Music highlights at the Texas Book Festival: live performances, authors, sessions, and more

It’s no secret that music and writing go hand-in-hand. A great song is remembered not only because of the music, but because it tells a great story. Music is mankind’s universal language, after all.

For this reason—and of course the fact that the Festival is held in the live music capitol of the world—music has always played an integral part in our programming. This year is no exception.

The 2014 Texas Book Festival features a spectacular lineup of live music performances, combo musician/authors, and music-themed books.

Histories of music and musicians are represented and always impress, but this year the Texas Book Festival also features books like Marie-Helene Bertino’s 2 A.M. at the Cat’s Pajamas and Marlon James’s A Brief History of Seven Killings, both fictional tales with musical backbones.

Ziggy Marley, multiple Grammy award winner, children’s book author, and the oldest son of reggae legend Bob Marley, will read from his book I Love You Too on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Children’s Read Me a Story Tent, with introductions by Lisa O. Dea’s students from Brentwood Elementary School.

From Galadrielle Allman, daughter of legendary guitarist Duane Allman, comes a new book entitled Please Be With Me: A Song for My Father, Duane Allman in which she tells the story of her father’s life and reflects on her memories of him. Her session takes place on Sunday at 2 p.m. in Capitol Extension Room E1.026.

Highlights in the Music Tent on Saturday include Shelley King, the 2008 Texas State Musician and winner of two Austin Music Awards; Jesse Sublett, author and blues musician known from the seminal Austin rock band The Skunks; Austin Lyric Opera; and Harvey “Tex” Thomas Young and The New Danglin’ Wranglers. On Sunday in the Music Tent, Bob Livingston, singer-songwriter and founding member of The Lost Gonzo Band, will take center stage at 4 p.m.

The full Music Tent schedule is as follows.

Saturday, Oct. 25

10 a.m.—Annie & Kate

Annie & Kate are a 15-year-old acoustic rock duet on the rise. Born and raised in the live music capital of the world of Austin, Texas, the indie rock sisters are multi-instrumentalists and songwriters with an extensive performance history and two original recording projects under their belts. Annie & Kate have been named as one of the top five under 18 bands by the Austin Music Awards.

11 a.m.—Austin Lyric Opera

Austin’s professional opera company performs its live opera music. Locally created with productions of opera’s most beloved stories, and anchored by critically acclaimed productions and the highest artistic standards, Austin Lyric Opera has inspired Central Texans for the past 25 years.

Noon—Kalu James

With blend of blues-rock, soul, and African folk rhythm, Kalu James brings to the table genuine lyrics and a unique style of vocal delivery that will have “your mind thinking, lips singing, and foot tapping days after the show.”

1 p.m.—Harvey “Tex” Thomas Young & The New Danglin’ Wranglers

An Austin staple, the Danglin’ Wranglers were regular performers at well-known local establishments such as the Continental Club and Hut’s Hamburgers, where they played frequently for ten years. Harvey “Tex” will be performing new tracks and original favorites from the days of the Danglin’ Wranglers.

2 p.m.—Shelley King

The music of Shelley King draws from and blends a spectrum of roots music styles, but one word succinctly describes it: soulful. Be it R&B, folk, blues, country, bluegrass or rock — or combinations of and variations on those themes—King delivers a powerful performance on stage with her “smoky, sultry vocals and smart, soulful songs.” She has risen from the vibrant music scene in the Texas capital city to charm fans across North America, Europe and Japan, win two Austin Music Awards, and be named the Texas State Musician for 2008.

3 p.m.—Jesse Sublett

As a member of the seminal Austin rock band The Skunks, Jessie Sublett is an Austin music legend as well as a critically acclaimed writer of crime fiction, memoir, nonfiction, and historical documentaries. His work is known for its powerful lyrical drive, dark humor, and bright splashes of violence and absurdity.

4 p.m.—Who Do

Austin’s most literary band with Pulitzer-prize winner author Lawrence Wright and friends traipsing through an array of Texas R&B and folk classics. Wright, whose book Thirteen Days in September is featured at the Festival this year, plays the keyboard for the band.

Sunday, Oct. 26

Noon—The Tiarra Girls

The Tiarra Girls are three Latina sisters who attend Ann Richards School for Girls and perform music from many genres including originals and covers. The group was named Emerging Artist for 2014 by the Mexican American Cultural Center’s and was also named the Youngest All Girl Latina Band in Austin Texas by he Austin History Center. 

1 p.m.—The Stapletones

With gigs such as SXSW and ACL under their belt, The Stapletones are an established group of musicians from church and secular groups who combine to create an uplifting Gospel collaboration of roots, blues, soul, and spiritual musicianship.

2 p.m. —The Flatlanders (Getting The Band Back Together) with John T. Davis

John T. Davis, music journalist and author of The Flatlanders: Now It’s Now Again (American Music Series), chronicles the beloved band’s musical journey from small-town Lubbock to iconic music legends. Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock, two of the three Flatlanders band members, will be there talking with Davis and playing some music. 

3 p.m.—The Peterson Brothers

Born and raised deep in the “Lost Pines” of Bastrop, Texas, the band’s music combines the classic blues sounds of music legends with their own blend of soul-infused inspiration. Voted Best Under 18 Band in the Austin Chronicle Music Awards in 2013, The Peterson Brothers have played many venues and festivals across the nation, and have opened shows for B.B. King and other legendary musicians.

4 p.m.—Bob Livingston

Bob Livingston is an American singer-songwriter, bass player, and a founding member of The Lost Gonzo Band. Traveling since the ‘80s as a Music Ambassador for the U.S. State Department, Livingston has taken Texas music as far afield as India, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Livingston’s folk-rock/Americana spirit musical stylings won him the title of Album of the Year at the 2011 Texas Music Awards.

The Texas Book Festival mobile app is now available for download on iPhone and Android. The new app will give you maps, up to date schedule information, and allow you to bookmark the sessions you don’t want to miss.