Alan Haynes

Even in Austin, this blues guitarist stands out

Comments (0) By Nick Keppler Thursday, Nov 22 2007

Being a fairly well-known blues guitarist in Austin, Texas, is like being a retired old coot in Coral Springs, Florida. Who in town isn’t? But Alan Haynes stands out thanks to a tireless dedication to the blues and a résumé that’d make even the most well-established performers in the Live Music Capital of the World envious. Haynes’s solo work, stints as the leader of house bands at the Texas Opry House in Houston and Antone’s Blues Club in Austin, and his session musician gigs (he’s played with John Lee Hooker, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray, Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughn himself) have made him a true musician’s musician. He’s been featured in the book Guitar Legends and on the covers of Southwest Blues and Buddy Magazine. (Buddy as in Buddy Guy. Who knew he had his own eponymous magazine like Oprah does?) What does Haynes do onstage these days? What doesn’t he do? He plays originals and blues classics like “Diving Duck” and “Going Down Slow” and leads his band in smoldering jam sessions. Catch it all when he plays the Big Easy today at 9 p.m. 5731 Kirby Drive. For information, call 713-523-9999 or visit www.thebigeasyblues.com. $5.
Sat., Nov. 24, 9 p.m., 2007