Alpine, TX: Heart of the Big Bend

Chris is joined by Fiesta 1888 event organizers Mary Ann Lujan and Elidia Polanco, Tejano Sundays host (and Puro Party All Star) Robert Alvarez, and legendary musicians Little Joe and Ruben Ramos. Little Joe y La Familia and Ruben Ramos & the Mexican Revolution will appear August 20 on historic Murphy Street with Puro Party All Starz opening up.

Chris talks with Mattie Sargent of the Big Bend Ranch Rodeo and CJ Aragon, Sul Ross State University Rodeo Coach, about the upcoming Ranch Rodeo and College Rodeo in August and September at the S.A.L.E. Rodeo Arena in Alpine. 

Chris and Heather talk Frequently Asked Questions! What do visitors want to know before they come out to the Big Bend? What do they want to know about the Alpine Visitor Center itself? It's non-stop question and answer ACTION!!!

Chris and Heather talk with Viva Big Bend music festival organizer Stewart Ramser and Doodlin' Hogwallops vocalist and bassist Neil Trammell. Viva Big Bend is a music festival held the last weekend of July and featuring almost 70 live shows at 18 venues in 5 communities (Alpine, Marfa, Fort Davis, Marathon and Terlingua).

Chris talks with Sandy Price and Monte Mudd from the Big Bend Chamber of Commerce about visiting South Brewster County. A small group of communities in a BIG landscape, Terlingua, Study Butte, Lajitas and Terlingua Ranch offer a unique culture,  first-class outdoor activities and vibrant small businesses right at the edges of Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. But be aware...

Chris talks with Alpine Cowboys General Manager Kristin Cavness, Team Manager Sean Persky and Third Baseman James Prockish talk small-town baseball! Alpine's beloved Cowboys baseball club start their 2022 season off at the start of June and face some brand new oppponents in the Pecos League. And all of the action happens in beautiful, historic Kokernot Field, built in the 1940s on the o6 Ranch by...

Chris is joined by Justin Bragiel, lead counsel for the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association to talk about...hotel taxes! What?!? Taxes!?!? No, really – What are they for? How do they help the community? Why can't we use the money to fill that pothole or fix the sewers? Find out how Alpine uses HOT funds, and you'll even get to hear Justin say nice things about us!

Chris talks with local musicians Rick Ruiz and John Ray about Alpine's small but vibrant and welcoming live music scene: the local bands, the venues, the events and festivals. We'll even tell you where to bring your instrument whenever you are ready to jump in and join us!

Chris talks to Kerri Blackman and Rachel Maxwell, masterminds behind a new and unique culinary event in Alpine: the Spirits of the West Wine & Beef Festival, May 27-29, 2022! Eleven Texas wineries, distilleries and breweries will offer three days of exquisite pairings of wine and spirits with signature appetizers, most using Big Bend ranch-raised beef. The event will also feature live music, f...

Chris talks with four members of the Chihuahuan Desert Gem and Mineral Club about the booths, displays, demonstrations and more that visitors will find at the annual Alpine Gem & Mineral Show in mid-April. We also talk about the history of rock collecting in the Big Bend, the region's distinctive agates, rock hunting trips in the area and the small rock shops in Alpine, Marfa, Fort Davis and B...

After giving a general overview in our last episode, Big Bend National Park Chief of Interpretation Tom VandenBerg returns to tell Chris and Heather the details about actually visiting what we lovingly call "THE Park". Entrance fees, speed limits, camping reservations, river trip outfitters, and info on the ONLY official US border crossing into Mexico where there is a burro waiting to take you int...

Chris and Heather finally make it to Big Bend National Park! They talk with Chief of Interpretation Tom VandenBerg about some of what makes BBNP the best park anywhere ever. Did we say that out loud? Anyway, we cover the Basics – the unique convergence of desert ecosystems that makes the Park truly special and, of course, Tom's favorite hike. What is it? Listen and find out!

Chris and Heather talk to Linda Beranek, President of the Marathon Chamber of Commerce, about visiting Alpine's sister to the East. From the Gage Hotel to the Post Park, and all of the restaurants, gardens, galleries and shops in between!

February 2022 marks the 75th anniversary of the first broadcast of our podcast production partner KVLF radio in Alpine. In this episode, Chris talks with Martin Benevich, the current owner of KVLF (AM) and KALP (FM), and with Ray Hendryx, who ran the stations for almost 40 years after taking over from his father Gene Hendryx, who started working at KVLF within weeks of its founding in 1947.

Chris talks with Kay & Gene Nowell and Bob Saul about the Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering, coming to the Sul Ross State University campus on Feb. 18 & 19, 2022. They discuss the origins of cowboy poetry as an art form, the tradition of cowboy poetry gatherings and their long history in Alpine, and details about the 2022 event.

For our 20TH EPISODE(!), Chris talks with Wendy Little, Director of the Texas Mountain Trail Region, and Stewart Ramser, publisher of the Big Bend & Texas Mountains Travel Guide.

Chris and Heather review a few of the happenings around town in 2021 and then give a rundown of the busy events calendar for Alpine in 2022. Pull out your calendar for this one!

Chris talks with Jan Moeller (Painter and Big Bend Arts Council President) and Carol Fairlie (Painter and Sul Ross State University Professor of Art) in a wide ranging conversation about the Big Bend Arts Council, Alpine's downtown art galleries, the local arts community and more.

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 with Melissa Henderson, Director of the Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce, about Alpine's picturesque neighbor to the north. We discuss history, stars, science, shopping and more!

Chris is joined by the co-founders of Artwalk (formerly Alpine's Gallery Night), now in its 28th year! Kerri Blackman and John Davis talk about the past and present of the event, held the weekend before Thanksgiving every year with activities, art shows and live music all over downtown Alpine.

Chris talks with Abby Boyd, Director of Tourism for the City of Marfa, about Alpine's lovely neighbor to the west. We talk architecture, art, and hours of operation! Pro Tip: when in doubt, go to the Visitor Center!

Chris and Heather talk about the recent Texas Travel awards and the four wins received for Alpine: Museum of the Big Bend, Viva Big Bend music festival, Alpine's downtown murals and Visit Alpine, Texas' social media accounts.

Heather and Chris talk with University President Pete Gallego about everything Sul Ross has to offer to visitors, to students and to the community of Alpine! Museum of the Big Bend, Sports, Art & Theatre, Hiking Hancock Hill and more!

Chris and Heather talk with Abbey Branch, the President of the new Alpine Historical Association, about their plans and programs including Historic and Hispanic Heritage Walking Tours, Ghost Tours and more!