Oral histories

Lane Cartwright interviews Cornell Hurd, part 3.
Tape 2 Side A: Cornell gives a timeline of the bands he was in and how it led up to the Cornell Hurd Band existing. He talks about the awards and tours they did as a band. He explains turning his life around after a bad marriage and substance/alcohol issues, eventually moving to Texas with his current wife. He talks about his friends reuniting and continuing the band, but eventually everyone wanted to settle down and be with family or have children. He talks about the new members of his band. He tells the story about how the phrase ""country music's worst nightmare"" came about. He explains why he loves playing in front of a crowd of people.

Lane Cartwright interviews Cornell Hurd, part 2.
Side B: He talks about getting introduced to country music and becoming interested in high school through college. He discusses transferring to Berkeley for college to focus on the music scene there and putting together a country band, El Rancho Cowboys. He talks about western films and music from Texas that were influencing him to move there. He explains moving back to California and starting a new band, Mondo Hot Pants Orchestra, which eventually caused him to return to Texas after recording and touring over the next years.

Lane Cartwright interviews Cornell Hurd, part 1.
Tape 1 Side A: Cornell opens with his childhood, explaining his musical influences and records he had growing up.

Lane Cartwright interviews Cornell Hurd.
Tape 1 Side A: Cornell opens with his childhood, explaining his musical influences and records he had growing up.
Side B: He talks about getting introduced to country music and becoming interested in high school through college. He discusses transferring to Berkeley for college to focus on the music scene there and putting together a country band, El Rancho Cowboys. He talks about western films and music from Texas that were influencing him to move there. He explains moving back to California and starting a new band, Mondo Hot Pants Orchestra, which eventually caused him to return to Texas after recording and touring over the next years.

Tape 2 Side A: Cornell gives a timeline of the bands he was in and how it led up to the Cornell Hurd Band existing. He talks about the awards and tours they did as a band. He explains turning his life around after a bad marriage and substance/alcohol issues, eventually moving to Texas with his current wife. He talks about his friends reuniting and continuing the band, but eventually everyone wanted to settle down and be with family or have children. He talks about the new members of his band. He tells the story about how the phrase ""country music's worst nightmare"" came about. He explains why he loves playing in front of a crowd of people.
Side B: He talks about the experiences in his career that have stood out to him, some awkward and some entertaining. He discusses meeting Clifford Antone and describes how he is.

Alexander "Sandy" Pope interviews Del Puschert.
Del begins with talking about playing in Texarkana as a younger man and the story on how he got there. He talks about playing in the band, Van Dykes, and where they would play. He talks about free-lancing after leaving the Van Dykes. He tells a story about how he was brought to a bar/club in Austin and played his saxophone, eventually leading to him recording and playing with other musicians. He discusses the money people make and charge for concerts, and talks about the money he makes. He discusses the Austin music scene and gives his opinions on it. He talks about what he's doing with his career outside of booking gigs. He talks about meeting Floyd Domino and Elvis, both on separate occasions. He notes how most of the people he has worked with have passed away.

Alexander ""Sandy"" Pope interviews Del Puschert.
Del begins with talking about playing in Texarkana as a younger man and the story on how he got there. He talks about playing in the band, Van Dykes, and where they would play. He talks about free-lancing after leaving the Van Dykes. He tells a story about how he was brought to a bar/club in Austin and played his saxophone, eventually leading to him recording and playing with other musicians. He discusses the money people make and charge for concerts, and talks about the money he makes. He discusses the Austin music scene and gives his opinions on it. He talks about what he's doing with his career outside of booking gigs. He talks about meeting Floyd Domino and Elvis, both on separate occasions. He notes how most of the people he has worked with have passed away.

Photo taken during oral history interview conducted by Alexander Pope.

Photo taken during oral history interview conducted by Alexander Pope.

Photo taken during oral history interview conducted by Alexander Pope.

Erinn Park interviews Al Dressen.
Al Dresson sets the scene on when, where, and why the Old Settler's Music Festival was started. They explain who was involved in organizing it. He shares the changes it has gone through over the years, and how its attendance has grown. He shares his favorite memories of the festival and discusses how unique the music can be.