MODEL T LAKE TRIP

In Lakewood’s early days, neighbors could look at the intersection of Lakewood and Tokalon and see open land. In 1926, this picture was taken of a Model T traveling up the hill on Lakewood Boulevard toward the intersection with Lakeshore. The shadow in the foreground is Glen D. Davis, the original owner of the home at 6840 Lakewood. The pond in the front yard was originally a natural spring that was converted into a wading pool for Davis’ two daughters. The land was purchased from Albert Dines, and Betram Hill was the architect who designed the house. Today, the pond is home to ducks, though the spring dried up long ago. The neighborhood has filled in since then, with sprawling trees and beautiful homes lining the historic boulevard.

Beck may have two turntables, but Mark Pirro’s copper microphone is where it’s at.

In addition to Beck, Jack White, Sam Smith, Snoop Dogg, Norah Jones and St. Vincent all use Pirro’s “copperphone,” an unique microphone he first created using PVC pipe and duct tape.

Pirro, who builds the microphones in the workshop behind his East Dallas home, came by his audio success honestly. While attending the University of North Texas, his guitar-playing neighbor Wes Berggren was looking to start a band. When Berggren met Tim DeLaughter at an acting conservancy, Pirro joined and the three formed Tripping Daisy.

Peaking during the 1990s wave of alternative rock, the band’s success took Pirro by surprise. “I didn’t know that I was ready for what was about to happen,” Pirro says. They signed to a major label, began to tour and record. Soon, their song “I Got a Girl” was No. 6 on the alternative rock charts and made its way to extended play on MTV.

Pirro’s early success is embodied by the time he heard a nearby car playing his song on the radio while he was in college at UNT. Tragically, Berggren died in 1999 of a drug overdose, but Pirro would continue to work with DeLaughter, forming The Polyphonic Spree in 2000.