Live Music Matters
Austin Music Map explores the blues roots — and changing culture — of the EastSide
Editor's Note:Austin Music Map is a documentary project that explores Austin's diverse music communities. Each week in December, CultureMap will showcase a new video from the project to celebrate the recent launch of this collaborative, community-focused initiative.
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In its heyday, the stretch of East 12th Street that surrounds Comal was the hub of Austin’s blues culture. Blues clubs like The Palladium, Yellow Jacket and Eastside Lounge lined the road, where iconic food staples like Sam’s Bar-B-Que still stand.
The days of original blues tunes emanating in the streets have faded — the change started in the 1970s — but the ever-evolving neighborhood has remained a hub for Austin's music culture.
In this Austin Music Map video, Bill Baird, proprietor of Baby Blue, explores the history — and the promise — of change in East Austin.
“I love this neighborhood,” Baird says. “Too bad that it’s going to change… I suppose me being here is the harbinger of the change to come.”
Baird’s venue itself has gone undergone changes since this documentary was filmed. It's now known as The Owl, a music venue run by Red Hunter.
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Have a story to tell? Click here to explore Austin Music Map and share your music experiences. Austin Music Map is a collaboration between KUT, Localore and Zeega.
