Padres Address

Padre's

Padre's GroupABOUT HOW WE HAPPENED

God moves in mysterious ways. When Bill Miller started his career as the Youth Minister at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in Houston, David Beebe was in his youth group. David participated in a number of mission trips with Father Bill, to Mexico to build houses for those in need, and later to New York City to think more critically about social issues and how to address them from a caring, ethical perspective. Even as a teenager, David was a singular and unique individual, as well as a gifted musician. David's band, Banana Blender Surprise, played at Father Bill's 30th birthday party at the St. John's parish hall. Years later their paths crossed again in Austin when David was at UT and Father Bill was the priest of a historically African-American parish on Austin's East Side. David was performing in various bands in Austin at the time, and Bill was often in the audience. Years later, within a few weeks of accepting a position to become Rector of historic Trinity Church on Main Street in Midtown Houston, the Continental Club announced that it was opening a second location in Texas - one block from Trinity Church! And David Beebe would become one of the primary partners of the Continental Club, making his home in the same building and attending Church at Trinity. It was at Trinity Church that Doug Pecore and Bill Miller became friends. Over a beer one evening at a Scottish pub near Rice University, they began to compare notes about their longtime dreams of a live music venue and their mutual love for Marfa, a part of Texas to which they had both been traveling for decades. They raised a toast of Guinness (or was it Shiner Bock?) shook hands, and within a few weeks, Doug and Bill began scouting potential locations in Marfa. Time passed. After a few false starts, the building at 209 West El Paso was purchased. Over lunch at the Black Labrador Pub in Houston, Bill approached David about becoming the general manager of Padre's. It was a transitional time in David's life as he was having surgery on his throat and would not be able to perform for up to a year. Initially resistant, David agreed to travel to Marfa and explore the possibility of making a life there. Upon his arrival, he fell in love with this unique Texas town, discovered some good musician friends already living in Marfa, went back to Houston, and loaded up his vintage autos and Airstream trailer, headed to Marfa, and never looked back.  Bill, David, and Doug form a kind of "Trinity" of Padre's partners, each playing a unique and necessary role. They are very grateful and feel blessed to have this opportunity to create something special in Marfa, Texas. While David is actively involved in the Marfa community, Bill and Doug will be in Marfa as often as their schedule allows, particularly during music festivals and other special weekends at Padre's.