"We have this idea now of Austin being this liberal, communist bastion, but a hundred years ago we were one of the most conservative cities in Texas." - Richard Zelade.

Richard Zelade, author of Austin and the Jazz Age, shares fascinating details about how UT Austin became the epicenter of early jazz culture in Texas, producing influential musicians like Jimmy's Joys and pioneering figures in country western music including Tex Ritter and John Lomax. The conversation explores the stark contrast between conservative Austin city politics and the liberal university culture, covering topics from wild jazz bands to the Ranger humor magazine, hamburger culture on "the drag," and legendary figures like gunslinger Ben Thompson. The episode reveals how Austin's 1920s cultural renaissance - driven by innovations like radio station KUT's powerful broadcasts and the university's bohemian spirit following WWI and the Spanish Flu - laid foundations for the city's later reputation as a music capital.

CW: adult themes, historical references

Content created during the global pandemic, in the room, and on zoom.

Chapters:

03:00 - Bicycle training and the Handbook of Texas

05:00 - Advertisements of early jazz records

08:00 - The Marshall of Austin, Ben Thompson

13:00 - Early bands: Shakey's Orchestra, formation and exile

17:00 - Radio station KUT's crucial role in spreading jazz nationally

20:00 - Unbridled nature of early jazz music as a result from WWI

24:00 - 1920s humor magazine and the Steiner family

26:00 - The sexual revolution and temporary marriages

30:00 - John Lomax's cowboy song collection journey

33:00 - J. Frank Dobie and Carl Sandberg's East Austin club visits

36:00 - Barbette: Round Rock's gender-bending trapeze artist in Paris

38:00 - Moton Crockett: elevator music and Big Bertha cannon

39:00 - John Bowles as premier yodeler and early singing cowboy

43:00 - 1904 origins at Camp Mabry fair and "Hamburger Alley"

46:00 - Jimmy Joy's improvisational and wild performances

49:00 - Gene Ramey's path to Kansas City

51:00 - 1928 segregation plan vs. jazz appreciation

52:00 - Conservative city vs. liberal university dichotomy

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Guest List: Richard Zelade, Austin historian and Author, Austin Murder & Mayhem, Austin in the Jazz Age, and Guy Town by Gaslight

Production Team:

Host, Eddie Wilson - Armadillo World Headquarters founder @Threadgills

Host, Dr. Jason Mellard - Cultural historian @jasondeanmellard

Editor, Renee O'Connor

Music Mixing, Matt Carlson @axemanguitar

Producers, Renee O'Connor @realreneeoconnor

Producer, Sandra Wilson @sandrawilson709

Executive Producer, TSSI

Music by Jake Andrews Music @jakeandrewsmusic

Production assistant, Miles Muir @miles_muir

Production consultant, Katey Psencik