Antone's to Mark 50th Anniversary with Chicago Bound: Honoring Muddy, Cliff & Blue

Antone's to Mark 50th Anniversary with Chicago Bound: Honoring Muddy, Cliff & Blue
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Antone's will cap off its 50th anniversary celebrations with the release of Chicago Bound: Honoring Muddy, Cliff & Blue on August 28, 2026, via Blues Till 2 Recording Co. and Select-O-Hits.

The 11-track collection emerged from the recording sessions for the Libera Award-winning Antone's: 50 Years of the Blues box set. With an abundance of unreleased material, the producers realized they had enough to create a companion album honoring both the legendary Austin blues club and its late founder, Clifford Antone.

The album brings together an all-star lineup of blues and roots artists, including John Primer, Doyle Bramhall II, Kim Wilson & The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Anson Funderburgh, Lurrie Bell, Lavelle White, Billy F Gibbons and more.

Illustrated by longtime Antone's artist Diana Ray, the album cover depicts a bus full of musicians making the journey to Chicago a visual inspired by John Primer's recording of Jimmy Rogers' "Chicago Bound." Co-producer Zach Ernst explained that the concept reflects the historic migration of African American musicians seeking greater opportunities in the North while also celebrating the touring lifestyle that has long defined the blues.

"Beyond the song's deeper meaning—the journey through music cities by African-American artists seeking a better life and better pay than they could find in the South at the time—a 'road trip record' or 'truck stop cassette' felt like a creative way for Antone's to honor the great musicians who live on the road," Ernst said. "It also traces a spiritual route from central Louisiana, home of Clifton Chenier's music, through Houston, Austin, Memphis and on to Chicago."

Ahead of the album's release, Billy F Gibbons has unveiled "Hangin' On A Cliff," a Texas blues-rock tribute to Clifford Antone. The ZZ Top frontman name-checks blues icons including Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, Freddie King, Albert King and B.B. King, while also saluting Antone's regulars Derek O'Brien, Mike Buck and Eve Monsees before closing with references to his own collaborators Mike Flanigin, Chris Layton and the BFGs.

Produced live to tape by Jacob Sciba and Zach Ernst, Chicago Bound also showcases performances from John Primer, Doyle Bramhall II, Kim Wilson & The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Anson Funderburgh, Lurrie Bell and Lavelle White.

Along the album's other standout moments is Kam Franklin's powerful interpretation of Bobby "Blue" Bland's classic "I Wouldn't Treat A Dog (The Way You Treated Me)," recorded in Memphis with Bobby Bland's son, drummer Rodd Bland. Elsewhere, Ivan Neville and CC Adcock lead a spirited take on Clifton Chenier's "One Step At A Time," joined by Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Jimmie Vaughan on harmonica.
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Serving as both a celebration of Antone's remarkable five-decade legacy and a tribute to the late Clifford Antone who founded the iconic Austin blues club and passed away in June 2006 Chicago Bound: Honoring Muddy, Cliff & Blue closes a milestone chapter in the venue's storied history while paying homage to the artists and traditions that shaped it.
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Tracklist:
John Primer – Chicago Bound
Ivan Neville & CC Adcock featuring Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood & Jimmie Vaughan – One Step At A Time
Kam Franklin with Rodd Bland & The Dreamers – I Wouldn’t Treat A Dog (The Way You Treated Me)
Doyle Bramhall II – Give Me Back My Wig
Kim Wilson & The Fabulous Thunderbirds – I’m Not Ashamed
Anson Funderburgh – Backstroke
Clifford Antone – The Blues Is So Big (Interview)
Billy F Gibbons and the BFGs – Hangin’ On A Cliff
Lurrie Bell – Act Like You Love Me
Lavelle White – Baby What’s Wrong
John Primer & Lil’ Ed Williams featuring Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith – Got My Mojo Working

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