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.

Bob Carnes - The Least of These - Tough Times For Texans In A Town Like Alice

Bob Carnes discusses his memoir The Least of These, sharing stories centered on dogs that entered his life despite his insistence he’s “not a dog person.” After buying a family farm in Northwest Wilson County and helping his brother Mike as Alzheimer’s set in, Bob begins feeding a shy pregnant stray, Blackie, rescues her six puppies using a hog trap, and later regrets not paying for Blackie’s heartworm treatment. He recounts Blondie’s arrival and how the pack’s dynamic shifts when the well-bred, independent Wolf appears, ranges widely, and is ultimately shot after killing two small dogs. Bob compares Wolf to ShakaZulu, a roaming boxer-Doberman from South Africa, and adds lighter anecdotes about a golf-course fetcher, his daughter’s clever blue heeler Freckles, and a border collie that rode an Austin bus to campus, before closing with memories of his grandmother’s biscuits and two career eagles at Lions Golf Club.
00:00 Memoir Setup
00:23 Wolf Arrives
01:47 Feeding Blackie
03:31 Puppies and Hog Trap
05:10 Heartworm Regret
06:17 Blondie Joins In
07:45 Wolf Leads Pack
09:18 Shaka Zulu Flashback
14:07 Wolf's Fate
15:03 Other Memorable Dogs
17:21 Bus Riding Collie
19:57 Not a Dog Person
22:00 Grandma's Cooking
23:15 Feral Hogs in Texas
24:09 Shaka Name Explained
25:50 Cats and Independence
28:33 Golf Shot of Life
30:08 Closing Banter

Bob Carnes discusses his memoir The Least of These, sharing stories centered on dogs that entered his life despite his insistence he&rsquo;s &ldquo;not a dog person.&rdquo; After buying a family farm in Northwest Wilson County and helping his brother Mike as Alzheimer&rsquo;s set in, Bob begins feeding a shy pregnant stray, Blackie, rescues her six puppies using a hog trap, and later regrets not paying for Blackie&rsquo;s heartworm treatment. He recounts Blondie&rsquo;s arrival and how the pack&rsquo;s dynamic shifts when the well-bred, independent Wolf appears, ranges widely, and is ultimately shot after killing two small dogs. Bob compares Wolf to ShakaZulu, a roaming boxer-Doberman from South Africa, and adds lighter anecdotes about a golf-course fetcher, his daughter&rsquo;s clever blue heeler Freckles, and a border collie that rode an Austin bus to campus, before closing with memories of his grandmother&rsquo;s biscuits and two career eagles at Lions Golf Club.
<ul>
<li>00:00 Memoir Setup</li>
<li>00:23 Wolf Arrives</li>
<li>01:47 Feeding Blackie</li>
<li>03:31 Puppies and Hog Trap</li>
<li>05:10 Heartworm Regret</li>
<li>06:17 Blondie Joins In</li>
<li>07:45 Wolf Leads Pack</li>
<li>09:18 Shaka Zulu Flashback</li>
<li>14:07 Wolf's Fate</li>
<li>15:03 Other Memorable Dogs</li>
<li>17:21 Bus Riding Collie</li>
<li>19:57 Not a Dog Person</li>
<li>22:00 Grandma's Cooking</li>
<li>23:15 Feral Hogs in Texas</li>
<li>24:09 Shaka Name Explained</li>
<li>25:50 Cats and Independence</li>
<li>28:33 Golf Shot of Life</li>
<li>30:08 Closing Banter</li>
</ul>

The Least of These - A Memoir by Bob Carnes - Dogs

Snubbing Hands Offshore: Brutal Work, High Pressure, and the Legend of Lynn Boyd

The script recounts the dangerous, high-paying world of offshore snubbing hands—tougher and riskier than wireline work—through Bob Carnes experiences on a Louisiana well job removing a stuck 10,000-foot kill string, breaking joints by synchronized sledgehammer blows while being drenched in burning calcium chloride. After days of labor, the well comes up to 4,000 PSI, and the narrator describes the terrifying force of venting pressure and the chemical and sun damage that caused circular skin lesions and a severe rash. He then profiles Lynn Boyd, a massive but surprisingly agile snubbing hand who becomes an empathetic mentor figure, including stories of bar culture, a notorious nightclub fight, and other rough-edged offshore camaraderie, ending with a reflective conversation about teamwork, unintended impacts, and storytelling.

 
00:00 Meet the Snubbing Hands
01:14 First Offshore Job Setup
02:08 Sledgehammering the Kill String
03:28 Pressure Shock and Chemical Burns
05:08 Lynn Boyd the Force of Nature
06:53 Hard Times and Getting Hired
08:01 Cheryl and Lynn’s Home Life
09:39 The Nightclub Brawl Legend
11:06 Watching Life in the Bars
12:34 Blowing a Fortune Fast
14:32 Jaw Wired Shut at the Fire
15:39 Why Lynn Made It Work
17:41 Interview Reflections on Teamwork
21:03 Bar Fighting and Navy Chaos
24:29 Food and Cajun Tall Tales
25:20 Gorilla in the Parking Lot

Snubbing Hands Offshore: Brutal Work, High Pressure, and the Legend of Lynn Boyd
The script recounts the dangerous, high-paying world of offshore snubbing hands&mdash;tougher and riskier than wireline work&mdash;through Bob Carnes experiences on a Louisiana well job removing a stuck 10,000-foot kill string, breaking joints by synchronized sledgehammer blows while being drenched in burning calcium chloride. After days of labor, the well comes up to 4,000 PSI, and the narrator describes the terrifying force of venting pressure and the chemical and sun damage that caused circular skin lesions and a severe rash. He then profiles Lynn Boyd, a massive but surprisingly agile snubbing hand who becomes an empathetic mentor figure, including stories of bar culture, a notorious nightclub fight, and other rough-edged offshore camaraderie, ending with a reflective conversation about teamwork, unintended impacts, and storytelling.
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>00:00 Meet the Snubbing Hands</li>
<li>01:14 First Offshore Job Setup</li>
<li>02:08 Sledgehammering the Kill String</li>
<li>03:28 Pressure Shock and Chemical Burns</li>
<li>05:08 Lynn Boyd the Force of Nature</li>
<li>06:53 Hard Times and Getting Hired</li>
<li>08:01 Cheryl and Lynn&rsquo;s Home Life</li>
<li>09:39 The Nightclub Brawl Legend</li>
<li>11:06 Watching Life in the Bars</li>
<li>12:34 Blowing a Fortune Fast</li>
<li>14:32 Jaw Wired Shut at the Fire</li>
<li>15:39 Why Lynn Made It Work</li>
<li>17:41 Interview Reflections on Teamwork</li>
<li>21:03 Bar Fighting and Navy Chaos</li>
<li>24:29 Food and Cajun Tall Tales</li>
<li>25:20 Gorilla in the Parking Lot</li>
</ul>

The Least of These - A Memoir by Bob Carnes -Snubbing Hands - 114 

From College to the USS Walker: Bob Carnes on Growing Up in the Navy (1961–1965)

Bob Carnes recounts leaving college after poor grades and, after being told he was “too smart” for the Marines, enlisting in the Navy in 1961.

Though initially signed for electronics and nuclear training, he chose deck force work instead and found he loved the sun, physical labor, seamanship, and life at sea aboard the USS Walker out of Pearl Harbor, including typhoons and West Pacific ports like Japan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines.

He reflects on Honolulu’s sailor districts, friendships and racial dynamics aboard ship, memorable incidents involving shipmates, and respect for a few standout leaders. He explains why he didn’t make the Navy a career, notes near-miss involvement in early Vietnam-era operations, and says the Navy helped him mature, value teamwork, and appreciate hard work.
00:00 College Detour
01:09 Accidental Navy Enlistment
02:33 ET School Ultimatum
04:15 Pearl Harbor Arrival
04:56 Deck Force Life
06:34 Sea Wonders and Storms
08:18 Liberty in Honolulu
09:54 Cars Dating and Growing Up
11:04 Rank Tests and War Rumors
12:32 Officers Worth Respect
14:49 Tough Chiefs and Odd Bosses
18:02 Carl Cobb and Race
20:07 Purvis Stories and Close Call
24:27 Why Not a Navy Career
26:14 NYEP Offer Turned Down
27:11 Interview Reflections
32:31 Vietnam Near Misses
35:02 Service Thanks and Closing

From College to the USS Walker: Bob Carnes on Growing Up in the Navy (1961&ndash;1965)
Bob Carnes recounts leaving college after poor grades and, after being told he was &ldquo;too smart&rdquo; for the Marines, enlisting in the Navy in 1961.
Though initially signed for electronics and nuclear training, he chose deck force work instead and found he loved the sun, physical labor, seamanship, and life at sea aboard the USS Walker out of Pearl Harbor, including typhoons and West Pacific ports like Japan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines.
He reflects on Honolulu&rsquo;s sailor districts, friendships and racial dynamics aboard ship, memorable incidents involving shipmates, and respect for a few standout leaders. He explains why he didn&rsquo;t make the Navy a career, notes near-miss involvement in early Vietnam-era operations, and says the Navy helped him mature, value teamwork, and appreciate hard work.
<ul>
<li>00:00 College Detour</li>
<li>01:09 Accidental Navy Enlistment</li>
<li>02:33 ET School Ultimatum</li>
<li>04:15 Pearl Harbor Arrival</li>
<li>04:56 Deck Force Life</li>
<li>06:34 Sea Wonders and Storms</li>
<li>08:18 Liberty in Honolulu</li>
<li>09:54 Cars Dating and Growing Up</li>
<li>11:04 Rank Tests and War Rumors</li>
<li>12:32 Officers Worth Respect</li>
<li>14:49 Tough Chiefs and Odd Bosses</li>
<li>18:02 Carl Cobb and Race</li>
<li>20:07 Purvis Stories and Close Call</li>
<li>24:27 Why Not a Navy Career</li>
<li>26:14 NYEP Offer Turned Down</li>
<li>27:11 Interview Reflections</li>
<li>32:31 Vietnam Near Misses</li>
<li>35:02 Service Thanks and Closing</li>
</ul>

Bob Carnes - The Least of These - Tough Times For Texans In A Town Like Alice

The Least of These - A Memoir by Bob Carnes

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