Chicago's hidden country scene worth search

Electric guitarist Steve Doyle, right, and lead singer/guitarist Trevor McSpadden, an Amarillo native, perform during Honky Tonk Happy Hour at the Empty Bottle tavern in Chicago. The weekly Friday gig is part of the city's hidden country music scene.

The Associated Press

CHICAGO — Open the scruffy front door of a drab-looking corner tavern in Chicago on Friday evenings and suddenly you’re in Texas, greeted by the rowdy twang of a genuine honky tonk band. Cowboy-booted couples of all ages two-step around the dimly lit scuffed wooden dance floor to the likes of Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, or one of the band’s own drinking songs. “If I’m Not Drunk, I’m Not Drinking Today” is a crowd favorite.

In a city better known for the rarified soundshomey tavern with a back-room hall that resembles a North Woods rec room, the Hideout features an eclectic blend of live bands several nights a week, sometimes even acts known outside of Chicago, including local songwriter-guitarist Robbie Fulks, whose schticks include hillbilly country and bluegrass. Neko Case has played there; so have the Waco Brothers and local honky-tonk favorite, the Lawrence Peters Outfit.

Two miles west, California Clipper features music and dancing Friday and Saturday in a 1930s-cocktail-lounge setting; good bets are local rockabilly or honky-tonk acts including The Possum Hollow Boys, Cropduster and the Black Willoughbys.