The Ramos Brothers Unplugged, Austin Bergstrom International Airport, April 11

The Ramos Brothers Unplugged

Austin Bergstrom International Airport, April 11

The first half-hour is free. The second is $2. After that, every 30 minutes is $1. Since Ruben Ramos' family reunion ran 4-6pm, the total cost was $4. Of course, if you'd taken an airport shuttle, the show was gratis. Really, though, since the only charge was for parking (and who can find parking in Austin anymore?), technically, there was no cover. "Music in the Air" is the slogan: "Live and on Stage at the Airport." With the teeth-rattling, Orwellian loudspeaker announcements blaring every few minutes ("If you've lost your house keys …"), not to mention the blender at the bar working double time to quench the thirst of beleaguered travelers, music was far from the only thing in the air at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport. Undaunted, the Ramos brothers, featuring sister Inez, played on in the airport bar to the delight of a good-sized and very attentive crowd; "Tennessee Waltz," one of the first numbers of the Wednesday live set, sounded nice. And why not? On a long stage that's twice as big as those found in most local live music venues -- to the left of the metal detectors in the main terminal -- plus a lighting rig, and enough sound equipment and monitors to put on a show at Waterloo Park, not to mention more cameras than those at the Austin Music Network, performers at Bergstrom are given first-class treatment. The airlines should be so good. "This is my big brother Elijo," said the hosting El Gato Negro, Ruben. "From Garland. He just flew in on American." In his trademark suit and sunglasses, the charter local member of Los Super Seven, who nearly steals the show on the all-star Tex-Mex group's sophomore triumph, Canto, couldn't help beaming as his siblings Alphonso, Elijo, and Inez took turns at the mike. It's true, more often than not the vocals and accompanying harmonies were lost in the hangar-like ambience of the cavernous main terminal, but that didn't stop the familial warmth coming from the stage. Besides, you could hear the enthusiastic applause just fine. Ruben's sandy tenor on "Que Seas Felice," Alphonso's crooning "Did You Happen to See the Most Beautiful Girl," the five-piece band (guitar, bass, drums, trumpet, and accordion) backing the Ramos with understated precision -- everything was working. Maybe some flights were even on time.