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Bruce Willenzik came to Austin in May of 1972 to visit his brother. By October, he was in the music business working with the great Brazos River Valley Saturday Night Songster, Mance Lipscomb. In May 1974, he started a seven-year stint working at the Armadillo World Headquarters (AWHQ). A chance meeting with Lucinda Williams in 1973 resulted in a long-lasting friendship and the suggestion that AWHQ bring the artists from the artist market on the Drag inside for Christmas. So, under Armadillo Productions, Inc., the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar was born in 1976. Bruce took over the show in 1981 after the AWHQ had closed and has been Executive Producer ever since. Bruce retired from community service in 2017 after serving on the Austin Arts Commission since 1989 and the Austin Downtown Commission since 2000. He was Chair of the New Airport Terminal Task Force to develop the local identity theme at Bergstrom International Airport. In 1993, he was the recipient of the first Peacemaker of Austin Award for helping to end the arts wars and recruiting members for the board of the Austin Museum of Art.

“This philosophy of community, enhancing a sphere of prosperity and a commitment to art and music, are what makes the Armadillo the best of Austin’s ‘weird’ and wonderful. Armadillo will continue to be the place for an authentic Austin live music and art buying experience, where creativity, originality, and fun are celebrated in the true spirit of the holidays. The long-term future of the show has been secured. Anne Johnson will take over the show and will pass it down to future Armadillo generations.” -Bruce Willenzik

Annie Harding retired from The University of Texas as an enabler for a theoretical physics research group and coordinator of a graduate fellowship program in nanoscience. Now she spends her days of freedom as she likes, often with the love of her life, Bruce Willenzik. Some of her favorite pastimes are working out, girl days, as a liaison for Swan Songs and epic road trips. Her first visit to the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar in 1988 started a lifetime love of the show. Her first job was working the night box office (thanks Leea Mechling!). She’s happily working as Associate Producer of the Armadillo with Anne Johnson leading the way!

Anne Johnson is a native Austinite and Producer & General Manager of the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. She proudly calls herself an “Armadillo baby,” having grown up at the show in the 1980s and 1990s when her parents worked the event. Her first Armadillo job came at age five, delivering flyers in a Radio Flyer wagon with her mom.
For Anne, the Armadillo is a family tradition spanning four generations. She has been part of the production team since 2010, preparing to carry the show forward while honoring its roots. Beyond the Armadillo, she’s served on the board of Art Alliance Austin, helped plan many other art and music events, and loves traveling to art shows across the country.
Now raising a son of her own, Anne is excited to pass along the Armadillo’s rich culture and community. She considers producing the show “the best job in the world,” and believes what makes it truly unique is how it treats everyone—artists, musicians, staff, and guests alike—as family.