Pease Park
Bring Back Austin All Stars!
RECEIVED Wed., June 23, 2010
Dear Editor,
It's my fault, all my fault. I didn't vote in the Chronicle's "Best of Austin" and now I must let it be known … the best cover band for the past 35 years is the Austin All Stars. No one can argue this fact. I was born in a small town in Washington state, in a place where the average person wouldn't know a good musician if Jimi Hendrix were to rise from the grave and slap them with his cold, bony hand. I listened to the radio and dreamed. When I finally got to Austin, my dreams came true the first time I stumbled into the old Steamboat on Sixth and was instantly transfixed by the awesome playing and thick harmonies. They rarely turned down requests. Later, I found out that some of them had backed legends of the music industry and had even played on recordings I had heard on the radio way back in Washington. They called Stevie Ray and Eric Johnson "Kid"! I wasn't about to miss them playing at the Saxon Pub anniversary, and they did not disappoint at all. In fact, they tore it up in an unnatural fashion for men that age. My problem is … well … I can't wait another five to 10 years for another reunion. These guys are not young, and waiting that long is not an option for them or me. Please, Mr. Cotton, book 'em again.
It's my fault, all my fault. I didn't vote in the Chronicle's "Best of Austin" and now I must let it be known … the best cover band for the past 35 years is the Austin All Stars. No one can argue this fact. I was born in a small town in Washington state, in a place where the average person wouldn't know a good musician if Jimi Hendrix were to rise from the grave and slap them with his cold, bony hand. I listened to the radio and dreamed. When I finally got to Austin, my dreams came true the first time I stumbled into the old Steamboat on Sixth and was instantly transfixed by the awesome playing and thick harmonies. They rarely turned down requests. Later, I found out that some of them had backed legends of the music industry and had even played on recordings I had heard on the radio way back in Washington. They called Stevie Ray and Eric Johnson "Kid"! I wasn't about to miss them playing at the Saxon Pub anniversary, and they did not disappoint at all. In fact, they tore it up in an unnatural fashion for men that age. My problem is … well … I can't wait another five to 10 years for another reunion. These guys are not young, and waiting that long is not an option for them or me. Please, Mr. Cotton, book 'em again.
Sincerely,
Timothy Dauncey
Timothy Dauncey
[Editor's note: Best Cover Band is a category in our Austin Chronicle Music Poll, which you'll get another chance to vote in early next year. In the meantime, this is the first week for our "Best of Austin" 2010 ballot, so you still have a chance to vote in that this year.]
