I moved to Austin in March of 1993, just a couple of weeks before the SXSW Music festival. I bought myself a wristband for $35 and spent three days hiking the streets of downtown, listening to hundreds of mostly unsigned bands from around the world. The weather was warm. The margaritas were cold. And the music was mind bending.

Over the years, the success of SXSW has taken a predictable toll. Record producers don’t come into town to sign bands any more. They host label showcases. The venues are so crowded now, a wristband won’t get you in to see the better-known bands.

And of course the one thing all Austinites fear this time of year is the number of people who come in from LA and think our laid back and inexpensive town is “quaint and cool.” Some will actually decide to move here. Andy Roddick’s $4 million house is up for sale, and I’m sure it’ll get snapped up during the invasion. Of course once here, they’ll bitch about the fact that they can’t find a limo or that mere residents can actually get into their favorite upscale “eatery” wearing shorts and flip flops.

Aside from the cult of personality factor, SXSW still has its benefits — although it is a little harder for me to wallow in it with a day job. But I’ll try to get down to El Sol y La Luna for the Tortilla Factory’s showcase. In the 70s, this funky Tejano and Salsa band was fronted by Tony “Ham” Guerrero.

The band got back together a few years ago to record All That Jazz, which won a Grammy nomination. And although Tony’s health won’t allow him to play these days, he is supervising the band’s comeback with his kids, Laura and Alfredo, at the helm. This is the real deal — 16-piece band and all.

I’ll also try to crash a panel at the SXSW Film Festival entitled “Writing a Screenplay: Consider the Source” focusing on adaptations. I find it rather odd that this was the only panel for writers – but very glad they chose this particular panel. Of course the panel with the best title is on the music side. “Welcome to the Music Business — You’re Fucked.”

It ain’t the old days. But the weather will be warm and the margaritas will be cold. Although “undiscovered” talent will be a little on light side, talent will still be SXSW’s strong suit. And I think I’ll be fine as long as I dodge the Four Seasons for the week.