Everything IS Bigger in Texas!
If you would have asked me two months ago to listen to country music, I would have said no way. While traveling through Texas, there were excessive amounts of country music beaming from the radio, so I guess I had to take a liking to it. While traveling to Fort Worth I could not believe I was in Texas. It’s probably the farthest I had driven all the way from Pennsylvania. My friends and I went to Billy Bob’s, the largest Honky Tonk in the world. If line dancing is your thing, you have to visit this place. Even if you do not like country it is worth the trip.
“What is a Honky Tonk?” I asked. Though my friends told me vaguely that it was a bar, I had no idea it was a bar that played constant country music.
As we entered there must have been twenty- some pool tables, a giant bull, and a giant cowboy. A place to eat, gift shops and an area to line dance. It’s a very large place such that when you walk in, your eyes have to wander and keep looking at all the different things, you have to make sure you don’t go cross eyed.
I smell fried food. My friends must have too because they wanted to sit down and eat dinner. The menu had the word ‘fried’ after everything.
We eat dinner. I eat chicken fried chicken. It is an interesting salty dish that makes my mouth water for an ice cold Lone Star beer. Now that our stomachs are full of southern soul food, we attempt to ride a mechanical bull. Unfortunately it is shut down for the night. The place is not packed because we are there on a Thursday night. The hoppin nights are Friday and Saturday, but we enjoy each other’s company. We watch some guys play pool who are wearing plaid shirts and cowboy hats and boots. I must say the southern men are gentlemen. They tip their hats and say:
“Evening ladies.” We politely say hello. The shiny hardwood floor of the dance stage sparkles as people’s boots clash on the wood. I think I heard a couple of ‘yeehaws.’
As I keep watching I see that my heel starts tapping on the floor. I tap the front to the right to the back and quickly shift to the other leg.
“Am I line dancing?” My friends laugh and say, “Yes, yes you are.”
We watch the others line dance. And for what seems like a fluke as my friend from Texas tells us, it’s raining, it’s pouring actually. We head out, but before we do I dance to one more song. The people never stop dancing and the music never stops playing.
Today I can recognize Jason Aldean on the radio. I can appreciate a good country tune, and I don’t second guess wearing plaid and a cowboy hat, and high boots.
So even if you are not a country idol you can still enjoy good food, great company, and grand dancing at Billy Bob’s in Texas!
Comments (3)
That’s exactly true. Lots of things out there that are ridiculous in size, especially those country dance clubs…
Yeah! Billy Bob’s has recently had some hot shows (although of older personages) like Loretta Lynn and Willie Nelson, legendary names in the country/Texas scene. Sitting tickets to the shows have been in the $40′s range.
Billy Bob’s is located in the “Stockyards” district of Fort Worth. This is where the cattle were driven to market back in those days when people still wore six-shooter side arms. There are many other famous stores in this district including Leddy’s Boots (high quality, hand-made) and plenty of steak houses. Step back into time- the Old West.
I have been in Fort Worth for a few years for school and love it.
Sounds like a great trip Marissa! One of the best things about travel is what you pick up along the way, like a brand new appreciation for country music! And even some unknown line-dancing skills…yeehaw!