The unexpected passing of our friend Rebekah "Beky" Beal last Wednesday (November 21st, only 4 days shy of the 3rd anniversary of Davy Jones' passing) has brought about the unfortunate need to combine a couple of events.

Some of you may or may not have known Beky, but she had become a fixture in the worlds of the Hickoids and Saustex Records over the past five years when she became romantically involved and engaged to marry late Hickoids guitarist Davy Jones. The two had known each other while attending Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas in the early 1970's before reconnecting in 2013. Beky relocated to Austin from Little Rock early in 2014 but unfortunately Davy was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer almost immediately after Beky's move.

From that point onward Beky became Davy's caretaker and constant companion. Her connection with myself and the rest of the Hickoids, Davy's family and the many, many other friends she made while living in Austin cannot be understated. Her warmth and generosity of deed and spirit made the world a nicer place to live.

We're going to miss you Little Roque.

So, it seems only natural that we combine her Central Texas wake/memorial with the previously scheduled closing event for Davy's art show. (And indeed, SouthPop was the last place I would see Beky, only a month and a half ago at the opening of Davy's show.)

We're going to try and keep it as light-hearted as possible under the circumstances. Myself, Laurel Bodinus (Davy's girlfriend at the time he moved to Austin at the dawn of the 1980's) and my good friend John "Control Rat X" (author, historian and longtime friend of Jones) will take turns spinning scratchy records that Beky and Davy might have enjoyed together. Everyone is welcome and are invited to share their photographs and stories. We'll have some light refreshments on hand as well.

More on the exhibit:

"It's a Plaid, Plaid, Plaid World" is an exhibit focusing on the cartoon artwork of Davy Jones. The exhibit of over 100 works will feature Jones' pen and ink panels plus various ephemera from throughout his life and musical career (including his rolling tray!)

While known primarily as a musician from his work with the Hickoids, Ideals, Bigfoot Chester, The Dicks, The Next, The Diamond Smugglers and literally a dozen other acts - Davy began authoring and drawing his own underground comics in his late teens and his job in the U.S. Army was drawing a couple of different strips for the base newspaper.

This is the first time that many of these works will be publicly displayed, and, many of the works will be for sale. All the proceeds from the sale will be used to fund a box set of his music (Proposed title "Boot Legs") as well as hopefully one or more books of his art that will expand his legacy.

SOUTHPOP

1516 S Lamar Blvd, Ste B

Austin, Texas 78704-2923

(attached to Planet K)

FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE

On Monday, Dec. 10th, 7-10 PM, at Esther’s Follies a star-studded group of Austinites will participate in a fundraiser to underwrite printing costs for a book by photographer Bill Leissner titled Austin Icons of the Eighties: Music, Theatre, Politics. The book is scheduled for publication spring 2019 by Waterloo Press, imprint of Austin History Center Association, a nonprofit organization.

The mid-1980s were boom times for Austin economic growth, political progressivism, and culture. Photographer Bill Leissner was in the thick of it, shooting more than 100,000 images to document the scene. A technological innovator, with his homemade flash rig and loads of Tri-X film, Leissner was an imperturbable documentarian and backstage presence, documenting the luminaries of Austin music, theatre, and politics, including such icons as Ann Richards, Jake Pickle, Joe Ely, Willie Nelson, and Randy “Biscuit” Turner. Leissner also documented various projects mounted by Big State Productions, including the trailblazing stage show In the West. Leissner is also considered by many to be the inventor of the “selfie.” (And also the person who take the back cover photo of the Hickoids first album!)

MONDAY DECEMBER 10TH

Esther’s Follies

525 E. Sixth St.,

Austin, TX 78701

Doors open at 7 PM, entertainment at 8, cash bar. Admission is free. Guests will be asked to make a tax-deductible donation. 

Funds will be transferred to Waterloo Press, the imprint of Austin History Center Association, a nonprofit 501(c)3. Tax ID: 74-2177595.

Master of Ceremonies: Shannon Sedwick

Entertainment features:

In the West: 40 Years Later

Members of the original cast will perform selections from this award-winning production:

Janelle Buchanan

Joy Cunningham

Gene Fowler

Amparo Garcia-Crow

Tim Mateer

Isabella Russell-Ides, reading a selection from her new novel White Monkey Chronicles

Musical entertainment will be provided by:

Jesse Sublett 

(The Violators, The Skunks)

Gretchen Phillips 

(Meat Joy, Two Nice Girls)

Larry Seaman 

(The Standing Waves, Why Not Satellite?)

Randy Franklin

(Standing Waves)

Monte Warden

(Wagoneers, Monte Warden & the Dangerous Few)

Eric Hisaw (Eric Hisaw Band)

Ben Livingston 

Silent auction featuring a selection of Bill Leissner photographs as well as art and memorabilia, recorded music, and signed books from the Armadillo Art Squad, Liberty Lunch, Jesse Sublett, Joe Ely, neon artist Ben Livingston, Ed Ward, Saustex Records and dining coupons for Patsy’s Cafe and The Tavern, and, much more.

AUSTIN ICONS OF THE EIGHTIES FB EVENT PAGE