27 Comments

Awesome article!! I have some Krackerjack playbills. My Dad had played in a band in Lubbock called Street Theatre with Jesse Taylor, Vince Hopkins, and Joe Ely prior to the migration to Austin. I still have some of the gear used from those days. Would love to hear or see some footage of Krackerjack.

Expand full comment

I knew all of the guys in Street Theater! Who's your Dad? I went to Tech and was friends with Vince, John and Tanner...lynnarenae@gmail.com

Expand full comment

Krackerjack was the first show ever put on from Stone City Attractions...it was April 18, 1972 as a benefit for the Vietnam War Resistors League. The first of thousands of concerts Stone City put on...Thanks Krackerjack for catapulting Stone City to its future...Chicken Slacks forever!!!

Expand full comment

Krakerjack lived next door to me when they came out west to play the Matrix, SF. It was river town called Monte Rio. SRV wasn't with them yet, 1970 I think.

Expand full comment

I also have a extra Krackerjack handbill for sale on Etsy right now …

Expand full comment

I know Stevie played with the Cobras at the One Nite early the Cobras life.

Expand full comment

They played in Victoria, TX at the Sun Valley in the early 70's regularly. They did a killer cover of "Blind Eye" (Wishbone Ash) as I recall. The place would be packed!

Expand full comment

Hey weird question here but is there a chance Krackrjack did a gig in Clarkston Wa. For a jr high dance? Around 1978-There was a Band called Krackerjack from Dallas that played for pretty good money back then-over $700 and the guitarist was a dead ringer for a young Stevie Ray Vaughn?

Expand full comment

Correction : SRV left Krackerjack because of Bruce wanting band members to wear makeup. Gary and others formed Slip o’ the Wrist with sultry Texas southern blues that I preferred to Krackerjack’s. Saw both bands at the Abraxas outside of Waco at an early age.

Expand full comment

Saw Kracker Jack in Corpus Christi, TX in late December 1971 ... They were opening for Brownsville Station. I still have the ticket from that show ... and in 1997, I saw Storyville in Kansas City, MO ... which also featured Tommy Shannon on bass. I showed Tommy the Kracker Jack ticket and he goes ... "Wow, that was a while ago". Tommy was nice enough to sign the Kracker Jack ticket for me that night.

Expand full comment

Michael, did Krackerjack play the One Nite with Stevie? I seem to recall seeing a show there as well as the Dillo when I first hit town. thanks man, all this stuff is gold.

Expand full comment

It's likely they did, but probably unbilled. One Knite didn't pay much, and Krackerjack was a money band.

Expand full comment

They could not have fit on the One Nite stage. It was a small triangle in the corner that could barely fit in equipment.

Expand full comment

I believe Krackerjack played at our prom in 1972. Taylor Texas at the Herman's Son Hall. Great times!

Expand full comment

Makes sense, I staggered into the One Nite in those days no matter who was playing.

Expand full comment

Howdy Michael, this is Patrick, owner of Inner Sanctum Records, luv your storys of old Austin, keep up the great work. ✌️

Expand full comment

Please release the tapes or put em on you tube. We need to hear that music again And Blackbird too!!!!

Expand full comment

They cannot be put on youtube, under copyright

Expand full comment

ANYTHING can be put on YouTube. Let’s hear it.

Expand full comment

There is some live on youtube.

Expand full comment

Whose copyright?

Expand full comment

Mike Kindred

Expand full comment

He doesn't own all their music.

Expand full comment

Anyone is free then to post what they wish, but I will not post music from the CD's entusted to me without Mike's approval. I'm just going on what Unc told me when he gave me the copies.

Expand full comment

Why can’t the Krackerjack tapes be officially released under copyright?

Expand full comment

Please release those tapes or put em on you tube

Expand full comment

The Blackbirds (? I think) played a guest set one night at the New Orleans. It was Krackerjack's usual Thursday night blowout. Stevie as always was awesome. But, then so was John Staehely. I recall that my brother Bill and I sneaked Eric Johnson in as a roadie. Several years later I would sneak Eric into a Les Paul gig.

Expand full comment