Texas country music legend Joe Ely announced on Sept. 9 in a Facebook post that he has been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Both conditions significantly affect cognitive and physical functions and independent activity.
Austin, TX
Texas music legend Joe Ely reveals Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s diagnoses
Joe Ely performs at the Paramount Theatre on Jan. 5, 2019 in Austin, Texas.
Ely and his wife, Sharon Ely, said that they are sharing the journey “not to dwell in hardship, but to bring understanding, awareness and hope through the healing power of music.”
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“Our story is about how music continues to lift us up,” Sharon Ely wrote in the post. “Revisiting Joe’s recordings and hearing them brought to life again has given him so much joy, and we want others to feel that same joy too.”
Joe Ely of the Flatlanders performs at the Frank Erwin Center during the Neighbors in Need Benefit Concert on Sept. 21, 2005.
From the Flatlanders to Ringling Bros.: A storied life
As a singer-songwriter, Ely’s contributions to Texas music have spanned decades, but beyond the music, he has led a storied life. He was born in Amarillo and moved to Lubbock at age 11. He rode a motorcycle down the hallways of Monterey High School on the first day of his freshman year. He later was expelled from the school for singing “Cherry Pie” at an assembly.
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He broke out on the Texas music scene as a founding member of the Flatlanders, a country-rock band formed in Lubbock in 1972. Despite being named a winner at the inaugural Kerrville Folk Festival’s New Folk Singer-Songwriter Competition, the group disbanded shortly after their first album faced a limited commercial release.
Ely then joined the Ringling Bros. circus in the summer of 1974 where he cared for the llamas and the world’s smallest horse. After being kicked unconscious by one of the show’s horses, Ely hitchhiked back to Lubbock with two broken ribs. He then had a short-lived career as a roofer, which ended after his crew removed the roof from the wrong house.
In the fall of 1974, Ely was asked to play the role of Buddy Holly in a script written by Holly’s drummer, Jerry Allison. He even went to Hollywood and rehearsed for two weeks with Gary Busey, who was cast in Allison’s role, but the project was later scrapped.
The Flatlanders, Joe Ely, left, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock perform during the “No Two Alike” concert series at the Cactus Cafe in Austin on Jan. 31, 1990.
The Joe Ely Band years
He eventually made a reputation for himself as one of Austin’s progressive country pioneers, but he started out playing the One Knite tavern after first moving to the city, alternating nights with Stevie Ray Vaughan in a venue that would eventually become Stubb’s Bar-B-Q.
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He went on to put together the Joe Ely Band in early 1975 and, by the recommendation of Jerry Jeff Walker, signed to MCA Records that same year. He put out his debut album “Joe Ely” in 1977 and followed it up with “Honky Tonk Masquerade” a year later, which landed him a feature story in Time magazine.
In the late 1970s, Ely and his band toured with the Clash. He even sang backing vocals on the Clash’s 1982 hit “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” The band opened for Linda Ronstadt, the Kinks, Tom Petty and the Rolling Stones through the early 1980s.
That barely scratches the surface.
Scattered throughout the 1990s, he played onstage with Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen, recorded with Los Super Seven and joined a supergroup named the Buzzin’ Cousins with John Mellencamp, John Prine and James McMurtry. He embarked on a trip to New York City with famed local artist Jim Franklin, but ended up joining the cast of “Stomp” after Franklin stranded him in the city. His stint in “Stomp” led him to Germany, where he recorded a piece of music for the Museum of Modern Art in Munich with composer Eberhard Schoener using the first Moog synthesizer in Europe.
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He made 11 appearances on the music television show “Austin City Limits,” appeared on David Letterman and Conan O’Brien’s late-night shows and wrote a novel. To add to all that, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak wrote the liner notes for his 2014 release, “B4 84,” as it was one of the first albums ever digitally recorded using an Apple II computer.
Joe Ely and wife Sharon Ely heading back to their place in their Buick in May 1998.
Honoring Joe Ely’s legacy
In 2007, Ely was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for Live Performance by the Americana Music Association. He was named the Texas State Musician for 2016 and inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association Hall of Fame that same year. In 2022, Joe Ely was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame alongside Sheryl Crow.
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Following the recent diagnoses, Ely and his wife shared that they are working on a book about his life and invited friends and fans to submit stories of his music career for possible inclusion. Submissions may be sent to rackemrecords.info@gmail.com.
As the Michelin Guide — famous for its restaurant ratings expressed in “stars” — hands out its “keys” to Texas’ best hotels, Austin and San Antonio are doing almost exactly as well as they did last year. That’s nothing to scoff at in Austin; eight hotels have maintained their place on the prestigious list, which is not guaranteed. In San Antonio, one hotel holds onto the city’s claim to Michelin fame, and even gained a higher ranking than before.
In 2024, the world-renowned Michelin Guide published its first-ever North American “Michelin Key” selection. Then there were 288 total hotels across the United States, Mexico, and Canada; this year on Wednesday, October 8, Michelin added 37 hotels nationwide to the list, now totaling more than 300. The classifications are awarded based on anonymous stays or visits by the Michelin Guide’s inspection team, and previous praise is not taken into consideration.
One Austin business did get an extra boost among those 37. Bunkhouse Hotels, the group behind many of Austin’s best boutique stays, opened its first Houston hotel in late 2024. Called Hotel Saint Augustine, it earned one key, deeming it “a very special stay.” Like stars, keys denote more greatness the higher the number goes, capping out at a perfect three.
Since Central Texas’ hotels are not new on the list, they did not receive new write-ups on the list linked above. However, for travelers who want to experience the best regardless of newness, here they are.
Austin, two keys:
Austin, one key:
With the same number of keys as in 2024, the Commodore Perry Estate is as stately as ever. Austinites are likely the most familiar with Lutie’s, the beautiful on-site restaurant draped in plants and offering up impeccable seasonal dishes.
“California’s Auberge Collection, now a global family, are known for their tasteful luxury and for their variety — and the Commodore Perry Estate, set on ten acres of land in urban Austin, Texas, is unique by any standard,” the resort’s Michelin Guide profile says. “It’s a Twenties mansion and satellite buildings in Italianate and Spanish Revival styles, and it’s all been brought entirely up to date by the expert hospitality designer Ken Fulk. The result sacrifices none of the estate’s throwback atmosphere, but brings it up to a 21st-century standard; like everything Auberge touches, it’s the very picture of modern boutique luxury.”
San Antonio, two keys:
This historic landmark adds another feather to its cap — or key to its ring — becoming one of only three stays in Texas awarded a second key. The third two-key hotel is Fort Worth’s Bowie House, which is also part of the Auberge Resorts Collection. That does make Hotel Emma the only two-key hotel in Texas that is full Texas-owned (Silver Ventures, Inc.) and operated (Woodbine Development Corporation).
Hotel Emma’s write-up is much longer (and more colorful) than Commodore Perry’s.
“Let it never be said that South Texans don’t know the meaning of luxury; besides Frette linens, Malin + Goetz bath amenities, and 48-inch HDTVs, a slew of tough-to-replicate touches elevate the experience far beyond the norm,” says a portion of the profile. “Dark-wood and aged bronze accents. Freestanding, clawfoot tubs. Seersucker robes by Dos Carolinas. Spanish porcelain. Mesquite-furnished terraces with Redondo tile. If, upon opening the bespoke armoire, you’re not charmed by the wealth of upscale eats and signature margarita makings in the ‘icebox,’ we don’t quite know what to tell you.”
Credit: Austin Bergstrom International Airport
AUSTIN, Texas – Police have given the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport the all-clear after a suspicious item was found at a terminal Thursday evening.
What we know:
On Oct. 9, around 6:36 p.m., the airport said law enforcement were responding to a suspicious item at the Barbara Jordan terminal.
Passengers were removed from the area as a precaution.
About an hour later, the airport said they were given the all clear. The airport is now returning to normal operations.
The Source: Information from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport officials
Austin, TX
Wicked Oaks Festival 2025: Unforgettable Music and Art in Austin, Texas – Travel And Tour World
Published on
October 9, 2025
This coming Halloween season will also see the Austin, Texas, Wicked oaks Festival. It will host the Wicked Oaks Festival over a two day slot, from October 25 to 26, 2025. With only a few minutes drive from the Austin airport, the Carson Creek Ranch will host the lively new festival featuring camping along the river, alongside a great array of music and art, all interconnected. Wicked oaks is an addition to austin’s fall season’s lineup and along with iLLfest and Freaky Deaky, Another addition to Austin’s festival season.
An Unforgettable Weekend of Music and Art
The festival promises a multi-genre experience, featuring top-tier electronic music and immersive art. Performances will span various genres, including house, techno, bass, and live/electronic crossovers. Headliners like Martin Garrix, Kaskade, Bob Moses, and Flux Pavilion will take center stage, with more artists expected to be announced soon. The festival’s three distinct realms will provide a unique environment for discovery and exploration, while the historic pecan canopy at Carson Creek Ranch sets the stage for unforgettable performances under the stars.
Easy Access and Travel for All
Wicked Oaks is designed with accessibility in mind, ensuring ease of travel for attendees. The festival is located just a short distance from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, making it ideal for those flying in. For local travelers, round-trip shuttles will operate from downtown Austin and North Austin, offering a convenient way to get to the event. Whether you choose to fly in, take a shuttle, or drive, getting to the festival is hassle-free.
Tickets and Camping Passes: Plan Ahead
Wicked Oaks offers a variety of ticketing options, including General Admission (GA), GA+, and VIP passes. Camping options are also available, with attendees needing both a festival pass and a camping pass. Choose from tent camping, car camping, group car camping, RV camping, or glamping. The event is open to those aged 18 and above, with doors opening at 2:00 PM each day. To avoid counterfeit tickets, attendees are advised to purchase only through official ticketing channels.
For a truly immersive experience, consider arriving early. Campgrounds will open on Friday, October 24, for a camping-exclusive pre-party that sets the tone for the weekend’s festivities.
Local Impact and Community Support
The Wicked Oaks Festival is designed to boost the local economy by concentrating attendees at a centrally located ranch. With shuttle services, on-site camping, and nearby hotels, the festival will encourage travelers to spend in local businesses. This not only benefits transportation and lodging, but also supports food and beverage vendors, security services, and event staging. The festival’s organizers are committed to making a positive impact on Austin’s fall tourism season, which typically sees an influx of visitors.
Travel and Lodging Tips
For those traveling from out of town, there are plenty of accommodation options near the festival grounds. The event’s preferred hotels portal allows attendees to compare lodging options near the airport and downtown Austin. As the festival weekend approaches, hotel prices are likely to rise, so it’s wise to book your stay early. Fans can also take advantage of shuttle services from various hubs in Austin, reducing the need for parking and ensuring a smooth experience from start to finish.
Limited-Time Offers and Discounts
Wicked Oaks offers exclusive promotions through its online ticketing platform. Use the promo code “RSVP” to unlock significant discounts on tickets, camping passes, and other festival-related purchases. While these offers are limited, they provide a great opportunity for festival-goers to save on their entry. Be sure to check the official website for the most up-to-date pricing and availability before finalizing your purchase.
A Festival Built for Austin
Wicked Oaks Festival is more than just a music event it’s a celebration of the Austin spirit. The festival’s unique combination of live music, art installations, and community camping embodies the creative and inclusive atmosphere for which Austin is famous. It’s the perfect way to close out the city’s fall festival season, and the setting by the Colorado River only enhances the festival’s special appeal.
Final Thoughts: Secure Your Spot at Wicked Oaks
With fans rushing to buy tickets and camping, Wicked Oaks Festival as of now seems to be the most favorable and fun filled event in Austin, Texas around the Halloween season this year. Wicked Oaks Festival is set to have unmissable halloween memories as well musically entertaining weekends for the fans. Wicked Oaks Festival is guaranteed to be unforgettable regardless if you’re planning to spend an entire weekend camping or just taking a single day trip.
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