Sadly, ACL Fest Day 3 is the last day of Austin City Limits Music Festival — until next year. So soak up the festival while you can!

How the ACL Fest organizers managed to book three days of fantastic bands is beyond us, but we’re not complaining. The headliner for ACL Fest Day 3 is alternative rock group Foo Fighters, whose lead singer is Dave Grohl, the former drummer for Nirvana. Foo Fighters are known for their live shows, so their ACL Fest appearance should not be missed.

Foo Fighters are from Seattle, so what about Austin musicians at ACL Fest? South Austin Jug Band, a local bluegrass band, is one set to perform from 6:40-7:40pm. Other musicians set to perform include The Raconteurs, whose guitarist and singer is Jack White of the White Stripes; Blues Traveler; Gnarls Barkley; and Nakia and His Southern Cousins.

There are just too many awesome acts to list, really, so we hope you’re looking forward to ACL Fest Day 3 like we are. Austin City Limits Music Festival is one of many things we just love about Austin. If you’re visiting from out of town, we hope you’ll be able to get out and see more of Austin. And don’t forget to stop by Allens Boots on South Congress. Cowboy boots and cowboy hats are perfect Texas souvenirs and will no doubt remind you of the great time you had in Austin, Texas for ACL Fest.

So you survived Day 1 of the Austin City Limits Festival (were you wearing a cowboy hat?), and now you’re ready for ACL Music Festival Day 2. Or maybe you just have a one-day pass. Regardless, there’s no denying that the ACL Fest Day 2 line-up is stellar and once again has something for everyone.

Saturday, September 27 at ACL Fest brings more big names, possibly the biggest of those big names being Beck. Beck has one of the headlining spots at ACL Fest Day 2, and rightfully so. Beck’s breakout single was “Loser” in 1994, and since then he’s continued to put out albums that typically blur the genres. His most recent album, Modern Guilt, was released in July of this year. The other ACL Music Festival Day 2 headlining spot belongs to Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.

Some other artists performing at ACL Music Festival Day 2 are The Black Keys, a blues duo; indie rockers MGMT; legend Roky Erickson; and Texas country musician Robert Earl Keen. Just like Days 1 and 3, ACL Fest Day 2 will have a special stage set up for kid-friendly musicians, which is a great place to stop by if you have little ones with you.

At the end of the day, you’ll probably be worn out from the hours and hours you spent in the hot sun watching fantastic live music. Come home, kick off your cowboy boots, and rest up — ACL Fest still has one more day!

Ariat Boots

Ariat boots are some of the leading performance cowboy boots on the market; whether you are riding, working or competing.  So - we thought it might be fun to talk about Ariat boots a little bit today.

Ariat boots began in 1990, when co-founders Beth Cross and Pam Parker decided that it was time to create a new type of boot for riders.  After designing a new western boot that was no where near the traditional stiff cowboy boot, Ariat shipped out their first pair in 1993.

Ariat Boots:  The Design

Ariat boots are designed with a cowboy’s comfort in mind.  Ariat boots have a cowboy’s soul, but an athlete’s guts.  One of Ariat’s main technologies is 4LR Technology, which stands for four-layer rebound technology.  Using this technology, Ariat boots feature EVA cushioning, a moisture-wicking sock layer, a metatarsal support layer and a patented Duratread outsole to provide long lasting comfort and flexibility in every cowboy boot that Ariat makes.

Another technology that makes Ariat boots some of the best in the world, is the ATS technology. Advanced Torque Stability gives each and every cowboy that puts on a pair of Ariat boots the stability, posture and comfort so that they can work hard and play even harder all day long.

Ariat Boots:  The Attitude

Ariat boots not only provide comfort and stability; Ariat boots also provide the proper cowboy attitude each and every time you pull a pair on.  By being a long lasting sponsor of such events as the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour, the State Fair of Texas (one of our favorite events), and the National High School Rodeo Association; Ariat boots promote the cowboy spirit and the traditions of the Wild West.

When that cowboy urge strikes you, come and check out our line of Ariat boots and we are sure that you will find a pair to fit you and your lifestyle.

Motorcycle Boots Galore

Motorcycle boots are on our mind. It’s probably because the Republic of Texas Biker Rally, otherwise known as the ROT Rally, is coming up on June 12th through June16th.

The city of Austin transforms into a biker’s dream over ROT Rally weekend when more than 40,000 motorcycles roll into town. Some may say, “Wow, that’s a lot of bikes!” We at Allens Boots say, “Wow, that’s a lot of boots!”

Motorcycle Boots: Not All about Looks

Although we prefer horses over hogs, we still love bikers around these parts and we still know a lot about what they are wearing on their feet … Motorcycle Boots.

When purchasing motorcycle boots, you new to remember that it isn’t just about how good they look; it is also about how well they function when you are riding your bike.

Motorcycle Boots Are Built Tough

There are several attributes that make a boot a motorcycle boot. Most motorcycle boots are at least six inches tall and have ankle padding to protect the ankle. Taller motorcycle boots offer extra protection of the legs against flying objects like rocks.

All motorcycle boots come with durable outsoles to assist in stopping or in sharp turns. Some motorcycle boots even come with steel toes to offer even more foot protection during stops and minor accidents.

Finally, the best choice for motorcycle boots are ones made of leather. Leather boots provide better protection against the elements and in minor accidents.

Motorcycle Boots and Charlie

We hear that the Charlie Daniels Band is playing the last night of the ROT Rally and they play some fantastic foot stompin’ music. The kind of music that makes you want to take off those motorcycle boots and leathers and put on a pair of cowboy boots and jeans. This is the Republic of Texas Biker Rally after all.

*Photo by Paul Menard

Ariat Boots for Women: Always In Style

Why we don’t see more Ariat boots on ladies’ feet, we’ll never know. Fashionable, a great fit, a lasting investment, and affordable to boot Ariats make a girl smile. Not just your browns and blacks, Ariat covers the color wheel, lingering over the reds and pinks. And we dare you to find a pair of Ariats priced anywhere over $200–a rare find among quality boots.

Ariat Boots: A History

Ariat Boots was founded in 1990 by two women who were fed up with clunky, stiff cowboy boots. For three years, they worked with a team of the world’s top footwear engineers and designers to develop a dependable line of boots for both English and Western riders. Only then did Ariat release its first pair of boots, in 1993. Ariat Boots is a company founded on the drive to achieve the best results in equestrian footwear, but that drive tributaried into something else: one of the most fashionable lines of women’s boots. A classic example of form following function.

Ariat Boots + Allens = A+

Ariat Boots is the “Official Boot and Belt” of the National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSRA), one of Ariat’s many honors. Allens Boots is proud to be one of the 4,000 retailers in the world at which Ariat boots are sold. It’s incredibly easy to put your best foot forward in a colorful pair of Ariat Boots, whether for fashion or function.

Fashion Trend of Spring: Color, Color, Color

The biggest fashion trend of spring 2008 is all about color. We are talking blues, pinks, oranges, purples, reds, yellows – you name the color and if it is bright and alive it is in. Put your blacks, grays, browns and boring monotones in the back of your closet and wake up your spirit by adding some excitement to your wardrobe. According to an article in the Austin American-Statesman; “When it comes to wearing color, the rule of thumb this season is simple: the bolder, the better.”

Fashion Trend of Spring: Colorful Cowboy Boots

Cowboy boots are no exception to the rule of color for this spring’s fashion trend. Cowboy boots come in all shapes, sizes and colors. You can walk down the aisles of Allens Boots and you will see orange, red, blue, purple and even pink. Some have bold prints to go with the bold colors, and for the not so daring, some are a little simpler. Not to mention, cowboy boots go with every style and every color those designers are putting out there.

Fashion Trend of Spring: Bright Western Wear

Just because it is has a style all its own, it doesn’t mean that western wear can’t be on the cutting edge of fashion. The spring 2008 lines of western shirts by Southern Thread, Panhandle Slim, Rockies and many more are all about bright and bold colors. Let’s face it; life is more exciting when you add a splash of color to it.

Fashion Trend of Spring: Big and Bold Jewelry

No outfit this spring is going to be complete without big and bold accessories, this includes jewelry. Big cuffs, gold jewelry, and natural gemstones, like Turquoise top the list this spring for the hottest fashion accessories. So when you have found your perfect pair of springtime boots, make sure you take a gander at our Montana Silversmiths and Vogt jewelry lines. We are pretty sure you will find what you need to be a fashion icon.

Justin Boots Contest

A pair of Justin Boots is prize enough, but Justin Boots is participating in an even bigger prize: The Wrangler/Justin Boots Academy of Country Music Awards Sweepstakes. The CMAs will go down on May 18th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The award ceremony will be only one of many official events, including a few nights of country music on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas and a celebrity Motorcycle Ride for the Academy of Country Music’s charitable fund. Now there’s a place to wear your boots! Is there any greater combination than a pair of Justin Boots and a fine motorcycle?

Justin Boots Not the Only Prize

The lucky grandprize winner will receive an impressive gamut of prizes, from large to small:

• round trip coach air travel
• 2-nights standard hotel accommodations (double occupancy)
• 2 tickets to the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards
• 2 tickets to the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards’ All-Star Jam and New Artists shows
• ground transportation between Las Vegas airport and hotel
• 2 pairs of Justin Boots (non-exotic only)
• 3 pairs of Wrangler jeans
• 3 Wrangler shirts
• and, a selection of country music CDs

Even if you rope some “non-exotic” boots, any pair of Justin Boots would be pretty nice, especially when it’s enjoyed with that long list of accompanying prizes. Of course, there’s also a long list of official contest rules, but what contest doesn’t have rules?

Hurry Up to Win Your Justin Boots

The contest ends on Mar. 23rd, so hurry up and show your Justin Boots pride. It’s simply a matter of filling out an online form, and there’s no purchase necessary. It’s cheaper than playing the lottery, and the odds are certainly better. Why not enter to win? Good night, good luck, and good boots!

If you were at Zilker Park last weekend for Austin City Limits Music Festival, no doubt you saw a lot of interesting stuff. It’s hard to say what the best part of the festival was. Great live music, (surprisingly) delicious food and even some excitement during the propane fireand then later when a speaker caught on fire during Bjork’s performance.

Though the food vendor lines were usually pretty long, it was worth it to get lunch, dinner and drinks from local Austin businesses at the festival. Chicken cones and beer seemed to be the most popular items that people were buying.

Still, we have to say that there’s one thing that could have made ACL festival a million times better: Cooler weather. Festival goers didn’t stand a chance against the Texas heat and humidity unless they were wearing sunscreen, stayed hydrated and had a hat on their head. Last week, we recommended that everybody going to the festival wear their favorite cowboy hat — and we weren’t kidding. The size and shape of a cowboy hat offers so much protection from sunlight and keeps you cool in the hottest weather. One of our favorites to recommend for events like ACL Fest is a Stetson Hat. Cool and comfortable and hip.

When we were at the festival, we tried counting all the cowboy hats we saw. Apparently a ton of people took our advice — counting cowboy hats in the giant ACL crowd was impossible. We saw everything from Bailey hats (and even a few kiddos wearing children’s Bailey hats!) to Monticarlo hats to Resistol hats. Some even matched up their cowboy hats with Frye cowboy boots. We really wanted to tell those hat-less, sunburned, and sweaty festival goers to stop by Allens Boots and enjoy South Congress, but we were too busy people-watching and enjoying the music.

Can’t wait ’til next year’s ACL Fest.

ACL music festival weekend has come again, and it looks like it’s going to be another scorcher. That is there’s going to be a scorching lineup, with the Reverend Horton Heat, Björk, LCD Soundsystem, Blonde Redhead, and far more bands than we want to type out right now, and there’s also going to be a scorching Texas sky with 90 degree plus heat. Pretty much what we’ve come to expect from the ACL music festival.

We’re not going to play favorites, but if we had to make a choice, we would have to say that the Austin City Limits Music Festival is our favorite music festival around. That’s really saying something, though, considering that Austin is also host to the much larger SXSW music festival. (we might change our minds next spring, but don’t quote us on that).

What’s Cool About ACL?

ACL music festival has two principle advantages over the SXSW music festival. For one thing, the ACL music festival is a South Austin event, and that means you can pull on your cowboy boots and walk right over to the music festival stages from downtown Austin, South Congress Avenue, or even the Allens Boots store.

The other thing we really like about the ACL music festival is that it’s the perfect opportunity for everyone to wear their favorite cowboy hat. Often referred to as a “drinking hat” or “party hat”, a Stetson hat will help keep you cool as well as help you look cool while you’re partying at the Festival.

The big news circling Austin this week has been the White Stripes canceling their show at the ACL music festival, and of lesser importance to us, the rest of their tour. Of course that only leaves more room for Austin locals like KevinMcKinney and One Mississippi.

For all the out of towners who are visiting Austin for the first time for this ACL music festival, we all hope you have a blast. Be sure to take the time to experience the town outside of the ACL music festival grounds — if you get the chance — and take a little something of Austin back home with you.

The 2007 Golden Boot Awards will be held Saturday, August 11, 2007 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, 9876 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.

This 25th Annual Golden Boot Awards show celebrates the legend of the American West in film. The awards show honors actors, directors, cinematographers, stunt men and crew of motion pictures and television.

2007 Golden Boot Honorees include Caruth C. Byrd, Lee Horsley, Shirly Jones, Martin Kove, Walt LaRue and more.

Besides the awards show, there will be cocktails, a silent auction, entertainment, dinner, more entertainment and a live auction.

The 2007 Golden Boot Awards start at 5:00 pm, with the dinner and award show beginning at 6:30 pm. Tickes for the Boot Awards can be purchased anytime. You can buy Golden Boot Award Show tickets by downloading the Golden Boots Award Show Registration form, filling it in and mailing to the MPTF foundation, Post Office Box 51150, Los Angeles, CA 90051.

Proceeds from the 2007 Golden Boot Awards benefit the health and human services, retirement and child care programs of the Motion Picture & Television Fund in Woodland Hills, California.

This is a great show, and the MPTF is a great cause. Saddle on up, head out to LA, and check out the Golden Boot Awards . . . and if you need to get some fancy new cowboy boots for the occasion, head on over to the Allens Boots online Western Wear store. We’re used to catering to Hollywood’s rich and famous, and we’d love to help you look just as good!