Tough Times for Texans: Alice, Texas and the 1980s Oil Bust 

This episode centers on Bob Carnes’ Wall Street Journal piece dated April 9, 1986, “Tough Times for Texans,” about Alice, a South Texas town of about 30,000 whose economy depends on oil and gas drilling and service companies. Carnes describes arriving in 1981 as a drilling company area manager overseeing 21 rigs and more than 500 people, then watching rig activity collapse through 1982–83, briefly improve in early 1984, and deteriorate again through 1985 as uncertainty about oil prices, a gas bubble, and political signals rattled investors.
00:00 Meet Alice Texas
01:10 Oil Town Boom
02:15 Alice Personified03:13 Bust Hits Hard
04:32 Brief 1984 Rebound05:39 False Hope 1985
07:07 Oil Price Crash 198608:06 Will Alice Survive
08:59 Interview Looking Back
10:08 Losing Everything
11:22 How WSJ Published It
12:09 Austin Aftermath
12:58 Next Story Tease

Post Interview with Boerne Radio's Baron Wiley

Tough Times for Texans: Alice, Texas and the 1980s Oil Bust&nbsp;
This episode centers on Bob Carnes&rsquo; Wall Street Journal piece dated April 9, 1986, &ldquo;Tough Times for Texans,&rdquo; about Alice, a South Texas town of about 30,000 whose economy depends on oil and gas drilling and service companies. Carnes describes arriving in 1981 as a drilling company area manager overseeing 21 rigs and more than 500 people, then watching rig activity collapse through 1982&ndash;83, briefly improve in early 1984, and deteriorate again through 1985 as uncertainty about oil prices, a gas bubble, and political signals rattled investors.
<ul>
<li>00:00 Meet Alice Texas</li>
<li>01:10 Oil Town Boom</li>
<li>02:15 Alice Personified03:13 Bust Hits Hard</li>
<li>04:32 Brief 1984 Rebound05:39 False Hope 1985</li>
<li>07:07 Oil Price Crash 198608:06 Will Alice Survive</li>
<li>08:59 Interview Looking Back</li>
<li>10:08 Losing Everything</li>
<li>11:22 How WSJ Published It</li>
<li>12:09 Austin Aftermath</li>
<li>12:58 Next Story Tease</li>
</ul>
Post Interview with Boerne Radio's Baron Wiley

In The Least of These, Bob Carnes reflects on a life shaped by curiosity, service, and gratitude. From his early days as a Navy veteran and engineer to his years as a journalist, oilman, and photographer, Bob has worn many hats—but through them all, he’s remained a keen observer of people and purpose. With warmth and humility, he honors the teachers, neighbors, relatives, coworkers, mentors, and his beloved wife Silvia, who shaped his journey. This memoir is both a personal testament and a tribute to the everyday heroes who quietly make life meaningful.

In The Least of These, Bob Carnes reflects on a life shaped by curiosity, service, and gratitude. From his early days as a Navy veteran and engineer to his years as a journalist, oilman, and photographer, Bob has worn many hats&mdash;but through them all, he&rsquo;s remained a keen observer of people and purpose. With warmth and humility, he honors the teachers, neighbors, relatives, coworkers, mentors, and his beloved wife Silvia, who shaped his journey. This memoir is both a personal testament and a tribute to the everyday heroes who quietly make life meaningful.

The Least of These - A Memoir by Bob Carnes

The Least of These
by Bob Carnes

In The Least of These, Bob Carnes reflects on a life shaped by curiosity, service, and gratitude. From his early days as a Navy veteran and engineer to his years as a journalist, oilman, and photographer, Bob has worn many hats—but through them all, he’s remained a keen observer of people and purpose. With warmth and humility, he honors the teachers, neighbors, relatives, coworkers, mentors, and his beloved wife Silvia who shaped his journey. This memoir is both a personal testament and a tribute to the everyday heroes who quietly make life meaningful.

The Least of These by Bob Carnes
In The Least of These, Bob Carnes reflects on a life shaped by curiosity, service, and gratitude. From his early days as a Navy veteran and engineer to his years as a journalist, oilman, and photographer, Bob has worn many hats&mdash;but through them all, he&rsquo;s remained a keen observer of people and purpose. With warmth and humility, he honors the teachers, neighbors, relatives, coworkers, mentors, and his beloved wife Silvia who shaped his journey. This memoir is both a personal testament and a tribute to the everyday heroes who quietly make life meaningful.