History of Billy Bob's Texas

Above, Billy Bob's Texas last January. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Billy Bob's Texas posted a little history of their building and club on Facebook.

Mitch Geriminsky and I visited it in January during our trip to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. I had been to Billy Bob's back in 1984 with the California Reagan Delegation during the 1984 Republican National Convention. It was everything I remembered about it.

Here's their post:

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 Billy Bob’s Bull Riding arena. Livestock events were held there 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.

On April 1, 1981, Billy Bob Barnett and Spencer Taylor brought their Urban Cowboy themed night club to life when they opened Billy Bob’s Texas.

THE WORLD’S LARGEST HONKY TONK

120,000 Sq. Feet | 6,000 Capacity | 30+ Bar Stations & Two Stages

Texas-Sized Dance Floor | Bull-Riding Arena | Restaurant | Private Event Spaces

At the height of the Urban Cowboy craze, Billy Bob’s enjoyed unrivaled success -- sold out shows, A-list celebrity special guests, and a waitlist for VIP access to members-only Texas Club.

After closing briefly in 1988, the club reopened with a little help from some well-known and respected Fort Worth families. Billy Minick, Holt Hickman, Steve Murrin, and Don Jury shared a love for the Stockyards and were determined to return Billy Bob’s Texas to its status as a premier destination for fans and artists alike.

The ‘Class of 89 - Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Clint Black, Travis Tritt’ kicked off their meteoric rise to stardom on the main stage and the house band stage, cementing Billy Bob’s amongst the ranks of iconic Texas landmarks. And every weekend for almost four decades, the bulls were real, the neons were bright, the music was good and the beer was cold.

For the last 40 years, Billy Bob's Texas has hosted the biggest names in live music and entertainment. Legendary performers from all genres saw their rise to stardom begin in the hallowed halls of our beloved honky tonk. The road to Red Dirt country runs right through our building. We’ve been honored as ‘Club of the Year’ over a dozen times by the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. Stories from our stage are told and re-told to every new generation of music fans.

But Billy Bob’s Texas is more than a historic entertainment destination. It is a testament to the sights and sounds of the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards and a nod to the traditions of cowboys, cowgirls, and country music.

Above, yours truly enjoying a beer at Billy Bob's. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

 

If one is visiting the Dallas/Fort Worth area, a visit to Billy Bob's Texas is well worth it.