Brown, Ronald C., 1945-

Michael A Kelley interviews Danny Roy Young.
Danny begins with explaining his family background, including his ancestry and moving to Kingsville, Texas with his family. He discusses the socio-economic differences in Ohio and Texas, with Texas being more diverse. He talks about the racial segregtion in Texas growing up and being in the top thirty percent. He describes who his siblings are. He describes his time in the Coast Guard and shares how he got booted out of the original base he was stationed at. He describes how he met his wife and talks about his children they had, explaining his family's genealogy. He explains why he loves living in Texas. He talks about his involvement in anti Vietnam War movements and the civil rights movement. He mentions his Methodist upbringing. He talks about playing the drums throughout his youth. He talks about the Shades Band and how rock and roll was portayed in the 50s and 60s. He explains how conjunto music was prevelant in Kingsville growing up and how it got him into blues. He talks about his band's love for the blues, and he didn't get along with country music lovers, which led him to regret his decision on giving up playing country music. He explains all the places he would play at with the Shades Band. He talks about the band he was in called the Kings. He talks about his times playing the washtub bass, rubboard, and the washboard, mentioning other players. He discusses the intensity of live music he has experienced. He explains how he feels as a rhthym player playing with professionals. He talks about joining Cornell Hurd's band and playing with Ponty Bone. He talks about experiementing with different sounds on the rubboard and leather gloves with dimes. He discusses the musicians in his family and his family's support. He talks about not being good with money. He shares a story about something that recently happened to him at his restaurant. He explains getting into the restaurant business. He talks about his son having trouble in a Kingsville school and moving to Austin. He talks about what his kids are up to currently. He continues talking about things he did in his restaurant business.

Michael A Kelley interviews Danny Roy Young.
Danny begins with explaining his family background, including his ancestry and moving to Kingsville, Texas with his family. He discusses the socio-economic differences in Ohio and Texas, with Texas being more diverse. He talks about the racial segregtion in Texas growing up and being in the top thirty percent. He describes who his siblings are. He describes his time in the Coast Guard and shares how he got booted out of the original base he was stationed at. He describes how he met his wife and talks about his children they had, explaining his family's genealogy. He explains why he loves living in Texas. He talks about his involvement in anti Vietnam War movements and the civil rights movement. He mentions his Methodist upbringing. He talks about playing the drums throughout his youth. He talks about the Shades Band and how rock and roll was portayed in the 50s and 60s. He explains how conjunto music was prevelant in Kingsville growing up and how it got him into blues. He talks about his band's love for the blues, and he didn't get along with country music lovers, which led him to regret his decision on giving up playing country music. He explains all the places he would play at with the Shades Band. He talks about the band he was in called the Kings. He talks about his times playing the washtub bass, rubboard, and the washboard, mentioning other players. He discusses the intensity of live music he has experienced. He explains how he feels as a rhthym player playing with professionals. He talks about joining Cornell Hurd's band and playing with Ponty Bone. He talks about experiementing with different sounds on the rubboard and leather gloves with dimes. He discusses the musicians in his family and his family's support. He talks about not being good with money. He shares a story about something that recently happened to him at his restaurant. He explains getting into the restaurant business. He talks about his son having trouble in a Kingsville school and moving to Austin. He talks about what his kids are up to currently. He continues talking about things he did in his restaurant business.

Chris Lehman interviews Rod Kennedy.
Tape 1 Side A: Rod Kennedy starts with discussing his childhood memories in New York and the musical influences he had. He briefly mentions joining the miltary and how he moved to Texas. He talks about his interest in Western Swing upon moving to Texas. He describes his time in the Marine Corp, writing for the newspaper and doing jazz shows. He claims that the music industry changed when he was overseas. He talks about his experiences in radio throughout his career and how he got invested with all types of music. He explains how working at KHFI-FM radio station changed his life.
Side B: He finishes up talking about KHFI's influence on his career. He talks about interviewing people and some people that were difficult to work with. He describes how the festivals he worked for made him proud and why, including the Aqua Fest and Kerrville Folk Festival. He explains Lyndon Johnson's influence in radio programming. He briefly says religion and politics divide people. He talks about how Texas music has changed music in the United States and how it has affected his own taste. He gives advice to young people pursuing music and speaks about what he sees for the future of Texas music. He gives his opinions on how social and political developments in America have affected music in Texas.
Tape 2 Side A: Rod Kennedy begins by covering political topics brought up by interviewer. He discusses his experiences and opinions on working with Black artists. He talks about his life challenges post-bankruptcy in 1997 and what his life has looked like since then. He finishes the interview by giving advice to young people pursuing music.
Side B is blank.

Photo taken during oral history interview conducted by Chris Lehman.

Photo taken during oral history interview conducted by Chris Lehman.

Chris Lehman interviews Rod Kennedy, part 3.
Tape 2, Side A: Rod Kennedy begins by covering political topics brought up by interviewer. He discusses his experiences and opinions on working with Black artists. He talks about his life challenges post-bankruptcy in 1997 and what his life has looked like since then. He finishes the interview by giving advice to young people pursuing music.
Side B is blank.

Chris Lehman interviews Rod Kennedy, part 2.
Tape 1, Side B: He finishes up talking about KHFI's influence on his career. He talks about interviewing people and some people that were difficult to work with. He describes how the festivals he worked for made him proud and why, including the Aqua Fest and Kerrville Folk Festival. He explains Lyndon Johnson's influence in radio programming. He briefly says religion and politics divide people. He talks about how Texas music has changed music in the United States and how it has affected his own taste. He gives advice to young people pursuing music and speaks about what he sees for the future of Texas music. He gives his opinions on how social and political developments in America have affected music in Texas.

Chris Lehman interviews Rod Kennedy, part 1.
Tape 1, Side A: Rod Kennedy starts with discussing his childhood memories in New York and the musical influences he had. He briefly mentions joining the miltary and how he moved to Texas. He talks about his interest in Western Swing upon moving to Texas. He describes his time in the Marine Corp, writing for the newspaper and doing jazz shows. He claims that the music industry changed when he was overseas. He talks about his experiences in radio throughout his career and how he got invested with all types of music. He explains how working at KHFI-FM radio station changed his life.

Kerry Chandler interviews James White.
James talks about his early musical memories and shares how proud he is to be Texan. He shares about his dance hall, Broken Spoke, and writing about it. He describes who his musical influences are. He talks about other dance halls that are similar to the Broken Spoke. He discusses George Strait's regular gigs at the Broken Spoke. He talks about other artists who have played at his dance hall and shares some stories about them. He explains how music in Austin brought people from all over the social and political spectrum together in the 70s. He discusses his best accomplishments. He talks about people from around the world knowing him and his dance hall. He shares how his life is currently and what he's doing. He gives advice to those pursuing the music business industry. He describes the items in the museum and room that they are interviewing in.

Kerry Chandler interviews James White.
James talks about his early musical memories and shares how proud he is to be Texan. He shares about his dance hall, Broken Spoke, and writing about it. He describes who his musical influences are. He talks about other dance halls that are similar to the Broken Spoke. He discusses George Strait's regular gigs at the Broken Spoke. He talks about other artists who have played at his dance hall and shares some stories about them. He explains how music in Austin brought people from all over the social and political spectrum together in the 70s. He discusses his best accomplishments. He talks about people from around the world knowing him and his dance hall. He shares how his life is currently and what he's doing. He gives advice to those pursuing the music business industry. He describes the items in the museum and room that they are interviewing in.