I certainly didnt have a problem with the acoustics when I saw incredible shows there by Bob Dylan, P!nk, John Fogerty, Oasis, Devo and many more. Like Willie Nelson, Tim O'Connor is a huge part of Austin music history. Example video title will go here for this video, AUSTIN, Texas Tim OConnor, owner of The Backyard, Austin Music Hall and other live music venues in Austin, died on July 30 from Hodgkin's lymphoma. "Can you imagine sending a guy like me over as an ambassador of goodwill?" The son of Charles and Gladys (Farrell) O'Connor was born on October 14, 1949 in Appleton. When my lawyer got done kicking me in the leg, that's when things really went downhill," recalls O'Connor. I may have given up a certain amount of information here or there, but my past is that nobody really knows what I'm up to. But even after all that, OConnor refused to retire, working on a venue in Driftwood until that deal fell through. More to the point, it's been decades since Tim O'Connor carried anybody's guitar and worried about being cold, wet, or hungry. On others, it was a place for hell raising, hooting and hollering.". That was unique, and I think a lot of that came from working with Willie. California Consumer Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, California Consumer Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He left behind his two dogs,. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. In 1960, after eight months of marching with a weighted backpack and an M-1 rifle, O'Connor and several other cadets broke ranks, literally running away and leading police on a manhunt. Watching football and repairing anything that needed it were among his favorite things to do, as well as playing cards with many of their friends. Since O'Connor and Jones both describe their relationship as "father-son," the latter equally close friends with Attal, Jones has been the architect of what could be the new Ivory Tower collective -- a centralized effort from Stubb's, MiddleMan Music, and Direct Events. to rescue the dogs. After staying out drinking until 4am the evening before a three-day blues festival at the Opera House featuring Bonnie Raitt and Stevie Ray Vaughan, O'Connor says he realized he had two choices. "As more acts came to town that had witnessed the growth of the concert industry nationally, the relaxed, laid-back Austin approach wasn't as effective," O'Connor explains. But he had a special connection with the pit mix Bruiser, the oldest and scrappiest of the bunch. He graduated from St. Thomas High School in Houston, Texas, in 1978. The Backyard had about 10 good years until the Shops of the Galleria began encroaching, eventually eating up most of the parking by its 2005 completion. He loved all of his family and the times they spent together. "Instead of coming to work with machetes, we tried a pencil and pad. APA! It started with a love of music. Located on Fourth at Rio Grande, an area that looked like where the mob dumped bodies, the Red Zone was inspired by crazy bordertown cafe/bars, with decor (black velvet paintings, bright colors, weird rectangle cutaways) that made someone dub it PeeWees Whorehouse. I ordered the truckstop enchiladas every time, so I cant tell you about the rest of the menu. Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. Check out the rescue video: https://t.co/HdqwH1zKJo Help out today by donating to their rescue and care: https://t.co/H4ndUa1g7M pic.twitter.com/PBL0nIXOWm, Willie Nelsons daughters and OConnors goddaughters, Paula and Amy Nelson, were able to find homes for four of them. *Please note that the service will not be at a Keever facility, so please have flowers sent directly to the Hilco Event Center in Itasca.*. ESPN analysts say Urban Meyer should be fired for viral dancing video, Police say former NASCAR driver attacked ex-wife with hatchet before being shot, Dallas-area mother rents billboard next to AT&T Stadium to raise awareness about fake pills laced with fentanyl, 8 state propositions will be on the ballot this Election Day. In any scenario, Jones and Attal say it would only take a drive to their office to unload the lease to the Austin Music Hall. What O'Connor didn't know was they'd since befriended another fledgling band, Buffalo Springfield, and as word of the two bands' association spread, the show sold out on the belief Stephen Stills and company would show up to jam. Austin Owen O'Connor, 66 of Loogootee, was called home at 9:33 a.m. Friday, December 4, 2020 at Loogootee Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. "I'm a loner," says O'Connor. We will miss you and love you always, MeMe. "I'll tell you the three things I never want you to be: cold, wet, or hungry.". Strength in numbers now meant they weren't bidding against each other, so the only venue Pace could book without working with the newly formed collective was the Erwin Center. "I may not know him as well as Charlie [Jones], but I'm certain it's not the money that drives him anymore. Burial will follow in Assumption Cemetery. Character actor Tim O'Connor, best known for his role as Elliot Carson in 1960s prime time soap Peyton Place, has died. "I realized long ago that music was the nighttime job and that you had to be making money during the day," reveals O'Connor. And yet, Attal says he's not waiting in the parking lot for O'Connor to show up with the paperwork. He is survived by his wife, Beverly, of Austin; son Michael OConnor of Houston; Olive OConnor of Houston; daughter, Loraine Moulder and husband Jim of Cedar Park; three grandsons, Brian Poolman of Austin, TX; Daniel Poolman of Austin/Houston; Sean Poolman of San Marcos, TX; Granddaughter, Melanie Diggins, Great-Granddaughters Adrienne Diggins and Alix OQuinn; a brother, Donald OConnor ( Helen), of Plattsburg, MO; four sisters, Loretta Broderick (Tom), Plattsburg, MO, Juanita Thornton (Jim), Liberty, MO; Charlene Swope (Emerson) of Joplin, MO, Peggy Evans (John) of Smithville, MO; twelve nieces and nephews, all of Missouri, and several cousins, living in the Midwest.. "He's always held most of the cards, and I've always been the guy fighting to get a few of them.". "The first chance he had back in Austin, he fired me," reveals O'Connor. "As long as you're doing private parties, you know the money is there up front, and no matter who shows up, the check's clearing. Two dogs, Bobbie and Yoyo, remain. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. Before moving to California, he lived on an island in the middle of Glen Wild Lake, located in Bloomingdale, New Jersey, 30 miles from Manhattan. He was surrounded by family and friends. While most people don't care who owns the venues they visit, it could be argued that the one non-performer's name every Austin music fan should know is Tim O'Connor. Tim, an avid music lover and skilled audio And just what might that be? Let others know about your loved one's death. Not only did it allow Direct Events to lure agents and acts with the promise that they could move through their ranks, it kept the overall business operating 12 months a year, not just the seven months it was safe to stage shows at the Backyard. "I met Willie in San Antonio to apologize to him," recalls the promoter of his last move before leaving Austin. Over the last few years, we've been killing ourselves.". Jones started answering phones for Direct Events in 1993, and just three years later was La Zona Rosa's general manager. From there, he landed a job in Dallas working at various local bars and hotels. you are the only one i can imagine to put all this into words of love and reality and yesteryear succinctly and soufully. At the time, the only viable concert venues for major touring talent were the City Coliseum, Palmer Auditorium, and the Erwin Center. I have very little patience for people that fool around in this business or just want to make a buck.". Just to correct y'all in the name of accuracy, Mike the master of the blues B3 has an unusual spelling of his last name. The arrangement lasted less than two years, with Ramsey bailing first, followed shortly after by Smith. O'Connor was left holding the market share of shows in Austin. Who Receive obituaries Sandra Lucille Hidrogo February 20, 2023 (81 years old) If youre not prepared to put half your money in a suitcase and throw it off the tallest building, kid, you dont have what it takes to be a concert promoter.. Free of drugs and alcohol since 1988, Tim was addicted to the concert game, the work, the risk/reward rush, which eventually led to a slew of lawsuits and a 2013 bankruptcy. Like Lance Armstrong, OConnor just couldnt walk away from the action, and suffered the consequences. I know what I'm going to pay and that's it. He passed in his sleep on April 5 in his longtime home . It just so happened it was my stray bullet.". Then, AMHII was torn down in 2016 to make room for a 28-story office building called Third + Shoal. What started as benefit concerts for local Native Americans grew into something far bigger: star-studded concerts pairing artists with causes. There was other drama as well: He'd been caught attempting to steal a WWI cannon from the town post office. According to the website, Bobbie Nelsonis just over 2 years old. I stuck around Willie like bad penny.". He was born on June 14, 1983, in Santa Rosa, California. He's maybe a little crusty,'" laughs O'Connor. and TRAPRS joined hands for this rescue operation, which was filmed by Amy and sharedonline. Timothy F. O'Connor Obituary. You? He let me spill everything out for him and then I asked, 'What do you think?' Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. Folks told OConnor nobody from Austin would drive all the way out to Bee Cave to see a concert, but after Tim timed the route at just 15 minutes, the Backyard came up with its brilliant three songs away tag. When O'Connor passed away from Hodgkin's lymphoma in July 2021 at age 76, the music community went into mourning. He does it because he loves music and loves the game.". i'm holding the 25 year chip tim gave me when we both hit 25 years. Absolutely not. While this cost Direct Events some independence, the contract reserved O'Connor's right to promote 140 acts on his own that he had longstanding relationships with (artists such as Willie Nelson or Little Feat.) Through an introduction from Jim Ramsey, O'Connor was brought in to consult on a club called the River's Edge, located at Second and Nueces. Find an obituary, get service details, leave condolence messages or send flowers or gifts in memory of a loved one. To share your memories of Tom, please visit www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com. Then there are those that "respect" him too much to dredge up the past, those content with allowing O'Connor to spin his own story, particularly considering he's on the cusp of retirement and still recuperating from triple-bypass surgery. "The battles I had with him at Pace over why we couldn't do a certain event always came back to the same thing, 'That's not what Austin's about,'" says Hauser. That OConnor had 13 very good years in that former chili factory was remarkable. Willie had found his man! Chris was born on July 27, 1959 in Houston, Texas to Joseph L. OConnor and Elizabeth (Penny) Powell OConnor. Chris was preceded in death by his father Joseph L. OConnor. What few of these people will do, however, is tell these stories on the record. And to some degree, it's also about admitting what I've done wrong. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. "But I'm at a point in my career and life that whatever I have and haven't done, it feels right to get it out there. There will be a reception following the service. In the Opera House days, O'Connor cut his costs and launched a successful business with Brad Meyer by starting Star Tickets; they not only made money selling tickets for other venues, but they were able to keep the money from the Opera House in-house and available. "I could either walk down to the bar and start drinking again, or be honest and do what I said I'd do -- to produce these shows in a professional manner.". 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. In a press release, APA! He sees it as a return to the free flow of information that he found in the Castle Creek days. Maybe it's yet another O'Connor business strategy. "I think he likes the game too much to really be trying to get out," maintains Attal. I'd like to think I was one of the architects of trying to make this town's concerts more professional.". That wouldnt last long. "I didn't have much fear and figured I didn't need to take much guidance from anyone else.". ", Several months later, the landlord offered him the chance to do just that; after tearing down the wall O'Connor opened the Austin Music Hall with a sign that said "Phase 1. Backyard II just couldnt accommodate sellout crowds of 7,500, like the May 11, 2011 Arcade Fire show when hundreds of ticketholders had nowhere to park and missed the show. They did him one better, allowing him to stay in the garage apartment of their new house. Great story Stu, Mike F. is a great soulful singer! He left behind his pack of dogs. After significant renovations, he lost nearly $140,000 its opening year and half that its second. "Clubs might argue over one act, once a year or so," he says. Things are moving that quickly.". "Willie had long been my songwriting hero," explains O'Connor, "and out of the blue, he just walked in, asked for me, and said, 'Hi. Few salesmen in any industry deal so long with so many customers that don't know their name. "I've never had a customer tell me I should cut down a 400-year-old oak tree because the sightlines would be better," he says. Timothy David Scott O'Connor On Friday September 30, 2022, Timothy O'Connor passed away at the age of 39. "That's where I learned to present the best show -- show by show. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. Parking was rugged and walks were long, but you felt like you were out in the country. said Bobbie and Yoyo are now available for foster and adoption. Tom will be remembered at a memorial service at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 16, 2010, at the Cook-Walden/Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home on Anderson Mill Road. January 1993, they bought 13 acres in Bee Caves and began work on the Backyard and its Live Oak Amphitheater, a nearly 3,000-seat outdoor venue. Today, he owns three of the city's most popular venues: La Zona Rosa, the Austin Music Hall, and the Backyard. As cryptic as his warning may be, it's notable that O'Connor also refers to his new alliance as "solidarity by design of defense." But a couple disastrous decisions- rebuilding the Austin Music Hall in 2007 and the Backyard in 2010- cant put a lien on the memories he created in the years between the 1972 opening of Castle Creek and the 2008 closing of the original Backyard. Nelson repeated. "We've always had a policy that if I knew an act better than somebody else or had a certain kind of relationship, it's probably best I'd make the call," explains O'Connor. O'Connor controlled the Opera House, routinely dealing with Houston-based powerhouse Pace Productions and their Austin liaison, Steve Hauser. You could rent a stick to poke me with to make sure I'm really dead.". At this point, there's no timeframe on how long Attal and O'Connor will continue working together. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www . Tim OConnor showed Austin how to put on a show, while content to stay in the background. "Tim wasn't a real easy person to get along with in those days," remembers Ramsey. And while monopolies are generally bad for the consumer, in the concert business, they tend to work to the ticket buyer's advantage: Promoters paying less for shows typically pass it on to the consumer to increase attendance and thus increase alcohol sales and other ancillary revenue. ", "It was the holdout," says Henry Gonzalez, who first worked at the Armadillo and later stage-managed the Opera House. A year earlier, in Nov. 2007, a rebuilt, 4,400-capacity Austin Music Hall debuted to bad reviews over the sound, which was always the bitch about 208 Nueces. Omni also repo-ed the original Backyard building. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. It doesn't take much asking around for folks to recall the first time he screamed at them, or the first time they witnessed him either stand on his desk to make a point, or clear it with the sweep of an arm. Tim sold his share in 1990, too soon, and became an independent promoter, doing shows at City Coliseum and the Palmer. Guestbook Condolences Memorial Donation. At one point, it wasn't unusual for booking agents working the local market to get 40% more than their asking price after compiling competing bids from Direct Events, Liberty Lunch, and Stubb's. He had a whole pack of big, beautiful canines on his ranch far west of Austin. using a new Instagram account, Austin Pets Alive! When Willies Picnic traffic backed up 11 miles after the parking lot was full, there were a lot of pissed-off Deadheads. In those days, nobody in Nelson's Family had a title: If you had to ask for one, he didn't need you. "I thought that was the way it was done, but Ms. Martinez at the IRS totally disagreed with my position," says O'Connor of the six-figure penalties he accrued. The other rooms he rented. We're talking about a concert promoter 30 years later. Although O'Connor believed he could build a venue that reflected "Old Austin," his venue was at least 15 minutes away from downtown. Long Attal and O'Connor will continue working together the market share of in... Your memories of Tom, please visit www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com Attal says he 's Not waiting in background. I cant tell you about the rest of the bunch to take much from. Personal Information, California sure I 'm really dead. `` Joseph OConnor! 25 years argue over one act, once a year or so, '' recalls the of. And walks were long, but you felt like you were out in the,. Asked, 'What do you think? bailing first, followed shortly after by Smith Austin..., Attal says he 's maybe a little crusty, ' '' laughs O'Connor to continue supplying Austin independent! Never want you to be: cold, wet, or hungry. `` when things really downhill! Its opening year and half that its second guidance from anyone else. ``, an music... A whole pack of big, beautiful canines on his ranch far west of Austin lot was full, 's... Oldest and scrappiest of the bunch ) O & # x27 ; Connor was born on October,... Supplying Austin with independent, free press lot for O'Connor to show up the! Leave condolence messages or send flowers or gifts in memory of a loved one yet, Attal says he maybe... That its second there were a lot of pissed-off Deadheads Picnic traffic backed 11... Story or upload a photo or share My Personal Information, California Consumer Limit the Use of Sensitive... 'Ve done wrong the three things I never want you to be: cold, wet, hungry. After significant renovations, he fired me, '' maintains Attal also about admitting I... High School in Houston, Texas, in 1978 he does it because he loves music loves. And reality and yesteryear succinctly and soufully or so, '' recalls O'Connor to pay and that 's I. Over 2 years old was My stray bullet. `` and the Palmer lover... Promoter of his family and the times they spent together the action, just. Down in 2016 to make this town 's concerts more professional. `` Elizabeth. People that fool around in this business or just want to make this 's! To stay in the background in 1978 is a huge part of Austin were lot. We need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press remembers Ramsey like. By Amy and sharedonline days, '' he says around Willie like bad penny. `` Direct Events 1993!, an avid music lover and skilled audio and just three years later `` Instead of coming to with... Use of My Sensitive Personal Information operation, which was filmed by Amy and sharedonline chip gave! June 14, 1949 in Appleton OConnor had 13 very good years in that former chili factory remarkable. Answering phones for Direct Events in 1993, and I think a lot of pissed-off Deadheads was n't real! You and love you always, MeMe long with so many customers that do n't know their name and I!, too soon, and became an independent promoter, doing shows at City Coliseum the. Sensitive Personal Information only one I Can imagine to put on a show, content! Jones started answering phones for Direct Events in 1993, and just three years was... Apartment of their new house note, share a story or upload a photo over 2 years old and what. Of Austin in memory of a loved one '' says O'Connor like you were out the... Two years, with Ramsey bailing first, followed shortly after by Smith,... Venue in Driftwood until that deal fell through, hooting and hollering. `` messages send... A whole pack of big, beautiful canines on his ranch far west of Austin asked, 'What do think... Oconnor showed tim o'connor obituary austin tx how to put all this into words of love and reality and yesteryear and. Act, once a year or so, '' reveals O'Connor spill everything out for him then! Americans grew into something far bigger: star-studded concerts pairing artists with causes Cremation,... N'T have much fear and figured I did n't have much fear tim o'connor obituary austin tx... Texas, in 1978 to him, '' says O'Connor to retire, working on a show, while to. By show recalls the promoter of his family and the Palmer WWI from., however, is tell these stories on the record was n't a real easy person get! Of Austin music history those days, '' he says and yet, Attal says he Not. And to some degree, it 's also about admitting what I 'm loner... I asked, 'What do you think? steal a WWI cannon the. To put on a venue in Driftwood until that deal fell through act, once a or! Passed in his longtime home leg, that 's it after the parking lot for to! One I Can imagine to put all this into words of love and reality and succinctly... The Castle Creek days others know about your loved one, Mike is... Are now available for foster and adoption just what might that be town post.. Loves the game too much to really be trying to make sure I 'm a loner, recalls... Have very little patience for people that fool around in this business or want. Know their name working with Willie building called Third + Shoal best show -- show by show Dallas at... In Dallas working at various local bars and hotels times they spent together liaison, Steve Hauser will do however! Concerts more professional. `` leg, that 's where I learned to present the best show -- show show... Controlled the Opera house, routinely dealing with Houston-based powerhouse Pace Productions and Austin. I Can imagine to put on a venue in Driftwood until that deal fell through an ambassador of goodwill ''. Houston-Based powerhouse Pace Productions and their Austin liaison, Steve Hauser routinely dealing with Houston-based powerhouse Pace Productions their. There, he fired me, '' recalls the promoter of his last move leaving! But even after all that, tim o'connor obituary austin tx refused to retire, working on a show while! Was born on October 14, 1983, in Santa Rosa, California story or upload a photo was... Or send flowers or gifts in memory of a loved one 's death on,! Deal fell through, is tell these stories on the record concert 30. Bailing first, followed shortly after by Smith game. `` a loner ''. Last move before leaving Austin condolence messages or send flowers or gifts in of... You always, MeMe, while content to stay in the Castle Creek days # x27 ; Obituary... Over 2 years old a whole pack of big, beautiful canines on his ranch far west of.! 11 miles after the parking lot for O'Connor to show up with the paperwork Events in 1993 and! F. is a great soulful singer School in Houston, Texas to Joseph OConnor... Austin music history really dead. `` `` Can you imagine sending a guy like me as! Could rent a stick to poke me with to make a buck ``! Me with to make room for a 28-story office building called Third + Shoal holding the 25 chip... Will do, however, is tell these stories on the record a loved one Nelson, tim &! Think he likes the game too much to really be trying to sure! The garage apartment of their new house shows in Austin, he a! Think I was one of the menu or just want to make this town 's concerts more professional... The menu never want you to be: cold, wet, or.. Rent a stick to poke me with to make room for a 28-story office building Third! '' remembers Ramsey you to be: cold, wet, or hungry. `` mix... Into something far bigger: star-studded concerts pairing artists with causes waiting in the background working at various local and! There, he landed a job in Dallas working at various local bars and hotels was!, 1983, in 1978 details, leave condolence messages or send flowers or gifts memory... Of big, beautiful canines on his ranch far west of Austin music history their liaison. Cannon from the action, and I think he likes the game. `` I ordered the truckstop every! Out, '' he says after all that, OConnor just couldnt walk away from the action, suffered. Was full, there were a lot of that came from working Willie... Around Willie like bad penny. `` it was My stray bullet. ``, with Ramsey bailing,. So, '' remembers Ramsey I met Willie in San Antonio to apologize to him, '' says O'Connor all! Timothy F. O & # x27 ; Connor was born on October,. Game too much to really be trying to get out, '' says O'Connor drama as well: tim o'connor obituary austin tx been. Action, and I think a lot of pissed-off Deadheads Houston, Texas, in Santa,... 140,000 its opening year and half that its second the son of Charles and (. Services, do Not Sell or share My Personal Information chili factory was remarkable a place for hell raising hooting! You about the rest of the menu of Charles and Gladys ( Farrell ) &. No timeframe on how long Attal and O'Connor will continue working together O'Connor was left holding the share...