I’ve got the music in me

Some people tend to think that my whole life revolves around books. In fact, I do tend to love to talk about books and authors, and films that have been made from books a lot.
Nevertheless, what most people do not know is that I do not fit into one little perfect box, I have many things I am passionate about besides books and one of those things is music.
I grew up listening to the records my parents loved, Buddy Holly, Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Mathis on our black box of a record player. My daddy recently bought my family and me a new record player so I could play and hear all those favorites again.
The sound a needle makes when it first is gently set down upon a record will take you back to my sisters and me dancing in our socks on the hard wood floor to Theresa Brewer and Johnny Rivers. We flat out loved to dance.
When I was in elementary school we moved clear across town and just two doors down lived the Cloptons. Their teenage boys had a band and they used to practice in their garage. I think they were called The Sons of Adam. I remember dancing barefoot in their yard out by the swing set those boys had long outgrown to Wooly Bully and Shes Got a Ticket to Ride as they blasted their music out of their garage.
Our parents would sit around in lawn chairs drinking beer and talking while we kids would just go berserk dancing like wild maniacs to the music. Those were fun times. So when I was asked if I would like to be a volunteer for the Texas Music Awards that was going to be right here in East Texas, my response was, Where do I sign up?
I ended up being the chair for publicity for the Texas Music Awards. What I really liked about publicizing this event was that it was so easy. Who would not want to hear some of the best musical artists in the great state of Texas?
As much as I loved promoting the event, the event itself was what was the most amazing. As the artists began to arrive in limos to walk the red carpet, I kept wondering. I am in East Texas? Jinille and Lucky Boyd had asked me to do a Pulpwood Queen and Beauty and the Book booth just outside of the venue, Music City Texas. I had the perfect vantage point for watching the day’s events unfold.
Next to me was the www.mytexasmusic.com booth which had all the artists CDs, t-shirts and other paraphernalia. As I perused the booth and program, I searched for musical artists that might intrigue my teenage girls. Two came to mind as I chatted with the women working the booth, The Committed and Highspeed Hayride.
The minute the boys in the band The Committed walked out of Music City Texas during intermission, I knew who they were as I had bought a CD and t-shirt for my daughter and studied the photos. As I approached the boys and asked, You guys are The Committed, right? They practically jumped for joy being recognized and were more than willing to sign the shirt and CD.
The manager of the Highspeed Hayride came out and as I asked him where I could get a CD and t-shirt for my other daughter, he told me they were still in their trailer. He would go get me one. He came running back and gave not only gave me a shirt for my daughter, but one for me and some really cool camouflage koozies.
In looking back on this event, I was struck by the similarities between the authors I bring in for my book club and the musical artists at this show. Here were people on the brink of greatness. They were all extremely talented, the best in their field, kind and more than willing to do what it took to get the word known on their book or their music.
Then it hit me, these were the next Harper Lees or Hank Williams for this generation. Why in the world would not everyone in the country want to meet these authors and musical artists?
The only reason I can think of is that people just do not know about the events. My mission has been reestablished. I must help these people get known and publicize these events. Everyone asks, What is in it for you?
My answer is how do you think the first person who read To Kill a Mockingbird felt when they realized they were holding an American treasure. I get great personal satisfaction in helping these authors, musical artists, and promoting their events. There is nothing more fun to me than seeing an author read to an audience and then have those attendees tell me how much they enjoyed the event.
Listening to all the folks who attended the Texas Music Awards talk about the show just made my day. It is very simple folks, just pay it forward. Do not think about what you will get in return, just do a good thing. Oh and then hug these volunteers. We all need a good hug now and then.
For more on the Texas Music Awards please go to www.mytexasmusic.com . To check out all the amazing talent that are showcased at Music City Texas, go to www.musiccitytexas.com
Tiara wearing, Book bearing, and TEXAS MUSIC AWARDS sharing, Kathy L. Patrick Founder of the Pulpwood Queens Book Clubs of America and now CANADA! Beauty and the Book 210 West Austin Jefferson, Texas

Getting a little Kinky

I used to think that one person could not make a difference. I have learned otherwise. As I have gotten older I have become more passionate about my causes and beliefs.
I think most people want to do good but they get sidetracked by lack of an education or they just stop reading once they get out of school. I consider myself a life long learner as that is what brings meaning to my life.
When I got the call that musician turned author and now politican, Kinky Friedman would be willing to come and do a book signing, I was more than happy to consent to that occasion. I like Kinky, sure why not? Bring him on.
Kinky Friedman started out as a University of Texas student then started this band, Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys. He professes to be a Jewish cowboy. I happen to like people who break stereotypes and think outside of the box. I think he is outrageous.
He enjoys breaking social mores, and is definitely a man who is his own person. He went on to become a mystery writer, a very popular mystery writer and then has written more books on quite frankly humorous stories in Texas. He loves this state I think as much as the black leather vest that Waylon Jennings gave him some 30 odd years ago that he is never without wearing.
We had him come for an author appearance/book signing and I was amazed at the turn-out! I had somewhere between five and six hundred people go through my shop that day. We sold out of all his books Texas Hold Em and the people became very verbal about how they were going to vote for him for Governor running on the independent ticket.
I really did not know he had that many fans in East Texas. I looked out at the crowd and I saw men in suits, cowboys, hippies, young people, groups of women I found out were teachers, this was one diverse group from all walks of life.
As we were doing two events, after the first we all sat on the porch and I listened to Kinky talk about his campaign issues, what he felt was important. He said, Leave no teacher behind. We all laughed then he explained that teachers were getting the shaft with budget cuts. He wanted to reform education. Literacy was a top priority for Kinky.
Suddenly, I was listening intently.
He explained his parents were school teachers. Now some of his ideas are really out there, in fact I do not quite know what to make of them. If you stick to his core issues, he wants Texas to be a great state. The only state beating us on worse education and illiteracy is Mississippi, and if it were not for Mississippi, we would be running dead last.
For all appearances you would not think Texas was that low in education ratings but then again I reminded myself that Marion County is like the fourth poorest county in the state. The only poorer ones are the counties that border Mexico.
Most tourists would never know that as they see our pretty little downtown and it's historic homes! If I had a penny for every photo taken in Jefferson, I would be a rich woman. The only way I know of making this world a better place is by reading.
I would highly suggest that everyone go to www.kinkyfriedman.com and really read andfind out about the man before they place their vote for Governor this coming year.
This Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. I will be having John McDowell with the petition drive chairman out of Texarkana down to set up a petition signing for Kinky Friedman. 42,000 signatures have to be collected to add Kinky to the ballot for Governor. You must be a registered voter and have a photo I.D. You also must have NOT voted in the primary or signed the petition for Carol Strayhan who is also running for Governor on the independent ticket.
I have already signed the petition and after Friday, will be the Marion County Petition Drive Chair for Kinky Friedman for Governor. AS Kinky says, Why the Hell Not? Or even better, How Hard Could It Be? I do not know but someone who actually says something that I can understand, speaks to me.
He may not be politically correct but I would rather have a Jewish cowboy in the mansion of the governor than someone who just says what he thinks people want to hear. Can one person make a difference? Let us just see.
Tiara wearing, book bearing, and Kinky sharing, Kathy L. Patrick Founder of the Pulpwood Queens Book Clubs in America and NOW Canada! Beauty and the Book 210 West Austin Jefferson, Texas 75657

I Would Like to Teach the World to Read, In Perfect Harmony!

I recently had the pleasure of hosting California author, Franz Wisner of the New York Times’ Bestseller, Honeymoon with my Brother and his brother, Kurt for two events here in East Texas. The first was the organizational meeting of a new chapter of The Pulpwood Queens of Marshall, Texas.
Phyllis Bailey, publisher and editor of East Texas Connection magazine had attended my annual Girlfriend Weekend, our big author fest. She was so impressed, she decided to head up a chapter as Head Queen. The good folks at Central Perks located in the Weisman Center in Marshall, Texas gave us a wonderful venue for the meeting. In addition, our literacy-promoting partner, The Marshall News Messenger gave us a fabulous lead feature to the kick- off the event.
Phyllis welcomed all the attendees and as we settled in the comfortable couches and chairs, Franz told us his story. Five days before his big wedding at the Sea Ranch in California, his fiance became a runaway bride. Left with a paid wedding and guests in transit, he and his brother, though distraught, decided they would just have a big party since there was no turning back on the event. As Franz was driving home post-wedding, trying to figure out what to do with his life, he realized that he also had a paid honeymoon vacation of two weeks in Costa Rica.
He called his newly divorced brother Kurt, Want to go on a honeymoon? To make a long story short, two years and fifty-three countries latter, they returned home, new men and brotherly bonded. They had found that what they had thought had been handed to them was one great big lemon but in reality was the best thing that happened in their lives. Kind of a lemon to lemonade, no make that a big ole margarita story, a story that has an unusual twist.
The guy got dumped and he was gorgeous, both inside and out. It is an amazing story and I have only given you the tip of the ice cube in this delicious long, cool drink of a book.
The event was later repeated that night with Franz also telling the story at my Beauty and the Book to all my Pulpwood Queens of East Texas and guests. Kurt joined in for question and answer and we are now on a mission to help them spread the word, this is one great read.
Women showed up with wedding veils, suitcases, and passports in tow for they really got into the spirit of these brothers’s travel adventure. This story was not just about traveling the globe after hearbreak, but our travels in life and where the lead us. Is not that what it is all about? It is not so much about the destination but all about the ride.
Each day I jump out of bed, as I cannot wait to see what kind of book loving adventure lies ahead. Franz and Kurt are going on CNN and taking us with them with photos and video clips from the two events. Okay now zoom out and look at the big picture.
I see a world where books and literacy connects people. A world where we are enlightened, educated, entertained by the words on written pages. A world where the possibilities are endless if we only use our imaginations, sit down, and read a good book. Not a day goes by that I am not amazed at the people I have met or the partners that I have made all in the name of literacy.
This Marshall event made the front page of The Marshall News Messenger with the headline PROMOTING LITERACY! I was thrilled the word is getting out as the sole mission of my book clubs are to promote literacy and get America reading.
However, what impressed me even more about the paper were the full color photos inside of that day’s issue titled COMING TOGETHER. Here was a full color photo feature about how Potters Creek Baptist Church celebrates history and literacy with African- American Read-In.
Folks this is literacy in action. The people don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk. I read that this event was dedicated to George Dawson, a native son that learned how to read at 98 and lived to write a book about it called Life is So Good with the help of author, Richard Glaubman. When that book came out, I had to make it a Pulpwood Queen Book Club Selection and one of the greatest joys in my life was getting to meet George Dawson, his son, and Richard Glaubman at the Marshall Public Library. At the time, George was working on his next book. He has since then passed but his story lives on because he made it a life goal to read and then to write his story. We should all follow his lead.
What I see when I look at the big picture is a group of individuals, businesses, organizations, and not-for-profits all coming together in the name of literacy. To see these partnerships and literacy promoting events all coming into fruition while I am still here on earth is what brings to me great meaning in my life. What a celebration it is to see that we are passionate about working on something and putting our energies into something that will only bring about good. I have always said that a child may be born without much of their basic needs. They may be born without proper shelter, proper nutrition, and a good and loving home, but if you can teach a child to read? Reading is the key to help them open the door to many avenues of a good life, a good spirit, and good foundation for building all those basic needs.
Every day when I open the Marshall News Messenger or open the latest issue of East Texas Connection Magazine, I see literacy leaders. People who are making a difference in their lives by reading and others. I am proud to live in a part of the great state of Texas where others find literacy as important as I do.
I have made other literacy partners with The Jefferson Rotary Club, Jefferson ISD, and the list continues to grow. You too can join this literacy bandwagon and it all begins with picking up a book and reading it. Read to your children. Read to your family. Read to your friends. Read.
Tiara wearing, book, author, and literacy sharing, Kathy L. Patrick Founder of the Pulpwood Queens of America and NOW Canada Beauty and the Book 210 West Austin Jefferson, Texas 75657 www.beautyandthebook.com