Jason Isbell and the stolen enchiladas

The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter first noticed his future wife onstage at the Austin City Limits Festival in Austin.

By Michael MarksSeptember 11, 2018 1:26 pm, ,

Jason Isbell feels at home when he’s playing music outside. He might be out behind a bar, or in a venue that used to be a Texas beer garden.

“That makes for a cool music scene. And everybody can hang out outside and listen to music,” he says.

The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter isn’t from the Lone Star State, but he’s spent a lot of time here – playing music and hanging out with others who play. He met his wife, Amanda, at the Austin City Limits festival that takes place in Zilker Park.

“She was playing with Billy Joe Shaver, wearing a bandana for a shirt,” he says. “That definitely stands out for me.”

Isbell went backstage to meet the woman with the bandana, but ended up hanging out with actors Harry Dean Stanton and Luke Wilson while he waited. Stanton was eating the enchiladas Amanda had given him to hold.

“That night I went to the Continental Club, and CeDell Davis was playing, and R.E.M. was backing him up,” Isbell says. “I don’t know how I got in there, but it was a good time. It was a crazy night.”

Written by Shelly Brisbin.