TCP Talk

Thrills at the Simon

I grew up in the late 1950s, early ’60s spending Saturday afternoons at the Simon Theatre [A Century of the Simon, July 2025]. Kids got money for the show and maybe popcorn and a soda.

Ted Kemper, San Bernard EC | Bellville

Dressed for the Theater

When I was a student at Blinn Junior College in Brenham in 1977, I attended my first viewing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Simon Theatre.

A friend and I were driving by one night and saw a long line of people dressed in what is now common garb for the RHPS experience. Back then it was quite a shock to see some of my dormmates in that line wearing fishnet stockings and bustiers.

William Culver III, Farmers EC | Murphy

Rodgers’ Influence

Jimmie Rodgers did not sell more records—10 million—than any other RCA Victor artist before Elvis Presley [The Fast Track, July 2025].

In a 10-year period before Presley’s first release, Perry Como sold more than 30 million records for RCA Victor.

Coy Prather, Trinity Valley EC | Montalba

Editor’s note: You’re correct, and we’ll regret this mistake “till the end of time.” We have fixed the story online.

I wonder if the author is familiar with Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass Music. Monroe played, sang and recorded many of Jimmie Rodgers’ songs back in the mid-to-late 1920s, 1930s and very possibly into the 1940s.

Rodgers very likely influenced Monroe into occasionally adding yodeling to his own music.

Mike Adams, San Bernard EC | Magnolia