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Austin
By Samantha Brown on June 7, 2008 11:00 AM | Permalink | 13 Comments
Day 1
We are back in Austin to shoot for the series. Last time I was here was probably over four years ago when we featured Hotel San Jose and The Driskill in Great Hotels. We tried to stay in the Hotel San Jose, as it's one of my favorites, but the Hot Rod and Custom Car show is in town, and there's not a room to be had. We all feel this is just as well, as I'm sure it's rowdy and noisy into the wee hours of the morning. We end up staying in a Residence Inn. Nice room -- a kitchenette, free wireless and breakfast included. I love it! Resorts are pretty, but when you are working, you never use the pool, spa, golf course, so who cares? On top of that, you can't get a breakfast for under $25, internet is never free and forget having things washed or dry-cleaned. Just put me in a clean, safe hotel where there are restaurants and strong espresso nearby, and I am in bliss!
Day 2
We were doing a henna tattoo scene. It seems everyone in Austin has one. Henna is the way to go but we have to be careful where we put it as it then locks us down in the show for time. For instance, we are playing it off like I got it Saturday, so it now cannot show for anything we have for Friday. We try to do this with clothing, as well, but that becomes too difficult since the editor can completely change the line-up of the show once they realize the pacing of the thing. The back turns out to be the best place to put it. Austin is all about characters and who you meet walking down the street. It's definitely a place where you can rely on the kindness of strangers. While shooting the tattoo scene, the artist went next door to get a bottle of water. The man behind the counter asked what was going on with all the camera equipment, and she told him what was up. The man loved the Travel Channel and watched it all the time. Now here's where it gets freaky weird. The band he is in, named the Schotzies, were touring, and they were stuck in a hotel in Lincoln, Nebraska, because of a snowstorm. They wrote a song about it, and the title of the song was "Samantha Brown, Save Us From the Lincoln Snow." Hysterical. I was so flattered that someone had written a song about me. At the end of the show, you'll see how we worked it in.
Day 3
I think one of the best nights we had was at the Broken Spoke. This was voted the "Best Honky Tonk in Texas" by Texas Highway magazine. Willy Nelson played there in the late '60s when he was a clean-cut man without his trademark braids and beard. James White, the owner, was such a peach, and to have a man like that say he has watched and enjoyed my show, meant the world to me. The place is covered in framed photographs of his family and the musicians that played there. I was looking at a much younger James White holding a newborn. The caption read "James and his daughter Ginny" I followed the pictures of Ginny from newborn to little girl and so when a grown woman came up to me and said "Hi, I'm Ginny, James' daughter," I was so taken aback because I had last seen her as a 5-year-old. I told her the last time I saw her, she was this big! A couple of days ago, I realized that forget barbecue, I was in chicken-fried steak territory, and the Broken Spoke was famous for it so at 11 p.m. I ordered a chicken-fried steak with the expectation of only having a few bites. I ate the whole thing in five minutes. It was sooooo good. Now it was time for dancing, and when cable TV shows roll into town and want someone to dance with their female hosts, they call in a man named Peter. Man, the guy could spin you around like a record. He could make an elephant feel like they could dance, he was so good. We just didn't have a bad minute in Austin.
13 Comments
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- charles rinehart: Samantha has a great show. Not only is she very sexy and beautiful, but she has a lot of...
- rad928music: sam you got the greatest hips and legs, your sooo fine
- Charles: I believe the hotel is the Athenaeum in Mayfair
- Jason Farrar: Hi Sam i love your show i watch them every week. I always say you have the best job in the...
- dorothy: Where have you gone? You were a pioneer of the travel channel and now all I see is Andrew and...
Wow!! i live near austin and have not had that much fun as you make it sound! I live close to San Antonio and every time we pass by or through Austin the only thing we can think of is 'are we gonna beat the traffic?' Hope to keep watching the show, it looks like it will be cool!! me and my sister love watching your shows!! we have seen almost every passport show you have done always look forward to new places and laughter. Later!
So glad you love Austin as much as I do! Its home. I am even more glad that you got to experience the awesome-ness that is Schatzi! You should do a segment where Christian cuts your hair, he is amazing at that too. Can't wait for the show to air. Ya'll come back now.
So glad you love Austin as much as I do! Its home. I am even more glad that you got to experience the awesome-ness that is Schatzi! You should do a segment where Christian cuts your hair, he is amazing at that too. Can't wait for the show to air. Ya'll come back now.
Sam, thanks for the blog mention and posting the nice photo...and of course for including us on your show! Oh...and our band name is actually spelled "Schatzi." http://www.myspace.com/schatzi http://www.schatzionline.com My best, Marc
Let me just start by say SAMANTHA BROWN IS A BADA**! I bring up TC.com and there is my favorite TV hostess on a motorcycle!!!! I'm so proud (tear) I too ride bikes I have my own Yamaha R6 (sportbike) and I love and I too was taught how to "take a curve like a man" before I could get my license. My mom and dad have long racing histories and that passed to me as well. But I love this new show!!! It's showing a whole different side of Sam that I always knew was there and I love it. I loved that you went to the Rod Custom show and appreciated the cars for the beauty and history. GREAT SHOW!! SAM IS AWESOME!! THANKS :)
Loved the show! What was the name of this cool 20-year old blues singer that you interviewed on the show? He was amazing and I would love to go and see him play during my next trip to Austin...
I was wondering where Samatha went to see the bats fly out from under the bridge. I found it very interesting and i am heading to Dallas at the end of july and was interested in checking this out.
Samantha, Hey you missed the boat when talking about Barton Springs here in Austin. Barton Springs is an icon. You didn't relate that and tell your viewer it is a real spring with thousands of gallons of 68 degree water blasting out every minute. It has a natural bottom and is drained once a week and refilled so no chemicals are ever in it. The bats are an icon too. Your comment about the bats being from Mexico made us roll off the couch laughing. the species is Mexican Freetail but honestly Sam they do live here. Otherwise we would call them wetbats.
Sam, It has been a pleasure to watch you blossom with each new season. I enjoyed the Austin show, particularly you in the bikini. Your husband is a lucky, lucky man. I'm old enough to be your father, but I can still admire a beautiful woman. Do more cruise shows, try Celebrity the next time.
Hey, Sam! My 11YO daughter and I love to watch your shows. My only "travel" in Austin was back as an 80s college student cruising Sixth Street. We recently went on our yearly family vacay near Canyon Lake, which is just a short drive from Austin. Being that we really never go to Austin except for the occasional softball tourney, I'd forgotten what a cool town it was! Your show prompted us to take a few nights in Austin on our way back home to the Texas Gulf Coast. Thanks for pointing out places to take my family and shining the spotlight on of many Texas gems.
Thank you for showing the true charm of Austin, TX! My now husband and I were soo thrilled to watch this episode b/c it came on one week before we left LA for our wedding in Austin...and our Rehersal dinner at the Broken Spoke. We were amazed by how many other people had seen it and were so excited to come and dance!! Austin is truly a unique and wonderful place with good people, and great food..thanks for adding a wonderful memory to our wedding! We love your wit and smiles keep it up!!
Just see you'r show on Austin Tx, grate.I live in Austin for two year's now, and thanks to you for the new places you just show me !!
but!if one day you come bak and loking for nice place, plise try one of the nices and romantic in Austin" Aquarelle Restaurant". thank's agan for all you'r lovely travel
The bats are an icon too. Your comment about the bats being from Mexico made us roll off the couch laughing. the species is Mexican Freetail but honestly Sam they do live here. Otherwise we would call them wetbats.