MR. COTTON EYED JOE

June 14, 2017 / The Coastal Crone / 50 Comments

Al Dean (born Albert Dean Callaway) was known as Mr. Cotton Eyed Joe. He died in 2016 at the age of 85.

Early days

Al Dean grew up deep in South Texas near the small town of Freer where most people called him Dean. He started his country western band, Al Dean and the All Stars, but kept his day job with an oil field supply company for several more years. The group played for dances all over South Texas and beyond in dance halls and honky-tonks great and small.

At the request of a man who asked if he knew “Cotton Eyed-Joe,” he and his band started playing it at dances. In 1967 he recorded it as a single on KIK-R Records. From then on it became his and the band’s signature song even though several other artists have recorded it. The dance was sort of precursor to the line dancing of today with a skip, kick and a whoop. The song was featured in the “Urban Cowboy” mechanical bull scene. which premiered June 5, 1980 in Houston, Texas. Their Galen said his parents attended the premier.

A writer of one of his obituaries described it this way:

…Dean began recording in the late 1950’s including some rockabilly singles.

In 1967, he hit paydirt with an old fiddle tune titled “Cotton Eyed Joe” for KIKR Records. The song dated back many generations and had been recorded in 1941 by both Adolph Hofner and Bob Wills.

“It was a song that I heard as a kid,” Al said. “No one had ever heard of the song. It had died. I had a cowboy from South Texas come up to me and ask if I knew ‘Cotton Eyed Joe.’ I said I did, but I had not sung it in years. We sat down and taught the guys in my band, note for note, how I remembered the ‘Cotton Eyed Joe.’”

The “Cotton Eyed Joe” inspired a new round dance polka for couples. This dance was adapted into a simplified version as a nonpartner waist-hold, spoke line routine. Heel and toe polka steps were replaced with a cross-lift followed by a kick with two-steps. The lift and kick are sometimes accompanied by shouts of “whoops, whoops,” or the barn yard term “bull shit”, mimicking the act of kicking off barnyard muck. .

“This guy found a girl to dance with every time that we would play ‘Cotton Eyed Joe,'” Dean recalled. “He started kicking around on the dance floor and the poor girl walked off in the middle of the dance. Every time we had a show he would ask us to play the song and he would drag a poor girl out on the dance floor and every time she would walk off. It started to spread from there and now everyone does the ‘Cotton Eyed Joe.'”

The song would become a standard in bars, clubs and dance halls all over the United States and make Al Dean and the Allstars a much sought after commodity on the music circuit.

Eventually it became a family affair with wife, Maxine, and sons, Galen and Gary joining the band. In the early days, Maxine’s two brothers, Julius Ray Whitley and Albert Whitley were part of the band. In South Texas if you needed something to do on a Saturday night, you would ask, “Where is Dean playing?”

Maxine played drums. In this early photo her brothers, Albert Whitley and Julius Ray Whitley were to the right of Al Dean.

In this later photo sons have joined their parents. Left to right, Gary Callaway, Al Dean and Galen Callaway.

The South Texas Music Walk of Fame honors music and music professionals with local ties. On June 3, 2017 he and his band, Al Dean and the All Stars, were inducted into the South Texas Music Walk of Fame along with five other inductees in Corpus Christi, Texas. The other were: Chris Perez, the Texas Jazz Festival, Andrew Moore, Beto y Los Fairlanes and Wanda Gregory. Past inductees include Kris Kristofferson (from Brownsville, Texas), George Strait and Selena.

Marker at Water Street Market

The ribbon cutting begins!

Son Gary Callaway cutting the ribbon on the star assisted by former band member, Allen Pollard. In back from left to right, Maxine, Rick Maguglin, former band member, and son Galen Callaway

His career spanned over fifty years as he continued to perform into his eighties; his last professional appearance was in June of 2016. He died in October of that year. A portion of State Highway 16 north of his hometown of Freer will be dedicated as “Al Dean Memorial Highway.” Over the years about forty musicians were part of the All Stars. This star was for Al Dean and all the All Stars who ever played in the band.

Al Dean in his later years. Left to right Al Dean, Maxine, sons Galen and Gary Callaway

He was my first cousin.

FRIDAY FOTO: El Dia de los Muertos Street Festival

November 5, 2016 / The Coastal Crone / 45 Comments

Dead of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and in parts of the United States that honors the dead. Traditions include making private ofrendas (altars) to remember and honor the dead and visiting graves with gifts for the departed. A form of it was celebrated in Mexico prior to Spanish colonization and was gradually integrated into the Catholic church’s holidays, All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2).

On October 29 Husband and I attended El Dia de Los Muertos Street Festival in downtown Corpus Christi. Here are photos by Husband, of course.

2016-10-29-day-of-the-dead-35

2016-10-29-day-of-the-dead-54 Entering the festival on a beautiful afternoon.

2016-10-29-day-of-the-dead-1 Cute couple!

2016-10-29-day-of-the-dead-11 Ofrendas (altars) were set up in an old movie theater, the Rialto. This was a public one where people could participate by bringing photos, gifts, chrysanthemums or remembrances of loved ones.

2016-10-29-day-of-the-dead-7 This ofrenda was not traditional but it was playfully wicked.

2016-10-29-day-of-the-dead-21 Flowers and fruit were left out for Harambe, the gorilla who was shot in a Cincinnati zoo this year to save a child.

2016-10-29-day-of-the-dead-20 This beautiful one was for Abraham Lincoln.

2016-10-29-day-of-the-dead-9 This more traditional ofrenda honored many deceased family members.

2016-10-29-day-of-the-dead-13 For a token donation for the restoration of the Rialto Theater, one could choose a paper flower and write a message in memory a loved one. I left a message for a niece who would have appreciated the art.

2016-10-29-day-of-the-dead-28 A happy face!

2016-10-29-day-of-the-dead-27 A handsome hombre!

2016-10-29-day-of-the-dead-29 Not a typical festival couple.

2016-10-29-day-of-the-dead-44 What is a festival without a car show?

2016-10-29-day-of-the-dead-33 Nice Caddy!

2016-10-29-day-of-the-dead-43 Ready to rock and roll!

2016-10-29-day-of-the-dead-50 Mural on the tunnel from uptown to downtown Corpus Christi.

A native American Indian group performed songs accompanied by drums. At the end the older leader reminded us that we are all brothers of this Earth and that we should care of each other as we take care of our home, Earth. We should all be able to agree with that.

PINK PLANE ON THE FLIGHT DECK!

October 25, 2016 / The Coastal Crone / 40 Comments

2016-10-18-uss-lex-pink-plane

Sitting proudly on the flight deck of the USS Lexington is a plane that has gone pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. A press release described it this way.

“The USS Lexington is excited to announce the very first F9F-8 Cougar painted in pink. The F9F-8 Cougar will be displayed on the flight deck, for all to see, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.

For the first time in history, it will be showcased in the color “Heliconia”, a vibrant shade of pink. The idea was presented by the Director of Operations & Exhibits, Rusty Reustle, from a technique he observed Disney using while filming Pearl Harbor. Dishwashing liquid is applied to latex paint and prevents the paint from becoming permanent. The F9F-8 Cougar is the swept wing version of its forerunner, the F9F Panther — Grumman’s first jet fighter plane. The Blue Angels flew with the F9F-8 and one –8T from 1955 to 1958. The USS Lexington chose a fighter plane in support of all who have fought and continue to fight the battle of cancer.”

(Scenes from the movie,” Pearl Harbor“- 2001, were filmed on the USS Lexington and starred Ben Affleck.)

pinkjet2016 ABOVE: Rocco Montesano, Executive Director; Rusty Restule, Director of Operations & Exhibits; Leon Root, Chief of Maintenance
BELOW: USS Lexington Crew (employees) & Board Members

The jet will remain on display in pink through the month of October and then will be power washed back to its original color. The USS Lexington rests in Corpus Christi Bay, just across the ship channel from downtown Corpus Christi, Texas.

(Here is a post from last year, “Boobs and Betty Bombers”, when I joined at team from the Lex to raise money for the American Cancer Society.)

Celebrating the Autumn Equinox with Honeymoon Mead

September 22, 2016December 27, 2016 / The Coastal Crone / 37 Comments

2016-09-21-autumal-equinox-7

The word “honeymoon” originated from the tradition of giving newly weds a moon’s supply (month’s) of mead on their wedding night. This sweet mead is balanced by a delicate oaking in bourbon. Complex & rich in taste. – From the website of Rohan Meadery

MEAD: An alcoholic beverage created by fermenting honey with water, sometimes with various fruits, spices, grains or hops. The alcoholic content ranges from about 8% to more than 20%. The defining characteristic of mead is that the majority of the beverages’s fermentable sugar is derived from honey. It may be still, carbonated, or naturally sparkling; dry, semi-sweet, or sweet. Mead was produced in ancient history thoughout Europe, Africa and Asia. (Wikipedia)

A few weeks ago Husband and I took a day trip to Rohan Meadery, a small meadery situated between the south central Texas towns of La Grange, Round Top and Fayetteville. We enjoy visiting wineries but had never been to a meadery and did not know that Texas has seven meaderies of which Rohan Meadery is the oldest. There is a modest tasting room where we sampled five each. We found most to be too sweet for us, but we did find that the Honeymoon mead was quite good – smoothly semi-sweet yet dry but with a hint of something stronger. The meadery has its own bee hives and chickens range freely.

Our alter set to celebrate the Autumn Equinox this evening.

While in the area we also visited the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center and the Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites Just outside of La Grange is where the Chicken Ranch, made famous by the movie “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” starring Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds, was located. Apparently the descendants of the Germans and Czechs that settled in the area in the mid-1800s were fairly tolerant of prostitution at the time.

May you find peace and light as we begin another season and embrace the beauty and possibilities of each day. Cheers!

equinox

TALES OF THE BLUE INDIGO

September 13, 2016 / The Coastal Crone / 43 Comments

My WordPress stats tells me that my last post was over two months ago. It is probably the longest that I have gone without posting at least a quote or photo. I confess that I have tried to keep up with many of the blogs I follow, but I know I have missed many good posts. That will be my loss!

My goal for this year, as confided to Loren Rhoads of Cemetery Travels: Adventures in Graveyards Around the World, was to finish a piece that I started several years ago and abandoned because I could not figure out who the murderer was going to be or what the motive would be. Perhaps I don’t multi-task as well as I used to because I couldn’t seem to post regularly and finish my writing project. Many bloggers manage write books and still post every day. I had to choose to solve my murder and finish my novella-sized project, “Tales of the Blue Indigo,” although it does need a bit of polishing . At least I can go on to other writing projects like another incomplete one I titled, “North Beach.” Right now I am now sure what I will do with any of my writing. Perhaps I will combine them into a collection in my other blog, Tales of the Blue Indigo, that only has one post just published but I would be happy to have you visit. The first post is a rather long story titled, “Sug.” I would welcome feedback!

Here is the opening paragraphs of chapter one of my completed writing project,“Tales of the Blue Indigo.”

Joe T. suspected that the old man had brought him along on the ride only to

open and close the gates…then he saw the snake.

Will McNally, an old man at sixty in the eyes the young Joe T., stomped a worn

cowboy boot down roughly on the brake. The blue Chevy pickup stopped like an

obedient quarter horse as the dust it had been kicking up behind caught up with it

and started settling down on top of it. The two cow dogs riding in the back stood

with their front legs on the side of the pickup bed and began barking as McNally

opened the door and jumped out of the truck like a roper off a horse at a rodeo.

“Buster, Lady! Shut up!” he growled. The dogs went silent as their owner crept

around the back of the truck like some Comanche in a raiding party.

Joe T., grateful for the air conditioner blowing in his face, could only stare ahead in

creeping fear as the rattlesnake dragged its heavy body out of the thick brush and

across the gray dust and ruts of the dirt road. He jumped in his seat as McNally’s

face, tanned and lined as a fine cigar, appeared in the passenger window as his hand

motioned for Joe T. to open the window. With shaking fingers he pushed the

automatic button as the tinted glass glided down silently. McNally had left the truck

running , its humming diesel idle was the only sound to compete with his pumping

heart. The heavy heat drifted into the truck and the cool air floated out.

“That’s a big son of a bitch,” McNally whispered, “just watch – maybe you’ll

learn a new trick. Here, take my hat. Be quiet and stay out of my way no matter what

happens,” he warned as he took off his tan felt Stetson to reveal wavy silver hair with

remnants of black that had once been the majority.

BRIDGEWALK: DON’T LOOK DOWN!

May 18, 2016May 18, 2016 / The Coastal Crone / 64 Comments

Photo from Corpus Christi Caller-Times newspaper

“Here we go! We can do this,” I declared confidently.

I took the lead as Daughter and I started up the narrow path that would take us over the Port of Corpus Christi Ship Channel on the Harbor Bridge. We had decided it would be fun and challenge our slight feat of heights to join the monthly Bridgewalk. The route starts at Heritage Park in Corpus Christi, goes over the bridge to North Beach and back to Heritage Park. Driving over it was nothing new as we both live in Portland and must drive over it to get to Corpus Christi. What a fun way to spend Mother’s Day morning – a three-mile walk together!

There were walkers ahead of us and walkers behind us. On the left was a concrete barrier and three lanes of traffic. To the right was high open iron railing and below was the ship channel that widened out into the bay and eventually the Gulf of Mexico and far away ports of the world. The sky was slightly overcast but we would have a great view at the top. I had visions of mother/daughter selfies to post triumphantly!

2016 05 08 Mother's Day Harbor Birdge Walk (7)

What the walkway was like

As we walked (it seemed like climbing to me) higher and higher and the wind picked up, panic set in like a stone. Could I really do this? I reached for the rough and dirty concrete barrier and my hand hovered over it as I walked as if it would somehow ground me. Don’t look down! Don’t look down! One foot in front of the other. Don’t stumble! Keep your eyes on the person in front of you! The wind was stronger now. Eighteen-wheelers whizzed by from behind as if inches away and seemed to make the bridge rattle. Drivers of pick-up trucks sounded their horns as they passed in recognition of the walkers. I somehow felt like a refugee fleeing the city in fear or part of some death march. Was Daughter still behind me? We were not talking and I was not looking back.

The path leveled out as we were beneath the overhead structure of the bridge which made me feel a little more secure, but I was not looking at the view and a selfie was out of the question. No word from Daughter behind me. I trudged on and gratefully started the descent to North Beach.

2016 05 08 Mother's Day Harbor Birdge Walk (4)

Daughter getting ready to go back over the bridge

At the bottom Daughter was right behind me as we stopped for a sip of water provided by the organizers. Then under the bridge and back to the other side for the return trip. We could do this! We did it once we could do it again! It was a bit easier going back but I continued to let my left hand hover over the concrete barrier and look straight ahead. On this side of the bridge were Whataburger Field, Hurricane Alley, ships docked for loading and unloading and the refineries in the distance further up the ship channel.

As soon as we reached solid ground again we hugged with cries of, “We did it!”

2016 05 08 Mother's Day Harbor Birdge Walk (9)

We did it!

Husband was waiting to pick us up. “I saw you and waved to you both ways,” he said, “but you never looked up.”

“No,” we confessed, “we could not look down!” We could laugh at ourselves now.

2016 05 08 Mother's Day Harbor Birdge Walk (11)

Husband was there to pick us up.

Harbor Bridge will be replaced in five years so we wanted to walk it now. The new one will allow for larger and taller ships. Ground will be broken this soon for the new one. It will be my third bridge. As a child I remember driving with my parents over the drawbridge, Corpus Christi Bascule, on our way to North Beach. I hope to see my third bridge and may want to walk over it and will certainly drive over it. Cheers!

The old Bascule Bridge that I remember. Vintage Postcard from my collection

Bascule Bridge raised to allow ship to pass. New Harbor Bridge towers above it. The drawbridge was later torn down. From my postcard collection.

A conceptual image of the new harbor bridge as seen from Whataburger Field.

MONDAY MADNESS: Writing on the Bathroom Wall

May 2, 2016 / The Coastal Crone / 47 Comments

Restroom symbol

Men/Women
Boys/Girls
Cowboys/Cowgirls
Lads/Lassies
Roosters/Hens
Dudes/Chicks
Guys/Gals
Gents/Ladies

As humans we share the need to relieve ourselves and must resort to seeking out public facilities when away from home. What is a normal function has become controversial. One state, North Carolina, has passed HB2 requiring people to use the restroom (in certain public entities)that corresponds with the sex on their birth certificate. Conservative Republicans and activists in Texas are urging the Texas legislature to pass something similar in the next session nine months from now. Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick agrees and has declared that it will be a priority; Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has promised his support. It seems some cisgenders are afraid to share these bio breaks with transgenders. Why?

One argument is that men should not be allowed in a women’s restroom because they might attack/rape women and girls. There is no evidence of dangerous predators pretending to be transgender in American bathrooms What about their safety? Dressed as a female, are they expected to enter a men’s restroom and feel safe? Are the cisgender males who are pushing the issue the ones who are afraid but cover up by claiming they are only protecting women and girls? Women can and do stand up for themselves.

Things have been working fine so far without government restroom rules, and transgenders have been using the facility of their choice without any fuss. Transgenders are ordinary people with careers in business, government, broadcasting, fashion and movies; they are students and volunteers; for those in the military, policies are changing too. Some transition young and some later in life. Passing unnecessary legislation simply stigmatizes them, makes them feel that they do not belong and harms the entire LGBT community.

While I don’t fully understand gender dysphoria, it is real and important to those who experience it. I also believe that ignorance, fear, bigotry and even hatred drives some of these attitudes against transgenders. Perhaps some are pushing this for their own political and personal ambitions while fueling prejudice, fear and suspicion.

Chuck Smith, executive director of Equality in Texas expressed his feelings this way, “These proposed gender-police laws are a solution in search of a problem, and actually it’s pandering and it’s dangerous.” I AGREE!

I DONE VOTE FOR UNCLE SAM – LAMENT FROM 1935

March 2, 2016March 2, 2016 / The Coastal Crone / 45 Comments

Indian Lament049

Last week I was going through some stacks of papers by my desk and found this vintage postcard addressed to my father. It read:

Mr. Andrew Harvill
Freer, Texas

_________________________________

Chandler, Arizona
Sept. 11, 1935
Hello Boy: We long way from home. Some country here.
from
Henry Ford
Woodrow Wiederkehr

In 1935 the United States was slowly struggling out of the Great Depression under Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He would win the presidency again in the 1936 election over Republican Alfred M. Landon. Eighty-one years later this lament could mirror some of the dissatisfaction today as we head toward the 2016 presidential election in November.

(An oil boom around the small Texas town of Freer was pulling it out of the Depression as men flocked to the area for the jobs in the oilfields. In 1935 my father was twenty-five years old and was either helping his father on the family ranch or working in the oil fields. More likely he was doing both. He had a wife and child with another on the way. I wonder what his two long-time friends from Freer were doing in Arizona? Today Chandler is a prominent suburb of Phoenix.)

FRIDAY FOTO: Espinazo, Mexico

October 16, 2015 / The Coastal Crone / 22 Comments

In the fall of 1989 as part of a class that I took on Mexican folk medicine, I went to Espinazo, Mexico to celebrate anniversary of the death of a curandero(healer), El Nino Fidencio. He died in 1938. All the photos were taken with a disposable camera.

Railroad station in Espinazo

Boys coming into town

This man said he had worked on a ranch in Texas;
I shared my Swisher Sweet cigars with him.

A group fidencistas coming into Espinazo for the festivities;
they carry a banner with Fidencio’s photo.

Death’s Garden: Crossed Fingers

October 9, 2015October 12, 2015 / The Coastal Crone / 11 Comments

Loren Rhoads just published on her blog a piece that I wrote, “Crossed Fingers,” about a cemetery in Texas. She has an outstanding blog and is an impressive author. Check out her blog & my piece here and also check out her other writings at lorenrhoads.com

Cemetery Travel: Your Take-along Guide to Graves & Graveyards Around the World

All photos of Pleasant Hill by Jo Nell Huff.

by Jo Nell Huff

“Cemetery! Cross your fingers!”

The admonition floats to the surface of my consciousness like the command of an angel as I see the cemetery ahead on the left. The child within me obediently crosses the middle finger over the index finger of both hands. I continue to drive my car along the freeway at 70 miles per hour.

When I traveled with my family as a child, the females in the car crossed their fingers while passing a cemetery. Father did not participate. Either an older sister or my mother would warn of an approaching cemetery and we would all cross our fingers. I confess that I still do it after these years, even though I know it is foolish. While driving alone, I can boldly cross them without fear of derision. When traveling with fellow passengers…

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