MUSIC'A step back in time': Photos of James White and the Broken Spoke through the yearsAustin 360Owner James White at the Broken Spoke on October 22, 2014, the year the music venue celebrated its 50th anniversary. The honky tonk dancehall today is surrounded by modern buildings, not unlike the Alamo in downtown San Antonio. “I did feel like the Alamo,” White said in 2014. “You go down to San Antone to the Alamo, and you’ve got all those buildings all around it. But once you go inside the Alamo, you don’t see those buildings. It’s kind of like a step back in time: You can imagine Crockett and Travis and Bowie and everybody right in there. Just like here: When you walk in the Broken Spoke, you get the vibes of people who were here 30, 40, 50 years ago.”JAY JANNER / AMERICAN-STATESMANAustin's beloved honky-tonk, the Broken Spoke, and its co-owner James White were the subject of a limited-run documentary playing at the Alamo Drafthouse in 2017Contributed By The Broken SpokeJames White performs with Gary P. Nunn during the club's anniversary year in 2014.American-Statesman FilePeople have been going to the Broken Spoke to hear music and to dance for more than 50 years.American-Statesman File 2014A wagon wheel with a broken spoke at the entrance of the Broken Spoke in 2014.JAY JANNER / AMERICAN-STATESMANThe front door of the Broken Spoke tells visitors what they need to know.JAY JANNER/AMERICAN-STATESMAN 2014The walls of the Broken Spoke are filled with memorabilia, including a George Strait LP covered with lipstick kisses.JAY JANNER/AMERICAN-STATESMAN 2014Broken Spoke owner James White looks at the damage to the iconic honky-tonk on June 30, 2020, after burglars rammed it with a truck to steal the ATM.JAY JANNER / AMERICAN-STATESMANThe Broken Spoke was damaged in June 2020 when burglars rammed it with a truck to steal the ATM.JAY JANNER/AMERICAN-STATESMANThe film "Honky Tonk Heaven: The Legend of the Broken Spoke" was screened in 2016 at South by Southwest.ContributedJames White polishes his father's silver laden antique saddle in December 2000 after it was recovered by the Austin Police Department earlier in the week. The heirloom saddle, made in the 1940s, valued around $20,000 and a longtime fixture at the South Austin venue, was stolen on Thanksgiving Day 2000.American-Statesman FileA sign celebrates the recovery of James White's father's heirloom saddle after it was stolen on Thanksgiving Day in 2000.American-Statesman FileIcon to icon: James White represents the Broken Spoke and Austin in an H-E-B anniversary commercial.Contributed By H-E-BAustin grew up around the Broken Spoke, seen here in 2014, when the honky tonk celebrated its 50th anniversary.JAY JANNER/AMERICAN-STATESMANA photo of Broken Spoke owner James White, right, with singer Alvin Crow, is among memorabilia on a door at the Broken Spoke in October 2014.JAY JANNER / AMERICAN-STATESMANJames White watches as Garth Brooks plays a "surprise" show during South by Southwest in March 2017 at the Broken Spoke. The country superstar was keynote speaker that year at SXSW and played an acoustic set on St. Patrick's Day at the Spoke. “If the honky tonks were like this that I was in, I never would’ve left them,” Brookes said as he left the stage.JAY JANNER / AMERICAN-STATESMANSister Bobbie and Willie Nelson played a live show for TNN from the stage of the Broken Spoke in 1998.American-Statesman FileJames White, left, performs with Alvin Crow and others during a memorial for another iconic venue owner, Clifford Antone.American-Statesman File 2006Pauline Wilson, left, consoles Jenny Holm at The Broken Spoke on Sunday January 24, 2021, after the honky-tonk’s longtime owner, James White, died. Holm said she was lifelong friend of White.Jay Janner / American-StatesmanJenny Holm, left, and Maria McDonald console each other at The Broken Spoke on Sunday January 24, 2021, after the honky tonk’s longtime owner, James White, died. Holm said she was lifelong friend of White. McDonald was the executive producer of the documentary “Honky Tonk Heaven: Legend of The Broken Spoke.”Jay Janner / American-StatesmanMaria McDonald, left, consoles Jenny Holm at The Broken Spoke on Sunday January 24, 2021, after the honky tonk’s longtime owner, James White, died. Pauline Wilson, right, lays flowers at a memorial. Holm said she was lifelong friend of White. McDonald was the executive producer of the documentary “Honky Tonk Heaven: Legend of The Broken Spoke.”Jay Janner / American-StatesmanMaria McDonald leaves yellow roses at The Broken Spoke on Sunday January 24, 2021, after the honky tonk’s longtime owner, James White, died. McDonald was the executive producer of the documentary “Honky Tonk Heaven: Legend of The Broken Spoke.”Jay Janner / American-StatesmanPauline Wilson consoles Miguel, no last name given, at The Broken Spoke on Sunday January 24, 2021, after the honky tonk’s longtime owner, James White, died. Miguel is the cook at The Broken Spoke.Jay Janner / American-StatesmanAshley Dutton, left, and Jenny Holm console each other at The Broken Spoke on Sunday January 24, 2021, after the honky tonk’s longtime owner, James White, died. Dutton is White’s granddaughter. Holm said she was lifelong friend of White.Jay Janner / American-StatesmanDon Green consoles Ashley Dutton at The Broken Spoke on Sunday January 24, 2021, after the honky tonk’s longtime owner, James White, died. Dutton is White’s granddaughter. Green said he was a longtime friend of White.Jay Janner / American-Statesman