In 1989, a newcomer from Oklahoma played his first show at Billy Bob’s Texas. With a crowd of 500 people, who each paid $5 a ticket, the singer offered to sign autographs from the stage for anyone who wanted one, and then later went backstage to place his hands in concrete. His name was Garth Brooks.

Garth played his last show at Billy Bob’s to date November 21, 1990. A month prior, Brooks played the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. Billy Bob’s was unable to promote the November date until Brooks takes the stage at the state fair. To promote the show Billy Bob’s CEO, Billy Minick, hired an airplane to fly a banner announcing the Billy Bob’s date over the crowd at the state fair. Brooks noticed the plane and its message from the stage. Enthusiastically, he pointed up, and said, “I guess you know where I’ll be playing next.” Tickets to the show sold out in 12 minutes the next day. And to top it off, Garth even judged a “Garth Brooks Look-Alike” contest at that show.