Broken Spoke
About
The Broken Spoke is Texas' most definitive dance hall. We've been voted "Best Dancehall in Texas" by Texas Highway! It's not one of those fly-by-night, trendy newcomers, you see springing up in some out-of-business lumber yard or feed store on every corner. You can't build a legend overnight. Owners James and Annetta White have been operating the Austin tradition since 1964 and its reputation for great live country music and good Texas cooking is World Famous! Through the years, James and Annetta have opened their doors and welcomed to the stage a pretty impressive list of aspiring musicians. George Strait and his Ace In The Hole Band cut their teeth in the music business playing by the neon lights of the beer signs in the Spoke. A wide variety of country superstars from Kris Kristofferson to Kitty Wells have jumped up on that stage and carried on the tradition of good country music that the Broken Spoke has made famous. It is a favorite hang-out of most of Austin's "real" country musicians. Don't call 'em "Hat Acts," around here...the hats you see on stage at the Broken Spoke are as traditional as the music echoing off the walls. You can see talented musicians every night the Spoke is open such as Dale Watson, Alvin Crow, the Derailers, Jason Roberts, Two Tons of Steel, Gary P. Nunn, Billy Mata, Weldon Henson, Cornell Hurd, Bobby Flores and many more. James White likes to tell a story about another Texas legend, Davy Crockett: "yeah, old Davy came through here on his way to fight at the Alamo and he liked what he saw. He said, 'James, don't change a thing 'til I get back.'Well poor ole Davy never made it back so we ain't changing nothin!" Although the Broken Spoke isn't quite as old as the Battle of the Alamo - it captures the mystical charms that makes Texas worth fighting for all over again. And we're still holding strong right in the middle of a fast-growing Austin, Texas! There isn't anything fancy in the red rustic old dance hall. After you're inside, be sure to check out James M. White's tourist trap room with all its memorabilia of country music. And as James always says, "We ain't fancy, but we're damn sure country." Y'all come see us! Two-Step Lessons Wed-Sat 8:30-9:30pm (sign-up by 8pm)! Classes fill up very fast! You will be taught the traditional two-step along with some Western Swing and the Cotton-Eyed Joe by the most beautiful Terri White (dance instructor).
