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What Do Little Feat And Van Horn, Texas Have In Common?

By on April 2, 2014

April 2, 2014


When you’re stranded in Texas in the parking lot of a motel that is 99 years old with your 1983 Volvo and 28 ft sailboat you might turn a few heads. You also might want to hold off telling your parents about your current situation.

Lucky for me my dad answered my mom’s cell phone. Perf. 

“Hey there C” he says. “Whats happenin’?” 

So where would you have gone from there? 

“Well, I’m in Van Horn, Texas.” good start. 

“Van Horn??” he says. “I know it well.”

No, he has never been here but if Little Feat sings about it, he knows it well. 

My dad. Robert Royal Copeland Holmes is the coolest guy I know. I mean come on with a name like that you can rule the world.

Before I go any further. Let Little Feat set the mood. They say it best, “Texas is a world all it’s own.” 

Now I have heard of Little Feat from my dad but never got into their music until now. I guess you could say it’s the setting. So when I was playing some music for Michael and Brian the other night I was researching and before I knew it Little Feat was leading me in all different directions. Neon Park aka Martin Muller was my first stop. 



Neon Park was an extremely unique and legendary badass artist. He spent most of his time between LA and a small town in Mexico.. somewhere I don’t know. He did all the album cover’s for Little Feat except for one they did themselves and other cool dudes like Dr.John, David Bowie, The Beach Boys which seems super random… and others before he got Lou Gehrig’s disease. You can research more about him if you care too. I want to show you some of my favorites. Some remind me of Mexico others of my Dad and of course Texxxxxas my new found love. yeeehaw


                                     
                                   
                                       

                                     
                                 This is my favorite album cover 
                 Neon Park did for Little Feet.
                 Are you feeling the Mexico vibe? 

                                     

                                     

                                     
                                               
                                      
                                       

                                              




I was looking for some old pictures of Van Horn when I stumbled on some assholes blog that was making fun of the town for having ridiculously boring post cards.. who even cares about that shit. This dude has clearly never spent time in the lovely town that holds so many stories. I mean you have to think why would these people live out here in the middle of nowhere? I’m pretty sure its not just the fact that they like the peace and quiet. I know because I got the story. Sorry I cant share it with you. Use your imagination while you look through these pictures. If you still think its a shit hole middle of nowhere town by the end. Go there for a visit. Find Cheyne and ask him if he really robbed a train. Then continue through the town looking for all his gumball machines. They are in every store. Get a hell of an education from Ric at his Trading Post where he has the most beautiful turquoise jewelry and no hours of operation because he doesn’t like to tie himself down. Bucky at his buy sale and trade store. According to Ric he is a shit monkey who knows nothing. The local mechanics who’s names I don’t remember. My personal favorite Papa’s Pantry. Where two old Hispanic ladies feed the entire town everyday. 

 
 


 

  
This is on the menu at Papa’s Pantry

The only picture I got of Brian. Seeking advice from his wife. What an awesome dude.

The Taylor Motel where we are currently living back in 1915… and its the second oldest hotel? I didn’t ask about the first.



                  

                 I didn’t take this but i like it
                         That’s texxxxas.


    The last time Miguel and I were stranded I handed him my                     sketchbook and told him to relax. 
          This is the goodness that came from that.





“It’s not a fox’s fault how fast he thinks”
– Ric. A guy I met in Van Horn once.


3 Responses to What Do Little Feat And Van Horn, Texas Have In Common?

  1. Anonymous April 2, 2014 at 3:40 pm #

    Awesome post Claire. You are turning into a great Writer ! Uncle Geof

    Reply
  2. Christina April 3, 2014 at 6:49 pm #

    Love it! Music always helps a bad situation turn good! 🙂
    Really cool artwork and I think all the postcards are awesome!! A town can't be measured by their postcards! Lameass!
    The one about having to kill a man to start a cemetery is proof it's an awesome town!
    Love the poem and the little sketch of La Sancha by the I-10 sign.
    Glad you guys are on your way today! Just think- if you never broke down you wouldn't have had this story and also wouldn't have seen the elephants!!! That's a once in a lifetime story.

    Reply
  3. Clyde D Hicks May 2, 2014 at 7:18 pm #

    Late on a comment Claire, but yes your Dad is a cool guy. Hope he does not read this. Doesn't get any better than Little Feat!

    Reply

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