James White, Owner of Austin’s Iconic Broken Spoke, Has Died

The Broken Spoke honky tonk is just about the most authentic thing you can still find within the city limits of Austin, TX. And now it’s long-time owner, mascot, patron saint, and a man that has been a major booster for music in the region and the stepping stone for many major careers has passed on.
An Austin native, James White opened The Broken Spoke over 50 years ago in 1964 when he was 25-years-old and fresh out of the Army. He spotted a vacant property on South Lamar beautified with Austin’s signature oak trees, and had an idea. Short of money, he was still able to scrounge up enough to build the original front room that is now the restaurant, and named it The Broken Spoke.
A year later, they added the dancehall, with a ceiling so low some performers can’t stand straight up on the stage. Much of The Broken Spoke was built by volunteer labor and called-in favors. From the beginning, it was community coming together that made it run, with James White as the de facto Mayor, regularly working 16 hours a day at the start to keep it going, with his wife Annetta also helping to build the establishment into what it is today. When The Broken Spoke opened, beers were a nickel. They didn’t serve hard alcohol because they couldn’t afford a license until 1980. It was never fancy or nice, even when it was new. But it soon became iconic.
A big fan of country music, James White started booking anyone he could, from local names, to legends, to up-and-comers who would go on to help define country music as we know it. Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys played there in 1966. A clean cut Willie Nelson first played there in 1967. Roy Acuff, Tex Ritter, Ernest Tubb, and Kitty Wells are some of the other country legends that played The Broken Spoke in their time.
Later The Broken Spoke would become the launching pad for new country legends, from Dale Watson, Alvin Crow, Jesse Dayton, Weldon Henson, Bobby Flores, Cornell Hurd, Jason Roberts, Mike and the Moonpies, to The Derailers and many more. From 1975 to 1982, George Strait played The Broken Spoke once a month, speaking to how it became a significant stepping stone for many. Garth Brooks also famously played there in 2017 as part of a surprise SXSW show.
The Broken Spoke has also been featured in film on multiple occasions, including the documentary Honky Tonk Heaven: The Legend of the Broken Spoke, and the 2020 Sony Pictures wide release, Yellow Rose. The Broken Spoke has also been featured on the cover of multiple albums, including a record from Dale Watson, and George Strait’s 2019 Honky Tonk Time Machine.
The Broken Spoke is not going anywhere soon. It still sits among a few oak tress, with towering condominium complexes crowding it on both its sides among Austin’s massive growth. James White’s daughter Ginny White-Peacock still remains at the helm. But The Broken Spoke won’t feel the same without the wide smile, plump belly, and Western shirt with scarf visage of James White standing there to greet artists and patrons alike.
James White had recently underwent major heart surgery, and was struggling to recover. He was 81-years-old.
January 24, 2021 @ 2:05 pm
My wife and I spent many an hour at the Spoke -eating, dancing and sippin’ , seeing friends . We always enjoyed being greeted by James White – a true honky to keep legend. God bless his wife and family and may he Rest In Peace.
Todd Jones
January 24, 2021 @ 2:09 pm
Beautiful memorial Trig.
The inevitability of life sucks.
January 24, 2021 @ 3:06 pm
The Broken Spoke was featured on the cover of George Strait’s 2019 album Honky Tonk Time Machine.
January 24, 2021 @ 3:07 pm
Please disregard my previous comment. I noticed Trigger already mentioned it after I had submitted it.
January 24, 2021 @ 4:34 pm
I just watched Honky Tonk Heaven on Amazon. He was quite a guy. RIP Mr. White.
January 24, 2021 @ 5:02 pm
I met him @ The Country Music Hall of Fame and he was kind to sign his cd and the new book they just published. It was during the Texas Outlaw Exhibition! I will always remember his kindness!
January 24, 2021 @ 6:15 pm
My Heart is so heavy. It’s like loosing a Dad; as I basically grew up at the Spoke and started playing there in 1989. Bless the family heart. And don’t’ worry James; we will always sing “Sam’s Place” together; forever.
Ricky
January 25, 2021 @ 6:28 am
Also in Paul Cauthen’s video for Saddle.
January 25, 2021 @ 7:28 am
Very sad news indeed. We live in Vermont and travelled to Texas for the first time in 2019,the Broken Spoke was our first stop, R.I.P. Mr. White. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
January 25, 2021 @ 8:26 am
Sad news. But, look at what James accomplished. He built a legendary honky tonk that is world famous. Seriously, on any given day people from all over and abroad, descend on The Spoke to experience a bit of history. Speaking as a two-step fan, look how many people have gotten into Texas dance as a result of visiting this little nightclub. The dance hall culture survives in places like The Spoke, Twin Sisters, Billy Bobs , Gruene Hall and many more. Also, James helped launch the careers of so many folks in Country Music. He should got a lifetime achievement award for doing what he did, so well. May The Broken Spoke live on!
January 25, 2021 @ 10:03 am
Not a better place on earth to eat a chicken fried steak drink a cold beer and hear authentic Country music in a real Texas dancehall. RIP Mr. White it won’t be the same without you.
January 27, 2021 @ 3:42 pm
Thank you so much for your kind words and great write up about my dad, James White. The tributes to him have been an immense comfort to my family. It was our honor to share him with the World. And don’t worry about the Spoke “we ain’t changin’ nothin’”.
January 27, 2021 @ 5:55 pm
My wife and I were visiting a friend in Austin about a year ago, and our first stop after we left the airport was The Broken Spoke. I’d been there once before, back in 2005, and I wanted to see it again. We were treated like regulars as soon as we walked in the door, and enjoyed a beer while we took in the many sights in the memorabilia room. As we walked out the door, we were a little embarassed to notice that they weren’t even open for business, but they never made us feel like we shouldn’t be there. Rest easy, Mr. White.
January 29, 2021 @ 7:15 pm
‘What a loss! Student ’72-’78 and resident ’88-’91 and enjoyed the Spoke almost every weekend. Moved to El Paso and visited a couple more times. Like the closing of Armadillo World Headquarters another piece of Austin and our hearts has been lost.
February 6, 2021 @ 4:33 am
Great man! Great family! Great dance hall! Great times forever! God bless you James for your service to the United States of America, The Republic of Texas and everybody else.