Tommy Mann Jr.
The Port Arthur News
BEAUMONT —
No, it isn’t deja vu. Antone’s is really re-opening.
The one-time focal point of the downtown Beaumont destination known as Crockett Street will reopen later this month and will hit the ground running with the announcement of three concerts for area rock fans.
Antone’s closed more than two years ago because of financial difficulties, as did several other Crockett Street venues, but it has returned just in time to pump some new energy into a nearly stagnant rock scene in Southeast Texas.
The club will cater to audiences of ages 18 and older, but in a slightly different method. Instead of being open for regular hours and days each week, Antone’s will only be open as needed for special events, much like Ford Park and the Beaumont Civic Center Complex.
Coondog Productions announced the first three shows featuring national artists on Monday evening. Acts scheduled to perform at Antone’s include Tyler Bryant, Thursday, July 29; Cavo, Monday, Aug. 2; and Framing Hanley on Thursday, Sept. 2. And more shows are waiting to be confirmed.
During its first run, Antone’s offered area live music fans a multitude of talented artists on a weekly basis from across Southeast Texas and the state, as well as renowned touring artists.
National acts having performed at Antone’s in the past have included Eric Johnson, Jimmie Vaughan, Saliva, Clutch, Craig Morgan, Apocalyptica, Theory of a Deadman, Tantric, among many others.
Businessman and Crockett Street spokesperson Danny Molina was unavailable for comment on Tuesday and did not immediately return messages.
The first show at the soon-to-be-reopened venue features an up-and-coming artist that many youth and young adults may be more familiar as Tyler Bryant performs July 29. Tickets are $10 in advance at all Florida Tans locations and Guitar and Banjo Studio, and $15 at the door for ages 21 and older. Admission is $20 at the door for ages 18-20.
Bryant, 18, is a young guitarist who has made a huge name for himself in the last year. He has a song, “Who I Am,” featured on the Guitar Hero 5 Update Pack, and has performed with an array of superstar musicians such as Slash, ZZ Top, Jeff Beck, Santana and more.
His skills on the six-string have earned him the Robert Johnson Blues Foundation’s New Generation Award, as well as performances at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago and the opportunity to record a new song, “Bittersweet,” with famed-Led Zeppelin producer Kevin Shirley.
Visit TylerBryantmusic.com for more information.
The St. Louis-based band Cavo makes its first ever appearance in Beaumont with a concert on Aug. 2. The band is still touring in support of its August 2009 release, “Bright Nights Dark Days,” and features the single “Champagne,” which climbed to number 1 on the Billboard Active Rock and Mainstream Rock charts. It’s second single, “Crash,” peaked at number 7.
Tickets go on sale Thursday at all Florida Tans locations, as well as Guitar and Banjo Studio in Beaumont, for $12 in advance. Tickets are $15 day of show for ages 21 and older, while admission is $20 for ages 18 and older.
Framing Hanley last performed in Beaumont in 2009 at the Scout Bar to a packed house and the band is set to return to the Golden Triangle-area with a concert at Antone’s on Sept. 2.
Tickets for this show go on sale Thursday at all Florida Tans locations, as well as Guitar and Banjo Studio in Beaumont, for $12 in advance. Tickets are $15 day of show for ages 21 and older, while admission is $20 for ages 18 and older.
