PRESS
Texas Music, Fall 2014, #60
"Institutional Train Wreck" - a feature-length article that revisits the campaign to save the Cactus, drawing heavily from Cactus Burning
"Much of Cactus Burning is devoted to the seismic mobilization of Austin's music fans and the power of community action ... to save a cultural landmark."
"... a thorough, at times absorbing blow-by-blow of a public relations train wreck."
Austin Chronicle, May 30, 2014
"… a meticulous catalog of interviews, meeting records, internal emails, and news clips presenting a clear overall picture of the events. The saga yields great characters ...
"… doubtlessly the authoritative account on the matter …"
Austin Post, April 23, 2014
"… tells the story of the fight to save the Cactus and also contains lessons for other movements looking to save local culture, in Austin and beyond."
Austin Monthly, June 2014
"Austinites aren't afraid to stand up for what they believe in. And nothing exemplifies our activist sensibility more than the mission to save the Cactus Cafe. The new book, Cactus Burning … is an insider's look at what went down … [which] examines the fight from all sides."
The End of Austin, June 2014
A cool online magazine that explores Austin's identity, using prose, poetry, visual art, music, etc. Linked here is Community Preservation and the “Value” of a Bad Guy, a short essay by Michael F. Scully that expands upon the ideas discussed in Cactus Burning.
Folkways with Kim Simpson, KUTX-FM, Radio Austin, May 4, 2014
Cactus Burning author Michael F. Scully and host Kim Simpson discuss Austin, the Cactus, and the community's struggle to save the historic venue, while presenting some classic Cactus Cafe sounds.
Cactus Cafe Celebrates 35 Years, KUT Radio - Austin, December 31, 2014
Michael F. Scully appears in this Cactus retrospective, alongside cafe stalwarts Lyle Lovett, Nanci Griffith, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and others, plus rare interview audio from the late Townes Van Zandt. It's ten great minutes of music and remembrances. Click the title for an audio link.
Great Day Houston, KHOU-TV, September 30, 2014
Michael Scully discusses the effort to preserve the Houston Astrodome and the lessons that other cities can draw from Austin's struggle to save the Cactus Cafe.