1 00:00:10,160 --> 00:00:12,119 The state health agency in Texas 2 00:00:12,120 --> 00:00:13,799 has proposed new rules for hemp 3 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:14,619 products. 4 00:00:14,620 --> 00:00:16,479 Those rules could mean higher fees 5 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:18,519 for businesses, more testing for 6 00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:20,299 products, and it could effectively 7 00:00:20,300 --> 00:00:22,599 outlaw access to hemp flower. 8 00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:24,419 What's being proposed and how Texas 9 00:00:24,420 --> 00:00:25,939 business owners are feeling about 10 00:00:25,940 --> 00:00:27,839 it. Plus, after Oak 11 00:00:27,840 --> 00:00:29,699 Wilt claimed a tree in his yard, a 12 00:00:29,700 --> 00:00:31,539 local artist turned its wood into 13 00:00:31,540 --> 00:00:33,399 a sonic experience. 14 00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:34,959 His solo exhibit features wooden 15 00:00:34,960 --> 00:00:36,779 records and wind instruments. 16 00:00:36,780 --> 00:00:38,179 We're gonna experience some of those 17 00:00:38,180 --> 00:00:39,769 sounds for ourselves. 18 00:00:39,770 --> 00:00:41,859 That's coming up on today's show. 19 00:00:41,860 --> 00:00:43,759 The Austin Signal is a production 20 00:00:43,760 --> 00:00:45,859 of KUT News, hosted by 21 00:00:45,860 --> 00:00:46,959 Jerry Quijano. 22 00:00:46,960 --> 00:00:48,299 And what do you get when you mix 23 00:00:48,300 --> 00:00:50,219 Austin's Best Music Station with 24 00:00:50,220 --> 00:00:51,699 one of the world's most famous 25 00:00:51,700 --> 00:00:52,679 stages? 26 00:00:52,680 --> 00:00:54,599 We've got the whole story for ya. 27 00:00:54,600 --> 00:00:56,119 That is coming up next. 28 00:00:56,120 --> 00:00:58,019 It's right here on Austin 29 00:00:58,020 --> 00:00:59,020 Signal. 30 00:01:08,399 --> 00:01:10,499 Howdy, and thank you for tuning in. 31 00:01:10,500 --> 00:01:12,059 This is Austin Signal. 32 00:01:12,060 --> 00:01:13,799 It's Thursday, the eighth day of 33 00:01:13,800 --> 00:01:15,599 January. Thank you for including us 34 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:16,939 in your day. 35 00:01:16,940 --> 00:01:18,639 I'm your host, Jerry Keconnell. 36 00:01:18,640 --> 00:01:20,539 Let's get into today's 37 00:01:20,540 --> 00:01:21,659 show. 38 00:01:21,660 --> 00:01:23,039 The Texas Department of State Health 39 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:25,099 Services is proposing new rules on 40 00:01:25,100 --> 00:01:25,879 hemp products. 41 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:27,799 The rules include more testing and 42 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:29,859 formal recall procedures, as well 43 00:01:29,860 --> 00:01:32,639 as increasing fees on businesses. 44 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:34,079 A public hearing on the proposals is 45 00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:36,249 set for tomorrow morning at nine. 46 00:01:36,250 --> 00:01:37,789 Heather Fazio is director of the 47 00:01:37,790 --> 00:01:39,369 Texas Cannabis Policy Center. 48 00:01:39,370 --> 00:01:40,869 She's joining us now to talk more 49 00:01:40,870 --> 00:01:41,709 about the hearing. 50 00:01:41,710 --> 00:01:42,679 Howdy, Heather. 51 00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:43,829 Hi there, thanks for having me. 52 00:01:43,830 --> 00:01:45,489 We're glad to have you here. 53 00:01:45,490 --> 00:01:47,009 So cannabis and hemp were big topics 54 00:01:47,010 --> 00:01:49,749 in Texas all of 2025, 55 00:01:49,750 --> 00:01:50,749 it felt like. 56 00:01:50,750 --> 00:01:52,029 So why are state regulators meeting 57 00:01:52,030 --> 00:01:53,409 this early in the new year to 58 00:01:53,410 --> 00:01:55,069 discuss these new proposed rules? 59 00:01:56,620 --> 00:01:57,999 Well, last year certainly was a 60 00:01:58,000 --> 00:01:59,639 rollercoaster for those advocating 61 00:01:59,640 --> 00:02:01,479 for cannabis policy, whether 62 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:03,179 it's medical cannabis through the 63 00:02:03,180 --> 00:02:04,999 Compassionate Use Program or 64 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:07,259 Hemp Policy, which is 65 00:02:07,260 --> 00:02:09,119 hemp products increasingly popular 66 00:02:09,120 --> 00:02:10,839 among Texans. 67 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:12,659 And last year there was an effort 68 00:02:12,660 --> 00:02:14,739 to prohibit hemp products 69 00:02:14,740 --> 00:02:17,199 that included THC. 70 00:02:17,200 --> 00:02:18,999 Thankfully, that legislation was 71 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:20,939 vetoed by Governor Abbott and 72 00:02:20,940 --> 00:02:22,879 subsequently he issued an executive 73 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:25,039 order. Calling for regulatory 74 00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:27,259 agencies to beef up regulations 75 00:02:27,260 --> 00:02:28,819 and enforcement. 76 00:02:28,820 --> 00:02:30,199 These are the rules that we see 77 00:02:30,200 --> 00:02:32,039 being developed now with the 78 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:33,539 hearing happening tomorrow for 79 00:02:33,540 --> 00:02:35,059 public input from stakeholders. 80 00:02:35,060 --> 00:02:37,359 So can you tell us what exactly 81 00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:39,299 is DSHS proposing with 82 00:02:39,300 --> 00:02:40,300 these rules? 83 00:02:40,670 --> 00:02:42,849 Since 2019, DSHS 84 00:02:42,850 --> 00:02:44,849 has been responsible for regulating 85 00:02:44,850 --> 00:02:46,889 consumable hemp products, 86 00:02:46,890 --> 00:02:48,889 that's manufacturing and retail 87 00:02:48,890 --> 00:02:49,929 sales. 88 00:02:49,930 --> 00:02:51,909 We now see increased regulations 89 00:02:51,910 --> 00:02:53,429 coming on board, which is a good 90 00:02:53,430 --> 00:02:54,829 thing. We've been missing things 91 00:02:54,830 --> 00:02:56,869 like age restrictions, 92 00:02:56,870 --> 00:02:58,709 recall protocols, and 93 00:02:58,710 --> 00:03:00,809 tracking adverse effects. 94 00:03:00,810 --> 00:03:02,069 The regulations that have been put 95 00:03:02,070 --> 00:03:03,949 forward do just that in 96 00:03:03,950 --> 00:03:05,449 addition to some changes that may 97 00:03:05,450 --> 00:03:07,169 have some negative effects on the 98 00:03:07,170 --> 00:03:08,139 industry. 99 00:03:08,140 --> 00:03:09,759 Can you speak more on those negative 100 00:03:09,760 --> 00:03:10,760 effects? 101 00:03:11,240 --> 00:03:12,959 Well, the biggest, most glaring 102 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:14,999 issue that we see are the 103 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:16,659 outrageous fees that have been 104 00:03:16,660 --> 00:03:17,679 proposed. 105 00:03:17,680 --> 00:03:19,579 We, of course, support fees to cover 106 00:03:19,580 --> 00:03:21,020 the cost of regulation, 107 00:03:22,180 --> 00:03:24,239 but $20,000 for 108 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:26,399 a retailer per location per 109 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:28,579 year is going to price out 110 00:03:28,580 --> 00:03:30,539 the vast majority of entrepreneurs 111 00:03:30,540 --> 00:03:32,639 who are operating legitimately and 112 00:03:32,640 --> 00:03:34,019 with integrity. 113 00:03:34,020 --> 00:03:35,899 This goes far beyond the 114 00:03:35,900 --> 00:03:37,899 cost of regulation and seems to be 115 00:03:37,900 --> 00:03:39,149 punitive in nature. 116 00:03:39,150 --> 00:03:40,549 This is something that we hope the 117 00:03:40,550 --> 00:03:42,379 department will reconsider. 118 00:03:42,380 --> 00:03:44,279 You said that was a $20,000 fee 119 00:03:44,280 --> 00:03:46,280 for just for operating the business? 120 00:03:47,490 --> 00:03:49,329 That's correct, that is the 121 00:03:49,330 --> 00:03:51,209 registration fee for simply 122 00:03:51,210 --> 00:03:53,249 having a location that 123 00:03:53,250 --> 00:03:55,649 sells consumable hemp products. 124 00:03:55,650 --> 00:03:58,069 And I'll add that it's $25,000 125 00:03:58,070 --> 00:04:00,449 per year for manufacturers. 126 00:04:00,450 --> 00:04:02,009 These fees are gonna make it cost 127 00:04:02,010 --> 00:04:03,849 prohibitive for many Texans 128 00:04:03,850 --> 00:04:05,949 to participate in the hemp market. 129 00:04:05,950 --> 00:04:08,229 Currently it's 250 dollars 130 00:04:08,230 --> 00:04:10,169 to become licensed as 131 00:04:10,170 --> 00:04:12,509 a manufacturer and 150 132 00:04:12,510 --> 00:04:14,329 dollars to be licensed as a 133 00:04:14,330 --> 00:04:15,199 retailer. 134 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:16,819 Now we understand that those prices 135 00:04:16,820 --> 00:04:18,799 could come up to help cover the cost 136 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:20,679 of increased enforcement of 137 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:22,699 regulations. We support that, but 138 00:04:22,700 --> 00:04:24,199 the costs that they proposed here 139 00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:25,659 are just too far. 140 00:04:25,660 --> 00:04:27,719 What would you say to 141 00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:29,299 opponents, to people who are trying 142 00:04:29,300 --> 00:04:30,959 to limit this exposure, what would 143 00:04:30,960 --> 00:04:32,939 you to people that argue these 144 00:04:32,940 --> 00:04:34,499 numbers aren't arbitrary and that 145 00:04:34,500 --> 00:04:35,519 there's a reason for them? 146 00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:38,859 In early 2025, I did an 147 00:04:38,860 --> 00:04:41,279 open records request for DSHS 148 00:04:41,280 --> 00:04:43,419 budget when it comes to 149 00:04:43,420 --> 00:04:45,439 the enforcement of regulations 150 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:47,099 for consumable hemp products. 151 00:04:47,100 --> 00:04:48,659 What I found is the department is 152 00:04:48,660 --> 00:04:50,519 spending only about a third of what 153 00:04:50,520 --> 00:04:52,859 they bring in with 70% 154 00:04:52,860 --> 00:04:54,579 of revenue going right into the 155 00:04:54,580 --> 00:04:56,459 general fund rather than being 156 00:04:56,460 --> 00:04:58,599 used explicitly for enforcing 157 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:00,739 regulations with hemp products 158 00:05:00,740 --> 00:05:02,699 I'm concerned that these new numbers 159 00:05:02,700 --> 00:05:04,919 are punitive in nature, 160 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:06,859 trying to deliberately shut down the 161 00:05:06,860 --> 00:05:08,959 industry rather than simply covering 162 00:05:08,960 --> 00:05:10,899 the cost of regulation. 163 00:05:10,900 --> 00:05:11,879 Okay, now I wanted to ask 164 00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:14,179 specifically about hemp flour. 165 00:05:14,180 --> 00:05:15,959 Austinites and Texans have access to 166 00:05:15,960 --> 00:05:17,639 many more gummies and drinks in the 167 00:05:17,640 --> 00:05:18,979 hemp market these days. 168 00:05:18,980 --> 00:05:20,859 How would flour be affected by these 169 00:05:20,860 --> 00:05:22,429 proposed rules? 170 00:05:22,430 --> 00:05:23,669 I'm so glad that you brought this 171 00:05:23,670 --> 00:05:25,749 up. This is the second biggest issue 172 00:05:25,750 --> 00:05:27,589 for us. 173 00:05:27,590 --> 00:05:29,649 Hemp flour is the most natural form 174 00:05:29,650 --> 00:05:31,529 of this product that people can use, 175 00:05:31,530 --> 00:05:32,530 straight from the ground, 176 00:05:33,590 --> 00:05:35,429 unprocessed, and we know that this 177 00:05:35,430 --> 00:05:37,429 encompasses 50% of the 178 00:05:37,430 --> 00:05:38,289 marketplace. 179 00:05:38,290 --> 00:05:40,329 Texans enjoy these flour products, 180 00:05:40,330 --> 00:05:41,809 and this is the bud from the flour 181 00:05:41,810 --> 00:05:43,709 that most people use for 182 00:05:43,710 --> 00:05:45,269 smoking, or they'll use it for 183 00:05:45,270 --> 00:05:47,349 cooking and infusing some baked 184 00:05:47,350 --> 00:05:48,939 goods at home, maybe. 185 00:05:48,940 --> 00:05:50,739 This again is something that is 186 00:05:50,740 --> 00:05:52,739 widely enjoyed and consumed by 187 00:05:52,740 --> 00:05:54,779 Texans legally right now in the 188 00:05:54,780 --> 00:05:56,679 state. And while the rules 189 00:05:56,680 --> 00:05:58,099 that are put forward don't 190 00:05:58,100 --> 00:06:00,059 explicitly ban flour, they 191 00:06:00,060 --> 00:06:01,899 effectively ban this product 192 00:06:01,900 --> 00:06:03,919 because what it does is 193 00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:05,939 calls for a total THC 194 00:06:05,940 --> 00:06:07,899 testing limit, meaning that 195 00:06:07,900 --> 00:06:09,959 all of the THC molecules would be 196 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:11,619 regulated and restricted in the way 197 00:06:11,620 --> 00:06:13,679 that Delta-9 THC has been 198 00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:16,359 restricted since 2019. 199 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:18,319 It gets complicated, but the bottom 200 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:19,819 line is that there's not going to be 201 00:06:19,820 --> 00:06:21,919 a market demand for hemp flour 202 00:06:21,920 --> 00:06:23,779 with such low levels of 203 00:06:23,780 --> 00:06:24,719 THC. 204 00:06:24,720 --> 00:06:26,079 It means that consumers are gonna be 205 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:27,859 turning to the illicit market to 206 00:06:27,860 --> 00:06:29,559 find products that they enjoy. 207 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:30,999 And of course, we know there are no 208 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:32,699 age restrictions there, no product 209 00:06:32,700 --> 00:06:34,739 safety standards, and certainly no 210 00:06:34,740 --> 00:06:36,729 consumer protections in place. 211 00:06:36,730 --> 00:06:38,149 Well last question for you, what are 212 00:06:38,150 --> 00:06:39,249 you hearing from people in the 213 00:06:39,250 --> 00:06:41,269 industry here in Texas about how 214 00:06:41,270 --> 00:06:42,889 the up and down nature of hemp's 215 00:06:42,890 --> 00:06:44,209 future has been affecting them? 216 00:06:45,490 --> 00:06:47,749 It's been so difficult to watch 217 00:06:47,750 --> 00:06:49,709 business owners operating with 218 00:06:49,710 --> 00:06:51,789 integrity and legitimately in 219 00:06:51,790 --> 00:06:54,189 an illegal industry going 220 00:06:54,190 --> 00:06:56,169 this up and down yo-yo of 221 00:06:56,170 --> 00:06:57,989 emotions all year last year 222 00:06:57,990 --> 00:06:59,969 and here we are again where 223 00:06:59,970 --> 00:07:01,969 they're facing the fact that 224 00:07:01,970 --> 00:07:03,689 they may have to shut their doors. 225 00:07:03,690 --> 00:07:05,689 They may have close their businesses 226 00:07:05,690 --> 00:07:07,669 and find a new livelihood 227 00:07:07,670 --> 00:07:09,809 simply because of arbitrary 228 00:07:09,810 --> 00:07:11,879 policy changes that are happening. 229 00:07:11,880 --> 00:07:13,899 Texas entrepreneurs deserve better. 230 00:07:13,900 --> 00:07:15,459 We're proud to be a pro-business 231 00:07:15,460 --> 00:07:17,079 state and we should be taking those 232 00:07:17,080 --> 00:07:19,199 principles into the room here 233 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:20,979 when we're talking about hemp to 234 00:07:20,980 --> 00:07:22,819 ensure public health and safety, of 235 00:07:22,820 --> 00:07:24,859 course, but also allowing the 236 00:07:24,860 --> 00:07:26,609 free market to work. 237 00:07:26,610 --> 00:07:27,749 All right, once again, a public 238 00:07:27,750 --> 00:07:29,269 hearing on the proposals is set for 239 00:07:29,270 --> 00:07:30,269 tomorrow morning at nine. 240 00:07:30,270 --> 00:07:31,329 We're going to have more for you 241 00:07:31,330 --> 00:07:33,349 following that hearing right here on 242 00:07:33,350 --> 00:07:34,329 Austin Signal. 243 00:07:34,330 --> 00:07:35,529 We have been speaking with Heather 244 00:07:35,530 --> 00:07:37,229 Fazio, Director of the Texas 245 00:07:37,230 --> 00:07:38,889 Cannabis Policy Center. 246 00:07:38,890 --> 00:07:39,669 Heather, thank you for your time 247 00:07:39,670 --> 00:07:40,499 today. 248 00:07:40,500 --> 00:07:41,500 Thank you. 249 00:07:46,140 --> 00:07:47,879 And thank you out there for tuning 250 00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:50,259 in. This is Austin Signal. 251 00:07:51,300 --> 00:07:52,959 A live oak in Steve Parker's yard 252 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:54,799 died last year from oak 253 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:56,279 wilt. The tree had been with his 254 00:07:56,280 --> 00:07:58,139 family for years and Parker was 255 00:07:58,140 --> 00:07:59,919 surprised by how saddened he was 256 00:07:59,920 --> 00:08:01,419 when it came down. 257 00:08:01,420 --> 00:08:02,859 And he was also confronted with a 258 00:08:02,860 --> 00:08:04,539 question a lot of Austinites have 259 00:08:04,540 --> 00:08:06,439 faced. What to do with 260 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:08,059 all the wood? 261 00:08:08,060 --> 00:08:10,079 An artist and musician, he arrived 262 00:08:10,080 --> 00:08:11,869 at a unique answer. 263 00:08:11,870 --> 00:08:14,189 As KUT's Mose Bouchel reports, 264 00:08:14,190 --> 00:08:16,069 that answer can be heard and seen in 265 00:08:16,070 --> 00:08:18,129 his solo exhibit, Funeral for 266 00:08:18,130 --> 00:08:19,130 a Tree. 267 00:08:22,250 --> 00:08:23,749 Walk into the show, and one of the 268 00:08:23,750 --> 00:08:25,249 first things you might hear is this 269 00:08:25,250 --> 00:08:27,209 scratchy, woody sound. 270 00:08:27,210 --> 00:08:28,329 It sounds kind of like a branch 271 00:08:28,330 --> 00:08:30,169 spookily grinding against 272 00:08:30,170 --> 00:08:31,529 the side of an old farmhouse. 273 00:08:33,100 --> 00:08:34,339 It's something else. 274 00:08:34,340 --> 00:08:36,418 There are slices of 275 00:08:36,419 --> 00:08:38,339 live oak that are now functioning 276 00:08:38,340 --> 00:08:40,699 both kind of like conceptual 277 00:08:40,700 --> 00:08:43,158 and literal records. 278 00:08:43,159 --> 00:08:45,119 This is Steve Parker, the artist 279 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:47,199 behind Funeral for a Tree, 280 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:48,999 and when he says records, he means 281 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:50,079 it. 282 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:51,739 Parker has taken cross-sections of 283 00:08:51,740 --> 00:08:53,579 his old tree, sometimes called wood 284 00:08:53,580 --> 00:08:55,579 cookies, and found ways to 285 00:08:55,580 --> 00:08:57,839 play them, like vinyl albums. 286 00:08:57,840 --> 00:09:00,139 Here by the entrance, smaller sliced 287 00:09:00,140 --> 00:09:01,979 tree branches, 45s if 288 00:09:01,980 --> 00:09:03,720 you will, spin on the wall. 289 00:09:05,100 --> 00:09:07,379 The sounds you hear are twigs and 290 00:09:07,380 --> 00:09:09,199 metal stylus needles making 291 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:10,319 contact. 292 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:11,519 And that's getting sent to an 293 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:13,759 amplifier and then 294 00:09:13,760 --> 00:09:15,779 resonates through a 295 00:09:15,780 --> 00:09:17,159 trumpet bell that's kind of poking 296 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:18,359 out of the wall. 297 00:09:18,360 --> 00:09:19,879 What does this make you think about? 298 00:09:19,880 --> 00:09:21,679 The passage of time, I think. 299 00:09:21,680 --> 00:09:23,339 Like when we look at a tree and want 300 00:09:23,340 --> 00:09:25,259 to look at its life, we look 301 00:09:25,260 --> 00:09:27,479 the stump because 302 00:09:27,480 --> 00:09:29,339 it's like this visual 303 00:09:29,340 --> 00:09:30,340 record. 304 00:09:31,860 --> 00:09:34,059 Now turned to an actual record 305 00:09:34,060 --> 00:09:35,559 playing its own. 306 00:09:37,730 --> 00:09:39,429 All right, what do we have next? 307 00:09:39,430 --> 00:09:40,429 Well, maybe I should show you this 308 00:09:40,430 --> 00:09:41,529 one. 309 00:09:41,530 --> 00:09:43,389 He takes me to another piece, 310 00:09:43,390 --> 00:09:45,249 an altar of live oak, made 311 00:09:45,250 --> 00:09:47,269 of branches and an oak desk 312 00:09:47,270 --> 00:09:49,289 that support the pipes of 313 00:09:49,290 --> 00:09:50,229 a shung. 314 00:09:50,230 --> 00:09:51,809 It's a Chinese wind instrument, 315 00:09:51,810 --> 00:09:53,709 historically made of bamboo, that 316 00:09:53,710 --> 00:09:55,289 Parker learned about on a recent 317 00:09:55,290 --> 00:09:56,729 trip to Taiwan. 318 00:09:56,730 --> 00:09:57,809 And here it's gonna start playing 319 00:09:57,810 --> 00:09:58,810 right now, actually. 320 00:10:00,880 --> 00:10:02,799 He plugs it in, and tubes 321 00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:04,919 bring breath to the instruments 322 00:10:04,920 --> 00:10:07,879 and fill the space with sound. 323 00:10:07,880 --> 00:10:09,839 For Parker, it brings to mind the 324 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:11,659 shutting down at the end of 325 00:10:11,660 --> 00:10:12,660 life. 326 00:10:13,030 --> 00:10:14,949 And also the lungs of the human 327 00:10:14,950 --> 00:10:15,950 body. 328 00:10:20,640 --> 00:10:22,719 The Schung and the Live Oak records 329 00:10:22,720 --> 00:10:24,499 come together in another piece in 330 00:10:24,500 --> 00:10:26,559 the exhibit, where thick wooden 331 00:10:26,560 --> 00:10:28,799 disks hang above a wooden 332 00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:29,899 turntable. 333 00:10:29,900 --> 00:10:32,059 These albums are far more polished 334 00:10:32,060 --> 00:10:33,919 and refined than the wood cookies 335 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:35,599 near the entrance They're made from 336 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:37,939 bigger sections of the dead 337 00:10:37,940 --> 00:10:38,939 live oak. 338 00:10:38,940 --> 00:10:41,019 They're encoded just like 339 00:10:41,020 --> 00:10:42,979 a vinyl record with a 340 00:10:42,980 --> 00:10:44,879 bird song of different bird species 341 00:10:44,880 --> 00:10:46,879 that are roosted in the tree's 342 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:48,439 branches over its lifetime. 343 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:50,519 And those have been interpreted by 344 00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:52,839 my friend Ji Bo-Yong, 345 00:10:52,840 --> 00:10:55,389 a shung player from Taiwan. 346 00:10:55,390 --> 00:10:57,230 There's the Eastern Wood Pee-wee. 347 00:11:03,250 --> 00:11:04,250 The Purple Martin? 348 00:11:06,580 --> 00:11:08,159 Again interpreted by Gippo. 349 00:11:11,079 --> 00:11:12,079 Swainson's Thrush. 350 00:11:14,540 --> 00:11:15,540 The wood thrush. 351 00:11:17,480 --> 00:11:19,659 And the yellow-billed cuckoo. 352 00:11:23,280 --> 00:11:24,779 Now I should say, what you're 353 00:11:24,780 --> 00:11:26,859 hearing now are not the 354 00:11:26,860 --> 00:11:28,799 wooden records on the 355 00:11:28,800 --> 00:11:31,039 wall, but the original recordings 356 00:11:31,040 --> 00:11:32,339 of Jibo Young. 357 00:11:32,340 --> 00:11:34,299 The wooden versions are far 358 00:11:34,300 --> 00:11:35,349 scratchier. 359 00:11:35,350 --> 00:11:36,729 But I also have another wooden 360 00:11:36,730 --> 00:11:38,769 record here that's made on, that's 361 00:11:38,770 --> 00:11:40,529 played on this wooden record player. 362 00:11:40,530 --> 00:11:42,269 It functions like a old Victrola. 363 00:11:42,270 --> 00:11:44,089 So it even has like a 364 00:11:44,090 --> 00:11:46,609 wooden needle for a stylus. 365 00:11:46,610 --> 00:11:47,829 It's a toothpick. 366 00:11:47,830 --> 00:11:49,989 And this wooden records plays 367 00:11:49,990 --> 00:11:52,089 a melody that sort of 368 00:11:52,090 --> 00:11:53,969 captures in my mind, the essence 369 00:11:53,970 --> 00:11:54,970 of the exhibition. 370 00:11:56,850 --> 00:11:58,889 He plays an old folk ballad. 371 00:11:58,890 --> 00:11:59,909 From the 1920s. 372 00:12:05,230 --> 00:12:07,029 It's called Bury Me Beneath the 373 00:12:07,030 --> 00:12:08,669 Willow, performed by Ernest 374 00:12:08,670 --> 00:12:09,670 Thompson. 375 00:12:10,580 --> 00:12:12,759 They sound fuzzy because they 376 00:12:12,760 --> 00:12:15,339 are capturing both the 377 00:12:15,340 --> 00:12:16,959 imperfections, so to speak, of the 378 00:12:16,960 --> 00:12:18,779 wood and the different fissures 379 00:12:18,780 --> 00:12:20,679 and lesions 380 00:12:20,680 --> 00:12:22,699 that the wood has experienced as it 381 00:12:22,700 --> 00:12:23,819 died. 382 00:12:23,820 --> 00:12:25,859 And the life of the 383 00:12:25,860 --> 00:12:27,479 wood is captured. 384 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:28,939 And over time it will actually fade 385 00:12:28,940 --> 00:12:30,139 a little bit more, just like a 386 00:12:30,140 --> 00:12:31,140 memory. 387 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:35,059 Here's the original vinyl 388 00:12:35,060 --> 00:12:36,060 version. 389 00:12:41,110 --> 00:12:43,049 As our tree got sick, 390 00:12:43,050 --> 00:12:45,689 one thing that was 391 00:12:45,690 --> 00:12:47,769 noticeable for me and a parent was 392 00:12:47,770 --> 00:12:50,329 the way that 393 00:12:50,330 --> 00:12:52,349 emotionally I was tied to the tree 394 00:12:52,350 --> 00:12:54,269 and how it echoed a 395 00:12:54,270 --> 00:12:56,329 lot of what I experienced six years 396 00:12:56,330 --> 00:12:57,849 ago when my dad was really sick with 397 00:12:57,850 --> 00:12:58,850 cancer. 398 00:12:59,750 --> 00:13:01,589 And I often think about 399 00:13:01,590 --> 00:13:02,609 my dad when I'm working in the 400 00:13:02,610 --> 00:13:04,709 studio, I listen to music that he 401 00:13:04,710 --> 00:13:06,589 would have listened to, and 402 00:13:06,590 --> 00:13:08,529 this is just something for me to 403 00:13:08,530 --> 00:13:10,329 kind of maintain a connection with 404 00:13:10,330 --> 00:13:11,330 him. 405 00:13:20,410 --> 00:13:22,429 Funeral for a Tree runs 406 00:13:22,430 --> 00:13:24,589 through this Saturday at the iVestor 407 00:13:24,590 --> 00:13:26,449 Contemporary Gallery in East 408 00:13:26,450 --> 00:13:27,469 Austin. 409 00:13:27,470 --> 00:13:28,929 In Austin, I'm Mose Bouchelle. 410 00:13:33,170 --> 00:13:35,969 You can head on over to kut.org 411 00:13:35,970 --> 00:13:37,729 to take a look at some of these 412 00:13:37,730 --> 00:13:38,549 records. 413 00:13:38,550 --> 00:13:40,189 We'll have a link in our show notes 414 00:13:40,190 --> 00:13:42,209 and you can find more at kut 415 00:13:42,210 --> 00:13:44,229 dot org slash signal 416 00:13:44,230 --> 00:13:45,709 and you could find more arts 417 00:13:45,710 --> 00:13:47,449 coverage, including a list of 418 00:13:47,450 --> 00:13:49,389 weekend recommendations at 419 00:13:49,390 --> 00:13:51,829 k ut dot org slash 420 00:13:51,830 --> 00:13:53,189 art beats. 421 00:13:53,190 --> 00:13:54,169 This is Austin signal. 422 00:13:54,170 --> 00:13:55,750 We'll be back in just a moment. 423 00:14:00,270 --> 00:14:02,609 This is Austin Signal, welcome back. 424 00:14:02,610 --> 00:14:04,249 Let's take a look back at an Austin 425 00:14:04,250 --> 00:14:06,169 legend that you might not have heard 426 00:14:06,170 --> 00:14:08,469 of, LaVeta Durst, 427 00:14:08,470 --> 00:14:10,349 once known as Dr. Hep 428 00:14:10,350 --> 00:14:12,249 Cat, who in 1948 became 429 00:14:12,250 --> 00:14:14,209 one of the first black DJs 430 00:14:14,210 --> 00:14:15,109 in Texas. 431 00:14:15,110 --> 00:14:16,429 That was just one of many hats he 432 00:14:16,430 --> 00:14:18,429 wore in the Austin community. 433 00:14:18,430 --> 00:14:19,909 Here's Jason Mellard from the Center 434 00:14:19,910 --> 00:14:21,749 for Texas Music History at Texas 435 00:14:21,750 --> 00:14:22,869 State University. 436 00:14:35,710 --> 00:14:37,329 This week in Texas Music History we 437 00:14:37,330 --> 00:14:39,169 meet a hip Austin DJ whose 438 00:14:39,170 --> 00:14:41,069 career spans baseball, 439 00:14:41,070 --> 00:14:42,489 barrel house, and gospel. 440 00:14:42,490 --> 00:14:44,689 On January 9th, 1913, 441 00:14:44,690 --> 00:14:46,029 radio personality and musician 442 00:14:46,030 --> 00:14:47,889 LaVeta Durst, also known as Dr. 443 00:14:47,890 --> 00:14:49,749 Hepcat, was born in Austin. 444 00:14:49,750 --> 00:14:50,889 Durst played many roles in the 445 00:14:50,890 --> 00:14:52,349 community over the years, but it was 446 00:14:52,350 --> 00:14:54,249 gospel piano that he settled into 447 00:14:54,250 --> 00:14:56,369 first. By the 1930s he'd 448 00:14:56,370 --> 00:14:58,149 mastered the secular style of barrel 449 00:14:58,150 --> 00:15:00,069 house piano, too, and would long be 450 00:15:00,070 --> 00:15:01,669 associated with local artists of the 451 00:15:01,670 --> 00:15:03,249 genre like Robert Shaw and the it 452 00:15:03,250 --> 00:15:04,159 goes. 453 00:15:04,160 --> 00:15:05,899 In the 1940s, he became the 454 00:15:05,900 --> 00:15:07,119 announcer for Austin's black 455 00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:09,039 baseball team, the Senators, calling 456 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:11,719 games with a distinctive hip banter. 457 00:15:11,720 --> 00:15:13,119 Future Governor John Connolly, then 458 00:15:13,120 --> 00:15:15,379 an up-and-comer in LBJ's circles, 459 00:15:15,380 --> 00:15:16,719 attended one of those games and told 460 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:18,359 his friend and co-owner of KVET 461 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:19,479 Radio, J.J. 462 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:20,459 Pickle, about the talented 463 00:15:20,460 --> 00:15:21,359 announcer. 464 00:15:21,360 --> 00:15:23,579 They gave him an on-air job in 1948, 465 00:15:23,580 --> 00:15:25,339 one of the very first black DJs in 466 00:15:25,340 --> 00:15:26,399 Texas. 467 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:28,279 A KVet program director also owned 468 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:30,059 the record label Uptown, and Durst 469 00:15:30,060 --> 00:15:31,959 recorded his singles Hattie Green 470 00:15:31,960 --> 00:15:33,820 and Hep Cat's Boogie in 1949. 471 00:15:38,350 --> 00:15:39,969 Talented at cross-promotion, Durst 472 00:15:39,970 --> 00:15:42,109 published a vocabulary of his hip, 473 00:15:42,110 --> 00:15:44,049 on-air lingo, the jives of Dr. 474 00:15:44,050 --> 00:15:46,049 Hepcat, to sell to his fans. 475 00:15:46,050 --> 00:15:47,989 In the 1950s, Durrst also turned 476 00:15:47,990 --> 00:15:49,569 his attention to gospel songwriting 477 00:15:49,570 --> 00:15:51,209 and management, mentoring the group 478 00:15:51,210 --> 00:15:52,549 The Chariots, and writing the 479 00:15:52,550 --> 00:15:54,009 influential song, Let's Talk About 480 00:15:54,010 --> 00:15:55,849 Jesus, for the Austin Singers at 481 00:15:55,850 --> 00:15:57,029 Bells of Joy. 482 00:15:57,030 --> 00:15:58,309 So Levada Durst was a baseball 483 00:15:58,310 --> 00:16:00,149 announcer, radio DJ, recording 484 00:16:00,150 --> 00:16:01,669 artist, songwriter, and gospel 485 00:16:01,670 --> 00:16:03,289 manager, but that's not all. 486 00:16:03,290 --> 00:16:04,989 At the same time, he worked at the 487 00:16:04,990 --> 00:16:06,549 City of Austin as program director 488 00:16:06,550 --> 00:16:08,229 for the Doris Miller Auditorium. 489 00:16:08,230 --> 00:16:09,489 Putting on concerts by Duke 490 00:16:09,490 --> 00:16:11,349 Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sam 491 00:16:11,350 --> 00:16:13,389 Cooke. By the late 60s and into 492 00:16:13,390 --> 00:16:15,109 the 70s though, Durst turned his 493 00:16:15,110 --> 00:16:16,449 attention increasingly to the 494 00:16:16,450 --> 00:16:18,589 Baptist Church, giving gospel center 495 00:16:18,590 --> 00:16:20,509 stage, while occasionally coming out 496 00:16:20,510 --> 00:16:22,049 of Barrow House retirement to 497 00:16:22,050 --> 00:16:23,649 perform with the Texas Music Museum 498 00:16:23,650 --> 00:16:25,589 in Austin, where his piano and book 499 00:16:25,590 --> 00:16:27,709 of jives reside today. 500 00:16:27,710 --> 00:16:28,949 And you can hear music from the Lone 501 00:16:28,950 --> 00:16:30,789 Star State 24-7 on the 502 00:16:30,790 --> 00:16:33,989 Texas music experience at TMX.fm. 503 00:16:33,990 --> 00:16:35,769 Support for This Week in Texas Music 504 00:16:35,770 --> 00:16:37,549 History comes from Brain Audio, 505 00:16:37,550 --> 00:16:39,229 maker of a compact portable speaker, 506 00:16:39,230 --> 00:16:40,829 featuring an internal subwoofer that 507 00:16:40,830 --> 00:16:42,629 produces deep bass sound. 508 00:16:42,630 --> 00:16:44,149 Engineered in the live music capital 509 00:16:44,150 --> 00:16:45,209 of the world. 510 00:16:45,210 --> 00:16:46,210 More at BraneAudio.com. 511 00:16:47,510 --> 00:16:49,589 That's B-R-A-N-E audio 512 00:16:49,590 --> 00:16:50,590 dot com. 513 00:16:58,500 --> 00:17:00,339 When the topic of iconic Austin 514 00:17:00,340 --> 00:17:01,799 music venues comes up in 515 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:03,619 conversation, there are a handful of 516 00:17:03,620 --> 00:17:04,999 names that make the list where you 517 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:06,818 can still hear live music 518 00:17:06,819 --> 00:17:08,379 this very day. 519 00:17:08,380 --> 00:17:10,939 One of those was established in 1974 520 00:17:10,940 --> 00:17:12,618 as a reputation of being on the 521 00:17:12,619 --> 00:17:14,519 bucket list for musicians from all 522 00:17:14,520 --> 00:17:16,179 over the world, and it happens to be 523 00:17:16,180 --> 00:17:17,519 right across the street from us here 524 00:17:17,520 --> 00:17:19,559 at KUTNKUTX. 525 00:17:19,560 --> 00:17:21,139 We're talking about hole in the 526 00:17:21,140 --> 00:17:22,919 wall. And some news here on Austin 527 00:17:22,920 --> 00:17:23,838 Signal. 528 00:17:23,839 --> 00:17:25,679 KUTX has partnered up with Hole to 529 00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:27,358 bring you a new series that merges 530 00:17:27,359 --> 00:17:29,319 the energies of two Austin music 531 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:30,479 institutions. 532 00:17:30,480 --> 00:17:31,939 And for more about that, we are 533 00:17:31,940 --> 00:17:33,639 talking with Deidre Gott, assistant 534 00:17:33,640 --> 00:17:35,299 program director and live music 535 00:17:35,300 --> 00:17:36,739 booker for KUTx. 536 00:17:36,740 --> 00:17:37,769 Deidra, thanks for joining the show. 537 00:17:37,770 --> 00:17:39,239 Hey, thanks for having me! 538 00:17:39,240 --> 00:17:40,619 Well, we're really excited to hear 539 00:17:40,620 --> 00:17:41,779 about this new series. 540 00:17:41,780 --> 00:17:43,039 Tell us a little bit about it. 541 00:17:43,040 --> 00:17:44,459 Does it have a name? 542 00:17:44,460 --> 00:17:46,139 It is the whole story. 543 00:17:46,140 --> 00:17:47,439 Mmm, nice, I love it. 544 00:17:47,440 --> 00:17:49,439 And the idea is behind like 545 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:51,759 kind of think like VH1 Storytellers 546 00:17:51,760 --> 00:17:54,629 meets MTV Unplugged. 547 00:17:54,630 --> 00:17:56,949 Oh wow, like VH1 behind the music, 548 00:17:56,950 --> 00:17:57,370 that kind of thing? 549 00:17:57,371 --> 00:17:59,209 Yeah. Well, so I mean, 550 00:17:59,210 --> 00:18:00,649 like it's, it's more of a 551 00:18:00,650 --> 00:18:02,469 storyteller series, you know, like 552 00:18:02,470 --> 00:18:04,349 they'll play, they play four songs 553 00:18:04,350 --> 00:18:06,409 and then they also talk 554 00:18:06,410 --> 00:18:07,689 either about like what influenced 555 00:18:07,690 --> 00:18:08,949 them or, 556 00:18:10,570 --> 00:18:11,629 you know. 557 00:18:11,630 --> 00:18:13,329 Shiny Ribs did a whole like, here's 558 00:18:13,330 --> 00:18:15,449 my, here is my life story. 559 00:18:15,450 --> 00:18:17,009 Just off, off the cuff. 560 00:18:17,010 --> 00:18:17,809 He's amazing. 561 00:18:17,810 --> 00:18:19,629 So there's a lot of great stories, a 562 00:18:19,630 --> 00:18:22,049 lot insight to songwriting and 563 00:18:22,050 --> 00:18:24,109 and songs that you've heard a lot on 564 00:18:24,110 --> 00:18:25,629 KUTX. We get to hear like what 565 00:18:25,630 --> 00:18:26,769 they're about. 566 00:18:26,770 --> 00:18:28,609 And yeah, I 567 00:18:28,610 --> 00:18:29,570 think it's gonna be cool, I hope. 568 00:18:29,571 --> 00:18:31,849 It seems like a natural 569 00:18:31,850 --> 00:18:33,689 synergy between the two. 570 00:18:33,690 --> 00:18:35,049 I mean, they are literally there. 571 00:18:35,050 --> 00:18:36,669 They are feet from us here at the 572 00:18:36,670 --> 00:18:37,589 hole in the wall. 573 00:18:37,590 --> 00:18:39,819 What brought this partnership about? 574 00:18:39,820 --> 00:18:41,719 Um, well, you know, you sit in 575 00:18:41,720 --> 00:18:43,339 the, uh, studio, the control room 576 00:18:43,340 --> 00:18:44,859 and right across the street, we get 577 00:18:44,860 --> 00:18:47,179 to see Hole in the Wall every single 578 00:18:47,180 --> 00:18:48,119 day, right? 579 00:18:48,120 --> 00:18:49,979 Um, and you know we just 580 00:18:49,980 --> 00:18:51,119 wanted to partner with them because 581 00:18:51,120 --> 00:18:53,039 that front stage is 582 00:18:53,040 --> 00:18:55,059 iconic, you, know, over 50 583 00:18:55,060 --> 00:18:56,439 years. I mean, there's so many 584 00:18:56,440 --> 00:18:57,839 amazing stories from the Hole in the 585 00:18:57,840 --> 00:18:59,499 Wall back in the crazy days. 586 00:18:59,500 --> 00:19:01,679 Um, you now, Lucinda 587 00:19:01,680 --> 00:19:04,019 Williams has played there or, or 588 00:19:04,020 --> 00:19:05,559 was told she can't play there 589 00:19:05,560 --> 00:19:07,099 because they already had a woman, 590 00:19:07,100 --> 00:19:08,339 that's a good story. 591 00:19:08,340 --> 00:19:09,759 Um, you know, Blaze fully played 592 00:19:09,760 --> 00:19:10,939 there a lot. 593 00:19:10,940 --> 00:19:12,559 Spoon, uh, when they were going to 594 00:19:12,560 --> 00:19:14,119 UT, that was the, the place that 595 00:19:14,120 --> 00:19:15,599 they played the most, getting all 596 00:19:15,600 --> 00:19:17,479 their practice and show time in. 597 00:19:17,480 --> 00:19:19,359 Uh, Fastball, Gary Clark Jr. 598 00:19:19,360 --> 00:19:21,639 Shiny Ribs, um, or the Gord's, 599 00:19:21,640 --> 00:19:22,640 uh. 600 00:19:23,200 --> 00:19:24,499 Uh, a bit about Shakey Graves. 601 00:19:24,500 --> 00:19:25,639 I mean, just the list goes on. 602 00:19:25,640 --> 00:19:26,499 Yeah, the real murderers row, yeah. 603 00:19:26,500 --> 00:19:28,059 Yeah. It's an awesome stage. 604 00:19:28,060 --> 00:19:30,039 So we wanted to do something 605 00:19:30,040 --> 00:19:31,979 and kind of like honor that 606 00:19:31,980 --> 00:19:33,879 front stage, which has 607 00:19:33,880 --> 00:19:36,289 not been changed since it was built. 608 00:19:36,290 --> 00:19:37,969 Uh, the owners, there's been several 609 00:19:37,970 --> 00:19:39,249 owners of Hole in the Wall, but they 610 00:19:39,250 --> 00:19:41,149 always say they are not allowed to 611 00:19:41,150 --> 00:19:42,729 change that front room or people 612 00:19:42,730 --> 00:19:44,509 would get mad. It will be cursed. 613 00:19:44,510 --> 00:19:46,349 It has to stay exactly the 614 00:19:46,350 --> 00:19:48,109 same, including the bathrooms. 615 00:19:49,530 --> 00:19:50,909 So it has to stay. 616 00:19:50,910 --> 00:19:53,329 It's like that for a reason. 617 00:19:53,330 --> 00:19:54,669 One of the reasons why I mentioned 618 00:19:54,670 --> 00:19:56,169 the Hole in the Wall stage being on 619 00:19:56,170 --> 00:19:58,009 the bucket list for many musicians, 620 00:19:58,010 --> 00:19:59,849 local and international, is because 621 00:19:59,850 --> 00:20:01,389 at one of the tapings an artist, 622 00:20:01,390 --> 00:20:03,309 Jade Bird, she's from the 623 00:20:03,310 --> 00:20:05,189 UK, they said just that. 624 00:20:05,190 --> 00:20:06,329 I gotta guess that wasn't the first 625 00:20:06,330 --> 00:20:07,809 time that you heard that from one of 626 00:20:07,810 --> 00:20:09,069 the artists performing on stage, 627 00:20:09,070 --> 00:20:10,249 right? Like I've been dying to get 628 00:20:10,250 --> 00:20:10,859 up here. 629 00:20:10,860 --> 00:20:12,799 I mean, most of the people that we 630 00:20:12,800 --> 00:20:14,439 invited this time have played 631 00:20:14,440 --> 00:20:16,459 before, but Jade Bird 632 00:20:16,460 --> 00:20:18,319 Haddon, Grace Sorensen, 633 00:20:18,320 --> 00:20:20,139 who's an R&B singer, she had 634 00:20:20,140 --> 00:20:21,839 never played there and she was 635 00:20:21,840 --> 00:20:23,599 honored to be there. 636 00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:25,459 So yeah, I mean it is a pretty 637 00:20:25,460 --> 00:20:27,339 iconic special stage 638 00:20:27,340 --> 00:20:29,179 with all of these like amazing 639 00:20:29,180 --> 00:20:30,879 artists that have stood on that 640 00:20:30,880 --> 00:20:32,109 stage and played. 641 00:20:32,110 --> 00:20:34,049 Yeah, you mentioned Shiny Ribs, 642 00:20:34,050 --> 00:20:35,349 that Shiny Rib's episode is coming 643 00:20:35,350 --> 00:20:36,549 out shortly. 644 00:20:36,550 --> 00:20:38,229 We want to play a snippet of a voice 645 00:20:38,230 --> 00:20:39,869 memo that he sent you that kind of 646 00:20:39,870 --> 00:20:41,509 lets listeners know just what 647 00:20:41,510 --> 00:20:43,170 they're in for with this series. 648 00:20:46,050 --> 00:20:48,609 Okay, we are 649 00:20:48,610 --> 00:20:51,629 thinking back on 650 00:20:51,630 --> 00:20:53,190 memories from the Hole in the Wall. 651 00:20:55,010 --> 00:20:57,229 As best as I can 652 00:20:57,230 --> 00:20:59,069 remember after 653 00:20:59,070 --> 00:21:00,769 discussing this with my old 654 00:21:00,770 --> 00:21:02,569 bandmates from the Picket Line 655 00:21:02,570 --> 00:21:03,570 Coyotes, 656 00:21:04,430 --> 00:21:06,709 we first 657 00:21:06,710 --> 00:21:08,229 played Hole in The Wall, 658 00:21:09,350 --> 00:21:11,769 I think it was South by Southwest, 659 00:21:11,770 --> 00:21:13,509 1990. 660 00:21:13,510 --> 00:21:15,609 I love the energy 661 00:21:15,610 --> 00:21:17,829 That crack of the can, you know, 662 00:21:17,830 --> 00:21:18,659 nothing beats that. Oh, nothing beats that. 663 00:21:18,660 --> 00:21:19,959 Kevin Russell is awesome. 664 00:21:19,960 --> 00:21:21,559 But I have to say, late breaking 665 00:21:21,560 --> 00:21:24,339 news, after he sent that memory, 666 00:21:24,340 --> 00:21:27,239 he was like, the first time was 1988 667 00:21:27,240 --> 00:21:28,979 at South By. 668 00:21:28,980 --> 00:21:30,579 So I had to correct that. 669 00:21:30,580 --> 00:21:32,419 He made sure I got that 670 00:21:32,420 --> 00:21:33,239 text message. 671 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:35,119 Yeah, it was an 672 00:21:35,120 --> 00:21:36,979 awesome story that he sent 673 00:21:36,980 --> 00:21:38,639 me a rambling on voicemail. 674 00:21:38,640 --> 00:21:39,799 So I'm gonna include that in the 675 00:21:39,800 --> 00:21:41,099 broadcast version. 676 00:21:41,100 --> 00:21:43,159 And then when he was in a hole 677 00:21:43,160 --> 00:21:45,039 in the wall taping back in 678 00:21:45,040 --> 00:21:47,069 May. Uh, just took us on an 679 00:21:47,070 --> 00:21:49,019 incredible journey of storytelling. 680 00:21:49,020 --> 00:21:50,619 Yeah, okay, so we mentioned Shiny 681 00:21:50,620 --> 00:21:52,519 Ribs, Grace Sorensen, who else 682 00:21:52,520 --> 00:21:53,799 is going to be featured in this 683 00:21:53,800 --> 00:21:54,389 first season? 684 00:21:54,390 --> 00:21:56,249 Yeah, we've got Alex Maas from the 685 00:21:56,250 --> 00:21:58,829 Black Angels, Hayes Carl, 686 00:21:58,830 --> 00:22:00,749 Cary Fessel who is in Bruce 687 00:22:00,750 --> 00:22:03,129 and Kaliope musicals, 688 00:22:03,130 --> 00:22:05,369 and Paige Renee Berry of Half Dream, 689 00:22:05,370 --> 00:22:07,089 oh and Jonathan Terrell as well. 690 00:22:07,090 --> 00:22:07,090 Nice. 691 00:22:07,091 --> 00:22:08,009 Nice nice. 692 00:22:08,010 --> 00:22:10,329 Well, I think the whole series I'm 693 00:22:10,330 --> 00:22:12,169 sorry The whole story has 694 00:22:12,170 --> 00:22:14,049 achieved something that's something 695 00:22:14,050 --> 00:22:15,369 we struggle to do in journalism 696 00:22:15,370 --> 00:22:16,869 Which is actually putting something 697 00:22:16,870 --> 00:22:18,169 out once it's actually finished 698 00:22:18,170 --> 00:22:19,589 You've done a bunch of these already 699 00:22:19,590 --> 00:22:21,349 and you're ahead of the game. 700 00:22:21,350 --> 00:22:22,969 So now that you've completed this 701 00:22:22,970 --> 00:22:24,829 first run of shows What do you 702 00:22:24,830 --> 00:22:25,649 what do you think about them? 703 00:22:25,650 --> 00:22:26,969 Do you feel like you kind of 704 00:22:26,970 --> 00:22:28,569 achieved the the what Kevin Russell 705 00:22:28,570 --> 00:22:29,889 was talking about the crack of the 706 00:22:29,890 --> 00:22:32,439 can going back to the days of 1988 707 00:22:32,440 --> 00:22:34,299 Yeah, I think it was 708 00:22:34,300 --> 00:22:36,379 such a cool taping to do and 709 00:22:36,380 --> 00:22:38,419 people we had like a really 710 00:22:38,420 --> 00:22:39,679 small audience of concert club 711 00:22:39,680 --> 00:22:41,379 members was only like 50 people when 712 00:22:41,380 --> 00:22:43,799 we taped each of these and I 713 00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:45,159 mean, they keep asking me when I'm 714 00:22:45,160 --> 00:22:46,939 going to do more taping. 715 00:22:46,940 --> 00:22:48,759 It takes a lot the back end 716 00:22:48,760 --> 00:22:49,659 takes a lot. 717 00:22:49,660 --> 00:22:51,139 The taping is real fun and it takes 718 00:22:51,140 --> 00:22:53,039 a lot of work, but hopefully we'll 719 00:22:53,040 --> 00:22:54,999 do another season, but it kicks 720 00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:57,339 off January 16, 721 00:22:57,340 --> 00:22:58,799 we'll put them up. 722 00:22:58,800 --> 00:23:00,789 We put an episode up on YouTube 723 00:23:00,790 --> 00:23:03,549 every Friday and starting the 20th, 724 00:23:03,550 --> 00:23:05,989 it will air every Tuesday at 725 00:23:05,990 --> 00:23:08,169 10 PM on KUTX. 726 00:23:08,170 --> 00:23:09,889 Excellent. We are definitely looking 727 00:23:09,890 --> 00:23:11,709 forward to it. You mentioned being 728 00:23:11,710 --> 00:23:12,969 across from the hole in the wall We 729 00:23:12,970 --> 00:23:14,629 get to see lots of people going into 730 00:23:14,630 --> 00:23:16,149 shows late at night But it was 731 00:23:16,150 --> 00:23:17,489 always cool when these productions 732 00:23:17,490 --> 00:23:18,829 were going on it'd be like two or 733 00:23:18,830 --> 00:23:20,189 three in the afternoon Tons of 734 00:23:20,190 --> 00:23:21,369 people packing into the hole on the 735 00:23:21,370 --> 00:23:22,989 wall. So we're really excited to 736 00:23:22,990 --> 00:23:24,529 check out the entire series again 737 00:23:24,530 --> 00:23:27,189 It's gonna be over at kutx.org. 738 00:23:27,190 --> 00:23:29,049 We've been speaking with Deidre 739 00:23:29,050 --> 00:23:30,929 Gott from kut x We'll have 740 00:23:30,930 --> 00:23:32,329 a link to the series in the show 741 00:23:32,330 --> 00:23:34,709 notes and over at KUT.org 742 00:23:34,710 --> 00:23:36,269 slash signal Deidra Thanks for 743 00:23:36,270 --> 00:23:36,690 talking with us 744 00:23:36,691 --> 00:23:38,629 Aw, thanks for having me, Jerry. 745 00:23:38,630 --> 00:23:40,309 And thank you out there for tuning 746 00:23:40,310 --> 00:23:42,709 in. That is it for today's show. 747 00:23:42,710 --> 00:23:45,549 You can find more from us at kut.org 748 00:23:45,550 --> 00:23:47,049 slash signal. 749 00:23:47,050 --> 00:23:48,229 Kristen Cabrera is our managing 750 00:23:48,230 --> 00:23:50,329 producer and Rayna Sevilla is our 751 00:23:50,330 --> 00:23:51,789 technical director. 752 00:23:51,790 --> 00:23:53,049 I'm your host, Jerry Quijano. 753 00:23:53,050 --> 00:23:54,630 We will talk to you manana.