Come and Take It

He was the founder and leader of the Flying Tigers, a band of mercenary pilots who defended China against the Japanese onslaught during World War II and inspired the imagination of the American public. This week we talk about the life of Texan aviation legend Claire Chennault.

They started out as a nondescript glam band, then became one of the top heavy metal bands of all time. Drug abuse eventually led to the end of the band, and even greater tragedy struck the members afterwards. Today, we’re talking about the original Cowboys From Hell.

In 1924, George Saunders, the president of the Cattle Drivers Association, published a two-volume book compiling first hand stories from experienced trail drivers and their life on the plains. This is our third installment reading selections from this fascinating historical document.

If road trips in Texas in the spring are known for anything, it’s the vast swaths of glorious color that line the shoulders and medians, from bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes to sunflowers and foxglove. This week we look at the fascinating stories behind Texas Wildflowers.

In 1966, the University of Texas in Austin was the site of America's first mass school shooting. Today we're talking about the 2016 documentary Tower, in which filmmaker Keith Maitland uses a unique blend of animation, historical footage, and interviews with victims, witnesses, and participants to tell the engrossing story of what happened on that fateful day from the perspective of the people that were there.

Houston has a long history of producing amazing soul, blues, jazz, and funk music. Previously we looked at the history of the legendary Peacock Records, but this week we look at a few more Houston soul and funk legends, Archie Bell, Billy Preston, and the Kashmere Stage Band.

On November 25th, 1963, in a humble grave dug for William Bobo in Ft. Worth, Texas, one of the nation’s most notorious assassins was laid to rest. Today, we’re discussing the lonely grave of Lee Harvey Oswald.

It takes a big man to fill the shoes of a Texas hero, even if it’s only make believe. And it takes a big love of art, film, and people to live the life of Texas’ own astronaut big brother space marine.

The grand movie houses of Texas come in many shapes and sizes. Some started as vaudeville palaces like the Hoblitzelle Majestics, but some have always been movie houses from their very first day. Regardless of their origin, all the theatres we’re looking at today have made their mark on Texas history (and our hearts).

Edward Blackshear and Hightower Kealing were two of Texas’ first African American collegiate administrators. They played key roles in the founding of the first of Texas’ Historically Black Colleges and Universities. They pioneered the way for educators across the state and left a lasting impression on Texas.