Antone’s

I’m not for positive if your familiar with it, but on this 3rd rock from the Sun exists a form of musical expression simply termed, the Blues. It’s a genre based on 8,9,12, and sometimes 16-bar blues chord progressions made up of the blue notes. These are played or sung at slightly lower pitch and often incorporate a call-and-response lyrical form to convey a sense of sadness or melancholy.

Now, I for sure haven’t the slightest idea of what any of that shit I just wikigiarized means, but I know I loves me some blues music. And in Austin, Antone’s is the place to be when you’re a “Booze Crazy Man” and you wanna “Dance With Your Black Drawers Off” with a “Big Legged Sally”.

Over the last 34yrs Antone’s has been a Blues Mecca featuring the likes of Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and James Cotton. With the help of founder Clifford Antone, gone but not forgotten, the careers of the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughn, Los Lonely Boys, and Ian Moore were incubated on its very stage. There is always a great mixed crowd on hand sipping cheap mixed drinks watching the likes of ZZ Top, Dwight Yokum, or great local favorites Vallejo and Eric Tessmer.

Words and photos by Dustin Downing