David Courtney

Jan 30, 2025 | texasmonthly.com | David Courtney

When Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys sang the eponymous refrain in their 1940 classic “Time Changes Everything,” they were mostly telling the truth. Mostly. But the King of Western Swing had apparently never set foot in Schilo’s Delicatessen, a restaurant that has somehow managed to evade time’s inexorable march.

Jan 27, 2025 | texasmonthly.com | David Courtney

Q:  Is it appropriate to use “y’all” in professional emails or phone calls? I usually don’t hesitate if I’m dealing with other long-term Texans, but for non-Texans or new transplants, I’m not so sure. Alissa Parsley, AustinThe Texanist can assure you, Ms. Parsley, that use of the word “y’all” is not in any way restricted to farms, ranches, honky-tonks, rodeos, steak houses, dance halls, tractor pulls, feedstores, barbecue joints, chili parlors, football games, or even the state of Texas.

Jan 21, 2025 | texasmonthly.com | David Courtney |Rose Cahalan

Q: When Alaska was admitted into the Union, in 1959, were Texans upset about losing their status as residents of the biggest state? A: At about 268,596 square miles, Texas has reigned as America’s largest state from the time it was admitted, as the twenty-eighth state, on December 29, 1845, to the time Alaska was admitted, as the forty-ninth state, on January 3, 1959. That’s 113 years atop the heap—a pretty good run, if you ask the Texanist.

Dec 17, 2024 | texasmonthly.com | David Courtney

Q: Two pickup trucks approach a short, one-lane low-water crossing from opposite directions. They reach the ends of the bridge at the same time, and the drivers make eye contact. What should happen now? John Stanford, CastrovilleA: Texas is blessed with an abundance of rivers, creeks, streams, canals, bayous, bogs, and brooks. We are also very rich in roads, with more paved thoroughfares than any other state in the union.

Nov 22, 2024 | texasmonthly.com | David Courtney

The Texas–Texas A&M football game is back this week, after a thirteen-year hiatus. Texas Monthly, which has long covered the rivalry, rejoices in its return with a full collection of stories about the game’s history, off-the-field antics, major players, and more. Read everything here. Across the whole century-plus-long span since Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin’s first gridiron get-together, the football rivalry has produced too many memorable moments to count.