Entering Antone’s Nightclub, C.J. Chenier, son of Clifton “King of Zydeco” Chenier, began his set with the mystic sound of zydeco with the rubboard. Decorated with symbolism of blues singers, such as posters and concert tickets from the nightclub’s opening, Antone’s defines Austin’s blues and jazz scene.
Antone’s Nightclub and record store brought together blues and jazz from Chicago into Austin, expanding the city’s music scene. To celebrate its opening on July 15, 1975, the 50th anniversary celebration lasted from June 20 to July 26. Along with concerts with special guests like Gary Clark Jr. and Kim Wilson, the nightclub released a blues album titled The Last Real Texas Blues Album, with legendary artists such as Miss Lavelle and Jimmie Vaughan.
“You only turn 50 once,” said Sam Boland, Antone’s retail and brand manager. “The idea is kind of to pull out all the stops. You do as much as you can, and I at least have been a proponent. I’m a young man. I wasn’t here for the 10-year or the 25-year in 2000, but I’ve been at least singing the chorus of like, ‘This is the biggest year in the club’s history.’”
The founder of Antone’s Nightclub, Clifford Antone, wanted to bring blues and jazz artists together and give newer artists an opportunity to put themselves out there. At the beginning of Antone’s, management members established “Antone’s West” and “Antone’s East,” which took their concerts on the road to New York.
“That was really special for somebody like me, who wasn’t there in ‘85 or ‘75, to get to see the continuation of what Clifford’s vision was,” Boland said. “Which was pairing those young people with the old school guys and paying tribute to the old school guys, making sure that they feel taken care of and well represented, but also giving them an opportunity to be introduced to a new audience too.”
Antone’s 50th anniversary is not only important to the Austin community but also to visitors from out of town. Boland invited Australian attendee Louise Tremain to the 50-year celebration. Tremain said she couldn’t wait to experience the blues and jazz of Antone’s.
Tremain said the jazz and blues scene is good back in Australia, but not as big as Austin’s. For Antone’s show, she plans to “enjoy something absolutely amazing” that she would not find elsewhere.
Antone’s employee Macy Saunders said she feels a similar way about the opening of Antone’s. Saunders, as part of the 50th anniversary, checks attendees into the events and enjoys seeing artists come back to Antone’s to play a full set for the anniversary events.
“Antone’s kind of is a lot of people a foot in, when it came to playing the blues and being a part of the music community here in Austin,” Saunders said. “It’s awesome that Clifford made that happen for a lot of people that might not have gotten the chance otherwise. People kept coming back because they saw what could be done in the music scene, and they loved the culture and had fun here. And, thankfully, it’s progressed, and we’re still around 50 years later.”
