Listen to Music Like a Texan: Bingham

After garnering critical acclaim for his first two studio releases on 2007's Mescalito Mescalito and 2009's Roadhouse Sun, Ryan Bingham went on to collaborate on the soundtrack for the 2009 acclaimed film Crazy Heart, including notably co-penning & performing the film’s award-winning theme song "The Weary Kind". The title track earned Bingham an Academy Award, Golden Globe and Critics' Choice Award in 2010. 

Ryan Bingham joined back up with his band The Dead Horses to release their third studio album Junky Star on August 31, 2010.   In 2012 Bingham parted ways with his band The Dead Horses and record label Lost Highway Records to release his fourth studio album Tomorrowland on his own label Axster Bingham Records

Dress Like a Texan: Wear Carhartt

Carhartt was originally founded in Killeen, TX to make work clothing for railroad workers. Their initial growth throughout the 1890s was focused on railroad workers' need for durable and long lasting work overalls. Over time, Carhartt clothing items evolved trademark features intended to further extend durability, including the use of heavy duty threads, reinforcing rivets at vital stress points, and a variety of durable, high technology materials resistant to flames, abrasion and water. Today, Carhartt clothing is commonly found on construction sites, farms and ranches, among other job sites.

 

When to wear it: Any casual setting in Texas. No matter where you live (from the nicest neighborhood in Dallas to the most remote ranch in the panhandle), you can wear it doing yard work, hauling brush, hunting, fishing, doing shopping on a Saturday morning, or taking your kids on a walk in the park.

What style to get: Start with the classic jacket pictured above and progress to hoods and baggier fits as neccessary. 

Watch Movies Like a Texan: Giant

Giant is a 1956 American film starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean.  The movie is an epic portrayal of a powerful Texas ranching family challenged by changing times and the coming of big oil.  Giant won praise from both critics and the public, and according to the Texan author, Larry McMurtry, was especially popular with Texans, even though it was sharply critical of Texan society. Bosley Crowther of the New York Times wrote that "[George Stevens] takes three hours and seventeen minutes to put his story across. That's a heap of time to go on about Texas, but Mr. Stevens has made a heap of film." and 'Giant', for all its complexity, is a strong contender for the year's top-film award."

Jones gives Tony Romo Talks Update

PHOENIX -- Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones made it clear that quarterback Tony Romo will soon sign a contract extension but it's up to the coaching staff to make better use of the quarterback's skill set next season.

Read more here.

Watch Television Programs Like a Texan : Austin City Limits on PBS

Austin City Limits (often abbreviated as ACL) is an American public television music program recorded live in Austin, Texas by Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Public television member station KLRU, and broadcast on many PBS stations around the United States. The show helped Austin to become widely known as the "Live Music Capital of the World,"and is the only television show to receive the National Medal of Arts, which it was awarded in 2003.

 

Initially created to celebrate the music of Texas—featuring western swing, Texas blues, Tejano music, progressive country, and rock n' roll—the series has gone on to feature regional, national and international artists performing a wide range of musical styles, including jazz, alternative country, alternative rock, folk music, and jam band.

 

The show inspired the creation of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, an annual live music festival at Zilker Park in Austin.

 

Check your local listings and tune in.

 

 

Know Texan Artwork: The Surrender of Santa Anna

Artist William Henry Huddle painted the scene of the morning of April 22, 1836, the day after Texas' victory over Mexico at the Battle of San Jacinto. Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna, in the uniform of a private soldier, was brought before Texas General Sam Houston as a prisoner of war. Houston, wounded in the battle, rested on a pallet under the oak tree while arranging an armistice with Santa Anna. To the right, seated on a log, was Erastus (Deaf) Smith, famous Texas scout; the captured Mexican battle flags were leaning nearby against the tree. To the left and rear of Houston was his Secretary of War, Thomas Jefferson Rusk, who was standing next to Colonel Mirabeau B. Lamar. Over thirty other historical figures were depicted in this painting. It has been on display in the first floor south wing of the Capitol since February 1891.

 

 

Texas Trivia: Lone Star State

Texas is nicknamed the Lone Star State to signify Texas as a former independent republic and as a reminder of the state's struggle for independence from Mexico. The "Lone Star" can be found on the Texas state flag and on the Texas state seal today.