Read Billy Bob's nostalgic love letter to our favorite record stores in a little piece he's written for NPR.

Food News

From the "That Burger's About the Size of Texas, Mr. President" Department

K-Bob's Steakhouse Features BBT's Hideaway

The Sorocco El Defensor Chieftain (one of the best newspaper names we've ever heard) reports that John Woodworth is the new operations director for Billy Bob Thornton's Hideaway, a mini-restaurant bar and grill adjacent to the famous K-Bob's Steakhouse located in Sorroco, New Mexico.

Woodworth has devised a menu with an average entrée price of about $7 and a selection of 20 rare wines from around the globe. Entrees includes the secretly spiced Armageddon Burger on a Kaiser roll, plus beer batter fries, which Woodworth serves with Roseblum Zinfandel from Paso Robles, California. Additionally, Woodworth has instated Wednesday Night Wine Dinners and a wine club called the Hideaway Club. As the El Defensor Chieftain puts it, "The Wednesday Night Wine Dinners consist of a three-course dinner paired with three wines specially selected by Woodworth. The price of the dinner is $19.99 per person and starts Wednesday, May 13, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Membership for the Hideaway Club is $40 per month and includes an engraved wine glass, a wine club T-shirt and four wine dinners." Hey! Sign us up!

The restaurant, located at 1123 NW Frontage Road in Sorocco, hosts its grand opening Friday, May 1, at 4:00 p.m. Call (575) 835-2900 for further information.

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BBT in Wii Arachnid Smackdown!

As Billy Bob speaks from the darkness, you'll see rapid flashes of imagery foretelling events to follow -- you won't know what to make of it right off, but as the levels progress and the details flow, it'll all come together. Even without all the pertinent information, though, Billy Bob's opening sets the mood for the adventure to come: a little mysterious, very uneasy -- something's definitely gone wrong and it's up to you to figure out what and why.--Matt Casamassina, IGN Wii

We've been hearing buzz that Billy Bob and his old pal Bruce Willis might be doing a movie based on the XBpx 360 game Kane and Lynch: Dead Men. From VE3D.com, we now learn that Billy Bob has paired with fellow Academy Award Nominee Dennis Hopper to voice THQ Inc.’s new creepy critter thriller Wii game Deadly Creatures. Billy Bob and Dennis Hopper play a pair of prospectors who wander through the background, providing commentary and narration, and possibly some deadly drama higher up the food chain. Now, IGN has just released video and web reviews

“What surprised me about Deadly Creatures is how it looks…like watching a movie,” comments our Billy Bob (who voices the character of Wade). “The scorpion and tarantula are like two actors meeting up for a gun fight.”

“Gamers are really going to love Deadly Creatures,” adds Dennis Hopper.

The game includes 10 levels of action and a chapter of exclusive interview and commentary by Billy Bob and by Dennis Hopper.

Nick Wlodyka, General Manager, Rainbow Studios, stated, “Billy Bob Thornton and Dennis Hopper’s involvement as the voice talent for the human characters in Deadly Creatures is a testament to the game’s high level of quality . . . The AAA talent helps bring this cinematic storyline of greed and betrayal to life in a one-of–a-kind action-thriller exclusively on Wii.”

Deadly Creatures is described as "a third person action-thriller set amidst a desert world of venomous terror, exclusively for Wii. Players control an armored Scorpion and a deadly Tarantula as they fight for survival against Gila monsters, lizards, black widows and many more terrifying creatures." (Do we detect product placement by Raid and the Orkin Man?) Slated for worldwide release in February 2009, Deadly Creatures will feature intuitive motion controls and a deep combo-based combat system and promises "a thrilling mix of brutal, creature-crushing action and suspenseful exploration of vast 360 degree desert and man-made environments. Gamers will explore this darkly compelling story through the eyes of two of the world’s most deadly creatures." For fans of THEM! and GIANT TARANTULA, this is a dream come true.

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From the Man Goes Where Only Cows Have Gone Before Department

BBT and the Polish Brothers Spread MANURE

Photo: Los Angeles Times

Billy Bob has just returned from Sundance 2009, where he promoted his return to Mark and Michael Polish country in MANURE, a heartland comedy about fertilizer salesmen competing in Kansas during the 1960s. Our hero joins a fertile cast: Tea Leoni, Kyle McLachlan, fellow ASTRONAUT FARMER castmate Jon Gries, Frances Conroy, Ed Helm, Pruitt Taylor-Vince, D.W. Moffett, and (yahoo!) the wonderful Brent Briscoe (all-time champion stalwart vet of numerous BBT films, including SLING BLADE and A SIMPLE PLAN). The film has been shot up at Gene Autry's old Melody Ranch studio in Santa Clarita, California. The Hollywood Reporter notes that the Brothers Polish labored over the art direction, examining myriad shades of brown until they narrowed their palette down to ten types. We're sensing possible product placement from UPS and Bandini. Wanna watch the teaser trailer? Click here!

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Poodie's Picnic

The Boxmasters will join a stellar, down-home lineup for the big picnic in honor of the late Poodie Locke on Sunday, June 28th. Willie Nelson's beloved manager of 35 years may be gone, but he's not forgotten, and we can't think of a better way to ring in the summer than to join Hisfineself, Micheal, J.D., and the rest for this (we hope fire ant-free) hoedown in Poodie's honor.

For $20, you get the full day of entertainment (that's from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.). The roster of all-stars includes not only The Boxmasters, but also Hill Country legends Billy Joe Shaver and Joe Ely, Reckless Kelly, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Cory Morrow, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Gary P. Nunn, Bobby Boyd, James Hand, Carolyn Wonderland, Paula Nelson, Folk Uke, Waylon Payne, Scotty Emerick, and more!

They'll be rolling out the red and white checked tablecloth at Tim's Porch at The Backyard at 13101 Highway 71 West in scenic Bee Cave, Texas. I can practically taste the jelly  jar lemonade right now! Visit GetTix.net to buy advance tickets and PoodiesPicnic.com for more information.

How can you not want to visit a place called Bee Cave, Texas?

Remembering Stephen Bruton

This is just been a bad year with the losses of Natasha Richardson and Poodie Locke. Now comes word that guitarist Stephen Bruton, a favorite BBT sideman on his many solo projects, has left us after a battle with cancer. He was 60. The Los Angeles Times published an outstanding obituary, including a photo of Stephen with one of the artists he supported for over 40 years--Kris Kristofferson. He had recorded and performed with Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Jimmy Buffett among many others. Two weeks before he died, Stephen had finished work on the music for a film titled CRAZY HEAT produced by T. Bone Burnett. He lived a life of great talent and purpose. We highly recommend his solo CD Split World, and you can check out his other albums at Amazon.com. By the way, that little picture shows him hard at work on stage with Billy Bob in Atlanta in 2003. Peace out, Stephen.

From the "Silvio Would Want You to Tune In" Department:

SIRIUS XM Radio's Mojo Nixon Talks with The Boxmasters

Mojo Nixon, the irreverent music host and musician, will chat with The Boxmasters (Billy Bob Thornton, J.D. Andrew, and Micheal Butler) in Billy Bob’s home studio (aka The Cave) for an in-depth, exclusive interview to air on SIRIUS XM’s Outlaw Country channel. The Boxmasters will speak candidly and openly about their new album Modbilly as well as other surprise topics during the daily uncensored thrill-ride of a show hosted by “The Loon in the Afternoon.”

SIRIUS XM listeners will also hear the premiere of an exclusive unreleased Boxmasters track, “It Only Hurts When I Pee.” A different segment from the exclusive interview will air everyday beginning June 22 through June 26 at 6:00 pm ET.  

Tune in to Outlaw Country, SIRIUS channel 63 and XM channel 12.  

Mojo Nixon hosts his show weekdays from 4:00–8:00 pm ET on SIRIUS XM’s Outlaw Country channel, SIRIUS channel 63 and XM channel 12.

Outlaw Country, created and executive produced by E Street Band member “Little Steven” Van Zandt, is home to the freaks, misfits, outcasts, rebels and renegades of country music. The channel features shows hosted by Cowboy Jack Clement, Mojo Nixon, Johnny Knoxville, Steve Earle, Shooter Jennings, Hillbilly Jim, Marty Stuart, and Fred Imus. Outlaw Country listeners will hear all three generations of Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, David Allan Coe., Emmylou Harris, Dale Watson, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakam, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Band, Buffalo Springfield, The Byrds, and many others.

For more information and rebroadcast times, please visit www.sirius.com/outlawcountry, www.xmradio.com/outlawcountry.

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The Boxmasters Return with MODBILLY

The Boxmasters return with their most powerful record to date, Modbilly, their third release on Vanguard/Sawmill Records. Produced by W.R. "Bud" Thornton and J.D. Andrew, Modbilly reflects another great leap forward for The Boxmasters.

As with their acclaimed 2008 debut, The Boxmasters, Modbilly offers two sides of one compelling story. Disc one features twelve self-penned songs that are the most intensely felt, moving songs to ever appear on a Boxmasters recording. Such standouts include "Hollow Walls," "Going Home," and the haunting "Turn It Over," written by Thornton and Brad Davis. (Click here to hear a sample of "Turn It Over").

Disc two includes an eclectic assortment of cover songs reflecting The Boxmasters taste and sensibility in a fascinating style: Tom Rush's "Merrimack County" to the classic country song "Half A Mind" (originally made famous by the great Roger Miller) to the Rolling Stones' "As Tears Go By" to John Hartford's "Gentle On My Mind." Yet, no Boxmasters release would be complete without the wit and wisdom one has come to expect reflected in the original wonderfully titled, "That's Why Tammy Has My Car."

With Modbilly, The Boxmasters (W. R. "Bud" Thornton on drums, lead and harmony vocals, J.D. Andrew on bass and guitar and harmony vocals and Mike Butler on guitar/Dobro and lap steel) have created an impressive musical double dose that makes a courageous, life-affirming statement.

The Boxmasters also contributed the bonus track "Yesterday Got in The Way" to Keep Your Soul: A Tribute to Doug Sahm (Vanguard), which is available to consumers who purchase the CD from iTunes.

Click here to learn more about enterting the exciting new Gritz/Swampland contest to meet The Boxmasters!

And here's the current Music Connection magazine review: The Boxmasters - Modbilly (Advance Double CD, Vanguard, Pop/rockabilly)
The third Vanguard release from The Boxmasters is a pure upbeat feelgood experience. This double CD set includes a disc of original songs and a disc full of cover tunes. For our bucks, the originals offer up the real meaty treats here. The band's original tunes merge ideas and sounds from country, pop, and rockabilly...and they are presented simply without a lot of unnecessary garbage muddying up the mix. At the heart of it all are those smooth, groovy vocals. The Boxmasters write and record the kind of music that could easily be appreciated by just about anyone who likes good, direct, toe-tapping pop music. Twelve kickass tracks on the first CD including "Heartbreakin' Wreck," "Hollow Walls," "New Mexico," and "I Never Let You Cry." The second disc is entertaining but not nearly as entertaining as the first (mainly because we think the band's own tunes are superior to most of the tracks they cover!). Some of the covers are rather effective ("A Dime At A Time," "The Lord Knows I'm Drinkin'") while others don't quite hit the target ("As Tears Go By," "Eleanore"). With springtime breaking out all over, this album is bound to be a big hit all around the globe. Smooth, slick, instantly likable stuff... (Rating: 5)

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Meet a True FOBB (Friend of Billy Bob)

May We Interest You in Some Swampland?

One of our favorite people out there in the Planet Billy Bob universe is the tirelessly supportive Michael Buffalo Smith, the drawling dynamo behind Swampland.com and publisher of Gritz webzine. Here's a photo of Billy Bob with Michael that we stole without permission from Michael's Web site.

Michael shows Billy Bob the true potential of a soul patch.
Photo copyright Swampland.com. Don't hurt us, Michael, okay?

In case you haven't visited Swampland.com, you can't consider yourself a serious connoisseur of Southern music, culture, literature, folklore, style, sports, or savory eats until you surf there. Swampland.com, Michael's copiously illustrated and fabulously written labor of love racks up an impressive 10,000 web hits A DAY!!!! And where else on the Web can you find a navigation tab titled "Victuals"?

To view the ultimate online cornucopia (this side of your You Tube collection, okay, Judi?) of Billy Bob videos, visit the Billy Bob Thornton Six Degrees of Swampland Page, where you can also check out a primo collection of links to Michael's Gritz Magazine articles on Billy Bob.  Follow the Buffalo Roaming blog to get the lowdown on unique concert experiences (like Benefit for a Brother, a concert in Macon, GA, to raise money for Sid Yochim, the longtime bus driver for the Charlie Daniels and Allman Brothers bands). One could get lost for months checking out all the stories, videos, links, and legends that abound on Swampland.com. The place deserves its own Smithsonian Building!

Here's what Billy Bob has to say about Buffalo Bob: "Michael Buffalo Smith as a musician, writer, critic, and southern music historian really gets it. His taste and deep appreciation for the real thing are qualities that inspire all of us in his wake. And it's a big wake."

We should add that one of the highest compliments Billy Bob ever pays anyone is to say that he "gets it." We dare say that what the great Harry Knowles has done for the Web and the movies, Michael Buffalo Smith has done for Southern Culture. For his efforts, the Web is a cooler, more deep-fried place to hang out. And after we've taken down this little appreciation about him, Swampland.com will become the first online entity to sport a permanent logo link on the Billybobapalooza home page--because Michael Buffalo Smith is part of our family!

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Coffee Fool Brews Up Special Boxmasters Blend

Looking for something with that certain Waffle House je ne sais quoi? Coffee Fool has conjured up a smoky, Italian-roasted (and why not? Billy Bob's part Italian and he smokes!) Kona blend to celebrate the launch of The Boxmasters' debut CD.

How would you like that ground? At Coffee Fool, you can get a 12-ounce or 2.25-pound bag ground to your exacting specifications: Whole Bean, French Press, Coarse Grind, Perk, Drip Grind, Grindhouse (no, wait, that's a Tarantino flick), Very Strong Drop Grind, Very Fine Grind, Turkish, and Espresso. Like Billy Bob himself, it's a little bit country, it's a little bit rock 'n' roll.  If the up-tempo ballads don't rouse you from your post-roadhouse stupor, then a shot of this stuff'll cure whatever ails ya.

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From the "I Get Knocked Down, But I Get Up Again; You're Never Gonna Keep Me Down" Department

Update! Central Point Students Plant New Trees

Billy Bob Thornton, Jr. Gets Grounded with Nemo, Two Other Trees

Something really rotten happened to the kids of Central Point Elementary School, but a responsive community, caring teachers, a plucky reporter, and the resilience and optimism of the kids themselves proved that it you can't cut down the positive, American can-do spirit!

As reporter Buffy Pullock wrote in the Southern Oregon paper The Mail Tribune, "After planting 10 sweet gum trees near the playground and giving them names and birth certificates last November, Central Point Elementary students were shocked and dismayed (January 19) when they found three of them—Billy Bob Thornton and "twins" Cocoa and Crystal—cut down and covered with salt."

The trees were part of a schoolwide project coordinated by Mack Lewis, a fifth-grade teacher, who raised the sweet gum trees for two years from seedling to sapling stage so that the students could take part in planting them. Each tree was adopted by a class at Central Point Elementary School, named by the students in each class, and given a birth certificate. In Mr. Lewis' class, a young student named Gage—who, we hear, is a big fan of Billy Bob's—suggested that his class name their tree Billy Bob Thornton. The class voted to name the tree after our man. They also had trees named Theodor, Tokyo, and Tater Tot, all planted last November.

As Buffy Pollock reported, Mr. Lewis expanded the lesson so that the students understood the greater community impact a single tree can have once it's planted. "Lewis said the tree plantings taught students lessons about vegetation, the environment and taking the necessary steps to properly plant the trees within city codes, property lines and without interfering with utilities. '"We went through every possible process to make sure we were doing it the right way,"' he said."

Several children discovered that three of the trees had been cut down over the weekend and informed Lewis of their heartbreaking discovery. "The kids were doing laps and came up and said, 'Mr. Lewis, Billy Bob Thornton is dead.' " (Just typing that gives our Webmaster the willies!)

When Billybobapalooza got wind of this story, we checked in with Central Point Elementary School's principal, Brock Rowley. Happily, Mr. Rowley had good news for us. A diligent investigation on the part of local police officials turned up the culprit, a mentally unstable neighbor who imagined that the trees might hide criminals who could menace the kids. However well-meaning her intentions were, she was cited for trespass and criminal mischief.

But there was more good news! Central Point Public Works Director Bob Pierce announced that the city would provide three trees to replace Cocal, Crystal, and Billy Bob Thornton.  But the community support didn't end there. As Mr. Lewis reported on his classroom blog, "Shooting Star Nursery on Taylor Road in Central Point, Four Seasons Nursery on Crater Lake Avenue in Medford, and the Lombardo’s home nursery in O’Brien have all offered to donate replacement trees. (The Lombardos have offered seedlings grown from the historic Bidwell Park gum trees in Chico, California.) Josephine County has invited CPE students to participate in a reforestation project, and the Oregon Heritage Tree Project has invited Room 15 kids to participate in a special activity. Dale Wall, a retired CPE teacher, stopped in and provided a cash donation to be put toward the re-planting. The City of Central Point has offered to donate trees and the services of its crew to make sure the job is done right. The students in Jaime Hartt and Rebecca Campbell’s Contemporary World Issues class at Crater High sent personally-written cards expressing condolences for the loss of the trees. Lastly, the personal staff of Billy Bob Thornton (not the tree, but the actor) has contacted us to express that Mr. Thornton is saddened by the loss of the trees and would like to help."

When we did contact the school to offer help, they didn't ask us for money or trees or even an autographed picture. What they asked for was a statement to encourage the kids.  And this is the statement Billy Bob issued:

2-3-09
Don’t let anyone kill your dreams. Just keep planting. If they cut them down again just plant more. They’ll eventually get tired of fighting your strong spirits. Special thanks to Gage for naming a tree after me.
All The Best,
Billy Bob Thornton

Mr. Lewis reported that the "City of Central Point will be leading classroom representatives in the planting of four crepe myrtle trees along 2nd Street on February 17th. But that’s not the only news. Since our Tree Project saga appeared in the Mail Tribune, support for replanting has continued to grow. In addition to the organizations and individuals identified in our earlier posts, Terry at Peaceful Hill Nursery in Rogue River has volunteered his product and knowledge. The Medford Office of the Bureau of Land Management has offered its assistance and has invited Room 15 kids to visit one of its forest nurseries . . . . We’ve scheduled a presentation by the Oregon Tree Project for March 3rd, at which time we hope to begin mapping Central Point’s significant trees."

And since then, more good news. Replant, the students of Central Point Elementary did. As Buffy Pollock's delightful follow-up story in the Mail Tribune recounts, Gage and his stalwart classmates (including Tori, Raven, Jordan, Griffin, Logan, Cedric, Ben, Wesley, Ricardo, Anthony, Aerial, and Sierra, among others from Mr. Lewis' 5th grade class and Mrs. Kelly Soter's 3rd grade class) donned official Central Point city hard hats, protective eye gear, and day-glo orange safety vests, and dug in with spades to place four crepe myrtle trees along 2nd Street. Camera crews from local TV stations captured the happy event as the kids, assisted by city crews headed by Bob Pierce and Don Dunn, put their horticulture skills to work. While two of the new trees have yet to be named, the newly christened Nemo joins them and Billy Bob Thornton, Jr. in their mission to create lasting shade for the elementary school's playground. (Click on the links to see cool pix of the kids planting the trees!)

But wait, there's more! On Friday, February 13, Mack Lewis's Class 15 took part in a special reforestation project in Josephine County. That project, founded by Ross Roe of Roe Motors, has fostered the successful planting of nearly 51,000 trees by 10,000 students in the last 20 years. That's a lot of Billy Bob Thornton, Jrs.! The sapling in protective mesh that you see in the lower center of the photo is marked with a stake that has a tag bearing Billy Bob's name and the year 2009.  According to Mack Lewis, "According to Josephine County Forestry, student plantings have about a 90% success rate, while professional crews typically attain only a 60% success rate, so this Billy Bob tree has a good shot at a long life!"

If you need a shot in the arm for good cheer, check out how a community and its educators can take terrific care of their children and teach them the value of stewardship of our natural resources. You can visit Mr. Lewis' Web site for his 5th grade class. It's called The Daily Playpus!

As if the story couldn't get any sweeter, this site's Webmistress (that would be me) just picked up seven wonderful, handwritten letters to Billy Bob (including two to me! Yahoo!!!!) from the class. Sweet!!!! Rest assured, kids, Billy Bob will be reading them very soon!

And Ricardo and Raven? You are very, very welcome!--Amélie

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Damon and Stella Foundation Appeal

Billy Bob Thornton is currently appearing in a public service announcement to encourage the public to learn more about suicide prevention. The video, shot by Josh and Dario Gildrie, delineates the shockingly high numbers of people in this country who suffer from some form of mental illness. Billy Bob expresses the feelings of isolation and confusion that can overwhelm those who suffer depression, schizophrenia, and other serious conditions.

Established in 2006, the Damon and Stella Foundation For Mental Health is an alliance of artists and health care professionals dedicated to expanding cultural awareness of mental disease.  With over 30,000 completed suicides in the United States each year, and with 250,000 to 790,000 estimated attempts, they aim to draw attention to this crisis through aggressive communication, compassion, and community campaigns. Billy Bob joins Randy Travis and Greg Halsted in helping to raise public awareness.

The Damon and Stella Foundation's Web site includes a gallery of striking original artworks donated by the artists to raise money for the Foundation's PSA efforts. Visit today and show your support!

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What rhymes with Billy Bob Thornton?

Thanks to Planeteer Patrice Gerrior, you can hear the answer on her song, Crush On You.  Patrice's gritty ballad of lovin' on ya devotion to Hisfineself is the Official Song of Planet Billy Bob.  Click here to sing along with Patrice!

Say Hey to Billy Bob!
Want to send Billy Bob a message he'll actually read? Visit our MySpace and Facebook pages and leave us a greeting! Throw in a picture (Billy Bob likes to see photos of his fans!) and Webmistress Amélie will print it out and personally deliver it to Billy Bob (now that she bought a refurbished color printer from a mysterious Russian connection).  We can't make any replies (we get thousands of posts, and Billy Bob does not know how to compose or send an e-mail to save his life), but he will read and enjoy each and every one. And click here for more Contact Information.

Check Out Billy Bob's Music You Should Hear picks on Amazon.com!

BBT for Free!

We still have scads of unsigned black and white glossy photos of Billy Bob from All the Pretty Horses, as well as headshots from MONSTER'S BALL.  We'd love to give one to you for free!  See our Contact info for more details!


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All Things Billy Bob Since August 1, 1998.  Yep, that's 11 YEARS!!!!

We Are The Official Billy Bob Thornton Website.

© 1998 and 1999 (by Lily) and 2000-2009 (by . . . Like the Wind Productions/Lonesome Rogues Design).  This page is for entertainment purposes only and is not intended to make a profit.  Commentary and eldritch attempts at humor reflect the opinions of the webmasters Amélie and Sage and not the opinions of Billy Bob Thornton or his representatives. Read our full disclaimer here.