Ernie Welter – He took a walk down 6th Street

I first captured him playing with a group called The Scoundrels, on September 18, 2020, at Emerald Point Bar and grill. We didn’t get a chance to talk. November 6, 2020, I have only known Ernie for a few months and he was a friend by then. I always enjoyed interacting with him. I am still very new covering the musicians but one thing that was starting to wear on me was the green tape I kept seeing on mic cords etc. These were spots to be removed in the editing. On this day I am at the Round Rock Tavern to photograph JenGio. Ernie is playing the drums. At the time the tavern has a still (cut in half) against the wall. The drummer sat right in front of it. As the band was setting up, I see Ernie grab a role of green tape and place it on part of the still, because it was scratching him. Damn, I thought, I now have a spot to remove. I always intended to buy Ernie, but never did, a role of clear tape to place on such “pointy” items. I have caught Ernie playing drums in several bands. I catch him now, from time to time at his open mic at the Water Tank. Ernie, tell us your story.

1). Who is Ernie Welter?

I am not the best at this but here goes, I am a father to three amazing kids all still living in NJ.  I have worked in a lot of industries, Car lots, towing, cranes, auto parts, manufacturing phone booths (lol), and helpdesk. But now I am doing server support for Samsung, working with some old friends.

I came to Austin in 2008 when the housing market in NJ tanked, my wife and two girls talked and decided to move here for a new start. Soon after, my wife and I split up. She moved home with my kids and I stayed. I love the weather, people, and the music.

I am also a drummer, my grandfather had a drum corps back in the day, and I started as the drum mascot marching in parades and competitions, soon I was learning how to play, I was in the snare line, played the bass, and trip tomb. And soon after that, my dad started a corps, so I went and was teaching the drum line. My dad was in the Hawthorne Caballeros a senior drum and bugle corps, so I had some of the best peers you could ask for.

When I was around 13-14, I started to play the set, and got in a few bands doing all covers, I joined a band called Eliminator a ZZ top tribute, but also had originals, we tried. Later, I had a few friends ask to form a band with a female singer, Johann Barton, she had a manager and the whole shebang. So, we recorded an album with her. We did radio and show cases, but nothing ever happened. So, I went on with covers. I also run an open mic on Tuesdays for local musicians. We are on our 6th year and I love every minute! I also fill in with a few local bands when needed.

2). Tell me about your projects.

At the moment, I am having some health issues, nothing too bad, but it is affecting my playing a bit, so I’m healing. Once done, I will be working on a new project like a Dancy oldies, pop band that’s high energy and great players!!

3). Give me your interpretation of the Austin Music Scene of the past, present, and your hope for the future.

When I moved here in 2008, I went to 6th street. I was really interested in the bars lined up with all the different venues. It was like heaven, and the food, amazing! There were some great places and amazing talent! I remember the first band I saw was Suede and Robert Wagner was fronting the band, I was like WOW! Robert and I are now friends, and I just love all the projects he does and the great musicians he gets! Just so cool, so I started to hit the clubs, LC rocks was another first, I mean what a show!! That’s what I wanted to do! So, I found the roadhouse, and the Mojo jam on Thursdays, I walk in, and they were like, you want to play? I said I can play that guy set? And with who I want? Crazy, we didn’t have that in NJ, so every Thursday I would go. I ended up sitting in with them. When Joe the drummer was hurt, what a blast!, Longest running open mic, 26 years, same band, same bar. So I started my own.

4). A.I. and music, your thoughts.

A.I., well, I really do not have much to say other than, there will always be a human needed to fix, program, or destroy anything we make or do!

5). What is the question you are never asked?

Where are you from?
I guess my NJ accent tells it all.