I took this shot of the Texas Capitol about a year ago while walking around downtown with my camera on a clear and lovely February day.
Things come to mind…
When I worked downtown, I used to eat lunch on the lawn surrounded by statues and trees, statutes and lawmakers.
One week back in the early ’90s, word had gotten out that Willie was going to play a free show on the south steps. It was a Sunday afternoon, I think, and I decided to check him out. I rode my bike down to the capitol and waited with the small crowd. Finally, Willie came out and stood in front of the single microphone. He had no band; it was just him and Trigger, all beat up and full of holes.
He played a solo acoustic set that included many of his most famous tunes. I remember the weather was beautiful, the crowd was happy, and Willie seemed so pleased to just be making music for a small group of fans in his home city. Afterwards, he stayed up on stage while people passed him boots, belts, LPs, guitars, and posters to sign. He joked with the audience and didn’t leave until he’d signed everything that anybody wanted signed.
In college a budy of mine and I used to rollerblade in there at night, gliding through the silent halls.
Spinning under the dome is kind of cool too.
And I think of Star Wars: “You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.” (I’m not talking about that Willie show either…)
James Brush is a teacher and writer who lives in Austin, TX. He tries to get outside as much as possible.
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