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Tesla has filed plans to build a 30,000-square-foot showroom and vehicle service center at The Yard, a creative business center in south Austin.
<p>The space, located at 500 E. St. Elmo Road, is currently home to Music Lab, one of Austin's most beloved recording studios which had already downsized once by closing its popular West Oltorf location in 2019. It is unclear if the recording studio is relocating or shutting down completely.</p><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><iframe allowfullscreen="" aria-hidden="false" frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3447.76096245339!2d-97.76380758489368!3d30.21536918182052!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x8644b49844a28147%3A0x16c545a37d3361e2!2s500%20E%20St%20Elmo%20Rd%2C%20Austin%2C%20TX%2078745!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1610725077106!5m2!1sen!2sus" style="border:0;" tabindex="0" width="600"></iframe></div><p>Tesla's filings project construction to begin by this June, and will take an estimated three months and $2.5 million to complete. This will be the third showroom in Austin. The existing locations are located off of Research Boulevard in northwest Austin and in the Domain—this will be the first showroom in South Austin.<br/></p><p>The new location will be closer to the newest Tesla gigafactory in Southeast Travis County. It was less than a year ago that Elon Musk announced the automotive company would be building its next gigafactory in the Austin area. The factory will facilitate building the new Cyber Truck, Model Y and batteries for the cars. It is projected to begin operations this year.</p>
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(Black Pumas/Instagram)
With eyes on the presidential stage, Austin-based psychedelic soul duo Black Pumas will perform their Grammy-nominated song, "Colors," at Vice President-elect Kamala Harris' inaugural fundraiser on Wednesday.
<p>With just a mere eight days before Inauguration Day on Jan. 20, Black Pumas announced via Twitter that they will join other performers and celebrities like Kristin Chenoweth, Billy Porter and Renee Elise Goldsberry at the <a href="https://secure.joebiden.com/a/pic-virtual-fundraiser?attr=100580830" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">virtual fundraiser</a> tomorrow.</p><p>The vice president and president-elect have begun fundraising for their inaugural season and first 100 days in office. Due to the pandemic, traditional ceremonies will be made virtual and initial fundraisers have been put in place to help cover the costs of the transition. According to the <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Kamala-Harris-dissolving-PACs-giving-money-to-15856086.php" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">San Francisco Chronicle</a>, Harris was left with roughly $60,000 in political action committee funds leftover from her presidential campaign, which she plans to donate to three charities in her home state of California.</p><p>Black Pumas said they were honored to be involved in the fundraiser, in their Twitter post.<br/></p><p>Black Pumas had an exciting 2020, despite the pandemic. The duo was recently nominated for three 2021 Grammys: "Album of the Year," "Record of the Year," "Best American Roots Performance" and will be pit against huge stars like Beyoncé, Dua Lipa and Megan Thee Stallion.</p><p>The band also has a designated holiday in Austin, May 7, which was coined by Mayor Steve Adler.</p><p>Attendance to the fundraiser comes with a price tag, starting at $250 per "attendee" and ranging upward to the $10,000 "champion" range. There is one more level, "co-host" for $25,000, which is sold out.</p>
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Austin musician Parker McCollum talks No.1 Billboard song and navigating live music in a pandemic
08 January
(Universal Music Group)
Keeping the legacy of live music alive even in a pandemic, Parker McCollum has not only been making music but also topping the charts from right here in Austin.
<p>The Texas-born, Austin-based country music singer-songwriter announced on Instagram that his song, "Pretty Heart," had claimed the <a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/parker-mccollum" target="_blank">number one spot</a> on Billboard's Country Airplay chart, alongside hitting number one on the Emerging Artists chart dating Dec. 26.</p><p>In an interview with Austonia, McCollum said after performing a long weekend of socially-distanced live shows, hearing the news of his chart-topping song was the best start to the week.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f559d614737c4884e86200bceae6e9a9" id="3682e"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
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</div></blockquote></div><p>"It was a super, super great weekend. We were kind of feeling a little rough coming off of that on Sunday and then woke up Monday morning at number one," McCollum said. "It was a great day. My dad was with me whenever I found out so I think he was the most pumped."<br/></p><p>McCollum, a multi-talented instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, got his start performing at venues all over Texas, including at The Saxon Pub right here in Austin and Cheatham Street Warehouse just south, in San Marcos. </p><p>McCollum said he doesn't like the stereotype of beers, trucks and babes in country music, and instead focuses on music that reflects his identity. He said "Pretty Heart," came after a breakup, even though he thought he had already written all the songs about it.</p><p>"At the very, very tail end... out popped 'Pretty Heart,'" McCollum said. "It was fitting for the time but it's funny, I write the songs and then we cut them a year or two later and you don't really feel it then, when they finally come out later, what you did when you wrote them."</p><p>Since the pandemic started, McCollum has still found ways to perform music live in different ways like at outdoor venues, but he said he misses being on the road, performing music and touring for weeks at a time.</p><p>"It's not how I thought the 28th year of my life was going to go, being at home all the time," McCollum said. "To all of a sudden just be home is pretty different. I definitely wish it was back."</p><p>Madison Summey, who has been a fan of McCollum's since 2015, said she knew "Pretty Heart" was a hit the first time she saw him perform it live in June 2020 at the Nutty Brown Amphitheatre.</p><p>"He has a real country sound that is different than what is typically played on the radio, so I feel that sets him apart from everyone else," Summey said. "He's kept that sound all of these years and hasn't let becoming more known change his sound."</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="5f4d1b3245c0b6feada1dee345ccbcd7" id="8267b"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1272023652909879296"><div style="margin:1em 0">live music in 2020??? you love to see it !! https://t.co/iV6L7kaMPm</div> — madi (@madi)<a href="https://twitter.com/madisummey/statuses/1272023652909879296">1592109046.0</a></blockquote></div><p>Candace Carreno, Austin resident, said coming from a small town in Texas herself, she relates to his music and hopes to see him retain his Texas flair, even in the national spotlight.<br/></p><p>"I hope his success continues and that he stays true to his Texas country roots," Carreno said. "All too often we see country artists conform to that 'pop country' sound. I want to see his music continue reaching that national level but still having that true country music sound that gave him his foundation."</p><p>As for McCollum, he said he's just getting started and he already thinks he's got something better than "Pretty Heart." Staying true to himself, McCollum said he's just going to do the best he can.</p><p>"I just sing songs, you know, and try to write the best ones I can," McCollum said. "You put them on the radio and hopefully they go number one and if they don't, you go try to do it again."</p>
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Countdown to Christmas: Austin musicians take on holiday tunes
16 December 2020
(Willie Nelson Facebook/TeamMariah YouTube)
With now only nine days until Christmas, one of the best parts about the holidays is the music. And you can count on Austin musicians to bring you your favorite carols with a little twist.
Here are nine Christmas songs by some of your favorite Austin musicians:
<h2>Black Pumas</h2><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed?uri=spotify%3Aalbum%3A7EM6VUKspXVgEu8uref4au" width="300"></iframe></div><p><a href="https://www.theblackpumas.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Black Pumas</a> are participating in the holiday spirit this year with a new Christmas single. The Grammy-nominated Austin duo released a cover of Lou Rawls' "<a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/1XnK3vy0uLNYAW60O5Xn88?si=y2NRqhQLSb-weg-duYyIrw" target="_blank">Christmas Will Really Be Christmas</a>" on Nov. 18. The single is part of the Spotify Holiday Singles collection, where artists get to showcase their favorite songs in different styles and melodies. After rising to quick fame, Black Pumas and their psychedelic soul music will continue to impress Austin.<span></span><br/></p><h2>Jackie Venson</h2><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/536813070&color=%232f2924&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/jackievenson" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="jackievenson">jackievenson</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/jackievenson/o-holy-night" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="O Holy Night">O Holy Night</a></div></div><p>Austin musician <a href="https://jackievenson.com/" target="_blank">Jackie Venson</a> hopped on the Christmas music train when releasing a cover of "<a href="https://soundcloud.com/jackievenson/o-holy-night" target="_blank">O Holy Night</a>" in 2018. Venson posted the cover on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jackievenson/posts/2163539213678968" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a> stating, "I don't usually do this, but 2018 was the year of new experiences." With a crazy year behind and Christmas almost here, we can't help but wonder if Venson will release another Christmas cover this year. If you're a fan of classic Christmas carols, you might have to add this one to your favorite holiday playlist.<br/></p><h2>Jerry Jeff Walker</h2><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/1ar6xQ86Qsmw27kEtjhOzD" width="300">
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<a href="https://jerryjeff.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jerry Jeff Walker</a> spent most of his career in Austin as a leading figure in the outlaw country music movement. After relocating to Austin in the 1970s, Walker became a symbol of the Austin music community, along with Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel. The musician released a Christmas album in 1994, with deep Texas country tones and popular Christmas carols such as "<a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/4tC8RQks3r9X16wr1YBBud?si=s-TlvXU9RZW0NpVzPktoDw" target="_blank">I'll Be Home For Christmas</a>," "<a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/5lN8xCZFND7UrMBaN0JjkN?si=olCA8tO9TZG6o-QUriu3-A" target="_blank">Santa Claus Is Coming to Town</a>" and "<a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/6RcgNBTCC7FNaH7AZcP54p?si=oaDsO8kfTS20rF5n4n-0eg" target="_blank">Jingle Bell Rock</a>."<br/>
</p><h2>Marcia Ball</h2><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/6UeHEfnggbLZ8ZncGYqa1b" width="300">
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Raised in Louisiana but now a Texas local, award-winning <a href="http://www.marciaball.com/" target="_blank">Marcia Ball</a> wrote the song "<a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/6UeHEfnggbLZ8ZncGYqa1b?si=31u4i5vqT4eCbFb45wMKfQ" target="_blank">Christmas Fais Do-Do.</a>" After kicking off her career in Austin in 1974, Ball invented her music style by releasing Texas and Louisiana inspired melodies and combination blues. The pianist and singer went on to release a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Fais-Do-Do-Marcia-Ball/dp/1589399722" target="_blank">short book</a> inspired after "Christmas Fais Do-Do," illustrating the story of a Louisiana tradition—the house party dance. If you're a fan of Louisiana blues, this song is filled with country, funk and soul.
</p><h2>Rusty Wier</h2><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
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<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Rusty Wier / Santa Claus Is Back In Town</small>
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The <a href="https://www.discogs.com/Various-The-Texas-Christmas-Collection/release/5502222" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Texas Christmas collection</a> in 1991 featured artists such as Willie Nelson, Marcia Balla and Austin native <a href="https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/rusty-wier-obituary?pid=134202032" target="_blank">Rusty Wier</a>. Wier released a Texas rock and country cover of "Santa Claus is Back in Town," for funky lovers of holiday music. Wier died in 2009 in Driftwood.
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Eric Johnson and Van Wilks</h2><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="46af816c237e1c9f2f0bd7b0e6e3b8d9" style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" type="lazy-iframe" scrolling="no" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4RQ9FdQUhew?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Van Wilks and Eric Johnson - What Child is This?</small>
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</p><p>Local guitarist <a href="https://www.ericjohnson.com/" target="_blank">Eric Johnso</a>n added to the <a href="https://www.discogs.com/Various-The-Austin-Christmas-Collection-First-Edition/release/3505785" target="_blank">Texas Christmas Collection</a> in 1981 with an instrumental cover of "What Child Is" with Texas native <a href="http://vanwilks.com/" target="_blank">Van Wilks</a>. The pair manages to play the cover with intricate melodies on their guitars, for a beautiful echo of a well-known Christmas carol.<br/></p><h2>
Pink Nasty</h2><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/66f0wao4Ljx9VVDFED92V5" width="300"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: left;">
Kansas native and Austin local Pink Nasty, joined Texas musicians in "<a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/73rywSyZ3XMVSoHnWVvjfn?si=aiv2CWxbTAu_4LPEgE6aDg" target="_blank">Stars & Snow: A Texas Country Christmas</a>" in 2008 covering "Baby, it's cold outside" with WTF Special. The singer, with her powerful country voice, hasn't released any new music, but hit the holiday mark with this cover.
</p><p>Black Pumas</p><h2>Willie Nelson</h2><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/4hKeHDRVJXHm0ATrNpKm07" width="300"></iframe></div><p>The beloved Austin and Texan musician released "<a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4hKeHDRVJXHm0ATrNpKm07?si=KSsWJa3IQB-zZsMDwjlOUQ" target="_blank">The Classic Christmas Album</a>" in 2016, featuring popular Christmas carols such as "<a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/00wNsN9iOtPDPoQjkk7xsX?si=IHdPhLG-SxqoaJB-LWoavw" target="_blank">White Christmas",</a> "<a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/59lyeZI8xNyl8VJkBxYrLx?si=eLb6Iv9qQH6P2SUj3G5Cyg" target="_blank">Jingle Bells</a>", "<a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/6sBu1f2B5UGVA7IhSW6aKp?si=s1qmpzwISIKhp66Q7w2izw" target="_blank">Santa Claus is Coming to Town</a>." Along with releasing his own album, Nelson joined popular country-pop singer Kacey Musgraves in 2016 for her own Christmas album, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/7sIB15nu0Rp1vR8wXnTx3a?si=zjE6LeJSQ1WkZGb5eYopCQ" target="_blank">"A Very Kacey Christmas</a>." The duo performed "<a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/0oIn0nNk918OsdTjKtVULN?si=6zrD5LJJSgekFxQbS2Ol1Q" target="_blank">A Willie Nice Christmas</a>," a fun and festive tune for lovers of both musicians.</p><p>This is part of a holiday series counting down to Christmas so make sure to visit Austonia tomorrow, as we reach eight days until Christmas.<br/></p>
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