Bios

Herschel Cunningham

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Herschel Cunningham's boyhood dreams began in Electra, Texas and landed in the 21st century as co-founder of one of Austin's oldest record labels.

His commitment to share the Texas music he loves energized the creation of Twin Rainbow Productions, Riverside Sound Studio and Austin Records.

During Austin's artistic golden era, Herschel was acutely aware that the plethora of local musical talent had to go to Los Angeles, New York or Nashville to record. He had heard too many stories from friends in the music business. Not only did Austin artists have to travel to record, they often got chewed up and spit out by the big record-making machine.

Herschel recognized an opportunity to remedy the situation. He found an old bread truck and bought it. Then he coaxed one of Austin's best sound engineers, Bill Johnson, to join him and together they customized the truck for mobile recording.

In between recording many of Austin's established performers, Herschel started looking for new talent. When he heard Omar and the Howlers for the first time, he signed them up with Austin Records and the company recorded I Told You So and Hard Times in the Land of Plenty.

He was also instrumental in getting Stevie Ray Vaughan into Riverside Sound Studio to record tracks for Texas Flood and Soul to Soul.

One of the key factors leading to Austin Records' success was Herschel's drive to not only provide a local recording facility and record label, but also to instigate national promotion and exposure for the musicians he had signed.

Herschel Cunningham continues to focus on bringing the best of Austin music to the national front and leading Austin Records into the future.

Bill Johnson

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Bill Johnson, co-founder of Austin Records, has devoted his life to music, as an artist, technical advisor and engineer. Not only is he a trained singer, Bill plays piano, guitar, bass, trumpet and drums.

But making other musicians sound their best really fires his passion the most. He 's known for giving his all and commands respect as one of the best sound engineers in town.

Bill developed his skills at Ray Hennig's Heart of Texas Music and Musicmakers for 15 years, as well as working several independent jobs.

He further honed his skills running the house sound for Austin's premier club, Antone's Home of the Blues, where he worked with Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, W.C. Clark, Ray Charles, George Jones, B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Muddy Waters, among others. Eventually Bill began working with live radio and started KLBJ's Local Licks Live with Jody Denberg. Fifteen years later, the show remains a strong program for KLBJ FM. Bill's live radio broadcasts expanded to include KGSR locally and NPR nationally.

Bill maintains a stellar reputation in the studios. He spent a full three years at Snow Creek Sound in Virginia and currently lends his professional touch to Larry Nye's Lazy L Studio.

Inevitably Bill got together with some of the webcast operations in town and continues to collaborate with Bigjam and Outcasters.

His talents have also been utilized on numerous music videos, television commercials and many live venues. If you went to the big Double Trouble show, the Old Settlers' Reunion, or Bob Marley Fest and liked the sound, you can thank Bill Johnson, producer and master sound engineer.