2021 may soon be in the rear view, but the sounds of Texas will linger for a long time. The year that was in Texas music on a special edition of the Texas Standard. Willie remains the king, and Beyoncé the queen… But the sound of Texas is more diverse than ever before with rule breakers, hitmakers, award winners and newly installed hall of famers. From ground breaking sounds in hip hop to the impact of covid on our listening and concert going habits, the return of western swing, and a new spotlight on the Texan who saved the Fab Four. 2021 was quite a year for Texas Music. So turn it up for this special edition of the Texas standard:
Asleep at the wheel
How Austin’s housing market helped build the music scene, and how it could destroy it
In the latest episode of Pause/Play, we’re looking at how the housing market helped build Austin’s music scene, and how it could be the thing that destroys it. You’ll hear from Austin artists about how the housing market has changed for them over the years and why some of them have decided to leave. You’ll also learn about the connection between cheap housing and thriving music scenes, musician incomes, and Austin’s housing market from experts Nicky Rowling, Michael Seman, and Audrey McGlinchy.
In this episode you’ll hear from:
Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel
Robert A. Kraft
Laura Mendoza from Cosmic Chaos
Gina Chavez
Chinasa Broxton
Listen to the documentary “Back Home to the Armadillo”
Asleep at the Wheel: “Take Me Back to Tulsa” (feat. George Strait and Willie Nelson)
In less than 24 hours ACL Fest 2021 will officially begin and who better to help put things in gear than western swing icons Asleep At The Wheel? Three years after their inception in Paw Paw, West Virginia, Ray Benson steered The Wheel down here to Austin where they went on to give the final performance at the Armadillo World Headquarters and have been rolling strong ever since.
Commemorating their colossal milestone of 50 years together, Asleep At The Wheel’s LP Half a Hundred Years comes out tomorrow, proving that it’ll take way more than five decades for The Wheel to even consider careening off course. And mere hours after the record drops, Asleep At The Wheel takes the Honda stage, 1PM at ACL Fest, so get acquainted with AATW early with one of two new collaborative singles off Half a Hundred Years, featuring ACL 2021 headliner George Strait (who plays the same evening) and previous headliner Willie Nelson, “Take Me Back to Tulsa”!
Texas Standard: June 1, 2021
An eleventh-hour walkout at the Texas State Capitol as the legislature prepares for an overtime session. High drama as Texas House democrats break quorum to head off passage of a controversial measure to tighten the state’s election laws. Although the regular session comes to an end, an overtime session is already expected. We’ll look back at what got done, what didn’t and what comes next. Also, A Harris county constables unit in the crosshairs of controversy, we’ll hear why. And 50 years of Asleep at the Wheel: Texas music legend Ray Benson takes a glance in the rear view mirror. All those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 30, 2020
60 state lawmakers, Democrats and Republicans, call on the Governor to explain a lack of transparency concerning apparent hotspots statewide. The letter to Governor Abbott cites Coronavirus outbreaks at long term care facilities for the elderly and the lack of information on what’s being done to protect residents and staffers. We’ll talk to the representative who drafted the letter. Also, a federal class action lawsuit that claims thousands are being denied relief checks because they’re married to immigrants without social security numbers. And Dr. Fred Campbell of UT Health San Antonio takes on more listener questions about COVID-19 and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Austin High
Listen back to “Austin High” a variety show hosted by Austin’s own Ray Benson from Asleep At The Wheel!
Lawrence Wright and Marcia Ball unveil a piece from their new musical, Sonny Carl Davis reprises his role from Bernie, Anne Rapp reads a one page short story that will burn a hole in your soul, Elizabeth McQueen shows us the softer side of Ray, and Katie Shore and Dennis Ludiker face off in a Texas fiddle showdown!