Greetings from the A-O Ranch!
Well, here I am again, and wondering how I could possibly have taken so long to get back here and write about our comings and goings. First of all, there have been lots of comings and goings. If you have been keeping up with our itinerary then you know we have played lots of shows and covering lots of ground. Hopefully, you have been able to join us at some of the exotic Texas destinations that we are privileged to visit. Taking a little "roadtrip" vacation at the same time, cause that's what we're all about; your having the opportunity to travel to great destinations, enjoy the area, and hear some genuine Original Texas Music.
We've had the opportunity this spring to perform at many of my favorite places which include "those old dance halls, with open windows", like Luckenbach, Gruene Hall, and a new one we've never visited, La Bahia Hall near Brenham, Tx., as well as our regular appearances at colorful rooms such as The Broken Spoke, The White Elephant Saloon, Blanco's Bar and Grill, The Firehouse, The Corona Club in Ciudad Acuna in Mexico and others, which are always fun. Plus, we've played several large music festivals and fairs like the annual Aggie Chilifest, the Meridian Texas Music Festival that drew thousands of fans of Texas Music. This Texas Music thing has really exploded, and I am so glad to see it happening, as this is something I have envisioned and promoted and worked toward in my own career since the beginning days of this movement when Michael Martin Murphey, Jerry Jeff Walker, Willie Nelson, came to town, i.e,, Austin, in the early seventies.
I have really been enjoying learning how to play the electric guitar. It's the hardest thing I have ever tried to do. It may be the only thing I've really focused on trying to accomplish. It seems I've managed to get this far in life without focusing and concentration on a specific goal. I've always had life goals, and they are all grand plans about what I would do if I had the money. But specific, short term goals, like learning to actually play the guitar, because it always come so easily for me to pick up instruments and "kinda" play. I was pretty good at all of them, and not very good on any. I was a "jack of all trades, and the master of none". With lots and lots of practice, I am making very slow progress. It's very frustrating!
Things here on the ranch are actually pretty good. We have enjoyed a good deal of wet weather this spring.. Traveling in Texas where it is getting seriously dry again, I am aware of the blessing it is to get good rains. To those of you who haven't noticed, Texas has experienced pretty serious droughts about 5 of the past 7 years. Droughts are hard on everyone. We are blessed with good rains this spring and the cows are fat and slick. I have a few nice horses for sale. I'll have one trained and ready for delivery. She a black mare, 4 yr. old out of a good paint mare and good stud and registered paint. She 14 hands and perfect for someone who wanted a good smaller horse. I'm in a trading mood.
It seems we just keep taking on more projects while maintaining the ones we have going.
We are looking to move back to Texas and Ruth has been spending lots of time looking for something to buy or a place to build. If wishes were horses beggars would ride. We seeing lots of things we like. But we are of the mindset to be relocated in by the time Julien graduates from high school. He has his senior yr. remaining, he's doing well at his school and he'll be a senior letterman on the football team. He's worked really hard to be a good football player and next year is his year to play. He's so excited about it and he is focused and dedicated and wants to win the state championship. They're pretty serious about their football in Oklahoma.
We have put 500 acres of the ranch on the market. This is a mile of river frontage along the South Canadian River. It is excellent ranch country, and teeming with deer, turkey, and waterfowl in the winter. I always wanted to use it for a nature park with riding and hiking trails, a recreational area, for which it would be great. Time and money could easily make it happen. Mostly time. At this time, it's FOR SALE!
Mean time, speaking of time, I have been spending a great deal of time looking to replace the last drummer who departed with best wishes. We've auditioned and sub'd about 5 different drummers in as many weeks. It's frustrating and time consuming but we have a short list of excellent prospects. Perhaps I can soon drop my most oft used clichÈ, "so many drummers, so little time".
We are getting all revved up about the upcoming GARY P. NUNN 6TH ANNUAL TERLINGUA NORTH CHILI COOK-OFF and SUMMER SOCIAL, to be held at the Southwest Horseman's Club and Arena in Greenville, Tx. the weekend of July 26-27. We were encouraged to renew the event which, Ruth staged up here on the ranch from 1991 thru 1996. They were great fun, but it just became apparent that this was not the best location for the event, so we decided to wait for a better venue to present itself, which has been the case. The Faded Love Chili Team, who are very active in promoting and perpetuating the Original Frank X. Tolbert-Wick Fowler Memorial World Championship Chili Cook-off in Terlingua, Texas, approached us about doing TERLINGUA NORTH again. It has come together nicely and we have a great lineup of musical talent on board and we are looking forward to a great weekend of music and socializing. Please refer to the section about Terlingua North, or log on to a BowlofRed.com for all the details regarding the event and we'll look forward to seeing you there. I feel a party coming on!
I better wrap this up and "get on about my rat-killing", as my mother would say. Can't stay in one place for too long. Big-ole Texas THANK YA'LL, for all your friendship and support. We really are experiencing a tremendous surge in our business and the excitement that seems to be building for our music. Much of it has been out there for years, but it seems of late, more people are starting to listen, and apparently they like what they hear. It is really gratifying, and we are thankful. There are those of you who come to almost every show, and you can't imagine how much we appreciate you. Many have become like members of the family. If we can just carry this thing to the next level, I think everything is going to be just fine.
Come see us often, Visit our web-site and tell your friends where they can reach us. We're getting more than a 1000 hits a weeks without even trying. We're writing again. We're going to record another record. I plan to be more timely with my musings and hope they will always find you enjoying good health, happiness, and success, and being aware of and thankful for the privilege to live in the Good Old USA and to share in all of God's blessings. Until next time, I will remain, your friend for life.
Gary P. Nunn
