To all of our friends-by Teri Hogan I have a story with a moral. As most San Antonians know, we lost one of our best friends Wednesday night. Randy Goss, owner of County Line BBQ and patron of the Texas Music scene, was swept off the road in high water and drowned Wednesday night. His car and body weren't found until late Thursday morning. Randy loved Texas Music, the musicians and the spirit they created. He loved all people in general. He was one of the good guys. We were fortunate to have had a nine-year relationship and partnership with Randy and he touched us profoundly. In short, we loved the man. For our last show at the end of October, Randy was planning a big "retirement" party for us. He called me the day before to tell me he was flat on his back with the flu. I told him not to worry about it. We'd take care of things at the show. He didn't need to be there to infect half his staff. Since then, John and I had said numerous times we needed to go down to Open Mic Night "sometime soon" just to see Randy, since we didn't have that opportunity at our last show. We never got around to it. Then came this horrible news this week.The moral of this story is that we must all keep in mind that the farewell hug you give your friends could very well be your last, so don't give it frivolously. MEAN IT! And most of all, aside from your family, your friends are your most valuable assets. Keep them close to you. Don't blow them off. They might not be there tomorrow. We love you all! Teri

JOHN MAYALL'S NEW GUITAR PLAYER - by ML. "There are those of you that might remember the 70's Dallas Band "Lightning". You might find it interesting to learn that English Blues Legend John Mayall has pegged Rocky Athas as his new guitar wizard. Mayall is well known for introducing to the world the likes of Eric Clapton, Peter Green, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Jack Bruce, Mick Taylor and a host of others. He is a real star maker. Mayall has recently picked one of Texas own guitar slingers this time around for the next album and tour. I remember seeing the band Lightning many times , not only in Dallas, but all over the state and several times down in SA as well. Cool! Another Texas boy does good. Go get em Rocky!

JOHN MICHAEL RAMIREZ - by JM. "Just a note to let you know that after 38+ years in the music industry, I have switched gears. My new position is at Bulverde Academy of Music as Program Director. BAM was founded by Director Bobby Flores whose love for both music education and performance has led to the development of special curriculums that are supported by some of the best music educators/musicians on the planet. It is awesome to be working with so many dedicated individuals-instructors and students alike. Please contact me for any information I can personally give you and please visit the BAM website: bulverdeacademyofmusic.com

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."

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."

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."

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.

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."

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"

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

BOB GALINDO REMEMBERS

BOB GALINDO BASICS - Bob writes: "First, some basic stuff. Bands I played in (I used to also do lots of fill-ins for many bands. I played lead guitar and bass when others were not available for various reasons): in chronological order: THE STARLIGHTS, THE GROUP, THE LOOSE ENDS, MAX AND THE LAUGHING KIND, THE SERFS, THE ZILCHES, THE VIRGIL FOXX GROUP, THE WATER BROTHERS, THE SOUTH TEXAS BLUES BAND, JIVA JIVE. Ok, now here are some of the bands that I did temp work with: The Bourbons, The Lynchmen (later The Strawberry Alphabet), The Argyles (when Chris" ..could not make it). "(By the way, I played little league baseball with Chris Holzhaus. We also attended jr. high together.) Two guys from the south side named Jack and Jackie (they WORSHIPPED Publio and the Valiants). I am sure there are more, but I cannot remember at the moment."

DAVID KING PREFACE - I am going to send you some info on a very important person. His name is DAVID KING. He was not a musician, but he had a profound influence on the SA scene. He was very influential. By chance, he was in San Francisco for the summer of love. When he returned, he brought the latest records with him, stuff that would not get to SA for another couple of months. he brought us Jimi Hendrix.

DAVID KING - David King was San Antonio's first hippie. While visiting his aunt in San Francisco, during the summer of love (1967), he stumbled upon the Fillmore Auditorium and witnessed all the great hippie bands of that era. Every week I got a new miniaturized post card replica of a psychedelic poster show casing the groups that David saw that week -Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Mobygrape, Jefferson Airplane, Taj Mahal, The Animals,....The Doors! He returned with flowers in his hair and stack of Jimi Hendrix and Cream records. On his first afternoon back in town, we (The Zilches) all went over to his hippie pad (actually it was his mother's house - BUT he did have beads in his doorway), and he sat us down and played the "ARE YOU EXPERIENCED" album for us. We were stunned!!!! spontaneously, we all went home, got our instruments and hauled ass over to Rob Meurer's garage to learn "purple haze". That night, at the TEEN SCENE (not to be confused with a dump on the south side called TEEN TOWN), we unveiled our new found discovery. We liked that song so much, we played it ten times during a two set performance (not an exaggeration - we have sworn affidavits filed at the county courthouse). David King was also responsible for launching us into Fresh Cream. He had a really cool red ford falcon mini-pick up truck we called "BIG RED". He kept fresh NATIONAL INQUIRER MAGAZINES under the front seat, just in case! David later put together psychedelic light shows at Love Street and at the Pussycat/Jam Factory. Among other things, he is famous for wearing grass wreaths in his hair, burning lots of incense, and rubbing elbows with the Beach Boys AND Jimi Hendrix. Once, on a road trip, he rode all the way down to Corpus Christi in his underwear. He knew everyone that was worth knowing. Nothing nor no one slipped past this guy. He rubbed elbows with the likes of Tommy Ewald (sp), the hippiest barber town (who was famous for hitting on very young chicks at the Teen Canteen) to San Antonio's mystical , the Krum family (Kathy and Phil). The guy is awesome. You could often find a crowd of people sitting on his floor listening to Donovan records.....saying things like wow, far-out man! peace.......groovy! (There is absolutely no truth to the rumors that he was gay (not that there is anything wrong with that)). The man is awesome.

THE GREAT DEBATE ON THE FIRST HIPPIE - (Contributed by Chris Holzhaus) "Bob G sez that David King was SA's 1st hippie...sorry...thats not true. Charlie and Boogie Winans were the first. They owned Grandmas Teahouse on Broadway and Charlie was a beatnick then pioneered in being a hippie...and the1st. David (King) wasn't old enough to have been the first anyway...he is only 50 now." (Contributed by 60sMan) "The Argyles formed in 1965 and the Minds Eye opened in 1966. So, some of us were getting hip long before this hippie place opened. In fact, in 1964, an old friend took me to Duval County and we brought some potatoes and carrots, shot a rabbit, built a fire, and made peyote stew. It was a night that changed my life and my music. Holzhaus mention Charly Wino was the oldest hippie. Charly and wife Carol opened the first head shop in SA. But I want to assure you, there were several people who were hip before Charlie came around. Charly's cousin Boogie helped wire the Minds Eye for the light show."

BILL KING - Bill King shot himself in the chest with a .347 magnum.

CAPINCHE - There was a north side street gang (from Jefferson High) called the Capinche. They used to follow a band called the Stoics. They would get all fired up listening to Rolling Stone covers and then they would go beat up guys from Marshall High at the Bandera Road dairy queen. The front man, Al Acosta, did a great Mick Jagger imitation, and Mike Marachel (sp), was one of the coolest bass players in town. He had the Bill Wyman stoic expression down pat. The chicks dug these guys. They had the bad boy thing nailed.

JIMI HENDRIX - Jimi Hendrix came down to the Pussycat (Jam Factory?) after his 2nd San Antonio appearance. We, The Virgil Foxx Group, were playing that night. He sat up in the light booth with Mr. "I know more people than you do", David King and listened to us play all of his popular songs. We had no idea he was in the building. Later he gave us a very gracious hello. He also said , " whoa!.....good night Virgil!" He was escorted that evening by a guy named Roy Washington. I went to Jr. high with Roy. He was in Mr. Burn's home room. Roy played a funky telecaster that he stained walnut brown and varnished himself (brush strokes and all - I was appalled). I seem to remember notebook paper punched hole reinforcements (remember those?) being stuck on the guitar for decorative purposes.

GUITAR SALE - Billy Wyatt (The Starlighters), sold his PRIMO Les Paul custom to Galen Niles for $150. One year later, it was worth over $2000. It was stolen out of the Outcast's van somewhere in Ohio.

MR BURNS - Back in 1964, I remember Chris Holzhaus, myself, a great big boy-child named Eenie Sanchez and a hump backed dwarf whom we called "The Wolf" all taking turns playing Freddy King's "HIDEAWAY". There was an electric guitar set up in Mr. Burns's band hall, and during the lunch hour at Horace Mann Jr. high, we would get together and take turns playing the guitar. Mr. Burns was a jazz dude, with a beret and cheap sunglasses. He had a jazz group and would gig at night. During the lunch hour, he would walk the grounds humming his stand up bass lines to himself - in retrospect, he was truly "far out", a beatnik.

LITTLE LEAGUE - My uncle Gus and Sol Casseb's uncle Joe have been pals since they were boys. Sol used to play little league with myself, Chris Holzhaus, Eenie Sanchez, and Tommy Thrailkill (The Traydwinds).

MAX AND THE LAUGHING KIND -The ORIGINAL Max and the Laughing Kind was formed in Jan.1965. It was so cold at the beach that weekend, that I had to put my fuzz tone inside my jacket pocket. The old transistors did not perform in cold weather. I had to hit myself in the ribs to engage the switch (at least that is what it looked like from the audience). A couple of years later, we discovered a way to "soup up" the old maestro fuzz tone. Heat it up!!!! We were playing some dump in Kerrville and I can not remember the name, but I think Rob Meurer would remember, .....anyway, I had placed the fuzz tone on top of the stage footlights (flush with the floor) to warm it up. The place was freezing. When I stomped on the switch, you would have thought I was playing at "11". It was incredibly powerful, but that is another story. We had to figure out all sorts of ways to get that shit to scream. We did not have all the nice black boxes that have since been invented.

PURPLE HAZE - To my knowledge, we (The Zilches) were the first band in SA to play "Purple Haze". We unveiled it at the "TEEN SCENE" (?), a teen club in the old northwest shopping center on Fredericksburg Road. I believe THE LITTLETON TROLLEY was the other band (Andy Salmon on guitar).

ROADIES - I also want to write about another phenomena: roadies. We had a huge entourage, and we had to scheme to get everyone one in free. So, we put a couple of guys on the payroll and they helped us carry the equipment and set it up. We called them STOOGES. Al Catacolas and David Vallejo were our stooges. We loved those guys. As far as we were concerned, they were members of the band.

ERIC FRIEDLAND - of the cult band, "The #2 Dinners", used to stooge for "The Water Brothers". Back then, his name was ".................". Don't tell him who told you this, He's a lawyer, he will probably sue us all.

MISSING GUITAR- Let me tell you about the time Bill Ash's Epiphone Riviera (The Children) was stolen from under his nose at Love Street.

DICK DALE - KING OF THE SURF GUITAR. Last night connie and i saw one of my childhood guitar heroes, DICK FUCKIN' DALE, KING OF THE SURF GUITAR. ya'll older folks will remember him from the frankie and annette movie, BEACH PARTY. He was the ass kickin' surf guitar player in the banlon shirt and earring. i am sure that he kicked your ass good. ya'll younger, hipper types may remember his surf guitar featured on the PULP FICTION soundtrack. all a' ya'll may have noticed that he is also currently featured in a television commerical (nissan?). I had him autograph my old LP from 1964 too! maybe someday it will be worth something. lucky me! i have managed to meet most of my childhood guitar/music heroes: dick dale, freddy king, james brown, jimmy hendrix, jimmy reed. also met tiny tim, but THAT WAS DIFFERENT. we don't talk about that too much. I must say, his ego was MUCH bigger than mine. I think he was also more immature too! damn. shit. i felt outclassed. but then again, he is THE KING. I am just his humble servant.