Clifford Antone

Clifford Antone (October 27, 1949 in Port Arthur, Texas – May 22, 2006 in Austin, Texas) was the founder of the eponymous Austin blues club, Antone's and independent record label Antone's Records & Tapes (later renamed as Antone's Records), as well as a mentor to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, Gary Clark Jr. and numerous other musicians. Nurturing a passion for Chicago blues, Antone started a blues club at age 25 on July 15, 1975. The club, Antone's, became one of the first music venues on Austin's 6th Street. Clifton Chenier, Fats Domino, John Lee Hooker, Delbert McClinton, Pinetop Perkins, Muddy Waters, Albert Collins, Jimmy Reed, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, B.B. King, Sue Foley, Gary Clark Jr. and many other notable blues musicians have performed at Antone's since 1975. In 1987, Antone founded a recording label, Antone's Records & Tapes (later renamed as Antone's Records). He also opened in 1987 Antone's Record Shop, a record store specializing in blues and roots music. He lectured on social change and the history of the blues at The University of Texas, Austin Community College, and Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.