Jimmie Jones, a veteran Austin musician, recently interviewed for the Austin Chronicle, said it well:  “I am convinced music will rub rough edges off you. I think there’s something special about it, but I won’t know what it is until I get to heaven. There’s a little music in everything we do. A wedding, a funeral, church, a party. It’s a great part of us.” *
There’s so much music on the North Shore that perhaps that’s why we all get along so well: Our rough edges get a chance to be rubbed off a lot. Look at the range of music genres and venues we have. There’s classical music at Villa Antonia during the Twilight Concerts, pop to classical by the Hill Country Singers, hymns and gospel at churches in Lago Vista and Jonestown, and blues, rock, Americana and country music at festivals, restaurants and bars.
Some well known musicians have lived here or come through on a regular basis. Junior Brown and Rick Treviño come to mind. Some old venues we loved and enjoyed have also come and gone, like Hogmeirs, The Thirsty Turtle, The Inn on Lake Travis and Cow Creek Saloon. Many of the folks who played those venues can still be seen and heard at True Grits, Larry’s Lone Star Bar, Deli Werks, Remington’s Bar and Grill and The Pier. Some active musicians have been around here for decades, like Allen “Bones” Davis, Kathy Ross, Jim Nosler, Wayne Doss, Alan Kentfield, Joe West, Jimmy Sims and many others.
Along with the North Shore veterans, we see more and more locals making their marks on the music scene. You have probably heard about Drew Womack, Jimmy Linton, Eric Mancilla, George Guzman, Travis Brown, Eric Tessmer … and the list goes on. Making lists always risks leaving some out.
Open mics at True Grits, Deli Werks, Larry’s Lone Star Bar and the Point Venture Room serve as incubators for local talent to develop. We’ve seen artists improve dramatically given this chance to get up in front of an audience and shine.
Look for interviews soon with some of the local musicians and venue owners as we focus on the music of the North Shore, the artists, the history, the venues and the many opportunities for you to come and support our North Shore music.
*Austin Chronicle, “Keeping up with the Jones,” by Margaret Moser, June 18, 2010

—Linda Hambrick