For decades, Cactus Music has served as a hangout for Houston music lovers. Even as the way we consume music has evolved, the independent music store has remained a place to buy vinyl records, watch live shows, and learn about local artists. Now that Cactus Music is turning 50 years old and has reached icon status, we look back at how it became a hub for Houston’s music scene.
How Cactus Music Started in Houston
Cactus Music opened its original store in 1975, in the same spot where Whole Earth Provision Co. is located on Shepherd Drive, next to Trader Joe’s. However, the store's origins can be traced back even farther to 1946. Harold “Pappy” Daily opened Daily's Record Ranch in the Heights, where he hosted in-store music events. He also ran different record labels, including D Records, which featured regional music stars like Willie Nelson.
Years later, Daily’s children, Bud and Don, opened up Cactus Music on Shepherd Drive in Montrose. The store became a “third place” for Houstonians, a community spot where they could relax and enjoy local music. During the 1980s, Houstonians would skim through thousands of cassette tapes on display in a window that was the length of the store. Celebrities and local artists also stopped by for some unforgettable moments. Jeff Buckley, a popular musician in the 90s, performed in 1994. In-store performances became a must-see events and a chance to sip on free beer from Saint Arnold Brewing Company. Houston filmmaker Wes Anderson also hung out in the VHS and DVD rental area while he was working on the script and casting for his 2001 movie, “The Royal Tenenbaums.”
What To Expect at Cactus Music Today
Cactus Music closed its original location in 2006, but re-opened in 2007 less than a mile away on Portsmouth Street. Today, Houstonians can still experience the same magic of local music inside Cactus. The shop still hosts in-store events, where you can listen to local and regional artists perform live. City Cast Executive Producer Laura Isensee has a special memory of seeing Texas singer Walker Lukens with her husband when they were dating. City Cast Houston Host Raheel Ramzanali got to attend a free show last month for Khruangbin, one of his favorite bands, and said it was a surreal experience.
“Music is such an important part of my life. It's where I find inspiration and motivation,” he said. “So, it's only right that Cactus Music is one of my favorite stores in Houston. It's where I picked up my first Khruangbin record and where my oldest kid picked up her first vinyl.”
Want to experience Cactus Music yourself? Catch an in-store performance from Carolyn Wonderland, a Texas guitarist, songwriter, and singer later this month.
