The beginning of the Austin music scene
An integral seed of the Austin music scene from 1967 to 1976, Sonobeat’s prodigious output introduced Johnny Winter, Eric Johnson, Rusty Wier, James Polk, and dozens of luminary Texas musicians to the world.
Wishing you a Texas-sized Holiday Season
Austin, Texas. State capital. The University of Texas. Lady Bird Lake, Zilker Park, Barton Springs, Deep Eddy, Lake Travis, Hippie Hollow, and much more. A robust night life featuring every flavor of live music from Afro-jazz to Zydeco. And at the holidays, Austin celebrates with...
- The 155 foot tall Zilker tree, a holiday light extravaganza that began in 1967, the same year Sonobeat Records launched in Austin.
- The Austin Trail of Lights through Zilker park, celebrating it’s 60th season in 2025. It began in 1965 as the Yule Fest.
- The 37th Street Lights never fail to amaze and delight, especially for newcomers to Austin. It’s a car-free experience, so dress warmly for an awesome stroll through this Hyde Park neighborhood.
- Ballet Austin’s beautiful performance of The Nutcracker, the longest-running version of Tchaikovsky’s Christmas classic in Texas.
- Santa’s Ranch in nearby New Braunfels, offering millions of colorful lights along a mile-long country lane and lots of holiday food and beverage treats.
In the Spotlight
Georgetown Medical Band
Making the half-hour trek down I-35 from Georgetown, Texas, to Austin to play capital city nightclubs and University of Texas frat parties, Georgetown Medical Band was a fan favorite in the late 1960s. The progressive rock band recorded with Sonobeat in 1968, and its one completed song, that unfortunately was never released, featured Austin guitar legend Johnny Richardson on lead.
Who’s Who
Over the course of its nine active years, Sonobeat recorded more than 70 acts – bands, combos, duets, and solos – comprised of 212 known individuals. Who’s Who catalogs all the acts and individuals we’ve identified through the Sonobeat archives, internet research, and help from Sonobeat family and friends. Even you may be listed!
Explore our history
Sonobeat Records was founded in Austin, Texas, in May 1967 and operated in Central Texas until September 1976, releasing two dozen stereo 45 RPM singles and half-a-dozen albums recorded by Austin, Central Texas, and international singers, songwriters, and musicians. Journey back in time with a scrolling list of Sonobeat’s 1960s and ’70s milestones or dive right into Sonobeat’s year-by-year story.
