Month: October 2020

It’s actually four storms and a refinery explosion. Let me explain: A little over a year ago in September, 2019, Southeast Texas was hit by Tropical Storm Imelda. At the time I was prepping to release Jett Landry: The Fuse. This put us behind schedule. Then on Thanksgiving, the TPC Plant exploded in Port Neches, Texas. This put us behind schedule for a book release. Finally, I released the book on February 29, 2020.

Then we had COVID 19.

August, 2020, I recorded my interview with Aaron and Zach for the Beaumont Y2Z Podcast (you listen to it here). On the podcast I confidently asserted Jett Landry: Urban Legend would be released in early September.

Then we had Hurricane Laura. I evacuated to Lufkin, Texas, to wait out the storm. Back in Southeast Texas people were recovering from what was an indirect hit that nonetheless put tens of thousands of people without power and cleaning up a huge mess. Hurricane Laura hit our neighbors in Lake Charles, Lousiana head on caused catastrophic damage.

Then we had tropical storm Beta. More of a nuisance, but another reason things came to a grinding halt.

Yesterday Beaumont was on the western side of Hurricane Delta. Again, our friends and neighbors in Lake Charles took a direct hit. We were only expecting tropical storm force winds, but last night around 6:00pm the power went out and the winds escalated with alarming intensity. I heard stuff flying around in the attic as the wind blew through the vents. I had some minor damage to my house and, again, tens of thousands of people are without electricity. We were still lucky, though. Lake Charles was once again devastated.

We are going to release Jett Landry: Urban Legend. But first we have to recover from all these storms. I ask your patience here, as hurricanes and tropical storms can rock your world. It’s not like the The Scorpions didn’t try to warn us back in the 80’s. I can’t remember getting three storms in one year like this. I can’t remember a time when Lake Charles, or any American city, took two direct hits in less than a month. I’ve lived on the Gulf Coast my entire life and this is a different kind of hurricane season.

Anyway, I will post a new release date for Urban Legend soon. And when we release it, you will read it and I hope you enjoy it. In the meantime, if you haven’t already, read Jett Landry: The Fuse. I’ll post the link below.

Can we just cool it with natural/man-made/public health disasters for now, though?

Today I visited one of my favorite places in Beaumont, Texas. I have so many great memories of The Art Studio Inc. Playing band nights and public/private events with my old bands Fantastic Enemy, Y2Steve and my solo act; attending numerous art openings; numerous public events, and the parties. Most of all, it’s the people. If you want to meet some of the most compassionate and friendliest people you ever want to meet, this is where you go.

Today I was there to record a reading from my first novel, Jett Landry: The Fuse, for an upcoming virtual book fare. I’ll post the reading here on October 15th, when it’s released. But after visiting with longtime friends and looking at the artwork, I’m left with a lot of memories of good times, good people and amazing artwork. If you’re ever in Beaumont, Texas, stop by The Art Studio Inc.

Beaumont, Texas has a great art, music, theatre community. The Art Studio, The Music Studio, The Logon Cafe, The Jefferson Theatre, The Texas Rose Saloon and numerous locally owned restaurants and bars proudly exhibit all that Southeast Texas has to offer in terms of art, theatre and original music. Beaumont, Texas, is a mecca of creativity with so many people from all walks of life coming together to make Beaumont a wonderful city. Tons of original music, songwriters, bands, artists and theatre all over town. You need to check this out.