Backstage Notes: February 2016

Green River Ordinance returned to the BBT mainstage with friends (Grady Spencer & the Work and Sean McConnell) and the release of their new album “Fifteen”. After the excitement kicked off with Grady on our Honky Tonk Stage and a brief set by Sean on the Main Stage, GRO played for over ninety minutes and then went out to their merch table and signed for all the fans in attendance.

One of our favorite backstage guests Stoney Larue made a stop by the World’s Largest Honky Tonk and had a very jam packed day scheduled. After sound check Stoney had a work out scheduled, went up the bricks on Exchange and ate dinner at Grady Spear’s Horseshoe Hill Café, and did an M&G with around 75 fans and radio winners. You could tell Stoney was feeling the music as he then performed to an electrified audience for nearly two hours. Afterwards he entertained family & friends backstage until the doors closed at 2am.

A class act and who I consider to be the founder and father of the Texas Country Music Scene Robert Earl Keen made his return to the World’s Largest Honky Tonk and absolutely mesmerized the crowd for over ninety minutes.

Treating BBT as a home away from home, Turnpike Troubadours made their return and treated it much like a reunion of types catching up with their family and friends. After a day filled with their family they took their place along the legends that have graced our mainstage over the years here at BBT by signing their logo on the backstage wall and permanently concreting their place here as they set their hands in concrete to be placed on the walls for all to see. Then they entertained a sold out crowd for over ninety minutes.

Roger Creager brought a little bit of the Gulf Coast with him as he returned to BBT with his new album “Gulf Coast Time”. He had an eventful day here at the World’s Largest eating a quick bite over at Los Vaqueros, meeting his fans with a pre-show M&G, entertaining his good friend Tuff Hedeman, and signing autographs at the merch table after a ninety minute show.

Aaron Watson returned to Billy Bob’s after helping us out with a little thing called Billy Bob’s Country Fair in Padua, Italy. It was a day filled with great and professional people as everyone Aaron associates with is a class act. He saw around 60 people in a pre-show M&G, performed over ninety minutes on the mainstage, signed for all in attendance after the show, and entertained a special guest (New England Patriots Center David Andrews).

Tracy Lawrence made a stop here at the World’s Largest, but before sound check he had to get a round of golf in at Wildhorse Golf course on Robson Ranch. After sound check he enjoyed the steak special from the Honky Tonk Kitchen here inside BBT and concluded pre-show activities with a 50 person M&G. After such a hectic day one might think it would take a toll on you, but if it did you couldn’t tell as he electrified the crowd by playing all of his hits for over 75 minutes.

With only his sixth show of the year, Josh Turner took a break from working on a new album to play before a sold out show here at BBT. He had one of the largest M&G’s of the year as he saw over 75 people in a pre-show M&G prior to performing for over 90 minutes.

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Billy Bob’s Doors since 1981
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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
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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
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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
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The bronze statue of Billy Bob Barnett’s mentor
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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
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Willie Nelson played over 50 times
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Tanya Tucker
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Martina McBride first came to Billy Bob's
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Troy Aikman on-stage with Shenandoah
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“Black & Black, Back to Back”
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Shooter Jennings
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Vanna White plays with Blain Gray Band
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The Dancing Machine
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Rock the house
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Farewell to Nolan Ryan
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Guinness Book World's Largest Belt Buckle
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