In celebration of his life in music, the family of musician-composer Doyle Bramhall Sr. invites the public to Antone’s, Monday Nov. 21 at 4pm. The club will open for musical and personal tributes, with music expected to go until it can’t. Antone’s is located at 213 W. Fifth.
Bramhall, 62, died Sunday November 12 at his home in Alpine, Texas. Known locally as one of the finest R&B drummers and soul singers, the Dallas native began playing in his teens, making his his name for the first time playing with Jimmie Vaughan in The Chessmen. Around 1970, Bramhall migrated to Austin with Vaughan and a number of other Dallas area musicians including Paul Ray and Denny Freeman. They formed the nucleus of Austin’s 70s blues revival that launched the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble.
Bramhall made his career nationally composing for and with Stevie Ray Vaughan, including “House Is A-Rockin'” “Tightrope,” “Dirty Pool,” and “Life by the Drop.” He also appeared on the only recording Jimmie Vaughan and Stevie Ray Vaughan made together, Family Style. Bramhall also recorded three critically acclaimed solo albums, Bird’s Nest on the Ground, Fitchburg Street, and Is It News. His son, guitarist Doyle Bramhall II, carries that family talent torch with style and panache, performing with Eric Clapton and Sheryl Crow.
This article appears in November 18 • 2011.