Austin Music People

Bevis M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond. In this episode, we discuss Vernon Reid asking Bevis to manage Living Colour, a role that came with both excitement and shock. He shares how he attacked that role, ultimately connecting with Bill Ham, longtime manager of ZZ Top...

Bevis M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond. In this episode, Bevis reflects on playing what would be his final show at the Continental Club and asking himself a simple question: where did he want to be in ten years? We discuss his curiosity for artist management and deve...

Bevis M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond. In this episode, we discuss his move back to Austin and forming The Chill Factor with Denny Freeman, bassist Sarah Brown, and drummer George Rains - all longtime contributors to Antone's. As fate would have it, Ray Benson reach...

Bevis M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond. In this episode, Bevis shares how Whoopi Goldberg helped him get out of his contract with Jack Douglas and reflects on discovering what sobriety could truly do for him. He talks about distancing himself from other musicians dur...

Bevis M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond. We open this episode by revisiting the tragic story that closed Part 7, exploring how that event reshaped Bevis’ world. From there, we continue the conversation around working with Jack Douglas, what the partnership meant to Be...

Bevis M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond. In this episode, we dive into the early days of Bevis' next band, Banzai Kik, and continue our conversation about the Black Rock Coalition and his pivotal role in the Black Rock Coalition Orchestra. He shares stories from playi...

Bevis. M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond. In this episode, we discuss his next band, The Bats, hitting a "glass ceiling" in Austin, Lou Ann Barton introducing him to Steven Van Zandt, and how that introduction, a house fire, and divine intervention came together to ta...

Bevis M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond. In this episode, we dive into his approach to songwriting and the artists who shaped his sound - from Humble Pie and Jimi Hendrix, to the Sex Pistols. Bevis shares a deep history lesson on the controversy surrounding the Sex Pi...

Bevis M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond. In this episode, we get into his next bands, The Skyscrapers and The Shades, opening for The Ramones and The Clash, meeting his longtime friend and guitarist Chris "C.K." Bailey, finding his groove as a front man, the formation...

Bevis M. Griffin, the "Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes in Austin, New York City, and beyond. In this episode, we discuss his move to Austin and joining Franklin's Mast, a band that emerged from the chaos of life in a makeshift warehouse, and a pivotal moment that came when Franklin's Mast entered a local battle of the...

Bevis. M. Griffin, "the Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes of Austin, New York City, and beyond. In this episode, we discuss his relocation from Los Angeles to Wichita Falls, navigating the segregated south for the first time, becoming part of the Krackerjack's (Tommy Shannon/Uncle John Turner) inner circle, and his first...

Bevis. M. Griffin, "the Black Rock Maverick of Texas," is regarded as a pioneer of black rock music for his contributions to the scenes of Austin, New York City, and beyond.  In celebration of Black History Month, and the achievement's of Bevis, I am proud to offer this multi-part series documenting his life and work. Over the next few episodes, you will get to know an important figure in the Aust...

Greyson Turner is a fast rising force in the Austin music scene, and since our last conversation, has headlined venues across town, expanded his brand, and released a wave of new music. Kenny Sharretts is the drummer for local band So Called Underground and the drum tech for Mickey Hart of Dead & Company. In this episode, we dive into the idea of fate, the art of songwriting, and what the Live...

Noelle Bugaj and Dan Parseghian are the co-founders of Joining All Musicians (JAM), a platform and organization designed to bring musicians together and shine a light on the people and opportunities that make up Austin’s music scene. In this episode, we dive into Noelle and Dan’s individual journeys as a musician and a live audio engineer, respectively, and what inspired the creation of JAM. They...

Ramon Mejia is a photographer and videographer from Riverside, California. In this episode, we discuss Ramon’s journey from playing drums in a band to landing his first professional media role with Silencer Shop - an opportunity that ultimately pushed him to launch Resolute Media, his own photo/video production company capturing musicians, individual creators, organizations, and anyone else with a...

Rachel Blair, Chief Strategy Officer, and Stephanie Bergara, board member and leader of local Selena tribute Bidi Bidi Banda, both serve at the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM). In this episode, we explore Stephanie and Rachel’s paths to the organization, dive into HAAM’s mission, and break down who they serve, how to access care, and the full range of services they offer. We also highl...

Karyn Scott and Dorian Colbert are the founder and program coordinator, respectively, of Kids in a New Groove (KING). As a program under Partnerships for Children, KING provides mentorship and music lessons to Austin area children who are part of the child welfare system. In this episode, we discuss Karyn's inspiration for creating KING, the mentee-mentor experience, and the KING Sings for A Dream...

Dr. Aaron Rochlen is a Psychologist, Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas, and creator of Under the Rock, a one-of-a-kind live experience that blends music and psychology into an introspective journey for artists and audiences alike.  In this episode, we dive into Dr. Rochlen’s work in men’s mental health, masculinity, and alternative means of therapy. We also get into the inspiratio...

The Louisiana Surf Department is made up of John Core, Brian Bounds, James T Carter, and Markus "Shudawgy" Williams.   In this episode, we get into the creation of the band, their music, and their identity. This is an authentic story of how a lively group of friends came together to create amazing tunes all while serving the musical community they are a part of. Let's not forget the stories that s...

Jamie McKenzie is a singer-songwriter, frontwoman, and music community organizer from Tucson, Arizona.  In this episode, we talk about her journey from living and making music in the Bay Area to finding her community in Austin. We get into her experience joining the Austin Songwriters Group, starting her band Ginny Hall, and launching Warren Records - an organization born from the frustrations man...

Paul Corliss is a singer-songwriter and frontman from Chicago, Illinois.  In this episode, we dive into Paul’s musical inspirations, the jam band scene, being around the New Orleans and Dallas music scenes (and how they compare to Austin's), building a band, landing consistent gigs, and his experiences playing around Austin. We also talk about his “late start” as a musician, picking up the guitar...

Lauren Bruno, Sue Koch, Gabe Phoenix, and Terrany Johnson are mothers, fathers, musicians, and music lovers. Together, they make up part of the founding team behind Prosper XO. In this episode, we dive into Lauren’s life experiences and what inspired her to create Prosper XO, along with Sue, Gabe, and Terrany’s individual journeys and roles within the organization - each bringing their own unique...

Zack Morgan is a keyboardist, booker, and longtime Austin musician from Coppell, Texas.  In this episode, we get into Zack’s journey through the Austin music scene; starting with how he found his place in it even before living here. We dive into jam band culture, the many collaborations he’s been part of both onstage and off, and the lessons he’s picked up navigating the business side of music. He...

Kristen Taylor is a singer-songwriter from Flower Mound, Texas.  In this episode, we dive into Kristen’s unexpected first step into music and explore how she’s quickly picked up songwriting, the guitar, and the art of managing herself as an artist. We connect the dots between her past as a collegiate athlete and the direction it brings to her music, talk about the contrasts between performing in h...

Derrick Lesnau is the CEO of the SIMS Foundation. A local non-profit that provides mental health and recovery resources to the, "entire ecosystem," of the Austin music community.  In this episode, Derrick shares his path to SIMS, the powerful story of local musician Sims Ellison that inspired the foundation, and how that story drives their mission today. We talk mental health, accessing SIMS’ serv...