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In 1996, the Horton Brothers–Bobby and Billy–moved from their hometown of Beaumont, Texas, to the capital of that great state, Austin. They had visited the city for several years and realized that it was the place they should go if they wanted to play rockabilly and americana music. And with new friends like High Noon’s Shaun Young, it wasn’t long before they found themselves playing at venues like the world famous Continental Club.
After playing around Austin for a couple of years, they were invited to play the Hembsy festival in England. They also did a couple of tours out to the west coast and began releasing records on the Texas Jamboree imprint. Other musicians took notice of them and, before long, they were in demand side musicians around town. Billy spent time playing bass with the Asylum Street Spankers, Wayne Hancock, and the Hot Club of Cowtown. Bobby picked guitar for Deke Dickerson as well as the Bellfuries.
During this time, Billy started his own recording studio--Fort Horton Studios. Aside from recording the Horton Brothers, he began to record other acts–most notably, Nick Curran. After that record came out, it established his studio as THE place to record roots music. His list of clients also includes Junior Watson, Mike Barfield, Marti Brom, Dave Stuckey, and Shaun Young.
In 2006, the Horton Brothers began playing a weekly gig, Roots Tuesday, at a honky tonk called Ginny’s Little Longhorn. They back up artist that they’ve worked with over the years including Shaun Young, Mike Barfield, Miss Lauren Marie, Bear, Joey Simeone (the Bellfuries), Nick Curran, and Roger Wallace. On a recent Tuesday, blues legend Jimmie Vaughan stopped by and played for over an hour.
Their influences include Jimmy & Johnny, Rusty & Doug Kershaw, the Sparkletones, the Everly Brothers, and the York Brothers.
