Texas Bucket List

Texas Bucket List

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Simmons Bank
  • About
  • Videos
  • Shop
  • Map
  • Blog
  • Where to Watch
  • Contact

The Texas Bucket List – Gruene Hall in Gruene

September 13, 2021 by Shane McAuliffe

Gruene – Just about every weekend, Texans from all over the state paint the town of Gruene. The assortment of shops and restaurants is a reliable reason for many folks to come out here but the true Emerald in these parts is a dance hall with one heck of a history.

“I just love Gruene Hall. I love talking about it, love being here,” said manager Shane Roch. Shane has a unique nickname in this neck of the woods, he’s known as Roach and Shane has been hanging in this hall that was built in 1878 since 1998. Despite his time at Gruene Hall, he hasn’t moved up much in this music venue. “I’m a manager at Gruene Hall, yes sir. It’s a very long ladder. Well, my boss has been here for 47 years almost. So, it is a long curve,” said Shane.

The reason he’s not higher up on the management chart, the folks above him brought Gruene Hall back to life in the mid 70’s. “So, if you were up there having a beer at the bar (back then) and you had to go to the restroom, you’d have to kind of wade your way through a lot of junk and antiques or whatever to find the restroom back here,” explained Shane.

Apparently taking a little break from the bar led to an inspiring moment for owner Pat Molak and his business partner Mary Jane Nalley. “He said he had to go pee and he walked back there and said, ‘Hey, there’s a dance hall back here. We should do something with this place.’,” said Jeff.

Nearly 50 years later, it’s now a fundamental stop for dancehall dreamers in Texas. “When I first started working here, it was like going to Austin City Limits to go to work every night because everybody you’d see on Austin City Limits would play at Gruene Hall on a Saturday night. It’d be like Gary P. Nunn, Jimmie Vaughan, Bruce, Charlie, Willie. Willie didn’t come around for a while, but you know, it was just like that. It’s like these are the famous people you can see on TV but you can also be in the same room as of work-end,” explained Jeff.

Texas music legend Gary P. Nunn knows a thing or two about taking Texas to the country and he’s played this hall countless times. “It’s cool to experience something that’s this old that’s been preserved and is vital as it is. It’s just one of those classic places and it is blessed to be sitting on the banks of the Guadalupe River where thousands and thousands of people come every weekend,” said Nunn.

“Gary P. Nunn is great. I mean, that’s pretty much the essence of the Gruene Hall music experience right there because that guy is a founding father of the Texas music scene as well. He’s just been hitting it for 50 years now, just doing the same thing every night, and nobody goes away mad. Everybody’s happy to see Gary,” said Shane.

And that’s even though this open-air dance hall can get a little steamy on those hot Texas nights. “It’s hot as hell in there, but the beer is very cold. And that helps a lot,” joked Shane. “For years and years and years, all we had was the Hunter ceiling fans as our main form of air conditioning. Well, it’s a swamp cooler. We can’t get too modern,” joked Shane.

Gary started playing Gruene Hall not long after it re-opened in 1975 and he’s seen crowds of every size here. “It makes me feel good because I can remember it hadn’t always been this way. It’s really gratifying to have a packed house, a sold-out house, and everybody really being into what you’re doing,” said Gary as he looked to the sky to express his gratitude.

And it’s not just legends like Gary P. playing here. George Strait played this small little dance hall in 2016, and Garth Brooks did it in 2019.  “That was the biggest spectacle I’ve ever seen here. That was wild. It was really cool, though. Who brings their own jumbo-tron? Garth Brooks. Yeah, that’s who,” said Shane.

It doesn’t matter who you end up seeing at Gruene Hall because no matter the music, it’s always music to the ears on The Texas Bucket List. “It’s family oriented. We’ve been bringing our daughter here since she was like 14 years old. She’s seen Gary P. Nunn for probably the last 14 years since we’ve been bringing her,” said longtime patron Caprice Bush.

“It’s important that we preserve these mementos of our history because it’s so important, it’s a German dance hall, German community, German history, American history, and Texas history. It’s all intermingled and intertwined here in a lot of these communities around Texas,” explained Nunn.

“It’s honestly so cool, just to be around here with a lot of people that aren’t your age and just feeling at home and just feeling like you fit in perfectly is just the best feeling you could ever have honestly,” expressed visitor Jordyan Bush.

Filed Under: All Videos, Texas Music

The Texas Bucket List – Waymore’s Liquor Store

February 13, 2020 by Shane McAuliffe

Littlefield— Former country music star Waylon Jennings began his life and career in the little town of Littlefield.  Sitting high on the Llano Estacado, finding a libation in this little town isn’t as laborious as picking the cotton in these parts.

All you have to do is drive to the center of town to visit Waymore’s Liquor Store where you’ll find one of the town’s native sons.

“James D. Jennings…I just happen to be Jimmy Jasper James D, that’s what my daddy called me. [I go by] James Jennings…Or whatever will get me in the door,” joked James Jennings.

James has a unique connection to one of the most celebrated singers of country music— he’s the last living brother of Waylon Jennings.

“I’m the third one down… there’s Waylon, and Tommy, and me, and then my younger brother, Bo, we called him, Phillip Dole was his name… Last man standing, like Willie’s got that song, I guess, yes,” said James.

Waymore’s is way more than just a liquor store, it is a sanctuary of special things relating to the relationship James had with Waylon.

“I needed somewhere to put this stuff I had,” he said.

Don’t’ let him fool you, James loves telling stories about his big brother.

“You know, you get to sit and watch somebody more or less get plum out of a cotton patch right to where he made it in country music. I’d say that’s pretty neat,” he said.

It all starts in an old house just north of town where Waylon Jennings was born in 1937. Back then, Bob Wills was King and cotton farming was commonplace.

“We [were] just dirt poor people,” said James. “My daddy, he would be out in the farm working somewhere, and we’d go with mama to the cotton patch, she pulled cotton, but when you’re poor, and you’re growing up and everybody around you is in the same shape over there where we lived at, you don’t realize it. You think… everybody else is the same way, but they’re not.”

“And this is Daddy, and this is Tommy, and that’s Waylon, and I’m the hood ornament. And see them guns right there? That’s what they got for Christmas. Mom and Daddy got him on Kodak. Saved her money up, when she took that picture… that was on Christmas day,” he recalled as he pointed to a family photograph.

By the time James came around, Waylon was already playing guitar. At the age of 12, he had his own local radio show and would play with anybody, anywhere he could.

“Anybody that was involved in music that could go out halfway keep a beat, well he had them as a band member,” said James.

The early memories of Waylon’s career in country music makes James feel like a kid again, but when talking about the 70’s and 80’s, when James was able to experience life with Waylon, that’s when things got interesting!

“It’s 1,056 miles from here to Nashville, I can tell you,” said James.

“Waylon was going at it pretty hard, but he was just a hell of a good ol’ boy,” he said. “He liked having fun, having a good time, and don’t bother nobody, don’t hurt nobody, but just don’t take [nothing] off nobody.”

Turns out Waylon was exactly as you’d imagine him.

“There’s two or three things I can tell you about Waylon. His first love in his life was that guitar. His second love in his life would getting on that stage and singing and entertaining. His third love was chasing women,” said James.

Then there were the Highwaymen.

“Got your money’s worth out of that show, I promise you,” said James. ”That’s me, my wife, my step daddy, mama, Tutsi, Jesse Coulter, and June Carter Cash. We went to Mirage in Vegas, at the Highwaymen tour. It was [a] sure good show.”

James continued to recount his memories of his time with Waylon in the country music world.

“You sitting on the bus, and Hank Williams Jr. comes out there, and and sits around the bull, and Johnny Cash. You get sat around, and listen to them guys talk, and talk to them, and they visit back and forth, and every one of them that I ever met were just good ol’ boys. Most of them are, well I don’t think they was quite as poor as we wer maybe, but they was brought up on red beans and fried taters just like we was, and they know what it’s like, and they’re just good ol’ boys, just got the talent to sing. God give it to a few. He didn’t give it to all of us,” said James.

Before you know it, you’re talking about all the hits and the show that started your Saturday morning.

“Dukes of Hazzard…I get gobs of people come in here talking about their Dukes of Hazzard car, and getting in front of the TV, and playing Dukes of Hazzard, jumping everything with it,” said James.

Getting a chance to hear firsthand accounts of what life was like for the Jennings and all the music legends they got to live life with makes Waymore’s Liquor Store a lively stop on The Texas Bucket List.

“We have a lot [of people] for this [the museum], and well, we sell a lot of liquor, too,” said James.

Filed Under: All Videos, History, Museums, People, Texas Music

The Texas Bucket List – The Powell Brother’s perform “Whatever’s Left”

October 23, 2018 by Shane McAuliffe

Here are The Powell Brothers out of Houston with their song “Whatever’s Left” performed at Hurricane Harry’s in College Station.

Filed Under: All Videos, Texas Music

The Texas Bucket List – Travis Parker performs “Rolling Stone”

May 11, 2018 by Shane McAuliffe

Travis Parker performs “Rolling Stone” at Hurricane Harry’s in College Station.

Filed Under: All Videos, Texas Music

The Texas Bucket List – Zane Williams performs Slow Roller

March 24, 2018 by Shane McAuliffe

Zane Williams performs “Slow Roller” at the Lakeside Icehouse in Bryan.

Filed Under: All Videos, Texas Music

The Texas Bucket List – The Powell Brothers perform “Coming Home”

February 21, 2018 by Shane McAuliffe

The Powell Brothers perform “Coming Home” at Hurricane Harry’s in College Station.

Filed Under: All Videos, Texas Music

The Texas Bucket List – Clayton Gardner performs “Buy You A Drink”

January 24, 2018 by Shane McAuliffe

Clayton Gardner performs “Buy You A Drink” at Lakeside Icehouse in Bryan.

Filed Under: All Videos, Art, Entertainment, People, Texas Music

The Texas Bucket List – Keeton Coffman Performs “Let Her Go”

October 22, 2017 by Shane McAuliffe

Keeton Coffman performs “Let Her Go” at the Grand Stafford Theater in Downtown Bryan.

Filed Under: All Videos, Art, Entertainment, People, Texas Music

The Texas Bucket List – Mario Flores performs “Lone Star Heaven”

October 22, 2017 by Shane McAuliffe

Mario Flores performs “Lone Star Heaven”  at LSA Burger in Denton.

Filed Under: All Videos, Art, People, Texas Music

Season 9 of The Texas Bucket is List Premieres September 9th

September 2, 2017 by Shane McAuliffe

The show dedicated to EVERYTHING there is to see, do, and experience in the Lone Star State is gearing up for its ninth season! Entering out 5th year on the air, The Texas Bucket List has been bringing exciting Texas stories, fantastic food finds, hidden gems, and amazing annual events into the homes of viewers since 2013 and will continue to do so on Sept. 9 during the first episode of the fall season.

TBL fans can expect to see an expanded palate on the show this year, including a tour of Central Texas BBQ stops in the season opener. The Texas Bucket List Burger of the Week segment will be returning this season as host Shane McAuliffe continues to find meaty treats almost as unique as the state they are made in.

The show will also feature interesting things to do in the state where everything is bigger and better that may inspire a few tall tales. Among these experiences are a Prairie Dog Park, a long standing Christmas ball, and Canton Trade Days, to name a few.

With more excitement, food, and action than ever before, the ninth season of TBL is one you won’t want to miss. It’s no secret that Texans are proud of the state they call home.  Shane McAuliffe’s interactions with people all over the Lone Star State make it easy to see why Texans are so proud of this great state.

The Texas Bucket List airs on 23 markets television markets and has won seven Telly Awards.  TBL has also been nominated for seven Lone Star Emmy Awards.

For more information on The Texas Bucket List, visit TheTexasBucketList.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pintrist.

TO TEXAS!

Filed Under: All Videos, Annual Events, Art, Bizarre, Burger of the Week, Destinations, Entertainment, Food, Fun For Kids, History, Museums, Outdoors, People, Places to Stay, Previews, Science/Nature, Texas Music

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 5
  • Next Page »
go to the top
Copyright © McAuliffe Productions, LLC. Website
Made in Texas by Drift