lu ann barton

Biography

Lou Ann Barton, born February 17, 1954, in Fort Worth, Texas, emerged as a prominent blues singer after moving to Austin in the 1970s. She began her career in the local scene, joining the Triple Threat Revue in late 1977 alongside Stevie Ray Vaughan and W.C. Clark, which became Double Trouble after Clark's departure in 1978; Barton remained with the band until November 1979[1]. In the early 1980s, she performed with Roomful of Blues, catching the attention of producer Jerry Wexler, leading to her debut album Old Enough (1982) on Asylum Records, co-produced with Glenn Frey[1].

Barton's musical style blends blues and jump blues, characterized by her powerful voice, grace, and confidence in interpreting vintage R&B and blues traditions[1][4]. Subsequent releases included the pop-oriented Forbidden Tones (1986) on Spindletop Records and a return to blues roots with Read My Lips (1989) on Antone's Records, featuring covers of Slim Harpo, Hank Ballard, and Wanda Jackson. She collaborated with Marcia Ball and Angela Strehli on Dreams Come True (1990) and continued performing, appearing on Austin City Limits in 1989 and 2001, at the 2006 Austin City Limits Festival, and touring with Jimmie Vaughan into the 2010s[1].

Barton's legacy endures in the Austin blues scene, where she dominated the Austin Music Awards in the 1980s, winning Female Vocalist of the Year three consecutive times, and was inducted into the Clifford Antone Foundation Hall of Fame[1][5]. She remains active, performing locally and occasionally touring[2].

Fun Facts

• Lou Ann Barton's debut album Old Enough (1982) was co-produced by Jerry Wexler and Eagles member Glenn Frey, earning positive reviews despite modest sales[1].
• She dominated the Austin Music Awards in the 1980s, winning Female Vocalist of the Year three consecutive times before records were retired for her[5].
• Barton appeared on Austin City Limits in 1989 for W.C. Clark's 50th birthday celebration alongside Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, and Kim Wilson[1].
• Inducted into the Clifford Antone Foundation Hall of Fame, introduced by Sue Foley[2].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• W.C. Clark - Early band leader and blues pioneer who brought her into Triple Threat Revue (Triple Threat Revue (1977-1978)) [Late 1970s]

Key Collaborators

• Stevie Ray Vaughan - Bandmate in Triple Threat Revue and Double Trouble (Triple Threat Revue/Double Trouble (1977-1979), Austin Festival (1979), Sugar Coated Love (1998), Thunderbroad (1999)) [1977-1979, posthumous 1990s]
• Jimmie Vaughan - Frequent touring partner and collaborator (On The Jimmy Reed Highway (2007) with Omar Kent Dykes, Tilt-a-Whirl Band tours) [2000s-2010s]
• Marcia Ball - Collaborator on joint album (Dreams Come True (1990)) [1990]
• Angela Strehli - Collaborator on joint album (Dreams Come True (1990)) [1990]
• Roomful of Blues - Jump blues band stint (Live performances) [Early 1980s]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia