Update

Greetings,

I would first of all like to thank all of the LoneStarStomp readers. Your comments both here on the blog and in private emails are greatly appreciated. It's nice to know people enjoy what I'm doing and it's also nice to hear little stories and insights from people that were there so to speak.

I had begun my summer thinking I would take LoneStarStomp to its own domain as well as set up a better host for audio. DivShare has been dropping files and so there are a number of dead links throughout the Stomp's back pages. At this point that will probably have to wait until Christmas or even next summer.

I also thought I was just going to be knocking off one big story after another. I have stories that I've been wanting to do for over a year (Lubbock's Traveling Salesmen) and other stories that are just popping up (the Soundrifters of Turkey and Midland's Clue) . But 'twixt rennovations, travel, and general laziness summer time certainly gets away from a fellow. It's a case of 'too many irons in the fire' and not enough sense to get rid of a few.

I've spent oodles of time talking to members of the New Roadrunners and the Knights Bridge. My goal was to have the tale of the Knights Bridge told early on in the summer, but real world events got in the way. I've also not given up hope on finding surviving members I've not yet talked to. Where are you Randy Williams and Ted Franklin?!?! I'm waiting on an early picture of the group and as a result the story will more than likely have to wait until late September. I'm much closer to finishing up the New Roadrunners after a couple of more interviews this week. All of the Roadrunners were extraordinarily kind and generous. These guys were one of THE hardest working bands in the Permian Basin back in the day.

A bit sadder... West Texas lost a few stars in the last few months. Ted Groebl, owner/producer of Joed Records out of Midland, passed away in the spring. I had really hoped to talk with Ted and get a good piece on him and Joed for the Stomp. Keith Ward, long time mover and shaker on the Midessa country/western radio scene, passed away at the beginning of the summer. And this week Odessa lost Ben Mancha. Ben spent decades working hard to bring the different cultures and people of Odessa together. I make sure the family's restaurant Ben's Little Mexico gets recommended to all Odessa-bound travelers. That joint served as a place where the Westex family broke bread 100s of times. The restaurant will go on one would hope. I'll have the #14.

One last thing... Danny and David of Abilene's Continentals (recorded for Gaylo and AOK) passed along word that a big 60s-era homecoming is happening in Abilene on Saturday, August 21. I wish I could make it, but that is probably the worst weekend of the year as the school year kicks back in the following Monday. Woulda been a hoot no doubt as they're advertising the Coachmen, Chevelle V, and Continentals as well as a couple of bands whose names DON'T start with the letter C. More info including cool pictures can be found here: http://garagebandwoodstock.com/

And make sure and check out my other blawgs Diggin' It!!! and Country. & Western.

Thanks Everybody,
Westex
Odessa, Tejas