling + tax. Credit cards accepted. KARAOKE WITH LARRY & MADONNA ONLY 2 FRAMED UNFRAMED Every Friday and Saturday at 9:30pm PRINTS LEFT Accent Imaging IN STOCK 10930 Wye Drive • San Antonio, TX 78217 • (210) 654-9555 • (888) 824-7225 • www.accentsa.com KARAOKE WITH JOHN & KATHRYN Every Thursday at 8:00pm

• 10 • Action Magazine, March 2018 By Sam Kindrick everyone wanting to go Luckenbach Store. born and raised in upstate months after the drunken Rusty Cox, a cowboy gad - Let this serve as a Sam home with the armadillo. Jerry was writing his New York. And I never let hat incident. Then he fly and aspiring actor, was Those were heady tune Night Riders Lament, him forget it. called up to invite me to all but begging Jerry Jeff Kindrick sidebar to the times. We were all going trying out lyric lines on me “Okay, Yankee boy, get participate in a film project to comply. Rusty could see Jerry Jeff Walker cover to live forever, and the and a few others, when he your ass up from that requested by the British his chance to star on TV in story for this issue of Ac - bumper stickers that read reached over the picnic table.” Broadcasting Company. Great Britain slipping tion Magazine. E Pluribus Willie sounded table where we were sit - Walker struggled to This, I figured, was Jerry away. At this point, I had The article on Walker good for even those who ting to snatch the brand rise. He was too drunk to Jeff’s way to make lost what little interest I was written by Hector Sal - didn’t understand a word new Resistol straw hat I get off the table bench. amends for the hat fiasco, had in the doomed proj - dana, former of Latin. had just purchased the I had every intention of although he didn’t offer to ect. Express/News music Jerry Jeff Walker and I buy me a new hat. Ace was drunk and get - writer who is now curator were both close to Hondo What interested the ting drunker, while Hondo at the Wittliff Collection at Crouch, the legendary BBC in a Jerry Jeff Crouch was all but frantic. Texas State University in imagineer and owner of Walker/Luckenbach film He wanted Luckenbach San Marcos. Luckenbach, who was a was never clearly defined. on British TV. The Wittliff is now fea - mediator of sorts when But Luckenbach owner Jerry Jeff had been turing a collection of works Walker and I got our gal - Hondo Crouch was the drinking steadily, and he by Walker, the onetime loping egos in out of kilter born showman who had probably had more mercurial Texas song - positions. And such was helped set it all up. than a few whiffs of the case that drunken af - The plan called for writer icon who is known Colombian marching pow - ternoon out behind the Jerry Jeff to be filmed for writing such monster der along the way. Luckenbach Store when while picking and grinning hits as Mr. Bo Jangles and “Why are we here?” J.J. numerous others. Jerry Jeff and I came as and swapping yarns with was heard to say. “They This Scatter Shots col - close to blows as two his Texas cronies around ain’t paying us. I say to hell umn is customarily written commode-hugging, knee- the wood-burning stove in with it. Who wants to be on in the third-person, but walking drunks could pos - the Luckenbach store. TV in England anyway.” Saldana wanted a Sam sibly come without ever His “cronies” were to in - Kindrick take on the throwing a single punch. clude me, Crouch, aspir - At this point, I can dis - Walker story, largely be - Two of Walker’s most ing cowboy actor Rusty tinctly recall the red haired cause (here goes the first obnoxious and irritating Cox, and cowboy cartoon - British reporter asking Ace person writing style) I was character defects involved ist Ace Reid. Reid about the wavy gray a part of the “redneck guitars and cowboy hats. What transpired was flora hanging from limbs rock” insanity of the 1970s For reasons known only to the horror of Luckenbach. on the oak trees at Luck - and 1980s which starred Walker, he was known to The BBC reporter was enbach. such musician rebels as smash expensive guitars an unsuspecting Brit lady That there is Spanish Willie Nelson, Ray Wylie that he owned against with red hair who had no moss, lady,” Reid drawled Hubbard, Rusty Wier, barns, rocks, and tree idea what she was into. as only he could drawl. Kinky Friedman, B.W. stumps, often shattering Two drunks on the microphone, Neither did her camera “Oh, my,” said the BBC Stevenson, Billy Joe the hearts of young, poor Jerry Jeff and Sam. man. reporter, “what is it for?” Shaver, Gary P. Nunn, and struggling musician First off, Ace arrived to “The Indian women Willis Alan Ramsey, and bystanders who would fall out of his truck amidst used it when they was Jerry Jeff Walker. could only dream of own - day before. hitting him in the mouth, a shower of empty beer mensturating,” Ace said. I was tight with Willie ing such an instrument. “This ain’t a real cow - but I couldn’t get up either. cans and one whiskey “They poked it up their back in those halcyon Walker’s other infuriat - boy hat until it gets broken We could do nothing bottle. He had a driver pussies.” years of Texas music’s ref - ing distinction involved his in,” Walker said, twisting more than sit and slobber who brought him from While the BBC crew perverse habit of crum - and crumpling the hat into and cuss each other. And Kerrville. ormation. The hippies hurriedly packed up their pling, stomping on, and a wrinkled glob of broken that’s what we were doing Apprised of the plan, were melding with the shit film gear, I recall the kicker country owlhoots, otherwise disfiguring cow - straw. “Now it looks like a when Hondo Crouch Jerry Jeff balked immedi - mournful sound of drinking Lone Star, smok - boy hats belonging to hat.” walked out of the store to ately. The BBC people Hondo’s voice. ing weed, and snorting other people. Me espe - With that, he threw my admonish us: wanted to put a time limit “Awwww, Ace...” coke off pocket mirrors cially. hat under the table, mak - “Well, I can see a real on the film session. Crouch was near tears. and pickup hoods. Willie, The incident which ing a feeble attempt to blood bath in the making “We ain’t actors” Walker By this time, Jerry Jeff Waylon,”and the boys” had characterized the strange stomp on it from his woozy here. I want both of you to fumed to Crouch. “Tell put Luckenbach, Texas on friendship between me sitting position. crawl to your trucks and them we can’t do it with a had disappeared. the national map, and and Jerry Jeff came after Although Walker was sleep it off.” time limit.” And so had the chance Gary P. Nunn’s song Lon - an entire day of hard known for Texas cowboy Walker and I didn’t see The red haired British for any of us to appear on don Homesick Blues had drinking out behind the songs, I knew that he was each other for several reporter was getting antsy. Brit TV.

Action Magazine, March 2018 • 11 • Green Machine hangs tough in recording scuffle By Jim Chesnut prayer of gratitude that “Well, a station wagon 1978), are true troopers in into the proverbial music genre since the formation Sometime in the late they weren’t flying in one with three Nuns stopped the tough-as-Hell Texas business promoting of the Texas Music Chart 1970’s a rough-running of the airplanes I worked to pick me up and take me music business as owners records. Yes, back in 2000. van owned and driven by on. into West Memphis to an of BGM Studios and Deb - RECORDS.(vinyl) Actually “The Chart was created San Antonio’s Bill Green Here’s the way Bill auto parts store where I bie Green Promotions. Ac - before she retired from to emphasize the artists limped to the curb in front Green tells it. bought a new fuel pump. cording to Bill, he started teaching, she started pro - and groups that were play - of my home in Henderson - “I remember first meet - Mike Kennedy was playing BGM in 1979 (known then moting my records on a ing all over Texas and ville, Tennessee, a home I ing Jim Chesnut around drums with me at the time, as Texas Greats Promo - regional basis then got se - Oklahoma in the dance - was told that had once be - 1980 (give or take). At and he, too, was a purdy tions) in one of the bed - rious and started working halls and clubs in both longed to either Lester that time, the band and I dang good mechanic. He rooms in their home, but the Billboard charts on states. It became a sort of Flatt or Earl Scruggs. I were coming back from put the new pump in and by 1980 found an office to other acts around ‘84. defined ‘genre’ when Pat don’t remember which; Greenville, Tennessee the van ran another rent that was located “Our pal Bobby Jenk - Green’s distribution com - after all, it was the 70s, from a gig and the van 100,000 miles before we nearby. ins’ single, “BlackJack pany, could not get record and I don’t remember was on its last leg of a fuel finally retired that ’78 “We hired a lady to run Whiskey” was her first big stores (you remember much of the 70s. pump. I was going Dodge van. the booking and start our Billboard single. Bobby them vaguely don’t you?) Anyway, Bill and his through Hendersonville “Thank you Jim for get - publishing operations. We and I have a lot of good to carry his records, be - band, The Texas Greats, and called my pal, John ting us to Memphis and, of loved that lady, Marilyn stories to tell about that cause he was not getting showed up expecting me Wesley Ryles. He said, course, for your friend - Von Steiger. She used to era. Anyway, the early 80s airplay on radio. to be able to get them ‘Give Jim Chesnut a call. ship.” work for the ‘infamous’ paved the way for what I “Major radio stations back on the road, which I He’s a purdy good me - A drummer fixed it! Huey Meaux before com - am still doing today. It’s have never played much did in short order. You see chanic.’ Egad. Not even a real mu - ing to BGM. I learned a lot been quite a ride and yes, ‘independent’ music. They back then, I moonlighted “So I did and we crip - sician. Nothing personal of publishing business we have truly been sure weren’t playing a guy as an aircraft mechanic at pled the van over to Jim’s Mike. from her. Anyway, around blessed,” according to Bill. who basically pressed his a Cessna dealership in house, and he was gra - I tell this story to illus - 1982 my second son, Those involved with own cds and sold them Gallatin, Tennessee. cious enough to help us trate what a miracle life is. Tyler, was born and I de - Texas/Red Dirt music are out of his trunk at all of his So much for having a get it running well enough It is indeed a miracle that cided it was time to leave indeed blessed by Bill and shows that were held in all major label recording con - to get to Memphis. Once Bill and I are still friends the road and concentrate Debbie’s presence in the the college towns across tract. Anyway, I deftly diag - we got to Memphis, we after my 60-mile warranty on the music business industry. When I asked the state. The part they nosed the problem, and broke down on a Sunday on curbside van repairs and be with my family. Debbie to give me some really missed was that soon, they were on the afternoon in the middle of expired. “And so the multi mil - background she ex - there were as many as road back to San Antonio. the bridge over the Missis - I’m glad Bill has made lion-dollar venture began plained, “The music you 10,000 screaming college If I had been in their sippi River, in the middle it this far. He and his wife, (HA!!). Debbie finally quit are talking about is the shoes I would have said a of August. Ugg. Debbie (married since teaching school and came music that has become a Continued on pg. 13

Bill and Debbie Green at their San Antonio recording studios. Note wall painting of ‘Trigger,’ Willie Nelson’s well-worn Martin guitar. • 12 • Action Magazine, March 2018 song they played each there. death of its founder, Ed Oops, sorry for yelling. seem easy to create The Greens week to the Texas Music “There are terrestrial Shane, in 2015; however Poor musicians today are music, so now it is easier continued from pg 12 Chart; and, they posted stations, Internet stations, The Texas Regional Radio working for less money than ever for musicians to the top-50 songs each and syndicated shows Report is still being pub - than we got paid in the record music and put it out kids at these concerts that week. that report their spins to lished by its founder, Dave early 70s, if they can get a there to the public. The were standing in front of “The Texas Regional the chart. The chart com - Smith, a former national gig. There is a basic eco - scene is strong. the stage singing every Radio Report Chart came piles only the Texas/Red - major label record pro - nomic law. It’s called ‘sup - “We have about 15-20 single word! “ along a few years later Dirt singles. As I said moter. ply and demand’. Over core well known acts that Following up, I asked and they posted the top- before, the idea of the When I asked Bill and supply, less demand are selling lots of records her to briefly explain how 100 songs each week chart was to bring the Debbie to describe the equals less money for the and drawing really big the charts work. which gave more artists a groups that were playing current state of the supply. And there ya have crowds. There are more “The chart was started chance to be seen. The all over the two states to Texas/Red Dirt industry I it.” festivals than ever before by Shane Media in Hous - stations report the spins of the radio, so the artists got two different answers. On the other hand, giving fans a great place ton,” she said. “A panel of the Texas/RedDirt singles and clubs could be more According to Bill, “In my Debbie’s answer is more to see a wide variety of radio stations was put to - they played; they are visible.” humble opinion The state promising, “The Texas acts over several days. gether that agreed to re - added up and the station Note: The Texas Music of the scene is…The Music scene is starting its “The state of Texas port the number of spins with the most spins is #1 Chart no longer exists, SUPPLY HAS EX - 18th year. The availability Continued on pg. 14 of each ‘Texas/Red Dirt’ and it goes down from probably as a result of the CEEDED THE DEMAND! of technology has made it

SATURDAY MORNINGS 651-4541 9:OOAM - 10:00AM 4810 FM 1518 N. 1/4 MILE EAST OFF IH35 HOURS: 7 DAYS A WEEK Roy Holley 830.426.9228 Host [email protected]

It doesn’t take a rocket What Johnny Bush says about scientist mentality to know Action Magazine: that print advertising, coupled with full internet coverage, is I can sum up Action the best deal in town. Magazine in two words: Informative So what are you waiting for? and effective. I not only read Action, I also support it. Action Put your business out there Magazine is San Antonio’s where people can see it number one Advertise in entertainment guide. Action Johnny Magazine ush Country star Johnny Bush B Since 1975, the most respected and best-read entertainment journal in South Texas www.actionmagsa.com To advertise call (830) 980-7861 Visit us on the web! www.actionmagsa.com

Action Magazine, March 2018 • 13 • ball, but excelling at bas - York Army National Guard shacking up with girl - “his hippie stage,” as his “(Walker) veers toward Jerry Jeff Walker ketball on the champion in 1961. Because he was friends. He befriends a younger sister described. a hip-country style, folkish continued from pg 9 Oneonta High School Yel - too young to legally drink young married couple, Jay “I thought he looked modern Nashville in a lowjackets. in bars, he used the draft and Anne Edwards, who cool,” recalled Cheryl manner that recalls Walker said in a January He was often featured card of a fellow guards - encourage him and are Crosby Harder, who re - Woody Guthrie, Bob interview he didn’t mind in the city newspaper’s man named Jerry Ferris the first to record him for a membered she was the Dylan, Roger Miller and those hard-luck times. sports pages for his scor - as a fake identification. songbook project. only one in the family who other rural rambler-bum - “It let me become me,” ing, and he made head - He began hitchhiking to On July 5, 1965, would walk beside him in blers with a funny hat, a he said. Figuring out who lines when he twisted an see the country. In Febru - Walker is arrested in the public. beat-up guitar and head “me” was, wasn’t easy for ankle and might miss a ary 1963, Crosby went French Quarter for public The case can be made full of lyrics,” Shelton the rebellious loner. game. He was that good. AWOL with only a Martin drunkenness, booked that without “Bojangles,” wrote, praising his gentle Walker was born Crosby sang in the baritone ukulele and under his real name, and Walker’s impact in Austin introspection and lilt which Ronald Clyde Crosby on choir and in a teen doo- satchel and kept the alias spends hours in jail with wouldn’t have been the draws one “into his cos - wop group called the Jerry Ferris. For two years, an old white drifter called March 16, 1942 in same. It allowed him to ar - mos.” Chymes. he used that alias. He tried Bojangles. Oneonta, New York, a rive with critical acclaim He still has that ability small town in upstate New After graduating in the name Jeff Walker but It’s that incident which that matched his hard- onstage, though he’s been York. From a young age, 1960, he languished and that didn’t stick. leads him to write “Mr. Bo - knock drifter experience ailing of late. Walker was he showed a love of cow - anguished about getting This is the most myste - jangles.” The character and reputation as a tough diagnosed with throat can - boys, music and sports. stuck in Oneonta. He rious and tantalizing time was a composite of the loner. cer last summer and has His maternal grandfa - butted heads with his par - of Walker’s development. street performers and Austin was ripe. received treatments. ther, Clyde Conrow, and ents. He is constantly hitchhik - down-and-out people he’d “He was one of the first his wife, Grandma Jessie, He tended bar at a ing across the country but met. In them, he found hu - His legacy, archived at were musical. He played place called Jerry’s most often in New Orleans manity and dignity. to come to Texas and ex - The Wittliff Collections, drums; she played piano. Lounge where he be - and in Texas during the When “Mr. Bojangles” ploit it,” Meyers recalled. and his recordings (some Jerry Jeff’s mom and aunt friended the 1940s and early and mid-1960s. was released in 1968, “Doug (Sahm) had come of them yet to be heard), were singers. ’50s Harlem jazz and For example, when he after Walker’s short-lived back, too.” are the enduring gravita - Clyde Conrow bought bebop musician and first hit the French Quarter stint in Circus Maximus, it Robert Shelton, the tional pull of the original him his first guitar, a used recording artist Kirby in ’63, he’s a street singer proved to be the break New York Times folk music cosmic cowboy. Harmony for $80. Young Walker, whose last name playing baritone ukulele he’d longed for – and des - critic who first wrote about Ron picked up a ukulele he eventually took. (Jerry and singing songs like the perately needed. Dylan in 1961, champi - ... and learned chords from Jeff also admired actor Mills Brothers’ “Up a Lazy His determination had oned two unknowns in the Hector Saldaña is the the owner of a pizza hang - Clint Walker and adopted River” and the Kingston paid off. His parents were summer of 1968 as prom - curator of the Texas Music out. Ron Crosby was a his black cowboy hat style Trio’s “Scotch and Soda.” happy with the newfound ising artists to watch – Collection at The Wittliff flat-out sports stud, play - for awhile). He’s dirt poor and stay - success but not with his Joni Mitchell and Jerry Collections at Texas State ing baseball and basket - Crosby joined the New ing in flophouses or long-haired looks during Jeff Walker. University.

Greens ing studios to cover the puter, a DAW [digital audio Yep, that makes perfect a scene. Robust industry supply side of the eco - workstation], a few mics in sense to me.” comes from robust peo - ... continued from pg 13 nomic situation?” their bedroom or garage, To know Bill is to appre - ple! Get out and enjoy live Jim Chesnut is a free - music is strong. God bless Bill said sarcastically, and enough knowledge to ciate his sense of humor, music, recorded music lance contributor to Action “More studios??? Sure, be dangerous. And, by in my opinion. and different music.” Texas Music.” Magazine and writes a why not? That’s what we having more studios we Debbie calmly replied, To which I must reply, So naturally I asked, monthly column titled “Are there enough record - need. After all, almost can compete with more “You don’t need more stu - “Amen, Sista. Where ever every band has a com - garages and bedrooms. dios anywhere to promote you’re preachin’ I’m in.” Music Matters.

Where to find Action Magazine

Northeast Martinis Burn House Armadillo Shady Lady Floore Store Marty’s Cavenders Amp Room Spurr 122 Pete’s Adrenalin Tattoos Midnight Rodeo Coco Beach Augies BBQ Texas Pride BBQ Barbecue Station Minds Eye Tattoo Cooter Brown’s Big Bob’s Burgers The Other Woman Leon Springs Boozehounds Our Glass Cocktails Cowtown Boots Bombay Bicycle Club The Steer Bracken Saloon Pigpen Element Tattoo Casbeers Angry Elephant Century Music Planet K Fat Racks CD Exchange Bulverde area Longhorn Restaurant Charlie Brown’s Rebar Hardbodies Demo’s Silver Fox Cooper’s Lounge Recovery Room Highlander Goodtime Charlies Antler’s Restaurant The Grill at Leon Cootey’s Rick’s Cabaret Hills and Dales Hardbodies Choke Canyon BBQ Springs Country Nights Rolling Oaks Ice House Bar Joe Blues Daddy O’s Crazy D’s Rookies Too Janie’s Record Shop Joey’s Max’s Roadhouse Live Oak Cross-Eyed Seagull Schooner’s Joe’s Ice Limelight Shade Tree Saloon Easy Street Silver Bullet Ice House Kennedy’s The Mix Taqueria South Paw Tattoos Eisenhauer Flea Mkt. Spanky’s Knuckleheads Pigpen Aguascalientes Evil Olive The Crazy Ape Las Chiladas Pigstand Tetco, 46 & 281 Fiasco Thirsty Turtle Mitchell’s Planet K Selma Finnegan’s Two Rivers Tavern Pick’s Sam’s Burger Joint China Grove Fitzgerald’s Whiskey Girl Planet K Sancho’s Bluebonnet Palace 502 Bar Winston’s Stacy’s Sports Bar Squeezebox China Grove Deer Crossing Guitar Center Zona Wetmore City Limits Trading Post Halftime Lounge Whiskey’s Southside Longbranch Universal City Jack’s Northwest Wise Guys Jack-N-Arund Who’s Who Billy’s Bar 47 Converse Billy D’s Jeff Ryder Drums Alamo Music Brooks Pub Planet K Krystal’s Cocktails Baker Street Pub Central & Flipside Record Parlor Sportsman’s Bar The Pawn Pub Lone Star Bar & Grill Big Bob’s Burgers Downtown Herb’s Hat Shop Locoe’s Sports Bar Bend Sports Bar Leon’s Helotes Main Street Bar & Grill Bone Headz Alamo Beer Co. Mustang Sally’s B-Daddy’s BBQ Make My Day Brewingz Alamo Music Planet K Bobby J’s

• 14 • Action Magazine, March 2018 SATURDAY April 14, 2018 The best of Sam Kindrick ------The secret life and hard times of a cedar chopper Hosted by Cajun French Music Association De Fa Tras (San Antonio) Chapter A true Texas treasure and 21st Century antique ------Now back on the (Book printed in 1973) 11am-9pm market through Historic Anhalt Dance Hall special offer! For 41 consecutive years, Featuring ree Cajun Bands! this book by Action Magazine Pas Bon Playboys – 11AM Ca Va Bien – 2PM editor-publisher Sam Kindrick La Recolte – 6PM has narrowly escaped the Boiled crawfi sh or shrimp, sausage, potatoes, corn on the cob New York Times best seller list Chicken & sausage gumbo • Red beans and rice • Grilled boudin sausage Beer • Tea • Soda • Water To receive a copy of Cake Walk • Cajun Fiddle Raffl e The best of Sam Kindrick, send an $10 Entrance Fee (12 & under, free) $8 check or money order to Advance tickets @ Action Magazine, AnhaltHall.com 4825 Elm Creek Drive, or DeFaTrasCajun.com Bulverde, Texas 78163.

CRAWFISH & SHRIMP BOIL We do not do plastic. Handling and postage included.

Alan CLUB OWNERS Brown MAKE MORE

Reads ReMducOe CNredEit YCa rd$ Ex$pe$ nses GET A MINI BANK (ATM) IN Action YOUR CLUB AT NO Here’s what Brown has to say about Action editor EXPENSE TO YOU! Sam Kindrick : We provide ATM’s for Alan Brown is a San Antonio I have recognized Sam Kindrick’s festivals and other events criminal defense attorney who brillance, insight, and unfettered is nearing legendary status in stance to tell the truth in any the State of Texas. Recog - situation since he worked for the nized by Texas Monthly as a San Antonio Epress-News. Sam • INTERNET JUKE BOXES ‘Super Lawyer’ over the past 5 is a wordsmith who turns the • VALLEY POOL TABLES years, Brown is known for written page into art. He is a • ELECTRONIC DARTS such legal feats as the acquit - great iconoclast. Sam is a person tal he won in the Johnny Ro - that I consider a sounding board • VIDEO GAMES driguez murder case. The jury for almost every situation that took 30 minutes to come in life throws at me. I greatly re - with the not-guilty verdict. This BROADWAY AMUSEMENTS spect and honor his friendship BROADWAY JOE GONZALES case is but one of hundreds. and support. And there have been hun - 210-344-9672 dreds of other cases just like Alan Brown it. www.broadwayamusements.com

Action Magazine, March 2018 • 15 •