Texana Dames
Charlene Hancock
Conni Hancock
Traci Lamar (Hancock)
Tommy X Hancock
Supernatural Family Band
Akashic Recordings

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Dear Friends of the Texana Dames -

If you've heard us at all in the past 17 years or so, chances are, you heard John Reed and or Paul Skelton play guitar. Paul was the one always in black. You may remember him or not. He was both quietly supportive and hysterically entertaining. It depends on when and what the circumstances may've been and how closely you were paying attention how you remember him. He was not one to give much credence to the spotlight. He was, however, a very deep lover of music and would bring to the music whatever seemed appropriate in the moment. As Ruben Hernandez, our longest standing drummer said, "He was never boring. He never played the same thing twice." He loved all kinds, and I do mean ALL kinds of music.

Though Paul was very very ill, he continued playing with Cornell Hurd and our band every chance he could over the past two years. The last time he played with the Texana Dames was this past January 9th at Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe. His dedication to music was inspiring and will, no doubt, continue to be as we will naturally continue to remember him every time we play music.

In honor of Paul there will be a graveside service on Thursday, the 26th at 2:00 at Austin Memorial Park (45th and Hancock - check link for map). - Thursday night the Cornell Hurd Band, which Paul was a founding member of, will host a musical remembrance of Paul at Jovita's on South 1st Street at 8:00.

Annie, his wife, and Jess, his son, are holding up well under the circumstances and a lot of family is around for support. - "In lieu of" is yet to be determined; no flowers please. I'll update anyone who wants this info.

You're welcomed to send any cards or contributions to:

The Skelton Family
c/o The Texana Dames
P.O.Box 3132
Austin, TX  78764

Thank You for being a witness.

Conni Hancock
'Texana Dames
it's a whole story...'

Dear Friends, Family, Fans of Charlene Condray Hancock - our 'Main Dame' -

I'd like to compile a collection of your letters, momentos, photos....any and all kinds of memorabilia....to honor, my mother, Charlene's 70th birthday this coming August 27th.

Strangely, she's not received the acknowledgment, particularly professionally, that she so greatly deserves. - Her music career began in 1947 when she was only 8 years old. She performed publicly, on radio and television at a time when only the most TALENTED were asked.! Not only did she join my father, Tommy Hancock's popular danceband, 'The Roadside Playboys', at the age of 16.....because, by the way, as he put it "My girl singer ran off with the piano man and Charlene was already popular in her own right.".....but she soon turned down major record deals in favor of raising a family. To this day she has 4 children, 4 step children, 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren to all of whom she's made herself totally available while continuing the often grueling lifestyle of a musician...not just a 'girl singer'.  For 52 years she has done what other mothers and grandmothers and great grandmothers do plus play bass and sing in a band. The 'Texana Dames' is a band that was formed predominately around her in 1989, has travelled extensively and has continued to play for 19years.  - Her muse has carried her for a whopping 62 years !!!

W.C. Clark, respected veteran of the Austin 'Live Music Capital', said flatly that "She's one of the best and most soulful bass players I've heard."  Any of Lubbock's own 'Crickets' (Buddy Holly), the Flatlanders or the Maines Brothers (Lloyd Maines - father of Dixie Chick, Natalie Maines) sing Charlene's praises with just a mention. Her support of up and coming musicians has been undeniable, not to mention the strong example she's provided for female musicians. Marcia Ball has expressed an affinity for her from the time they met.

Her warm interest in others, whatever their story may be, is genuine and has a way of putting them at ease.

No doubt every single person receiving this email has their own very personal response to her love, beauty and talent. We would very much like to include your anecdote whether it be a specific memory, a favorite song that she sings, an old clipping or an effort to describe the feeling you have in her presence. - We'd like to have everything together to compile in the best way possible by August 13th.

You may email to: texanadames@earthlink.net and we'll print what you send.

- or –

Click on this link to send us a message,

-or -

You may send hard mail to:

Charlene Condray Hancock
Akashic Recordings
P.O. Box 3132
Austin, TX   78764

Regarding the birthday gift she's ASKED for!.....She would like to create a fund for musicians to receive preventative health care. We'll be researching the best and most effective approach hopefully through or with The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians and / or MusiCares, a national organization.....both of which we are indebted. Should you want to contribute you may send your gift to the above address.

Thank You in advance - Reverently Yours -

Conni Hancock

'Texana Dames - it's a whole story...'

P.S.  She knows nothing of this scheme and since she doesn't 'do' computers we might be able to actually surprise her!!
 

To Everyone interested in Charlene Condray Hancock's one and only 70^th Birthday Wish -
which is for “all musicians to have more healthcare options”

We've arranged the easiest way possible for you to help make her wish come true!  You may contribute to HAAM, MusiCares or Hospice directly by clicking on a link or mailing a donation directly to the organization of your choice.  I'll describe how they've helped us, to help you decide which organization you'd like to donate to:

HAAM – Health Alliance for Austin Musicians – has provided us with general care, diagnostic, therapy and annual checkups based on traditional western medicine. It's a service offered to professional musicians living in Austin, TX, 'Live Music Capitol'.

   UCF / HAAM Fund
   P.O. Box 301496
   Austin, TX 78703   USA

You may also donate by clicking on this link

MusiCares – a branch of NARAS – National Academy of Arts and Sciences – not only helped us by providing funds for preventative and alternative healthcare, including acupuncture, but also helped us replace our band equipment when it was stolen in 1997.

   MusiCares
   West Region
   3402 Pico Blvd.
   Santa Monica,  CA 90405   USA

You may also donate by way of their website by clicking here.

Hospice – has provided gentle and conscious, state of the art healthcare, to our loved ones as they made their exits from this physical world with as much dignity and comfort as is humanly possible – specifically Charlene's father, Clint, Tommy's mother, Ruth and our friends, Johnny Torrez and TJ Mc Farland.  There are several hospice organizations.  Donate to one of your choice or to:

   Hospice Austin
   The Christopher House
   2820 E Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
   Austin, TX 78702

Donate by clicking here.

We are deeply grateful and forever indebted to all three organizations for their support and generosity.

If you'd prefer for us to take the steps for you, you may get your donations to us and we'll inform you as to which organization we made your contribution to.

   Charlene Condray Hancock
   P.O. Box 3132
   Austin, TX 78764

Please write all checks, with 'In Honor of Charlene Hancock's 70^th B'Day' on the memo line so that you will be acknowledged and rightfully thanked.

With joy in the service of my mother – with my sister

Love,
Conni Hancock

Women in Texas Music: Stories and Songs
by Kathleen Hudson

Kathleen Hudson, a real live true cowgirl, author and Texana Dame has written about us!

We sincerely appreciate her efforts and the fact that she's acknowledged ours!

In her new book, "Women in Texas Music," she has us,
and legendary musical women - Marcia Ball, Rosie Flores,
Lavelle White, Terri Hendrix and more - tell their stories.

www.kathleenhudson.net

Read the Austin Chronicle's Cover Feature,
"Roadside Playboys and the Texana Dames"
it's a whole story. . .

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