Cass County vs. Live Oak County
Music Roots & Brush Country
The week concludes with a contrast between the musical piney woods and the storytelling brush country. Cass County, bordering Arkansas and Louisiana, is the home of Don Henley and T-Bone Walker, a cradle of American music. Live Oak County, south of San Antonio, is the home of J. Frank Dobie, the legendary folklorist. One is defined by melody and timber; the other by stories and fracking.
Cass County (Population Approx. 30,000)
Cass County is lush and melodic. Linden and Atlanta anchor a region famous for its music heritage and wildflower trails. The landscape is rolling hills and dense forests. The economy is driven by timber and manufacturing. The vibe is creative and historic. Challenges include economic revitalization of downtowns and rural connectivity.
Live Oak County (Population Approx. 11,000)
Live Oak County is the crossroads of the brush country. George West ("The Storytelling Capital of Texas") and Three Rivers sit at the intersection of major highways and rivers (Frio, Atascosa, Nueces). The economy booms with the Eagle Ford Shale and recreational traffic to Choke Canyon Reservoir. Residents value their folklore, their hunting, and their resilience. Challenges include managing industrial traffic and water resources.
Why It Matters
Cass County nurtures the arts and the environment. Live Oak County fuels the state and preserves its folklore. Both counties demonstrate the cultural depth of rural Texas-from songs to stories.
Why Forward
Forward believes that the musician in Linden and the storyteller in George West both preserve our culture.
In Cass County, the creative economy is a hidden gem. Open Primaries would allow the community to elect leaders who support the arts and tourism as economic drivers, rather than focusing on divisive national issues. Ranked Choice Voting would help the small towns work together.
In Live Oak County, the industrial impact is massive. Ranked Choice Voting empowers the community to support candidates who prioritize road safety and environmental protection in the fracking zone. It ensures that the Storytelling Capital has a say in its own next chapter.
Did You Know…
Don Henley (The Eagles) grew up in Linden (Cass) and has invested heavily in restoring the town.
George West (Live Oak) is the "Storytelling Capital of Texas" and honors J. Frank Dobie, the famous folklorist born in the county.
T-Bone Walker, the blues legend, was also born in Linden.
Choke Canyon Reservoir in Live Oak County is a premier bass fishing and alligator viewing destination.
Three Rivers was the site of the Felix Longoria affair, a pivotal moment in the Mexican-American civil rights movement.
Why Texans Love Living Here
Cass residents love the wildflower trails, the quiet woods, and the incredible music history. Live Oak locals love the fishing at Choke Canyon, the hunting culture, and the pride of being a crossroads for South Texas.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
Wildflower Trails of Texas Festival (Linden/Cass): Celebrating the spring blooms and local music.
Forest Festival (Atlanta/Cass): A community gathering in the pines.
Live Oak County Fair: A classic South Texas fair.
People & Tech Created This
The profiles and shared challenges were gathered from Texas Forward Party supporters and written using ChatGPT and Gemini models to combine verified public data, official county/state sources, and general knowledge from Texas historical and government records:
