Living in the Heart of the Texas Hill Country Music Scene Austin is known as the live music capitol of the world, but the truth is the music doesn’t stop there. The Texas Hill Country, comprising 14,000 square miles of rolling terrain, sparkling lakes, towering oak trees and wind- ing roads that stretch from Austin to the north and San Antonio to the south, is home to countless established, up-and-coming, and famous musicians. Local Musicians The Hill Country is not just a great place to see a show. It’s also an incubator for some of the best music in the state—and the world. Some of the industry’s most re- nowned artists got their start or cultivated their craft in the Hill Country—artists like Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. But that’s only the beginning of the list. Here are more Hill Country artists of note. Alejandro Escovar Larry Gatlin Austin Gilliam Lloyd Maines Band of Heathens Lucinda Williams Ben Kweller Marcia Ball Bob Schneider Micky & The Motorcars Breelan Angel Midnight River Choir Bruce Robison Mike & The Moonpies Charlie Sexton Moonlight Social Chubby Knuckle Choir Pattie Griffin Cody Canada & The Departed Randy Rogers Cody Johnston Ray Wylie Hubbard Dale Watson Reckless Kelly Gary P Nunn Rick Trevino Gurf Morlix Robert Earl Keen Haley Cole Rosie Flores Jack Ingram Ruthie Foster James McMurtry Scott Miller JB & The Moonshine Band Shakey Graves Jerry Jeff Walker Shawn Colvin Jimmie Dale Gilmore Shinyribs Jimmy LeFave Slaid Cleaves Joe Ely Sunny Sweeny Johnny Burke Susan Gibson Josh Abbott Terri Hendrix Kelley Mickwee Wade Bowen Kelly Willis Walt Wilkins Kevin Galloway (Uncle Lucius) Will Sexton Kyle Park William Clark Green www.vintageoakstexas.com (800) 671-1963 Live Music Venues The Hill Country’s wide variety of music venues from dance halls to bars and restaurants to outdoor facilities makes it possible to enjoy live music almost every night of the year. Venues are found throughout the area, with many concentrated in New Braunfels and San Marcos. Here are a few you’ll want to make sure to visit. Cheatham Street Warehouse, San Marcos The famed music hall where George Strait got his start remains a popular place for live music and also hosts a weekly songwriters circle. The Grapevine, Gruene This is the place to go for a glass of wine and live music in the relaxing oak garden from February to Decem- ber. The Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar, Gruene Juicy burgers, Texas eats, drink specials, a gorgeous view of the river, and live music make this one of the Hill Country’s favorite spots. Gruene Hall, Gruene The oldest continually run dance hall in Texas, Gruene Hall is the preeminent Texas music venue, hosting both new and established artists with the occasional Willie Nelson drop-in. AJ’s Ale House, New Braunfels Looking for something a little more interactive? Stop in for their rock & roll sing along piano bar show. Lazy L&L Campground, New Braunfels This unique open-air facility hosts live music and serves burgers and sandwiches every Friday and Saturday from Memorial Day weekend through mid-August, and also during Labor Day weekend. River Road Ice House, New Braunfels Stop in for cold drinks and live music several days a week. Tavern in the Gruene, New Braunfels This is the home of the Ray Wylie Hubbard Roots and Branches Weekly Live Radio Show on KNBT 92.1 FM featuring established and up-and-coming Americana artists. There’s also a Texas happy hour with live music Thursday and Friday. Riley’s Tavern, New Braunfels Famed as Texas’ first tavern after prohibition, this popular spot showcases local musicians almost every night of the week. WhiteWater Amphitheatre, New Braunfels A large-capacity venue that hosts larger acts from a prime location on the banks of the Guadalupe River. www.vintageoakstexas.com (800) 671-1963 Events & Festivals Hill Country artists and venues don’t have to look far for an opportu- nity to showcase their music. Special events and music festivals take place throughout the year. Hill Country Jazz Festival, February Held at Texas State University’s Evans Auditorium in San Marcos, Here are a few more this annual event features big bands, combos and individual jazz Hill Country venues musicians. worth visiting: Bluebonnet Blues & Fine Art Festival, March Cibolo Nature Center Camp, Just how it sounds, plus food and drink in Marble Falls. Boerne Mercer Street Dancehall, Dripping Springs Albert Ice House, Albert Back Porch Cantina, Kerrville Canyon Grill Ice House, Dripping Springs Rockbox Theater, Fredericksburg Luckenbach Dance Hall, Wine & Art Weekend on the Square, April Luckenbach Art, hors d’oeuvres, wine tasting and live music are offered through- out the weekend in downtown San Marcos. Crossroads Saloon and Steakhouse, Old Settlers Music Festival, April Fredericksburg An outdoor festival in Driftwood celebrating wildflower season and featuring Americana roots music greats. John T Floore Country Store, Helotes Wein & Saengerfest, May Stomp some grapes, check out the art market, taste wine and beer, partake of some of the local food, and enjoy live music in historic downtown New Braunfels. Swing on the Square, May San Marcos’ Courthouse Square plays host to Western Swing acts, blues, ‘40s jazz, big band swing and country, plus a farmer’s market and Texas arts & crafts. www.vintageoakstexas.com (800) 671-1963 JMBLYA, June This annual festival at New Braunfels’ WhiteWater Amphitheatre features top artists across several musical genres. BIGFEST, June Billed as “three days and nights of great Texas music, ” this premier live music event at Cheatham Street Warehouse features 100+ new, up-and-coming, and established artists and is also the Annual benefit for the venue’s foundation. Summer in the Park, June through August San Marcos’ Park Plaza transforms into a concert stage every Thursday night during the summer. Oktoberfest, October Fredericksburg’s Markplatz is the place for a weekend of revelry including continuous oompah music plus art & crafts, a kids area, a German Bier Tent, and food and drink. Gruene Music & Wine Fest, October The event many live music enthusiasts wait for all year, with premier and up-and-com- ing artists, catered dinners, Texas food, beer, and wine tastings, and auctions. Held on the banks of the Guadalupe River in Gruene. Songwriters Festival, October Held throughout Dripping Springs, this unique festival celebrates the art of songwrit- ing with hours of live music from songwrit- ers playing “in-the-round, Nashville-style” plus headlining acts. Wurstfest, November The annual celebration of sausage in New Braunfels is also a great place to enjoy local music. Living in the Texas Hill Country The Texas Hill Country is no longer a secret en- joyed only by Texans. And as more and more residents and visitors flock to San Antonio and Austin, the Hill Country has been discovered by the nation. With an ideal blend of community amenities in an incredibly scenic, beautiful setting plus great convenient to both cities, it’s no wonder the area continues to grow and thrive at an unprecedented rate. www.vintageoakstexas.com (800) 671-1963 The scenery is only the beginning The Hill Country’s breathtaking scenery, highlighted by rolling green hillsides, tow- ering oak trees, and golden sunsets, takes those who are visiting for the first time by surprise. Ten or 20 years down the line, they still consider themselves blessed to be able to gaze out the window and drink it all in. Or to hop in the car, on their bike, or lace up a pair of running shoes and meander through the city, as the roads twist and turn, enjoying the wondrous setting that is unlike anything else in Texas. Fun for everyone Living in the Hill Country means there is always a fun activity at hand. Spend a day at one of the many area parks, where you can enjoy everything from paddle boating, to miniature golf, to strolling among scenic trails, to a picnic in the grass. Tubing is practically a national pastime in the Hill Country city of New Braunfels. There’s nothing like a day at the river, and the city offers two great opportunities to explore: the Comal River, the shortest navigable river in Texas and one that famously retains its 72-degree temperature year round, and the Guadalupe River, which runs from Kerr County all the way to the San Antonio Bay on the Gulf. Another unique feature of the area is the Texas Wine Trail, with more than 35 wineries scattered throughout the Hill Country. Once a Texas secret, these unique wines continue to gain acclaim around the world. Shopping and dining Throughout the Hill Country, boutiques dotting historic squares and modern shops blend to offer residents and visitors a well-rounded shopping experience. One of the area’s favorite spots is the Premium Outlets in San Mar- cos, which was voted among the “Best places to shop” by the Austin Business Journal and was also named the third-best place to shop in the world by ABC’s “The View.” Restaurants in the Hill Country celebrate an international flavor ranging from German fare that reflects the area’s heritage to good ‘ole Texas barbecue to a few local faves like those in the charming town of Gruene, once a cotton mill and today a favorite spot for hearty fare, antiquing, and dancing the night away. An ideal location The Hill Country enjoys a stellar location that puts it in the heart of one of the most spectacular areas in the state. With thriving economies all their own, many cities offer abundant job opportunities close to home.