KUT names Cactus Cafe manager

Austin (KXAN) - The Cactus Cafe has a new manager.   Recording industry veteran Matthew Munoz will get the job. 

The announcement came this afternoon in a news release from KUT, Austin's Public Radio station.  KUT became a partner in the Cactus Cafe earlier this year.  The University of Texas announced plans to close the Cactus to cut costs, but public outcry kept the longtime Austin venue from closing its doors.  KUT's involvement was a key part of the arrangement to keep the venue open.

Munoz will work with the station to oversee Cactus Cafe operations.  According to the news release, both KUT and Munoz will work to "develop year-round programming and a sustainable business model."

Many of the people who rallied in support of the Cactus also wanted KUT to keep the current manager, Griff Luneberg.  In the news release, KUT program director Hawk Mendenhall said, "I can't say enough about how gracious Griff Luneberg has been since KUT was named a partner with the Cactus."

"He's been a real team player and we look forward to working with him during this transitional period."

But Mendenhall believes that Munoz has the best background for the job.  "His experience collaborating with booking agents, artist managers and their artist, and record label executives, combined with his experience managing budgets and negotiating music clearance and performance contracts, makes him the ideal fit," Mendenhall said.

Munoz previously worked as director of sales and marketing at Justice Records in Austin.  He also served as the label manager at Universal Music Group's Fontana Distribution.  Munoz also had marketing and promotions roles at Warner Bros. and Reprise Records, as well as Arista Records.

"Throughout the interview process," Mendenhall said, "Matt distinguished himself as someone who could carry on and enhance the artistic tradition of the Cactus with an eye toward financial sustainability."

Munoz will start on September 13.