Alpine, TX: Heart of the Big Bend

Chris talks with Fort Davis NHS Superintendent David Larson about the history of Fort Davis and its impact on the surrounding region. They also discuss the changes in concepts and best practices of historic preservation between 1961, when the Fort became a National Historic Site, and today.

Chris talks with Mattie Dunshee (of the Big Bend Ranch Rodeo committee), CJ Aragon (SRSU Rodeo Coach), and Clay Miller (past participant in the Ranch Rodeo) about this year's Big Bend Ranch Rodeo, August 11-12, 2023. What's new this year? What IS a ranch rodeo, anyway? and what's coming up for the Sul Ross State University Rodeo Team at their competition in September?

Chris talks with Stewart Ramser, founder of the Viva Big Bend music festival (https://vivabigbend.com), about plans for the 2023 event, held July 26-30 in Alpine, Marfa, Fort Davis, Marathon, Terlingua and Presidio. Then Chris talks with Scrappy Jud Newcomb about his 34 years as a professional musician and his upcoming showcase at Planet Marfa on Saturday, July 29.

Chris talks with DJ Stout, the author and designer of the beautiful book, "The Amazing Tale of Mr. Herbert and the Alpine Cowboys Baseball Club". Stout's book is the definitive history of the Cowboys and Kokernot Field, with a wealth of beautifully preserved photography from the team's heyday in the 40s and 50s. In addition to being a renowned graphic designer (former art directo...

Chris talks with Blackwell School Alliance Board member Daniel Hernandez and Fort Davis NHS Superintendent David Larson about the Blackwell School, Marfa's segregated school campus which closed in 1965. The school is an unusually well-preserved example of the sort of institution that could be found across the south, both before and after the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education deci...

Chris talks with Will Snodgrass, who has just opened Far West Guitars on 6th Street in downtown Alpine. Will shares his love and passion for music and how his mission is to welcome everyone to enjoy the art and beauty of fine musical instruments. Chris and Will also talk about the inspiration they have gotten from two guitar legends, Mark Pollock and Michael Stevens, and their contributions to the...

Chris and Heather recognize National Travel & Tourism Week with a talk about the best ways to enjoy a summer trip to Alpine and the Big Bend, from the surprisingly cool summer temperatures in the mountains, to a few choice spots to while away a warm afternoon in comfort, to enjoying the starry night skies on a deliciously cool – even chilly! – desert evening.

Chris and Heather talk with Heidi Wassermann about visiting Wassermann Wranch and meeting the extended family: hobnob with Donkeys, Alpacas, Kangaroos, and Carl the Camel!

Chris is joined by Big Bend rock shop impresarios Judith Brueske, Paul Graybeal and Sue Franklin to discuss to Alpine Gem & Mineral Show, April 14-16, 2023 at the Alpine Civic Center. One of the finest small gem and mineral shows in the country, the vendors and displays combine science, art and much more!

Chris talks with Kerri Blackman and Krista Kirkland about the 2nd annual Spirits of the West Wine & Beef Festival, coming up April 21-22 in downtown Alpine. Visitors can taste and meet wineries, breweries, and distilleries from across Texas, paired with specialties from West Texas beef producers. Before April 5, 2023, go to visitalpinetx.com and enter to win two VIP wristbands for the event!

When you have one day – or four! – in the Big Bend, it's hard to decide what to do, there's so much to choose from! Heather and Chris lay out four different day trips from your home base in Alpine that can fill out a nice Spring Break visit, or you can pick just one or two if you have less time on your trip. This is definitely an episode to come back to each time you are thinking of coming out to...

Chris talks with Mary Bones, Director of the Museum of the Big Bend, about the completion of the new Emmet and Miriam McCoy building expansion and its Grand Opening on March 10, 2023. The new building, connected to the current historic structure, doubles the Museum's footprint with multiple areas for art exhibits and special events. 

Chris talks with Bill Sain, a long-time leader in the American Birding Association, and Maureen Frank, Associate Professor of Conservation Biology at Sul Ross State University about BIRDS! The Big Bend area hosts a tremendously rich diversity of bird species, and watching them is an endless source of pleasure for newbies and veteran birders alike. What are the easiest birds to find? What are the r...

As we look forward to Feb 17-18, 2023 and the next installment of the Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering, we look back to grammy-winning poet Joel Nelson's keynote address to the 2020 Gathering – which provides a history of the event – and then Chris visits with musician Jim Wilson about his history with the Gathering and we share a couple of tracks from Wilson's "Border Bravo" album.

One ill-timed corrupted audio file, and CONGRATULATIONS! We are rebroadcasting this great earlier episode: Chris talks with Alpine-based author J.J. Rusz about his ongoing series  of "Big Bend Country Mysteries" and with Front Street Books manager  Julie Green about Alpine's excellent downtown independent bookstore.

Chris and Heather talk about Alpine happenings for 2023 that we are all looking forward to. Have your calendar ready for this one!

What happened in Alpine in 2022? Chris and heather are joined by Alpine Radio's Martin Benevich (KVLF 98.7FM & KALP 92.7FM) to talk through the last year's highlights for visitors!

Chris and Heather talk with Alpine Police Chief Darrell Losoya about questions of public safety in Alpine and the Big Bend.

In honor of this weekend's ArtWalk 2022, we are revisiting our conversation with Jan Moeller and Carol Fairlie of the Big Bend Arts Council!

Chris talks to Keri Blackman (founder) and Ty Muennink (incoming director) about Artwalk, Alpine's biggest arts festival: https://artwalkalpine.com Held every November during the weekend before Thanksgiving. There will be art exhibits at 25 different locations, more than a dozen food vendors, and free live music on three stages around downtown! November 18 & 19, 2022.

It's National Friends of Libraries Week! Chris talks to Alpine Public Library Director Don Wetterauer and past President of the Friends of the Alpine Public Library Lee Smith about APL's tremendous visitor services including free public use computers, a welcoming place to rest, relax and hang out, and the Re-Reads Used Bookstore!

Chris talks to Stephen C. Hummell of McDonald Observatory about the newly designated Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve - the largest (and ONLY international) Dark Sky Reserve on the planet! So, what's a Dark Sky Reserve? What can we all do to help keep our skies dark and our stars bright? And what's up at McDonald Observatory these days? Listen and find out!

Chris and Heather talk with Lisa Gordon, Director of the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center, about the variety of activities and exhibits available to visitors there. A network of moderate-difficulty hiking trails, a botanical garden, geology and mining exhibits, and a charming gift shop await you! What's Chris's go-to hike at the Nature Center? We know you're DYING to find out! 

Chris talks with Cyndi Perdue, founder of the new Big Bend Bluegrass Festival as well as visiting artist Edgar Loudermilk and Alpine-based musician David Keller. What IS Bluegrass, really? And what pioneering country legends can Edgar claim in his family tree? Find out here, along with how to get those tickets!!! October 7-8, 2022 in Alpine!

Chris talks with Mary Bones, Director of the Museum of the Big Bend, about the upcoming Trappings of Texas exhibit and sale of fine contemporary western art and cowboy gear. They are joined by master engraver Buddy Knight and veteran painter/illustrator Mike Capron for some fascinating insight into their artistic process! Don't miss the opportunity to see these two at work during the Trappings of...