The Backyard at Bee Cave music venue to open this spring

The Backyard at Bee Cave music venue to open this spring

By Tiffany Young Friday, 05 February 2010

BEE CAVE — Some Central Texas music venues have a reputation and fame that competes with the names of the singers and songwriters who play there. The Backyard, expected to reopen at Hwy. 71 and Bee Cave Parkway this spring, is among those legendary venues.

Owner Tim O’Connor has been in the music business for years, owning popular music venues La Zona Rosa, Austin Music Hall and Tim’s Porch (a smaller venue that opened in the Backyard’s place) as well as a marketing company, Direct Events, that handles his venues’ publicity.

“It’s really difficult to start a new venue, but at the same time, we’re bringing the original reputation with the new Backyard,” said Kylee O’Neil, marketing coordinator for Direct Events.

Between its establishment in 1993 and closing its doors in 2008, The Backyard presented live music by Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Paul Simon, Coldplay, Norah Jones, Beck, John Mayer and a long list of well-known artists.

Set amongst old, shady oak trees, The Backyard was once in the country, where guests could not only listen to stars on stage, but see them in the sky as well.

After retail development opened nearby in 2007, O’Neil said The Backyard had lost some of the “backyard feel” it once had.

In 2008, O’Connor purchased land he had been eyeing for years and began construction of The Backyard at Bee Cave in March 2008.

Just about a quarter mile from its original location, the landscape for the new venue will be similar, but will have more room to grow in 38 acres of Hill Country. The Backyard moved from Austin city limits to Bee Cave city limits, which is expected to bring in more visitors and give an economic boost to Bee Cave.

O’Connor is also taking on more of a “green” initiative.

While building the outdoor venue, its environment was taken under consideration, such as keeping as many trees on the lot as possible, especially native trees; setting aside preferred parking for those who carpool (three or more visitors to a vehicle); reusing some of the original fencing and buildings; and using solar power for the artist compound, restrooms, terraces and gift shops.

“Our big focus is to make artists feel comfortable while they’re here because they’re traveling here on a bus and every city looks the same. But here at The Backyard, it’s different: They’ll remember it.”

Features for the artists include dressing rooms that look like log cabins within a private gated area that has a miniature golf course and hammocks.

Concertgoers who want the “VIP” treatment can buy season tickets, which will include a private entrance, talking terrace with Adirondack chairs and private bars and restrooms.