In Texas, Austin was the center of the Blues. As Blues artists died, night clubs closed and audiences changed musical interests. The favor of the Blues waned. But in the Texas capital, Blues began to flourish. A new renaissance had begun.In Texas, Austin was the center of the Blues. As Blues artists died, night clubs closed and audiences changed musical interests. The favor of the Blues waned. But in the Texas capital, Blues began to flourish. A new renaissance had begun.
The university in Austin, with its large population, provided new music advenues. Half of the population there were always college students who were game to new things. Other venues there included barbecues and small night clubs. The blues masters began to come. And, play. New blues artists found it easy to get an audience, too. Older blues musicians influenced these new artists tremendously. Even Louisiana artists like Clifton Chenier and Gatemouth Brown came.
Along with the Texas revival, another turn of events occurred in 1980 with the release of the film, The Blues Brothers, starring John Belushi and Dan Akroyd. Directed by John Landis, the move broadened up its audiences to the Blues. Elwood and Jake Blues did more for the Blues in 1980 then many other events and people of the past. Pinetop Perkins, John Lee Hooker, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin an Big Walter Horton were some of the artists recruited to star in the classic.
The Blues Brothers and Texas. Thanks guys...