Amarillo's Best Kept Secrets: Live Music

Austin is widely believed to be the promised land of live music in Texas, if not the country. But Amarillo remains an underground favorite, with its venues consistently attracting the most original live performances anywhere. Here are just a few of the places you can go in our fair city to find unforgettable music.

Golden Light Cantina
So much colorful history makes up this plain building on historic Route 66. The Golden Light Cantina is on the other side of the wall from the Golden Light Cafe, Amarillo's oldest restaurant which serves internationally renowned cheeseburgers. Almost exclusively considered the best live music venue between Amarillo and Austin, the Cantina is a magnet for talent. From Ben Kweller to Mount Righteous, the music is as good as the beer is cold. The folks at the Golden Light love to book touring acts but are also fiercely loyal to the local artists that began there. Amarillo native Susan Gibson, the legendary writer of "Wide Open Spaces", was a regular in her youth and returns to play when time and touring permit. It's not uncommon to stroll past the doors of the Golden Light at night and hear the sounds of Scenic River Roots, or one of downtown Amarillo's favorite sons, Skitz O'Fuel.

The interior of the Golden Light is rustic ; It's the people, the music and the stories that make it beautiful. Visit the Golden Light Cafe/Cantina at 2908 West Sixth in Amarillo or visit their website for upcoming events: www.goldenlightcafe.com

The 806
The 806 is an eclectic and rare place in Amarillo. On any given day you can see young and old, hipster and intellectual sitting side by side having tea or listening to a band. Its uniqueness is due in part to the fact that owner Jason Barrett places high priority in moving Amarillo's culture forward. Not only does local art hang on the walls, food and beverages found nowhere else in the city are served. Every kind of music imaginable is played there by bands near and far. There are no cultural boundaries at the 806 and it results in amazing music and a liberating vibe. Barrett has his favorite performers, but readily admits it's hard to keep up with all the different acts he's seen over the last few years. "Izzy and the Kesstronics, Jason and the Punknecks, Low Red Land, Finn Riggins...there are so many it's hard to keep up sometimes!"

The 806 is located at 2812 SW 6th Avenue in Amarillo, For more information on events, bands, and other goodies, find the 806 here: www.facebook.com/the806

High Plains Public Radio Living Room Concerts
High Plains Public Radio or HPPR, has spent the last few years cultivating a live music experience that must be seen to be appreciated. Every few weeks according to the pre-determined schedule, HPPR opens the doors to its small concert space, the lighting and acoustics perfect for getting up close and personal with performers. Showcasing the best in local talent, national folk acts and everything in between, seeing live music in the HPPR Performance Studios is always a thrill. Show up at 5th and Polk in downtown Amarillo by 7pm on a live music night, make an artist donation, and prepare to be entertained by the likes of Folk By Association, Cosy Sheridan, Dana Cooper and the Mag Seven. It's that simple, and that amazing. Find a schedule of past and upcoming acts by visiting www.hppr.org and clicking on Living Room Concerts, and be sure to make a reservation if you plan to attend one of these wonderful concerts.

Many more of Amarillo's best kept secrets for live music can be found by taking a stroll downtown or talking to long time residents. Live music is just as much a part of the fabric of the city as cattle or cowboys. Remember that the best places to visit come by word of mouth, not advertisement.