Country/Tejano Concert Continues Tradition of Live Music at Auditorium Shores.

AUSTIN, Texas--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Aug. 17, 1999--

Country Favorite Tracy Lawrence and

Tejano Superstar Emilio To Headline Evening-Long "Generation Tex"

Concert On Sept. 17

A late summer's evening. Blankets spread on grass. And the sounds of world-class live music drifting over families and friends. All are ingredients that make up a long-standing Texas tradition.

That traditional love of live music in an idyllic outdoor setting continues with the six-hour "Generation Tex" concert on Friday, Sept. 17, featuring the biggest names in country and Tejano (the musical styles whose roots go deepest into Texas soil), including Tracy Lawrence and Emilio, at Austin's favorite alfresco venue, Auditorium Shores.

Gates open at 4:30 p.m.; music starts at 5:30 p.m. Advance tickets go on sale Friday, Aug. 20, and are only $7 (through all Star Ticket outlets; call 512/469-SHOW or 800/966-7469); $9 at the gate. Children 10 and younger are free. Food and drink will be offered for sale.

Event coordinator Aus-Tex Stars, an Austin-based production company, has brought together the finest musicians in country and Tejano for this evening of entertainment for all ages next to the peaceful waters of Town Lake, with the glowing skyscrapers of downtown beyond -- under passing clouds, growing shadows and finally, starlight.

Texas-born honky-tonk heartbreaker Tracy Lawrence blends the traditional and the modern with a voice that carries both the exuberance of youth and the experience of age. From his debut, "Sticks & Stones" (Atlantic), to the current "The Best of" release, his popularity has shot skyward with 17 No. 1 singles, hundreds of live performances, critical praise and dozens of Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association and NARAS nominations.

Tejano superstar Emilio, in just 10 years, has garnered more acclaim from the Tejano music industry than any other male artist -- more than 30 awards, including Male Entertainer of the Year for nine consecutive years, making him "The King of Tejano" indeed. TV commercials for Texas Ford dealers have made him a household icon; his "Tejanos For Children" charity has raised more than $600,000. And his 10th-anniversary release, "Mi Primer Amor" (Capitol/EMI), is full of the all-out charisma that has set concert-attendance records throughout his career.

"Honky-tonk savior" David Ball, member of the infamous Uncle Walt's Band of the mid-'70s and who names a gig at Gruene Hall as his most memorable concert performance, captures audiences with his trademark hard-driving, lyrical, dance-hall tunes. His intense love of songwriting, and the resulting mix of fiery ballad and tender love song, show up in his latest release, "Play" (July, Warner Bros. Records).

Award-winning Tejano legend Ruben Ramos is considered the absolute monarch of the musical genre, with a history that reaches back to 1961 and Texas' Chicano movement. Through the years, he has added a jazzy note to his traditional "Texas Revolution" and "Mexican Revolution" supergroup stylings to keep pace with the music's growing popularity. His latest effort, as part of the group Los Super Seven with Flaco Jimenez, Joe Ely, Cesar Rosas, Louis Perez, David Hidalgo and Rick Trevino, yielded a Grammy. Ramos, nicknamed "El Gato Negro" for an early career hit, is a member of both the Pura Vida Music Awards and Tejano Music Awards halls of fame, and continues to promote Hispanic culture through his music and serve as a role model in the industry and the community.

A portion of the evening's proceeds will benefit Amigos en Azul and the Hispanic Committee on Scouting.

Mark your calendar now for this outstanding evening of country and Tejano music, in a special place loved by Austin's community of live music fans.