Lots of Texans have heard that Bandera, about 115 miles southwest of Austin, is the "Cowboy Capital of the World." It's easy to take the town's word for it, and the old-fashioned architecture helps. On September 7, an event celebrating the anniversary of Robert Earl Keen’s album Gringo Honeymoon brings the history to the surface in a fun way that's worth a day trip.

Gringo Honeymoon was released in 1994, and its mellow country sound has proved largely immune to changing fads — although there are some fun flashes of its birth decade from song to song. A release shares that the majority of Keen’s music was written on his ranch, in a limestone building called the Scriptorium. Built on a hill, it looked over Bandera. This album also features a Bandera building on the cover, so there's plenty of local history embedded in it.

This album cover was shot at a famous destination in Bandera.Album cover courtesy of Robert Earl Keen

The celebration at the 11th Street Cowboy Bar includes both fun and official business. There will be a special ceremony to present Keen with the City of Bandera’s branding iron — a country version of receiving a key to the city. Governor Greg Abbott will also make a proclamation. Keen will also bring special guests and friends for some nostalgic storytelling.

Tourists might recognize the bar for its rustic facade, often pictured with horses and motorcycles outside. Although it's where Keen is pictured on the Gringo Honeymoon album cover, it's less recognizable in part because it's shot so close in the original and in part because the paint has faded over the years. However, a restoration with the same white paint and blue trim has brought it back to its former glory, and Keen will recreate the photo accordingly.

The 11th Street Cowboy Bar restored to its former glory.Photo courtesy of the 11th Street Cowboy Bar

Following 41 years on the road and a final tour, Keen worked with his band to release the LP Western Chill, both a box set and a digital release. Copies of the album will be available at the party; the box set, available online, includes a double sleeve album, a graphic novel telling the story of how the album was written, a music video DVD featuring all the songs on Western Chill, and a songbook.

Rounding out the experience for travelers is a gathering of local food trucks. The 11th Street bar is still in operation, so visitors might consider a beer. Plus, there's plenty more to do including visiting a well-preserved and still-open general store and some local museums. There are several events listed for September 7 on the city's calendar.

More information about the anniversary party is available at banderacowboycapital.com.