THE HISTORY...
It was 1998 and Rick Smith had a vision. With his years of experience in the music industry, he realized that many of the distinguished legends of country music were without, or in between, record label deals. At the same time Rick could feel the extraordinary energy of fans responding to these artists during their live shows.
Rick Smith approached Billy Minick, then chief of Billy Bob’s Texas, to discuss an idea to document these celebrated artists on live albums. The fit was natural. Billy Bob’s Texas was the reigning king of Honky Tonks. Historically, no other venue had more country music legends grace the stage and the future continued to look promising. Together, Rick and Billy set out to create one of the largest libraries of live country music with Billy Bob’s Texas as the backdrop… “Live at Billy Bob’s Texas” was born.
State of the art recording equipment was installed backstage, with the first artist set to be Merle Haggard on New Year’s Eve 1998, but Billy and Rick agreed that they needed to record someone before Merle to test out the system. Along came an unsigned Texas singer/songwriter with great promise for the future. Pat Green became the first artist to record a “Live at Billy Bob’s Texas” album on December 4, 1998.
Now 50 artists (and counting) are on the “Live at Billy Bob’s Texas” label, from the greatest country music legends to the brightest stars of the future from the Texas and Red Dirt scene.
Live at Billy Bob’s Texas… country music history- one record at a time.
FRONT ROW SEAT...
Live at Billy Bob’s Texas gives the listener a front row seat to concerts at the World’s Largest Honky Tonk. The music series has compiled powerful performances featuring hits from legendary country music artists Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, Eddy Raven, Gary Stewart, Asleep at the Wheel, Janie Fricke and more. There’s also more than a dozen singer-songwriters from the Texas and Red Dirt Music scene including Stoney LaRue, Kevin Fowler, Randy Rogers Band, and even a popular Fort Worth Rock Band, The Toadies.
BILLY BOB'S, A TEXAS TRADITION!
The building now known as Billy Bob’s Texas was built in 1910 and was once an open-air barn used to house prize cattle for the Fort Worth Stock Show. In 1936, as a Texas Centennial Project, the building was enclosed by the City of Fort Worth at a cost of $183,500 and the tower over the main entrance was added. The “new” structure contained livestock stalls, and an auction ring that is now the Billy Bob’s Bull Riding arena. Livestock events were held here until the stock show moved to the Will Rogers Memorial Complex, in 1943. During World War II, the building was used as an airplane factory, and in the 1950′s the building became a department store so large that the stock boys wore roller skates to make their jobs easier.
Billy Bob’s Texas opened April 1, 1981 with national attention featuring with it’s 100,000 square feet entertainment center, more than 30 bar stations, country music’s biggest stars, real Pro Bull Riding, and a Texas size dance floor. It became known as “The World’s Largest Honky Tonk”, where more than 6,000 fun loving folks of all ages could enjoy entertainment every day and night.
For over 42 years, Billy Bob’s has hosted the biggest stars in country music and classic rock from Alabama to ZZ Top. Billy Bob’s has been named “Country Music Club of the Year” 12 times by the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
Visitors to Billy Bob’s are greeted by a history video narrated by George Strait and can enjoy the large collection of memorabilia. Each entertainer leaves a concrete impression displayed on the Wall of Fame. Visitors can see how their hands match up to those of Garth, Willie, or Ringo. The Guitar Bar in Billy Bob’s has 75 guitars autographed by the stars who have performed at the club.
Billy Bob’s gift store offers a wide selection of souvenirs and unique western gifts. The HonkyTonk kitchen features mouth-watering bar-b-que, steaks and burgers along with light meals. Billy Bob’s is a popular facility for conventions, groups, and parties accommodating from an intimate 20 to a Texas-size group of 6000. The unique décor and nightly entertainment make party planning easy!
