Janis Joplin, Townes Van Zandt and Stevie RayVaughan Among Inductees To Austin Music Memorial

The Austin Music Memorial, which honors individuals who have made substantial contributions to the development of the Austin music community, will induct 10 more local music pioneers on July 11 — and this year, it’s a group heavy with household names and well-known Texas icons.

The induction ceremony will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. July 11 at the Long Center; following the ceremony the plaques will tour Antone’s, Threadgill’s and El Sol Y La Luna for one week before being installed in their permanent homes.

Memorial plaques commemorating the inductees are installed along the outer ring of the terrace overlooking Lady Bird Lake. The latest group will bring the total in the Austin Music Memorial to 30.

The Austin Music Memorial is a program of the Music Division of the City of Austin Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services. The nomination and induction process occurs annually. The three eligibility requirements for the Austin Music Memorial are:

-The nominee must have been deceased for three years prior to the nomination year.
-The nominee must have contributed to Austin music.
-The nominee must have been from, worked or lived in or around Austin.

The 2010 inductees are:

Clifford Antone (1949-2006)
Antone was the owner of the legendary Antone’s blues club and record label. He is credited with launching the careers of many local blues and rock musicians and his club remains at the heart of the Austin music scene.

Martin Banks (1936-2004)
Trumpeter Banks played with many of the jazz greats of the 1950s and ‘60s, touring from California to New York. He returned to Austin in the ‘80s where he continued to perform and promote music appreciation with several nonprofit music programs.

Erbie Bowser (1918-1995)
Blues pianist Bowser was a regular on Austin’s club scene in the 1950s and 60’s where he formed musical partnerships with several other local legends. He re-emerged in the ‘80s to record an internationally acclaimed album and to perform as one of the Texas Piano Professors.

Liliado “Lalo” Campos (1924-2004)
A broadcaster and music promoter, Campos was the first person to host a Latino radio show in Austin. His popular show, “Noche de Fiesta,” ran for 25 years and gave exposure to many local Latino musicians.

Luis “Louie” Guerrero (1937-2006)
A native Austinite, “Louie” was a multi-instrumentalist and second-generation composer. He performed frequently in East Austin restaurants accompanying himself on his signature bass/electric guitar combo.

Johnny Holmes (1917-2001)
Holmes was well-known as a music promoter, restaurateur and founder of the historic blues and jazz spot, the Victory Grill. His popular juke joint was a staple on the “Chitlin Circuit” in the 1950s and continues to attract national and local talent.

Janis Joplin (1943-1970)
One of the first female superstars of rock ‘n’ roll, Joplin began her music career in Austin as a student at the University of Texas. While performing at local venues such as Threadgill’s, she cultivated her signature bluesy, gravel-voiced sound before leaving for San Francisco where she achieved international acclaim.

Kenneth Threadgill (1909-1987)
Threadgill turned his gas station into a tavern which eventually became a hotspot for local musicians and those just traveling through. Threadgill’s continues to be one of Austin’s best known venues and is still regarded as a cultural touchstone for the city.

Townes Van Zandt (1944-1997)
Singer-songwriter Van Zandt resided in Austin during the 1970s and ‘80s, helping to shape the reputation of Austin’s country music scene. His songwriting remains internationally revered and his songs have been performed by many music greats.

Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954-1990)
A local legend, Vaughan achieved great success as a virtuoso blues guitarist in the 1980s. He also served as a musical ambassador for Austin, bringing worldwide attention to the city’s diverse music scene.

More information about the Austin Music Memorial can be found at www.cityofaustin.org/music/memorial.htm.