On June 29, one of the hottest nights of the summer, New York’s blues fans packed Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park for a special show celebrating the 50th anniversary of Antone’s Nightclub in Austin, Texas. The New York show followed several events to kick off the celebration in Austin in the spring.
Antone’s started out as a sandwich shop in the early 1970’s but eventually became an iconic blues club. Over the years, Antone’s has hosted many legends such as B.B. King, Ray Charles, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmy Reed and Muddy Waters. A rotating cast of performers known as Antone’s All-Stars keeps the tradition going.
Many of the night’s performers had family ties to well-known musicians with a long history in the Texas blues scene. Antone’s 50th All-Stars opened the set with “Soul Stroll” and Eve Monsees’ cover of Earl King’s “Lonely, Lonely Nights.” The rest of the night featured performances by Jimmie Vaughan (guitarist and founding member of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and older brother of Stevie Ray Vaughan), Sue Foley (Grammy-nominated guitarist), C.J. Chenier (accordion player and son of “King of Zydeco” Clifton Chenier), Benny Turner (bass guitarist of the Freddie King Band, and Freddie’s brother), Jivin’ Gene (singer), Big Bill Morganfield (guitarist and singer, and son of Muddy Waters), Kam Franklin (lead singer of The Suffers), John Primer (guitarist of Muddy Waters Blues Band), Steve Bell (harmonica player and son of Carey Bell), Lurrie Bell (guitarist and singer of Koko Taylor’s Blues Machine, and son of Carey Bell), Lil’ Ed Williams (guitarist and singer), The Texas Horns and Joe Sublett (saxophonist). They also brought out several guests including Binky Griptite, also known as Franklin Stribling (guitarist for Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings).
The crowd attempted to cool off with the paper fans handed out by the Lincoln Center events staff, but the heat didn’t stop them from dancing in front of the stage and in the aisles. Jimmie Vaughan closed out the set with three songs before all of the performers returned to the stage for “Got My Mojo Working” by Muddy Waters.
The show was part of Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City concert series, which runs from June 11 to August 9. Antone’s celebration continues in Austin with shows through the end of July.
Antone’s 50th All-Stars, a limited release anniversary vinyl boxed set celebrating 50 years of the blues, features many of the artists from the anniversary show. It will be available from New West Records on August 22.
Antone’s 50th Anniversary Celebration – Lincoln Center Damrosch Park – Sunday, June 29, 2025 Setlist: Antone’s 50th All Stars – Soul Stroll; Eve Monsess – Lonely, Lonely Nights; Jivin’ Gene – Flip Flop & Fly, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do/One Night; Benny Turner – Reconsider Baby; Kam Franklin – You’ll Lose a Good Thing, If (I Could Be With You); CJ Chenier – Zydeco Boogaloo, I’m Coming Home; Sue Foley– The Ice Queen, Stop These Teardrops; Lil’ Ed Williams – Hutton In D; John Primer – Feel Like Going Home; Lurrie Bell– Sweet Little Angel; Big Bill Morganfield– Mannish Boy, Everyday I Have the Blues; Jimmie Vaughan– Roll Roll Roll, Just a Little Bit, Texas Flood; Antone’s 50th All Stars– Got My Mojo Working
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