Billy Bob Thornton: From Off-Camera to Onstage
When I found out Billy Bob Thornton and his band, the Boxmasters, were playing the Americana Music Festival just a few miles from where I live, I immediately marked my calendar and listened to their double-disc album the entire week leading up to the concert. I’ve always been a Billy Bob Thornton fan when it comes to the movies, but music? This was a must-see.
I got to The Cannery early Friday night (Sept. 19) to get a good spot by the stage. I wanted to see this front and center. Billy Bob and the rest of the band came out dressed in black suits and ties and sported a ‘60s look. Thornton immediately lit a cigarette and kept one going throughout most of the show. He didn’t do a lot of moving on stage, mostly just standing and smoking, but from what I could hear, he sounded great and the band sounded even better. The crowd danced and cheered throughout the entire set, and Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie Louvin even joined him onstage for a memorable rendition of “Knoxville Girl,” a song popularized by the Louvin Brothers.
After a brief wardrobe change, the Boxmasters returned onstage dressed in street clothes with Thornton exposing his tattooed arms with a cut-off “Permian Mojo” T-shirt. (The chant of Texas high school, Permian High, the setting of the book and movie, Friday Night Lights, in which he played the coach.) Women took up most of the front rows and constantly cheered and yelled to Thornton requesting pictures. He graciously posed for several photos and shook hands throughout the entire set. A very enjoyable show and one I would highly recommend seeing in person.
I also enjoyed sets by Shurman and Cross Canadian Ragweed that followed. Both bands were highly energetic and constantly pounded out beat-driven song after song. However, I’d have to say my favorite part of the night was by far the cigarette-puffing and oh-so-interesting Thornton with his talented Boxmasters under Nashville’s Friday night lights.
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RedMaZ says:
Glad you liked The Boxmasters (who are currently at #23 on this weeks Americana Music chart). I have been eagerly awaiting this CD from Billy and the boys. Don’t be surprised if this CD shows up on the Grammy nomination list also. Glad to hear Charlie Louvin was there too. Yet another Country Music Hall of Famer having Americana and Grammy success. Cross Candian Ragweed of course are one of many of my favorite Red Dirt artists. Sounds like it was a great show!
Emma says:
Billy Bob Thorton sounds like a wonderful person and an even better performer! You don’t see many celebities these days that take the time to do something that’s important to you. I’ve only heard of this man a couple times but my dad said that he’s a great actor in Friday Night Lights. I hope more cellebities will catch the drift that we are there to support them and they just shouldn’t act like we are lower than them. Whitney, once again well written article! :)
Patti says:
What a night…how good it would feel to be as fearless as Billy Bob!!! And how ’bout that joke Charlie told!? :) I think Billy Bob needs his own reality tv show…all Billy Bob all the time. There’s no character he could play as interesting as he is in the raw! I’m still laughing about the night. And, yes, I enjoyed the music!