Moore n’ More about People, Places and Things: Texas Edition

There is nothing like a trip back home … back to the vastness of America’s first national preserve, back to the home of Texaco, TexJoy and Seaport Coffee, back to the birthplace of country music legends Jones, Chestnutt and Byrd.

And yes. I am glad to be home.

For the last four weeks I’ve been exploring the state capital, visiting our bayou-bound neighbors in the Pelican State and melting in sun-scorched southeast Texas. Seriously, it has been in the high 90s since I arrived and has even hit 111 once or twice. And I thought Calabria was caldo!

But the weather isn’t the only thing that’s hot here in southeast Texas. One of my Beaumont buddies released his first album Have You Heard? in 2007 and since then, Italian-American singer/songwriter, Damian Giglio has written more than 40 songs and had his music licensed for MTV’s The Hills and The Real World.

If you haven’t heard, then don’t fret. You can listen to a sample of Damian’s music, purchase a CD, or follow Damian on Twitter and Facebook.

Or maybe laughs and giggles is more your thing? Fellow Kountzite and stand-up comedian Erik Knowles is making headlines in California where he has opened for Sarah Silverman, Pauly Shore and Bobby Lee. He was a finalist at the California Comedy Festival and has performed in comedy clubs throughout California, Arizona and Texas. You can see him live at The Comedy Store in La Jolla, California, check out his clips, follow him on Twitter or visit his Facebook Fan Page.

In other celebrity news, Sandra Bullock‘s restaurant Bess Bistro is the place to go in the Lone Star capital and has been listed as one of the Top Three Austin experiences by OK Magazine.

I partied there last month with Andrea of Andrea Unplugged and although Sandra Bullock might be the restaurant’s shining star, it was the profiteroles that stole the show.

So here is hoping ya’ll are all staying cool and enjoying your summer! Until next time … buon weekend!