Welcome to Texas’ oldest dive bar, and a certified Independent Live Music Venue.
The Devil’s Backbone Tavern has been serving up cold ones since 1937 to both passers-by and live music attendees.
You can find live music every weekend in our historic Texas dance hall, as well as festivals and events. Our tavern and dance hall, along with our restored 1940's Sinclair gas station and restored 1930's cottage also serve as a venue space for weddings, parties and much more.
I've seen REK multiple times over the years but never solo or in a smaller bar environment, so that by itself made the show even more special. I had also never seen him play the electric guitar, so that was new. Bottom line: it was a great evening of great music.
REK seemed relaxed as he played both favorites and deep cuts and told stories about the songs or what was going on in his life when he wrote them. To me, the highlight of the evening was near the end when he talked about his long friendship with Todd Snider and then played one of Todd's best songs "Play Me a Train Song."
The opening act was Race Ricketts who was very good and worth checking out on his own.
We have seen Will perform solo and with a band on many occasions across the country (we’ve lost count on how many). This was THE best performance ever! The sound was awesome. The band was tight…really tight! Those of you that didn’t make it to this show - well - you really missed something! Thanks Will , truly awesome show.
Terry always puts on a great show – he is fantastic, a great singer and a great storyteller. I highly recommend his shows, as well as those of McBride and the Ride, to any and everyone.
Great show, great atmosphere! The folks at the Backbone are always nice. It was a great day for a picnic lunch behind the place and then inside for the show. Brian Hofeldt is always a great act and the band played their classics.
I have seen Jason perform several times and am a big fan! He did not disappoint last night! He played some of his new music from his album that is about to be released and then played some requests from the crowd! It was my first time at Devil’s Backbone, but it won’t be my last!
On the side of the RM 32 road, Two Tons of Steel (TToS), the only Texas band I follow with any regularity, put on another audience-pleasing show by featuring tunes from their established repertoire. In fact, I saw more people dance at this show than all previous TToS gigs I have seen since 2018. Why not? TToS played attention-grabbing fan faves like "Jumpin' Tonight" and "I Wanna Be Sedated." A five-star rating is not enough, but it is a start.
The one problem is that I miss far more gigs than I would like because they usually take the stage at later evening hours. Speaking while on stage, frontman, Kevin Geil, said he enjoyed playing the afternoon gigs and mentioned doing more of them. He said the same thing the last time they played at Alamo Beer Co in San Antonio. I hope he and the band are serious because I sat at a table with seven other peers who also said they were glad that TToS had an afternoon gig because they can no longer keep those kinds of hours. I agree. As the TToS audience ages, perhaps such a wish will become a reality.
Whatever the case, being such a cool Texas band, may fans continue to support TToS and wish them every success!
I have seen Brennen Leigh & Kelly Willis for 20-30 years. Both were excellent & I do not think there is any stopping Brennen. I did not know Melissa Carper, but was blown away by her stand up bass playing & her outstanding song writing! Carper has a new fan.