Cheer Up Charlies

KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 25, 2025: Many Austin-area schools will open free or low cost after school programs this year

Central Texas top stories for August 25, 2025. Congressman Greg Casar announced today that if the new congressional map holds, he’ll run for the new Austin District 37. More than two-dozen schools in the Austin area will open free or low cost after school programs this year. The man who was driving the Leander school bus that rolled over a few weeks ago will not face criminal charges. The owners of Cheer Up Charlies say they’ve raised enough money from donations to pay their back rent. The Texas Longhorns football team starts their season this Saturday against Ohio State. Delta Airlines is adding three destinations to its roster of nonstop flights out of Austin.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public radio. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

KUT Morning Newscast for August 25, 2025: Deadlines to apply for financial assistance after the July floods are approaching

Central Texas top stories for August 25, 2025. A new lawsuit was filed right after the Texas Senate approved a new congressional map. The deadline for people affected by the July floods to apply for federal assistance is quickly approaching. We had a cooler than usual summer, we’ll explain why. Cheer Up Charlies is saved by community donations once more.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 22, 2025: What new maps mean for Austin’s congressional districts

Central Texas top stories for August 22, 2025. Congressman Lloyd Doggett has said he won’t run for re-election if the new redistricting map goes into effect. The UT System Board of Regents has signed off on a new contract for Athletic Director Chris Del Conte to keep him on the Forty Acres through 2036. There’s a dispute over how much property tax should be paid by the Tesla Gigafactory. The owners of Cheer Up Charlies say they will close at the end of the month unless they can pay overdue rent. Travis County is hosting a resource fair for people affected by July’s Sandy Creek flooding.

Who owns Austin’s venues, how it’s changed, and why it matters.

20 years ago, most of Austin’s venues were independently and locally run. But over time, corporations like Live Nation and Oak View Group have entered Austin’s venue landscape. Discover how that happened, and what it means for our live music ecosystem.

How laws targeting LGBTQIA+ Texans are impacting Austin’s live music scene

LGBTQIA+ members of Austin’s music scene talk about how proposed bans on drag performances, and laws outlawing gender-affirming care for minors are impacting their work and their lives.

You’ll hear from co-owner of Cheer Up Charlies Maggie Lea. Plus you’ll hear from Austin musicians Caleb de Casper, Lizzy Lehman, Pelvis Wrestley’s Jammy Violet, and writer/musician Jack Kaulfus.

The Return of SXSW

We’re taking a look at the first in-person SXSW in 3 years. You’ll hear from rapper and event curator J Soulja, bartender and co-founder of the Amplified Sound Coalition Jeanette Gregor, artist manager Andi Narvaez, Cheer-Up Charlie’s owners Maggie Lea and Tamara Hoover, musician and composer Graham Reynolds, freelance writer Brianna Caleri, artist, instrumentalist, bandleader and soundman Thomas Cook, and musician Jackie Venson.

One Year Later

We talked to people from across the spectrum of the Austin music ecosystem around the 1-year anniversary of the cancellation of SXSW. In this episode, you’ll hear how they’ve coped, pivoted, evolved, gained new perspectives and dealt with trauma during the last 12 months.

You’ll hear from singer, songwriter and guitar player Jackie Venson, songwriter, producer and activist Mobley, Stephanie Bergara who fronts the band Bidi Bidi Banda, Maggie Lea co-owner of Cheer-Up Charlies, musician and founder of Austin Texas Musicians Nakia, singer, songwriter and podcaster Walker Lukens, live-event coordinator, screenwriter and co-founder of The Amplified Sound Coalition, Jeannette Gregor, executive director of the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, Reenie Collins, and executive director of Austin Texas Musicians, Pat Buchta.

We have a survey and we’d love to hear what you think! Go ahead! Take the survey here!

Links:

Listen to Jackie Venson’s music

Check out Mobley’s new record “Young and Dying in the Occident Supreme”

Listen to Nakia’s new single “It’s Never Too Late.”

The Amplified Sound Coalition

Austin Texas Musicians

The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians

The Venues

In this episode, you’ll hear from the owners two Austin venues. Brodie Elkins tells the story of Scratchouse which closed due to the pandemic. Then Maggie Lea and Tamara Hoover talk about how they’ve kept their venue, Cheer Up Charlies, afloat and explain what it’s been like to get ready to reopen.

Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify

Follow Cheer Up Charlies: Instagram and Twitter

Resources:

Music Venue Alliance Austin

Red River Cultural District

National Independent Venue Alliance

Amplified Sound Coalition

Austin Texas Musicians