December 2005

Brad’s Corner is a monthly commentary written by Brad about whatever he feels like. It’s supposed to be funny, interesting and thought provoking, but most geniuses are misunderstood. Check out the December 2005 edition of Brad’s Corner and see what’s on his mind.

*By request, this is a repeat of last year’s December column, check out the minor chords for new info. This is an essay I wrote for school when I was just a kid.

Christmas is a special time of year in every family. Most have gatherings and traditions reserved for that time of year. My family is no different. We do the usual: have a meal, open presents, sing carols. However, we have one up on the rest of the world–at least in our hearts we do. In our family, we have a tradition every Christmas Eve, that started with my grandfather, Louie Beard Jr.

He was my mother’s father, a simple man from Penelope, TX who enjoyed no time of year quite like he did Christmas. The man lived for it. One year around his favorite time of year he suffered a major heart attack that almost took him from us forever. Grandad had already purchased our gifts, but there was one problem. He was in the hospital and our gifts weren’t wrapped. Unable to wrap the gifts in the usual sense, he stuck all the presents in paper grocery sacks. This act started a tradition we continue every Christmas.

Now on Christmas Eve, we party and visit until the early hours of Christmas morning and wait for everyone except the immediate family to leave. Then we begin opening our gifts. We take turns unwrapping one at a time until we have opened all the traditionally wrapped presents. All that is left are a handful of paper sacks under the tree. We save them for last because no matter what is inside, they are more special than the rest of gifts combined because of what they symbolize.

This tradition grows in nostalgia and importance each year and has become stronger since my Grandad’s passing in 1993. As long as I’m alive, the tradition of paper sacks at Christmas will be alive in my family.

Minor chords:

-Remember the reason for the season folks, as cheesy as that and this article sound.

-Top 10 Albums of 2005 in Brad’s Corner

1. Hayes Carll-Little Rock 2. Brandon Rhyder-Conviction 3. Stoney LaRue-Red Dirt Album 4. Cory Morrow-Nothing Left To Hide 5. Ryan Turner-Rollin’ Up My Sleeves 6. Mando Saenz-Watertown 7. Josh Grider Band-self-titled 8. Cross Canadian Ragweed-Garage 9. Robert Earl Keen-What I Really Mean 10. Honeybrowne-Something to Believe In

-Top Movies of 2005 in Brad’s Corner

Comedy- 40 Year Old Virgin (barely edging out Wedding Crashers) Drama-Walk The Line

-Event of the Year in Brad’s Corner

-Larry Joe Taylor’s Texas Music Fest. Every year.

-2005 has been a crazy good year. I started the year off by almost getting arrested along with the entire crew of RRB, and many members of this website at the Days Inn in Stephenville, TX. The Longhorns won the Rose Bowl. And the year’s ending on much the same high notes. Galleywinter has continued to expand and grow. More forums, more members, more good times. Greenfest was a huge success. I switched careers, got engaged, and was up to my ears in the business part of “Texas Music” more than I wished. Kenny Chesney recorded one of Randy’s songs. Randy signed a record deal. Pat Green went on tour with Kenny Chesney. Peter Dawson moved to Nashville. Brandon Wayne Jones quit and restarted music 28 times. Cory Morrow was arrested and redeemed. Ryan Turner finally stepped to the spotlight that’s been calling his name for 5 years. I discovered the brilliant and subtle wit of Drew Kennedy. Jason Boland tackled his demons and is winning. Wade Bowen and the Canadas became parents. My favorite bar burnt down just as we were making waves. UT went undefeated. Life has been good. So to you and yours I’m wishing you happy holidays and hope that your 2006 and my 2006 are as good as my 2005 was.

-November’s corner was the most read piece I’ve ever written for Galleywinter. It touched a nerve that needed to be touched. Several band members, fans and insiders have told me they felt the same way and just didn’t have the forum to express it. So, check it out if you like:

Brads’s Corner: Novemeber 2005

-Of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the most.-Mark Twain