Photo by Greg Ellis

All aspects of the music industry in Austin are suffering during this pandemic. With our weekly My KUTX guest DJ series, we spotlight different organizations, musicians, and more that form the Austin music ecosystem. It’s an opportunity to come together as a community, help those in need, and listen to some great music.

There’s a simple reason Greg Ellis first moved to Austin: the music of Doug Sahm. For Ellis, Sahm represents the laid-back Austin ideal, where musical genres can cross-polinate and everybody can find a good time. Five years ago, he opened Groover’s Paradise Record Shop, named for the Sahm anthem. Nowadays, the shop is open by appointment only, and every Thursday night, Ellis offers a virtual hangout in the shop via Facebook. This week, Ellis is also our guest DJ, playing an hour of music that helped him get to and stay in Austin. Hear My KUTX on Saturday, May 30 at 6 p.m. or any time in the player above.

–Art Levy // producer, My KUTX

Playlist:

1. Creedence Clearwater Revival – “It Came Out Of The Sky”

2. Mott The Hoople – “Jerkin’ Crocus”

3. The Meters – “Hey Pocky A-way”

4. Ramones – “Glad To See You Go”

5. Joe Ely – “Tonight I Think I’m Gonna Go Downtown”

6. Mel Brown – “Chunk A Funk”

7. Jimmy Rogers – “Sloppy Drunk”

8. The Commandos – “Morning Train”

9. The Reivers – “Freight Train Rain”

10. True Believers – “Please Don’t Fade Away”

11. Ruthie Foster – “Hole In My Pocket”

12. Adam Carroll – “Far Away Blues”

13. Doug Sahm & The Tex Mex Trip – “Groover’s Paradise”

Jonathan Terrell is the KUTX Artist Of The Month for May. Photo by KUTX.

There are many sides to Austin’s Jonathan Terrell. He fronts hard-charging rockers Not In The Face, but he’s also a nuanced country singer and songwriter. His new EP Love Can Find You Anywhere shows off his twangier influences, mixed with an almost psychedelic spaciousness that brings to mind wide open Texas highways. This week on My KUTX, Terrell is our (remote) guest DJ, showing off his love for good-time country, Italian disco, and even a little Bette Midler. Hear My KUTX on Saturday, May 23 at 6 p.m. or listen at any time in the player above.

–Art Levy // producer, My KUTX

Playlist:

[intro music: Jonathan Terrell – “Give It Time”]

1. Gloria Ann Taylor – “Jolene”

2. Bobby Darin – “Me & Mr. Hohner”

3. Juniore – “Panique”

4. Never Dull – “Most Expensive Diamond”

5. Pino D’Angió – “Una notte da impazzire”

6. CSS – “Let’s Make Love And Listen To Death From Above”

7. The Jeremy Spencer Band – “Travellin'”

8. Tanya Tucker – “Hard Luck”

9. Tony Joe White – “Don’t Steal My Love”

10. Bette Midler – “Favorite Waste Of Time”

11. Dave Dudley – “Six Days On The Road”

12. Little Richard – “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”

John Prine at Waterloo Records, June 4, 2018. Photo by Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon/KUTX.

John Prine was a legendary songwriter and an inspiration to new generations of music makers. He contracted COVID-19 and died in April. In normal times, he’d have a funeral and memorial service befitting a country/folk music legend, but these are not, obviously, normal times. So WPLN in Nashville has done that on the radio instead. In this hourlong tribute — which is truly an emotional listening experience for Prine superfans and newbies alike — host Jason Moon Wilkins talks to fans from around the country, fellow musicians, engineers and more about his work and legacy. Hear A Radio Wake For John Prine on Saturday, May 16 at 6 p.m. or listen at any time in the player above.

This show was created and hosted by Jason Moon Wilkins, produced by Jakob Lewis, and edited by Tony Gonzalez. Additional editing by Anita Bugg, Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh, Kat Drinkwater, and Susannah Felts. And a special thanks to Oh Boy Records for making connections during a difficult time.

Photo by Gabriel C. Pérez/KUTX. Topaz McGarrigle (seated, center) is the guest DJ on My KUTX.

Every Friday night during this self-isolation, Golden Dawn Arkestra’s Topaz McGarrigle has been holding (virtual) court at the Sahara Lounge, spinning records and raising money for the east side space. As the leader of the Arkestra, he’s an expert in turning any space into a psychedelic dance party, and this week on My KUTX, we’re reairing Topaz’s 2019 KUTX guest DJ set. Hear a full hour of Nigerian disco, Ghanaian gospel, Japanese psych-rock, and more to get you dancing in your casa. Listen to My KUTX on Saturday, May 9 at 6 p.m. or any time in the player above.

–Art Levy // producer, My KUTX

Playlist:

1. Francis The Great – “Look Up In The Sky”

2. Can – “Mother Sky”

3. Beak> – “Sex Music”

4. Saâda Bonaire – “You Could Be More As You Are”

5. Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids – “Rhapsody In Berlin”

6. Altin Gün – “Cemalim”

7. Kikagaku Moyo – “Smoke And Mirrors”

8. Ruth – “Polaroïd/Roman/Photo”

9. Alogte Oho & His Sounds Of Joy – “Mam Yinne Wa”

10. Ebo Taylor – “Love & Death”

11. Orlando Julius – “Disco Hi-Life”

Photo by Julia Reihs/KUTX

For the past few years, Israel Nash has been throwing a big party at his Dripping Springs ranch during SXSW called From The Hills With Love. Obviously, that got cancelled this year, but Nash still wants to celebrate all the amazing music that would’ve happened if it weren’t for, you know, a global pandemic. So this week on My KUTX, Nash is taking over the controls, pirate-radio style, broadcasting from his ranch and tipping his hat to the 2020 From The Hills With Love lineup. He also just released a new EP called Topaz, which he features at the end of his guest DJ set. Hear Israel Nash’s My KUTX on Saturday, May 2 at 6 p.m. or listen at any time in the player above.

–Art Levy // producer, My KUTX

Playlist:

1. The Texas Gentlemen – “Habbie Doobie”

2. Sir Woman – “High Road”

3. The Bright Light Social Hour – “She Wanna Love You”

4. Jason Hawk Harris – “Giving In”

5. David Ramirez – “Watching From A Distance”

6. Native Harrow – “Can’t Go On Like This”

7. Walker Lukens – “Baby”

8. David Wax Museum – “Born With A Broken Heart”

9. Grace Pettis – “Landon”

10. Matthew Logan Vasquez – “Trailer Park”

11. Israel Nash – “Dividing Lines”