![]() |
Texana Dames |
|
|
|
You're welcomed to send any cards or contributions to: The Skelton Family Conni Hancock
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 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 70th Birthday Wish - 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 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 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 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 Please write all checks, with 'In Honor of Charlene Hancock's 70th 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, August 12, 2008 Dear Friends - Thank You to everyone who's sent a little somethin' honoring Charlene's 70th birthday. I'm so glad we started well ahead of time! Re: the surprise compilation book It's comin along so beautifully....all I was hoping for and more really! People have surfaced that we hadn't heard from in such a long long time. - I've realized that the August 13th deadline wasn't necessary after all, though. So if you haven't sent anything, but would like to, please do! Address below. If you have 'whatever' to us by the 26th it'll be included. She's received hand written notes and email notes from 3 words to 3 pages - pictures and picturecards - even a cassette tape and a page from her 1956 high school annual! Great stories, tidbits and quips have added to the whole story.......which is Charlene Condray Hancock. Re: the donations to Hospice Austin, HAAM, MusiCares Not only are the organizations keeping us updated, but Char's endorsed and forwarded checks made out to her and that have come directly to our box. She is very touched by the outpouring and is eager to begin thanking everyone.......but I've asked her to chill til after her birthday. She has no idea just how many people she's gonna wanna thank and be in touch with! Re: a party Funny thang, she doesn't wanna have one! Of course many have assumed that there would be one, including me, but noooooo! It's unbelievable, I know! She says that she wants to be with her family and eat pie....She's not a birthday cake fan. We will be playin at Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe on Sept. 5th however. So if you wanna party with her that's probably the closest time and place..... Y'all have made me laugh and cry. You've filled me with gratitude...Not only for the presence of my amazing mom, music and friendship but for awareness and the effort it takes to express the unspeakable. Thank You for allowing me to be the go between. I'm humbled to get to present her with this special gift from us all. A special Thanks to Traci for sending email, researching addresses, and for always being willing to tend to misc. and etc. Also Thanks to Daddyo, Tommy Hancock, for tirelessly working to make all of my mom's dreams come true. Love,
Charlene Condray Hancock
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, Read the Austin Chronicle's Cover Feature, |
|
| it's a whole story .
. . |
|
Texana Dames
Charlene Hancock
Conni Hancock
Traci Lamar (Hancock) Tommy X Hancock Supernatural Family Band Akashic Recordings
Announcements
Party Schedule
Write Us
Contact |
Copyright (c) 2003 - 2009 Akashic Recordings All Rights Reserved. Site Design by Beverly Howell |