Spreading the Word

There's no doubt that Austin has changed by leaps and bounds in the past decade. One thing that's remained the same, however -- at least at its core -- is the music scene. Sure, there are fewer places to play these days, with venues disappearing almost daily. Still, only much larger cities like New York or Chicago boast a scene where there's quality music happening every night of the week.

Despite the ups and downs the community experiences as a whole, people from all over the world are still moving here, looking to be a part of a storied place where people make good music for people who appreciate good music.

During the Nineties, in fact, Austin experienced a population boom that was unprecedented. Though it may have gone unrecognized at the time, this was especially true in the country, folk, and roots-music scene. Artists like the Derailers, High Noon, Toni Price, Wayne Hancock, and Dale Watson broke through to national, and in some cases, international prominence, spreading the word of the Austin music scene far and wide.

This coincides, naturally enough, with another wave of young artists making country, folk, and roots music here in town, and making themselves known in the process. Here is a brief look at who they are, where they are from, and what they sound like. Not all are that "new" in the sense that most have already found audiences or parts thereof, but then again, none of these six are Toni Price either.

And let it be known that these half-dozen are just the tip of the iceberg. Folks like Scott Biram, Penny Jo Pullus, Billy & Bryn Bright, Colin Gilmore, and a host of others are also part of this injection of new blood into the ever-growing and always exciting scene of musicians that calls Central Texas home.