The Stars at night are big and bright

...deep in the heart of Texas, and musics and movie stars are coming together this week for the annual rite of Austin Spring. SXSW.

Austin seems to heat things up and I 'm not just talking about the man. Austin Texas has been on the scene stirring things up in the music and movie industry for years. South by Southwest (SXSW) started in 1987 as a way to connect this what happening in this central Texas city to the rest of the world.

There is Texas, and then there's Austin.

It is it's own place unlike any other in Lone Star State. Austin is mix of influences, experiences and outlooks, meshing and blending into something totally unique. From the influences of the UT community, the role of being the capital of Texas and a long history of a party town, ( heck, General Custer's troops enjoyed their party spirit after the Civil War in the area that is now around 4th and 6th street) this cosmopolitan city deep in the heart of Texas has become an influence in developinIg and discovering new talent in both music and movies. And SXSW has been a huge part of that.

White Stripes, Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party, Amy Winehouse, Arctic Monkeys, Lily Allen, Wolfmother, The Hives, The Strokes, and even the Flaming Lips have all had shows at SXSW that propelled them into music stardom.

In 1994 SXSW added film to the music and created a one two punch cultivating local talents and showcasing national and international films at the same time. This year the film line up has over 250 films with 64 having their world premiere and representing a world of extremes.

Some of the high profile movies this year include: Kimberly Peirce’s Stop-Loss (with Ryan Phillipe), Nicholas Stoller’s Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Martin Scorsese’s Shine A Light (Rolling Stones movie), Grant Gee's Joy Division, Aaron Rose & Joshua Leonard’s Beautiful Losers, Morgan Spurlock’s Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?, Julian Schnabel's Lou Reed's Berlin and the festival’s Closing Night Film, Stephen Walker’s documentary Young@Heart. (Senior's choir covering some of the rock, rap, and classics. --and there not high school seniors we're talking about).

It shows that the arty vibe of the city of Austin, an undoubtedly some of SXSW influenced and shaped Austin, to the funky approach to life and acting, how could it not. While you think this is all about Austin, think again, this year Jake has a more than just a Nichol's worth of interested in this year's SXSW. Jake is connected to the documentary piece Crawford, a look at President George W. Bush and the effect of him moving to small town Crawford TX. Jake sits on the advisory board with fellow Vineyarder's Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen.

SXSW has become a major player in the entertainment scene as well as bringing not only exposure to this Texas center of live music and thriving community, but over $43 million in revenue to the city last year.

There is so much that is going on at SXSW you have to check it out for yourself.

SXSW

SXSW Insider's Guide