About
“There’s a signpost
Called ‘Marked Tree’
Between Twin Sister Rivers
One flows up
The other downstream
Where after dark you get the shivers”
“Bayou Texan: A Memoir of Known Facts” by Robert Alan
Synopsis: Bayou Texan is a work in progress inspired by “Twist of Fate.”
Author, Robert Alan, in memoir recounts the experience of a young boy raised on the High Plains of Texas with regular visits to country kin in Louisiana. Deep roots in two worlds.
Age 18, blessed with natural ability on guitar, the kid lands in Music City, Nashville, Tennessee. Record contracts, hanging out on Printers Alley and Music Row. Stars shine bright. All is right, till a shadow looms large. Possessed by the world of Rock and Roll, the young Texan stumbles, falls for illusion, and forgets who he is.
One by one, misadventures spiral out of control. All too soon, late nights wind down to play a final sour note in a haunt not far from Milepost 444, northern terminus of Old Natchez Trace. It is a place in history where those who hide their light gather in darkness to fall from grace.
Passion dissolves into self-doubt. Convinced he can’t really play, he gives up. Disillusioned, the young, natural talent vows never again to play or bother to sing a song. He sets music aside, turns tail and heads for home. Back to West Texas.
Though, not so fast. From the wings, an unexpected “Twist of Fate . . .” Stopover in Louisiana to visit favorite backwoods kin comes a revelation. Stories of the family search for buried treasure in Kisatchie Forest, the Old Free State of Sabine are revealed. Unknowingly, or perhaps by design the wayward boy is brought into the fold.
In wee hours the prodigal son returns to the world of those he holds most dear. Three generations of family have been combing the woods where trail of clues carved in stone were left a hundred years ago. A secret well kept. Buried treasure hidden in the forest by The Great Western Land Pirate, John Andrews Murrell and his Mystic Clan.
Maps and waybills are brought forth. A rotating metal detector, handmade, turns counterclockwise over silver, then clockwise over gold. Light in the eyes of his favorite uncle and cousin assure all said to be a Known Fact.
Then, from darkness, another unforeseen“Twist of Fate . . .” It is also revealed the notorious Land Pirate, Murrell, The Reverend Devil and his Mystic Clan, once operated along Old Natchez Trace. Not far from where a shadow loomed large, and young Robert Alan fell from grace on Music Row.
By night’s end, all is clear. The young Bayou Texan who swore never again to play guitar or sing a song, unexpectedly has something to say.
