New ‘Handbook of Texas Music, Second Edition’ set for launch

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
March 8, 2012

The Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University, in cooperation with the Texas State Historical Office and Texas Music Office, will release The Handbook of Texas Music, Second Edition at the grand opening of the Texas Music Exhibit at the Bullock Texas State History Museum March 17.

The Texas Music Exhibit will run through Oct. 14 at the Bullock Museum.

Building on the work of the original Handbook of Texas Music, published 2003, the new edition offers completely updated entries and features new and expanded coverage of the musicians, ensembles, dance halls, festivals and genres that have helped define the state’s musical legacy.

The Handbook of Texas Music, Second Edition, editor Laurie Jasinski will be in attendance, as will Casey Monahan, who wrote the volume’s introduction, Gary Hartman, director of the Center for Texas Music History, and Ann Smith, handbook data management editor. In addition, the Texas Tornados will perform in a free concert on the museum’s plaza.

“Under the supervision of the Center for Texas Music History, dozens of Texas State grad students wrote hundreds of articles for both the original and revised Handbook of Texas Music, the first of which has been showcased by the Smithsonian Institution and others,” Hartman said.

While the book details the lives of musical icons such as Buddy Holly, Bob Wills, Roy Orbison, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Scott Joplin, Janis Joplin and Doug Sahm, equally compelling are lesser-known figures whose talent and dedication significantly contributed to the growth of music in their communities. Evelyn Johnson, for example, provided business savvy and stability behind Don Robey’s Duke-Peacock recording empire in Houston. For years, bandleader Carl Morene mentored and directed students in Schulenburg free of charge. Musician Doc Toler of Central Texas helped keep alive the novel legacy of the medicine show.

Supported by an outstanding team of music advisors from across the state, The Handbook of Texas Music, Second Edition, furnishes new articles on the music festivals, museums and halls of fame in Texas, as well as the many honky-tonks, concert halls and clubs, big and small, that invite readers to explore their own musical journeys.

For more information, visit www.TSHAonline.org or call (940) 369-5200.