Houston has no shortage of headliners, but no one should ever forget the managers, publicists, promoters, venue and label owners, box-office managers, security and everyone else with a behind-the-scenes stake in getting audiences to show up. These people especially deserve fans’ eternal thanks. We recognize 50 here, presented in reverse alphabetical order.
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Matt Willhelm | Punk With a Camera -
Gerritt Wittmer | Electronica composer -
Brandon Walsh -
Erika Thrasher | Indian Jewelry / Studded Left siren -
Ann-Marie Tcholakian | MKT Bar owner -
Ryan Taylor | Journeyman punk rocker -
T2 the Ghetto Hippie | Feel-good rapper of the year -
John “Goodtime” Smith | Continental consigliere -
Shea Serrano | Local boy made good -
Chuck Roast | Vinal Edge owner / KTRU legend -
Vockah Redu | Bounce messiah -
Rabit | Enigmatic techno recluse -
Nathan Quick | Rootsy singer-songwriter -
Phil Peterson | “Bassman” booking agent -
Zack Palmer | Walter’s owner/heir -
OG Ron C | Chopstars founder -
Craig Mickle | Cop Warmth ringleader -
Kelsey McDaniel | DJ / promoter -
Mo McRae | Continental Club bartender -
Ayanna McCloud | La Botanica sound manipulator -
Paige Mann | House of Blues box-office manager -
Trudy Lynn | Queen of H-Town blues -
Vance Lawrence | Big-time house DJ -
Christian Larson | Venomous Maximum guitarist / Pegstar flack -
Michael Lacour | The one and only B L A C K I E -
K-Rino | Prolific genius rapper -
Christian Kidd | The Hates icon -
Jagi Katial | Pegstar founder -
Miriam K | Giant Kitty riot grrrl -
Levi Johnson | Live Nation fixer -
Ruben Jimenez | Roologic CEO / DJ Baby Roo -
Daniel Jackson | Photographer / Suffers social-media wonk -
Kyle Hubbard | Everyman rapper; all-around nice guy -
Allen Hill | King of the Oldies -
Hunter Heimburger | Warehouse Live gatekeeper -
Coffee Guzman | Trippy Cholo sidekick -
Billy F. Gibbons | Lord of the Boogie -
David Garrick | FPH scribe -
Kam Franklin | Gulf Coast soul singer -
Fat Tony | Rapper / Whataburger spokesman -
Sandy Ewen | Sublime experimental guitarist -
Tomas Escalante | Sig’s Lagoon owner / singer -
DJ Auditory | Chopped & Screwed authority -
David Dove | Nameless Sound visionary -
Avery Davis | -Us. auteur -
David “SyKo” Cagle | Five Star Security -
Bun B | King of the Trill -
Mark C. Austin | Promoter supreme (aka “Redbeard”) -
Athena Anesti | Love Athena / PR goddess -
Omar Afra | FPSF / Day For Night guru -
Without these people, Houston’s music scene would be a pretty dull, depressing place.