Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library

The Broken Spoke, Austin's legendary honky-tonk, Donna Marie Miller

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 213-228) and index

contains biographical information

illustrations

index present

non fiction

The Broken Spoke

bibliographydictionaries

Donna Marie Miller

John and Robin Dickson series in Texas music

Austin's legendary honky-tonk

"James and Annetta White opened the Broken Spoke in 1964, then a mile south of the Austin city limits, under a massive live oak, and beside what would eventually become South Lamar Boulevard. White built the place himself, beginning construction on the day he received his honorable discharge from the US Army. And for more than fifty years, the Broken Spoke has served up, in the words of White's well-worn opening speech, "cold beer, good whiskey, the best chicken fried steak in town ... and good country music." White paid thirty-two dollars to his first opening act, D. G. Burrow and the Western Melodies, back in 1964. Since then, the stage at the Spoke has hosted the likes of Bob Wills, Dolly Parton, Ernest Tubb, Ray Price, Marcia Ball, Pauline Reese, Roy Acuff, Kris Kristofferson, George Strait, Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Asleep at the Wheel, and the late, great Kitty Wells. But it hasn't always been easy; through the years, the Whites and the Spoke have withstood their share of hardship--a breast cancer diagnosis, heart trouble, the building's leaky roof, and a tour bus driven through its back wall. Today the original rustic, barn-style building, surrounded by sleek, high-rise apartment buildings, still sits on South Lamar, a tribute and remembrance to an Austin that has almost vanished. Housing fifty years of country music memorabilia and about a thousand lifetimes of memories at the Broken Spoke, the Whites still honor a promise made to Ernest Tubb years ago: they're 'keepin' it country'"--, Provided by publisher

Foreword, by Charles Townsend -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- The 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s -- Dance hall tradition -- James White receives his honky-tonk education -- Dance hall influences on James White -- The 1960s -- Origins of country music -- The Broken Spoke opens -- First performers booked for dancing at the Spoke -- The 1970s -- The progressive country movement -- The White family expands -- George Strait, Alvin Crow, Jerry Jeff Walker, and the Wheel -- The 1980s -- Urban cowboy, Dallas, and South by Southwest -- "The Broken Spoke legend" song -- Mixed drinks and loyal customers -- The 1990s -- Austin becomes the "live music capital of the world" -- "If there's a Willie, there's a way" fund-raiser and the "Broken Spoke Series" -- Making movies and introducing new talent -- The 2000s -- Movie and music mecca -- Sale of the land and a rash of health issues -- The Dixie Chicks, Kinky Friedman, Ray Price, and a bus crash -- The 2010s -- The Whites' small family business thrives -- New neighbors, dance lessons, and celebrations -- Documenting the Broken Spoke