City Scenes: 9 Austin Artists You Need to Know Right Now
For Black History Month, NPR member station KUTX is featuring some of the Black artists shaping the Austin music scene.
Music & Culture
Robert Usher, 48: Prince's 'Purple Rain'
No matter the occasion, if Robert heard "Purple Rain" play, he'd grab Cynthia's hand for a dance.
David Belanger, 71: Barbra Streisand's 'Songbird'
Belanger's daughter remembers hanging out with her father for "patio party times," when they'd play music of every genre, but would often close out with his favorite Streisand cut, "Songbird."
Margaret Messner, 89: Teresa Brewer's 'Music, Music, Music'
The mother returned to her youth — Saturday nights spent dancing at the Soda Fountain — when she heard Teresa Brewer's hit, "Music, Music, Music."
Edward Byrne, 90: 'Over There'
The father was an American patriot and veteran of the Korean War, who sought inspiration in a galvanizing song from World War I.
Rita Levay, 76: Journey, 'Lights'
Rita would dance every night with her husband to the music of Steve Perry, and cherished the memories it conjured after he died.
Joseph Karszen, 91: 'The Impossible Dream' from 'Man Of La Mancha'
The son of Ukrainian immigrants who started losing his sight at a young age felt like the Broadway hit about perseverance was his personal anthem.
Carolyn Jane Reibold, 86: Tony Bennett's 'I Left My Heart In San Francisco'
Even after Alzheimer's caused her to forget the names of friends and family, Carolyn could belt out every word to this song.
Thistle & Shamrock: Ballads
Hear Sarah McQuaid, Karen Matheson, Jean Redpath and Planxty on this week's episode.
Songs Of Remembrance: 'The Impossible Dream'
More than 500,000 Americans have died of COVID-19. Dan Hunt remembers his grandfather Joseph Karszen with the song "The Impossible Dream" from the musical Man of La Mancha.