Whad'Ya Know? Terrellita Maverick's Still Fighting for the Family's Good Name
'Mother's interview was priceless! She was funny and quick on the uptake. She talked about the election, ancestral anecdotes, and backpacking around the world.'
By Fontaine Maverick / The Rag Blog / November 23, 2008
After weeks of a whirl of pre-election interviews surrounding my family's indignant "John McCain, You're No Maverick" campaign, a period of joy and relief ensued with the November 4 election of Barack Obama. We felt good about what we had accomplished, but I, for one, was glad that I could focus on the emotion that was the result of this marvelous, historical victory.
But there was one more; my 82 year old mother (Terrellita Maverick) told me that she was to be interviewed November 22 on "some NPR radio show" at Trinity University in San Antonio. Turns out, the show was Michael Feldman's "Whadda Ya Know", a very popular and venerable (they have been around for over 20 years) quiz show in the format of "Prairie Home Companion" with live audience interaction and musical guests. Those of you who live in parts of the country other than Austin may be familiar with it; we, unfortunately are not.
Anyway here's a little rundown of what was in store for me and my mom today:
I had a long day; up at dawn to get mother to the beautiful auditorium at Trinity U, got her backstage for her gig as interviewee on "Whadda Ya Know," and settle myself in the audience with an elderly friend of hers (a lovely woman named Jane). The show was beautifully produced -- very regional decor on the big stage -- fiesta taco booths and Big Rainbow Colored Papier Mache letters spelling out "NIOSA" (night in old San Antonio). A very fine jazz band opened the show.[The Texas Maverick clan -- a venerable pack of political progressives and iconoclasts who inspired the popular usage of the term "maverick" -- spoke out during the 2008 campaign about the theft of the family's good name by John McCain and his (not so) trusty sidekick Sarah.]
Mother's interview (about 15 minutes long) was priceless! She was funny and quick on the uptake - best I have ever seen her. She talked about the election, ancestral anecdotes, and backpacking around the world in her late forties. You had to be there, but I was very proud of her. She was followed by Feldman's "quiz show" with an audience member, and a phone in guest, followed by a musical interlude with the Krayolas and Augie Myers, plus the West Side Horns. Then more audience interaction, and a great cooking demo with a local SA mexican chef (yes, you can do a cooking demo on the radio, you just have to talk about everything you are doing - and have fun).
Oh, and a 7 foot tall San Antonio Spur (I forget his name) was another guest. Cute guy!
Looks like you can get a podcast after Monday the 24th on the notmuch.com website -- check it out -- it's a hoot.
More from The Rag Blog on the Maverick family of Texas:
* Hey John : You're No Maverick. And We Can Prove it! / Brave New World Video / The Rag Blog / Oct. 29, 2008Also see Public radio host did his S.A. homework by Amy Dorsett / San Antonio Express-News / Nov. 23, 2008
* Austin's Fontaine Maverick Tells CNN Why McCain and Palin are no Mavericks / Video / The Rag Blog / Oct. 9, 2008
* McCain a Faux Maverick : Stealing a Texas Tradition by Paul in Austin / The Rag Blog / Sept. 13, 2008
* Fontaine Maverick : John McCain is no Maverick! by Fontaine Maverick / The Rag Blog / August 31, 2008
And * This Maverick The Real Deal by Joe Holley / The Rag Blog / March 1, 2008
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