Music Under the Star Free Concert Series Set for July

JUNE 18, 2013 (AUSTIN, TX) - The Bullock Texas State History Museum is proud to celebrate its tenth season of outstanding Texas music with the annual free summer concert series, Music Under the Star, taking place throughout the month of July.

Every Friday in July, bring your camp chairs and blankets (but no coolers, please) and dance the evening away to the hottest sounds in Austin. This free concert series features a legendary line-up of Texas musicians who will play from 6 to 9 p.m. on the Bullock Museum's Lone Star Plaza.

The roster for the 2013 concert series includes performances by Butch Hancock, Elana James, Grupo Fantasma and Guy Forsyth.

Kicking off the series July 5 is Butch Hancock, founding member of the renowned country/rock group, The Flatlanders, along with Joe Ely and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. An accomplished singer and songwriter, Hancock has been called, "one of the finest songwriters of our time." Originally from Lubbock, he writes and performs country/folk songs deeply embedded with meaning and memory. Heather Bishop will open for Butch Hancock.

On July 12, the spotlight will be on Elana James, who found her calling in American roots music in her mid-twenties. An influential artist, she became the first female instrumentalist in Bob Dylan’s touring band and she has recorded with leading artists such as Willie Nelson, Ray Price and Merle Haggard. James performs both under her own name and with her band, Hot Club of Cowtown, which was inducted into the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame in 2004. Katie Holmes Project will open the July 12 concert.

Grammy Award-winning ensemble Grupo Fantasma will perform at the Bullock Museum July 19. Known for fusing traditional and new Latin-inspired music, the group's universal appeal reaches far beyond just Latin or world music fans. Grupo Fantasma was formed in 2000 in Austin and comprises Jose Galeano, Kino Esparza, Beto Martinez, Greg Gonzalez, John Speice, Matthew “Sweet Lou” Holmes, Gilbert Elorreaga, Josh Levy and Mark “Speedy” Gonzales. The band is best known for lively shows and for backing Prince on numerous occasions.

Austin favorite Guy Forsyth will light up the Lone Star Plaza July 26. A talented guitarist, singer and songwriter, he started his music career in the streets of Austin with a guitar in his hand and a harmonica in his pocket. His many appearances on Austin stages have made him a local favorite. His music carries the influences of blues, blues/rock and  folk music styles. He was a founding member of the Asylum Street Spankers and now leads the Guy Forsyth Band. Jean Synodinos will open for Guy Forsyth on July 26.

During the outdoor concerts, visitors can cool off with a trip through the exhibits, which will be free and open to the public. Three floors of interactive exhibits at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in downtown Austin tell the unfolding story of the history, culture and people of Texas. One of the most popular attractions in Central Texas, the museum has welcomed more than 5 million visitors since it opened in 2001. The museum and IMAX Theatre are located at 1800 N. Congress Avenue, between the State Capital complex and the University of Texas campus. For more, visit www.thestoryoftexas.com or call (512) 936-8746.

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​​The Bullock Texas State History Museum, a division of the State Preservation Board and an accredited institution of the American Alliance of Museums, creates experiences that educate, engage, and encourage a deeper understanding of Texas. With dynamic, award-winning exhibitions that illuminate Texas history, people, and culture, educational programming for all ages, and an IMAX® theater with a screen the size of Texas, the Museum collaborates with more than 700 museums, libraries, archives, organizations, and individuals across the world to bring the Story of Texas to life. For more information, visit www.TheStoryofTexas.com or call (866)369-7108.