Journal of Texas Music History | Volume 3, Number 1

Joe Specht
Is director of the Jay-Rollins Library at McMurry University in Abilene. In addition to presenting numerous papers on topics ranging from the Chuck Wagon Gang to the 13th Floor Elevators to Willie Nelson, he has contributed entries to The Encyclopedia of Country Music (Oxford University Press, 1998) and the forthcoming Handbook of Texas Music. His interview with and discography of Hoyle Nix was published in Old Time Music in 1980. A former host of his own radio show, Burning Memories: The Texas Tradition, Specht has an extensive record collection devoted to all aspects of Texas music.

Cory Lock
Is a Ph.D candidate in the English Department at the University of Texas, where she specializes in Southwest literature and culture. Her dissertation, titled "Waltz Across Texas: Literary and Cinematic Articulations of Texas Culture," focuses on representations of country music and dance in Texas.

Michael Corcoran
Has been a music critic for the Austin American Statesman since 1995. Before that, he was a critic with the Dallas Morning News for three years. He lives in Austin with his eight-year-old son Jack, who doesn't like the Dallas Cowboys or Billie Holiday, but is otherwise perfect.

Anthony Lyle
Is an Adjunct Professor of Anthropology at San Antonio College. He is also research curator at the New Braunfels Museum of Art and Music.

Gary Hartman
Is a History Professor and Director of the Center for Texas Music History at Southwest Texas State University. Recent publications include the introductory chapter "The Roots Run Deep: An Overview of Texas Music History" in The Roots of Texas Music, Texas A&M University Press, 2003.

Cathy Brigham
Earned her Ph.D in Folklore and Ethnomusicology from Indiana University.  She researches Top 40 country music across the country, with a focus on fan groups in central Texas. She is a faculty member at Concordia University in Austin. She is also a musician, playing classical music and torch songs with her theremin/keyboard band, Theralux.