Jackie Venson’s Unbreakable Austin Spirit
Singer-songwriter Jackie Venson’s version of the blues – with its R’n’B, psychedelic rock – has invigorated Austin’s music scene with its refreshingly electric sound. She became the first Black woman to be named “Best Guitarist” at the Austin Music Awards, and recently performed at Rolling Stone’s Future of Music showcase at SXSW. Her father Andrew Venson was a longtime Austin musician who helped guide her onto her musical path, so Austin flows freely in her blood. For the newcomers, she has a word of advice; “Once you come here, you don’t really ever leave. We call Austin the ‘velvet rut’.”