Behind the red door…
Way, way, way back…all the way back to the 1990’s McGonigel’s M
ucky Duck opened in a simple concrete building with a red door.
The stories behind that red door are many, some I’ve told, some should remain untold. Some are funny, some are sad, some just give paws….
So why red?
Red doors symbolize many things: good luck, abundance, a paid-off mortgage, or simply welcome.
Our red door was meant to welcome you.
Céad míle fáilte, one hundred thousand welcomes.
When you are here we want you to feel at home.
I spent my Sunday sorting through photos and remembering.
It’s been a bittersweet day.
Happy and sad at the same time.
But, mostly happy.
So here we go….as I’ve been reminded time and again, we are now mostly a visual society so I thought I would share some of the photos I’ve found from days gone by and forgo my long winded stories.
Here are my short winded remembrances along with the photos.
Please allow me to present, in no particular order (I’ve never been a fan of order or particular order) some of my memories brought to you in pictures:
Kinky Friedman did not get elected as governor of Texas despite his best efforts and his promise to put “a cigar in every pot” which of course ended my run to be his lieutenant governor. We had so many memorable nights with Kinky and Little Jewford. We felt lucky beyond measure to have been chosen to host the world premiere play “Becoming Kinky, the world according to Kinky Friedman” created by Ted Swindley who also created “Always, Patsy Cline.” It was because of this connection that we met the delightful Melanie Clark who not only invited us backstage at the Ryman but she also introduced us to the legendary record producer Cowboy Jack Clement. Melanie organized a beautiful breakfast at the Hermitage hotel and arranged the table so that Shane, the most shy person I know (even more shy than me!) was seated next to Cowboy Jack. Melanie had heard about Shane’s love for Johnny Cash and Cowboy Jack had many Johnny Cash stories to share. Not only was Shane regaled with the best Johnny Cash stories, he was also gifted a never published picture of his songwriting hero. Johnny Cash was Shane’s one “if you could have anybody you wanted” wish to play at the Duck. TWWNCNBUIP ‘s wish was Kristofferson. Mine one wish…Willie Nelson. Now, sadly, mine is the only wish that could possibly be granted. A fella can always hope.
Toni Price didn’t drive or play guitar. She didn’t write songs. But when she chose a song, she made it her own. My favorite memory is her surprise visit from Austin for our 10th anniversary, singing just for us. When Ms. Toni passed away, a tune stuck in my head. I couldn’t place it, but it lingered. Weeks later, Warren Hood came for his gig, and I asked him to help identify it. I hummed, “da da da da da da da da da da” and Warren immediately recognized it as ‘Something’ by Gwil Owen. I can’t shake the tune, but now at least I have the words.
Zac Brown played a set before John Corbett of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” fame.
Our crowd went wild for Zac. It would have been nice to have him return for a gig of his own…except that the next time came through town it was for his sold out show at the rodeo. Oh well.
One nice thing though, he has stopped by the Duck a few times when he is in town. On one visit we asked for a photo and he was happy to accommodate with the stipulation that TWWNCBUIP pose with him…even though she definitely isn’t a fan of the limelight she didn’t let this moment go by.
vid Spencer hanging out with David Lindley after his show…mid 1990’s.Lindley still holds the record for having the most instruments on the stage at one time.
Rodney Crowell, The Houston Kid at the Duck!
And what a super treat…he invited Lisa Morales to join him on stage. I remember that almost every person who bought a ticket to that show was a friend, cousin or neighbor of Rodneys.
“I was on his Little League team.” “I went to school with him.” “We used to….” Fill in the blank. Everyone had their own personal Rodney story.
feet tall, maybe because I had listened to his CD nonstop from the moment I got my hands on it. By the time I got to meet him, Greg’s musical presence was larger than life in my mind. My awkwardness meeting him was a bit like Greg’s story of meeting Bruce Springsteen. Greg saw him at a party once and decided to make his acquaintance. So he walked right up to the Boss but the only words that came out were: ‘I have a band too.’That story always got a big laugh from Greg’s adoring duck fans.
I loved that man. Miss him every day. Every single day.
We met Jimmy Lafave when we drove to Austin to pick up a copy of Austin Skyline. I think perhaps Jimmy was a bit worried that I might be some kind of kook. Who drives all the way from Houston just to pick up a cd? So Jimmy, perhaps a bit wary of my intentions, arranged to meet us at the Taco Cabana parking lot. I guess he felt a public place would be safer in case I was a weirdo. Well, I am a weirdo, but we did become friends.
Although we looked like we were dressed as Christmas extras, Robyn Hitchcock and I were just hanging out after his show enjoying some quiet time on the deck.
John Doe is one of the founding members of the legendary band X. Not only was X one of the most influential bands of a generation they helped to form a whole new genre of music. John Doe is a musician, 
singer, writer and an actor.
Shane, rarely gets excited about a show…but he was sure proud of this one. Every few months he asks if I would please work on getting another John Doe show…I’m trying Shane, I’m trying.
SIRIUS XM Radio host of “Apron Strings” and songbird Elizabeth Cook still hasn’t been elected sheriff, but she does have my vote.
Remembering the first time Joe Ely played the Duck. (thank you Davis)
You may not believe this but I’m a shy guy, and
Joe Ely was a legend to me. I was nervous to meet him. When he walked in, he was warm and genuine, treating me like an old friend. He approached the bar, shook my hand, and chatted like we had known each other forever.
The whole gang shows up when Alejandro comes to town. The last time even our Memphis boy came home to run lights. In this photo we have Al, Amanda and Alisa Rae (two of our 1990’s ducklings) Dr. Pat and me, the man who holds down the rocking chairs.
So here’s yours truly with the one and only Ramblin’ Jack, a Grammy award winning, story telling icon, and American folk legend. One of the people in this photo has not only two Grammy awards but also a National Medal of the Arts presented by President Bill Clinton. Yeah, it’s not me.
When Bruce Cockburn first played at the Duck, he arrived in a huge bus with a long trailer. The trailer had 17 guitars, a Hammond B3 organ, and gear for a full band show. Our room was completely sold out. Uh oh.
We had to find a spot for 17 guitars and an organ. We didn’t want to look like newbies who couldn’t manage a few instruments, so we kept our cool and got to work. Neve
r let them see you sweat. We called Angela at the Ale House to borrow a dozen tall bar stools and moved our tables outside to make room for the guitars. I was worried about what to tell our guests when they arrived for their reserved tables, now in the parking lot. I decided to be honest with them. We had to make some adjustments for the guitars and organs, so tonight’s seating will be theater-style barstools without tables. Dinner will be on your lap. Not a single person was upset. At the end of the night, Bruce told us he loved the room’s vibe and really enjoyed the evening. When Bruce came to town again, he wanted us to present his show, this time in a big downtown room. We were excited but also nervous. The stage was huge, which was a relief since we didn’t need to move furniture to fit all the gear. In the end, the big stage and extra space were just for Bruce, solo—no Hammond B3 and no 17 guitars. Ha, that’s showbiz.
Charlie Robison’s ‘Bar Lights’ might have been his crowd’s anthem, but my best memories are of Charlie and his brother Bruce on stage together. I can still see Bruce’s smile and nod when he’d sing “I don’t know what the hell they see but they like my brother and me….they like my brother and me…they like my brother a little more than me but they like my brother and me.” Yes sir, Bruce, we like your brother and you.Another amazing night was when TWWNCBUIP got Bruce and Will to bring their brothers, Charlie Robison and Charlie Sexton, to the Duck. Bruce Robison, Will Sexton, Charlie Robison, Charlie Sexton—what a time we had!
I have endless memories and photos, far too many for this email. I was sad to find I don’t have a single picture of Walter Hyatt at the Duck, JJ Cale, Levon Helm, or Leon Russell. Back then, we didn’t have cell phone cameras, so unless any of you have those pictures to share, I’ll have to cherish those nights on my own.
Before I go, here’s a heartwarming picture of Thomas and Graciela Spencer with Linc and Lola when they were tiny puppies. Thomas and Graciela are two of the sweetest kids I know. I remember them sitting on the bench, heads together, reading while their parents performed on stage.
Stay tuned for the release of our incredible run of shows for June.
That’s it for tonight, folks unless you would like to continue down memory lane with me with these stories and pictures from our earliest days.
January 5, 2020
Like did I ever tell you about the duck hunting day when we actually spotted the Duck for the first time…
location, location, location
January 15, 2020
If you ask me the next time you are in I’ll show you where the police used the battering ram to get inside…
Vice Raid
January 22, 2020
some “before” pictures
licenses, permits and fees, oh my.
January 29, 2020
It was time to put down the paint brushes, open the door. Our first calendar.
are we there yet?
February 4, 2020
Our first days, our first neighbors, our first (and only) polo team
I heard it through the grapevine.
February 10, 2020
After 30 years we have a few stories to tell, but some stories are best told by others….
duck love
February 24, 2020
The time before cell phones
$29 per month 29¢ per minute
