The thing is, Michael, you’re a treasure. You have such a great talent of helping us to remember so many people who made contributions to our musical heritage. Life forces us to move on but then suddenly there you are reminding us of the people who unselfishly used their talents to help those creative souls that really needed it at the time. Bravo!
Great tributes. After Robin passed, her beautiful wardrobe was donated to St. Michael's Thrift Shop where my dad volunteered. She was tall, as am I, and I still have her quilted, blue/yellow satin bathrobe.
Danny Young. As a new hire, Tim O'Connor took me around to meet people and one of the first was Danny Young. Went to the Texicali Grill and it was just as you described it. This bigger than life, happy guy greeted us and hung out to talk. I've always admired those types with the really big, positive vibe. Always wanted to be more like them but God hands them out in small batches so if you meet one like Danny Young, take some time to appreciate them. George Majewski (Soap Creek Saloon) is in that same league just so you know. I was much closer to George but I got a good dose of Danny in the day and each time was like where does this guy get his energy? I want what he's drinking! One day Danny and Tim approach me to test this new food product Danny is considering. Tim is sold but they want more input. That was the day I ate my one and only "Texas Tacone." A Taco in a corn tortilla shaped like an ice cream cone. Really? Who thinks of a different way to shape a taco? These guys were just ecstatic over the possibilities for this new creation. Never met Cindy or Robin but wish I had. The people of Austin were and still are the most fascinating personalities on earth. I miss it all terribly.
I lived across the street from the Oltorf location for several years. There is nothing I would not give for a Texicalli and waffle fries, Danny sitting and laughing about Austin music and the whole world.
If I had to choose Dallas counterparts, I would go with Danny Eaton and Jimmy Page who ran and booked the now-defunct Palladium, then the Hot Klub. They brought the best new acts to Big D a few days before the act's first album broke. Like The B-52's, Dire Straits, Joe Jackson and The Police. Then they booked the Stray Cats (on their first tour) into the Hot Klub. Hot on their heels would be Bill Simonton who ran Mother Blues. There was simply NO club like that, in Austin, or anywhere. Only people who went through those doors would know of what I speak. Lastly, Ira Lipson who started KZEW, or The Zoo, probably the greatest and most-influential FM station in Texas and the entire southwest. If you were in Texas in the 70s, you were a Zoo Freak or a geek.
I need to start writing about this on MY Substack!
I could tell many stories about how Robin helped people (including me) while allowing them to keep their dignity. I often drove her to out of town Loose Diamond shows. this once gave me the opportunity to help her. We stopped at a truck stop on I35 to us the rest room. When she went into the stall, she left her purse full of cash and her gun on the counter. I told her that was crazy. She always did it
I could tell many stories of Robin helping people, including me, while allowing them to keep their dignity. I often drove her to out of town Loose Diamond shows. Once this afforded me the opportunity to help her. When we stopped at a truck stop on I35 to use the restroom, she left her purse full of cash and her gun on the counter. I pointed out how this was crazy. In many of the private, high-end places the Shivers family frequented, this practice was common. It did not occur to her how different a truck stop restroom was. We agreed that I would help her learn the ways of the less fortunate while traveling with the band. She was an incredibly kind soul and I miss her often.
great bio info I along with many remember Danny and saw him several times off of Bluebonnet close to Zilker Park on walks with the long time owner of 3 Ring Service on Bluebonnet located right behind Art’s BBQ all the years it was open …Danny would talk with anyone in positive fashion and had that smile you captured in the fine photo of he you posted …Good and Sad Austin memories
The thing is, Michael, you’re a treasure. You have such a great talent of helping us to remember so many people who made contributions to our musical heritage. Life forces us to move on but then suddenly there you are reminding us of the people who unselfishly used their talents to help those creative souls that really needed it at the time. Bravo!
Great tributes. After Robin passed, her beautiful wardrobe was donated to St. Michael's Thrift Shop where my dad volunteered. She was tall, as am I, and I still have her quilted, blue/yellow satin bathrobe.
Danny Young. As a new hire, Tim O'Connor took me around to meet people and one of the first was Danny Young. Went to the Texicali Grill and it was just as you described it. This bigger than life, happy guy greeted us and hung out to talk. I've always admired those types with the really big, positive vibe. Always wanted to be more like them but God hands them out in small batches so if you meet one like Danny Young, take some time to appreciate them. George Majewski (Soap Creek Saloon) is in that same league just so you know. I was much closer to George but I got a good dose of Danny in the day and each time was like where does this guy get his energy? I want what he's drinking! One day Danny and Tim approach me to test this new food product Danny is considering. Tim is sold but they want more input. That was the day I ate my one and only "Texas Tacone." A Taco in a corn tortilla shaped like an ice cream cone. Really? Who thinks of a different way to shape a taco? These guys were just ecstatic over the possibilities for this new creation. Never met Cindy or Robin but wish I had. The people of Austin were and still are the most fascinating personalities on earth. I miss it all terribly.
Beautiful piece, Michael. Bravo!
They were people who didn't live long but truly made their mark.
Thanks for some intense/detailed background on folks about whom I had cursory knowledge.
Beautiful tributes. Thank you.
Thanks Michael for these tributes. We miss Cindy and Joe and all the great things they did.
I lived across the street from the Oltorf location for several years. There is nothing I would not give for a Texicalli and waffle fries, Danny sitting and laughing about Austin music and the whole world.
God love you, MC, for you skill and attitude.
If I had to choose Dallas counterparts, I would go with Danny Eaton and Jimmy Page who ran and booked the now-defunct Palladium, then the Hot Klub. They brought the best new acts to Big D a few days before the act's first album broke. Like The B-52's, Dire Straits, Joe Jackson and The Police. Then they booked the Stray Cats (on their first tour) into the Hot Klub. Hot on their heels would be Bill Simonton who ran Mother Blues. There was simply NO club like that, in Austin, or anywhere. Only people who went through those doors would know of what I speak. Lastly, Ira Lipson who started KZEW, or The Zoo, probably the greatest and most-influential FM station in Texas and the entire southwest. If you were in Texas in the 70s, you were a Zoo Freak or a geek.
I need to start writing about this on MY Substack!
I could tell many stories about how Robin helped people (including me) while allowing them to keep their dignity. I often drove her to out of town Loose Diamond shows. this once gave me the opportunity to help her. We stopped at a truck stop on I35 to us the rest room. When she went into the stall, she left her purse full of cash and her gun on the counter. I told her that was crazy. She always did it
I could tell many stories of Robin helping people, including me, while allowing them to keep their dignity. I often drove her to out of town Loose Diamond shows. Once this afforded me the opportunity to help her. When we stopped at a truck stop on I35 to use the restroom, she left her purse full of cash and her gun on the counter. I pointed out how this was crazy. In many of the private, high-end places the Shivers family frequented, this practice was common. It did not occur to her how different a truck stop restroom was. We agreed that I would help her learn the ways of the less fortunate while traveling with the band. She was an incredibly kind soul and I miss her often.
great bio info I along with many remember Danny and saw him several times off of Bluebonnet close to Zilker Park on walks with the long time owner of 3 Ring Service on Bluebonnet located right behind Art’s BBQ all the years it was open …Danny would talk with anyone in positive fashion and had that smile you captured in the fine photo of he you posted …Good and Sad Austin memories