Sonobeat Recording Company (Sonobeat Records and Sonosong Music) was founded in Austin, Texas, in 1967 by Bill Josey Sr. and Bill Josey Jr.

As an integral seed of the Austin music revolution that began in the mid-'60s, this small Central Texas label's prodigious output introduced Johnny Winter, Eric Johnson, Rusty Wier, the Afro-Caravan, and dozens of other luminary Texas musicians to the world.

Sonobeat.com offers a deep history and illustrative anecdotes of Sonobeat and the artists who helped create and shape the Austin music scene.

Sonobeat.com offers insights into how Sonobeat was formed, grew, and operated. But more than that, Sonobeat.com's exclusive access to Sonobeat's private archives -- including master audio tapes, photographs, and documents long thought lost -- provides a unique retrospective into the diverse and dynamic Central Texas music scene from the mid '60s to the mid '70s, the beginning of Austin's emergence as the live music capital of the world.

Sonobeat recorded artists performing in almost every musical genre -- from rock to blues to gospel to R&B to jazz to country to folk. The Sonobeat story features hundreds of talented musicians who have made musical history in Austin.

Whether you're newly initiated into Austin's rich musical heritage or were part of its '60s and '70s music scene, Sonobeat.com offers surprises, delights, and over 150 rare sound bites sprinkled throughout.

The Sweetarts started it all

The Sweetarts' single, A Picture of Me, launched Sonobeat in 1967. The basic instrumental tracks were recorded during non-business hours at one of Austin's then-hottest clubs, The Swingers, and the vocals were overdubbed at KAZZ-FM's offices in downtown Austin. The single featured original tunes by Sweetarts' founding member Ernie Gammage.


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From 1967 to 1976, Sonobeat recorded hundreds of Central Texas artists. The Wall of Fame presents rare photos of many of those artists. Requires Flash Player.