Backstage Notes: December 2015

We kicked off the month of December with a special Thursday Night Live concert with a true ambassador to Texas Red Dirt with not only an excellent performance, but also a 70^th birthday bash with Gary P. Nunn. He headed up to Horseshoe Hill for a pre-show birthday dinner, played a 90 minute set with his friends, and had Joe T’s brought in for an after show meal with enough cake to go around for all backstage here at the World’s Largest Honky Tonk.

Colt Ford returned to the main stage and if he was tired from golfing all day you sure couldn’t tell. Maybe he gained new found energy from his favorite restaurant here in the stockyards as he had dinner at the famous Joe T’s. He saw around 50 lucky fans in a pre-show M&G and performed for over ninety minutes on the main stage.

Cody Johnson and the Rocking CJB band made a triumphant return to our main stage on December 5. Cody and his wife spent part of the day doing a little shopping up on Exchange and enjoyed some of the great food prepared right here in our very own Honky Tonk Café. Prior to the show Cody had a M&G with well over 75 fans and performed to a near capacity crowd for over two hours. After the show he took his place on the backstage wall amongst some of the legends that have played here over our 34 year run.

Prophets and Outlaws made their debut performance here at the World’s Largest Honky Tonk on an electrifying Thursday night. The did a special VIP M&G in conjunction with a promotion with 95.9 the Ranch prior to a two hour show and afterwards they spent hours at the top half of the club visiting with all in attendance.

Mike Ryan played his first performance on the main stage here at BBT. The excitement was evident backstage as he and the band were both nervous and amped up for their debut. It was evident that his fans were equally excited as he held a M&G for nearly one hundred of his enthusiastic fan following. He hypnotized the audience for well over ninety minutes.

The talented Mr. Wade Bowen returned to the main stage here at Billy Bob’s and had stacked schedule ahead of him. He had a Fan club dinner and function over at Cooper’s Old Time Pit BBQ and performed a private backstage M&G for our BBCC members prior to performing for over ninety minutes. Mike Ryan made another appearance backstage as he came out to watch Wade’s show.

Stewart Mann & Statesboro Review wrapped up our fall series of Thursday Night Live here at BBT. They did a pre-show M&G up at their merch table by the fake backstage photo prop prior to performing for over ninety minutes on the honky tonk stage. After the show they signed autographs at their merch table and visited with all in attendance until 1am.

The Randy Rogers Band returned to Billy Bob’s for back to back shows. You never know who will show up backstage here at the World’s Largest Honky Tonk since on Friday one of the backstage guests was none other than J.B. Mauney (two time and current champion of the PBR) was in attendance for Friday night’s concert, and on Saturday Mike Harmier (of Mike and the Moonpies) came over prior to his show at another local venue. Randy did a M&G prior to both shows, and he and the band went out to the merch table after Friday night’s concert to sign autographs for everyone that wanted one.

Who can say they celebrated Christmas with Charlie Robison and Tuff Hedeman (3 time PRCA World Champion Bull Rider), well if you threw on some of those new duds that Santa brought you and came to Billy Bob’s you can. After a playing for over an hour and forty-five minutes Charlie signed autographs and took pictures for all in attendance. What a way to celebrate Christmas.

We wrapped things up for a blessed Christmas season backstage at The World’s Largest Honky Tonk Billy Bob’s Texas with a great night with Casey Donahew Band. What an eventful day for Casey and his band, they began the day backstage with a band gift exchange backstage, followed by a pre-concert autograph session at his merch table from 9 to 9:45, a fan club and radio winner M&G from 9:30 to 10, and a second M&G for our nation’s finest current and past veterans from 10 to 10:25. You would think that with such a packed schedule Casey and the band would be a little tired, but if they were you sure couldn’t tell it by the high energy concert which lasted over ninety minutes.

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40 gallons of whiskey
Merle Haggard made the Guinness Book of World Records for buying the largest round of drinks when he bought 5,095 drinks of Canadian Club for the entire club. The bill totaled $12,737.50 and equaled 40 gallons of whiskey.
Billy Bob’s Doors since 1981
More Than 17 Million Visitors have come through Billy Bob’s Doors since 1981. With it's international notoriety, the club sees visitors from around the world. Billy Bob's truly has carved a niche in the world of country music and entertainment.
47,500 Bucking Bulls
Over the past 30 years, more than 47, 500 bulls have bucked in Billy Bob’s arena. World Champions including Tuff Hedeman, Ty Murray, and Adriano Moraes have all tested their skills in Billy Bob’s arena. Bull riding at Billy Bob’s is often the focus of movie and TV shoots, including specials on Comed...Read more
Billy Bob’s launched own recording
In 1998, Billy Bob’s launched its own recording label - Live at Billy Bob's Texas - to capture the magic of the club's famous live shows. Now totaling over 47 full concert recordings spread out over 3 decades, Live at Billy Bob's Texas, is one of Country Music's most extensive catalogs, featuring ...Read more
Lights, Camera, Honky Tonk
Billy Bob’s Texas has been featured on several TV and Movie screens and has served as the location for several music videos for country’s biggest stars. A number of episodes of the original television series “Dallas” were shot on location. Other shows include “Walker Texas Ranger”, CBS’s “Happy New...Read more
Movies filmed at Billy Bob’s
Movies filmed at Billy Bob’s include: “Over The Top”, starring Sylvester Stallone in 1987, “Baja Oklahoma”, with Lesley Ann Warren, Peter Coyote & Willie Nelson in 1988, “Necessary Roughness”, with Scott Bakula, Sinbad, Robert Loggia & Kathy Ireland in 1991, and “Pure Country” in 1992, starring Ge...Read more
Garth Brooks pointed an arrow
When Garth Brooks signed the famous backstage wall, he also drew the words 'the King' and an arrow pointing to the ceiling. What was up there? A cardboard cut out of none other than ‘the King’ George Strait. That cardboard version of the 'King of Country' is still there today.
Pat Green sold out 15 times
Pat Green has sold out Billy Bob’s 15 times. Pat's first sell out performance occurred in September of 2000. His most recent sell out happened in January of 2015. Pat was also the first artist to record on our Live at Billy Bob's Texas label - his recording was a test for Merle Haggard on New Yea...Read more
The bronze statue of Billy Bob Barnett’s mentor
The bronze statue of Billy Bob Barnett’s mentor, Benny Binion, disappeared during the night after Billy Bob’s closed in 1998. It is now on display at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas.
Filming of Pure Country
During the filming of Pure Country, a disguised George Strait and his wife Norma, came to Billy Bob’s with members of the film crew. They celebrated in Billy Bob’s VIP room. Billy Bob's bathroom was used for a small scene in the movie.
Billy Bob’s is known for discovering new talent
Billy Bob’s is known for discovering new talent. In one weekend in 1982, it paid Reba McEntire $3,500 on a Friday, and George Strait $4,500 on a Saturday – a fraction of what those performers command today.
Willie Nelson played over 50 times
Willie Nelson has played over 50 times at Billy Bob’s Texas. One of his fondest memories is riding a horse into the showroom. In 2004, Willie brought his 4th of July picnic to Cowtown, drawing an estimated crowd of 10,000.
Tanya Tucker
When Tanya Tucker was asked what she wanted on her tombstone, she replied “She’s not here, she’s playing at Billy Bob’s." Tanya has been a 30-year friend of the club, delivering dynamic performances every time she stops by.
Chris LeDoux at his first Billy Bob’s show
LeDoux, a former rodeo cowboy who had worked on the labor list for Billy Minick, said at a CMA Event "My name is Chris LeDoux and someday I'm going to get to play Billy Bob's". In January of 1992, he arrived to play his first Billy Bob’s show in a motor home with a small equipment trailer.
Martina McBride first came to Billy Bob's
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Troy Aikman on-stage with Shenandoah
Troy Aikman once jumped on-stage with Shenandoah in the 90’s to sing a version of ‘Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys’. Troy was a regular fixture backstage and a good friend of the club.
“Black & Black, Back to Back”
Clink Black played the Tarrant County Convention Center and Billy Bob’s booked his brother, Kevin Black. The show drew a large crowd suspecting Clint might show up at his brother’s performance. He didn’t, and the next day’s paper read “Black & Black, Back to Back."
Shooter Jennings
Shooter Jennings used to attend the club with his father, Waylon Jennings and his mother, Jessi Colter, as a child. Shooter has since become an American singer songwriter active in the country music and Southern rock genres.
Vanna White plays with Blain Gray Band
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The Dancing Machine
Wendell Nelson started giving dance lessons at Billy Bob's at the end of 1981. He's taught more than 100,000 people - including Julia Roberts and Paula Zahn. Wendell can still be found teaching couples dance lessons on Sunday and Monday nights, as well as leading the line dance lessons every Thurs...Read more
Rock the house
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Farewell to Nolan Ryan
One of the greatest pitchers of all time - Nolan Ryan - developed a long time relationship with the club. On September 12th, 1993, Ryan's 'Farewell to a Legend" retirement party was held at Billy Bob's. Film star, and Angels' owner Gene Autry - attended the event.
Guinness Book World's Largest Belt Buckle
The largest belt buckle is 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) tall, 2.59 m (8 ft 6 in) wide, achieved by ESPN in partnership with Kelly Graham (Both USA) at “ESPN The Magazine’s NEXT BIG Weekend” in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, on 3 February 2011. According to event organizers, the facade of the aluminum buckle paid h...Read more