[embed width='800' height='600']https://vimeo.com/215612928[/embed]
This video was filmed at the "Fight Like a Girl" cancer benefit that was hosted by Andy Armendariz and friends at the Long Branch Saloon in Round Rock, Texas on April 30, 2017. The BBQ was cooked by Rick Price. Donations were given, an auction was held to raise funds, and the Long Branch Saloon owner gave a check for $200. Many family, friends, and well-wishers attended. Several outstanding musicians donated their performance skills for the crowd. Everyone wishes Tania Hester the best and hopes she can overcome and prosper. We also wish her family well.
My "Texas Tales" videos are stories. They are "tales," windows, into the places I explore, events, Texas history, food, daytrips, and live music around Austin, Texas (the "Live Music Capital of the World.") So while this benefit is in itself important this is a tale about Texas community and how a free benefit to help a neighbor in need happens. The focus of my camera is not on the skill of the musicians, or the venue, or the quality of the video, or even the benefit itself. The focus is on the "Texas Tale," and in this case it is on what the different people there are doing.
What they are doing is creating an orchestra, a symphony of kindness and concern, with each contributing in their own unique ways. BBQ is being grilled and served, ladies are cleaning and organizing, toddlers are bringing their dollar to the tip jar, family have brought a loved one with an illness to be loved and supported through their trials, musicians have donated their afternoon and talents, driven long distances to be there, a crowd has gathered to try to help someone whom many do not even know, people are offering their personal services as auction items, trusted friends are being relied on to make everything run smoothly, Country accents pronounce Southern phrases, Gospel songs passed down from a beloved grandparent are sung, and songs that acknowledge Jesus are mixed in with songs lamenting whiskey and untrue girlfriends and life's lessons, musician's buddies are there to take photos and lend a hand, hard-earned music cds are being given away for free, a song/poem memorializing Texas "Outlaw" heroes and history is being explained and read, and an owner of a venue has opened his doors and provided a place for this tale to occur.
There are cowboy hats and cowboy boots and big silver belt buckles. Original Texas music has made it to Texas radio and musicians are asking for fans to call in to help it succeed. There are moms and dads dancing with their kids, there are friends dancing, big sisters are making sure little brothers don't get in trouble, potato salad and beans have been prepared to go with Texas grilled chicken, brisket, and sausages, Veteran slogans are on t-shirts, Texas flags and symbols abound, and Texas-themed songs fill the air.
There is also a dynamic Texas Country Music personality, Andy Armendariz - the original inspiration for "Texas Tales from a Lone Star," back in 2014 when I created the idea for Central Texas Public Television - hosting, steering, and leading this symphony. So when you watch, look for the "tale," the window into Texas hearts, lives and ways. If you can see that then I successfully created a little bit of what it is like to be a Southerner, especially a "Texan." Angel Isaacs (Creator/Publisher/Producer of "Texas Tales from a Lone Star.")
Special thanks to: Tania Hester, Andy Armendariz, Rick Price, Roger and Minerva Villarreal & the Long Branch Saloon, Cody Price, Denny Herrin, Jacob Essary, Charlie Weyler, Evan Ogden, Billy Latham, Ryan Coalston, Eddie Bertram, Erik Hanchey, Laura Cazares, Loris Greg, John Armendariz, Lana Strickland, Kyla E. Wilson, Lori Sager, Etoyia Simons, Robert Brady, Angela Armendariz, Diamond Latham, family & friends.
You can choose the video quality that plays on your device the best by clicking on the HD symbol at the beginning of the video. If the video stops while playing then wait and then click play again or choose a different, lower, playback setting or try watching at a less busy time of day. The video was created to be played on television. Look for it on the Austin Public Access TV stations 11,12, and/or 16 (200,000 household Central Texas viewing audience) and on Time Warner and AT&T U-Verse (additional 15,000 viewing audience) streaming internet channels
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