Smokin’

Don’t miss your ’cue: We pick the top joints in Texas for brisket, ribs, sausage, and all the sides. Plus, the godfather of barbacoa, the biggest free feast in the state, and more.

The War for the Colorado

Battles over the river’s precious waters are pulling in everyone from pecan growers in Central Texas to shrimpers in Matagorda Bay, not to mention thirsty cities like San Antonio and Corpus Christi. Who will be left high and dry?

by Helen Thorpe

5,707 Schmoozers, 750 Bands, 29 Musical Cars, and 250 Gallons of Cream Gravy

That was the recipe for this year’s South by Southwest Music and Media Conference. Here’s how it all cooked up.

by Jason Cohen

Big Fish

Galveston native Tilman Fertitta made his share of enemies when he was building his seafood empire in the eighties. These days, though, he’s winning over his hometown, and he’s doing it by taking on the island’s most influential family.

by Robert Draper

Bill, Due

After more than two decades in the movie business—including star turns in Apollo 13, Twister, and now his own Traveller—Fort Worth’s Bill Paxton is finally getting what’s coming to him.

by Joe Nick Patoski

Art

On With the Shows

Now that both its building and its mission have been renovated, Houston’s Contemporary Arts Museum is ready to win back the public and reestablish its eminence.

by Michael Ennis

Behind the Lines

For an Income Tax

Why Texas needs an income tax.

by Paul Burka and Gregory Curtis

Books

Katherine the Great

Indian Creek native Katherine Anne Porter is the finest author ever to come out of Texas. But only recently has her home state stopped writing her off.

by Don Graham

Music

Voice of Amerykah

Whether or not Erykah Badu is the Billie Holiday of hip-hop, her uplifting songs and soulful singing are winning fans from coast to coast.

by John Morthland

Politics

Naval Gazing

As the Navy’s top civilian leader, Texan John Dalton has navigated one scandal after another. He might also be charting a course back home—and to elected office.

by Helen Thorpe

Reporter

Death and Texas

After its recent facelift, the state cemetery has Texas luminaries just dying to get in.

by Carol Flake

Reporter

Artbeat

Charting the state’s museum-building boom.

by Rebecca S. Cohen

Reporter

Fly-boy

A Wylie computer programmer flies high.

by Josh Daniel

Reporter

Ship Shape

A South Texan adds a chapter to the Apollo 13 story.

by Patricia Busa McConnico

Topic A

Power Outage

by Paul Burka

The Ex Files

Liz Smith

by Renee Boensch

Face

Jaci Velasquez

by Erin Gromen

Programming

Mission Accomplished

by Jordan Mackay

Low Talk

Ghost Story

If you’re a celebrity who wants to pen a book, who you gonna call? Ghostwriters.

Edited by Evan Smith

Hot Box

CD and Book Reviews

The Inside Story

Drawing Conclusions

by Josh Daniel

Last Page

Debbie Reynolds

Who gave Debbie Reynolds her name, and what did she have to learn to do before starring in Singin’ in the Rain?

by Anne Dingus

Roar of the Crowd

Flower Power

Wild for wildflowers. Plus: Brushing up on bluebonnet art.

Summer Soups

State Fare

From Austin’s Eastside Cafe come three soups that will bowl you over.

by Patricia Sharpe