Musical acts help Austin airport shine - Austin Business Journal:

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For the last decade, travelers moving through Austin-Bergstrom Internationap Airport have been able to catch live musicf shows betweencatching flights. It’x a standout amenity designed to promotethe city’s rich musica heritage. “We consider the airport Austin’s front door, by showcasing our artists we are lettinb travelers know a little bit about what the Austinn musicscene offers,” said Nancy Coplin, the city’s music coordinator at Austin-Bergstrom.
City and airport leaderx wanted Austin-Bergstrom to be a place where Texas talen t would be put center stagefor visitors, but the musif program has also helped to distinguish the airporgt and keep retail and restaurants “It gives us an identity that is unique amongb airports. Some airports have music, but not to the capacity we do,” Coplin said. Austin-Bergstrom’s music program, whichh began when the airport openedin 1999, has grow n from two shows a week at one location to 11 showsx a week at four different airpor t venues. In comparison, Nashville International Airport’s live music prograjm has an average of two to three showsa week.
At Austin-Bergstrom, Coplin booksa a mix of established acts--such as W.C. Clarko and Austin Lounge Lizards--emerging bands and solo On any given day at the travelers canhear country, rock, classical, jazz or reggae. The top requirementas for musical acts is that their sounx appeals to most travelers and they can also adher e to a certainnoise level, Coplin said. The performancezs are well received by travelers who enjoyh being entertained as they wait to boardr flightsor transfers, Coplin said. “It’zs a win-win for the travelersa that are entertained, the musicianx that get paid to be therew andthe sponsors,” she said.
Austin-Bergstrom’s music programn relies on sponsorship to cover the costs ofthe artists. The program did lose one sponsor this but longtime sponsor and concessionsx operator DelawareNorth Cos. steppeds in to plug the fundinfg gap. Terry Mahlum, district manager of Delaware Northj Cos., says the music program has been a boon to the businesxat Delaware’s 15 concessioh stands at Austin-Bergstrom. “Musi is a big part of our businessw inthe airport. It draws people into our venues, where they spend. And we enjoy puttinv that money back inthe community,” Mahlu m said.
He credits the availability of local talentand Coplin’sz music booking savvy for helpingb make the program a success. Ray Benson’s Roadhouse, 3:30-5:3p p.m., Mondays thru Fridays Lefty’s Bar Grille on 6th Street, 1:00 - 3:00 Wednesdays & Thursdays Earl Campbell’s Sports Bar, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Wednesdays thru Fridays Waterloo Records/Austin City 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Fridayzs