For immediate release, Jan 22, 2004
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) news

Bob Wills to Selena -- Music Archive Shows Sounds of the State

AUSTIN, TEXAS - Bob Wills's fiddle and a poster from a 1941 Texas Playboys show, a 1972 Rolling Stone cover on Texas music, and Selena's biography are among the articles of the Texas Music Archives now on display at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA). From bluesman Blind Lemmon Jefferson to music journalist Joe Nick Patoski, a wide range of the Texas music experience is presented.

"An exhibit from the music archives at the Southwestern Writers Collection is a great fit for the ABIA venue. It's contemporary material with broad popular appeal and we're delighted to be able to make it available to such a large audience," said Connie Todd, Special Collections Curator at Texas State University at San Marcos which houses the archives. "I consider those who create music and those who chronicle the music world to be vital members of the writing community; the acquisition and exhibition of their archives is an important task for our collection as we work to preserve the cultural heritage of the Southwest."

A songbook written by 10 year-old Willie Nelson in 1943, Jerry Jeff Walkers' boots accompanied by hand written lyrics about boot maker Charlie Dunn, and a photo of Stevie Ray Vaughan performing at Soap Creek Saloon in the late
1970s are among memorabilia showcased. Other musicians featured include Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Hal Ketchum.

Beyond musicians, interesting items are presented by the inclusion of media and writers covering music. A 1972 Rolling Stone cover article proclaims "Dripping Springs: the greatest and most screwed up country/western festival." The article was written by Grover Lewis, a classmate of Larry McMurtry who moved to San Francisco in the 1960s to work for the Rolling
Stone. An interview of Joan Baez by Joe Nick Patoski circa 1970 is captured in a photo. Additionally, items from the Austin City Limits television show and Texas Monthly magazine are exhibited.

The Texas Music Archives exhibit is on display through March 30, 2004 in the pylon showcases located on the concourse between gates 7-12. This is in the area of the airport past security checkpoints accessible to ticketed passengers only, currently an audience of approximately 17,000 passengers a day.

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Nancy Coplin
Music Coordinator
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
3600 Presidential Blvd. Box 411
Austin, Tx 78719
512 530-6508
512 530-6653-fax
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/austinairport/musicartstours.htm