I moved to Austin, Texas, in 1985 (which makes me a native, relatively speaking). My expressed purpose was to start a band and become a rock star. Instead, I ran a record store for more than 10 years. It was Austin's rich musical history that drew me here and kept me here long after the dreams of glory had died.

From Janis Joplin in the 60's through the heady (pun intended) days of the World Armadillo Headquarters; from the halcyon days of Stevie Ray Vaughan through the bracing noise of New Sincerity; from the Skunks to Fastball, Austin music - and that of Texas as a whole - has a richness and diversity that belie its relative obscurity. Many great Austin records are gone - deleted, forgotten - but some remain, and many more are being made. Here's to my adopted hometown. Is it yours, too? Tell me why you came and why you stayed. Drop me a line...

Randy Anthony

The friendliest people and the prettiest women...

The Texas Music Bookshelf

• All Over The Map: True Heroes Of Texas Music (Michael Corcoran, 2005)
• Austin City Limits: 25 Years of American Music (John T. Davis & Scott Newton, 2003)
• Austin Music Scene 1965-1994 (Burton Wilson, 2001)
• Dissonant Identities: The Rock 'n' Roll Scene in Austin, Texas (Barry Shank, 1994)
• Fire In The Water, Earth in The Air (Christopher Ogelsby, 2006)
• Handbook of Texas Music (Texas State Historical Association, 2003)
• Improbable Rise of Redneck Rock (Jan Reid, 1977)
• Texas Music (Rick Koster, 1998)

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Texas Music On The Web

• All Music Guide
• Austin Chronicle
• AustinLive.com
• Austin Punk 1980-1985
• Handbook Of Texas Online
• Idle Time Archive
• Music Austin
• Texas County Line
• Texas Music Chart
• Texas Music Magazine
• Texas Music Office
• Texas Music Project
• Google

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