Weekend in Austin

[Riff Blister]

My wife and I are going to Austin Texas for a few days at the end of the month to visit her brother.
If I can, I would like to check out a music store or two while I am there. Does anyone have any recommendations?
What about live music? Blues?

I know her family is going to drag me out to some country music bar at least once. I am just dreading it.
I don't have a bit of country in this long haired, skinny a$$ body of mine!

 

[ned]

Welcome to the "Used to be live music capitol of the World". The music stores suck, the only decent one is Guitar Resurrection (google it).

For blues just walk down 6th street and you will here the same band in each bar if the DJ's haven't started yet. Red River has a couple of good bars and the Parish room usually has someone good. Also check to see who is playing at Antones.

BTW- the city is no longer issuing out door venues permits past SXSW due to the noise annoying the people in the new condos'.

 

[lesterpaul]

damn...Austin is starting to suck??tell me more, Ned...(I have family there..I may need to call BS on someone.).I have not visitied there since SRV died...RIP...but it was a killer joint back then...

 

[ned]

Yeah it's becoming just like every city. All the cool spots in down town and on Barton Springs are being plowed under for high rise condos. Which I'm betting will end up being empty with the economic down turn.

I don't think there ever really were many cool music stores. It's mostly all low end crap. Music Makers on S. Lamar has Boogies stuff as does GC. If you PRS, Bogner and other like it then Guitar Res is your only option I just don't really dig those guys, they are kind of stuck up. I ran into the owner at NAMM 2 years ago and he completely blew me off even though I was a customer. I play Tokai's and Wolfgangs which makes me a underclass citizen at Guitar Res, that and I play in a 80's cover band which isn't the blues.

6th Street used to pretty cool with some great cover bands and awesome blues. 2 brothers have begun taking over every venue and now have 4 or 5 bars. Crappy bands from 8-10 then DJ's until 2am. Even Maggie Mays has gone to crap bands.

For Sunday lunch I recommend Shady Grove on Barton Springs and their awesome chili fries and even better Bloody Mary's.

 

[Riff Blister]

Hey, thanks for the reply ned.
I hear what you are saying. The times they are a changing.
I remember a few years ago when I was in Austin we did make it down to 6th street.
It was a good time but yeah, not the hot bed of live music I was expecting.
Lake Travis is always nice too. I cant remember the name of the bar there that looks over the lake.

Anyway, Austin is a beautiful city and I can't wait to leave the "ice box" for a few days.
Right now as I am typing this it is -19 degrees outside in St. Paul. :shock:
I'll be staying in the Round Rock area I believe.

 

[ned]

Carlos 'n Charlie's and Oasis on the lake are fun.

 

[Riff Blister]

Carlos 'n Charlie's and Oasis on the lake are fun.

Yes Sir!
I have enjoyed myself at both of those places.
I'm getting fired up for a little mini vacation now!

Did I mention it was 19 below zero here this morning?