Bruce Robison supplies the fun
The Broken Spoke, Austin, TX, Nov. 9, 2002
AUSTIN - The Broken Spoke, along with TootsieÕs Orchard Lounge in Nashville, is one of the holy honky-tonks of America. Country musicians, including legends like Bob Wills, Ernest Tubb, Ray Price and a host of others, have performed in this neon temple with the low-ceiling since 1964. ItÕs a place where a fast-dancing old man might steal your date or a stranger will tell you about the night ÒTrashy WomenÓ author Chris Wall got mad about the sparse crowd and punched several holes in the door to the menÕs restroom.
On this particular Saturday night, it was Bruce RobisonÕs turn to fulfill a pure and simple purpose there: to make sure the folks on the dance floor didnÕt have a reason to stop movinÕ.
And the Bandera native and his band were more than capable of performing this important duty all night long.
Over the course of the more than three hours, Robison and company cranked out song after song, with very little talking and just one break.
They played his songs about the wild side of life like Ò12 Bar BluesÓ and ÒThe Good LifeÓ along side a long list from the Texas music canon: ÒTwo More Bottles of Wine,Ó ÒStay a Little Longer,Ó ÒLone Star Beer and Bob Wills Music,Ó ÒThatÕll Be the Day,Ó ÒFunny How Time Slips AwayÓ and ÒThinking Problem.Ó
They played sad songs (ÒDesperatelyÓ and ÒJust MarriedÓ) and story songs (ÒTravelinÕ SoldierÓ and ÒMy Brother and MeÓ) and funny songs (ÒWhat Would Willie DoÓ) and Merle Haggard songs (ÒBig CityÓ and ÒSilver WingsÓ).
Through it all the dancers never stopped two-stepping and shuffling and twisting away the night and by all appearances, having a whole lot of fun. You could go on and on about how Robison is talented as a songwriter and performer, but letÕs just say heÕs an excellent supplier of fun.
