From KUTX:
The co-owner of Midtown Live, Michael Bari Cash, was born on Dec. 25, 1952, to the late Selena and Aaron Cash and the late Roy Robinson of Chicago, IL.
He grew up on the east side of Austin, Texas, and attended University Junior High School, the first junior high school in Austin to integrate during the 1957-58 school year. He later graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1970.
In 1971, he joined the United States Air Force, where he attained the rank of sergeant and received an honorable discharge in 1976.
Mike had many occupations, but his love of music was evident when he became one of the first Black DJs in Austin at KNOW — where he introduced Rapper’s Delight to an Austin audience. In 1985, Cash received the Phoenix Award, a tribute to minorities in the arts, radio, and media fields.
In the late ’80s/early ’90s, he and his mother, Selena Cash, opened the iconic nightclub Midtown Live, with the slogan “Where Good Friends Meet.” They created an inviting atmosphere where people could enjoy amazing music and feel at home.
Midtown quickly became a pillar of the Black community in Austin — welcoming athletes, musicians, comedians, actors, and community leaders. On any given night, local musicians such as Pamela Hart, Kyle Turner, and Mel Waiters could be found playing live.
On Feb. 18, 2005, Midtown Live experienced a devastating fire. As news spread and police responded, crowds gathered nearby. At one point, several people saw disturbing messages on a computer screen inside an Austin police cruiser, including “Burn, baby, burn” and “You can smell Midtown from I-35 — it’s the smell of victory”— messages that were later confirmed to have been exchanged between police officers and dispatchers at the time by then-Police Chief Stan Knee.
Despite the tragedy, Midtown Live reopened seven years later in 2012, thanks to the support of executives at Pride of Austin, who sought out the Cash family to help restore the beloved establishment.
Midtown continued to be a refuge for the Black community, known for hosting the best catfish happy hours in town. It remained a gathering place where the rhythms of jazz, blues, soul, gospel, and hip-hop intertwined with the stories of Black culture.
The nightclub became a hotspot for Black celebrities passing through Austin, welcoming figures such as director and actor Robert Townsend, hip-hop artist Scarface of the Geto Boys, R&B singer Keith Sweat, rapper Too Short, members of the Dallas Cowboys, and many more.
Michael touched the lives of many. He was instrumental in the careers of DJs and musical groups and supported various charitable organizations by offering free space and proceeds from the door.
In 2019, his mother and business partner, Selena Cash, passed away. In January of 2025, Michael Cash passed away and was honored at his funeral with four proclamations from the City of Austin and the State of Texas for his countless contributions to Austin’s Black community.
His creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and legacy will never be forgotten.
