TRIVIA GRAB BAG

JOE THOMAS AND TALES OF THE PUSI-KAT CLUB - by Joe Thomas. Here is an essay sent in by one of the most happening players of the early San Antonio scene. Joe talks of the good times and goings on and has many tales of the Pusi-Kat club and the early R&B scene. Click HERE to read the full page.

SAM KINSEY EARLY TRIVIA - by Doug Ryniker. "My family moved from Montana to San Antonio in the summer of 1961. Coming from such a cold climate, the summer heat here was unbearable to us, and since our house wasn't airconditioned, my brother and I soon took to walking to the Jefferson Village Shopping Center which was near Jefferson High School, because we could hang around in the airconditioned stores. One of the stores was Silvy Music, which was a tiny place that sold 45's and not much else. They had a deal where they would write down what records you bought, and when you bought the ninth one, you got your tenth one free. The kid who worked there was Sam Kinsey, and he didn't seem to mind that we never bought anything. Sam started showing up at parties, playing 45's on a little portable record player. When I was 14, I played in a band that played during his breaks. The Silvy location combined with some other very small businesses later, and became Mr. M's convenience store, made semi-famous when it was mentioned in a song by Los #3 Dinners. It's now a recording studio. I think the 45's cost a dollar each."

TALES FROM THE ELECTRIC MACHINE with Don Holloway - The Dolly Pardon Story. "A friend name Charlie Burns was on the road doing sound for Merle Haggard. Merle was the top C&W draw at the time. Charlie gave me a call at the Electric Machine Music Store and inquired about Merle buying a sound system. He had been leasing one at the time. I made a few calls to different manufacturers. Sunn Musical jumped on it. The engineers created one hell of a custom board, cabinets, horns, power amps, monitors and so much more. Charlie and I then built a snake and put together AKG and Shure mics. Merle and his band the Strangers (what a band, Roy Nichols on guitar) were finishing an album at RCA in Nashville. I had the system air freighted in from Eugene Or. What a gamble if they don't buy. $50,000 system, todays money would be $200,000. Merle and the band were staying at the Holiday Inn. Had the privledge to spend time with him and the band. Anyway the sound board was in my room. Merle brought Dolly to the room to see the board. She commented "its so pretty". Dolly was on the show with Merle along with Don Bowman. Merle's manager Fuzzy Owens wanted to listen to the sytem. So he makes a call to the Ophry House and we set it up on the stage. He brings a small cassette in and listens to the sound for about 60 seconds. Then ask if we could have the system in Saganaw Michican in two days where Merle was doing a concert. We rented a huge bobtail truck. Charlie did the sound and at 4 AM the next morning the deal was made. Fuzzy said the CPA would mail the check in 30 days. Whew, the check did come in. This is my Dolly story."

GIGGING WITH CHRIS HOLZHAUS IN THE EARLY DAYS - John J. King sent in a great story about how he and Chris Holzhaus hooked up in the early days. The story tells a great tale about musical growing pains and the thrill of how it all started. Click HERE to read the whole story from John King.

RADIO LEGEND BOBBY REYES. - Mike Lowell writes: "I was recently down in San Antonio for a meeting on the Teen Canteen reunion. While there I got to meet one of the hero's from my youth. None other than Disk Jockey Bobby Reyes. That was a real treat because this guy is a real legend in my mind. All during my youth one of the things that kept me going was listening to the radio. The music at the time could reach down to my soul and be with me in times of triumph or tragic events. I could always count on the music to keep me going. Right there in the middle of it was Bobby Reyes. Whether his influence was coming at me from KEXL or KMAC/KISS I could count on Bobby and his cohorts to keep me inspired. Thanks for that Bobby. It was great to also meet his brother Eddie who is known in SA as a master guitar refinisher. Bobby Reyes writes: "Mike .....what a beautiful website and thank you.......yes, I did work at KEXL ( 1975 to 1977 ) ( also worked at KMAC / KISS in 1974 ) but am currently working for Clear Channel ....my brother, Eddie, is not in broadcasting but Eddie does expert custom guitar refinishing ....we have known Sam Kinsey practically all of our lives as his parents were good friends with our parents .....both Eddie and I hope that Sam receives the recognition and praise from the community....thanks very much...hope to hear from you again and always keep in touch ! Bobby Reyes." Mike Lowell adds: "Bobby sent over a batch of photos and a brief history of his pioneer radio days in South Texas. Click HERE to view a brief Photo diary from Bobby Reyes.

JIMI HENDRIX AT THE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM. - Frank Gravis writes: "I was at Hendrix's first show at The Municipal Auditorium ( parents wouldn't let me go to the second time he was in town: you know that deal ). I remember The Swiss Movement opened, then it was Neal Ford and the Fanatics, then The Soft Machine, with a truly great light show. Then Hendrix. I remember JImi's gear vividly. He had two Sunn 1200S heads, with four Sunn cabinets connected to each, each cabinet with two 15" speakers. Noel Redding had almost the same setup, but he had one Sunn and one Marshall head; same number of cabinets as Jimi. Mitch Mitchell was unmiked. I haven't seen a drummer struggle so much to be heard to this day. The P.A. was a Fender Dual Showman head with two Vox Super Beatle cabinets, one on either side of the stage. Jimi's mike was barely audible. Because of the way Jimi's gear was wired, due to the extremely low impedance load on the amplifiers, both Sunn amps overheated and died, one amp about 40 minutes into the show, the other soon afterward. Jimi threw his guitar down and walked off in disgust. However, that 40 minutes was absolute magic. I had never heard such a huge guitar sound; haven't to date. I remember it like it was yesterday; it all came from the stage, un-miked. If only his gear hadn't died... Anyway, I overheard a few grumblings as I was walking out of the auditorium, complaining about there being two hours of opening acts, and only 40 minutes of Hendrix. I thought to myself, "Yeah, but that 40 minutes was life-changing." And it was."

ALL THOSE BANDS AT THE CHURCHILL HS COTILLION. - Frank Gravis writes: "I was, for a couple of years during my high school days, a member of the Junior-Senior Cotillion. It wasn't my idea, but to placate the parents, I joined. But as it turned out, it was where I heard The Pipelines, The Children, Flash, the Laughing Kind, and a couple of others. I also got to hear a bunch of good bands at the Churchill High functions, some of which I just mentioned, as well as The Royal Jesters, Homer, The Twygs, which was a band with the amazing Gary Oleson. I hope he's still playing. He was an outrageously great guitarist in high school."

LIFE AS A MUSICIAN ON THE RIVERWALK. - Frank Gravis writes: My association with "Friends" came in 1971, ...... At the time, they were playing at the Garter On The River ........... Click HERE to read more

THE CACTUS CLUB AND HOUSTON IN THE 70'S. - Richard Schneider writes: Howdy Mike, That's a noble thing yer doin'. I wanted to contribute what I remember from the mid-70s on the Houston scene. Which I don't remember so well, cause I was there. Click HERE to read more

ROB MEURER UPDATE: Rob wrote to say hi recently. He is happy and doing just fine. He told me about his new project which is the debut of a new play called 'Setup and Punch'. He and Berton Averre wrote the musical score and the play is a world premiere by Mark Saltzman of 'The Blank Theatre Company' directed by Daniel Henning. Go get em Rob. Just can't keep the good ones down. Another example of a boy from SA done good. Bravo!

GARY OLESON writes: "Anybody remember Joe A Miller (of JAM Productions)?" Rob Meurer writes: "And tell Gary Oleson, of course I remember Joe Miller!"

NORTH TEXAS & OKLAHOMA BANDS IN THE 70'S - Richard Galbraith writes: "Lots of times the club would say they were from Dallas, then the band would say they were really from Okla city or Tulsa perhaps, then some bands they said were from Calif but really from Texas..... but maybe you know some of these. Club Bands- late 70's or mostly early 80's. Little Imo, Pocketful, August, Sirius, Black Horse, Rasin Cain, Magnum, LIC, Aunt Sally, Pandora (think had 2 females in the band)., Dark Heart (El Paso- found Members), Daemon, Rage, Nice Brothers, Bad Habit (3 guys in the band), RPM, Roxx, Prisoners, Fever, Messiah (Singer was in Tulsa- 90's)(had a stage show- coming of the Christ type thing), Quake, New York (east coast club band), Pearl Alley, Cheap Skates."

ROCKIN THE HOUSE IN KIRBY - Bubba Henze writes: "I remembered Donna Moran's name yesterday. Her maden name was Peavyhouse and I knew her brother as well. Their family moved to Kirby about the same time as mine did. I think her friend Scooter also was friends with my sister. I'll ask her about that. Darrel McCall's family lived one block away from my family when we lived in Eastwood Village before we moved to Kirby. Bubblepuppy had a band house several more blocks away with the name Potter on the mailbox. It was a known biker and doper hangout. I used to hear them practicing summer nights in the late 60's all the way over to my house. Our parents always told us to stay away from there."

PHIL DALMOLIN - New drum track service. Phil writes: "I don't know if you know about this, but I have a service I believe you'll find useful. www.RealStudioDrums.com is a custom drum track service. I provide top of the line professional drum tracks for the home studio producer who would rather use real drums than loops or drum machine." Visit the website at http://www.realstudiodrums.com

KEXL AND CLUB SCENE - Gloria Jauregui writes: "I used to work for KEXL Radio 102.5 back in 1971 & 1972. I also used to sing on the river walk at a place called Kelly's Pub and Kelly's Den owned by a guy named Bob Watts. Bob was at one time the owner of the Knave and the others were the Rook and the Rogue. Wow, so many old memories of those days and my time in the San Antonio music scene plus all of the bands that came through the recording studio of KEXL to promote their concerts: Shawn Phillips, Doobie Brothers, ZZ Top, America, Elton John, Steven Stills just to name a few. My childhood friend Bill Lieber ( the harp man) introduced me to your website and ohhh the memories. Thanks for all of the trivia and what you've done with this website, its awesome!!!! Its been a great time down memory lane of the live music scene in San Antonio and Austin."

MORE CLUB & RADIO DAYS TRIVIA - Gloria Jauregui writes: "I still follow the music scene especially since I work in New Braunfels at McKenna Hospital. I frequent Gruene Hall, Pat Molaks place to hear some great Americana music. Our local KGNB radio with Mattson Rainer is great and reminds me of my KEXL radio days. I was the receptionist, part time traffic/bookeeper when we were located at the Menger Hotel and then moved to Hemisfair Plaza in what was the Old Gulf Pavillion. It was a huge restroom for Hemisfair 68' sponsored by Gulf Oil. The DJ's of couse used to tease about us being the toilet bowl of radio. I still keep up with former DJ Ron Houston who now is the voice of KLRN -TV (PBS) in San Antonio."

THE OTHER SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO. HORNS, SOUL, R&B, AND THE TEJANO SCENE. - ML writes: I recently got a email essay from a fellow named "Peabody" who is a veteran of the local Tejano scene. It provides a great read and a insight into the goings on of what may be considered another of the cultural treasures that make up the South Texas music scene. Click HERE to read

WHY SO MANY GREAT BANDS IN CONSERVATIVE TEXAS - ML writes: "I was having a email chat with this nice guy out of Oregon about Texas bands. He is a DJ at a radio station up there and loves the Texas sound. He wanted to know why we have so many great players down here. I thought I would reprint my answer and share my take on things." Click HERE to read.

WUSSIFICATION AND THE MUSIC SCENE - Steve Wisnoski writes: "I had a blast in SA around this time (that this website refers to). Now, it's only a shell of what it was. At the time all these bands were playing there was no internet, no cable TV, no cell phones, not to mention all the electronic musical gizmos that are around today. We had to rely on chops and chops alone. It was a very different time, maybe more so than any time in history in a 35 year span. We had a lot of great bands, and those of us that were working musicians didn't always get a chance to see what other people were doing. We used to pay $3 to see Hendrix, and acid was only $2. The auditorium would fill with pot smoke, AND IT WOULDN'T EVEN BE ON THE NEWS THE FOLLOWING DAY! WOW! Nowadays, some kid bruises his heiney on the football field and it's all over the TV. It is sad to witness the wussification of the SA area."

REMEMBERING THESE COOL GUITARS - ML writes: I've been trying to collect in my head all the cool guitars I used to see the players around town using. So far... it's .... Galen Niles use to have a Flying V. Black or sunburst I think. Howard Gloor use to have a great sounding sunburst Gibson ES335. I also saw him using a SG standard later on. Also a blue strat once at the Sunken Gardens. Phil Arroyo also used a great sunburst Gibson ES335. Tommy Davis had a Gibson goldtop Les Paul deluxe. Link Summers of Cain's Children had a blond telecaster at one show I saw. Glen Soudaday and Micky of Seabreeze had a flametop LP and Micky used a really cool SG standard. Glenn Smith used a Les Paul Jr with p90's pickups. Holzhaus had a Les Paul first time I saw him. Don't remember if it was a goldtop or flame. Later on I saw him with a ES335. I saw Chris Geppert with his Rickenbacker 360 many times and with a Firebird once. Rob Randolph had a goldtop Les Paul when I saw him. I hear he played Firebirds later on. Dave "Guppy" Parker used to have one of those Fender paisly telecasters for awhile then got a Firebird V later on. I've seen Keith Owens with a white strat and a Rickenbacker. I only remember Keith Owens using a Les Paul before switching to bass. It's was a sunburst or flame I believe. First time I saw Eric Johnson he was using a ES335 dot. Since then I've only seen him with a sunburst strat. Vince Coy always used a black Strat in the early days. Then he used a black 57 Les Paul then a Goldtop Deluxe when the 57' got ripped off. Rob Overall had a red sunburst LP custom for years then switched to a black strat. Dito Garcia of Heyoka use to have a black statocaster for years before he switched over to Steinberger. Van Wilks has never used anything but a Black Les Paul as far back as I can remember. ... I have NEVER seen anyone in town with a Gretsch. What is up with that???? ...... Ok! I'll update more as I remember. I realize almost all these players used multiple guitars over the years but these are the ones I remember most. In those days seeing someone using a great guitar made my heart go all a-flutter and was one of my favorite memories of growing up. These great axes around town was a big part of it all.

GALLERY UPDATE - Kinks photo - ML writes: Rob Meurer was nice enough to point out that the pic in the Gallery showing Kenny Wayne with Ray Davies was in fact "Dave" Davies and not Ray. My mistake. I've changed it. Still..... cool photo anyway.

HAPPENINGS AT THE ALAMO - Edgar Winters, Rick James, and Alabama - Lone Beader writes: "In the early 1980s, I worked as a tour guide at the Alamo. Edgar Winter came in one warm day in early spring wearing a full length white fur coat. He and his lady companion, who wore a matching coat, came in the front and went out the back door of the Chapel ...duration of visit, about three minutes. Another time, I approached a tall black man and his group of four friends at the back of the Chapel. He was wearing a pith helmet and had a lot of glitter in his face and hair. Bonham Street Exchange had opened a few days earlier behind the Alamo grounds so I just thought... "hmmmmm" ..interesting". He and his companions were eating snowcones. I politely requested they finish the snowcones outside the building. They politely apologized and went outside. Steve (security officer) meanwhile is laughing insanely back at the desk and tells me I just "threw" Rick James out of the Alamo. One of my favorite stories tho is the day three very nice looking fellas came in late one afternoon. It had been a very slow day and we were in our last hour before closing. These guys were so interested and asked lots of questions. Steve and I walked them around the Chapel and told them about all the exhibits in great detail. They were especially interested in the items that had ties to the defenders from Alabama. A week or so later, I am home watching television and there they are!! The three cousins from the then emerging group Alabama!!!"

GENE COLEMAN updates- Robin Bland writes: "In 1997, I had returned from a vacation to Sarasota FL and a 1st time in 20 years reunion with Steve Griffiths,aka HairBall!!. Steve asked me about all the old players, but having been in Dallas for the past 13 years, I'd lost all contact. When I go back to Dallas and working behind the counter at Kinko's, in walked a man with braided dreads, a drum kit pin on the collar of his leather jacket and gave his name as Gene Coleman for his copy order. I started throwing out old names..." Are you Gene Coleman of Overload, Rhapsody Street..." and old girl friend's names. His expression was one of dumbfoundment and confusion..."Who are you and where the hell did you come from?" Gene had just had his 20 year reunion with Heironymous. He is now owner/operator of a digital sound studio, Alamo Sound in Garland TX. An excellent light & sound man, Gene is a services provider for national touring groups such as Tuck & Patty (whom I had just seen in Florida), and local Dallas groups such as Ugly Mustard, and Disney radio signed Children's entertainer Eddie Coker. (Eddie wrote a special song just for Gene), and produced a DAT promo medley of cover tunes and originals for Griffiths. Gene also has his own heavy metal group, Oktober, which also performs through out the DFW area. Yes, his sticks still fly through the air and he still posses all the finesse and showmanship he ever did, only better with the years. Oktober has out a CD called Strictly for your abusement, which contains his original music."

GUPPY (aka David Parker) - Fernando writes: "Guppy became a studio musician, his guitar skills are top notch. I spent alot of time at John Michael Ramirez' house ( as did quite a few other musicians) Guppy was always dropping by too and that's how I met Guppy. Guppy and I jammed some and in those days I was into jazz although I played guitar and pedal steel during the 'country rock' era with a group called Dusty Roads."

THE FESTIVAL SCENE - Keith Holt writes: "The thing I miss most about San Antonio is the festival scene ... NIOSA, Oyster Bake, Folklife Festival, Wurstfest, etc. I heard a lot of good acts at some of those events. I remember seeing the Dixie Chicks at Oyster Bake one year in the mid 80's."

BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING CO - Gerard Daily writes: "I remember reading in a Hit Parader article in 1968 about Big Brother and the Holding Company that guitarist Sam Houston Andrew had lived in San Antonio. I E-mailed him at a Big Brother Web-Site last week about his days in San Antonio and he answered me back, suprisingly. He told me he had gone to St. Gerard's and his mother's side of the family had been musicians in San Antonio in the 20's-40s. I guess he was there in San Antonio mid to late 1950's. I wrote him back and mentioned your Web Site and he E-Mailed me back today that he was going to check it out. I think he deserves a mention as a San Antonio musician who went on to fame--being in Big Brother and the Kozmic Blues Band, etc."

GOOD OLE SA NIGHTCLUBS - General Ginger writes: "Hi and thanks for the stroll down memory lane! I'm a Jersey girl and Trinity U grad (1980) who tended bar at the Crystal Pistol, and spent lotsa time at the 50/50, Cooters ....AND even hit The Country a couple times ..... wow - had totally forgotten about that last place. I miss SA and all the great bars and restaurants - Big and Little Hipps, El Milagrito, Earl Ables, (at 2 in the AM, was the best time to go - great drag show!) and of course those great milk shakes at the Olmos Pharmacy. I haven't been back to SA since I graduated.....almost afraid to see how it's changed. It was truly a wonderful little city......sure hope it hasn't lost that special charm!"

BILL ASH - John Fonte writes: " Bill Ash Was nice enough to allow me to stay in his house on Queen Anne St. He ran a house painting business at the time (circa 1975-6). Being the modest cat, he never talked much about his past. I used his washing machine. David Poehlmann lived downstairs, along with Robbie Vaughn, when Overload was getting together. Needless to say, we did a fair bit of partying down there. Sad to learn he is no longer..."

JACK BOND - John Fonte writes: "I did my first recording session in Texas Sound studios on Halloween Night, 1969, as a green young aspiring guitarist. The band was "Hope" (Augie Fingar,keyboards Leon Oehlers, drums, Paul Frizzell, vocals, and me on Fender Mustang.) Jack was a sound Wizard. He fell into an inheritance in 1970 and started Orion Sound Studios in San Antonio. Jack was one of my Mentors. Gentle as the day is long and wise beyond his years. He passed away in 1971, from Leukemia. Many of the veterans of San Antonio music will recognize his name. His widow, Mary Kay Bond, passed away on August 20, 2003., We kept in touch all these years. She is possibly one of the first women to be ordained as a minister in the Episcopal Church in Salina Kansas."

GIBSON AND FENDER GUITARS - Phil Arroyo writes: "I eventually sold my 335 and have been playing a "strat" ever since. I really love the Fender but I do miss the Gibson a lot. It was a one-of-a-kind!"

STEVE CURETON - On Getting Older. SC writes: "From time to time, some people ask me if I ever get older... just don't know what they mean. After all, I own a mirror. The photo of R. Beastie & me is a guaranteed way to assure that I have grown older. But, I don't have to bust myself...too often, do I? I still do sound, both live & studio. I'm just past 27 years in the so called business of music. I figure I've lived (experience-wise) around four lifetimes. What we once felt was the "norm," has been turned "topsy-turvy" & had done so before "9/11." I feel so badly for the youth in Texas, the "lower 48," the U.S.A. & the world. If my life ends tomorrow, I'd be hard-put to complain or note I was bored! I've spent so many quality moments in places that most white boys, crackers, gringos, gueros, honkies, ofeys... will ever know! Cultural & life experiences have been abundant! I've plainly been lucky in more ways than I'd be able to convince myself."

CHRIS HOLZHAUS CLOSE CALL - Andrew Mullins writes: "SA music stores/guitar fixer guys. I used to pester different local tradesmen with my funky beatup 2nd hand guitar problems ("...uh, well, can you make it stay in tune...i think the patch cord wiggles the bridge or something..."). One time I got directed to Mr. Acosta's shop down in the way west side. He was interesting. He was very nice to me, not withstanding my obvious lack of comprehension on guitar mechanics. Also I used to stop by River City Music to check the used stuff and make noise. They have the distinction of having diagnosed a weird-looking jaguar i bought up north in weatherford as being a phony ("the only thing fender on this guitar is the decal"). That was really funny, since the guy I bought it from insisted it was not only legit, but a prototype as well. one of my favorite things River City ever did happened one summer afternoon in 78 when they tried to give me Chris Holzhaus' guitar. Me and my pal john walked in, and one of the guys immediately asked me if i was Chris Holzhaus' brother, as his guitar was done and ready for pickup. I was sort of floored, probably too sun-baked to say much more than "huh?"...there was this huge guitar case lying there, like an explorer or firebird or something. fortunately for Chris, and for my good karma, I didn't accept delivery."

MARGARET MOSER - Andrew Mullin writes: "Margaret Moser mentioned your column in the Austin Chronicle a few weeks ago. Ever since, I've been reading her stuff online, about 4 years or so, I've been trying to figure out if I ever met her back then. You know her? I used to work at flipside records down on sw military, where owner doug L oversaw what could best be described as a retail circus, and there was this chick named Margaret that used to work there. what a place ... anyways, this Margaret at flipside i think was mainly famous for having driven her vw across a few lawns in some residential neighborhood. I dunno, anyone who made it back north across the bexar county line deserves an award..." Margaret Moser writes: "Regrettable, the Margaret described is not me but she sounds a little like me. However, I did attend junior high at Nimitz and high school at Robert E. Lee. I also went to an early experimental high school run by NEISD called the Pupil Appraisal center. We were mostly a bunch of white suburban misfits but the school was quite cool."

BOBBY FLORE'S LONG AND WINDING ROAD - BF writes: "A few other groups that I worked with around here through out the years: Michelle Brown and Cripple Creek: the late Jimmy Peters and the Texas Jukebox Band: Rocky Thompson and the Lost Hat Band: Mass Transit: Carolyn Steele: Joe Aero: Barbara Fairchild: Johnny Bush: Nashville Sounds: Darrell McCall: Johnny Rodriguez: Emilio Sisters Morales: Worked on the road with Ray Price the last 6 years as first fiddle/violin, string section leader and arranger. Currently working with Jake Hooker and the Outsiders (from Ft. Worth...playing Billy Bob's tonight) and mainly doing session work here in SA now."

BILL CAISSE - Catching up - BC writes: "Mike, I looked over the site as was surprised how many of these bands I've played with besides the American Peddlers, The Klocks, Snapshot, Dansir, Renegade (as soundman and keys), Rocksan as lead vocals and guitar, some others that were not mentioned, like the J. Whipple band that later became Dance Attack, The Hit Men, which had a small mention by Kevin Cook who I started the band with , Aaron Barker replaced him before he moved to Nashville, then Rick Carver replaced him, the Hitmen continued without me, and Rick eventually quit too, and I hear they are still playing. I had a band here in Austin called the "Baby Boomers" playing 60s and 70s rock. Come out and see the Klocks sometime the schedule is a www.theklocks.com

STEVE DENNEY - SD writes: "Found your site purely by accident while surfing the Web. What a great collection of local trivia! Your site unleashed a FLOOD of memories for me bands, musicians, clubs I hadn’t thought about in years. After reading info about all the bands you worked with, I am surprised we didn’t cross paths more often than we did. I graduated HS in 1980 (Roosevelt), and was very active in S.A.-area bands from around ’78 to ’88. After that, I became rather disillusioned with the business and retired from the local scene. I moved to Boston in ’97 and in the last few years have rediscovered the joy of playing music again.Interestingly, I am playing more (and better) now than ever before. Some of the bands I was in back in the day were The Hardliners, Marauder, Frank Rodarte’s Dell-Kings, and others. My older brother is guitarist Butch Denney, who still lives in S.A. He’s retired from the music scene and works as an electrician now. He’s mentioned several times on your site, although his name is misspelled as 'Denny' a common occurrence.:-)"

CHARLIE WINANS - Chris Holzhaus writes: "That guy you've been talking with, Charley Wino, is really Charles Winans. He is a very famous artist and use to own Grandmas Tea house. We have been friends for some 35 years. Later in our friendship, we found out we were cousins! His brother Boogie was a cartoonist who did a bunch of Sunken Garden concert posters in the 60's. Boogie is now a school teacher at Hobby Middle School."

FIREBIRD GUITARS - Cliff Oliver writes: "Rob Randolph had a Firebird and so did Geppert. I had an old Tele and Strat and then used the Les Paul at times before I traded it. Geppert used the Firebird mostly in those days. Rob had a 50 watt Marshall 4x12. I had a 100watt and Geppert had the 200watt with 2 or 4 cabinets (of course mine was the one to have, ha,ha)... Chris had all kinds of problems with it.."

LES PAUL GUITARS - Cliff Oliver writes: "..Speaking of Les Pauls, Kent Quereau (Cains Children) and I had a quasi falling out about a Les Paul. In about 66 or 67 Kent found a '54 sunburst at a fellow's house. The fellow wanted a $100. Kent did not have the money so I gave it to him and played the Les Paul. The headstock broke on it and I had it fixed by Ed Fest at Caldwell Music. I really did not like the guitar. In those days I did not know much about getting it set-up. A guitar broker traded me $800 and pre-CBS strat that I loved. Dwayne Almond ended up with the Les Paul. Kent was pissed that I sold the guitar, so I gave him the $800 and kept the Strat." Doug Barnes writes: " I have read the story on the Les Paul that Mike has posted. Need to make a correction to it. I am the one that found it under the bed and paid the guy $100,00 for it. I kept it for some time thinking I would either fix it or sell it for the big $$'s but then Kent said he wanted it. So I sold it to him for what I had in it. When he showed up at the next practice without it (had some POS Fender that had been cut to look like Bo Diddley's box) I was pissed and told him I wanted it back. That is why he was pressuring you for it. I saw Allman play it on The Midnight Special one time. (can't miss that dovetail from the back), so that did make me feel a little better. Look forward to vsiting with you in the near future."

FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE DAY - This came from a long time music vet who finished his email to me with the following: "Signed - Kurt Linhof, a legend in my spare time."

DANNY SEGOVIA - Danny stopped by the site to say "hi". He is living on the east coast and doing just fine. Say's his son Vince found and pointed him to this site.

ANDY SALMON UPDATE - Andy writes: "I did a lot of producing in Austin and played with Bill Carter & the Blame, including one album on Columbia. At one time Rob (Muerer), Tommy Taylor and I played a few gigs with Chris Holzhaus. I remember one in Corpus when Stevie Ray was in town. Chris Layton, Tommy Shannon and Eric Johnson showed up after their show. I have a picture somewhere of us all outside the club. I play occasionally with friends Bill Carter, Will Sexton and Steven Doster. Steven, Tommy Taylor and I have a Beatle tribute band that plays an annual John Lennon's Birthday gig. I now work for the State of Texas and try to stay out of the music business."

GIGGING - Orrin Thomson writes: "I currently play with John David Martinez of Black Rose. Jeff Christler and I played in H.S. bands."

GALEN - Orrin Thomson writes: "Galen Niles is playing piano and selling oil field equipment."

BRAIN FARTS VOL1 - by Bill Lieber & Roger Johnson. Click HERE to read

HARP MAN - Roger Johnson writes: I have emailed another bud from SA (Bill Lieber, Lee '71, harp man extraordinaire) who should be able to contribute some more names to the Man Mountain lineup and others. He is still involved in the local music scene and gigs about 2-3 nights a week on average with a variety of bands. He is also working with one of his daughters who has a pretty good voice doing C&W covers. He has a lot of info on what is happening in some musical circles in SA.

ROGER JOHNSON - Teen Canteen: Roger writes: "Wow! I just discovered your site and I can't tell you how many memories it brings back to me. It took me back to the nights I used to spend at the "Teen Canteen" listening to Giant Smiling Dog, Meadow, Straw Dogs and Studebaker Hawk.

BILL ASH - Memorium (see Transitions page) Bob Galindo writes: "I remember when his guitar was stolen off the sidewalk in front of Love Street on east commerce, across from hemisfair in 1968. He had an Epiphone Riviera (just like mine). He was unloading his car, he set his guitar on the sidewalk, quickly carried his Super Reverb into the building, walked back outside, and the guitar was gone!!! We looked in both directions, there were no pedestrians on the sidewalks and there were no cars in the street either. It was phenomenal how quickly the thieves got away.........that's San Antonio for you! Your shit ain't safe in San Antonio."

Gene Coleman memories: Susan Velzy writes: "I remember Gene Coleman. He used to drive a Ford Falcon, I think, but the top was paisley! He was always a very nice guy." ML adds: "Yeah I remember that falcon as well. He drove that thing until the wheels fell off, literally. After that his only vehicle was the Overload equipment van. We felt so sorry for him in his poverty that no one put up a fight over him driving it all the time. We always had to unload and empty the equipment at the rehearsal room so that he could use it during the week to get around. He made people believe that he was a big wig by having a big ol truck but in reality....he was to poor to own a car of his own."

Richard Contreras writes: "I was the creator of Stone Country Productions out of San Angelo and joined forces with Jack Orbin, Greg Wilson and Carl Schwartz, and formed Stone City Attractions along with Joe Pugliese, while I was attending Southwest State in San Marcos. I have created loads of base drum screen art usually the bands logo, as well as flyers for several bands shown on your site. I still create art for many area bands as well as some in the Chicago area and a fanzine called the "Inner Ear" that was essentially a bio of the visiting concert artists. Attempted a network with folks in Dallas, Houston and Austin. But it's tough. Good to see that we are not just a bunch of dead-end kids. Congrats on your computer skills and web site. I will forward this info to others."

Steve Zipper writes: "Well, Im still out here in LA. I started doing television post production about 10 years ago after spending 5 years recording music for MCA and that circle of people. Ive got a small audio post production company called ZIPRODUCTIONS and I work on TV shows : mixing,sound design, editing, the whole 9 yards. Been married 5+ years to a wonderful woman, have a great son and life is great. Still play bass when I get the chance. And that's the latest. --P.S. Ran into Rob Meurer the other day in front of the Disney Bldg. He's good, he's happy, he's doing something musical with Disney,and God Bless the mighty "Mouse"

Mike Lowell writes: I recently got an email from Galen Niles saying he has stumbled onto this trivia site by accident. He was searching for plantation blinds of all things. It appears that Galen is living in Corpus these days (10 yrs or so) and doing quite alright living by the sea. Chris Holzhaus tells me he heard Galen has a store manager job down there.

Mike Lowell writes: I heard from Chris Holzhaus recently. Chris has moved to Corpus and is doing real fine. He sounds happy, he wrote........"Were in Corpus now...got a job at KIII TV 3 as a camera operator. Going to do indoor camera work and study the directors control board so i can take that job over. The current guy is leaving in december to work for univision". Go get'em Chris!

Danny Cowan: wrote me to say - Thur Oct 5,2000 - Sad to report that Joe Estes has passed away. He will be missed by many. Rest in peace brother Joe! Chris Holzhaus writes: "I heard a couple of days ago that Joe Estes from Ruby Falls Blues Band / Smith Brothers passed away from cancer. Seems like their dropping likeflys nowadays."

John Whipple writes: "John Hogan (former Renegade/Hot Chexx sound tech) is very happily married to Terri Leach who works side by side with him in their sound reinforcement business called Sound Service San Antonio. They're the perfect couple.

Danny Cowan writes: "R.B. Blackstone had been in Nashville for awhile, engineering at Ricky Skaggs studio. He's currently here for awhile. I'd like to have him play on our next studio project. I've done some one-off gigs with him thru the years and I always had fun jamming with him at Billy Blue's jam nights."

John Whipple writes: "I have a record label in San Antonio called Tejas Records and the Melody Ranch Recording studios. Check out our site at www.tejasrecords.com."

John Keating writes: "I was surfing around and stumbled across your website. I live in LA now, but played in a band during the early to mid eighties called "The Kids", which became "Kid Curry" when we moved to LA to get a record deal. In fact, we may have even played a gig with Renegade at one point, if I remember correctly. I was also associated with several other musicians and bands named on your page, like The Max, Beth Hooker, and a name you requested information about, Glenn Smith. I'm still close friends with Trey Gunn (both of us are Alamo Heights alums), who is now a member of King Crimson, as well as his own group, and is certainly worth mention on your page."

Danny Cowan writes: "And if you get a chance, check out our site to hear the music from our just finished album project "Drivin' Back To Texas" & let us know if you dig it. It's the culmination of the long line of over 50 bands I've played with thru the years. FINALLY!!! Thanks again for a most excellent San Antonio band site!" http://www.mp3.com/DannyCowanGroup

RICH MOORE REMEMBERS

Click - The true story of how Bill Ash lost his favorite guitar

Click - Stories of the road and life with the band 'The Children'.

Click - Tales about life in the fast lane at SA's PUSI KAT Club.

WILL BELLAMY REMEMBERS

Click - THE CENTURY'S early days.

Click - THE FIRST PAYING GIG - onward with 'The Century's'.

Click - THE PAY ASSEMBLY - The joy of the school pay assembly.

Click - CHICAGO - The summer of 63' with 'The Century's'.

Click - THE UT ROUNDUP - Frat parties and togas.

GEORGE MAILLOT REMEMBERS

Click - RACHEL'S CHILDREN - In the beginning.

ED FLADGER REMEMBERS

Click - EDDY AND THE MULESTALL - Giggin with the Century's.