I went to SXSW to give a talk so I was under no pressure to find the “next big thing”. I started the visit by seeing Austin’s own Roky Erickson and then I spent my time seeing friends and my son Kris Gruen play.
Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top joined Roky Erickson at Threadgills outdoor stage.
BP Fallon, Irina Lazareanu and Sean Lennon after their "Operation Juliet" show at TenOak.
Yoko Ono was the Keynote speaker on Friday in conversation with Austin radio KUT DJ Jody Denberg. Jody interviewed me and Kris on his KUT radio show on Thursday night.
Jesse Malin showed he can rock out with his very hot band in the hot Austin sun.
Friday afternoon Sean Lennon and his girlfriend Charlotte Kemp Muhl, known as GHOSST played at a benefit for the Other Music record store. It was a nice sunny day for the lawn party, and Sean's mom Yoko Ono came to watch (far left)
BP Fallon put on his own show at Jovita's with Aaron Lee Tasjan, Mark Stepro and Nigel Harrison.
BP Fallon, Sir Bob Geldof and me backstage at Jovita's.
Promoter Frank Murray jokes with Sir Bob before Geldof's show at Jovita's.
Sir Bob asked me to take a photo of him in front of this vintage sign, and he looks kind of Texan.
My son Kris Gruen played several showcases at SXSW, this one at the Bar 96.
Kris says thank you to Alejandro Excovedo who invited Kris to play at Maria's Taco Xpress.
Singer Masayo leads Lolita 18 in lively punk craziness at the Japan night at Elysium.
After my talk at the convention center I signed books and sold out all they had of my books.
I spoke at the Million Musician March for Peace in front of the Texas State Capitol.
To see what I said click here
Yuka Honda and her husband Nils (of Wilco) play at the Chimera records showcase event at Elysium.
Yoko Ono was rockin like a youngster at her 1 am show at Elysium and had the crowd cheering for more.
