Anyone who lives in Austin knows why the city council adopted the slogan “live music capital of the world" in 1991. For those just visiting, the city offers many opportunities to find out. The famed music scene of Austin began in the 60s and 70s at the Vulcan Gas Company. Musicians played country music here to crowds of loud and enthusiastic fans. Willie Nelson moved to Austin in 1965 and kick started his career in front of these audiences. He went on to become one of the most successful country music artists of all time. Not long after, the Vulcan Gas Company became known as the Armadillo World Headquarters, or just The Armadillo, and Austin’s music really took off.
As the music scene grew more popular, Austin gained a reputation for welcoming struggling artists. Bands and singers knew they would find receptive audiences at numerous informal establishments and the type of music played expanded to include jazz, blues, rock and roll, and everything in between.
The music scene in Austin has fostered the career of many now famous musicians. Perhaps the most legendary, Stevie Ray Vaughan is one of the most influential blues guitarists in the world. He first played at Antone’s, the club founded by his mentor and record producer, Clifford Antone.
Television and annual festivals have helped Austin develop into the live music capital. The show Austin City Limits first aired on PBS in 1975. The live music experience showcased the variety of artists heard in Austin and helped significantly to grow the city’s music reputation. Almost every kind of music imaginable can be heard at the three day Austin City Limits Music Festival held every September. Since its inception in 2002, it has become one of the premier music festivals in the country.
The Sixth Street area of downtown Austin houses the largest collection of live music venues and is the location of the South by Southwest Festival. SXSW, as it is known, is a music and film festival that has generated more revenue than even the Texas Longhorn’s home games.
Certainly, the times of year that coincide with the music festivals are the most exciting for fans of live music. At any other time of year, tourists may be disappointed with the atmosphere of the famed Sixth Street area. Several of the original, small music venues have closed and in their place are more profitable bars and clubs.
While some may believe the eclectic, small feel of Austin’s music scene is waning, others still revel in the live entertainment.
Wedding bands can evoke more of the subtle emotions and expressions that are not as easily detected in recorded music.
If your prefer live music than having a DJ, you must have already been inspired by a band you heard in a restaurant or a club, a bar or at a friends wedding. If this is the case, wedding band selection will not be a difficult task for you. However if you want to move on to other possibilities, here are suggestions on finding a good wedding band.
The Internet. Brides today are selecting wedding bands from the net because of the range of choices that it offers. Pick a good website that contains lots of information about wedding bands. You can select from their array of bands to suit your wedding theme. A point to remember though is that your guests' ages vary and the band, even if a particular theme is catered, should also be able to play variety. A wedding band that can play the Top 40 will be a safe ground to start your selection.
Bands post on the net their music selections. Read through these and find out. A good wedding band must be able to play various music genres. Drop bands, no matter how good they are that play only one type of music. They will not be much use in wedding occasions. You have to ensure that the band will play wedding music that will fill the dance floor up.
Next listen to the bands' audio samples. Listen carefully and ask yourself if you like what you are hearing. If the band has a video sample, that will make your selection even easier. Narrow down your selection to the bands that you like most.
Talk with the band leader for prices and other arrangements. Remember that wedding bands are usually booked for several months in advance. Make your selection and booking early.
The size of the wedding band that you select should be appropriate with the numbers of guest on your list. A smaller group can be served better by a smaller band and vice versa.
Once you have talked to the band leader (who should satisfy all your questions in a very professional manner), ask the band to mail you a sample of their demo recording. This should allow you to evaluate the wedding band even better, in your car, at home with your friends and with your fianc?.
Find out if the band will be playing near your area. If it is a regular public venue like restaurants or clubs that would give you an even better evaluation of how the wedding band will perform live. Imagine the band playing at your wedding. Can they fill the floor, are the people dancing, check the level of their volume (guest must be able to hear each other even when dancing) do they look good on stage. Do you think they are the band that you are looking for? Do not be pressured when drawing your selection from your list. Wedding bands can make or break your party.
You can introduce yourself to the band leader during the break so that there is someone in the group that you can be comfortable coordinating the details of the program at your wedding party.
Again, book a wedding band early. There is no substitute for a well-planned wedding.
You could have the best of everything on your important event, but if the wedding band does not live up to what it is expected to do, the best wedding event can fail.
Both Dane Smith & are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Dane Smith has sinced written about articles on various topics from Food And Drink, Consumer and Real Estate. Ki helps buyers and sellers in the market. If you are looking online you can start your Austin home search by searching the. Dane Smith's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.
has sinced written about articles on various topics from . . 's top article . to your Favourites.