Austin Music Memorial

The Austin City Council approved the first 10 individuals for induction into the Austin Music Memorial on Dec. 13, 2007. The Music Memorial will be open to the public on March 31, 2008.

Carl William Besserer (1851- 1931)

Besserer was an early pioneer of Austin music. A talented pianist, he founded one of Austin’s first bands, which became celebrated state-wide and played for governor’s inaugurations and presidential visits. In 1879 he co-founded the Austin Saengerrunde (singing society) for German songs.

Virgie Carrington DeWitty (1913-1980)

Mrs. Dewitty composed many anthems, spirituals and gospel songs over her lifetime, including the Anderson High School song. She directed the choir of the Ebenezer Baptist Church for more than 60 years and was the first African American choir director to have a commercial radio program in Texas.

McKinley “Kenny” Dorham (1924-1972)

Mr. Dorham was one of Austin’s greatest Jazz musicians during the 1940s and 1950s and had an extensive recording career. Raised in Austin’s public school system, he would later become the first African American instructor at the Julliard School of Music.

Rev. Albert L. “Lavada” Durst (1913-1995)

Known as “Dr. Hep Cat,” he was the first African American disc jockey in Texas and was an instant hit in Austin with his cool “Hep Talk.” In 1978, Wax magazine gave Durst credit for being among the inventors of rock ‘n’ roll radio. He introduced Austin listeners to jazz, blues and R&B and brought many major African American entertainers to Austin’s Dorris Miller Auditorium. He was also a barrelhouse pianist and singer and performed at numerous blues and folk festivals.

Ignacio “Nash” Hernandez Sr. (1922-1994)

After serving as a bugler for the Army Air Corp during World War II, Hernandez entered the Austin music scene with his first band, the Latineers. He gave music lessons to children in his East Austin neighborhood with which he formed his own band in 1949. His orchestra band is still playing to this day, led by his youngest son, Ruben. His greatest legacy lies in the younger Austin musicians he influenced for many of them went on to form their own bands.

Roy Montelongo (1938-2001)

An original member of “The Legends” of Tejano music, his unique singing style and accomplishments as a saxophonist and arranger brought him much acclaim. He had a lengthy career in broadcasting over Austin’s airwaves.

Tary Owens (1942-2003)

Intimately involved in the Austin music scene since the 1960s, Mr. Owens was a kind of “Renaissance Man” from songwriter to record and film producer, manager, band leader, musician, promoter and historian. His greatest gift to the community was the preservation of music.

Americo Parades (1915-1999)

Paredes is recognized as one of the seminal Mexican American scholars of the twentieth century for his studies of corridos, folkloric ballads, machismo and border stereotypes. He had a long academic career at the University of Texas at Austin and helped found the Center for Intercultural Studies of Folklore and Ethnomusicology in 1967.

Doug Sahm (1941-1999)

A musical prodigy, Sir Doug began circulating the Austin music scene in the 1970s and helped establish Austin as a music mecca and Tex-Mex as a musical genre. During his life, he explored many musical genres and formed multiple bands, defying typecasts and earning national acclaim.

Roosevelt “Grey Ghost” Williams (1903 – 1996)

Williams was a founding father of the blues in Austin, inspiring generations of blues musicians. He played regularly in the 1940s at Victory Grill and in the 1980s at Antone's and the Continental Club.

For more information about the program and nomination process, please contact Vincent Kitch at (512) 974-9310.