Back in 2005, when the hubby and I were deciding where in Texas we would settle, the music of the Lone Star State was a major consideration.
Music has always been a big part of our lives, both well before we knew each other and especially since we've been a couple.
When we were young and living in Lubbock, we were fortunate enough to see the early Flatlanders. We've been big fans of Joe, Butch and Jimmie Dale ever since.
Being a college town, the Hub City was a regular stop for touring artists, famous and on the road to wider recognition. Then there were the many clubs, such as the original Stubb's (yes, it started in Lubbock), where we got to see great shows in an intimate setting.
Even better, the hubby was involved in putting on some of the best shows around, such as the inaugural Tornado Jam. A framed flyer for the show hangs in our den.
And many years later, when the Dixie Chicks hit the scene, we were proud to say we knew lead singer Natalie Maines' dad Lloyd when he and his siblings the Maines Brothers Band were all the rage in the Panhandle. And yes, we still have a vinyl LP of Route 1, Acuff.
So Austin was really our only choice. Most of the musicians from our youth had settled here in the Lone Star State's capital city. And if it's where Willie wants to live, that's all the recommendation we need.
As residents of the Live Music Capital of the World, we try to get out to the countless shows that go on in and around the the city. Most are great examples of Texas Roots Rock, but we do branch out now and then.
On this page, I'll keep a running list of our concert experiences, along with an album we particularly like by the artists. Enjoy! And if you get a chance, come visit Austin and take in a show or two.
Lyle Lovett; Release Me
Klein, Texas' favorite son and his Large Band made their first visit to the new Austin City Limits Live/Moody Theater stage in downtown Austin on Sept. 2, 2012. Shawn Colvin was in the house and joined in for a song. And Lyle regular Arnold McCuller was fantastic!
Bob Schneider: A Perfect Day
The Austin staple took to the
Austin City Limits Live/
Moody Theater stage, rocking
the joint as usual.
Jane Monheit; Home
Our favorite female jazz singer returned to One World Theatre on May 1, 2011, so of course we were there. Another wonderful show, spotlighting tunes from her latest CD.
Patricia Vonne: Worth It
Patricia and husband Robert LaRoche
put on a stellar quasi-acoustic show
at Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve
on July 24, 2010, where the intimate setting allowed for great one-on-one time to chat with Patricia during breaks.
at Bee Cave in true Texas style
on April 25, 2010.
Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights opened the show.
The Lovers, The Dreamers and Me
Another fantastic evening
at One World Theatre on Dec. 6, 2009
with the incomparable stylings
of this young jazz singer
with a legend's soul and touch.
Terry Allen: Lubbock (On Everything)
Lubbock's answer to Randy Newman (or is Randy California's Terry Allen?) painted vivid musical artworks at UT's Cactus Cafe on July 24, 2009. A great show, mixing Terry's newer songs with Panhandle classics, and he signed our LP cover afterwards!
Asleep at the Wheel: Ride With Bob
The theatrical production
at Austin's new Long Center
March 13, 2009
A fabulous evening
of Texas musical history.
Terri Hendrix: The Spiritual Kind
San Marcos songstress and "sidekick" Lloyd Maines brought their rollicking act to West Austin's Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve on Nov. 29, 2008. Luckily for the audience, the show was indoors on this nippy late November night.
Abi Tapia opened the evening.
That little ol' band from Houston,
showed up at The Backyard
on May 15, 2008. The powerhouse trio
had played there almost every year
since the outdoor venue opened,
so they definitely had to
rock the house one final show time.
Rosie Flores opened for the guys.
Joe Ely & Joel Guzman: Live Cactus
Although they've performed together
for years, Joe Ely and Joel Guzman
put out their first album in 2008.
To kick off Live Cactus! the duo performed at historic Gruene Hall
on March 8, 2008.
Ely protege Ryan Bingham opened.
Lyle Lovett: It's Not Big It's Large
Lyle and his Large Band
filled Stubb's BBQ
outdoor stage on Oct. 15, 2007.
Joe Ely was in the audience,
and he joined Lyle for a duet
of "My Baby Don't Tolerate."
Patricia Vonne: Firebird
This San Antonio native headed to
Austin's western suburbs Oct. 13, 2007,
for a private Barker House Concert
to celebrate the release of her new CD.
Jane Monheit: Surrender
This young Jazz chanteuse
sang torchy selections
from Surrender and earlier CDs
at One World Theatre
on Sept. 23, 2007.
Elizabeth McQueen: Fresh Up Club
Better known as a vocalist with
Asleep at the Wheel, McQueen
headlined Threadgill's World HQ
on Feb. 26, 2007. Her AATW
colleague Jason Roberts joined her
for couple of songs.
Dixie Chicks: Taking the Long Way
Whatever route they traveled,
this feisty trio found their way home
to Austin, where on Dec. 4, 2006,
they performed at UT's Erwin Center.
Pete Yorn opened the show.
Asleep at the Wheel:
Reinventing the Wheel
This classic Texas swing band
rocked Austin's Paramount Theater
on Nov. 25, 2006.
Joe Ely: Letter to Laredo
Joe brought his songs of Texas
to historic Gruene Hall
on Sept. 30, 2006.
The Band of Heathens
got things started.
More on the show here.
Double Trouble: Been a Long Time
The spirit of Stevie Ray Vaughan
filled Austin's Zilker Park on Aug. 23, 2006,
as Joe Ely helped the band perform
at the Blues on the Green show.
Garrison Keillor:
Prairie Home Companion
Lake Woebegon met Lake Travis
on June 10, 2006, as the radio show
taped at UT's Bass Concert Hall.
Joe Ely and the High Flyers
provided musical interludes.
More on the show here.
Bruce Robison: Eleven Stories
The country songwriter extraordinairre
debued his latest CD of 11 songs
at Threadgill's World Headquarters
on April 15, 2006
More on the show here..
Charlie Robison: Step Right Up
The older, rowdier Robison boy
took to the stage at historic
Luckenbach Dance Hall
on March 11, 2006.
A good time was had by all.
More on the show here.
Joe Ely: Live Shots
There's no better way for Texans
to ring in the new year than with
Joe's Texas troubadour tales
at historic Floores Country Store
in Helotes on Dec. 29, 2005.
Patricia Vonne opened. Details here.
Asleep at the Wheel: Ride With Bob
The Broken Spoke in South Austin
is just the kind of place Bob Wills
would have loved. The late, great
Austin club owner Clifford Antone
was among those packing
the dance floor on Dec. 16, 2005.
Details here.
.
Willie Nelson: Red Headed Stranger
Willie, the patron saint of Texas
-- Hell, of all -- musicians once again
showed why everyone loves him.
On Sept. 21, 2005, he rounded up
some friends and put on a
Hurricane Katrina Relief Concert,
Neighbors in Need, at the University of Texas' Frank Erwin Center.
Austin favorite son and seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong made an appearance to introduce Willie at the Katrina concert. He didn't sing, but lots of other folks did. Other performers included:
The Flatlanders:
More a Legend than a Band
Hurricane Katrina Relief Concert,
Neighbors in Need,
Erwin Center, Sept. 21, 2005
Bob Schneider: I'm Good Now
Hurricane Katrina Relief Concert,
Neighbors in Need,
Erwin Center, Sept. 21, 2005
The Neville Brothers: Fiyo on the Bayou
Hurricane Katrina Relief Concert,
Neighbors in Need,
Erwin Center, Sept. 21, 2005
Patty Griffin: Impossible Dream
Hurricane Katrina Relief Concert,
Neighbors in Need,
Erwin Center, Sept. 21, 2005
Ray Price: The Essential Ray Price
Hurricane Katrina Relief Concert,
Neighbors in Need,
Erwin Center, Sept. 21, 2005
Eric Johnson: Live from Austin, TX
Hurricane Katrina Relief Concert,
Neighbors in Need,
Erwin Center, Sept. 21, 2005
Jimmie Vaughan: Strange Pleasure
Hurricane Katrina Relief Concert,
Neighbors in Need,
Erwin Center, Sept. 21, 2005
Patricia Vonne: Guitars & Castanets
Our first show as new Austinites was
Patricia Vonne's CD release party
at Austin's Continental Club
on Sept. 9, 2005.
Yep, it definitely feels, and sounds, good to be home!
A version of this page originally appeared as the Nov. 16, 2008, blog post Rocking around Austin, Texas, Live Music Capital of the World.
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