Come September, In Texas: School's Out and Music is In
Each September, thousands flock to Texas for the Texas Country Music Roundup. Music lovers and those seeking an escape to the country come in droves. The young-at-heart grey nomads come in campervans and trailers. Some might even ride a horse.

James Blundell was born on 8th December 1964 in our own wonderful Southern Downs town of Stanthorpe (Map 11 and Map R), and bought up on a sheep and cattle property nearby. In eleven albums, his songs reflect his early life as a jackaroo and his love of life. James has an interest in politics, standing as a Senate candidate for Bob Katter's Australian Party.

With over twenty albums, Lindsay Butler presents his own moving music about Australia, and presents tribute albums to other music greats like Duane Eddy & Peter Rosa, Slim Dusty, Stan Coster, Hank Williams and Buddy Williams.

In 2008, Lindsay was awarded an OAM; Order of Australia medal. In 2007, he became a Renown Inductee, in 2004, an inductee of the Australian Country Music Wall of Honour and in 1980 a Hands of Fame Inductee. He holds many industry and instrumental awards.

In the 1960's Lindsay honed his guitar skills while working with his sisters on the family farm at Tenterfield (Map 8 and Map V).

Shaza Leigh has been busy with eleven albums singing about Australia and the bush. Shaza has a wall full of awards from Hands of Fame 2006, Wall of Honour 2004, Womens Wall of Fame 2001, Akubra Hat Award 2003, Tamworth Industry Award 2005, numerous Gold Medallion Awards, many TSA National Salute Awards, Australian Independent Awards, Australian Country Recording Awards, Australian Peoples Choice Award and many Country Music Awards of Australia. Shaza was born in North Queensland and grew up on the family's cattle and cane property in The Whitsundays. Shaza is married to legendary guitarist, Lindsay Butler. They live in Tamworth with their son, Lachlan.

Don't confuse the name Lindsay. Dianne Lindsay and Peter Simpson are both performers in their own right, but are teaming up with performing, song writing and production of many songs. Peter grew up in the Snowy Mountains, and both are now based on the Central Coast of NSW. They even have a radio show on TodaysCountry94one at FM 94.1 at Gosford.

Shaza Leigh & Lindsay Butler's Show Band Concert

The Program
The Roundup is arranged so that local artists, and not-so-local-wanna-bes, can get exposure in front of live audiences. Throughout the week "walk-up" artists perform on the streets around the town, bush poets recite, the pavement takes a beating from the boot scooters, and the cooks cook-up a treat.

This is all great for the town, great for the visitors and great that this little town of Texas gets recogition over that state of Texas.

To give an idea of the each year's Roundup, the program for 2013 includes:

Thursday 26th Sept:
Walk-up Artists in High St Texas, map 9 B5, as hosted by Ken & Annie Davey. Then the Old Time Dance at 7pm in the Texas Sports Complex in Middleton St Texas, map 9 C4.

Friday 27th Sept:
Texas Sports Complex in Middleton St Texas, map 9 C4. Entry during the day is $15. Entry with dinner after 5pm is $25. From 8am till 10 am is Bush Poets' Breakfast with $15 entry. From 10am onward to 8pm is Music. Then 8pm till 10pm is James Blundell in Concert.

Saturday 28th Sept:
Texas Sports Complex in Middleton St Texas, map 9 C4. Entry is $30 for day and evening events, and entry is $15 after 5pm for evening events, with entry & dinner after 5 pm being $25. From 8am till 10 am is Bush Poets' Breakfast. From 10am onward to 8pm is Music, with Special Appearances by Rex Dallas at 2pm and at 7pm. The main Showcase from 7:30pm till 10pm is Lindsay Butler and Shaza Leigh, featuring Justin Standley.

Sunday 29th Sept:
Texas Sports Complex in Middleton St Texas, map 9 C4. Entry for the day is $10. From 8am till 10 am is Bush Poets' Breakfast. From 10am till 12 noon is the feature event of the Gospel Show with Lindsay Butler & Shazza Leigh. Then music until 4pm. Followed by dinner and Walk-Up Artists.

Weekend Pass and Discounts
If coming for all three main paid days, then get a Weekend Pass for just $40. With session entries students aged 12 to 15 years can have a $5 admittance, while under 12 years can be admitted free.

The Camping
With unpowered camping sites, with toilets and showers, at just $5 per person per night, family groups, sporting groups and youth groups can have a very economical fun-filled weekend. There are even allocated pet areas for those riding an elephant or bringing a dog. (Of course there are also motel and hotel rooms in town; see the 'Caravans' and the 'Hotels' and the 'Motels' classifications in this book.)

The Artists
When the program says "From 10am onward is music", well the program means music music music. Singers & Artists include: Lindsay Butler, Shaza Leigh, Justin Standley, James Blundell, Dianne Lindsay, Pete Simpson, Ashley Cook, Brian Letton, Rex Dallas, Lana Ross, Allan Luscombe, Tapping Teddy Thompson, Keith Jameson, Alisha Smith, Greg Bain, Jeff Brown, Lynette Guest, Rodney Walker, Arnie Crowe, Bob & Michelle Overden. Of course, many artists bring along their own bands and road crew, making scores more musicians behind the bigger names.

Contacts
For bookings ring 0448 762 016, or email texasqldinc@live.com.au
For enquiries ring (07) 4653 1106 or email sallyridgway@bigpond.com
For more information on the Music Roundup: www.texascountrymusic.com.au
For 'just so complete' information about Texas and the Southern Downs go to: www.pocketbooks.com.au

The Organisers and the Fund Assistance to "Rabbit Processing Works"
Texas Qld Inc is the organiser of the Music Roundup. Texas Qld Inc is a small organisation, dedicated to the survival and growth of the town through tourism and supporting local businesses. Its president is Lester Dawson, from the McIntyre Gazette. Phone 4653 0663.

The proceeds earned from the Roundup help Texas Qld Inc with their renovation of the "Rabbit Processing Works".

Rabbits are, of course, illegal in Queensland, so the processing works are also, of course, now "historical". But in 1928 the culling of these animals led to the establishment of the Riverside Freezing Works. The factory employed 33 men during the early years and the enterprise was credited with saving the township of Texas during the depression. While early trade was sending rabbits to England, the factory kept operating, supplying skins for Akubra hats and to the Sydney Fur Market, right up until 1992.

The building is open on Saturdays from 9am till 1pm for tours and at other times, by appointment. There are photos and memorabilia and at present, it also houses a collection of local antiques and collectables from years gone by. After retiring at age 75, Roger Wilson started to restore the power and steam engines he had collected - many of which were used in this rabbit-works. Admission is currently $2. See it on Mingoola Road, Texas, map 9 B5, Phone 4653 1106 and 0448 762 016.

Texas Heritage Centre & Tobacco Museum
Texas also has another museum - for those who smoke, or, once did. The Heritage Centre contains the Tobacco Museum. See map 9 B5. The Texas Heritage Centre has more than 2000 catalogued items from the local area. It also houses an ever-growing display of tobacco memorabilia tracing the growing of the crop from its establishment to its demise in the Dumaresq Valley. The centre is open Saturdays from 11am to 3:30pm and can be opened by arrangement at other times by Phone 4653 1392.

Other Texas events
As well as the Texas Country Music Roundup, Texas holds some other notable events during the year. The last weekend of July is the Texas Show, the Texas Races for 2013 are on Saturday 14th December (Phone 4653 1413), the annual Christmas carnival is usually the Saturday before Christmas Day (Phone 4653 1499), while the Torture on the Border triathlon is in mid March starting at the Texas Swimming Pool. Phone 4653 1424 or 4653 6298.

Thanks
I would to thank Lester Dawson at the MacIntyre Gazette, phone 4653 0663 for his kind assistance in providing the photos and much of the information for this article.

I would like to thank Natalie Fogarty of Vigour Graphics of Goondiwindi for insisting, five years ago, that I eventually put The Texas Country Music Roundup on our front cover.

Regards,
Gerry Clarke B.PED