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Save Austin Music Gala on Friday, October 17.
The one thing you would never think needs an awareness campaign in Austin does. Live music. And what better way than with a grand concert, including Ian MacLagan, Dan Dyer, Nakia & His Southern Cousins, and more. Why the awareness campaign? Despite its high profile and annual contribution nearing the billion dollar mark to the local economy, live music in Austin faces some challenges. Proposed noise ordinances, development swallowing venues, and musicians earning the same pay rate that existed three decades ago. So, Save Austin Music is launching a PSA campaign with television commercials encouraging Austinites to do their part. Which is a pretty simple part…go see some live music. Tickets to the Gala at One World Theatre on 10/17 range from $10-$85 and are available here.
 The Roots concert has moved to La Zona Rosa.
The Sunday, October 12 concert at The Backyard has been moved to La Zona Rosa. Same Root day, same Root time, just a new Root place. All tickets purchased for the Backyard event will of course be honored at La Zona Rosa. Not sure if it’s a move due to slow sales, or perhaps the anticipation of a large retinue of zonked-out folks still looking for their van after the two-day Widespread Panic show. But if it is slow sales…what’s wrong with you, Austin? This is The Roots we’re talking ‘bout.
New additions to Fun Fun Fun Fest.
In a quest, perhaps, to add another fun to the title, Transmission Entertainment announced new additions to the already stellar FFF Fest lineup for November 8-9 in Waterloo Park. Notable new acts inlcude The Black Angels, Black Heart Procession, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears (detecting a theme?), Octopus Project, Golden Arm Trio, Ume, and Zeale & Phranchyze. For the previously announced lineup of 60+ acts, keep reading below.
 Photo: Cambria Harkey
Austin City Limits has already announced the confirmed dates for the eight annual ACL music festival in 2009, and…drum roll please…it is October 2-4! Perhaps hearing how well-received the decision to push it back one week in hopes for cooler weather was greeted this year, ACL organizers C3 Presents went even further towards fall with the big move to October. While many have been clamoring for an October move since year two, it is a very welcome decision nonetheless. (For a photo recap of ACL 2008, click here.) Also of note, installation of the underground sprinkler system for Zilker Park (paid for by C3 Presents) will begin after the Trail of Lights holiday display is finished. The result should be the disappearance of major dust issues that surfaced again this year, though not as dramatically as 2005.
Mother Trucker Josh Zee featured in Guitar Player magazine.
Guitar shredder Josh Zee of The Mother Truckers is featured in a three-page spread for the November issue of Guitar Player magazine (due to hit newsstands early October). Noted for melding high-flying, heavy-metal-worthy slashing with shuffle and twang, Zee’s guitar antics have helped catapult the roots rockers from a local Austin act to a nationally known draw. Of course, austin.com knew that some time ago. (Read here.)
 Latin legend and music pioneer, Larry Harlow screens film and joins Grupo Fantasma.
Joins for a guest stint anyway. Yep, legendary salsa originator Larry Harlow is paying a visit to Austin and performing with his disciples (aka, Grupo Fantasma) at Antone’s on 10/11, and will entertain a Q&A session after the screening of the full-length documentary, Through the Eyes of Larry Harlow, at the downtown Alamo Drafthouse (tickets here) on 10/12. Harlow was pivotal in the birth of the New York City salsa scene in the 1960s. His work with the Fania record label formed what became to be known as the Fania sound. The movement is usually considered the most important evolution of Latin music in the U.S. and gave birth to salsa. Harlow recorded more than 50 albums on piano and as bandleader, and produced over 260 records. Local heroes Grupo Fantasma credit Fania as being their greatest influence, as do countless bands throughout the world. Of course, regular readers of austin.com would already know that.
Ray Benson to be honored with Les Paul Award.
 Chalk up another accolade for the venerated Asleep at the Wheel founder, as Ray Benson joins Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Brian Wilson and more to be honored at the annual Technical Excellence and Creativity Awards. The Les Paul Award is bestowed for lifetime achievement in creative use and application of recording technology, logically named in honor of Les Paul, who began the advent of modern recording with breakthroughs such as multi-track recording. The award will be presented in San Francisco on October 3 during the Audio Engineering Society Convention. “Ray is a gifted musician and producer whose contributions to the world of music are unprecedented,” said Henry Juszkiewicz on behalf of the Gibson Foundation, who sponsors the award.  Photo: Steven Dewall
Under the Radar magazine is auctioning off the hand-made posters of dozens of indie rock musicians (each with the musician’s autograph) starting September 30 on eBay. All the proceeds will benefit War Child International, a non-profit that helps children in areas of war and conflict across the globe. The posters originally appeared in the magazine’s summer “protest issue,” and included Michael Stipe, Isaac Brock (Modes Mouse), Colin Meloy, Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie), Chuck D, and many more. Each made their own sign. Spoon's Britt Daniel, who also appeared on one of the two covers for the issue, chose to simply paint “la vida raza,” which roughly translates “long live the people,” a famous rallying cry among Mexican-American labor groups. The auctions will last for seven days; each item will be auctioned individually.
 Hayes Carll
Co-writers Hayes Carll and Brian Keane won the Americana Music Association award on 9/18 for the song “She Left Me For Jesus,” which appears on Carll’s 2008 CD, Trouble in Mind (Lost Highway Records). The humorous song is sung first-person from a jaded, spurned ex-boyfriend who is clearly chafed at his ex’s new man, some guy named Jesus. As he describes her new habits with this man he hasn’t yet met, it’s clear he’s unaware this guy is actually a religion. The humorous song is but one that has gained Carll comparisons to Townes van Zandt and Johnny Cash. Carll, based in Austin, has gained considerable acclaim for Trouble in Mind as well as 2005’s Little Rock. Keane didn’t have to travel far to claim the award at Nashville’s storied Ryman Auditorium; Keane moved to Nashville this year after being based in Austin for a few years.
HAAM Benefit Day coming up on October 7.
The third annual Health Alliance for Austin Musicians will include nearly 200 area business and 100 live band performances. The businesses have all agreed to give 5% of their proceeds from the day to HAAM, which makes possible access to low-cost primary medical care to 1200 area members-musicians who otherwise would have no way to access affordable healthcare. Low wages and no benefits make musicians particularly vulnerable to slipping through healthcare cracks, despite their enormous impact on Austin’s economy and reputation. The health care is provided by Seton Family of Hospitals, with dental care from St. David’s, and mental health and addiction recovery services from SIMS Foundation. Last year’s HAAM Benefit Day raised $180,000. For a complete list of participating businesses, and a schedule of related band performances, visit HAAM’s website.
You can nominate the next Texas State Musician.
 Shelley King
Roots Music Association prepares for the Roots Music Awards.
The selection process for the 2008 Roots Music Awards begins Thursday, 9/28, when the 3000+ music industry members can make their nominations. The awards are a centerpiece of the upcoming World United Radio Conference and Music Festival to be held in San Marcos November 14-16, 2008. The awards will be presented on the final day of the festival/conference.  Zein Al-Jundi
Born and raised in Damascus (that’s Syria), Zein Al-Jundi has called Austin home since entering UT in 1982. The former Syrian radio and television singing star has contributed a new song to Acoustic Arabia, due to be released on September 2 on the wildly popular Putumayo world music record label. The enchanting collection includes a roster of artists from all over the world, and showcases the introspective beauty of Arabic music. Al-Jundi also provided the descriptive, informative liner notes for the disc. Locally, Al-Jundi is a bit of an Arabic culture ambassador, putting on the popular Arabian Nights at Red Fez, teaching belly dance, and singing Arabic Haflehs to sold-out crowds (the next one 9/12 at La Zona Rosa). She is in the process of recording a new CD in Beirut, Lebanon.
 The National
Fun Fun Fun Fest lineup announced.
Thee stages turn to four as Fun Fun Fun Fest turns three this year at Waterloo Park, November 8-9. The full lineup, curated by Austin-based Transmission Entertainment, includes Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, The National, Deerhoof, Bad Brains, Dead Milkmen, and 60+ more. The festival showcases the best in current indie rock, punk, and hip-hop, with an eye for cutting edge buzz-makers on the rise. Among local notables are Trail of Dead, Shearwater, Grupo Fantasma, Ugly Beats, and Til We're Blue or Destroy. Performers also include comedy acts. Tickets are $60 for a two-day pass. There will be discounts for all students; children under 10 are free. The lineup is not yet available at the festival website, but austin.com has you covered with the full lineup below.
 Honeypot: day jobs at GSD&M
Battle of the Corporate Bands to benefit HAAM
It’s been said that if you walk down any Austin street, you’ll pass by a dozen guitarists. Apparently, you can’t walk in an Austin office building without doing the same, albeit a less professional-quality musician…
...or is it? Wednesday, September 3, an assembly of bands comprised of lawyers, tech geeks, pencil-pushers, secretaries and more will compete in the Battle of the Corporate Bands. Proceeds will go the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, which helps give the full-time musicians the health and dental care the contestants enjoy from their day jobs. Winners will be announced for best original band, cover band, fan favorite, and grand prize winner. A few special guests are said to be in store for the evening. The event will be a warmup for the October 7 HAAM Benefit Day. For more info, visit the HAAM website.
 Photo: Rachel Warner
Austin’s thematic, bonecrushing indie rockers …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead were added to New York’s version of the surprisingly still underground (somewhat) All Tomorrow’s Parties festival, performing the final night, Sunday, September 21. Trail of Dead was invited by headliners and event curators My Bloody Valentine. ATP started in the U.K. with the unique model of inviting an influential artist or two to curate the lineup by assembling it as they would want to. My Bloody Valentine’s New York version will include Thurston Moore, Meat Puppets, Built to Spill, Dinosaur Jr., Mercury Rev, Mogwai and many more. Between now and then, Trail of Dead will be in NYC to put the finishing touches on a new album due for release in early 2009.
KUT assembling Austin unsigned band mixtape.
KUT's Texas Music Matters is calling on the deep pool of talent that makes up Austin's independent music scene to send in songs for an ongoing Austin compilation. Independent, by the way, in its true meaning—bands/musicians working without a label. So any genre goes; as it should with a good mixtape, right? Though called (according to KUT's website) the Texas Muisc Mixtape, submissions must be from Austin. There's enough great Austin acts out there to make a library of killer mixtapes, so send 'em in here .
 Jon Dee Graham
Jon Dee Graham injured, but OK.
Gravelly-voiced, gritty Americana hero Jon Dee Graham was involved in a single-car auto accident after driving home from a Dallas gig on July 25. He suffered internal injuries, broken ribs, and other injuries and was intensive care. Though released from ICU, Graham will remain in the hospital for several more days. He is recovering, but certainly needs rest and quiet. Graham was working on material for a new recording; no word yet on when he can return to the project or his active concert schedule. Check back for updates.
The Sound and the Jury contest winner will earn slot on ACL lineup.
In what could be the ultimate battle of the bands, Austin City Limits Music Festival is once again offering a spot on the lineup as grand prize for a nationwide contest. Round 1 is underway now, and bands can still register for participation. Fans, start voting. Fan vote will narrow the field to 100 on August 22. Celebrity judges will then narrow it to 20. Round 3 goes back to fans to narrow it to the top five, who will all be flown to Austin for a rock-out finale at Antone’s on September 24. The winner of that night gets a gig on the stage. Check the official rules, but essentially as long as it is 100% your original material, you can enter your music. Three of the top five in 2007 were from Austin (nelo, Quiet Company, Golden Bear), but the winner was Abilene’s Homer Hiccolm & The Rocketboys.
 Dan Dyer
Soulful piano man with a Stevie Wonder vibe, Dan Dyer—whose weekly Momo’s residency started with sparse attendance and has grown to be all the rage—is bound for much bigger stages. As of this July, Dyer is represented by ICM (International Creative Management). ICM is a powerhouse booking agency, among their clients: Mary J. Blige and Patti LaBelle. For their part, Momo’s has proven again to be a goldmine of an incubator for blossoming talent. So the next time you bemoan paying a Lincoln for cover of some band you never heard of, keep in mind that in time, they could be playing for a Jackson…in Jacksonville.  Suzanna Choffel selected to represent Texas music.
Granted, that may be an impossible task. But the genre-crossing, preconception defying Suzanna Choffel will make a good go at it. The state’s official tourism body (Texas Tourism) is taking the Lone Star State on the road with “Texas on Tour,” a mobile marketing experience promoting Texas nationwide. No surprise, music is a big component. Even less of a surprise, Austin provided the talent pool. Choffel (Austin born and raised) will quickly dispel the thought that all Texas music is twang. Her urban-indie-soul medley seduces with grooves and exciting instrumentation (vibes, synth, sax, accordion join the guitar-bass-drum standard). The first leg of “Texas on Tour” featured Latin rock from Austin’s Vitera. After Choffel’s 5-stop stint, local blues/R&B slinger Mike Cross will round out the final leg.
Austin City Limits Producer Terry Lickona to receive AMA Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Americana Music Association is bestowing another honor upon the much deserving Terry Lickona, who has steered the pioneering "Austin City Limits" music television program since 1978. He has produced more than 800 shows for the program, which began as a Texas music showcase and grew into an iconic, culture-shaping program that boasts the National Medal of Arts in its trophy case. The AMA will present the Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement Award in Nashville at the historic Ryman Auditorium September 18 to conclude the Americana Festival and Conference.
The Backyard to go out with a Willie bang; early bird tickets on sale July 19.
The venerable Austin outdoor concert nirvana, The Backyard, has just announced a special “Final Celebration” concert with Willie Nelson and many special guests in late October. The announcement creates a more fitting closure to the beloved venue, which until now had The Gipsy Kings slated as the final act. Though no specifics on the “many special guests” are available yet, The Skinny will keep you posted as news unfolds. We can tell you tickets for the October 26th event will range from $80 all the way up to $350 Golden Circle tickets. Discounted early bird tickets of $60 will be available to the first 400 ticket buyers. So get online early on Saturday, July 19. Part of the proceeds from all tickets will benefit charities. The Backyard announced its closure after 16 seasons due to the loss of atmosphere due to recent retail development surrounding the venue. The Backyard is looking for a new location in Bee Cave.
 Photo: Carl Dunn
Reckless Kelly hits Billboard charts; finds elusive success beyond Texas.
After its first week of sales, Bulletproof (Yep Roc Records, June 24) seems to be giving local roots rockers the breakout success they’ve been seeking beyond their Texas base. With a total of 6500 units sold in one week, Bulletproof amassed enough momentum to reach #2 on Billboard's Heatseekers Chart, #22 on its Country Chart and #117 on its Top 200 Chart. Another boost could come this fall when Reckless Kelly goes on a national tour with labelmates Reverend Horton Heat.
 Shearwater
Shearwater opening for Coldplay
Now doesn't it make you kick yourself for skipping Shearwater's CD release at The Parish last month? Seeing how that ticket was, oh, something like $10. And now, they're opening for Coldplay. Not only does the crowd increase, but that ticket price will come with at least one extra zero. Thus far, Shearwater is on the bill for just the first four dates in L.A., San Jose, and Las Vegas, July 14-19. They also share the bill with Coldplay at the Pemberton Festival in British Columbia a week later. By then they'll be good buds.
Trail of Dead signs with Justice Records; new album slated for January ’09.
The swirling, bombastic rock of the anthemic …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead has found a new home. The iconic band announced June 24 they have signed with Justice Records, and simultaneously launched their own label imprint, Richter Scale Records. The material for a new full-length has already been recorded in Austin with Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Sound Team, Patty Griffin) and Chris “Frenchie” Smith (Sixteen Deluxe, Smog) producing. Trail of Dead parted ways with Interscope last fall, and took their time finding a new label. Justice Records is committed to giving bands support, without interfering with creative. Sounds like a match. The band’s sixth (yet to be titled) record will be released in January ’09 on Justice/Richter Scale Records.  Roky Erickson
Scots post-rockers Mogwai tap Roky Erickson for guest vocals.
Glasgow’s influential, instrumental ambassadors release a new full-length, The Hawk is Howling, stateside September 23rd. To whet fans’ appetite, a three-song EP (with two tracks that won’t be on the full-length) is being released September 9th. Psychedelic pioneer Roky Erickson makes a vocal cameo on the song “Devil Rides” from the EP. “Devil Rides” follows the other non-album track, “Stupid Prick Gets Chased By The Police and Loses His Slut Girlfriend.” Sounds personal.
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