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KGSR CD

One of my wife's favorite gifts to her brothers sisters scattered around the country is the KGSR CD.  Each year KGSR compiles the best of its on-air performances on a double CD set which is released right after Thanksgiving.  Every year, the CD's sell out fast--usually by Christmas, sometimes you get lucky and still pick it up in January. 

This year's compilation includes music from Lyle Lovett, Patty Griffin, The Neville Brothers, Tori Amos, Mavis Staples, Jack Johnson, Ani DiFranco, Robert Earl Keen, Aimee Mann, Willie Nelson, Eliza Gilkyson. 

Cool thing is that proceeds benefit the SIMS Foundation, which provides low-cost mental health services for Austin musicians and their families.  Pick up a copy at Waterloo Records or buy it off their website.  Copies are also available at Austin Christmas Bazaar, Borders, and a few other record stores.

Need a Ticket? Call Ticketcity.com

My mother's never been to a football game. Ever! I needed to trade in my two tickets for four so she could go see her first football game (yes I know it's just Rice but what the heck). I called and Austin owned business Ticketcity.com (1-800-SOLD-OUT) and a few minutes later they'd traded my two tickets for four.

Ticketcity.com is owned by my good friend Randy Cohen--an Austinite. He's managed to get tickets for all types of events from Longhorn sports, local concerts, Broadway and Las Vegas shows, and even international events like the World Cup. Best part is you can go pick up your tickets at Dobie Mall instead of worrying about whether a ticket broker will mail you the tickets or not.

Another cool Austin business.

SXSW - Music, Movies and the Internet

March brings SXSW madness. Entire parks are roped off. Hotels are overbooked. Even the limited free parking available around town becomes paid parking. Venues are distinguished by what SXSW events they'll be hosting.

Meanwhile, thousands of music, media and film fans and professionals are making their way to Austin from all over the world for the event, Austin's largest annual conference. The original Music and Media Conference & Festival, started in 1987, is now only one part of a multimedia event including the 11-year-old offshoots, the SXSW Film Conference and SXSW Interactive Festival.

It's the classic mixing of business with pleasure. Industry professionals network and browse the latest technology at the trade shows, share trade secrets in panel discussions and recognize the best talent with well-coveted SXSW awards. But mainly they're out there doing what they love and do best--showing their films and playing their music. And, fans--both one-timers and die-hards--eat it up. Since SXSW is known as a setting for discovering fresh talent, it's a chance to catch some rising stars as well as to see those who've already made their mark.

Registration runs between $150 (for students) up to $525, for up to 10 days of exhibitions, panels and performances. Individual admission without a registration badge is venue-specific. Check www.sxsw.com for schedule and rates.

Buy your tickets online from an Austin based ticket broker

Chip Rosenthal's blog has a number of interesting articles on SXSW at http://www.unicom.com/chrome/