I want to take a look at a another large ranch and rancher that no one knows and another quick look at an interesting fellow I ran across.By Michael Mitchell

I want to take a look at a couple of Texas “wanderers”. One wondered with a purpose and the other, not so much.By Michael Mitchell

We are back on some place names this week that I found interesting and another location in Texas that was the biggest of its kind at the time.By Michael Mitchell

Listen in as we spend some time with the 2025 Boston Crusaders Student Leadership team hearing their perspective on the Drum Corps activity, how it impacts their lives, and their anticipation of the 2025 season.By Howard Weinstein

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do/ Do not wait to shed your light afar/ To the many duties ever near you now be true/ Brighten the corner where you are." --Lyrics to "Brighten the Corner Where you Are"" by Charles Gabriel, Paul Mickelson, and Ina Duley Ogden Memorial Day. In this special episode, Down Trails of Victory podcast pay…

I will be sitting down with the entire 2025 Boston Crusaders Student Leadership team to discuss with them their thoughts, feelings and emotions going into this highly competitive season. Episode comes out next week, 5.26.25!By Howard Weinstein

Ever hear about bank robberies and think “what possessed these guys to do that”? Well, I found two right here in Texas that sounded….well….interesting!By Michael Mitchell

I have spoken many times about place names and wondering where they got those names. I am going to explore two that I got to experience this last weekend.By Michael Mitchell

Every state has animals they highlight as the state this or state that. We will explore some of the Texas State animals and some of their uses.By Michael Mitchell

We hear place names and wonder where they come from but often overlook the people these place names honor. I found three that were important to Texas that I believe are often overlooked. Seguin, Navarro and Zavala are on our list this week.By Michael Mitchell

Who doesn’t love stories about outlaws in the Wild West. Guys like Billy the Kid, Black Jack Ketchum and others are almost idolized but what about some lesser known outlaws that were equally as bad? And what about the lawmen that caught them. They weren’t all white horse and honor. Some of them were almost as bad as the outlaws!…

Do you ever hear about interesting people and wonder about their history? What about Texans named Jack Earle or Monroe Edwards? Two vastly different and interesting Texans.By Michael Mitchell

Who were the Texas Old Three Hundred and how is it related to Stephen F. Austin? I think we know who Austin was but do we really know him?By Michael Mitchell

Did you know there was a Texas Navy? Well, technically three I guess. There was the Texian Navy, the Second Texas Navy and the Third Texas Navy….well, sort of. Also, did you know there was a Texas Navy Ship that was lost at sea and no one has ever found it or know what happened to it?By Michael Mitchell

Have you ever seen the GIANT brick smoke stack west of Fort Worth on I-20? Ever wonder what it’s there for? What about a famous Texas restaurant’s origins?By Michael Mitchell

"Running on empty (running on)/ Running blind (running on)/ Running into the sun/ But I'm running behind." --Lyrics to "Running on Empty" by Jackson Browne Dr. William Fermo and his brother Dr. Jeremy Fermo are "all in" on delivering incredible running experiences to runners and communities in Southeast Texas. Since launching their "3 Bros Running …

So, most folks know the story about Cabeza de Vaca and his exploration of Texas but what about Francois? He had a totally different experience. And, why is there a Texas named London Whiskey?By Michael Mitchell

Have you ever been to a museum and thought "that name sounds familiar"? Well, my buddy Michael and his wife Tosha did that and it turns out the Medal of Honor they were looking at was her Great Grandfathers. Pretty cool stuff.By Michael Mitchell

Weird Texas laws. Some or myth and some are legit. Lets explore a few of these to make sure we stay out of trouble!By Michael Mitchell

How did Texas get it’s shape and what was the Texan Santa Fe Expedition and the following compromise of 1850 and how did it effect Texas?By Michael Mitchell

Listen as Adrian Caswell shares with us how to bring the very best from his students while teaching them to look inward. Adrian's ability as an educator, coupled with his grounded approach creates a magical environment for success both inside the band room and outside in the "real world".By Howard Weinstein

Davy Crocket is a historical hero. I’ve read a few books on him and he was an interesting character to say the least. How did he get to Texas though?By Michael Mitchell

Texas is iconic and most icons that stand out are cowboys, boots, hats and pickup trucks. But what about horses and of course, cattle. Lets take a look at the Texas Longhorn history and maybe a few other breeds famous here in TexasBy Michael Mitchell

Often we see westerns on fully understand the importance of traildrivers on cattle drives. Lets take a look at one of the most famous black Frontiersman and Traildrivers and his impact on one of the most famous Westerns around.. I also want to take a look at another guy who lived a really interesting life but was well known to me for very different…

Did you know that Wichita Falls used to have it’s own line of trucks? Also, what about a town with a hexagon shaped hotel. Lastly, have you heard the legend of the Texas Candy Lady?By Michael Mitchell

Lets take a look at two interesting fellows that merely passed through Texas but left a lasting impression in their own way.By Michael Mitchell

Did you know the first Thanksgiving in North America was actually held in Texas? But wait, there were actually TWO Thanksgivings held in Texas before the one we all know and love!By Michael Mitchell

Did you know there was a woman hanged in Texas, only one? What about twin sisters and the Texas Holy Grail?By Michael Mitchell

Did you know there was a city in Texas that was the second largest city in the state but only for one day. Also, ever heard of the Battle of Stone Houses? Today you will!By Michael Mitchell

Did you know that Texas had a Forest Service? Did you know they had lookout towers and some are still standing? What about a Rancher that got swindled and logged 30,000 miles on a great adventure to catch the guys that did it, even though he had no law enforcement experience?By Michael Mitchell

This week is Halloween so why not check out a few creepy Texas stories.By Michael Mitchell

Many folks hear of historical people in their area but never really dive into their history and their relationship to their area. I found a few folks that are important to Texas AND my neck of the woods here in Northwest Texas. Lets deep dive into four of these guys and see what we can find.By Michael Mitchell

Have you ever heard about a certain town names and wondered if there was an actual location or oddity that gave that town the name? Or, have you heard a town name and thought “how on Earth did they come up with that”? Well, here are a few for you right here in the Great State of TexasBy Michael Mitchell

Have you ever heard about a certain geographic region like the Pacific Northwest, The Great Plains, The Delta or The Valley and wondered what’s it’s meaning was or how it got named? Some are pretty easy to decipher like Pacific Northwest is obviously a location, the delta is obviously a geographic feature. BUT, what about the Llano Estacado? Ever h…

Have you ever felt a little off or creeped out by a place? Turns out there are a few places in Texas that give that feeling to lots of people. You are not alone. Lets take a look at a few of those places now.By Michael Mitchell

Gio Bastante is a leadership force in the Pageantry Arts. Listen and learn how Gio has built one opportunity into another, and another, and another! She is an inspirational role model to all young leaders of "today"By Howard Weinstein

Have you ever read a book or novel and thought about where the author was raised? It makes you wonder if their books were based on their childhood or just their imagination. In this weeks episode, we are going to look at a few authors from Texas.By Michael Mitchell

Have you heard of the Karankawa Tribe. Did you know there is a group in Texas that’s trying to rebuild the tribe recover its language and its native lands?By Michael Mitchell

Have you seen the youtube videos of spelunkers exploring caves and some of the super tight spaces they get through. Lets explore some of the public caves in Texas.By Michael Mitchell

So here's to you/May your dreams come true/ May old father time/Never be unkind/ And through the years/Save your smiles and your tears/ They're just souvenirs/They'll make music in your heart.../ --Lyrics to "My Best to You," by Isham Jones and Gene Willaden The Indianettes have been an iconic figure in the tradition of Port Neches-Groves High Scho…

Jarrett Lipman is the Director of Bands at Vandegrift High School in Austin, Texas, and the Brass Caption Manager of the Boston Crusaders. He shares with us how he has built a culture of leadership, patience and productivity in all of the environments he has taught. He also shares how CLARITY is an optimum formula for success.…

Have you ever wondered about animals that used to roam Texas. Some died out or migrated away. Lets look at a few of these animals.By Michael Mitchell

There are state “animals” for every state in the union and I got to wondering about which animals represented Texas. We have some interesting ones to say the least and of course, we have to hit on a few famous animals from Texas too. Oh, and I threw in a story about a Devil Duck too for good measure.…

Different episode for the Leadership Ladder, we have a conversation with Boston Crusaders Drum Major, Wes Booker on balance, growth and perspective, leading to success from the podium, and throughout the organization you lead!By Howard Weinstein

So I often wonder about the largest ranches in Texas and of course, places like the 6666 Ranch, Waggoner Ranch and King Ranch are all tops. But, what is the largest ranch in the world and what does the XIT Ranch have to do with the Texas State Capitol?By Michael Mitchell

So I often wonder about place names and where they come from and recently Dallas/Fort Worth popped up. Most people shorten the whole area to DFW or the Metroplex but what is some of these two towns history and how did the get their names?By Michael Mitchell

Have you thought about the largest Ranch’s in Texas or maybe even some of the town or place names? How about the song “Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas” or the town on Ding Dong, TX? Lets take a look at a few of these places.By Michael Mitchell

Time to bust out the fiddle and rosin up the bow! Today's guests--Sheryl, Reggie, and Jenifer Wrinkle--are fiddle virtuosos of the highest order. Hear them share how their early experiences playing the fiddle in Southeast Texas led them each on a musical journey of a lifetime. Their conversation with Buck and Wanda Carole covers a wide range of top…

This is a special live episode that I did while on vacation. We stopped in Channing Texas on our way out to New Mexico and I learned a lot of history just by walking around this little town. Come with me and learn about the XT ranch and also about a giant snake in Wichita County Texas.By Michael Mitchell

Have you ever romanticized about being a cowboy on the open range on a long cattle drive? Did you know that period of time that is so often memorialized in the great westerns happened in a 25-30 year time frame from roughly 1865 to 1890? Lets take a look at some of the great cattle drive trails.By Michael Mitchell