I post this here because for the most part, the OB is pretty Texan. We talk about travel, hunting, fishing, BBQ, etc. If wrong board, let me know.

I picked up a Texas Monthly yesterday. To me it seems like it portrays an Austinite's wetdream version of what Texas really is. I'm either unable to put my finger on it or I don't have the words to express what I mean. A few things I pick up on:

1. They really idealize this Hill Country mystique - like everyone in the Hill Country is rich, highly educated and runs a wine shop in Fredericksburg.

2. They think that one Texas BBQ joint is actually that much better than another. When it all comes down to it at the end of the day, it's just brisket, sausage and ribs.

3. They idealize Texas in a weird way. Don't get me wrong, I love Texas. But, Texas is much more redneck than they would like to think. It seems like they want to portray this idea of the intellectual cowboy: the cowboy who analyzes Cormac McCarthy while tending to his cattle.

4. They really love Marfa.

So, do you all think Texas Monthly "gets" Texas? I don't think I will buy it anymore.

Every now and then you'll find a good article in there, but for the most part it's exactly how you have described. I don't subscribe, but will flip thru it at the barber shop if available.

Texas Monthly was a far better magazine in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Texas Monthly seems to be pretty hit or miss whenever I pick it up...Nowadays I only read the Bum Steer Awards unless a very specific article interests me.

As far as "getting" Texas, I would say that if your perception is only derived from the big 4/5 cities then yes they "get" Texas. Otherwise, no, I don't think they do. There is a much more deeper culture to our great state outside of a population congested area.

On the other hand, one of their writers that does "get" Texas is the Texanist. Even though he does a humor column, I seem find myself agreeing with most of what he says. I thinks it's pretty funny myself that when I do pick up a copy, I immediately flip straight to the back cover and read his monthly musings.

Every town in Texas should be Wimberley. Pretty much how I think they try and portray texas.

What are these printed magazines you speak of?

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When it all comes down to it at the end of the day, it's just brisket, sausage and ribs.

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Them's fightin words...

Actually, if you ever met the people who run TM, you would get it. They are the poster children for Hippie Liberal Austin Socialites. Their office is just off the t.u. campus, and they love to slobber that knob whenever possible, that's why they like to run a vieled A&M hit piece every couple of years...

FWIW - I happened to meet the photographer that shot the cover picture for the current issue yesterday while at a mutual friend's house. He's from Temple and pronounced Manor and Burnet Roads incorrectly.

Yes, a tend to agree with your assestment.

I now live in SA, but lived most of my life in N. Texas. It was always said by those of us up in N. Texas that Texas Monthly has no idea that the state of Texas extends north of Austin.

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Texas Monthly has no idea that the state of Texas extends north of Austin.

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Their ad sales guys sure as heck do. I can't tell if it's a magazine or a Neiman-Marcus catalog.

T-mo went down the tub with the rest of print journalism - I remember reading it in the 80's and they actualy had a good stable of journalists

Now not so much

It's a liberal rag. That being so, take what is printed between it's covers with a grain of salt. They try to skirt the "real Texas" as best they can, but it's quite a balancing act, given their leanings.

I haven't read it in years and you could carbon copy exactly what was posted above 20 years ago.

Their magazine is so littered with advertisements and subscriptions cards, that I cant find the content.

I read it because I get it for free from a past job. Your assessment is pretty much spot-on, but you have to look at the reader they are catering to: wealthy socialites in the three big cities. Look at the ads - Breitling, Prada, Bently, Tiffany's, etc. I used to be in the magazine business and the key is to present the material the way your reader WANTS it to be, not necessarily the way it is. They are also edited and published by..... drumroll please..... yankees.

I've often thought about starting a rival magazine with more culture, less politics. Like a Garden & Gun, but for Texas.

Central Texas Monthly

I fine the New Yorker to be far more interesting.

^ I'd buy that (to LSRR). Started on G&G a year ago and like it, although it's a bit more 'suthun...' focused than I'd prefer.

Also get TM and have many of the same thoughts listed above. Fortunately it's a gift subscription so I at least don't pay for it, and it's always next to the toilet in case I run out of TP.

[This message has been edited by metrag06 (edited 8/11/2014 12:50p).]

Austin Monthly


I think is what you mean.

Agree w other posters, it's gone downhill big time since the 80's when I first read it. Definitely a tu slanted liberal magazine w a liberal, pseudo-intellectual agenda. Haven't read it in a number of years for this reason.

Texas Monthly is produced by a bunch of flaming liberals. EOT.

I know a number of the TM staff. They are driven by several dominant themes:
All hail tu, Austin and Dallas
Hate : Aggies, Aggieland and Houston
Their politics is 100% old style Jim Hightower Ralph Yarborough (sp) central Texas democrat holier than thou ( we have black friends -snicker snicker ) white rich aristocracy politics. And
As stated above it is mostly a yankee written and edited publication

I've been getting it as a gift from the in-laws for years. I pretty much will jump straight to the end to read the Texanist, but then skim articles when taking a dump.

It serves it's purpose. I believe it ignites some desire to go swim Barton Springs, eat enchiladas every Sunday, hang out at Franklin's for scraps, pretend to know all the obscure songs by long forgotten Texas songwriters, and plan to go to Marfa this summer (reoccurring plan)

Texas Monthly would love it if Texas was just like California.

Id love a shot at writing for TXM. Bring some outdoor related material and give you guys something to ready about.

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the key is to present the material the way your reader WANTS it to be, not necessarily the way it is

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Texas Monthly would love it if Texas was just like California

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Exactly. The magazine panders to the California elitist who moves to Southwest Austin, buys 15 acres, travels to Franklin's once a week and calls themselves a Texan.

It's run by yanks

"A liberal with a pen is a true weapon of mass destruction."

It is run by t-sips

If you want to read a magazine that actually talks and shows places in Texas, subscribe to Texas Highways. I get that one each month. It is really interesting!

Texas Highways is for the 65 and up crowd.... and oh yes, Marfa is really cool!!

Marfa is the darling of TM now because it is seen as the progressive utopia; a near-dead desert town full of aging cowboys is revitalized by California liberals opening up art galleries and coffee shops of every corner. It literally replaces what they loath with what they love.

texas monthly is the print version of the e! channel.

Original Ag FTW!