The historic Devil’s Backbone Tavern — nameplace of famous songs and home to one of the oldest dance halls and dive bars in Texas history — will hold its Raise Da' Roof Fest, an event to help raise critical funding for necessary repairs, on Saturday, Oct. 19, with doors opening at 3 p.m.
The history of the Backbone dates back to the late 1890s, when the first stone room was built for a blacksmith’s shop and a stagecoach stop at the top of a treacherous trail. After Prohibition, the sale of alcoholic beverages — particularly beer — became licensed in early 1933. Since Hays County was “dry” with no public means to purchase alcohol, the tavern was built next to the old blacksmith’s shop just beyond the Hays County line (in Comal) in 1937. In the early 1940s, a Sinclair service station building was added and the dancehall was constructed. The venue became a rare attraction for anything a person needed, including a cold-beer, a tire change or a whoopin’ with local and touring bands such as Adolph Hofner who drew crowds to the dancehall during its “heyday” for music and dancing.
The Devil’s Backbone Tavern’s current owners, Robyn and John Ludwick, have been painstakingly renovating the historic dance hall, tavern, gas station and other parts of the property to rescue it from years of neglect and to preserve its legacy for future generations since just before the pandemic.
“Texas Dance Halls are some of the most endangered properties in the state, and are in constant risk of being torn down, sold or not preserved,” Robyn Ludwick, co-owner of the Devil’s Back- bone Tavern, said. “For over 80 years, countless numbers of students from Texas State University and community members of Wimberley, San Marcos, Dripping Springs and Austin have come through our doors. By joining in as a sponsor or supporter on some level through this fundraiser event, we can literally get a new roof.”
The Ludwicks, both professional musicians, have put their music careers on hold in order to restore the venue and to provide the community with the true dance hall and music venue experience the Backbone should have always been.
“We have raised 15% of our $60,000 goal, so we are in desperate need of any kind of support at this time,” John Ludwick, the other co-owner of the tavern, said. “We know that there are so many great causes out there, but please consider saving Texas heritage, Texas history.”
The Ludwicks are counting on the Texas music industry and the local and surrounding Hill Country community to come through in this time of need for this beloved and historic tavern and music venue. (Robyn Ludwick comes from a musical family; she is also Charlie and Bruce Robison’s sister.)
VIP tables for the live event, as well as sponsorships, are available for purchase now, with sponsorship packages starting at $25. In addition, direct donations of any amount are welcome and can be made directly to the Devil’s Backbone via Venmo, PayPal or Zelle. For more information, visit devilsbackbonetavern. com/live-music.
Additionally and right in time for Halloween, check out the Devil’s Backbone Tavern Haunted History at devilsbackbonetavern. com/haunted-history.
