score big

Houstonians score a ton of fun at CultureMap's first-ever Tailgate party

score big

Houstonians score a ton of fun at CultureMap's first-ever Tailgate party

Haley Fahrenthold, Jackie Heston, Grace Ryan, and Peyton RossPhoto by Emily Jaschke
Eric Brown, Sabrina Rodriquez, and Fred Weary.Photo by Emily Jaschke
It's not a tailgate without corn hole.Photo by Emily Jaschke
Grant Guthrie, Bob Bowman, Leisa Holland-Nelson, and David Gow.Photo by Emily Jaschke
Orion the Cosmic Space Dog with chefs from J-Bar-M.Photo by Emily Jaschke
The Houston Texans Foundation participated.Photo by Emily Jaschke
Friendly competitions went on all night.Photo by Emily Jaschke
Elisabeth Duncan, Amanda Colter, AC Hundeshagen, and Chance Gristy.Photo by Emily Jaschke
ESPN 97.5's Jake Asman broadcasted live from the event.Photo by Emily Jaschke
Dripping Springs Vodka and 1800 Tequila provided sips.Photo by Emily Jaschke
Jennifer Dao and John Hoang.Photo by Emily Jaschke
Melanie Zacek, Carlyn Varner, Tana Anderson, and Katrina Autem.Photo by Emily Jaschke
Whole Foods offered up a whole gift bag.Photo by Emily Jaschke
Austin Cocktails supplied the sips. Photo by Emily Jaschke
11 Below turned it up. Photo by Emily Jaschke

Promoted articles are produced by CultureMap sponsors and not by the editorial staff.

Houston’s biggest sports fans partied overtime at CultureMap's newest signature event, The Tailgate.

Recently held at Silver Street Studios, the celebration of all things sports attracted a crowd ready to have some game day fun.

And they certainly didn't go hungry. Past Tastemaker Awards winners and nominees brought snacks galore, from Thai sausage to pizza bites to brisket sliders and more.

Guests could vote for their favorite munchies via QR code, leading to d’Alba Craft Kitchen & Cocktails taking home the trophy for their Falcon Lakes Bolognese. J-Bar-M Barbecue’s cochinita pibil sausage wraps also earned raves. Drool over a full list of the snacks here.

Those looking to scoop up ideas for their next watch party could sample catering from Whole Foods Market, then walk away with a stadium-approved clear backpack filled with snacks, samples, and coupons for future purchases.

No one's cup ran dry, thanks to bars stocked with 11 Below Brewing Company beers, Austin Cocktails, and specialty drinks featuring Dripping Springs Vodka and 1800 Tequila, the official tequila of the Houston Texans.

Speaking of sips, five local bars competed to create the best vodka cocktail with Dripping Springs vodka. In the end, Loch Bar’s Lavender Rose cocktail was the big winner.

In between bites and sips, guests browsed a silent auction stuffed with valuable sports memorabilia, with a portion of proceeds benefitting our nonprofit partners. The first bidder for each item scored a special reward: a glittering replica of a championship ring (which we can confirm were appropriately heavy).

Attendees could also learn more about and donate to each of the event's nonprofit partners. The Sugar Land Space Cowboys and their mascot Orion represented The Astros Foundation, which harnesses the passion of baseball fans to support youth baseball and softball programs, the recognition/honor of our nation's military, childhood cancer awareness, and efforts to reduce homelessness.

Former safety Eric Brown and former offensive lineman Fred Weary joined the Texans mascot Toro and the Texans cheerleaders on behalf of the Houston Texans Foundation, which serves children in the Houston area through partnerships with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston and the Houston Texans Teen Club, the Houston Texans YMCA in the Third Ward, the Houston Food Bank, and more. Other key programs include disaster response efforts, youth football, support for members of the military, veterans, and their families, as well as funding social justice efforts in Houston.

Houston Dynamo mascot Diesel represented Dynamo Charities, which leverages the passion of their players, staff, and fans to provide resources and education that positively impact lives in the community. Those who stopped by could show off their kicking skills at a giant inflatable goal.

Spotted among the sea of jerseys were Leisa Holland-Nelson, David Gow, Brittany Campbell, Isabel Protomartir, Murray Manley, Deets Hoffman, Leon Barileva, Jeff Solomon. Filiz Elshani, Hera Olsson, Natalie Lyles, Allie Marin, Savannah Sullivan, Austin Lyles, Christen Fobbs, Isley Maglalang, Sandra Panesso, and Stephen Pinkney.

fundraisers sports promoted

Music icons

Willie Nelson honors 'king of roadies' in buzzy new documentary

Film poster for Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies at DIFF, cropped

Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies follows the career of Benjamin H. Dorcy, III, a.k.a. Lovey. Photo by Piper Ferguson

Behind great touring musicians are teams of roadies, and Willie Nelson is helping draw attention to one of the men who first made it possible. A new documentary called Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies follows the achievements of Benjamin H. Dorcy, III, a.k.a. Lovey, who the film credits with being the world's first roadie.

The film will premiere at the Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF) on Sunday, April 27 at the historic Texas Theater. It's a long-awaited event, as the film has been in the works for 16 years.

Put simply, a roadie is someone who travels with a band to help set up equipment. But a roadie's life isn't always lived completely behind the scenes. Some bands have legendary roadies that were with them every step of the way, generating fan-favorite stories or even inspiring creative revelations.

“It’s one thing to have a bunch of good ideas, but to make them work and to put them into action, you need someone like Ben to do it, and he never failed," said Nelson, as quoted in a press release.

The release describes Dorcy as "the first and oldest roadie who shaped music history, pioneered an entire profession, and rivaled time itself to keep the show on the road." He made his mark in country music, specifically, working with Nelson, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings, John Wayne, and more. Waylon Jennings even wrote "Ode to Ben" as a tribute to Dorcy.

Some of the above musicians appear in the film to discuss Dorcy's impact alongside some clips of the man himself.

The film dives into some of Dorcy's past, including family tragedy, a World War II head injury, and his escapades across a seven-decade career. It does more than shine a light on the work Dorcy did; the trailer raises the question of how Dorcy came to be associated with so many significant stars, implying that he had an eye for (or a hand in) who would later make it big.

“Ben has a shared legacy with all the artists he worked with because he was able to help them create their legacy,” said co-director Amy Lee Nelson. “We want as many people as possible to get to know Lovey. I hope audiences come away with a deep appreciation for the folks working behind the scenes in all the ways we don’t usually think about. Let us consider and appreciate the folks who chose vocations where, when they’re really good at their job, they go largely unnoticed.”

The release also notes Dorcy's perseverance several times, painting a picture of a resilient worker not just in body but in spirit.

“When you stop doing what you love is when you fade away,” said Amy Nelson. “Ben was happy until the end.”

Film poster for Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies at DIFFPhoto by Piper Ferguson

Folks tuning in from home can listen to the companion concept album for Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies, which compiles songs used in and inspired by the film, "reimagined by some of today’s top artists." Finally, Dorcy's 100th birthday, March 19, 2025, will mark the first-ever National Roadie Day.

Festival passes are now on sale starting at $100.

benjamin dorcy country music documentary film live music music musicians willie nelson

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