Tales From The Broken Spoke

Two music legends join Bob this week. Mike Daily and john Michael Whitby from the Ace In The Hole Band. Mike shares the story of how George Strait nailed the audition to be become the lead singer of the Ace In The Hole Band. Can you imagine being in the living room for the audiotion and hearing George sing with the band for the first time.....

Join Bob Pickett as he uncovers the wildest stories from the iconic Broken Spoke. In this episode, you'll hear about the unforgettable night when O.J. Simpson's infamous Bronco chase captivated the crowd, leaving musicians playing to an empty dance floor. Discover the behind-the-scenes drama of the Wagoneers' second album, the unexpected twists in Charlie Robison's career, and the hilarious mishaps that only happen at the Broken Spoke. Don't miss these jaw-dropping tales that will leave you laughing and shaking your head in disbelief!

Mas Palermo joins Bob and Monte at the Spoke. How did Mas come to Austin and why......plus never before told stories ......check out part 1 of our conversation with Mas. Bob guarantee you will become a big Mas fan for life!

So much to cover with this segment including never heard before stories of the album "Viva Terlingua" plus Bob tells a great story about Ray Wylie. Listen!

Let's dive into the Austin Music scene in the early 70's before Willie got to town and let's find out how the band's name, "The Lost Gonzo Band" happened? It may surprise you. Maybe you were there when it happened.

I have been waiting for this conversation for years! Almost 50 years in fact. Bob and Monte sit down with Bob Livingston. One of the many questions.......how did Michael Murphey and Jerry Jeff Walker share the same band?......questions about the recording of the landmark album "Viva Terlingua". You will love this conversation.

Why did Walt leave Nashville and move back to Austin? Here's the story. Anyone you think should be on the podcast? Let Bob know at [email protected] and thanks for listening!

Walt was in the movie business? Yes, ready for some more great tales? Dive in with Bob and Monte and Walt Wilkins.

Enjoy this conversation with Walt Wilkins, songwriter troubadour. It's one of our best visits ever and I can't wait for you to hear other segments soon.

I love this book! Dave Dalton Thomas has written a book about the history of Willie's 4th of July picnic called "Picnic Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Tradition." Great book and Dave gives us the history and stories that you have never heard. Pick up the book and listen now as Dave joins Bob at the Broken Spoke.

Beautiful love story and great team! Let's continue our visit with Monte and Brandi Warden and talk about the new album "Jackpot"

How did they meet? How long have they been together? It's a Nashville/Austin love story that is amazing. We all know Monte Warden, but do you know his better half Brandi? Dive in and learn more about Monte's and Brandi's relationship and professional relationship. It's a true match made in heaven which is leading towards the release of Monte's new album with the Dangerous Few called "Jackpot" out May 17th.

This show was taped before the untimely deaths of Ace In The Hole Band member and friend Gene Elders and Erv Woolsey. We all have a big hole in our hearts with the loss of these giants.Also, never ask Bob to predict who will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Ace In The Hole keyboard player John Michael Whitby stops by to visit with Bob and Monte with details about a new project that has been years in the making......

I love stories of the Spoke. Here's some more you may not be aware of. Let's continue our visit with Ginny and Michael.

We go dip into Spoke History and topics including Chicken Sh*t Bingo, the Riff Raff tax that started with George Strait.....come on in!

The late James White certainly left the legacy of the Broken Spoke in great hands. He would be proud of all the work his daughter Ginny, and his son-in-law Michael have done with the legendary Broken Spoke. Let's catch up with them.

Let's dive in deeper to Will's Austin roots.

Guitarist Will Knaak join Bob and Monte at historic Broken Spoke. Did you know Will started playing at the Spoke when he was only 12 years old? Listen and learn more about Will's amazing musical journey.

The man who has been driving for George Strait for more than 40 years, Lee Roy Eichler. Lee Roy is one of the great guys on the planet. How did he get the job, who did you bring to the Ace In The Hole Band, so many stories.......

So much fun, we hate for this conversation to end. Terry promised he would be back soon for more Tales.

Enjoyed part 1? We talk about everything on this segment.....Elvis, old Austin, Brooks & Dunn.....part 3 next week

It's always to thrill to catch up with Terry McBride. Sit in and listen to our conversation with soon to be Texas Songwriter Hall of Famer Terry McBride.

Such a cool Texan! John Arthur Martinez talks about "Nashville Star" and reveals a connection that Bob and him shared in 1979. What was it? LISTEN

Part 1 of our visit with John Arthur Martinez. There is a special event later this month that you will want to be a part of in Marble Falls. John gives the info.

Monte and Bob visit with the legendary John Conlee who doesn't plan on slowing down anytime soon.

Now we get to the nitty gritty......here's more of our conversation with Darden Smith. Check out his music and art at dardensmith.com. You will become a fan!

And the fun continues! Darden talks about the lessons learned of signing with major labels and the lessons he has learned in the studio.

Darden Smith is amazing! Songwriter, artist, novelist and so much more. Here's part one of the conversation with Darden. Did you know Nashville labels were battling to have Darden sign with them.......listen.

This was a great visit! Want to hear more tales of Austin City Limits, the old ACL studio, past tapings and also how to get tickets for future tapings of Austin City Limits? Dive in now!

Austin City Limits helped put the city of Austin on the map. The award winning PBS show is celebrating 50 years this years. That's a lot of stories and tales. Tery Lickona is the mastermind of this show, and no we didn't ask for tickets for a future taping. Enjoy part 1 of our conversation with Terry Lickona on "Tales From The Broken Spoke".

So many stories, so little time! Here's part 2 of Bob and Monte's conversation with Larry Telford.....tales of Sammy Allred, Kinky Friedman and more.....and how about the time a bus ran into the back of the Spoke.....want to hear the really story?

Special guest Larry Telford shares his stories of traveling with Kinky Friedman, Lee Roy Parnell and of course the world famous Geezenslaw Brothers in part one of the conversation.

Love having Kathy tell more tales, honestly I could listen to her stories all day.

She is a legend! Austinite and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Kathy Valentine has a book that you don't want to put down "All I Ever Wanted. A Rock 'N' Roll Memoir."Check out part 1 of Kathy's conversation with Bob and Monte and part 2 and 3 coming soon!

You may not recogize the name Bud Logan but he is the name behind some of country music's biggest hits like John Conlee's "Rose Colored Glasses", T Graham Brown's "I Tell It Like I Used To Be" and many many more. Bud was also a bass player for the late Jim Reeves. What a career and what a storyteller. Hope you enjoy Bud Logan with these tales!

It's not about politics, it's about our love for Texas Dancehalls and the legendary Broken Spoke. Honestly we taped this episode in 2022 and I've been waiting to post it because I wanted a companion episode with Congressman Lloyd Doggett. I'ver contacted his office and 8 months later, we're still waiting for an answer. It would be great for Congressman Doggett to tell of his love for the Spoke and of the first time a political rally was held at the Spoke. I can't wait to hear his "tales" of old Austin. Let's set it up and in the mean time I hope you enjoy this conversation with Congressman Roy.

I have been waiting for so long to have Eddie Wilson tell Monte and I some tales about old Austin, about the Armadillo World Headquarters, the Raw Deal of course Threadgills. You will enjoy this visit with Eddie Wilson and please read his masterpiece "Armadillo World Headquarters, a memoir".He needs to stop by for many more visits, right?

Bill Carter is a legend! If you don't know his name, you should. He is the songwriter, along with his lovely wife Ruth, of great songs like Stevie Ray Vaughan's hit "Crossfire", the Fabulous Thunderbirds "Why Get Up", McBride and the Ride's "Can I Count on You" and so many others. Hope you enjoy his stories and tales!

It's quite a history lesson! Bob and Monte vist with BMI's Mitch Ballard.

Best selling author Tweed Scott from "Texas In Her Own Words" joins Bob and Monte for some Texas Tales

It's now been 2 years since the death of James White. What does the future hold for the historic Broken Spoke. Ginny White-Peacock and Michael Peacock tell Bob and Monte about the Spoke's future.

If you are a country music fan and a George Strait fan, this episode is a no brainer. How did George join the Ace In the Hole Band, how did they get their name, what happened to the original singer for the band.......all these answers and more on this episode of "Tales From The Broken Spoke"

I love Austin radio stories and there is no one better to tell those stories than my friend Don Pryor. Don's dad, the late great Cactus Pryor, was President Johnson's go to man for emceeing many White House and Johnson Ranch events and Don was there for many of them. He was at the Batman movie premiere in 1966, the same weekend that the UT Tower sniper massacre happened. That's one of the many tales you won't forget. Enjoy this blast from the past. Real Austin history, real America history.

He is royalty and his father was the first one to put outlaw country on the map in Austin. Django Walker joins Bob and Monte to talk music, his father and all things Austin

The year was 1977.....Bob Pickett went to an Elvis concert in Abilene Texas....the next night Monte Warden and Rick Hensen both saw Elvis in Austin. A few months later, Elvis was gone. How did that concert change each man's life? Just listen.......

Alvin Crow is a legend! 50 years performing at the Broken Spoke and it all started at a pizza joint in Austin. Hope you will join Alvin for the 50 year celebration on Saturday July 9th. It's going to be a party, Texas sized of course!

Texas Country Star Kyle Park drops in to visit with Monte and Bob. Kyle shares his story about getting started in country music while in high school. His first record was played on the radio while he was a high school senior.

A great visit with James White's daughter Ginny White-Peacock who proudly is carrying on the great legacy of her father. She has tales of her parents, Chris White and the origin of the famous George Strait bathroom.

Hard to believe but it's 50 years so far for Asleep At The Wheel and we are celebrating with a big show October 15th. Ray Benson stops by for a history lesson of the Wheel and let's Bob and Monte know about a secret special guest. WOW