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.
Seems like only yesterday
Oh, wait! It was yesterday. Fifty-five to almost 60 years ago, to be kinda precise. The late 1960s, when Sonobeat Records in Austin, Texas, recorded and released stereo 45 RPM singles by dozens of Texas singers, songwriters, and musicians... some of the best musical acts during the era that birthed Austin’s claim to Live Music Capital of the World. It was the era leading up to the launch of American TV’s longest running music series, Austin City Limits, America’s premiere music and media festival, South By Southwest, and psychedelic rock and outlaw country music pioneered by Austin musicians.
And, it seems like only yesterday that Sonobeat Historical Archives began restoring, remastering, and reissuing classic Austin ’60s music on iTunes and Amazon Music. Today dozens of Sonobeat’s classic recordings are available on digital download and streaming platforms worldwide. Music by The Conqueroo, Lavender Hill Express, Sweetarts, Plymouth Rock, Lee Arlano Trio, and Johnny Winter... We're proud to have been there at the beginning of the Austin music scene and to share so many of Sonobeat’s recordings with you.
In the Spotlight
Fran Nelson
In 1968, Sonobeat recorded a 45 RPM stereo single featuring University of Texas undergrad Fran Nelson. A multi-talented entertainer, Fran starred in many UT Drama Department plays during the mid- to late-1960s while also performing as a solo musical act at Austin-area folk cabarets. On the strength of her Sonobeat single, Fran frequently was booked into the posh Club Seville at the Sheraton Crest Hotel in downtown Austin. Fran’s Sonobeat single featured a cover of the Beatles’ Yesterday backed with Fran’s own composition, No Regrets.
Who’s Who
From 1967 to 1976, Sonobeat recorded hundreds of Austin, Central Texas, national, and international singers, songwriters, and musicians. Since launching SonobeatRecords.com in 2004, we’ve continuously mined the Sonobeat archives and connected with members of the acts Sonobeat recorded and their families and friends to compile an up-to-date list of the legacies and legends who make up Sonobeat’s Who’s Who.
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.
