Page 15 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2025 - Online Magazine

CIVIC LUBBOCK, INC. Always &

proudly supports Evermore

The Arts Lubbock Art

Advocate
Community James Eppler

by Michael A. Cantu

s a kid, James Eppler movie review on the local Fox music on an album that is released
Civic Lubbock, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 1956. Our mission is to would run out of the house, affiliate, Fox34, where he also serves annually. The album project was
foster and promote cultural, educational, and entertainment activities that include visual and Abarefoot, and grab Friday as the managing editor and anchor actually the idea of another Civic
performing arts. How do we do that? With revenue generated from concessions sales in the morning’s edition of The Lubbock for the Good Day Lubbock morning Lubbock board member, Sammie
Lubbock Memorial Civic Center and Moonlight Musicals Amphitheatre, along with the Avalanche-Journal and turn straight broadcast. Prather, who got the idea from a
to the entertainment section. All
similar program in Austin, Texas.
operation of Select-A-Seat, Civic Lubbock provides grant funding for many events and he wanted to read was the movie In addition, he served on the Civic The first album was released in 2016,
organizations that apply. review written by former AJ Lubbock board and its committees and has since included locals like
journalist Bill Kerns. from 2010 to 2025, when his term Flatland Cavalry, Jerry Serrano, and
Ongoing projects Civic Lubbock supports include: expired in September. It was Bo Garza. The Lubbock Music Now
Back then, he wasn’t hoping to be through the influence of the late Don concept has also evolved into a local
· Annual "Lubbock Music NOW" album · Summer Showcase Concert Series at the Buddy Holly Center an astronaut when he grew up. Not Caldwell, a local music producer television series.
· West Texas Walk of Fame inductions · Lubbock Moonlight Musicals even a fighter pilot. He wanted to who was also an advocate for local
· Public art acquisition on city-owned property · Utility Box Wrap Art Project be Bill Kerns. Like Kerns, Eppler artists and musicians, that Eppler “Airing it on TV gives us clips to put
· Lubbock's Storm Drain Art Project · Lubbock Arts Festival wanted his movie reviews to be became involved with the board. on social media,” Eppler says. “And
printed for all of Lubbock to see. I think it’s been a really positive
In his official role with Civic thing for the community.”
“And even though I was too young Lubbock, Inc, he chaired the West
More information: civiclubbock.org
to see most of the movies he talked Texas Walk of Fame Committee That positive light is also what
about, I would change his star and the Entertainment Lubbock others around Eppler have seen.
reviews to what I think that movie Committee. The Walk of Fame Vicki Key, Project Coordinator for
probably would have been,” Eppler Committee organizes the West Civic Lubbock Inc. has worked
says. Texas Walk of Fame Inductions with him since he came on board
which honors individuals who have
That was his introduction to the arts been significantly involved in the
in Lubbock. Not directly involved, development and production of
but on the outside as a person to the performing and visual arts on
promote local arts and local artists. a national level, and have a strong
And that’s what he has done since connection to Lubbock and the West
2001—cover the local arts. It started Texas area.
with a regular 500-word column in
Civic Lubbock, Inc. Board of Directors the Texas Tech University student James also played a major role in
newspaper, The University Daily developing the Lubbock Music
Lindley Herring, President · Roger Karr, Vice President · Emily Wilkinson, Secretary/Treasurer (now known as The Daily Toreador). Now project, which selects local James, with parents, David and
Colleen Eppler, and wife, Lori
Betsy Bass · Christi Cage · Jim Douglass · Grace Q. Gonzales · Kathy Horkey-Wol› It has since evolved to his weekly musicians and features their original
Claire Leavell · Alice Lozada · Beverly McBeath
Lubbock Senior Link 15