Who We Are: Meet the Chrontourage

The Chrontourage is a group of enthusiastic Austinites representing the Austin Chronicle at events around our awesome city. While we can't be at every single concert, festival, restaurant, movie or sporting event we love, we are going to try! We have you, our readers, in mind when we share a diverse and eclectic selection of opportunities for fun and mischief around Austin. Our readers are our extended Chrontourage, and we hope you will join our posse out on the town!

Ashley Nicole Hardy: University of Texas Ex, raised in the 512, Ashley Nicole is in a committed relationship with all things Austin. Local music, swing dancing, two-stepping, and bottles of champagne at the Alamo Drafthouse are just a few of her favorite things. Ash's dream life includes her SoCo Condo, her Great Pyrenees (Norton Jester), and becoming a music journalist for a great local publication. At heart, she's a quirky-nerdy-life-of-the-party-do-work-Austin-girl. Look for Ash around town; she will be in one of her pairs of very large earrings. She loves being tweeted, so say hi to her @girlaboutaustin. You can also catch her blogging at www.girlaboutaustin.com.

Brittany Campbell: She visited 512 most of her life from her native Dallas, but after living here and becoming active in the unique community, there’s no doubt that she is an Austinite. This UT student is seasoned to all things Austin. Catch her during the day hitting up the coffee shops or BMXing at the local skateparks and at night she enjoys the wide variety of the local food and music Austin has to offer. She is currently loving her job as the Talent Buyer for "The Parish Underground" venue at Beale St Tavern (Brittany@theparishaustin.com). Also, she host a radio show Monday nights 10pm on 91.7 KVRX. Her goal as a Chrontourager is to expose Austinites to anything rad happening, so don’t miss Brittany’s Picks. To peak into the everyday escapades of Brittany follow her on instagram @BeeCam

Brett Rivera: After a small stint in Los Angeles and a Music Business degree from UT, Brett has found himself back in beautiful Austin, Texas with no regrets. Being a longtime musician and writer with industry experience through his work with The Recording Academy, Clear Channel Radio, artist managers, and entertainment attorneys, music has always been a passion. Asides from his work with the Chronicle, Brett currently manages the San Antonio based prog-metal force that is Immortal Guardian, and has recently gotten involved with video production.

Derek Van Wagner: Derek lives on the East Side and loves to have fun. He enjoys long walks on the beach and smoked Gouda. Say hello if you see him on the street.

Andrew Miller: Andrew has lived in Austin for the past nine years and has immersed himself into the culture, food, music and everything "weird" Austin has to offer. Although music is seen as his first passion, he is also an avid traveller. If he is not telling stories of his worldly adventures, you might be invited to join him on a road trip to some far-away town in Texas to sail, hike, paddle board, kayak or surf. 

Emma Banks: New to ATX, Emma is a freshman at UT and trying her best to take advantage of all that the city has to offer (within the limits of being a 19-year-old, of course). She spends most of her free time as a gypsy roaming the streets of Austin, always on the lookout for her next adventure. The best part: sharing her discoveries with readers and Chrontouragers like yourself! Austin has made quite the impression on this young one, and it will surely be quite a while before she’s packing her bags. Oh, and find her tweeting @emmacbanks, and tumbling at sun-country.tumblr.com.

Jordan Roberts: Jordan is an Austin native, writer, videographer, photographer, painter, live music junkie, classic film lover, and road trip enthusiast. Educator by day and Chrontourager by night. When she's not programming robots and making crafts with her students, Jordan is out enjoying her beloved Austin and counting down the days until the next music festival. From concerts to art exhibitions to happy hours to movies and outdoor activities, she is an aficionado of all things Austin. Watch her adventures unfold on twitter @jorbot22 and instagram @silvercity22.

Rachel Staples: Rachel is an East Texas native and new on the Austin scene. A recent apparel design graduate from The University of Alabama, Austin came calling after a brief trip to the city. After realizing that no other place influenced her like Austin, she packed up and headed back Texas. Enjoys live music, vegetarian cooking, and local beer. She looks forward to promoting all things Chronicle while constantly gaining inspiration in food, art, and fashion.

Courtney Byrd: After living nearly everywhere along the east coast, Courtney found her way to Austin… and has absolutely no plans for leaving. Although it’s only been a two-year love affair, she already feels like a true Austinite, through and through. Before joining the Chrontourage, you probably would’ve found Courtney sweet-talking door guys into letting her into the best music shows in town. Now, she’s got a front row seat and she’s letting you in on the action too (@CourtneyB_inATX).  When she’s not Chrontourage-ing, she’s either writing for Austin Beauty Guide, Examiner.com, managing the social media for local businesses, or plotting her next Austin adventure.