NETPHC Bio

Compliments of Jackie Bryant

Now I ask you – who ever heard of a parrothead club in a small, quiet rural community of 2,200 people, that is located deep in the heart of the North East Texas Piney Woods? That query has crossed many minds, to be sure. Well, that concept drew its first breath on November 19, 2004, when the North East Texas Parrot Head Club was first chartered, with 12 charter members and 8 “keets”. The brains and heart behind this effort was Cap’n Jackie Bryant, founder and president of the club. Cap’n Jack had been a member of the Galveston Bay Parrothead Club for a number of years, prior to his relocation to the Piney Woods. In the beginning, there rumors of a club forming in Southwestern Arkansas, but that idea soon died out. Realizing how much he missed the fellowship and camaraderie of his former phlock on the coast, he decided to pursue the establishment of a club in Linden, Texas. This idea was solidified after learning that efforts were underway to have Jimmy Buffett do a benefit for Music City Texas Theater, and knowing there would be a need for a “home club” to help coordinate all the associated “parrothead issues” that are inherent to Buffett concerts. The benefit never materialized but the club grew and prospered. In just under 2 years of existence, club membership has grown to 52 members and 6 “keets”.

During our infancy, we learned the value of being of service to our community through the concept of working with neighboring clubs in Arkansas, Louisiana and our fellow clubs in Texas. We banded together with nearby clubs in October of 2005 for a 3-day, weekend barrage of benefit concerts in Shreveport, LA; Texarkana, AR; and Dallas, TX, to support the 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricane Victims/PHIN Fund. In January of 2006, the club raised funds and participated in the “re-signing” of Bourbon Street during Pardi Gras. Again joining forces with our sister regional clubs in May of 2006, we assisted in the establishment of the first Hot Springs Day Dreamin’ event that was hosted by Strange Birds of Little Rock PHC. We have served as a driving force in the region to support the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life benefits. We have raised funds in support of the Linden Senior Citizen Center, Cass County Women’s Shelter, Paramedics for Children Fund and the Happy Angels Orphanage in Honduras. Our annual club event SHARKSTOCK, is a weekend long, outdoor music festival that has endured two sweltering summers and actually has shown dramatic growth and support. To date, SHARKSTOCK has benefited the Texarkana Humane Society, Texarkana Blues Society and the Alzheimer’s Alliance. We have also raised supporting funds for several individuals with special needs. The club utilizes regional Trop/Rock singer-songwriters and bands such as Joe Bennett (Head Pirate of New Orleans), Kelly McGuire, Lucky Boyd, Amy Hughes (Texas Beach Bum), Scotty Lee Shuffield (Six String Sailor), The Bad Monkeys Band, Jerry Diaz & Hanna’s Reef, The Toucan Brothers Band and Coyote Blue Band for it’s various functions.

Our club members have volunteered their time for numerous other causes such as local radio auctions, local hurricane refugee support, as well as supporting events sponsored by the Music City Texas Theater, including the Texas Music Awards and the T-Bone Walker Blues Festival. For these efforts we have been awarded a Texas Music Award for Support and Community Service and a T-Bone Walker Award for Club Leadership and Club Support.

North East Texas Parrothead Club’s diverse membership covers a large geographic area that spans all of north and northeast Texas, southwestern Arkansas and western Louisiana, with a few members from as far away as the Texas Gulf Coast. As a result it is difficult to have regular Happy Hours; however, we strive to have them as often as possible, rotating the locations to accommodate our membership whenever possible.

We invite each and every one of you to drop by for visit to our “Island In A Horse Pasture” here in Linden. We welcome all whose travels bring them our way. As a Phlock of Phriends, we always love to Phluff Our Stuff as we Party With A Purpose.

Captain Jack

PHINS UP!