Short and to the point: Get down and vote early. We are going to have turnout like nobody's business in Central Texas. The "no excuse" early voting is the way to go. Get out there.
When Texas starts early voting, it would be so cool for the turn out to look like election day! We may be a "Solidly Red Red State" but Austin is the blueberry in the tomato soup, as Jim Hightower says. If we can get high turnout in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, the Rio Grande Valley and parts of Dallas, we can have a huge impact on down ticket races and we may even pull an upset at the top of the ticket. It's not just Obama although nothing would make me happier than Obama winning with Texas in his column. We need to turn out to elect Rick Noriega over John "Psycho Bush Buddy" Cornyn.
If you're in Austin, get out to early voting next Monday and take a friend. Take two. Take a huge group, vote, then go out to catch some music, stimulate the local economy and celebrate your excellent judgement. There's probably more than a couple of cool things to do if you live elsewhere in the state. Don't forget to remind others you meet about early voting.
Just a tiny taste of your Monday Oct 20 music offerings in Austin (tip your waitress and tip the band):
Weezer - Erwin Center
Antone's: Texas Disaster Relief Fund w/ Tracy Byrd, Asleep at the Wheel
Beerland: World-Famous Karaoke (BARACK Me Amadeus)
Continental Club: Marshall Ford Swing Band (6:30), Pumpkin Moon, Jon Dee Graham Medical Benefit w/ Dale Watson, Reckless Kelly, Steve Poltz, Mojo Nixon, James McMurtry
Emo's: Outside: Hearts of Darkness, Grand Buffet, Girl Talk; Inside: Plants & Animals, Born Ruffians
Ruta Maya: Heavy Metal Open Mic
Room 710: Heart & Soul Sound System
Nuno's North (a very cool place on Mopac and Parmer): Open Blues Jam (I may be there)
Poodie's Hilltop Bar & Grill: Ru Coleman & Texas Boogie
Gruene Hall: Bret Graham (7:00)
Güero's Taco Bar: Trio Indiano (6:30)
Headhunters: The Lepers