Owen Egerton founded One Page Salon nine and three-quarters years ago. Now he’s leaving for greener, cooler, and less politically conservative pastures than Texas. From Austin to Boston, to be exact. I wrote about this monthly series where writers read a page of a work in progress two months and two days ago here at this link. (You know you want to click and go read it and then come back. Be my guest.) But since this was his last OPS, it’s worth another post. It was a fitting tribute and send-off with some special guests. Let’s just say we all got a little verklempt from all the feels, as the kids say.
He begins with a bit of a monologue, which is always amusing because he’s a funny guy. Owen is quite humorous, having gotten his start in improv at Comedy Sportz. Then he reads something from an author who could not be there. That’s usually because they’re dead. This was a piece about hope by Henry David Thoreau which was from Walden, Or Life in the Woods (I’ve been skinny-dipping in the titular pond). As Owen read, the full house, outdoors slowly melting in the fading Texas heat, was rapt with attention. When he concluded, we clapped at the wise words about nature, growth, and patience.
Speaking of kids, his daughter Arlen was up first. All the readers answer three questions. Tonights were about favorite authors they wished had written a new book, what book they’re loving the most right now, and something they would save from their house if they had to move out (like the Egerton family is). Humorously, her answer to this question was a soft leather jacket that she had stolen… from her dad (but mom had probably bought). Her reading was a poem/rant about school shootings. There were a lot of words (probably single-spaced), and she read it quickly and with anger, spittomg out the angry words like bullets. It was pretty amazing, and that she was a new high school graduate made it more poignant, with the horrors of the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas occuring just over a year ago.
Jodi, who is a writer and creative person in her own regard, is married to Owen and mother to Arlen and one other kid. Together she and Owen co-wrote a book about writing called This Word Now. Jodi came onstage to discuss Typewriter Rodeo, a project she began also about a decade ago with four others. They type original poems at events from suggestions. Tonight’s short works were odes to Jodi, except hers, which I forget but was good. She got emotional from the affection, too. They’ve traveled the world, theres a book, and Tom Hanks and Steve Martins have each sent them fan letters–typewritten, of course. Such a talented family!
Other readers recited their works, including Sarah Bird, who’s a popular Austin writer I’ve not read. The break is where you’re supposed to mingle and meet other people and make connections. Though I tend to be shy, I saw another guy standing nearby himself, so I say hi. He was really nice, a techie by day, who had moved here from New York. An occasional writer, he was hoping to get more into it.
I found myself standing near Owen and he graciously chatted a little bit, alwaus generous with his time, and we took a cellfie. People were invited to sign a poster and write a note in a journal as a sort of memory book. After the break, the Writers League of Texas director presented Owen with some gifts: A Tito’s Vodka scarf (a local brand), a mug that said Masshole and something other funny stuff on it, a lifetime membership to the WLT. She helped prause on him, we’ll deserved, pointed to the crowd and said “You did this!” Again with the feelings, nothing more than feelings. That’s because Owen has inspired many people to write, self included, and that is a living legacy he facilitated for almost a decade. All while writing books, screenplays, directing movies, and acting in several movies and shorts, hosting a radio show… you get the picture. I don’t knownmany people with an IMDB page, but he’s got one: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1625382/
And then the highlight of the evening for me took place. It was the One Sentence Salon, where past writers formed a long line to read just one line. The shortest was “NO!” and the longest went on with many commas, semi-colons, and em-dashes. Neal Pollack was there and called himself the best writer in the world without a shred of irony. Other readers included Bob Schneider, a well-known musician, some regulars I’ve met over the years, and Spike Gillespie who finished the line. She said she doesn’t go out anymore but had to come out for this. They ranged from the poetic to the silly and vulgar and horrific and imaginative. It was really a cool thing.
In between page readings, Owen reminisced about the times at venue hosts prior to Radio Bar, the North Door, the Whip-In before that, and other memories from his time in Austin. The final reader was Southpaw Jones who read and then played a song, a lively cowboy tune with clever lyrics, many rhyming with Owen (there are a lot). And then Matt the Electrician read a quote from each reader (and one from One Sentence). By applause, the night was named, “Down by the Owen,” from the song.
The host gave a final exhortation to be kind to our neighbors, to get out and vote, to speak up, and fight for those especially vulnerable groups targeted by the state of Texas, and to make more personal and creative connections. Owen charged us to each be a light, a spark, and to creat a fire that burns down the old so the new growth can rise up. Good advice, wise words carefully chosen, well spoken, and warmly received. The show was over, some of us hung around to chat, and then the evening was really over.
As I noted in my journal entry to Owen, he’s been a muse to me and so many. I noted how I really appreciated the comment he made on my blog on March 1, 2016: “Good stuff. Love those Quakers.” His legacy of books, screenplays, movies, comedy through Mister Sinus Theater then Master Pancake Theater, and of course One Page Salon, will live on. Rock on, Mr. Egerton and family! Thanks for all you’ve done.
One of Austin’s leading literary lights may be gone from Austin, but he’ll just be shining in Boston. Maybe he can go skinny dipping in Walden Pond, too. I’m hoping our streams will cross soon. The breakfast tacos will be on me, friend.
Buy his books at the independent book shop near you, and check out everything Owen Egerton at http://www.OwenEgerton.com!
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