Devil's Backbone gets new caretakers

The old jukebox at the Devil’s Backbone Tavern and Dancehall in Fischer, just outside of Wimberley, is playing Janis Joplin again. 

Robyn and John Ludwick with Abbey Road, longtime friends and each highly respected in the Texas music scene, have teamed up to restore the iconic Prohibition-era establishment to its “heyday.” They will also bring alive the Devil’s dancehall Friday and Saturday nights with bona fide honky-tonk and straight up country bands from near and far, along with the occasional visit from Todd Snider, whose ballad helped put the tavern on the map.

Not much is changing at the Devil’s Backbone, bullet holes are still in the mounted deer head and surrounding wall, the beer neons still buzz, the dollar bills stapled to the ceiling by patrons remain and the legendary Wednesday night shuffleboard tournaments will continue. And the new caretakers will be respectful of the ghosts that are said to frequent the tavern and the Devil’s Backbone ridge. 

The original tavern was built in 1937, but its history dates back to 1890, when it was first established as an old blacksmith’s shop which had originally been a stop on the stagecoach trail between Wimberley and Blanco.

A few updates however are on the way: No smoking inside the premises, but plenty of smoking in the spruced-up patio area with long pine tables and ashtrays; a newly installed ATM adjacent to the cash bar and a full liquor license is now in place, including specialty drinks. But don’t worry, there’s still cheap beer.

“We all love cheap beer prices but Devil’s Backbone has to sustain itself,” John Ludwick said

The new caretakers will be very hands on, most likely serving patrons’ drinks from behind the bar and soaking up the old tales of the tavern told by the locals.

"Like many, I have loved this bar from the first time I went face-first through the door and into the smoke billows decades ago,” Robyn Ludwick said. “There's a reason why the Devil’s Backbone Tavern has been spared, and it's not because of any one person, patron or event. We have been given the opportunity to physically rehabilitate the structures of this cultural iconic establishment. But it is a Texas treasure, a historic site full of mojo and grit, spirits and badassery in its own right. The Devil's Backbone has its own legacy, we're just along for the ride."

Robyn Ludwick has been called, “The Queen of Modern Texas Country Soul” and “The most formidable writer of the Robisons.” Now five critically acclaimed studio albums into her career, she has distinguished herself over the last decade as one of the most ferociously compelling voices not only in her native Lone Star State, but across the wider Americana landscape both home and abroad. A Wimberley-based singer-songwriter and mother of two, Robyn Ludwick has a deep love for her town and community and organized the “Flood of Love” that raised over $150,000 for Wimberley after the 2015 tragic flooding. During that time, she was asked by the community to write “Wimberley Strong," a song that was performed along with 650 elementary children and raised hope and spirit in the community.

John Ludwick has been a part of the Texas and Austin music scene since he was a kid, traveling with his dad and first musical influence, Texas Bluegrass legend Tom Ludwick. He has been a bass player for the majority of his career playing with legendary musical groups like Charlie Robison, Kelly Willis, Chris Wall and Bruce Robison. He also produced Robyn Ludwick’s latest record and continues to tour with his wife. 

Abbey Road, John Ludwick and Robyn Ludwick, longtime friends who are highly respected in the Texas music scene, have teamed up to restore the Devil's Backbone Tavern to its original glory.

Abbey Road, of Coupland Dancehall, has been living her dive bar and dance hall dream for the last two decades, managing and operating some of the most iconic venues in the state of Texas. Road’s passion for music and legendary roadhouses and dancehalls landed her first in Luckenbach as a talent buyer, bringing a new energy to a venue that needed to find its musical roots again. She found similar roles later in Austin at Threadgill’s and now she is the owner and purveyor of the turn of the century dance hall and brothel, Old Coupland Inn & Dancehall. This kind of revival is Road’s brand and pure soul. She is a champion of artists and the means for them to bring their music to new and established fans. 

The original tavern was built in 1937 after prohibition ended but its history dates back to 1890, when it was first established as an old blacksmith’s shop which had originally been a stop on the stagecoach trail between Wimberley and Blanco. Notable patrons include Todd Snider, who wrote the song “Ballad of the Devil’s Backbone Tavern” in honor of the spirited tavern and musician, author and politician Kinky Friedman. 

Actors Jason Earl and Crispin Glover filmed parts of their comedy "Drop Dead Sexy" on location at the tavern in 2005. Indie movie, Lost Vegas Hiway, starring Texas singer-songwriters Hal Ketchum, Robyn Ludwick and Jack Ingram filmed there in 2016.

Today the three new devils of Devil’s Backbone Tavern welcome their patrons, new and old, and invite them to leave their cares at the door and be seduced by the honky-tonk spirits and the simple joy of sipping a beer at the bar, or taking a spin around the dance floor, with good people and great music.

“The Devil’s Backbone revival is all about connection, definitely not perfection,” Road said.