Sonobeat Recording Company (Sonobeat Records and Sonosong Music) was founded in Austin, Texas, in 1967 by Bill Josey Sr. and Bill Josey Jr.

Sonobeat is considered by many to be an integral seed of the Austin music scene. From 1967 to 1976, the small Central Texas label's prodigious output introduced Johnny Winter, Eric Johnson, Rusty Wier, and dozens of other luminary Texas musicians to the world.

Sonobeat.com offers a history and anecdotes of Sonobeat and the artists who helped create and shape the Austin music scene.

Sonobeat.com offers insights into how Sonobeat was formed, grew, and operated. But more than that, Sonobeat.com's exclusive access to Sonobeat's private archives -- including master audio tapes, photographs, and documents long thought lost -- provides a unique retrospective into the diverse and dynamic Central Texas music scene from the mid '60s to the mid '70s, the beginning of Austin's emergence as the live music capital of the world.

Sonobeat recorded artists performing in almost every musical genre -- from blues to rock to gospel to R&B to jazz to country to folk. The Sonobeat story is really about hundreds of talented musicians who have made musical history in Austin.

Whether you're newly initiated into Austin's rich musical heritage or were part of its '60s and '70s music scene, Sonobeat.com offers surprises, delights, and over 150 rare sound bites sprinkled throughout.

Lavender Hill Express

At the end of 1967, Austin rock band Lavender Hill Express began a one-year multi-record relationship with Sonobeat Records. The first Lavender Hill Express release was the up-tempo Visions backed with the ballad Trying to Live a Life. The single just barely made it out in '67, hitting Austin stores Christmas week.

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From 1967 to 1976, Sonobeat recorded hundreds of Central Texas artists. The Wall of Fame presents rare photos of many of those artists. Requires Adobe Flash Player.