My Little Town

And the worldwide sound that flows from it

Paul Simon traveled the four miles from his ranch and sat down in our little community radio station studio. He and his also-famous wife Edie Brickell told stories and sang songs for the next two hours.

The first 5 minutes of Simon’s new documentary entitled In Restless Dreams; the Music of Paul Simon—directed by Alex Gibney—and airing on MGM takes place in my home town—the small town of Wimberley, Texas—and more specifically in the studio of KWVH radio. Much of the three-hour—two-part special takes place at the Simon’s ranch in Wimberley.

I serve as a morning show host, volunteer, and an officer on the Board Directors of KWVH, Wimberley Valley Radio, and have witnessed and participated in the growth of this non-profit low power FM station—from the first on-air broadcast in August 2016—to its evolution as the community voice it now is.

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Hello to my friends and readers who’ve been on this one-year Substack journey with me. Welcome to the many new readers who have just joined Of a Sober Mind in recent weeks.

Today marks a new stage in my Substack newsletter journey—as I share the introduction of a book that I’m currently writing about KWVH and the sound of our little town. Please continue to expect my normal schedule of Of a Sober Mind essays on Fridays. What’s new is that periodically I’ll drop in a chapter as I progress with writing this—my first book. My hope is that you’ll find this rather tall tale entertaining. It’s a remarkable and true story that is unfolding on my keyboard based on over 40 extensive audio interviews I recorded with those involved—some no longer with us.

Wimberley, Texas sits about 26 miles as the crow flies to the Southwest of Austin—has a population of approximately 2,500 in the town—and just over 10,000 in the zip code. It has a reputation as a creative enclave—home to painters, potters, singers, musicians—and also families that want to live intentionally and expressively in the Texas Hill Country surrounded by creeks and streams and cypress and juniper—while also being within an hour’s drive of the vibrant metropolitan offerings of Austin and San Antonio. Nearby communities of New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, Fischer, Blanco, and Gruene—all within a half-hour’s drive—offer similar Hill Country living. Many visitors often comment that this just wasn’t what they expected when they thought of Texas. There’s something about Wimberley that’s different than those other towns. There is a feeling that is unique. And a sound—oh the sound. Not quite Americana but some of that. Not quite country but close. Not quite bluegrass—but sorta. Small town but wearing a colorful and cultured patina.

As an aside, I’m reminded of an old joke I heard where a Southerner was asked what kind of music he listens to. His answer? Both kinds—country and western.

photos courtesy of Wimberley Tourism

Live music venues in and around Wimberley include one of the oldest saloons in Texas—Devil’s Backbone Tavern, the oldest dance hall in Texas—Gruene Hall, a world class recording and performing studio—Blue Rock Studios, Whitewater Ampitheater just a few miles down the road in Canyon Lake—and countless backyard concerts on any given night of the week year-round. Susanna’s Kitchen—hosted in the Wimberley United Methodist Church each third Thursday for the last 30 years—where I’ve seen some of the finest musicians around play for 200 people from a small stage.

a couple taken by me and one borrowed from DBT

Other communities in other states have great music scene to be sure. I’ve been in many of them. But the concentric energies—some locals call it a vortex—of our small size—our proximity to the vibrant music scene in Austin—and the prevalence of live outdoor venues makes this area special.

Some of the many musicians who have resided or performed in Wimberley and near-surrounds—and I’m likely missing many—include:

Paul Simon and Edie Brickell, Hal Ketchum (RIP), Willie Nelson, Miranda Lambert, Melissa Etheridge, LeAnn Rimes, Emmylou Harris, Robert Earl Keen, Bob Schneider, Ryan Bingham, Jamie Lyn Wilson, Wynonna Judd, Ronnie Milsap, Joe Ely, Travis Tritt, Uncle Lucius, The Avett Brothers, Dwight Yoakam, Wade Bowen, Slaid Cleves, Sarah Jarosz, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Kevin Fowler, Jeff Plankenhorn, Susan Gibson, Lyle Lovett, Blues Traveler, Marshall Tucker Band, Trombone Shorty, Band of Heathens, The Mavericks, Wyatt Weaver, Los Lobos, Citizen Cope, Ricky Skaggs, Reckless Kelly, John Prine, Asleep at the Wheel, Christopher Cross, Jesse Winchester, Charlie Crockett, Tab Benoit, Jack Ingram, Donavon Frankenreiter, Ruth Moody, Scott Mulvahill, Hattie Webb, Roscoe Beck, Roger Creager, Dale Watson, Charlie Robison (RIP), Willis Alan Ramsey, Eliza Gilkerson, Bill Small, The Texas Renegades, Jesse Stratton, Billy Crockett, Pat Green, Boz Scaggs, Bill Livingston, Jimmie Vaughn, Ruthie Foster, Lloyd Maines and Natalie Maines, Marcia Ball, Adam and Chris Carroll, Warren Hood, Guy Forsyth, Terri Hendrix, Kelly Willis, Walt Wilkins, Drew Kennedy, Shake Russell, Michael Hearne, Josh Grider, Wood and Wire, Gary P. Nunn, Michael O’Connor, Bill Kirchen, James McMurtry, Betty Soo, Rosie Flores, Guy Clark, Mike and the Moonpies, Merle Haggard, Dar Williams, Joyce Webb, and so many others that I’m leaving out.

To be very clear—I’m not talking about Austin’s music scene here. I’d need hundreds of pages—that list would be untenable on these pages. I’m talking about artists within earshot of lil ole Wimberley.

Without further ado—here’s the introduction to my fully sanctioned—and as-of-yet untitled—book about the birth of this wonderful radio station KWVH.

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INTRODUCTION

“When something goes wrong I’m the first to admit it

But the last one to know when something goes right. 

Well it’s likely to lose me—It’s apt to confuse me

It’s such an unusual sight. 

I can’t get used to something so right.”
Paul Simon

Album: There goes Rhymin’ Simon; 1973

It shouldn't have happened.  

Songwriting legend Paul Simon and his effervescent wife Edie Brickell are sitting in a 12’ by 12’ glass box adjacent to the classic downtown square of Wimberley, Texas. It is a sweltering 100 degrees at 7 pm on June 8, 2022. It would be understated to the point of ridiculous to say that Paul Simon has seen the world—and now he’s seeing it from the inside of a fishbowl—the affectionate nickname of the studios of KWVH Wimberley Valley Radio. The Simons are now proud locals and ranch owners in Wimberley. They’re in-studio telling some of their story to the live on-air listeners as well as a couple hundred people hanging around the patio outside hoping for just a glimpse of the famous couple. Several of them are clutching their copy of Simon’s Graceland album. Fathers have their sons hoisted on their shoulders for a better look. Moms are dancing with their young daughters alongside joyful centenarians. Paul and Edie break into a spontaneous rendition of Me and Julio down by the Schoolyard using the basic utility Martin guitar that lives in the corner of the Fishbowl. Hosts Todd Crusham and Ben Hotchkiss can’t wipe the perma-grins off their faces. It’s a good evening for Wimberley Strong. And it shouldn’t have happened. 

Just eight years ago—this very space held Western bric-a-brac and Texas handmade furniture. Just six years ago—the Simons were full-time residents of New York City. Just nine years ago—the Wimberley community was reeling from devastating Memorial Day floods that took the lives of locals and tourists and changed the town forever. 

Dreamers and Disaster are the seeds of this tale. The actualization of Wimberley Valley Radio is the fulfillment of a vision born out of a unique collection of world-class talent and expertise, the dedicated commitment of hundreds of volunteers, the financial and emotional support of a unique community, sweat and tears, and simple guts and persistence. 

This is a story of really long odds. One woman convinced a group of friends to do something. This is a start-up story of our times—with a twist—small town radio isn’t supposed to grow up from nothing in this day and age of Sirius/XM, podcasts, streaming apps, attention deficit disorder, and YouTube. It’s a modern tech startup story; but built in old-school analog with duct tape, bailing wire, and Elmer’s glue. 

This story is long on talent. Wimberley is rooted in artistry and musical storytellers. Names known throughout the world are humbly represented in coffee shops, bars, dance halls, and galleries throughout the region. This story simply can’t be told without a community coming together. A horrible disaster provided a spark. Hundreds of dedicated volunteers gave their time and treasure. A community-powered radio station was born. 

The truth of it is that this isn’t as much a single story, but rather a collection of stories. I’m not setting out to write the complete factual history of KWVH’s short but miraculous journey, although there will be facts and miracles in bountiful measure. This tale is best told through the voices and the perspectives of the people who have prayed, pushed, and persevered. In retelling their stories, it is my hope that the remarkable nature of the tale is slowly revealed. I’ve had a front row seat for nearly the entire journey. On August 22, 2016, the Breakfast Taco morning show aired at 7 AM, which would be the daily one-hour weekday opener for Wimberley Valley Radio for the next 5 years. I was honored and privileged to be in a creekside studio seat with my co-host Phil McKeon. The first “live” words uttered on KWVH FM were mine: Good morning Wimberley! Welcome to the Breakfast Taco. I’m Dee Rambeau, and alongside my partner Phil McKeon, we will strive to inform you, make you think, and occasionally make you chuckle. We were off and running. 

As your book narrator, I’ll try to bring to life the players and the stories that defined this incredible journey. Read along and meet the musicians, engineers, fundraisers, corporate CEOs, industry legends, and committed knuckleheads that have made, and are still making, Wimberley Valley Radio the award-winning voice of a small Hill Country town. It’s a truly engaging story. And it shouldn’t have happened.  

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I hope you enjoyed this dip into the cool waters of Wimberley—and a peek inside my unfolding book. I’ll be releasing chapters periodically right here on Of a Sober Mind right up until I’m finished. If you have any musical memories you’d like to share—any suggestions—or any travel tales from this amazing area in Central Texas—please share in the comments.

I appreciate you so much. If you get a chance, tune in sometime to KWVH.org where you can catch the sound of Wimberley streaming anytime. Our FM frequency is 94.3 and you can hear it on your car radio once you get close to our little slice of heaven.

Thanks for tuning in. We will now return you to your regularly-scheduled programming.