The Chequered Flag

My introduction to the Austin music scene came in 1971 at Rod Kennedy's Chcequered Flag on the SE corner of 15th and Lavaca. Long before the Kerrville Folk Festival, Rod had championed folk music at his club, and was one of the first to book the artists that would become known in the Cosmic Cowboy scene of the early to mid 1970's.

My buddy Barry and I went down there the first time to see Doug Kershaw. The Cajun fiddler was red hot at that time and was in full red velvet regalia, backed by a "local pick-up band" aka Greezy Wheels. God knows what I would think of that show now, but that night Barry and I were blown away by the intensity - the moral (!) equivalent of ten lines of Columbian Blue Flake. Being 18 helped I'm sure.

Another evening was equally notable -probably 1972, a Musician's Union Benefit, featuring Bobby Bridger, Michael Murphy, Jerry Jeff, Rusty, Layton and John, Jimmy Richie and certainly others I've forgotten (maybe Willis Alan Ramsey?). A seminal night in the development of the 70's Austin scene.