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Joe Priesnitz Curated Live Music for Austin’s Premier Running Events

Runners from around the world enjoyed live music on Austin’s streets because of Joe Priesnitz’s efforts

Joe Priesnitz used music to positively impact the lives of others. Lucky for us, he did this for runners at the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon and the 3M Half Marathon. Since 2014, Joe worked with and booked local Austin acts to play live music on course. Hundreds of thousands of runners and spectators from around the world experienced why Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World because of Joe. Unfortunately, he passed away on Saturday, April 25th, after a seven-year battle with multiple myeloma. Joe is considered a legend in the music industry. He managed and booked legendary artists like Eric Johnson, Kelly Willis, and Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble to name a few. Below are a few tributes from those positively impacted by the efforts of Joe Priesnitz.

Image of Jack Murray and Joe Priesnitz chatting after the 2017 Austin Marathon.

Jack and Joe chat at an Austin Marathon after party. Courtesy of Barbara Nadalini Priesnitz.

Jack Murray – co-owner of High Five Events (owner of Austin Marathon)

Runners from around the world love the variation of live music along the Austin Marathon and 3M Half Marathon courses. Joe booked everything from rock bands to bagpipe players for these events. Austin is known as The Live Music Capital of the World. Participants and spectators experience that firsthand on Austin’s streets thanks to Joe’s efforts. We’re appreciative of his and Barbara’s contributions to our events, the music world, and the City of Austin. We felt lucky to have him as part of the team. Joe will be missed.

Danny Spoonts – Austin Marathon Course Crew, long-time friend

Joe and I both grew up in New Mexico and became friends after high school. We both moved to Austin in the 70s and became close friends for 40+ years. Joe was all about music. I became a runner in the mid-80s and began working as Course Manager for the Austin Marathon in 2012. The event had an opening to book and organize bands. I knew Joe would be great and he came on board. After years of doing what we both loved, we now got to work together! Anyone who knew Joe knew he was far from being a runner, but he was always the one to help out. I believe he really enjoyed going back a bit to his roots of booking bands again.

Gemma Kitson – Australian runner, 2020 Austin Marathon finisher

Traveling to the other side of the world and lining up for a marathon, suddenly full of doubt, I wore my headphones like a toddler clutching tightly to a security blanket. I was ready to be powered along by a playlist carefully curated by the friends who would typically run beside me as if I were home in Melbourne. It took minutes for it to be discarded while simultaneously falling in love with Austin. Eventually, I hit pause mid-song as I discovered a local group rocking out on a street corner. “How quirky,” I thought. By the third music pit-stop, I knew I had stumbled onto something pretty special.

I shared videos with everyone back home as I ran past yet another music group – and again, a totally different genre and different setup. I happily sacrificed my finish time as I stopped to capture the diverse range of gatherings with my phone. My feet found a new beat every handful of kilometers as the next band came into earshot. Never before had I seen SO much music on a run course. I hadn’t paid much attention to Austin’s reputation as The Live Music Capital of the World in my travel research until I found myself hanging onto the memories of each band I passed. Like any great soundtrack, the Austin Marathon’s music accompanied me on a journey that changed me forever. Austin and its amazing musical pulse will always be a part of my heartbeat now.

John and Stacey Conley – former owners of the Austin Marathon

Joe joined our team in 2014. He not only knew all of the major Austin musicians, but he also knew every garage band, bongo drummer, and bagpipe player in town. Joe worked side-by-side with our course manager, Danny Spoonts, to place the musicians and Joe delivered meals to them while they were on the course. He made sure that the acts had as good a time supporting the Austin Marathon as our participants had running the race. Joe was an unassuming professional who knew music, the musicians, the city, and our team. He will be sorely missed.

Thanks, Joe

Joe Priesnitz’s impact on the music industry is undeniable, but his impact didn’t stop there. Hundreds of thousands of runners and spectators from around the world saw and heard why Austin is The Live Music Capital of the World. The Austin Marathon is grateful for Joe’s contributions. Our thoughts are with Barbara and his family and friends.

Image of Paramount Theatre marquee saying farewell to Joe Priesnitz. Courtesy of Bells and Whistles.

Courtesy of Bells and Whistles.

Feature and social images courtesy of Barbara Nadalini Priesnitz.

Explore Austin and Visit these 6 Places along the Austin Marathon Course

6 Places where you can explore Austin along miles 13-18

This list of 6 places to visit along miles 13-18 of the Austin Marathon course provides a glimpse of Austin before all the skyscrapers and traffic congestion. Take a step back in time and understand some of our city’s history and how Austin came to be the Live Music Capital of the World. Perfect for Austin Marathon weekend or when friends and family visit during the summer. Make sure you explore Austin when you’re in town and take home a souvenir or two from these spots!

Check out our list of places to visit along miles 13-18 of the Austin Marathon course the next time you explore Austin.

The UT Tower.

Looking for more places to explore Austin? Check out our other lists of favorite places along the eastern, southern, and western portions of the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon course.

The UT Tower (Mile 13)

This is one of The University of Texas’ most distinguished landmarks and it was completed in 1937. At 307 feet tall, The UT Tower (110 Inner Campus Drive) towers above campus and watches Austin Marathoners as they run by campus for the first time. The Eyes of Texas will truly be upon you on February 16th! Learn about the Tower’s different lighting configurations and schedule a tour of the UT Tower.

23rd St. Artists’ Market (Mile 13)

Check out a few of our favorite murals at this open-air arts and crafts market (2300 Guadalupe Street). It’s open seven days a week, but the best days to visit are Thursday through Sunday. Local artists sell their handmade work at Austin’s original outdoor art market. You’ll find a piece of Austin to take home with you!

Hole in the Wall (Mile 13.5)

When one visits the Live Music Capital of the World, one must visit Hole in the Wall (2538 Guadalupe Street). Hole in the Wall was founded in 1974 and the likes of Townes Van Zandt, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Lucinda Williams, Gary Clark Jr., St. Vincent, and so many other megastars have graced the stage. So many more that we had to stop listing them in this blog! Grab some grub, order a beer, and enjoy some live music.

Antone’s Record Stop (Mile 13.5)

Image of a classic car in front of Antone's Record Shop. Check out our list of places to visit along miles 13-18 of the Austin Marathon course the next time you explore Austin.

Antone’s Record Shop, an Austin original since 1987. Credit – Antone’s Record Shop Facebook.

Clifford Antone opened the doors of Antone’s Record Shop (2928 Guadalupe Street #101) in the summer of 1987. The shop, another Austin original, is in its original location and contains one of Austin’s largest selections of used vinyl. This is a great place to dig for records, especially if you’re looking for music with a heavy emphasis on blues and Texas artists. 

Elisabet Ney Museum (Mile 15.5)

Elisabet Ney is an iconoclastic German sculptor who moved to Austin in 1882. The building that is the Elisabet Ney Museum (304 E. 44th Street) is her former studio. Ney was also an early leader of the Texas Women’s Movement and a Civil Rights advocate. The museum offers exhibits, special events, workshops, and more. Admission is free.

Hancock Recreation Center and Golf Course (Mile 16.5)

The Hancock Recreation Center (811 E. 41st Street) is named after Lewis Hancock. He brought golf to Austin in 1889. In 1951, the Austin Country Club moved and the land was designated as dedicated park land. Today, the Hancock Rec Center offers varying programs like fitness, dance, youth summer camps, and more. The Hancock Golf Course is a 9-hole, par-35 course.

You have everything you need to explore Austin! This is a great opportunity to check out the course and learn about Austin’s history, whether you’re an Austinite or visiting for the first time. Make sure you double-check their hours before you leave the house. Do you have a spot along mile 13-18 that you love? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

Enjoy the Full Austin Experience at these 5 Iconic South Austin Locations

Visit these south Austin hotspots and truly embrace the full Austin experience

If you’re into shopping, sunshine, live music, or nature you must visit these 5 iconic south Austin hotspots. They’re located along Miles 1-6 of the Austin Marathon course so they’re within walking distance of downtown Austin. Take in the Austin experience in one day or spread it out throughout Austin Marathon weekend. The choice is yours! If you find yourself hungry or in need of a cup of coffee, stop by our favorite south Austin coffee, breakfast, lunch, or dinner spots.

Congress Avenue Bridge (start)

Image of Wanda Jackson, the Queen of Rockabilly, performing at Continental Club. Enjoy the Austin experience when you take in a show at Continental Club!

Wanda Jackson, Queen of Rockabilly, performs at Continental Club.

This is one of Austin’s most iconic places to take photos for many reasons. Panoramic views of downtown, unobstructed view of the Texas State Capitol, Town Lake sunrises and sunsets, the 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats, and the beginning of the Austin Marathon! Whether you watch 17,500 runners cross the bridge or 1.5 million bats fly out from underneath in their bat cyclones, make sure your camera is charged and you have a great vantage point! Pro tip: take Bat Watching 101.

The Continental Club (Mile 1)

This live music venue is the self-proclaimed granddaddy of live music venues. The Continental Club (1315 S. Congress Ave.) has had a coast-to-coast and worldwide reputation as the premiere club for live music in Austin since 1955. Artists have included Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Social Distortion, TD Bell and the Blues Specialists, Robert Plant, Blues Traveler, Dale Watson & his Lone Stars, Wanda Jackson, and more. Pro tip: Peterson Brothers Band, the 2018 Austin Marathon finish line festival headliner, play every Monday for free!

South Congress Shopping (Mile 1-2)

Image of mural outside of Triple Z Threads. Enjoy the Austin experience when you shop on South Congress.

Mural that greets you outside of Triple Z Threads.

Preview Miles 1-2 of the Austin Marathon course when you shop SoCo! You’ll find something you need and everything you don’t. Visit some of our favorites like the Kendra Scott Flagship, STAG Provisions for Men, Allens Boots, Monkey See Monkey DO, and Triple Z Threads. Stop by Big Top to satisfy your sweet tooth! Pro tip: follow us on Instagram and see what murals you can find along the way.

Greetings from Austin Mural (Mile 5)

Known around the world, the Greetings from Austin Mural (1720 S. 1st St.) is one of the most visited murals in Austin. The mural was painted in 1998 by Todd Sanders and Rory Skagen and restored in 2013. Pro tip: get there early for the shot you want. You’ll avoid the crowds and there will be less traffic.

Auditorium Shores (Mile 6)

You know this an Austin blog when Stevie Ray Vaughan is mentioned twice. One of the main Auditorium Shores (800 W. Riverside Dr.) highlights is his statue along the trail overlooking Town Lake. Mile Marker 0 is a popular gathering spot for runners because of water fountains, plenty of space to stretch, and a workout station. On a rest day? Take your pup to the off-leash Auditorium Shores Dog Park. Bringing the kids? Take them to the Splash Pad. Pro tip: the lefthand turn runners take during the Austin Marathon is a popular cheering location for loved ones and spectators.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of the Austin experience. You have to start somewhere, right? This is one of Austin’s most vibrant and diverse areas, making it the perfect place to explore. Do you have a place in south Austin that you love that did not make the list? Let us know what it is on Facebook or Twitter.