Trailer for the documentary Honky Tonk Heaven: Legend of the Broken Spoke.
Broken Spoke is a legendary country dance hall in Austin, Texas that first opened its doors in 1964. We learn about the venue’s colorful history from its owners James and Annette White, their two daughters and the musicians who have performed on the small stage over the years, including country stars George Strait, Willie Nelson and Dale Watson. This charming if slightly ramshackle honky-tonk is a mecca for anyone who loves to listen to country music and dance the two-step, preferably dressed in traditional cowboy style. It’s a true family business, with one daughter teaching dances and the other creating beautiful embroidered decorations on the cowboy shirts her father wears in his role as Broken Spoke host. Annette White runs the business side, and keeps an eye on the bar and the kitchen where they fry her famous chicken steak. Broken Spoke is still holding out, despite being surrounded by high-rises and luxury apartments. But for how long?