Caraway, TG 2010-11-26

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Caraway was born in West Texas and spent most of his life there. He speaks about his musical background and being a political activist throughout his life.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: T.G. Caraway

Additional Parties Recorded: n/a

Date: November 26, 2010

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Andy Wilkinson

Length: 2 hours, 53 minutes


Abstract

Background; Born in Lubbock, Texas; Grandfather’s migration to Farmer, TX for land; Father’s side from Erath County, TX; Father’s abuse from grandfather; Farmers’ struggle with the Dust Bowl; Mother’s family from East Texas; Parents meeting; Left Farmer, TX in 1972; Childhood work; Spent time in Crosby County and Lorenzo, TX; Interest in reading; Spent time in Ralls library; History and politics; Youngest graduate of high school class; Devastating house fire; Moved to Ralls, TX; 44 students in his graduating class; Found out about Southwest Collection library; Took a great liking to the SWC; Family bought a service station; Farmers Union; Going to Washington, D.C.; Creating a plan; Experiences meeting congressmen; McAllen Protest; Tractor arrests; McAllen Protests; March 1978; Protesting food with harmful chemicals; Protestors beaten and arrested; Made Farmers Union as large as it was; Tractor route; Member of the Southern Tractor Route; Drove tractors around the states; Over 60 tractors; Experiences on the interstate with police; Hospitality from citizens; Arriving in Washington, D.C.; Organized protest; Extreme number of farmers involved; Friendships he gained; Blizzard causing problems; Burning of tractors; Events after the law being declined; Other congressmen he met; Returning to Washington; Arranged meetings with lobbyist; Reagan supported them; Protested for Missouri for soybeans; Less involved in American Agriculture; Duration of his involvement in protesting; Involvement in politics; The importance of politics; Experiencing great gain; Family farming experience; Musical Background; Started at church; Attended Baptist music school; Interest in instruments; Musicians that influenced him; Experiencing nightlife; Meeting his favorite band, The Maines Brothers Band; Becoming the band’s tour mate; Seeing studio work; Making permanent friendships; Joining the Air Force; Memories with his family before leaving; Impact of his grandfather’s death; Being around professional musicians; West Texas Music Association; Meeting more influential musicians; Events held; Showcasing West Texas talent; Getting involved in politics; Returning from Korea; Involvement in State Convention; Starting a democrat group; Other job placements; Working at Texas Tech; Involved in the State Employee Union in Austin; Conflicts in politics; Working at Austin Community College; Texas Land Office; Union Organizer; Working for Bill White; Conflicts with Obama election; Losing democratic seats; Views of democrats changing; Future plans for Caraway; Return to Union Organization; Bringing the Texas Democratic Party back



Access Information

Original Recording Format: born digital audio

Recording Format Notes: audio CD recording available for listening in our Reading Room

Transcript: available in Reading Room only

Abstract: also available here: http://hdl.handle.net/10605/1762



Thank you for your interest in this oral history interview. Our oral history collection is available to patrons in the Southwest Collection's Reading Room, located on the campus of Texas Tech University. For reading room hours, visit our website. Please contact Reference Staff at least one week prior to your visit to ensure the oral history you are interested in will be available. Due to copyright issues, duplications of our oral histories can only be made for family members. If an oral history transcript has been made available online, the link will be provided on this page. More information on accessing our oral histories is located here. Preferred citation style can be found here.