‘Austin City Limits’ Celebrates Antone’s 50th Anniversary Nov. 8 On PBS

Austin blues bastion Antone’s is celebrating its 50^th anniversary and “Austin City Limits” is throwing a party.

The legendary club will be the focus of an “Austin City Limits” episode airing Nov. 8 on PBS. The show unites musicians from across genres and generations who have helped define the club’s past, present and future. 

Taped at ACL Live at The Moody Theater, the episode features artists who helped launch Antone’s in the 1970s, including John Primer (Muddy Waters’ bandleader at the time) and Benny Turner (Freddie King’s younger brother and longtime collaborator). 

The story continues with the next generation of artists who helped bring Antone’s recognition across the globe in the ‘80s, when it became a go-to pilgrimage for musicians including U2 who came to jam after an Austin arena show on the “Joshua Tree Tour.”

The show also includes todays emerging artists who got their start at the club and are setting the course for a third era of Antone’s influence on American music following in the footsteps of Gary Clark Jr., who is also now a co-owner of the club.

The episode features performances from artists including Jimmie Vaughan, Sue Foley, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Charlie Sexton, Big Bill Morganfield, Lil’ Ed Williams, Grace Bowers, Bobby Rush and Lurrie Bell. 

The artists were backed by a 14-piece house band, featuring legendary players including ACL Hall of Famer Chris Layton, Steve Bell, Joe Sublett and more – all under the musical direction of Antone’s own Zach Ernst. 

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And in addition to the national TV broadcast, similar groupings of “Antone’s All Stars” will be appearing at venues across the country next month including Sept. 10-11 at Americanafest in Nashville and Sept. 22 at The Troubadour in Los Angeles – expanding the celebration of the milestone anniversary.