Come and Take It

We love Texas. We love talking about Texas. After six and half years of exploring the history and culture of the Lone Star state, we three Texans are ready to take a break.

If you’re subscribed and caught up, Happy New Year! Today we reflect on some great Texas New Year questions as we look back on 2019 and look forward to 2020.

On December 23, 1927, a gang of men led by Santa Claus robbed a bank and set off one of the largest manhunts in the history of Texas. It is one of the most astonishing stories of infamy and ineptitude in the history of crime.

Texas if full of iconic imagery: The Lone Star Flag, the Alamo, cowboy hats, pickup trucks, and—perhaps most iconically—cowboy boots. Today we're talking about some of the people who put Texan footwear on the map.

It's easy to imagine that Texas sprang into being just in time for the Texas Revolution, but it was actually part of another revolution before that. For thirteen years, Texas was under the control of Mexico and the men in charge of the state were often as idealistic—and flawed—as the men who would run the Republic of Texas after them. Today is part two of the Mexican Governors of Texas.

It's easy to imagine that Texas sprang into being just in time for the Texas Revolution, but it was actually part of another revolution before that. For thirteen years, Texas was under the control of Mexico and the men in charge of the state were often as idealistic—and flawed—as the men who would run the Republic of Texas after them. Today is part one of the Mexican Governors of Texas.

He heard of Houston an' Austin so, to the Texas plains he jest had to go, Where freedom was fightin' another foe, an' they needed him at the Alamo. This week we talk about the legendary Disney movie 'Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier'.

This week revisit a holiday favorite. There were no turkeys, pumpkin pies, or Pilgrims at the first Thanksgiving celebrated in Texas. In fact, it occurred over 20 years before any Englishman set foot on Plymouth Rock. This week we look at the remarkable story of America’s REAL first Thanksgiving!

He was the ultimate country music outlaw, who broke from the Nashville norm and forged his own path. This week we continue our discussion of the legendary Waylon Jennings.

He was the ultimate country music outlaw, and somehow it's taken us six years to record an episode on this Texas legend. This week we talk about the one and only Waylon Jennings.

How can you support Texas' state parks and historic sites in November 2019? By voting! This week we talk about Proposition 5 and Texas' parks and landmarks!

Willie Nelson is one of the all time great Texan musicians, but his struggles for success in Nashville before finding his sound are legendary. This week we compare and contrast some of the songs that others made famous in Willie's early days.

What do Terry Funk, Dusty Rhodes, and David Von Erich have in common? They are integral to the surprising connection between two great professional wrestling hotbeds. This week we are joined by special guest Barry Rose, as we look back on Texas and Florida wrasslin' memories.

Sometimes we run across a story that we can’t quite stretch into a full episode on its own. Today we thought we’d bring you some interesting stories we wanted to bring to you as kind of a potpourri of odds and ends

We're looking back at an episode about one of the historic music halls of Texas. For fifteen years, a former bowling hall was the greatest music venue in the Lone Star State. From Bob Wills to Johnny Cash to Tina Turner to Willie Nelson, some of the biggest music names in the world walked the famed stage of Fort Worth’s Panther Hall.

This week, CATI watches another movie about the United States' first Texan president, Lyndon Baines Johnson. This time it's LBJ starring Woody Harrelson, directed by Rob Reiner.

In the summer of 1969, tens of thousands of young Americans travelled across the country to experience an outdoor music festival like no other…in Texas! This week we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Texas International Pop Festival, Texas’ Woodstock.

Texan Englishmen, Bob Dylan clones, and freakout cowboys! Today we take a look at some of the obscurities of Texas music, 60s Garage bands and psychedelia.

The First Lady of Texas was no joke. A woman who cared about the cultural and mental well-being of her beloved home state and spent her life working for it, today we’re talking about Ima Hogg.

In the year after JFK's death, Texan Lyndon Baines Johnson became President and was faced with guiding the country through massive political change while simultaneously seeking re-election.This week we talk about the 2016 HBO movie (based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play) about this fascinating period.

The Mission Ysleta del Sur Pueblo is more than just a pretty church in Texas' westernmost city. It was the oldest European settlement in the territory and remains the longest continually-operating Catholic mission in Texas. Its long history and rich contributions to the culture are great examples of the deep roots that the Spanish and Native Americans have in the Lone Star State.

He was the first governor to be born in Texas. He fought for the people of his beloved home state against the corporate giants of his time, a true rags to riches story. Without him, the history of Texas could have been filled with tales of fraud and malfeasance in the railroad industry. Today we're talking about Big Jim Hogg.

He was the only empresario of a predominantly Mexican colony in Texas, and his influence on the Lone Star State was great.

Sgt. Benevides has been in the news recently, with support to rename Fort Hood in his honor. We thought this would be a good time to pull this gem from the archives and shine some light on this Texan hero. Roy Benavidez left behind the poverty of his south Texas home town of Cuero for a career in the U.S. Army Special Forces. An incredible act of heroism would make him one of the most decorated American soldiers of the Vietnam War, earning him the Medal of Honor and ensuring his place as one of Texas greatest heroes.

Though he might not be as famous as Stephen F. Austin and he missed the Texas Revolution, without Green DeWitt establishing his colony, the first battle of the Texas Revolution would have happened somewhere else, or not at all! And we wouldn’t have a show name. This week we talk about empresario Green DeWitt.

Though he's best known for his impressive 3rd party run for president in the 1990s, he was also a successful businessman both before and after. He's a man who refused to accept the status quo and tried his best to put a dent in the universe.

From the 1860s to the 1920s, a strange phenomena took hold across the country and in Texas. Those years were the era when the surest sign of wealth and prosperity in a man was tied to his girth. This week we look at the wild world of the Fat Men?s Clubs of Texas.

75 years ago, the Allied powers invaded Northern France. It was the greatest invasion in history, and was the beginning of the end of World War II. Today we continue our series of roundtable discussions with Texas history enthusiasts and talk about how D-Day Came to Texas!

I-10 runs across this great nation from Jacksonville, Florida, to Los Angeles, California. For 876 miles, it passes through Texas. From Orange to El Paso, it's the longest stretch of interstate inside any single state. Today we present a travelogue across Texas, I-10 East to West.

A washed up stock car racer finds himself responsible for a family of six child car thieves, who become his pit crew and show him that love will indeed turn you around. This week we are looking at the 1982 Kenny Rogers classic movie, Six Pack!

He's the velvet-voiced country legend whose voice has become iconic to generations. He came to define an entire era of smooth country and adult contemporary music. This week, we're talking about the Gambler himself, the legendary Kenny Rogers.

This week we celebrate our 300th episode with a look back at the wonderful times we've had!

Today we begin our discussion of the History event mini-series Texas Rising. What did they get right? What did they get wrong? What does this mean for awareness of Texas history?

Frank Hamer and Maney Gault were the retired Texas Rangers who ended the crime spree of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde. Netflix made a movie about them, and we watched it! Today Come and Take It watches The Highwaymen starring Woody Harrelson and Kevin Costner.

With the recent release of the film The Highwaymen, we decided it was a good time to revisit one of the most infamous duos in Texas History. They were the most notorious outlaws of the Great Depression, known both for their violent crime spree as well as their scandalous public image. Their names have gone on to be forever linked to the image of young criminals in love.

He's a founder and namesake of one of the most influential gaming companies in the world. From GURPS to Car Wars to Munchkin to Illuminati. This week we have a very special conversation with the founder of Austin’s own Steve Jackson Games, Mr. Steve Jackson!

They prowled the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, looking for targets headed for Europe: oil tankers, merchant ships, and passenger ships. As odd as it sounds, we’re talking about Nazi U-boats patrolling the waters off of Galveston Island.

She spent a terrible winter practically alone in an isolated fort on the Texas coast. She was starving, sick, fought off Indian attacks, and even had a baby. Along the way, she became renowned as the Mother of Texas.

In celebration of Texas History month, the Texas General Land Office ran a 'March Madness' style tournament to determine the 'greatest' Texan. This week we have a special discussion with the man responsible for that tournament, James Harkins, the Director of Public Services of the Texas General Land Office.

In celebration of Texas History month, the Texas General Land Office is running a March Madness style tournament to determine the 'greatest' Texan. We take a look at the brackets and inform you about some of these impressive Texans of history.

In celebration of Texas History month, the Texas General Land Office is running a March Madness style tournament to determine the 'greatest' Texan. We take a look at the brackets and inform you about some of these impressive Texans of history.

In celebration of Texas History month, the Texas General Land Office is running a March Madness style tournament to determine the 'greatest' Texan. We take a look at the brackets and inform you about some of these impressive Texans of history.

Its a 1986 film about small town Texas set during the sesquicentennial directed by the lead singer of one of the seminal avant garde rock bands. This week we are talking about the movie True Stories.

He was a member of one of the most iconic rock bands in American history and a successful solo artist. The country roots he developed in his small East Texas hometown shine through in all his music. Today, we continue our discussion of Don Henley.

He was a member of one of the most iconic rock bands in American history and a successful solo artist. The country roots he developed in his small East Texas hometown shine through in all his music. Today, we're talking about Don Henley.

Sharing once again one of our favorite subjects. There have been many great women in Texas history. Some were pioneers who scraped out an existence at the edge of the prairie like Jane Long. Others were reached the top of the male-dominated political world, like Ann Richards, Barbara Jordan, or Kay Bailey Hutchins. Today we’re going to take a look at the life of Bessie Coleman, a native of small town Texas who became the first African-American woman pilot in American history.

Some say his voice sounds like if chocolate fudge cake could sing. Through a career that spanned decades his remarkable voice made its mark on the music of our time. Today we're talking about The Walrus of Love, Barry White.

She was a Texas lawyer who became a powerful and pioneering force for Civil Rights and women's equality in state and national politics. This week we look at the remarkable life of Barbara Jordan.

This week we revisit a favorite episode from a few years ago. African-American frontiersman Britton Johnson became a legend on the Texas Frontier for bravery and perseverance in setting out alone into Comancheria to search for his captured wife and children. Through two years of trial and heartache, he not only succeeded in liberating his family but several other captives as well. This week we learn about the life and death of a true Texas Original, Britton Johnson!

He was a lawyer, a newspaperman, a Ranger, a soldier, a judge, and a politician, and he did it all on THREE legs. This week we look at the life of legendary Texan Robert 'Three Legged Willie' Williamson.

He’s stubborn, forthright, and has a sense of fair play. He’s been called a true gentleman and yet pushed a man into a tulip bed on national television. He has insulted an entire nation’s favorite auto race then dominated its winner’s circle. Today, we’re talking about AJ Foyt.