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| WELCOME TO LUCKENBACH, TEXAS-POP. 3 |
Settled in 1850 by German pioneers, tiny Luckenbach remained obscure until 1970 when Hondo Crouch, rancher and Texas folklorist and writer, bought Luckenbach for $30,000 from an ad he saw in the paper.
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| GENERAL STORE AND BEER HALL |
Luckenbach remains as it was—one unpainted combination general store and beer hall, a traditional rural dance hall, and a sometimes-used blacksmith shop.
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| COMANCHE TRADERS |
Luckenbach was first established as a community trading post and was one of the few that never broke a peace treaty with the Comanche Indians, with whom they traded.
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| WILLIE NELSON AND WAYLON JENNINGS IN CONCERT AT LUCKENBACH |
Years later, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson memorialized Luckenbach with the song "Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)"
Author Peter Doggett recalls that Jennings later told audiences that "he hated the song and had admitted 'The guys that wrote the thing have never been to Luckenbach. Neither have I."
Luckenbach, Texas / Back to the Basics of Love
The only two things in life that make it worth livin'
Is guitars that tune good and firm feelin' women
I don't need my name in the marquee lights
I got my song and I got you with me tonight
Maybe it's time we got back to the basics of love
Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas
With Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we're livin'
Got us feuding like the Hatfields and McCoys
Between Hank Williams' pain songs and
Newberry's train songs and Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain
Out in Luckenbach, Texas ain't nobody feelin' no pain
So baby, let's sell your diamond ring
Buy some boots and faded jeans and go away
This coat and tie is choking me
In your high society you cry all day
We've been so busy keepin' up with the Jones
Four car garage and we're still building on
Maybe it's time we got back to the basics of love
Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas
With Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we're livin' got us feudin'
Like the Hatfield and McCoys
Between Hank Williams' pain songs and
Newberry's train songs and Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain
Out in Luckenbach, Texas ain't nobody feelin' no pain
Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas
With Willie and Waylon and the boys
This successful life we're livin's got us feudin'
Like the Hatfield and McCoys
Between Hank Williams' pain songs
And Jerry Jeff's train songs and Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain
Out in Luckenbach, Texas there ain't nobody feelin' no pain.
The only two things in life that make it worth livin'
Is guitars that tune good and firm feelin' women
I don't need my name in the marquee lights
I got my song and I got you with me tonight
Maybe it's time we got back to the basics of love
Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas
With Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we're livin'
Got us feuding like the Hatfields and McCoys
Between Hank Williams' pain songs and
Newberry's train songs and Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain
Out in Luckenbach, Texas ain't nobody feelin' no pain
So baby, let's sell your diamond ring
Buy some boots and faded jeans and go away
This coat and tie is choking me
In your high society you cry all day
We've been so busy keepin' up with the Jones
Four car garage and we're still building on
Maybe it's time we got back to the basics of love
Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas
With Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we're livin' got us feudin'
Like the Hatfield and McCoys
Between Hank Williams' pain songs and
Newberry's train songs and Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain
Out in Luckenbach, Texas ain't nobody feelin' no pain
Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas
With Willie and Waylon and the boys
This successful life we're livin's got us feudin'
Like the Hatfield and McCoys
Between Hank Williams' pain songs
And Jerry Jeff's train songs and Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain
Out in Luckenbach, Texas there ain't nobody feelin' no pain.
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| CASUAL GATHERING OF MUSICIANS |
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| OLD OPEN AIR DANCE HALL |
The little community is still an active home to country music as of 2010, where folks gather by the score to listen to area musicians and drink cold beer, particularly Shiner Bock, a local favorite brewed by the oldest brewer in Texas.
Luckenbach's bemusing ambiance, according to one writer, "is like Brigadoon; you're almost afraid to go back because it might not be there again." It's there, though, in the Hill Country, east of Fredericksburg off U.S. 290, five miles south of Farm to Market Road 1376.
Don't count on the signs, though—thieves swipe them as fast as they can be placed.
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| HIGHWAY SIGN |
Don't count on the signs, though—thieves swipe them as fast as they can be placed.
Enjoy your visit!
Celia
Very interesting. I bet it would be a great place to visit and pitch a tent.
ReplyDeleteCelia- Thank you for helping me visit Texas. No one knows that state as well as you do. I love old cities that have so much history embedded in each corner.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Love the "History lesson." I was never a big Waylon Jennings fan growing up. I've always been partial to Rock-N-Roll and top 40. But I have to admit, I loved this particular song. Guess it reminded me of all those Saturday afternoon westerns I used to watch with my daddy.
ReplyDeleteLove it, Celia! Just a short piece down the road southwest of my hometown. To my mind, there's no more beautiful area than Texas Hill Country. One of the reasons I set my stories there. :)
ReplyDeleteAs I recall, Waylon cut his musical chops writing music and playing backup in rock 'n' roll bands.
Oh, I'd love to visit somewhere like this, to see the "real" Texas. One day - maybe!
ReplyDeleteLu/Grace--Yes, but not in the summertime--it's a hundred degrees. However,there's shade, a breeze, and plenty of ice cold beer. Thanks for visiting--Celia
ReplyDeleteWe visited Luckenbach in January and I don't think my husband will ever be the same! LOL A little tiny Texas woman grabbed him by the arm and bossed him around taking her picture with her friends and when she asked him, "Where're you all from?" and he responded, "Oregon." She said, "Figures," took her camera back and marched into the store.
ReplyDeleteBut a very neat place.
MONA--that's the great thing about any state--so much history. I'm glad we have historical societies all around the state that work to preserve our treasures.Celia
ReplyDeleteLilly Gayle--Oh, I understand. I didn't appreciate Waylon Jennings until I was older--like you--rock 'n roll all the way. Waylon has connections out near Lubbock, and is friends with people I know. I don't know him personally, but sometimes I feel like I do. Willie? He's in trouble with the law again for his marijuana use! Celia
ReplyDeleteJOYCE--Yes, Waylon did begin in rock 'n roll. Many Country Western singers did-"country wasn't cool." Now, it is, big time. It seems you and I are sort of neighbors!
ReplyDeleteI like the song--it's not a great one, but it is memorable and it's a great dance tune.
I've been dancing in that old dance hall--no air conditioning, just ceiling fans. Whew! That was a good while ago--no more of that for me. Celia
Well, come on over, Paula! We have room, and we'll keep the light on for you! Celia
ReplyDeletePATY! What a funny story. The world is filled with weird people. I bet your husband was speechless. Celia
ReplyDeleteCelia, Perhaps I'm misreading your post about "Waylon has connections out near Lubbock..." It sounds like you mean "presently."
ReplyDeleteI believe he passed on to his reward in 2002.
I'm glad I stopped by. Fun post, Celia! I'd always wondered what Luckenbach was like. It actually really is a small town! :)
ReplyDeleteJacquie
Great post, Celia. Years ago, my husband and I drove through Luckenbach.After Willie Nelson had a concert there, I heard a lot about it.
ReplyDeleteCelia, there was no way I'd miss this blog after you mentioned Willie. He does have charisma, doesn't he? And that voice. Once you hear it, there is no mistaking it ever again. Do you get the idea I'm a big fan of Willie Nelson? I can't even hold smoking pot against him. Linda
ReplyDeleteI would so love to visit Luckenbach. I love the song and I love Willie and Waylon when they perform together. I had no idea the history of it, or guess I never paid attention. Sounds like a perfect place to spend some happy times. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
ReplyDeleteJOYCE--yes, I did know that. I wasn't aware I spoke of him in the present--I was speaking of his friends who are still there--I just didn't word it right! That comes from racing through things--Thank you for noticing! Celia
ReplyDeleteJACQUIE--yes, it is tiny. I think the real census put the town at about 500 people, but they live in the rural area. Still, they use Pop. "3". Either way, there are only three buildings. Unfortunately, up on the highway, there's another "Luckenbach" which is a collection of small business that sells crafts and antiques. I've known of people who go there and think they've been to Luckenbach. But the actual place is off the road. Celia
ReplyDeleteCaroline-It's interesting how many people have visited there that I know--Thanks for the comment--Celia
ReplyDeleteLINDA--yes, you sound like a die-hard fan. I love the song he sings with Ray Charles--Three Spanish Angels. Wonderful. (I think it's Ray Charles--anyone--am I right?)Celia
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Paisley, and thanks for your comment. It's also a favorite spot for a rest stop for motorcyclists. When they "rally" around Austin, they love to go there.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to remember that it was formed in 1850 be German pioneers.
Celia
Loved this post and now I will be singing that song all day. ha ha I would love to live there. susan Leech
ReplyDeleteSUSAN--if you lived there, you'd have more company than you can stand! I bet you like music, the country-western kind. Me, too! Celia
ReplyDeleteWow, what an interesting blog. How did you discover all this info? It sounds like such an intriguing place. I wish I had gone there when I lived in Texas--but who knew?
ReplyDeleteHi, Sarah--this came about by living near the place--maybe 75 mi. away. And from living very close to Austin where we get all our news, and Austin is the biggest live music place in the...they like to say "world" but I doubt that. But Willie Nelson is very well-known in Texas, and he put Luckenbach on the map decades ago with his "Willie's Fourth of July Concert at Luckenbach." But it became so huge, they had to move it to a much bigger live music venue. Now..Willie doesn't do many concerts. Bless him...he's aging. Celia
ReplyDelete