Dallas Burrow’s Redbird Listening Room Is a Gem of Texas Music

Everybody knows that Austin is the “Live Music Capital of the World.” But that recognition doesn’t end outside of the Austin city limits. That live music legacy extends a little farther south to San Marcos where Texas State University is, as well as the Cheatham Street Warehouse, which was a proving ground for talent as far ranging as George Strait to Todd Snider under the proprietorship of Kent Finlay.

You go down the road just a little further to New Braunfels, and you have the grandaddy of all the Texas dance halls, Gruene Hall. And not too far from Gruene and right off Interstate 35 in New Braunfels is the Redbird Listening Room—the pride of Central Texas songwriter Dallas Burrow.

Located in a house that was built in the 1930’s, The Redbird listening room has become one of the most beloved performance spaces for patrons to see their favorite artists in, and for performers themselves to play in front of an audience that doesn’t have to be told to hush and be attentive to the song.

Dallas Burrow is a native of New Braunfels, and pulled inspiration for the Redbird Listening Room from Cheatham Street Warehouse and its legendary songwriting circles. The listening room even has the original safe from Cheatham Street, with a bit of the ashes of Kent Finlay who passed away in 2015. Though Burrow had the place ready to open in the summer of 2020, COVID made him think twice, and he waited until April of 2021 when Dale Watson showed up to christen the room with sold-out shows.

Now there is music at the Redbird every Friday and Saturday night via songwriters from all around Texas and the world, and shows on Sunday afternoons. And though the room might be small and intimate, that doesn’t mean the talent isn’t big. Looking at the Redbird calendar over the next couple of months, you see names such as Walt Wilkins, Courtney Patton, Susan Gibson, Adam Hood, Jason Eady, Bob Livingston, Jade Marie Patek and Victoria Camp, and Ward Davis all scheduled to perform.

There is also a songwriting showcase every Thursday evening that’s open to the public, with a public sign up sheet. Though the ticketed performances are a big part of the Listening Room, the Thursday evening songwriter showcase really is the soul of what Redbird is all about.

“I book all the shows myself,” Dallas Burrow tells Saving Country Music, “So these nights are a great time to see lots of songwriters.”

On Thursday, April 16th, over a dozen songwriters signed up for the opportunity to perform in the space. This included songwriter C.J. Sparks, who previously was in the band the Beatnik Bandits. New Braunfels singer/songwriter Ashley Griffin also stopped by to play on the house piano, and was joined by local songwriter Owen Straud on guitar, who later played a little piano of his own.

Another songwriter who made an impression on the night was Zach Aaron. Originally from Cleveland, TX, he’s a horse farrier and saddle bronc rider when he’s not writing super clever songs and delivering them with old soul authenticity. “This is my second best song about getting pissed on by a horse,” he said introducing his first song. “This is my first best song about dying,” he said introducing his second song that figured out how to make passing into the afterlife relevant to potato salad.

To see some video from the night on Instagram, CLICK HERE.

Of course, Dallas Burrow gets his opportunities to perform as time permits, and closed out the evening with a couple of songs, ending the night by leading the entire Redbird Listening Room in a rendition of “I’ll Fly Away.”

It’s not just the music that happens at the Redbird Listening Room. It’s about the community it has fostered, and the conversation it has stoked about the art of songwriting. It’s how the space is so purposeful in how it’s laid out both inside and out, and intentionally curated to disarm all the tensions that hang on the shoulders of all of us throughout the day, but fall to the side as you enter the space.

Even before you walk into the Listening Room, the outside feels so cozy with tables and art and the husk of an old covered wagon making you feel miles away from the madness of modern life.

Wanting to tap into the Redbird magic is why The Ameripolitan Awards had Dallas Burrow curate a songwriting round at The Saxon Pub in Austin in 2024, and why during this year’s Luck Reunion on Willie Nelson’s Ranch during SXSW, they had Burrow do the same thing. Trying to capture the spirit of the Redbird Listening Room is something other events are looking to achieve.

The Redbird Listening Room is a family business, with Dallas Burrow’s mother often greeting you at the door. They do serve some beverages, but they don’t have a liquor license, so it’s BYOB, with a small corkage/cooler fee on ticketed nights.

Dallas Burrow remains a full-time singer-songwriter, including going on national tours. But the Redbird has done so well, it’s a scenario where the rest of the world also comes to him through the Redbird Listening Room.

Whether you’re local to the Central Texas area, or traveling through looking for that authentic taste of the singer/songwriter spirit of the region, The Redbird Listening Room is a worthwhile experience and destination to seek out.

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