Steve Hathcock traveled extensively and worked at many trades before moving to the South Padre Island area, where he's lived for nearly twenty years. At one time or another, he's operated a print shop, published a travel and entertainment magazine, and owned a locksmith store on the island, and, for the past eleven years, he's been the proud proprietor of Padre Island Trading Co.--a used bookstore, gourmet coffee pub, and haven for local treasure hunters, amateur historians, and artists of all kinds.

In addition to running the store with his partner Kay Lay, Steve is a registered massage therapist, local historian, avid treasure hunter, rare book collector and locator, and storyteller. He writes regular columns about his treasure-hunting adventures for various local publications, and, five years ago, released "Hathcock's Old Map", a 24-by-36-in. treasure and history guide of the Island and the lower Rio Grande Valley that illustrates many of the sites mentioned in his columns. In the winter months, Steve also teaches a metal-detecting course through the University of Texas at Brownsville.

Steve has also released two volumes of The Rio Story Teller Series, which contains selected works of his own and other area writers. This summer, he'll be releasing a third book, Exploring Padre Island, a collection of his treasure-hunting and historical stories.

He and his three Golden Retrievers, Jack (the dog), Mr. Bubba Sue, and Tobasco (DeRasquel) can often be seen exploring the beaches and dunes, always in search of a new adventure, or greeting customers at his store.

Kay Lay, Manager of Padre Island Trading Co., grew up in the lower Rio Grande Valley. While pursuing a career in dance, she found herself living everywhere from Costa Rica, Central America, to the Pacific Northwest, before returning to settle on South Padre Island.

Always an enthusiastic lover of nature, especially the ocean environment, Kay became involved in whale research through the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network (TMMSN) while living on Galveston Island, Texas. This interest changed her focus in life, and she and her sister, Gayle Runnels of McAllen, Texas, created Blubber Buddies, Inc., through which they recently published the first in a series of children's books, Amigo, the Friendly Gray Whale.

Working with all age groups, via her professional careers and personal endeavors, has given Kay a rare insight into the power and value of teaching. From whale programs for schools to hands-on field studies about the marine environment, she has enjoyed sharing her experiences with others.

Kay's only child, son Rusty, currently resides in Costa Rica where he, too, lives a life in tune with nature.

Steve Farrell is a versatile singer/songwriter with an enormous collection of original material, ranging from ballads to blues to funk to heavy metal to rock 'n' roll to songs with classical overtones. His musical influences include Frank Zappa, Wagner, Dylan, Stravinsky, Capt. Beefheart, and, of course, the Beatles and the Stones. It's no surprise, then, that he's the son of an accomplished jazz musician. His father, Thomas Farrell, played the saxophone and clarinet with incredible precision.

As well as playing the guitar, Steve also plays the drums, piano, harmonica, and other instruments. He's also recorded a children's CD with one of his best friends, Chris Robison, who was once a member of John Lennon's back-up band, Elephant's Memory. He'll have another CD of original songs available soon.

Steve grew up in New Jersey, moved to New York City at an early age, and stayed there for quite some time. For the past fifteen years, he's called his little black dog Babe, who's been fortunate enough to meet Raquel Welch and Matthew Broderick on the streets of Manhattan, one of his dearest companions. After traveling cross-country in a motor home and living in California for awhile, he and Babe finally made South Padre Island their home.

Steve is a regular fixture at Padre Island Trading Co., always ready to play a tune or two. So, drop on by, and have a listen.