This past week a couple of friends and I headed to San Antonio for the Texas Music Educators Association Annual Convention. It is held on the San Antonio Riverwalk every single year. We use the time to network with other community musicians, purchase sheet music for the band we play in, look for silent auction opportunities, and try out some instruments we will never be able to afford on our own.
One thing I have made a tradition of is taking photos with the people working one specific booth. These guys dress up in crazy outfits every single year. As we approached the booth this year, we noticed that only one of the two normal people was manning the booth. Then we saw the framed photo on the table in the booth. We instantly knew.
The man with the beard in the photos below went by the nickname "Brooksie," who's real name is Chris Brooks. He co-founded Row-Loff Productions with Chris Crockarell, and the two of them would wear the crazy suits every year. Both are in the photo with me at the end below. He was working on a cabin that he was building on some land he owned, and had an accident there, ending his life.
It was awful to learn of the news, and we really hate to know that we will not be able to see him at any more conventions. We gave Chris Crockarell a great big hug and told him we would be back next year for our hug and a photo.
