Author: roggie

LEADERSHIP, LOVE, LIFE AND LINEAGE IN TUCSON

I have been working from Tucson this week, as my parents help me celebrate clients Flam Chen on the opening night of The Fisher’s Wife: A Pyrotechnic Fish Tale at Mercado San Agustin  Annex Festival Grounds  (just being finished as I type this)!

If you go

What: Flam Chen’s The Fisher’s Wife: A Pyrotechnic Fish Tale

When: Doors open at 7 p.m. Show begins at 8 p.m. April 19, 20, 26-28

Where: Mercado San Agustin Annex Festival Grounds, 267 Avenida del Convento

Cost: $25 each or $45 for two tickets, $10 for children at the door. VIP seating is available for $50 a person.

Tickets/information: flamchen.com

This is an exciting time for my hometown. The market district is an expansion of the Mercado San Agustin, led by Kira Dixon-Weinstein, executive director of Mercado San Agustin at the Gadsden Co. they are bringing 13 new locally owned businesses such as Hermosa Coffee, Beaut Burger and Westbound housed entirely in modified shipping containers. The festival grounds will provide a versatile new venue for concerts, festivals and community events. I am happy to say this means more Tucson I my future!

Another event that was new to me was the Tucson Poetry Festival. I attended a workshop and made a new friend who introduced me to his friend, Jake Feinberg. Jake hosts a radio the show Powertalk 1210 which revolves around the 4 L’s (Leadership, Love, Life and Lineage). As you may know these are 4 words I hold near and dear. I learned that Jake has interviewed many of my friends, clients past and present and many others I admire. My turn in the chair is Thursday April 19.

The Henry Gross interview provides great opportunity to hear Jake show off his love of music, life and lineage. My client Henry, like all of the artists I admire has quite a charmed past. Listen below to hear for yourself.

http://www.jakefeinbergshow.com/2016/09/the-henry-gross-interview/

PATCH ON BIKE ZOO AT SXSW

Working with puppet makers, bike builders create pedaled vehicles that resemble animals for use at festivals, parties, family events and educational settings. Co-founder Jeremy Rosen, a mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Texas at Austin, attested to the free promotional opportunity SXSW yields.

“We are just here at SXSW so that out-of-towners — people from all over the country and all over the world — get to meet us and see what we do,” he said in an impromptu interview. “We’re proud to display this truly original austin artwork that has become an icon in Austin and is truly original.”

The most popular model is the butterfly depictions, several of which could be seen each day of SXSW so far. By Tuesday evening, the menagerie had grown to include several of those versions along with an impressively detailed depiction of a bat.

Jeremy Rosen (right) with artist/performer David Russ and performer Josephine Reynes

It was at the entertainment district along Rainey Avenue — closed off to traffic to accommodate the crowds — that the breadth of The Bike Zoo offerings became vividly clear. Rosen was holding court with some of his company’s creations pedaled along the street to delighted onlookers. David Russ rode atop a magnificent bald eagle facsimile complete with flapping wings (wooden but with the textured look of feathers) as he glided by. Another rode a bicycle shaped like a snowy owl that piqued the interest of giddy onlookers.

The eagle has landed, as David Russ takes a break from pedaling

“We have a new armadillo that hasn’t come out yet,” Rosen said, saying the new creation could make its debut as early as April. As he spoke, SXSW revelers surrounded the owl that had come to a stop to allow for picture-taking.

Attracting tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world, SXSW is a real zoo. And the folks at The Bike Zoo wouldn’t have it any other way. To book The Bike Zoo, contact Roggie Baer at roggie@rajiworld.com. For more information, visit austinbikezoo.org or email austinbikezoo@gmail.com.

Postscript: In the waning days of SXSW — as one headed to Rainey Street for one more chance of SXSW fun on the festival’s penultimate day — one’s weariness dissipated at the sight of a bolstered menagerie since this story was first written: The armadillo made its promised emergence as butterflies floated past as if flying above the asphalt.

It was a glorious sight to behold, a perfect end to a fun-filled two weeks of fun. Behold:

The party ended all too fast. See you next year, all. I’ll see you where the wild things are.

>>> Photos by Tony CantĂș

WELCOME YA’LL!

I LOVE MY OLD AND NEW BLACK FRET FAMILY and I am thrilled to welcome the 2018 nominees to the family! With over $1,000,000 in grants and payments to Austin musicians in just four years, local nonprofit proudly announces its fifth class of Nominees

(AUSTIN, TEXAS – March 21, 2018; source: Juice Consulting) – Austin nonprofit Black Fret is proud to announce its 2018 Nominees. The Nominees include A Giant Dog, Billy King and the Bad Bad Bad, Dave Scher, Donovan Keith, Greyhounds, Israel Nash, Jaimee Harris, Jane Ellen Bryant, Jeff Plankenhorn, Kalu and the Electric Joint, Los Coast, Megafauna, Otis the Destroyer, Palo Duro, Rebecca Loebe, Shy Beast, The Texas KGB, Tomar and the FCs, Trouble in The Streets, and Wood & Wire.

partial artist + advisor “Speed Dating” event at LZR photo by Amy Price

“THOSE BOYS FROM CAROLINA, THEY SURE ENOUGH COULD SING…”

As you may have heard, Grammy award winning David Ball has a new project paying tribute to the great music of Uncle Walt’s Band, called David Ball & That Carolina Sound, featuring Warren Hood & Marshall Hood.

Heidi Hyatt will be releasing an Uncle Walt’s Band anthology 3/9 on Omnivore Records !

In his 1996 song, “That’s Right (You’re Not from Texas),” legendary singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett included a verse about the members of Uncle Walt’s Band, a seminal pre-Americana group originally formed in Spartanburg.

When Lovett was starting his career, he was often asked to open for Uncle Walt’s Band, which had become a fixture on the Austin, Texas, roots music circuit in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. He never forgot how much of a boost the trio – David Ball, Champ Hood and Walter Hyatt – gave him.

Here’s an excerpt from “That’s Right (You’re Not from Texas)”:

“Those boys from Carolina, they sure enough could sing

But when they came down to Texas, we all showed them how to swing

Now David’s on the radio, and old Champ’s still on the guitar

And Uncle Walt, he’s home with Heidi, hiding in her loving arms.”

Sadly, Hyatt was killed in a 1996 plane crash not long after Lovett recorded the song and just before it was officially released. Hood died from cancer in 2001.

As the sole surviving member of Uncle Walt’s Band, the Nashville, Tenn.-based Ball has lately made some of the best music of his career, but the line “David’s on the radio” appears to be criminally outdated.

In a recent interview, Lovett continued to heap praise on the members of Uncle Walt’s Band. But he didn’t stop there.

Lovett let it be known that he also admires the musically gifted offspring of the influential band.

“Oh my goodness, I stay in touch with Warren (Hood) all the time,” Lovett said. “I think Warren’s amazing. He sounds so much like his dad – his (singing) and the way he speaks.

“I met Warren, I guess, when he was maybe 7 (years old), in Austin. He was always a sweet little boy, and he’s just the same as he was when I first met him. He writes great songs, and he’s a wonderful musician.

First anthology to chronicle the music of Uncle Walt’s Band, includes five previously unissued tracks and we are celebrating in Austin Friday 3/9/18 at The Saxon Pub!

“Walter Hyatt, David Ball and Champ Hood have been an inspiration to me ever since the first time I heard Uncle Walt’s Band,” said Lyle Lovett, a journalism student at Texas A&M University when he first heard the band. “Musically, their finely crafted original compositions reflect diverse influences, while lyrically they demonstrate a sensitive, sophisticated understanding of the dignified South.”

Uncle Walt’s Band, from Spartanburg, South Carolina, was an eclectic music trio that moved to Nashville in 1972 and shortly thereafter to Austin at the urging of Willis Alan Ramsey. ​An attempt at ​an album proved unsuccessful​, so the band headed back to Spartanburg in 1974 where they recorded their own debut LP, Blame It On The Bossa Nova. One thousand copies pressed, sold through performances and self-promotion, disappeared quickly. Heat was gaining for the band so they headed back down to Austin with a reissued album now titled, Uncle Walt’s Band. (Pressings of their original LP change hands for hundreds of dollars these days)

While the album gained many fans and followers it wasn’t enough to sustain the band’s larger ambitions. Going on hiatus for a few years ​,they reunited in Austin at Liberty Lunch in 1978 which launched a second phase for Uncle Walt’s Band that turned out to be the most popular and productive union yet. A second ind​ie album, An American In Texas was released in 1980 followed by a live album from The Waterloo Icehouse, Recorded Live, along with a cassette-only release of studio sessions titled simply, Six ‱ Twenty Six ‱ Seventy Nine.

Gaining the love of Texas music fans, performing regularly throughout the state, yet unable to get the traction nationally​, in 1983 they called it quits again. Although remaining friends and working on various projects over the years, each went on to pursue solo music careers. Hyatt released several albums, plus performed on Austin City Limits, Hood became a Texas Music Hall of Fame sideman playing for artists like Lyle Lovett, Jerry Jeff Walker, and more, and Ball’s success with the hit, “Thinkin’ Problem” established him as a Country Music star.

Back in the late ’70s at Austin’s famed Waterloo Ice House you could find Uncle Walt’s Band fans listening raptly in the packed venue sitting beside the likes of Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Nanci Griffith, Jerry Jeff Walker​, or Marcia Ball. Now, you can pull up a seat next to them yourself. This long overdue collection attempts to right missed opportunities of the past and finally gain Uncle Walt’s Band the recognition they deserve. Enjoy the show!

 


    CD / DIGITAL TRACK LIST:
  1. SEAT OF LOGIC
  2. DISH WIPED CLEAN
  3. RUBY
  4. HIGH HILL
  5. ALOHA
  6. DON’T YOU THINK I FEEL IT TOO
  7. DEEPER THAN LOVE
  8. AS THE CROW FLIES
  9. BLUEBIRD
  10. LAST ONE TO KNOW
  11. STAY WITH THE ONE
  12. SO LONG BABY
  13. HOLDING ON
  14. WALKING ANGEL
  15. GIMME SOME SKIN (Live at The Waterloo Ice House)
  16. WHATEVER REASON
  17. ONE MEATBALL (Live at The Waterloo Ice House)
  18. SHINE ON
  19. GETAWAY
  20. SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD (Live at Austin Aqua Fest)
    BONUS TRACK:
  1. I’LL COME KNOCKIN’ (Demo)

JOIN ME AS A VIP 2/28/18 AT THE NEW AUSTIN MUSIC AWARDS!

I am excited to bridge the best of the first 32 years with the upgrades brought to the past three years by the new producers, new venue and now, NEW DATE!

Austin Music Awards,

Wednesday, February 28th 2018 at ACL Live at the Moody Theater

Celebrating the Live Music Capital of the World since 1982

36th Annual Austin Music Awards – THE FUTURE IS NOW

The Austin Chronicle, SXSW, and Stratus Properties are proud to present the 36th Annual Austin Music Awards on Wednesday, February 28, 2018.

You’re invited to witness history as Austin Music Awards brings an All-Star line-up of legendary performers together including – LUCINDA WILLIAMS, THE BLACK ANGELS, DAVID RAMIREZ, ADAM TORRES and THIRD ROOT with special guests Riders Against the Storm and Bavu Blakes.

CHARLIE SEXTON will serve as Music Director with The Mayor’s House Band members, Michael Ramos, John Michael Schoepf, and Conrad Choucroun. KUTX hosts LAURIE GALLARDO and RICK MCNULTY return as Masters of Ceremony for the Austin Music Awards.

The Townes Van Zandt Award will be presented to singer-songwriter JOE ELY by artist-musician TERRY ALLEN and the Margaret Moser Award will be presented to LIZ LAMBERT, founder and Creative Director of Bunkhouse Hotels by Grammy Award winner and musician, LUCINDA WILLIAMS.

For 36 years, the Austin Music Awards have honored the local music community and recognized the best Austin artists, bands and industry masterminds which have forged Austin’s international music reputation. This history-making event recognizes Austin’s outstanding live music achievements of the previous year as voted on by the Austin Chronicle readers in the annual Austin Chronicle Music Poll. From its earliest years, past AMAs have featured numerous genres of music emanating from Texas, including rock, country, blues, Latino, folk, punk, pop, world, and classical.

Without fail – legendary performers, guests, and presenters like Robert Plant, Chrissie Hynde, Fab 5 Freddy, Terry Allen, Blondie, Bruce Springsteen and Pete Townshend have all taken the stage at the Austin Music Awards to celebrate 36 years of Austin musicianship our city is now known for the world over. Who will the surprise guests be this year? Don’t be left out!

Exclusive private floor tables are available from $2,800 – $5,000; shared tables available from $1,500; or individual seats at a shared table on the floor from $250. Individual tickets are available on the Mezzanine for $150. Individual tickets are available on the Balcony from $35 – $45.

Proceeds of the event benefit the Sims Foundation.

Doors: 7:00 PM · Show: 7:55 PM

Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater

310 W Willie Nelson Boulevard 

Austin, TX

2018 Host Committee

Joe Ables

Mayor Steve Adler

Susan Antone

Beau Armstrong

Roggie Baer

Ed Bailey

Becky Beaver

Ray Benson

Alan Berg & Kristin Johansen-Berg

Louis Black

Sandy Boone

Chip Bray

Noel Bridges

Will Bridges

Lonnie & Polly Cooper

Drew Dunavan

Brad First

Liz Lambert

Alan Lazarus

Susan Lazarus

Lana McGilvray

Lesya Miliam

Tom Murphy

Clark Nowlin

Adrian Quesada

Catherine Robb

John Robinson

David Rockwood

Geoffrey Ryder

Erica Shamaly

DJ Stout

Laurie Swan

Nancy Walker

Kenneth Walker

Graham Williams

William Zeitz

MEET MONTOPOLIS!

I guess there is no better way to announce a new client than with a 4-star-hometown-paper, (thanks Austin Chronicle )review! Please help me welcome Justin Sherburn and Montopolis to the RajiWorld family!

Music for Enchanted Rock (Wren & Shark)

Texas Platters

Local chamber music experimentalists, Montopolis here bends Americana into a meditative celebration of the massive granite pluton batholith that resides north of Fredericksburg. Headed by Justin Sherburn (Okkervil River), “Run” notes warm flannels and glorious Southwestern early mornings in an interplay of strings and country twang. The bandleader swings drum machine rumbles early into the proceedings on the atmospheric “Gravity,” and Ennio Morricone filters through signature Philip Glass minimalism on “Wild Horde” with absorbing string expositions. Sherburn’s freedom is ever-present throughout, unlocked from the twos and fours of straightforward indie rock folk. Though envisioned as a multimedium experience of Southwestern idyllics, the transcendent compositions of Music for Enchanted Rock stand alone.

****

POLLSTAR LIVE: WILL YOU BE ATTENDING?

I return to Pollstar Live next week. It will be my first in 3 years but perhaps my 15th total. It was the first “grown up” conference I attended. My college used to send me (and pay for) SXSW and CMJ used to pay for panelists to attend. Both had a heavy focus on “alternative music” but Pollstar was for stadium acts and the men attending mostly wore suits! I learned so much from attending years one and two, I volunteered for the next several just to learn even more. To this day, I often feel, I have been able to stay afloat in the crazy waters of this industry but learning the feeding order.. I love to swim and I have an enormous capacity for finding unexplored islands. That has become my specialty over the years. This year I will show off the one-of-a-kind Bike Zoo.

The highlight of the conference is the awards ceremony and it always falls in perfect timing for me, just ahead of my beloved Austin Music Awards. I would love to share the nominees with you and hear your thoughts on who should win this year. Let me know at roggie@rajiworld.com

Pollstar Awards Categories and Nominees

Congratulation to all Pollstar Award Nominees!

Below are the Categories and Nominees for the 29th Annual Pollstar Awards. One ticket to the Pollstar Awards & Party is included with each Pollstar Live! 2018 registration.

Major Tour of the Year

  • Bruno Mars
  • Coldplay
  • Garth Brooks
  • Guns N’ Roses
  • Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
  • U2

Most Creative Stage Production

  • Coldplay
  • Ed Sheeran
  • Katy Perry
  • Red Hot Chili Peppers
  • Roger Waters
  • U2

Comedy Tour of the Year

  • Amy Schumer
  • Chris Rock
  • Dave Chappelle
  • Jerry Seinfeld
  • Jim Gaffigan
  • Kevin Hart

Country Tour of the Year

  • Chris Stapleton
  • Eric Church
  • Garth Brooks
  • Jason Aldean
  • Luke Bryan
  • Tim McGraw & Faith Hill

Rock Tour of the Year

  • Foo Fighters
  • Guns N’ Roses
  • Metallica
  • Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
  • Roger Waters
  • U2

Urban / R&B Tour of the Year

  • Bruno Mars
  • Chance The Rapper
  • Drake
  • J. Cole
  • Kendrick Lamar
  • The Weeknd

Latin Tour of the Year

 

  • Enrique Iglesias & Pitbull
  • Gloria Trevi vs Alejandra Guzman
  • Juanes
  • Luis Fonsi
  • Marc Anthony
  • Marco Antonio Solis

Pop Tour of the Year

  • Ariana Grande
  • Bruno Mars
  • Harry Styles
  • Justin Bieber
  • Katy Perry
  • Lady Gaga

Best New Headliner

  • Halsey
  • Harry Styles
  • Khalid
  • Portugal. The Man
  • Shawn Mendes
  • The xx

Music Festival of the Year

 

  • Austin City Limits Music Festival | Austin, TX
  • Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival | Manchester, TN
  • Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival | Indio, CA
  • KAABOO Del Mar | Del Mar, CA
  • Lollapalooza Festival | Chicago, IL
  • Stagecoach: California’s Country Music Festival | Indio, CA

International Music Festival of the Year

  • Barclaycard British Summer Time | London, UK
  • Bluesfest | Byron Bay, Australia
  • C2C: Country to Country | London & Glasgow, UK; Dublin, Ireland
  • Glastonbury Festival | Pilton, UK
  • Lollapalooza Brazil | Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Primavera Sound | Barcelona, Spain

Nightclub of the Year

  • 9:30 Club | Washington, DC
  • Brooklyn Steel | Brooklyn, NY
  • The Fillmore Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA
  • House of Blues Boston | Boston, MA
  • Joe’s Bar | Chicago, IL
  • Thalia Hall | Chicago, IL

Theatre of the Year

  • Beacon Theatre | New York, NY
  • Bellco Theatre | Denver, CO
  • Fox Theatre | Atlanta, GA
  • Radio City Music Hall | New York, NY
  • Ryman Auditorium | Nashville, TN
  • The Wiltern | Los Angeles, CA

Arena of the Year

  • Barclays Center | Brooklyn, NY
  • BOK Center | Tulsa, OK
  • Bridgestone Arena | Nashville, TN
  • Forum | Inglewood, CA
  • Madison Square Garden | New York, NY
  • Staples Center | Los Angeles, CA
  • T-Mobile Arena | Las Vegas, NV

Red Rocks Award / Best Small Outdoor Venue

  • Ascend Amphitheater | Nashville, TN
  • Filene Center At Wolf Trap | Vienna, VA
  • Greek Theatre At UC Berkeley | Berkeley, CA
  • Greek Theatre | Los Angeles, CA
  • Santa Barbara Bowl | Santa Barbara, CA
  • Vina Robles Amphitheatre | Paso Robles, CA

Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue

  • Forest Hills Stadium | Forest Hills, NY
  • Gorge Amphitheatre | Quincy, WA
  • Hollywood Bowl | Los Angeles, CA
  • Lakeview Amphitheater | Syracuse, NY
  • Merriweather Post Pavilion | Columbia, MD
  • Shoreline Amphitheatre | Mountain View, CA

Best New Concert Venue

  • The Anthem | Washington, DC
  • Brooklyn Steel | Brooklyn, NY
  • Levitt Pavilion Denver | Denver, CO
  • Little Caesars Arena | Detroit, MI
  • Wintrust Arena | Chicago, IL
  • U Arena Paris | Nanterre, France

International Venue of the Year

  • Manchester Arena | Manchester, UK
  • The O2 | London, UK
  • O2 Arena | Prague, Czech Republic
  • Royal Albert Hall | London, UK
  • Ziggo Dome | Amsterdam, Netherlands

Venue Executive of the Year

  • Becky Colwell | Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
  • David Kells | Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
  • Keith Sheldon | Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
  • Ken Kuhl | American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
  • Kim Bedier | Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA
  • Nick Spampanato | Forum, Inglewood, CA

Nightclub Talent Buyer of the Year

  • Donna Busch | The Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
  • Ed Warm | Joe’s Bar, Chicago, IL; Joe’s Live, Rosemont, IL; The Rave, Milwaukee, WI
  • Jake Samuels | Thalia Hall, Chicago, IL & SPACE, Evanston, IL
  • Josh Moore | Brooklyn Steel, Brooklyn, NY & Terminal 5, New York, NY
  • Melanie Cantwell | 9:30 Club, The Anthem, Lincoln Theatre, Washington, DC
  • Stacie George | Irving Plaza, New York, NY; Warsaw, Brooklyn, NY & The Paramount, Huntington, NY

Talent Buyer of the Year

  • Ali Harnell | AEG Presents / MTG
  • Amy Corbin | C3 Presents
  • Brian O’Connell | Live Nation
  • Don Strasburg | AEG Presents
  • Rich Best | Live Nation
  • Stacy Vee | Goldenvoice

Bill Graham Award / Promoter of the Year

  • Darin Lashinsky | NS2
  • Don Fox | Beaver Productions
  • Gregg Perloff | Another Planet Entertainment
  • Larry & Fred Frank | Frank Productions Concerts
  • Michael Smardak | Outback Concerts
  • Seth Hurwitz | I.M.P.

International Promoter of the Year

  • Andy Copping | Live Nation – UK
  • Barrie Marshall | Marshall Arts
  • Denis Desmond | MCD Productions
  • Folkert Koopmans | FKP Scorpio Konzertproduktionen
  • Michael Chugg | Chugg Entertainment
  • Simon Moran | SJM

Bobby Brooks Award / Agent of the Year

  • Cara Lewis | CLG – Cara Lewis Group
  • Dennis Arfa | Artist Group International
  • Jay Williams | WME
  • Kirk Sommer | WME
  • Marlene Tsuchii | Creative Artists Agency
  • Marty Diamond | Paradigm Talent Agency
  • Scott Clayton | Creative Artists Agency

Third Coast Booking Agent of the Year

  • Abby Wells Baas | WME
  • Curt Motley | United Talent Agency
  • Jay Williams | WME
  • Joe Atamian | Paradigm Talent Agency
  • John Huie | Creative Artists Agency
  • Matthew Morgan | Creative Artists Agency

UK Booking Agent of the Year

  • Emma Banks | Creative Artists Agency UK
  • Ian Huffam | X-ray Touring
  • James Alderman | Free Trade Agency
  • Mike Greek | Creative Artists Agency UK
  • Rod MacSween | International Talent Booking
  • Steve Strange | X-ray Touring

Independent Booking Agency of the Year

  • Artist Group International
  • The Billions Corporation
  • High Road Touring
  • Madison House

Booking Agency of the Year

  • APA
  • Creative Artists Agency
  • Paradigm Talent Agency
  • United Talent Agency
  • WME

Rising Star

  • Aaron Tannenbaum, Creative Artists Agency
  • James Rasmussen, Golden 1 Center
  • Joe Giordano, BOK Center
  • Keith Sheldon, Barclays Center
  • Lenore Kinder, AEG Presents
  • Tommy Bruce, Full Stop Management

Personal Manager of the Year

  • Clarence Spalding | Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean
  • Coran Capshaw | Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Chris Stapleton
  • Irving Azoff | Eagles, Journey
  • John Silva | Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age
  • Jonathan Kessler | Depeche Mode
  • Tony Dimitriades | Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

Road Warrior of the Year

  • Dale “Opie” Skjerseth | The Rolling Stones, Guns N’ Roses
  • Gus Brandt | Foo Fighters, Pharrell Williams
  • Jerome Crooks | Soundgarden, Tool, NIN
  • Keith Keller | Drake, Metallica, Jay-Z
  • Mark “Springo” Spring | Paul McCartney
  • Narci Martinez | Red Hot Chili Peppers, Florence and the Machine

Lighting Company of the Year

  • Bandit Lites
  • Premier Global Production
  • PRG
  • Solotech
  • Upstaging
  • VER

Sound Company of the Year

  • Clair Global
  • Clearwing Productions
  • Eighth Day Sound Systems
  • Rat Sound Systems
  • Sound Image
  • VER Tour Sound

Staging / Equipment Company of the Year

  • All Access Staging and Productions
  • G2 Structures
  • Gallagher Staging
  • Mountain Productions
  • Stageco
  • Tait

Transportation Company of the Year

  • All Access Transportation
  • Pioneer Coach
  • Rock-It Cargo
  • Senators Coaches
  • Sound Moves
  • Upstaging

Video Company of the Year

  • Colonel Tom Touring
  • Moo TV
  • PRG Nocturne
  • RD Touring
  • Screenworks
  • Solotech
  • VER

Tech Enhancement of the Year

  • 3D Live, Flying Lotus
  • Eyellusion, Dio
  • Hurdl
  • Xylobands, Coldplay
  • Yondr

RAJIWORLD HEARTS LYFT BECUASE LYFT HEARTS MUSICIANS TOO!

my live music love story

Lyft Austin Launches First-of-its-Kind Musician Rideshare Program

To kick off 2018 in the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Lyft is announcing the Austin Musician Rideshare Program, which provides local musicians with free rides to and from their gigs.

Lyft is partnering with local Austin music venues like Empire Control Room, Antone’s, and Stubb’s to help foster an environment in which musicians and the entire local Austin music industry can flourish.

Ryan Garrett, GM of Stubb’s, describes the benefits of the program: “Lyft’s Musician Rideshare Program is a tremendous asset for local musicians. Stubb’s is thrilled to partner with Lyft on this progressive program which will positively impact the lives of local musicians and the entire Austin music scene.”

Stephen Sternschein, owner of Empire Control Room, explains a problem he sees the program solving for Austin musicians: “It’s expensive and difficult to park downtown, even harder for a working musician lugging gear. Parking tickets, towing, and accidents can (and do) eat up every dollar a local musician just made on stage. We ought to do everything we can to fix this.”

This first-of-its-kind program launches during the Red River District’s Free Week, which celebrates local Austin bands with free shows at different venues from January 1 to January 7.

How You Can Help

Use code ATXMUSIC for $5 off your first 3 rides with Lyft and we’ll add $5 to the Musician Rideshare Program fund — just in time for a ride to Free Week 2018!

RAJIWORLD CLIENTS WIN BIG AT BLACK BALL

Austin music patron organization Black Fret announces recipients of this year’s grants

Local music patron organization Black Fret announced the winners of this year’s $18,000 major grants, along with recipients of $5,000 minor grants, on Saturday night at the organization’s annual Black Ball season finale concert at the Paramount Theatre.

The 10 acts receiving $18,000 grants are: Jackie Venson, Warren Hood, Sarah Sharp, Carolyn Wonderland, Bright Light Social Hour, Whiskey Shivers, Eric Tessmer, the Deer, Mobley and Leopold & His Fiction. They were selected by Black Fret members, who pay $1,500 annual dues to attend private functions throughout the year along with the opportunity to nominate and vote on grant recipients.

Another nine acts received $5,000 grants: Akina Adderley, Cowboy Diplomacy, Croy & the Boys, Daniel Eyes, David Ramirez, Greyhounds, Jane Ellen Bryant, Kinky Machine and Los Coast. All 20 acts had been announced as 2017 Black Fret nominees earlier in the year. One nominated act, Black Pistol Fire, “chose to remove themselves from consideration and asked that Black Fret allocate those funds to the other minor grant recipients,” a Black Fret representative said.

Launched in 2014 by Matt Ott and Colin Kendrick, Black Fret has gradually increased the amount of its grants each year. This year’s cumulative total of $230,000 is up from $220,000 in 2016. Recipients must perform tasks such as releasing records or playing shows to unlock the grant money over the course of the following year.

 

Peter Blackstock

VOTE ROSIE FLORES FOR YOUR PROM QUEEN (AUSTIN CHRONICLE MUSIC AWARDS)

Rosie Flores was my FIRST client! The most important really as she shaped my career and how I chose to represent artists. After 24 years I love my work even more and I am thrilled to announce that I will again be representing my darling Rosie! This time in her incredible, one of a kind Blue Moon Jazz Quartet and I would love to ask for your vote in the AUSTIN CHRONICLE MUSIC AWARDS 2018

Please vote before December 11th for:
ROSIE FLORES
In these categories:
Best Female vocalist
Best Guitar Player

Best Jazz Band: BLUE MOON JAZZ QUARTET

Best New Band: GUITAR LEGS

THANK YOU! LOVE YOU AND CANNOT WAIT TO SWOON WITH YOU SOMEWHERE FANCY SOON!

https://www.austinchronicle.com/vote-austin-music-awards/

MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE WITH AMERICAN DREAMER!

American Dreamer has had a very big year! they performed at the Kerrville Music Festival (Kerrville, TX), Old Settler’s Music Festival (Driftwood, TX), Mayfest (Ft. Worth, TX) Deep Ellum Arts Festival (Dallas, TX), Texas Folklife Festival (San Antonio, TX) Heart of Texas Rockfest (Austin, TX), Ultimate Louisiana Party (Dripping Springs, TX) and made friends at KUTX radio, SUN Radio and gathered many, many new fans.
They are excited to record in March for their next album with Goose Creek Music  and their bandleader Sasha has signed a publishing deal with Another Victory Publishing. 

THOM’S MARKET 10TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY(S)

Tom's 10th, a RajiWorld Production

Please join me THIS SUNDAY, 11/12 in this family- friendly, pup-friendly, free local celebration!! It was super fun to plan.

Thom’s Market is hosting TWO parking-lot parties at both of thier locations for their 10th anniversary. Both locations will be jamming out to local music and serving up FREE beer, wine, and eats from 2-7pm.

Enjoy live music from:
Ruby & The Reckless, 2:00pm at the Barton Springs store.
SKYROCKET!, 4:00pm at the Riverside store.

– 10% of all sales will be donated to Central Texas Food Bank

– Meet & Greet with Betty, world famous cowgirl, and have your picture taken with her!!

– Free air conditioned shuttle service will be operating all day between the two locations.

Venders:
Adelee’s All Natural Ice Box Dips
BLUE TOP BRAND
Aqua Pop
Beba’s Pfresh Salsa
Bee Delightful
Daily Greens
Deliver Eat Repeat
Tree Hive Syrup
Lick Honest Ice Creams
Skin Is Skin
Willigan’s Island
Srsly chocolate
Siete Family Foods
HomePlate Peanut Butter
Chameleon Cold-Brew
KTonic Kombucha
Halo del Santo

HEART OF THE CITY

I hope all is well in your world!

I’ve once again joined the SIMS Foundation event committee for this year’s Heart of the City: A Celebration of the Cosmic Cowboy on Dec 2 at Emo’s Austin. I’m posting to see if you’d be interested in being part of this annual event that benefits SIMS Foundation and the Austin music family. SIMS provides life-saving mental health and addiction recovery services to Austin musicians, music industry professionals, and their family members and has been around for 23 years!

The SIMS Foundation hosts the Heart of the City event each year to raise awareness and funds for mental health services. SIMS connects over 600 musicians, music industry professionals, and their family members each year to high-quality, hassle-free mental health and substance use disorder services. SIMS helps musicians develop healthy relationships, strong coping skills for stress, tools to tackle depression, and navigates those with substance use problems along a safe pathway to sobriety.

This year’s show pays tribute to 1972, when Willie Nelson brought the hippies and the cowboys together on one stage to play psychedelic country music. The diverse line up and all-star house band (including RajiWorld client Warren Hood) will surely kill it with original takes on outlaw country classics. Performers include Kelley Mickwee, Charlie Mars, James Petralli of White Denim, Carrie Rodriguez, Monte Warden, Warren Hood, Rosie Flores, David Grissom, Jonathan Terrell, newcomer John Baumann, and a special tribute by Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks.

Get a feel for the event from last year’s show with this quick, 1-minute video: Heart of the City 2016

Feel free to reach out to me if you are interested or if you have any questions. I hope you will join me! Roggie 512 554 4004

ART 202 LOVES THE BIKE ZOO!

The Bike Zoo of Austin was thrilled to join  the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities for the 2nd 202 Arts & Music in Canal Park! The city is treated to a full day of arts and music activities for the entire family. Featuring live performances, art exhibitions, interactive workshops and more. Plus DC’s biggest outdoor dance party to end the night. 2016 performers included George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Amadou Koyate, DJ D-MAC, Sin Miedo, and more!

 

AMERICANA PRESENTS BIG STAR’S THIRD (THE FILM) 9/11

Thank You, Friends: Big Star’s Third Live…And More: A Special Film Screening and Q&A
Monday, September 11, 7pm, Belcourt Theatre
RSVPs for current conference registrants will be sent tomorrow, September 8. Tickets for general admission are available to purchase for $10 here.
Join us at the historic Belcourt Theatre for an intimate screening of the concert film Thank You, Friends: Big Star’s Third Live…And More. After a raving premiere at SXSWÂź this year, we are proud to be bringing this special film to a Nashville screen during AMERICANAFEST℠. Filmed at Glendale, Calif.’s Alex Theatre and directed by Benno Nelson (of production company Yes Equals Yes), the epic film features music from Big Star’s revered Thirdalbum with performances by sole surviving Big Star member Jody Stephens along with Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Mitch Easter (Let’s Active), Chris Stamey (the dB’s) plus the Posies’ Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer. In addition, this core ensemble is joined by a star-studded cast of guest artists including Jeff Tweedy and Pat Sansone of Wilco, Ira Kaplan (Yo La Tengo), Robyn Hitchcock, Dan Wilson (Semisonic), Benmont Tench, Jessica Pratt, Brett Harris, Django Haskins, and Skylar Gudasz, as well as a full chamber orchestra helmed by San Francisco’s acclaimed Kronos Quartet and conducted by Carl Marsh, who wrote the original orchestrations for Third. A special Q&A with director Benno Nelson and Big Star’s Jody Stephens and more will follow screening.

THE BIG GIVE 

Roggie is proud to assist at this wonderful and very Austin centric annual event. We hope you will join us on Friday, September 8th at Hotel Van Zandt for The BIG Give to celebrate a decade of giving back!

This year we will highlight our community’s accomplishments over the past decade and honor the individuals and businesses that have supported our mission. The event will also feature local food, music, and an exciting silent auction showcasing the best of Austin.

Honoring the Patsy Woods Martin BIG Giver
Brittany Morrison of Hospice Austin

Presenting the RetailMeNot Nonprofit Award
$5,000 cash prize presented to one large local nonprofit excelling in donor engagement

Presenting the K Friese + Associates Small Nonprofit Award
$2,500 cash prize presented to one local nonprofit excelling in donor engagement

Transportation: We recommend using a car service like RideAustin or Uber to get to The BIG Give. In addition, there is valet available for $16 as well as self-parking in the Austin Convention Center’s 2nd Street Garage for $10

Cocktail Attire: For guys, this dress code calls for a suit with or without a tie or a button down with slacks. For women, short dresses or jumpsuits that are party-ready. When in doubt, wear a little black dress and dress it up with fun jewelry—or, if you’d rather wear color, opt for something bright or sparkly.

LOUISE GOFFIN: Touring Artist AVAILS IN MA, CT, NY

I have just returned to work with the  gifted artist Louise Goffin and she is heading out on tour THIS OCTOBER with a full band AND A FULL TEAM hitting promotion, radio, press and social media. She will be releasing new singles on this tour!
The daughter of Carole King and Gerry Goffin, Louise’s family tree blossoms in her music and on stage. As a performer, her shows are engaging, entertaining, heartfelt, and rockin’, while sometimes displaying an intimacy and vulnerability that draws the audience in, and neither she and nor they let go. No matter what, her shows are full of beautifully crafted lyrics and songs, memorable music, and quite often, an interesting story or two.
Here are some of her latest videos:
Hyde Park, London, July 2016, Performing “We Belong Together,” off her 2014 release Songs From the Mine
We Are Giants,” with Billy Harvey at The Griffin in San Diego, CA
“Sometimes A Circle,” off her 2002 album of the same name, performed here in 2015 at the Fonogenic Studios, LA
I would love to see your avails for 10/18 and 10/20. We are looking to secure something in upstate New York on Oct. 20th and have a bit more flexibility and can include MA or Eastern CT on the 18th. I am including the current dates for your information.
  • Oct. 19 – The Burren, Somerville, MA Tickets, Facebook Event, Concert Window: 
  • Oct. 20 – TBD
  • Oct. 21 – Gilmore Girls Fan Fest, Kent, CT
  • Oct. 22 – The Havana, New Hope, PA Tickets
  • Oct. 23 – Media Day
  • Oct. 24 – Jammin’ Java, Vienna, VA Tickets, Facebook Event
  • Oct. 25 – World CafĂ© Live, Philadelphia, PA Tickets
  • Oct. 26 – Rockwood Music Hall Room 3, New York, NY Tickets
  • Oct. 27 – Media Day
  • Oct. 28 – Jewish Community Center of Central New Jersey, Scotch Plains, NJ Tickets
Thank you! I look forward to working with you again. I am available via this email address, or by phone at 512 554 4004

AMERICAN DREAMER AND MISIMPLICITY TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME!

CACTUS CAFE AUGUST 25th
RajiWorld is proud to invite you to a double bill of two clients playing together for the first time!
Doors: 7pm Show: 7:30pm General Admission: $15.00

American Dreamer: Comprised of three classical musicians and two former rockers, Austin orchestral folk ensemble American Dreamer has over 30 years of collective music school experience.

Members can be found performing with the Austin Symphony Orchestra and teaching at the University of Texas at Austin. Not surprisingly, the band’s sound mirrors the generosity apropos of educators. In performance they selflessly let each other share the spotlight as much as they commingle in it, obviously in appreciation for what they do as individuals and as a group. From the rocker “Start-Stopping” to the more introspective “Apollo,” American Dreamer’s songs flow easily with intricate, lush harmonies and expressive instrumentation reminiscent of October Project. With one foot in classical music and the other comfortably in folk, the common thread that runs through every song and each member of the group is the natural urge to share sounds, emotions and stories through music.

In the last year, American Dreamer has performed at the Kerrville Music Festival (Kerrville, TX), Old Settler’s Music Festival (Driftwood, TX), Mayfest (Ft. Worth, TX) Deep Ellum Arts Festival (Dallas, TX), Texas Folklife Festival (San Antonio, TX) Heart of Texas Rockfest (Austin, TX), Ultimate Louisiana Party (Dripping Springs, TX).

Misimplicity: Misimplicity is a collaboration between singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Grace London and bassist Zoe Cz, two 16 year old musicians hailing from Austin, Texas. Elements of alternative-folk, indie-rock, and 90’s emo fuse together on the duos first self-titled EP, a six song reflection on the difficulty of existing comfortably as expressed through Grace London’s uniquely poetic stream of consciousness writing style. The album is a testament to the enormity of introspective thought in all its strange loops, a dissection of the wishes and regrets we hold on to; feverishly communicated and beautifully performed.

Grace began her musical career by learning the classical guitar at age seven, going on to play an array of shows at coffee shops and small events before she’d reached middle school. For a short time she assumed the role of guitarist for Austin Music Award winning band Residual Kid before jumping back into her own music, recording her first album Rocketship Girl at 13 years old, a release that marked the inception of her continuing studio collaborations with Austin producer Brian Beattie.

By the release of her second album, the critically praised Brains Grace had made a dent in the Austin festival circuit, performing sets at Old Settlers, Austin City Limits, and SXSW, taking charge of vocals, guitar, kick drum and drum machine. Zoe’s musical trajectory was on a similar path; the classically trained upright bassist was avidly taking the stage with various bands, including local rockers Charlie Belle. The two musicians finally crossed paths while interning at Girl’s Rock Camp during the summer after Brains release. Zoe was looking for a band and Grace was looking to get on stage with a bassist; the two almost instantly decided to begin playing gigs together. Since then they’ve developed a strong collaborative dynamic as a duo, making another SXSW showcase appearance and playing tons of clubs through out Austin.

After the past year of performing together, Zoe and Grace decided it was time to become Misimplicity, a name inspired by the title of the new EP’s second track “Miss Simplicity.” The name alludes to a subtle sarcasm that’s weaved its way into Grace’s songwriting, a tonal distinction from her previous projects. Where Brains was often playful and self-deprecating Misimplicity aches with occasional tinges of nuanced humor. Grace’s frustration bites and writhes on tracks like “Little Girl,” a sludgy rock outburst that wears Brian Beattie’s presence as producer in its peculiar details, while the hypnotic melancholy of “Old Apartment” finds Grace recounting visual and emotional memories in a brood reminiscent of Red House Painters or American Football, driven by a sparse programmed drum loop and atmospheric guitar and bass. “Take me Down” is one of Grace’s most powerful lyrical moments, exhibiting a depth that defies the marginalized expectation with which young musicians are often unnecessarily held to. “I am just a little person and I’m learning as I go”; most bands of any age wouldn’t have the bravery to make such a simple, poignant statement. Misimplicity will be performing at the Cactus CafĂ© Friday September 23rd to celebrate the release of Misimplicity.

PLEASE HELP ME WELCOME SIERRA TO RAJIWORLD!

We are happy to tell you a little bit about new intern Sierra. If you are a local you can expect to meet her at an event sometime soon.

Originally from Salt Lake City, Sierra recently moved to Austin after living in Montana for almost 6 years. She studied marketing, management and entertainment management at the University of Montana and proceeded to work in event operations at music venues in both Utah and Montana upon graduation. After listening to community radio and watching ACL growing up, moving to the Live Music Capital was a natural progression for her. She hopes to further her career in the music industry, and learn some really great skills along the way. In her free time, Sierra loves to go river rafting with her family, practice Pilates, and attempt to learn how to dance from YouTube videos.