Chandor Gardens Foundation is excited to present the next installment of the ongoing Wine & Words Speaker Series with writer, story teller and humorist Dave Lieber speaking about his play and companion book AMON! The Ultimate Texan on Friday, October 3, 2025 in the Great Room of Chandor Gardens at 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm).
Dave Liebel wrote AMON! The Ultimate Texan the story of “Mr. Fort Worth”, one of the most amazing Texans who ever lived. Born in a log cabin and with only an eighth-grade education, Amon G. Carter Sr (1879 – 1955) became Texas’ most powerful media overlord. Presidents put up with him because he owned the largest newspaper, radio and television station in Texas. He had a big heart, but a bigger sense for business and for the future. He was one of a kind and the play the companion book – brings the story of this remarkable Texan back to life.
Dave’s play and companion book AMON! The Ultimate Texan debuted in 2019, and was a smash hit. The play has already been performed more than 60 times and counting. The book presents 100 classic photographs from the era that bring Amon Carter to life. In his play and companion book Dave highlights Amon Carter's legacy and his rivalry with Dallas, where he felt businesses were being stolen from Fort Worth. Carter was the owner of Fort Worth’s newspaper, radio station, and TV station, which gave him an iron grip on the city and as much as he loved Fort Worth, he hated Dallas.
Flashy, excessive, impulsive and powerful, the pretend-cowboy manipulated presidents with gifts and hobnobbed with celebrities. At every turn, Carter fought arch-rival Dallas. He liked to say that “Fort Worth is where the West begins which means Dallas is where the East peters out”. Dallas, or Little D as he called it, was his public enemy #1. Anytime he could take a swipe at Dallas, by carrying a sack lunch to Little D so he wouldn’t have to spend any money over there, he did it. His hobby was stealing businesses away. Why do you think American Airlines is here [Fort Worth], not over there [Dallas]?
Texas is what it is today – a leader in industry, especially aviation – in part because of the work Carter did in the first half of the 20th century. A one-man economic development department for Fort Worth and vast West Texas, Carter is credited with luring a trillion dollars’ worth of businesses to his beloved state.
Dave Liebel is a masterful story teller, funny, engaging and one of Texas’ most popular speakers.
The book AMON! The Ultimate Texan will be available for purchase at this event and Dave will be available to sign copies after the presentation.
Tickets $35 (includes wine & beer)
Tickets will go on sale in August
About Dave Liebel:
Dave Lieber, a humorist and storyteller, has used stories to help change our world, and is one of Texas' most popular speakers. He has worked as a Texas newspaper columnist for more than 30 years – first at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and now at The Dallas Morning News where he writes the twice-weekly investigative “Watchdog” column. In 2019, he received top prize in the nation’s largest column-writing contest. A judge stated, “Through a lively combination of consumer advocacy and investigative reporting, Lieber’s columns were models of suspenseful storytelling and public service.”
Dave works to expose corruption and make positive change. He is founder of a consumer rights movement — WatchdogNation.com — which shows Americans how to protect themselves from thugs, thieves, scammers, and corporate skulduggery.
In addition, he is the 2022 winner of the Ernie Pyle Award for excellent writing from the Ernie Pyle Legacy Foundation.
Dave is also a certified professional speaker, one of only a thousand in the world. He specializes in teaching strategic storytelling to businesses, groups and individuals.
He is the author of ten popular books. His most recent two are; Dandy Don Meredith – The First Dallas Cowboy and SEARCHING FOR PEROT - My Journey to Discover Texas' Top Family.
Dave became a playwright with his hit -- AMON! The Ultimate Texan -- about the legendary Texas powerhouse publisher, Amon G. Carter. Carter ran the state’s largest newspaper as well as the biggest radio and TV stations in Texas. The book is a companion piece to the theatrical production of the same name, also written by Dave. The play won several awards and has played over 60 times and counting in many Texas cities.
The book tells all the classic stories of one of America’s best known (pretend) cowboys. Amon knew presidents, celebrities and even his paperboys. His effect on the Lone Star State, its history and growth, is astounding. And the stories of his life are amazing!
Dave’s other books include his popular Dave Lieber’s Watchdog Nation: Bite Back When Businesses and Scammers Do You Wrong, which shows American’s how to fight back and win against corporate abuse of customers and actual scammers.
His popular The Dog of My Nightmares: Stories by Texas Columnist Dave Lieber includes nearly 100 wonderful stories that make you laugh and cry.
On a personal note, Dave is co-founder of one of North Texas' largest children's charities, Summer Santa, which serves thousands of children each year through a volunteer service that has no office or paid staff. His work for Summer Santa earned him the Will Rogers Humanitarian Award which goes to the U.S. newspaper columnist whose work produces positive effects on the lives of readers.
Amon Carter
