Today we’d like to introduce you to Carley du Menil.
Hi Carley, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The Hotel Turkey was originally founded in 1927 as a railway depot hotel on the Fort Worth and Denver South Plains Railway. Operated in various incarnations but never closing, Pat and Tina Carson purchased the Hotel Turkey in 2015 with the express purpose of breathing new life into the historic, albeit aging, property. From day one they sunk their hearts into with the hope of providing a gathering place for locals and a place to visit for guests near and far. Tina, having been born and raised in Turkey, had seen the Hotel go through many changes. Pat, having lived in Turkey since graduating college, hoped to bring his love of music to a new crowd.
I found the Hotel and Turkey through their love of music and dedication to making the Hotel Turkey a destination. My ex-husband and I were one of the first musical guests at the Hotel after Pat and Tina purchased the Hotel and from the moment I arrived here, I knew there was something special about the place. At the time I was working in non-profit fundraising for Texas Tech, but as life does, it was pushing me to a different path, and I found myself living and working in Turkey.
I did not move to Turkey to be a part of the Hotel, but it was easy to become obsessed with what Pat and Tina were doing and want to help out. In 2018, I became an official part of the Hotel, and we have never looked back. From small crowds and cramped rooms to 1oos of people a night and rooms that are a delight to stay in. We have worked hard to turn Turkey, Texas into a year-round destination.
Just like Pat and Tina. (Pat has a full-time insurance agency. And until very recently Tina was a full-time teacher at Valley ISD). I wear many hats to make life work in Turkey and spend a decent amount of time photographing musicians in Texas and beyond.
We have a huge number of people that return to visit us each year, and that is the best endorsement I can think of. We now host weddings, events, and huge outdoor concerts in addition to our nightly acoustic acts, are incredibly involved in our community, and try to make our rural destination feel like home to anyone who makes it out our way.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Trying to create a thriving destination in a town of 300 comes with incredible challenges but opportunities as well.
Staffing has been a challenge, but at the moment we have the best crew we could ever have.
Booking talent can be a challenge because of seasonal changes, but we have cultivated such an amazing relationship with musicians across the state and the country that we could fill three music calendars if given the opportunity.
Also, being out here in the sticks can present some supply challenges, but between weekly runs to town and great suppliers, we manage that as well.
Pat and Tina bought the Hotel while their 3 children were still in high school, but somehow managed to raise three wonderful children and re-establish the Hotel.
I mentioned my ex-husband. He was a part of the Hotel as well, and that was a difficult transition but was ultimately for the best as we have all grown and enjoy the Hotel more, and our successes have just multiplied since then
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My favorite thing Pat says about the Hotel is that it doesn’t belong to us. It belongs to the community, and we are just its caretakers.
And that could not be more true. We are the home of Bob Wills and Western Swing music, and that leads to so many fun opportunities for our little town, it means that there is something special about here that fosters creativity and music.
We are dedicated as the Hotel to not only fostering that creativity but also being an active participant in creating memories, music, and magic for our artists, guests, and residents of town.
We host our weekly performances but have also started a new video series call the Boot Shop Sessions. Intimate one-take performances that people can enjoy around the world and feel like they are at Hotel Turkey.
We host musicians for days while they write or record their next album. Here in Turkey.
We encourage photographers and videographers to take advantage of all the magic and mystic we have to offer.
There is something special about this remote almost forgotten place that is quickly becoming a not so best kept secret.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Not sure this applies to the track this interview took, but my favorite memories at the Hotel are so varied.
I have had the pleasure of singing my favorite songs with my favorite writers on stage here.
I have had the absolute joy of watching a crowd full of people discover new music they will love forever.
I have watched my friends and partners, Pat and Tina, be recognized for the absolute insanity that was buying this Hotel and what we have done with it.
I have cried watching two people join their lives under our sweeping Mulberry tree.
Too many good memories to type, actually.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hotelturkeytexas.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/hotelturkeytx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HotelTurkey/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTXJxtOhu1TlrbnCSOskFBQ
Image Credits
Charlie Stout
Carley du Menil
Lauren Decker
