Best KUT KUTX Studios Podcasts (2025)

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KUT Morning Newscast for September 22, 2025: Austin firefighters have walked away from contract negotiations with the city 4:16

Play Pause

3h ago4:16

4:16

Central Texas top stories for September 22, 2025: The Austin Firefighters Association says the city of Austin has lowballed them on a wage increase compared to what it paid EMS and police during their negotiations. Like many other school districts in Central Texas, Leander ISD is looking to save money amid a looming budget deficit and that could me…

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Did Cardi B Raise the Bar? Or Lower It? 45:11

2h ago45:11

45:11

On this episode we discuss if Cardi B helped raise the bar for female rappers to succeed or did she lower it? We also talk about Jay-Z’s capitalist approaches to business and if it helps his brand and legacy. Hip-hop facts this week include Mobb Deep, Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is about how he is tired of emo rap being…

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Mation E. Orr (Ep. 43, 2025) 30:26

2h ago30:26

30:26

This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. speaks with Marion E. Orr, political scientist, professor of Public Policy and Political Science and Urban Studies at Brown University, and author of House of Diggs: The Rise and Fall of America’s Most Consequential Black Congressman, Charles C. Diggs, Jr. Diggs was the first Afri…

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Parker Woodland: “Get Me to the Show” 2:38

2h ago2:38

2:38

Austin’s Parker Woodland are back with potentially their rawest song yet, and certainly my favorite one to date. Standing firmly in their vintage pop-punk sound comes “Get Me to the Show,” a punchy tune packed with earwormy hooks and raw, female-led energy fueled by Erin Walters’s signature vocals pivoting between pop harmonies and Sleater-Kinney-l…

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KUT Morning Newscast for September 19, 2025: Texas A&M University President Mark Welsh will step down after turmoil over gender identity video 6:39

19m ago6:39

6:39

Central Texas top stories for September 19, 2025. Texas A&M University President Mark Welsh will step down today. Governor Greg Abbott has signed a bill into law that allows private citizens to sue out-of-state prescribers and distributors of abortion pills. Austin officials say they’re confident they’re complying with the law after the U.S. Depart…

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How We Determine Value (Rebroadcast) 7:30

10h ago7:30

7:30

Humans may take the card we swipe for granted at the grocery store when we buy food, or look at our bank balance and not even think of how unique it is that we can translate those little numbers into experiences and things. It’s merely one of the benefits of having big brains. In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Du…

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KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 18, 2025: U.S. Justice Department launches investigation into city of Austin employment practices 3:15

3h ago3:15

3:15

Central Texas top stories for September 18, 2025. The Department of Justice announced today that it’s investigating the City of Austin’s hiring practices. The Moody Foundation is donating $150 million to Huston-Tillotson University. Two men are being sought after an assault against a transgender woman and a bystander who intervened at the Barton Sp…

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KUT Morning Newscast for September 18, 2025: A new audit finds the City of Austin is falling behind on its “zero waste” goals 5:51

1h ago5:51

5:51

Central Texas top stories for September 18, 2025. News organizations fight to unseal Texas AG Ken Paxton’s divorce case records. A new audit finds the City of Austin is falling behind on its “zero waste” goals. Austin severs ties with a nonprofit that runs two downtown homeless shelters. ACC has a new partnership to help students find affordable ho…

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KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 17, 2025: Student no longer enrolled at Texas State University after imitating death of Charlie Kirk 4:41

1h ago4:41

4:41

Central Texas top stories for September 17, 2025. A Texas State University student is no longer enrolled at the university after a video of him mocking the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk circulated online. Austin police say there’s now a murder charge against the man accused of shooting a woman last week before shooting a police office…

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Tear Dungeon: “Kill For Health” [Live In Studio 1A] RE-RUN 2:58

3m ago2:58

2:58

It’s Weird Wednesday, and I aim to keep it that way. And what better to stay on theme than to revisit a recent favorite of mine from Studio 1A? Tear Dungeon is truly to be seen. Between the uniform of all-white street clothes paired with leather gimp masks and the perpetual question, “what will hit me first? The music or the blood?” the magnitude a…

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KUT Morning Newscast for September 17, 2025: A Texas State student is no longer enrolled after imitating Charlie Kirk’s death 3:30

4h ago3:30

3:30

Central Texas top stories for September 17, 2025. Governor Greg Abbott called for a Texas State student to be expelled after the student imitated Charlie Kirk’s death. A study shows the City of Austin could do more to help residents being displaced by redevelopment. Neighbors in Taylor are trying to stop a data center from being built next to their…

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KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 16, 2025: Travis County signs off on Central Health’s new budget — with a tax rate increase 5:13

18m ago5:13

5:13

Central Texas top stories for September 16, 2025. Travis County commissioners approved a new budget today for the local public hospital district Central Health. Travis County property taxes are going up to help cover the costs of the July 5th flooding and prepare for future climate disasters. Austin ISD and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have re…

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West Texas Exiles: “Division” (ft. Kelly Willis) 3:41

19h ago3:41

3:41

All musical motifs of the Lone Star State converge in Austin’s West Texas Exiles. The quartet, made up of members hailing from El Paso, Amarillo, and Lubbock, draws inspiration from all squares of the Texas music quilt, from Willie to Buddy and everyone in between. Their debut full-length album 8000 Days came out last Friday, and it’s already made …

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KUT Morning Newscast for September 16, 2025: Texas Supreme Court dismisses lawsuit challenging Austin’s tax rate election ballot language 4:25

6h ago4:25

4:25

Central Texas top stories for September 16, 2025. The Texas Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the city of Austin’s ballot language for its upcoming tax rate election. A new app aims to tell people how much the MoPac Express Lanes will cost them. Deadlines to apply for FEMA assistance after July floods are quickly approaching. The po…

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KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 15, 2025: The public gets to weigh in before Travis County Commissioners approve a significant property tax increase 3:27

1h ago3:27

3:27

Central Texas top stories for September 15, 2025. Travis County Commissioners are set to approve a significant property tax increase this month. Tonight is the last night Austin ISD parents can hear directly from the district on its plan to close schools and redraw school boundaries. The Texas Supreme Court has denied a petition in a lawsuit filed …

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KUT Morning Newscast for September 15, 2025: New nonstop flights coming to Austin airport in the months ahead 6:06

39m ago6:06

6:06

Central Texas top stories for September 15, 2025. Republican Representative Michael McCaul announced on Sunday he won’t seek reelection to congress. The Texas Legislature formed new House and Senate committees focused on freedom of speech on Texas college campuses. Texas saw the largest increase in the rate of uninsured children in the country betw…

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Reinvention w/ Malik Baptiste 44:03

7h ago44:03

44:03

On this episode we interview with rapper/producer Malik Baptiste who talks about restarting his career and his past accomplishments. We also talk about if not writing your own songs in hip-hop can hinder your career and respect. Hip-hop facts include Jay-Z, Tia Mowry and her Texas roots, and Nas plus many more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is about hi…

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National Urban League State of Black America (Ep. 42, 2025) 29:30

7h ago29:30

29:30

This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents a panel discussion from the 49th edition of the National Urban League’s “State of Black America” report, moderated by award-winning journalist Ed Gordon and featuring Kimberle W. Crenshaw of the African American Policy Forum, Maya Wiley of the Leadership Conference on Civ…

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KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 12, 2025: Austin Police identify Zilker Park shooting suspect, who allegedly left his girlfriend ‘brain dead’ 4:12

21m ago4:12

4:12

Central Texas top stories for September 12, 2025. The Austin Police Department has identified the man accused of shooting a police officer and another person Wednesday morning near Zilker Park. UT Austin students are trying to get the word out about a new law they say limits free speech on campus. Central Health has given initial approval to a new …

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Yuno: “Blest” [LIVE IN STUDIO 1A] 2:52

4d ago2:52

2:52

Jacksonville, Florida’s Yuno is DIY-defined. The self-taught musician and producer has been fine-tuning his brand of indie-pop mixed with reggae, hip-hop and skate culture influences to boot for some time, and that perfect mix of luck and talent caught the eye of Shabazz Palace member and Sub Pop rep Ishmael Butler, and the rest is, quite literally…

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KUT Morning Newscast for September 12, 2025: Austin Police identified the suspect in the shooting near Zilker Park 5:02

13m ago5:02

5:02

Central Texas top stories for September 12, 2025. Austin Police have identified 30-year-old Brandon Thompson as the suspect in the shooting of two people near Zilker Park this week. The 183 North Project is running months behind schedule. The Austin City Council has approved new rules for short-term rentals like Airbnb. Central Health has given ini…

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Mental Health in the Media Storm 7:34

5h ago7:34

7:34

Every day we’re surrounded by a flood of negative headlines, and it can take a real toll on our mental health. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy share practical ways to protect your well-being and stay mentally strong in the midst of all the noise. The post Mental Health in the Media Storm …

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KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 11, 2025: Austin police canceled a shelter-in-place order while a shooter was on the loose 3:17

8h ago3:17

3:17

Central Texas top stories for September 11, 2025. People in parts of Austin were told Wednesday morning just after 6:30 that a man who shot a police officer and another person near Zilker Park was no longer a threat, but he still was. Central Health has given initial approval to a new budget and tax rate. Property owners running short-term rentals …

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KUT Morning Newscast for September 11, 2025: Austin’s proposed short-term rental rules aim to crack down on unlicensed operators 4:49

3h ago4:49

4:49

Central Texas top stories for September 11, 2025. People operating short-term rentals in Austin without a license could risk being removed from online rental sites. Austin Police say they’re looking into their text-based alert system after confusion yesterday during the search for a man who shot two people, including an APD officer. Georgetown is m…

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Who were the ‘Cedar Choppers’ of West Austin? 12:58

1d ago12:58

12:58

Shoeless children running around the land that would become Rollingwood and West Lake Hills. Bar fights ending in axe-chopped limbs. Illegal moonshine operations in caves. It’s the stuff of legend. But are the legends true? If you like what we do on ATXplained, we need your financial support right now. Go to supportthispodcast.org and mention ATXpl…

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KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 10, 2025: Suspect in police shooting ran into house, was shot by homeowner before arrest, APD chief says 3:53

23m ago3:53

3:53

Central Texas top stories for September 10, 2025. Three people were shot this morning, including an Austin police officer near Zilker Park. Today at 5 pm is the deadline to apply for financial assistance if you were affected by July’s flooding in Travis or Williamson County. Austin ISD is hosting a virtual meeting tonight on its plan to close schoo…

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Central Austin residents vote on 21-foot concrete wall to block I-35 noise 7:03

6d ago7:03

7:03

Residents in the Cherrywood neighborhood have until the end of the day to vote on whether they want a 21-foot-tall concrete wall built within arm’s reach of their backyards. The wall is a proposed noise barrier to block sound from I-35. KUT’s Nathan Bernier reports. This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. You may have heard that Congress …

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KUT Morning Newscast for September 10, 2025: An Austin police officer was shot near Zilker Park. APD is searching for the suspect. 4:39

10m ago4:39

4:39

Central Texas top stories for September 10, 2025. APD is asking people to avoid the area around Zilker Park after an officer was injured during shooting. The Austin Independent School District is less than a month away from announcing a plan to save money and improve low-performing schools. The Save Austin Now political action committee is launchin…

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KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 9, 2025: A local group is launching a campaign opposing the City of Austin’s proposed property tax increase 4:57

4h ago4:57

4:57

Central Texas top stories for September 9, 2025. The Save Austin Now political action committee is launching a campaign opposing the City of Austin’s proposed property tax increase. A new Texas law is blocking a local organization that provides first aid during public protests from events on the UT campus. Hormone replacement therapy will no longer…

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KUT Morning Newscast for September 9, 2025: Austin’s James Talarico is running for U.S. Senate 4:10

3h ago4:10

4:10

Central Texas top stories for September 9, 2025. State Representative James Talarico announced his run for U.S. Senate this morning. An Austin commission wants answers from the city’s Office of Police Oversight. The Austin City Council is set to take up some key housing-related issues this week. Texans affected by July floods can still apply for Di…

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Miniatures Gaming! 20:36

5h ago20:36

20:36

On this episode of This Is My Thing, we’re talking with James Hughes about his nearly lifelong love of miniatures gaming. He discovered the hobby as a kid and has been an avid fan ever since. It's, in a way, three hobbies in one -- it's a collection, it's a creative outlet (because James hand paints all of his miniatures) and, of course, a game. We…

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BONUS — The city has millions of dollars to support the Austin music scene. But who gets the money? (rerun) 54:04

13d ago54:04

54:04

In preparation for our upcoming update episode about the Live Music Fund, we revisit this episode from 2022, which tells the story of how the framework for the first Live Music Fund was developed. Find out more about the Live Music Fund on the City of Austin’s website. Pause/Play is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, T…

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KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 8, 2025: A battle between differing state abortion laws is mounting 4:59

12h ago4:59

4:59

Central Texas top stories for September 8, 2025. New York’s attorney general said she would intervene in a case brought by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. State Rep. James Talarico is expected to announce tomorrow that he’s running for the U.S. Senate. The Texas Longhorns remain at seventh in the AP rankings after their win against San José Stat…

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Lola Tried: “Hot Shot Barbie” [PREMIERE] 2:41

16h ago2:41

2:41

After several amuse-bouches of singles, Austin’s Lola Tried are ready to let us feast. OG members Lauren Burton and Ray Garza are joined by newcomers Gianni Sarmiento and Austin Norman for the group’s third EP, out this Friday. Perfect for your workout (or rageout) playlist is “Hot Shot Barbie.” She’s got her foot on the gas, turbo engaged, and the…

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KUT Morning Newscast for September 8, 2025: Twelve AISD schools have to make major changes to avoid closure or a state takeover of the district 3:47

20h ago3:47

3:47

Central Texas top stories for September 8, 2025. Twelve schools in the Austin Independent School District have to make major changes to avoid closure or a state takeover of the entire district. Georgetown is expected to adopt a new budget and a lower property tax rate at tomorrow’s city council meeting. Texas Longhorn football fans are still celebr…

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Can Drake Get Back On Top? 41:39

1d ago41:39

41:39

On this episode we discuss what artists get a pass to “genre bend” and what artists don’t. We also discuss what can Drake do to regain his number one spot in hip-hop. Hip-hop facts include Will Ferrell, Jay-Z, Allen Iverson and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that rappers don’t have to do traditional hip-hop media platforms. The post Can Drake G…

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Marc Morial (Ep. 41, 2025) 29:31

11d ago29:31

29:31

This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents an interview with Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, and exerpts from Morial’s address at the opening session of this year’s National Urban League Conference as he delivered a call to action in response to current threats to civil rights, demo…

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KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 5, 2025: Austin is spending $1 million on a new logo meant to evoke city’s hills, ‘violet crown skies’ 3:35

3d ago3:35

3:35

Central Texas top stories for September 5, 2025. Austin’s rebrand comes at a cost that’s been raising some eyebrows. A Hays high school student is accused of having a firearm on campus. A bill that would let private citizens sue out-of-state abortion pill providers received final passage in the Texas Senate this week. This is the last day for peopl…

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The Psychology of Personal Resistance 7:59

6d ago7:59

7:59

To resist or not to resist? That is the question. And the answer is—shocker to no one—it depends. But what it depends on matters a lot. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore the fine line between resistance as healthy self-preservation versus resistance as missed opportunity, and what t…

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KUT Morning Newscast for September 5, 2025: An Austin nursing home faces criminal charges for a resident’s death during the 2021 freeze 7:54

4d ago7:54

7:54

Central Texas top stories for September 5, 2025. An assisted living provider is facing criminal charges after an Austin woman’s death during the 2021 freeze. Nonprofits that help Texans seeking abortion care out of state are considering the impact of a bill passed by the state legislature this week. A Hays high school student was detained for havin…

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KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 4, 2025: THC still legal for all ages after Texas lawmakers leave hemp unregulated again 4:41

8d ago4:41

4:41

Central Texas top stories for September 4, 2025. State lawmakers once again failed to agree on whether to regulate or ban the state’s booming hemp industry. Students at UT Austin and UT Dallas are suing the UT System Board of Regents over a new state law. New analysis of medical evidence might give a death row inmate hope for exoneration. The deadl…

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KUT Morning Newscast for September 4, 2025: About one in five people across Central Texas are food insecure 4:07

5d ago4:07

4:07

Central Texas top stories for September 4, 2025. A report from the Central Texas Food Bank reveals food insecurity in the region has risen significantly over the past two years. Williamson County has adopted a higher property tax rate. Today is the last day to apply for help from FEMA after the July floods. The Immigration Services Network of Austi…

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KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 3, 2025: Texas bill cracking down on abortion pills now one step away from governor’s desk 4:01

6d ago4:01

4:01

Central Texas top stories for September 3, 2025. The bill would let private citizens sue out-of-state providers of abortion pills. FEMA has announced updated flood insurance maps for Bastrop County. Hays County is expanding its public defender office. The City of Austin is updating its comprehensive plan for the first time in 13 years. Construction…

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KUT Morning Newscast for September 3, 2025: Austin City Council is updating the City’s comprehensive plan, “Imagine Austin” 4:20

6d ago4:20

4:20

Central Texas top stories for September 3, 2025. he Austin City Council is moving forward with updating its comprehensive plan, known as “Imagine Austin.” The clock is ticking on efforts to ban or regulate THC products in Texas. A trial where a former Williamson County sheriff and a current county employee accused of evidence tampering is being pic…

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KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 2, 2025: A Texas law banning discussion of topics labeled “DEI” is being challenged in federal court 3:20

7d ago3:20

3:20

Central Texas top stories for September 2, 2025. A new state law bans certain discussions and activities related to race, gender and sexual orientation. Five people are suspected to have overdosed on narcotics early this morning at a downtown Austin bar. Texas fell from first to seventh in the AP Top 25 College Football Poll. After a couple days wi…

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Silvana Estrada: “Dime” 3:40

16d ago3:40

3:40

No longer in her ingenue phase, Mexico’s Silvana Estrada has maintained her wunderkind rise. With her birdsong voice and her signature Venezuelan cuatro guitar as a vessel to carry her stories of love, grief, and growth. Ahead of her newly announced international tour and album, Vendrán Suaves Lluvias, out in October, Estrada’s released “Dime,” a d…

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KUT Morning Newscast for September 2, 2025: A new law intended to speed up residential solar panel installation is now in effect 4:23

7d ago4:23

4:23

Central Texas top stories for September 2, 2025. Travis County Commissioners are making final adjustments to a $2.2 billion budget, here’s what the county wants to pay for. The Central Health Board of Managers is hearing community feedback on the fiscal year 2026 budget and tax rate. A new law intended to speed up residential solar panel installati…

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KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 1, 2025: Travis County Commissioners are making final adjustments to a $2.2 billion budget 2:54

8d ago2:54

2:54

Central Texas top stories for September 1, 2025. Travis County Commissioners are making final adjustments to a $2.2 billion budget that would add $200 to the average homeowner’s property tax bill. A lawsuit over ballot language the City of Austin approved for its November tax rate election is headed to the Texas Supreme Court. Texas football fans a…

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Grackles: “There Will Be Time” 2:53

8d ago2:53

2:53

Well howdy! Happy Labor Day! The weather may or may not be participating in our final romp of summertime, but Austin’s Grackles are here to make the day sunny despite Mother Nature. What began as a side project made up of touring and studio musicians for A-list artists such as the Chicks and Paul Simon and a GRAMMY winner has now produced two album…