It all stated with a sandwich and a dream. More than 50 years later, the best of Austin venue Antone’s legendary run is honored on a new compilation, Antone's 50th Allstars: 50 Years Of the Blues.
Port Arthur, Texas native Clifford Antone's family ran a liquor store in Port Arthur that was close to a chitlin circuit auditorium hosting well-known Black entertainers. Young Clifford got a close-up look at stars including Bobby Blue Bland and B.B. King. Enrolling at The University of Texas in Austin to pursue a law degree, Antone got sidetracked by his love for the sounds.
Austin's blues community was unleashing in the late 1960s. Antone dropped out of school, opening Antone’s Deli and Clothes Shop in Austin with his sister Susan, selling Texas style po-boys and thrift store vintage clothing. But music exerted a powerful pull on Antone, who was learning bass, often playing in the back room to blues records. The back room became a hangout for local musicians, encouraging Antone to find a place for them to show off their talents as well as attract big name artists to town. Antone's opened in July of 1975, with Clifton Chenier on first. But it was Muddy Waters' week long residency and his high praise for the owner and the venue that kick-started the new venture.
