Music Friendly Community

Alpine is home to lots of wonderful musicians and welcomes many more to perform here. And we are a certified “Music Friendly Community”!

The program is part of the governors Texas Music Office. Being a Music Friendly Community provides support for both the artists and the economy of Alpine. The music industry has a multi-billion dollar impact on the Texas economy annually and creates thousands of jobs in both large and small communities.

Alpine had to meet several criteria to become a certified “Music Friendly Community” and made in official in July of 2020. As part of the criteria the City of Alpine has a Music Advisory Board and a liaison to work with this board and the Texas Music Office. The seven-member Alpine Music Advisory Board is comprised of musicians, venue operators, event organizers and educators from Alpine’s small but vibrant musical community.  Alpine’s liaison to the Texas Music Office is Director of Tourism Chris Ruggia. The current board members can be found on on the City of Alpine website Music Advisory Board.

LIVE MUSIC VENUES 

In a town of 6,000 residents, the music Neil Trammell has seen in Alpine has been amazingly diverse. “If you look, you can find what you want,” said Trammell, singer for local band The Doodlin’ Hogwallops. “Have an open mind and an open ear, you’ll have a good time.”

Photo by Michael Howard

Railroad Blues
Prolific music acts such as Jerry Jeff Walker, Del Castillo, Billy Joe Shaver and Kinky Friedman have graced the stage at Railroad Blues. The venue that sits on US-90/Holland Avenue and parallel to the railroad tracks was named by Texas Monthly as one of the “Best Small Town Live Music Clubs in Texas” in 1999.

Out of the almost 20 years he co-owned Railroad Blues, Richard Fallon’s favorite memory was seeing the African reggae band, Tidal Waves. But seeing Ian McLagan, from the British band Small Faces, was another favorite moment for him. McLagan was one of Fallon’s icons during his teen years, so to run sound for him in his bar and share a drink with him was surreal.

In 2013, Railroad Blues entered a new era when it was purchased by Tim Wilson of El Paso, who made sure to keep the spirit of the original Blues. In addition to bringing in live music they host karaoke, a weekly jam session and are the prime location for Viva Big Bend! The Blues has hosted the final show of every Viva with local favorites the Doodlin’ Hogwallops!

The Ritchey
The newest hot spot for live music, usually hosting at least 5 shows a week, is one of the oldest commercial structures standing in Alpine. The Ritchey has been lovingly restored and is under new ownership. They bring a great mix of artists to the stage hosting locals and musicians traveling through the Big Bend region on tours through the west. The courtyard is perfect for the lovely desert nights and if it’s chilly the party moves inside. Look for another indoor music space coming in the next year!

The Granada Theatre & Alcove Social
A classic movie house renovated into Alpine’s premier events venue, the Granada Theatre is one of the largest spaces for live music! In addition to large events and shows they host weekly local singers and small bands in the neighboring bar, Alcove Social. Both venues are available for private parties and can be

The Holland Hotel
The historic Holland Hotel is Alpine’s classic railroad hotel. The current building was opened in 1928 and designed by famed El Paso architects Trost & Trost. The Holland and its restaurant, The Century Bar & Grill, offers occasional live music in a beautiful enclosed courtyard or the elegant historic lobby, depending on the weather. The Holland serves as the Box Office for Viva Big Bend hosting FREE shows during the afternoon as festival goers get to town to pickup wristbands and purchase Viva souvenirs!

Amigo
The Amigo is making it’s mark on the Alpine music scene thanks to their Tuesday open mics hosted weekly by Alpine musician Donnie Bason. There is a core group of talent that kick things off then others are welcome to join in and take a turn on stage. This weekly gathering is popular among all the local musicians giving them a chance to jam together and form new acts. The Amigo also host live music most weekends and is an official venue during Viva Big Bend hosting shows Friday and Saturday night during the festival!

Other Venues
Sometimes a musician doesn’t need an official stage to play in Alpine. The Alpine Visitor Center hosts music under the pavilion, on the porch or even a music circle on the front lawn!  Live music can pop up on the patio at Cow Dog Food Truck just because, Cedar Coffee for Poetry Slam, Skelton’s Runway special events,  American Legion benefits and anywhere in between.

Luthier Michael Stevens
Custom guitar maker Michael Stevens has done repairs and custom work for guitar legends with the likes of Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson, Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan. He is most known for creating the Christopher Cross’ double neck guitar and the Guit-steel guitar that features a double neck slide/guitar for Junior Brown. Stevens was recently honored by Fender with a limited edition guitar built as a homage to the first guitar he built at Fender’s Custom Shop in 1987.

RingTail Records
Located on the same block as the Granada Theater, RingTail Records is the record store in Far West Texas where you can find a variety of vinyl, cassettes and CDs, and occasionally get a peek at the “secret” murals along the store’s west wall – but only when the “Dog Yard” door is open. What you can’t find in the store can be ordered with the owner Michael McCollum.

RingTail Records

Music Events
From the annual Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Big Bend Bluegrass Festival and ArtWalk, music seeps into the town on a fairly regular basis. Every summer, Viva Big Bend music festival brings over 60 bands for a long weekend not only to Alpine, but to the surrounding towns: Marfa, Marathon and Fort Davis. Grammy award-winning Los Lonely Boys, Little Joe, Ruben Ramos as well as Texas Tornados and Dale Watson are some of the past festival headliners. Other notable acts to make the trek to play Viva Big Bend include Shakey Graves, Gina Chavez, Grupo Fantasma, Shinyribs and The Peterson Brothers.

The Texas Tornados at Viva Big Bend. Photo by J. Griffis Smith.

With the closest commercial airport at least 3 hours away, getting to Alpine requires a detour from the convenient I-10 highway. One can ride the Amtrak train directly to Alpine though. Alex Pianovich did just that by riding the 26-hour long train ride with his girlfriend from New Orleans a few years ago. The landscape and the climate enchanted the musician, but it was discovering the small town’s deep appreciation for music and art that continuously pulls him back.

His band, Greazy Alice, was a new band when he made that first trip, but the singer knew he wanted to bring his band to perform. When they first played in Alpine, they traveled from Joplin, Missouri. Pianovich’s band members weren’t particularly happy with him for booking a show in the middle of the desert, but he told them to trust him.

“It seems like an anomaly until you go there,” said Pianovich. “How does a town of 6,000 people do it, but then you go there and it makes sense.”

Updated from an original article by Sarah Vasquez