I got to be a part of a show called Texas Country Reporter back in 2006. It came to my attention recently when I heard Bob Phillips, long time host of the program, was stepping away. He announced about a year ago that this would be the end for him and somebody else would take over. Indeed, he has resigned, and somebody else has taken over.
One of the ones who will stay, and there are several who are staying with the show, is a kid from Brownwood named Martin Perry.
Martin grew up in Brownwood. His dad was the sales manager for KBWD and now KOXE. J. Fred Perry was a good friend of mine. He worked there when I started out and Martin I knew from a young age. He’d come to the station with J. Fred so we kind of got to know each other. I saw him play football at Brownwood and was very impressed. He was one of the best kickers in high school that I’ve ever seen. Fact is, I think it was in 1977 and it’s not that way anymore, but only one team came out of your district and went into the playoffs. There was no question in ’77 that it was going to be either Brownwood or Burkburnett. We played them, I think the first District game of the year up in Burkburnett, and Martin kicked a field goal at the end of the ballgame – 40 yards or so – and we beat them 24-21. He then went to Abilene Christian and had a great career there.
That’s not what I wanted to talk about. I want to talk about the Texas Country Reporter thing from several years ago. Martin came down and for a couple of days with part of the crew, spent some time here. We spent time at the football stadium, at my house, and I think at least one other place, but anyway, we got a lot of film work done for the show. I think that year we played San Angelo Lakeview. They decided to come and do most of the filming at that game. I think they wanted to make sure that we won. We were heavily favored and played a pretty good ballgame, and wore them out.
Early on in the game, I’m not sure the game had even started, but here comes Bob Phillips and he jogs up the stands and up the stairs of the press box and he sits right beside me. We do the game. I’m there, Morris Southall is there, and my wife Linda is there, but Martin is up there and in charge. Bob came up and we did our entire interview during the ballgame. In other words, I did the game, but when we had a time out on the field then he starts asking me questions and Martin is filming.
Anyway, it was a good experience and a good show. I enjoyed it. I’ve got a copy of it and I’ve seen it several times. It doesn’t get any better but it doesn’t get any worse. I loved being on Texas Country Reporter. I enjoyed meeting and talking with Bob Phillips. I loved Martin Perry back then and still do today!
Until next time, so long everybody.
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‘Out of the Box’ with Dallas Huston is published each Monday morning at BrownwoodNews.com. Dallas was the radio voice of the Brownwood Lions and Howard Payne Yellow Jackets for more than 55 years. He currently is Pastor of Center City Baptist Church and hosts a Men’s Bible Study in Brownwood on Monday evenings. Your comments are welcome at [email protected].