11.18.03 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Austin Music Foundation Hosts First Annual Texas Star Gala

AUSTIN, TX - Nov. 18, 2003 --On Wednesday December 3, 2003 Austin Music Foundation (AMF) will host its first annual Texas Star Gala at La Zona Rosa from 6:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale at all Star Ticket outlets.

The Gala begins at 6pm with a VIP Artist Meet and Greet Cocktail Hour where guests will be able to meet the evening's performers and enjoy an acoustic performance by Wideawake, one of the winners of the recent AMF's Music Incubator competition. Gala attendees will also get a chance to catch great entertainment throughout the evening.  Kacy Crowley kicks off the live music from the main stage at 8pm, followed by Joe Ely with special guests Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Colin Gilmore, and recent addition Butch Hancock at 9:30. 

"We're doing everything we can to make this a fun, memorable evening.  It's great that La Zona Rosa is allowing us to host the gala there, we are so grateful to them and the fabulous musicians like Joe Ely and Kacy Crowley who have agreed to perform.  I'm really proud of what AMF has accomplished in the past year.  To me this gala is a culmination of everyone's efforts and a chance for us to make new friends, " says AMF Co -Founder and Program Director, Nikki Rowling.

A silent auction will be held throughout the evening. Attendees can bid on one-of-a-kind opportunities such as a Fender guitar signed by Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, a private performance for you and your friends by Grammy-nominated Del Castillo, a private dinner and acoustic set by Fastball, castanet lessons from Patricia Vonne, autographed items from Bob Schneider, The Flatlanders, Terri Hendrix, and many more. 

The Gala event will come to an end with the help from the "One Night Band." The "One Night Band" is a unique opportunity for gala attendees to jam on the main stage at La Zona Rosa. Interested attendees will enter a raffle designating which instrument they will play for the audition. There will also be a Wild card Category that allows any instrument to be played. Five contestants drawn from each category will audition for 60 seconds. The winners from each category will be chosen by audience applause. These winners will come together as the "One Night Band" and top off the evening with their 15-minutes of fame.

All proceeds from the Texas Star Gala will benefit the AMF's support services and programs for the Austin Music Community in 2004. This event is brought to you in part by KLBJ FM, FOX 7, MIX 94.7, and The Austin Chronicle.

Tickets are currently on sale at all Star Ticket outlets, are available on the web at www.startickets.com, or by phone at 512.469.SHOW. General admission is $25 and includes admittance to the Gala Show, silent auction bidding, and entrance in the "One Night Band" raffle. VIP is $50 and also includes admittance to the VIP Artist Meet and Greet Cocktail Hour, access to the VIP section for the evening, VIP laminate, gift bag and an exclusive acoustic performance by the Incubator Awardee Wideawake.

The AMF's Texas Star Gala will be the holiday event of the season. Get your tickets while you still can!

For more information on the Texas Star Gala, visit the AMF's website at www.austinmusicfoundation.org.