Paul L. Underwood

A Nebraskan on Nebraska Listening to a Springsteen classic in 2026

"There's just a meanness in this world." On listening to @brucespringsteen.net's Nebraska in 2026. My latest: someoneelsessongs.substack.com/p/listening-...

The Made-in-Texas Valentine’s Day Gift Guide Celebrate Valentine’s Day with one—or more!—of these fourteen Lone Star ideas.

New for @texasmonthly.bsky.social: A Texas Valentine's Day gift guide, with 14 ideas for your beloved. Plus: A bonus gift idea for the heartbroken. (Hint: It involves a cockroach.)

Give it a read: www.texasmonthly.com/style/texas-...

Take the Ride of the Century on Route 66 Take a trip down a memory lane with 100 years of sights and bites along Route 66

Online and on newsstands: My cover story for @texashighways.bsky.social, on the centennial of Route 66. I visiting lovingly preserved Art Deco gas stations, mouth-watering BBQ spots, and roadside museums — including one devoted to "the devil's rope," barbed wire.

The Fort Worth Company Making Golf Clubs for the Stars You may not play like Artisan Golf clients Scottie Scheffler and Tiger Woods. But the Fort Worth company will help you take a swing at it.

New for @texasmonthly.bsky.social: My latest Made in Texas piece, on Fort Worth-based Artisan Golf, makers of putters, irons, and wedges to the stars (and amateurs like the rest of us).

www.texasmonthly.com/style/artisa...

The Top 25 Texas Gifts of 2025 Get your favorite people presents from your favorite state, from a Houston puzzle and a five-year rye to a leather phone case and a Longhorn quilt.

"What defines a Texas gift? Sure, it’s something made in, designed in, or strongly connected to the Lone Star State. But a true Texas gift also tells you something about the giver—their love of craftsmanship and a good story." New for @texasmonthly.bsky.social: www.texasmonthly.com/style/top-25...

Stetson: American Icon Deluxe Edition Introducing our first-ever coffee table book, spanning 320 pages and bringing together 160 years of history, innovation, craftsmanship, and culture in one collectible volume. With contributions from a...

I had the privilege of working with Stetson on the brand's first-ever coffee table book. I did a bit of everything: Writing an essay, telling the brand's 160-year story, and even wrangling a quote from Mr. Martin Scorsese. Out now from @rizzolibooks.bsky.social:

Stanford Pulitzer winner’s new novel tells an epic tale born from writing ‘every day for 10 years’ The Wayfinder, by English and creative writing Professor Adam Johnson, draws on the peoples and natural beauty of the Polynesian islands to tell a story set 1,0

This was fun. A conversation with Pulitzer- and National Book Award-winner Adam Johnson about the ten years he spent on his epic new novel, The Wayfinder. For @stanford.edu:

Stanford Pulitzer winner’s new novel tells an epic tale born from writing ‘every day for 10 years’ The Wayfinder, by English and creative writing Professor Adam Johnson, draws on the peoples and natural beauty of the Polynesian islands to tell a story set 1,0

This was fun. A conversation with Pulitzer- and National Book Award-winner Adam Johnson about the ten years he spent on his epic new novel, The Wayfinder. For @stanforduniversity.bsky.social:

How Dozens of Stunning Ancient Roman Statues Ended Up in Cowtown “Myth and Marble,” an exhibition of the Torlonia Collection at the Kimbell Art Museum, has been thousands of years in the making.

New for @texasmonthly.bsky.social: My article on how the Torlonia Collection, a set of ancient marble statues that hadn't been exhibited since World War II, came to the @kimbellartmuseum.bsky.social in Fort Worth:

www.texasmonthly.com/arts-enterta...

My latest for @texasmonthly.bsky.social, on the 20th anniversary of an improbable Texas institution: Prada Marfa.

What Charles Butt’s Art Collection Reveals About the Elusive Man Behind H-E-B By sharing his private trove of American modernism, the most famous grocer in Texas reveals, for the first time in decades, something about himself.

New for @texasmonthly.bsky.social: My piece on the new exhibition at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth, showcasing the American Modern art collection of a man who once described himself as a "poor man's Howard Hughes.

Please give it a read: www.texasmonthly.com/arts-enterta...

Talking Acid Jazz with Garmsville’s Jason Jules The stylish author of Black Ivy was there from the start

When I started Someone Else's Songs, it was in hopes of running an interview like this one, with Jason Jules of Garmsville and Black Ivy, on his favorite acid jazz tracks. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did: someoneelsessongs.substack.com/p/talking-ac...

If you haven't already read this, please do so. It's brave and powerful. And you can contribute to a fund in memory of Aaron's nephew here: austincf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/c...

I was relieved to learn just prior to publication that the Hitchmans were ok after the Kerr County floods, and even using a wagon to serve coffee and baked goods to first responders.

Does This Covered Wagon Come With Air-Conditioning? Yes, It Does. A Kerrville couple builds custom wagons that their clients use as mobile shops, outdoor bars, ticket booths, backyard kitchens, and more.

New for @texasmonthly.bsky.social: The story of Hitchman Homestead, who make old-school covered wagons for new-school clients, just outside of Kerrville.

www.texasmonthly.com/style/hitchm...

A Portable Grill! A Straw Stetson! Gifts for the Texas Dad For Father's Day, you can't go wrong with something crafted in the Lone Star State—from books to bourbon to (why not) a new pair of pants.

New for @texasmonthly.bsky.social: A Father's Day gift guide, featuring 15 ideas with ties to the Lone Star State (and zero actual ties).

Why Your Cowboy Boots Might Get a Lot More Expensive Texas’s makers, artisans, and small-business owners are bracing for how tariffs could impact the costs of materials, shipping, and more.

“Mind-boggling.” “It’s definitely keeping me up at night.” “You have to tear something down to build it back up.” How Texas’s makers, artisans, and small-business owners are bracing for tariffs. New for @texasmonthly.bsky.social:

The Texan Who Helped Elect the First American Pope Cardinal Daniel DiNardo describes Pope Leo XIV as a symphony—and hopes his steady nature will help shepherd the church through the migration crisis.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo describes Pope Leo XIV as a symphony—and hopes his steady nature will help shepherd the church through the migration crisis.

The Texan Who Helped Elect the First American Pope Cardinal Daniel DiNardo describes Pope Leo XIV as a symphony—and hopes his steady nature will help shepherd the church through the migration crisis.

Talked to Texas's first — and, so far, only — Catholic Cardinal about the conclave (and about Conclave) for @texasmonthly.bsky.social.

"Harrison Ford keeping it casual at Cannes. Paul Newman grabbing a couple beers for the road. Ralph Lauren biking with his son in Montauk. Each one a living, breathing retort to Fran Lebowitz, who once said that men wearing shorts is, and I quote, disgusting." New for @ralphlaurenpolo.bsky.social.

Play ball! ⚾ 42 songs for Opening Day

For your #OpeningDay enjoyment: 42 songs about baseball.

I love this kind of thing. For your consideration: Renaming the Twins-Brewers series The Molitor Cup (aka The Mollie), ideally with some sort of physical cup going to the victor.

What Do Post Malone and President Bush Have in Common? A Denton Leather Craftsman. Clint Wilkinson makes custom goods and accessories out of the same  downtown storefront that was once his grandfather's saddle shop.

New for @texasmonthly.bsky.social: A conversation with the man behind Wilkinson's Fine Goods, who has crafted impossibly handsome leather goods for Post Malone, Leon Bridges, and the George W. Bush Library. Online and in print now.

The Unlikely Story Behind the Oscar-Nominated Ballad From ‘Sing Sing’ Abraham Alexander and Black Pumas cofunder Adrian Quesada wrote and recorded “Like a Bird” in Fort Worth and Austin. Now they’re part of Hollywood’s biggest night.

New for @texasmonthly.bsky.social: My story on how Abraham Alexander and Adrian Quesada (of Black Pumas) wrote and recorded the Oscar-nominated "Like a Bird" from Sing Sing — without once being in the same room. Includes interviews with both artists, who were beyond generous with their time.

I picked up a reverse the curse from BrandNewNoise this last week and it’s so damn cool if you are reading this you should absolutely check their other stuff.

Where to Eat, Shop, and Explore in Historic Victoria This charming southeast Texas city celebrates its bicentennial this year.

Charming houses, spectacular BBQ, and the state's oldest deli — which has served both Willie and Rick Perry (and, um, me) — make this 200-year-old city worth a visit. My latest for @texasmonthly.bsky.social:

Ray Benson’s Texas Christmas Playlist Talking holiday songs (and Willie!) with the man behind Asleep at the Wheel

I talked with Texas legend Ray Benson from Asleep at the Wheel about his favorite Texas Christmas songs, the secret to recording with Willie, and his favorite holiday gigs. Give it a read, and listen to the playlist: someoneelsessongs.substack.com/p/ray-benson...

This Dallas Inventor’s “Sound Toys” Appeal to Famous Musicians as Well as Kids Mick Fleetwood, the Black Keys' Patrick Carney, and Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy are just some of the artists drawn to the whimsical wooden boxes and instruments from Brand New Noise.

New for @texasmonthly.bsky.social: My latest Made in Texas piece, on the sound toys crafted by BrandNewNoise and beloved by everyone from Mick Fleetwood to Jeff Tweedy. Online now, and in print when the January issue hits your mailbox.