The Austin Sound: A History of Live Music in Austin

What is the Austin Sound? It’s roughly a blend of country, folk, rock, gospel & blues. In 1991, Austin officially adopted the motto: ‘Live Music Capital of the World’. But the story goes back much further. Live music has always been in Austin’s roots. In the beginning, all music in Austin was live, a hearty blend of hymns, spirituals, beer-hall tunes, folk songs, cowboy ballads, tribal chant, and more.  It drew its inspiration from diverse influences and many cultures. This presentation will explore the roots and evolution of the current Austin Music Scene. We’ll talk about the factors, personalities, venues, and events contributing to live music here in Austin that continue to foster live music in The Live Music Capital of the World.  

About our Speaker: 

Billy Brookshire is a training consultant, public speaker, and tour-guide in private practice. He has presented workshops throughout the US and Canada. He has served as President of the Intergovernmental Training Council, the Texas Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, the International Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired; and he is a past Chair of the Governing Committee of the Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field. In addition, he narrates for the Talking Book Program & has served on the boards of All Blind Children of Texas and the Austin Tour Guide Association. As an Austin Tour Guide, he designs and conducts custom tours of beautiful Austin, TX. For more information on the Austin Tour Guide Association, check out: http://www.austintourguides.org/. He is also the award-winning author of 'Loving Me: A Guide to Creating and Presenting Workshops on Self-Esteem'.

*** Please note that this week we will meet in building 582, which is just to the northwest of our normal location. It is a short walk from where we usually park, or you can park directly in front of building 582. ***