Chet Warner, the host of the Texas television travel program The Daytripper, visited Mexia Thursday and Friday, Jan. 23-24, to film an episode that will broadcast in May on PBS Channel KERA-13.
Warner said the Cindy Walker house on Brooks Street that is being renovated to create a museum and community music studio honoring the American songwriter, along with Fort Parker State Park, drew the show’s attention to Mexia.
“Mexia epitomizes the type of community we want to showcase,” Warner said. “It’s a perfect example of why I love doing this show.”
Warner noted that Mexia, which is rich with history, is “overshadowed and under the radar” when it comes to being recognized as a tourist destination, as are many of the places the show’s five-member road crew visits. The show’s premise is that “no matter where you go in this incredible state” exploration can be fascinating, he said.
The Daytripper focuses on areas ideal for one-day visits, exploring the food, culture and history of Texas towns.
The crew spent two hours Thursday at the Cindy Walker house with Cindy Walker Foundation Executive Director Lindsay Liepman giving them a tour and briefing them on the history of Walker’s life and career, the house and the foundation’s restoration plans. Then they went to work filming, following a plan Warner laid out verbally during the house tour.
On Friday, the crew visited Fort Parker State Park. They also visited Cindy Walker’s grave in Mexia City Cemetery and restaurants Joe Friday’s and The Farm House during the two-day visit.  Two other smaller, unnamed eating establishments declined to participate because “they didn’t want the publicity,” he said.
Although the show presents a one-day plan for visiting a community, the filming takes the crew, which is based in Georgetown, two days, Warner said. Then 120 hours are spent boiling the footage down into a 30-minute episode. To make sure everything blends seamlessly, Warner said he wears the same clothes for two days during filming.
The Daytripper’s decision to film an episode in Mexia spotlighting the foundation’s project is gratifying, said Liepman, who has become expert on Walker’s life and career from sifting through the contents of the songwriter’s home, interviewing her relatives and extensive research. The show will likely feature some details about Walker’s life that are not commonly known, like her wealth and love life.
“The light that Chet and his show can shine on Mexia is immeasurable,” Liepman said. “Not only was it a joy to give him a tour of the Cindy Walker home, but I think Cindy would have gotten such a kick out of his humor. We are grateful for his time and talent. The entire crew was a delight. We are encouraged that Cindy’s story and the reason she chose to live in Mexia will be shared with viewers of The Daytripper.”
Liepman said the tour for Warner and his crew is the last time anyone will be allowed into the house before it is restoration. Crews are about to gut it for the rehabilitation.
For information about The Daytripper visit www.thedaytripper.com .