The Red River Podcast: Stories of Music, Culture, and Community

The Red River Podcast explores, celebrates, and preserves the district’s rich musical history through interviews and storytelling – shining a light on the people, venues, and creative energy that have shaped Red River into one of Austin’s most vibrant cultural destinations.

This free, monthly podcast series will feature musicians, venue owners, and historians sharing firsthand stories and history of the district.

Episode 4 with Graham Williams out now!

If you’ve been to Mohawk, Levitation or (sigh) Fun Fun Fun Fest, you know the work of Graham Williams. He’s the CEO and head of talent buying for Resound Presents, one of the leading independent music promotion companies in the U.S. Graham grew up on Red River, first as a 90s kid taking in all-ages shows at the Cavity and then as the longtime booker at Emo’s. Learn about how Graham went from booking house parties as a high schooler to presenting mutli-stage concerts at Palmer Events Center, how he made it through to the other side of the COVID lockdown, and the not-insignificant role the Kings of Leon’s underwear played in his career trajectory.

Episode 3 with Angela Tharp out now!

Flamingo Cantina owner and Red River Cultural District board member Angela Tharp has been one of Austin’s most stalwart supporters of reggae, world music, and a cornucopia of other genres for almost 35 years. Find out how Angela parlayed one night selling tacos on Halloween in the burned-out space between two buildings on East 6th Street into a venerable club that has fostered a vibrant local scene while also hosting big names like Burning Spear, Toots and the Maytals, and Lee “Scratch” Perry. Angela also discusses her extensive experience as an advocate, negotiating with the city to ensure the continued viability of live music downtown and what comes next for the corner of East 6th and Red River.

Episode 2 with Wendy WWAD out now!

If you spent any time along Red River in the late 1990s and early 2000s, you couldn’t have missed Wendy Nelson, a.k.a. Wendy WWAD (as in “What Would Ace Do?”) . She ran Rank N Revue alongside partner Brenna Parthmore, a freebie tabloid zine that gave voice to the emerging Red River music district and provided in-depth coverage of the goings-on at mainstay venues like Room 710, Red Eyed Fly, Elysium, and Headhunters. Jump in as Wendy recounts her years of booking and bartending along Red River, the smoking ban controversy, and departed characters she met along the way like Chad Holt (“Total Badass”) and Handsome Joel Svatek (“King of Red River”).

Episode 1 with Roger Collins out now!

Jump into the Red River Podcast with Roger Collins, co-owner of legendary Red River haunt the One Knite during its early 1970s live music heyday. Settle in as we crack open the One Knite’s coffin-shapped doors to hear about how Joe Ely and the Flatlanders found their footing on the One Knite’s tabletop stage and how a teenage Stevie Vaughan became Stevie Ray. Along the way, we’ll hear about the music scene’s commingling with the marijuana distribution business, trouble with Harvey Gann’s APD vice squad, and how Roger went from shooting out the streetlights at the corner of 8th and Red River to hanging out with Willie Nelson on the White House lawn.

LINK TO PODCAST SITE

The podcast is a collection of real stories, history, memories and perspectives from people connected to the cultural district – past and present. Everyone remembers the past a little differently, and some tales include sensitive and explicit topics. These stories don’t always reflect the view, mission or endorsements of our organization – they’re simply part of the rich, complicated history of the place. We’ve done our best to honor each storyteller’s voice, but can’t promise every detail is fact-checked or free from the occasional fuzzy memory. Think of this podcast; heartfelt, imperfect, and full of character. Thanks for listening with an open mind and for celebrating the many layers of our District’s shared heritage.

Support the Red River Cultural District at: www.redriverculturaldistrict.org

Follow us at: @redriverculturaldistrict

The host of The Red River Podcast is: Greg Beets
Special thanks to: Richard Whymark
Explore Richard and Greg’s work at: www.acuriousmixofpeople.com

Music for this podcast is provided by: KindKeith

KindKeith (they/them), the musical project of Fort Worth native Keith Galloway Jr., is an Alternative Rap/R&B artist known for blending soulful, piano-driven melodies with modern electronic textures. Their work emphasizes emotional honesty and vulnerability, often exploring themes of growth, healing, and human connection. Through genre-blurring collaborations and an evolving creative vision, KindKeith continues to carve out a distinct voice rooted in authenticity and introspection.