'Billy Bob's or Bust' - Local boys make good - KLTV.com-Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville, Texas | ETX News
A group of local boys are making good this weekend as they will make their debut at "The World's Largest Honky Tonk."
The four native East Texans will showcase their "raw, real and unapologetic style" as they headline at the famous Billy Bob's Texas, located in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, this Friday night.
Palestine native JB Patterson worked a nine-to-five job in advertising to earn his keep, but his passion, his love, was songwriting. It didn't take JB too long to figure out that in order to break into the music scene, he needed to start a band and sing the songs himself.
Determined, JB held an open-casting. He jokes that he came prepared; with markers, pens, and a pad of paper, JB says he was ready to jot down notes and write on head shots.
As if it were fate, only three people showed up for the audition--Grand Saline's Chris Flores, Mabank's Hayden McMullen and Robert E. Lee grad Gabriel Guevara. Their jam session went so well, JB knew instantly that these three men were "The Moonshine Band."
Right off the bat, the band wrote out a list of goals. Among them, the guys aspired to headline a show at Billy Bob's Texas.
The gang played their first show in February of 2009 at the Half Moon Grill & Saloon in Gresham, one of the band's favorite local hang-outs.
It was official: JB and the Moonshine Band was ready to show East Texas their raw, genuine style; they played every gig that came their way, all while building a loyal local fan base.
In March of 2010, the band got a huge opportunity: they were opening-up for Colt Ford. The band's "country sound and outlaw attitude" drew the attention of Average Joes Entertainment, and just a few months later, JB and the Moonshine Band had a record deal.
Ain't Goin Back to Jail [iTunes|Amazon|Best Buy] hit the shelves in September 2010, comprised of 13 original songs written by the songster himself.
The band's sophomore album, Beer for Breakfast [iTunes|Amazon|Best Buy], debuted at number 4 on iTunes Country Albums chart in early March of this year. On the Billboard Charts, JB and the Moonshine Band's second record reached the number 31 spot on both the Country and Independent Album charts, and the lucky number seven position on the Heatseeker's album chart, a ranking of albums put out by newcomers on the music scene.
The first single, the album's namesake, went to number one on the Texas Charts. No Better Than This, the second single from Beer for Breakfast, is currently on the Top 20 on the Texas Charts. The music video for No Better Than This is airing on CMT, and has reached the number two position on CMT Pure's 12-Pack Countdown.
With one final item left to check-off their original list of goals, JB, Gabe, Chris and Hayden are gearing up to take the stage at Billy Bob's this Friday night in front of the same loyal fans who supported them from the beginning.
It's 'Billy Bob's or Bust.' The band has even chartered a bus for East Texans to hitch a ride to the show. A limited number of travel packages are available through Thursday night at midnight on the band's website. For $35, you not only get a ride and admission to the show, but the guys are throwing in a t-shirt and koozie boasting the anthem, 'Billy Bob's or Bust'.
A second package, complete with ticket, t-shirt and koozie, is available through Thursday night for $20. Tickets will also be available at the door for $12.
"The show at Billy Bob's is the culmination of all our hard work," JB says.
Drummer Gabe Guevara says, "It's a milestone in our career."
And the band couldn't be more excited to check that last box while they perform in front of their favorite people: their family, friends and fans.
Billy Bob's has hosted the likes of Willie Nelson, Pat Green, Garth Brooks and Johnny Cash. Although Billy Bob's is synonymous with country music, artists including B.B. King, Tina Turner, ZZ Top and Pat Benatar have each graced the stage.
Some well-known country crooners credit their stage time at Billy Bob's as being their "big break,' such as Reba McEntire and George Strait.
Lead guitarist Hayden McMullen says Billy Bob's may just be JB and the Moonshine Band's "big break."
So, what's next for JB and the Moonshine Band?
"Now we have to write some new goals," says bass guitarist Chris "Flo" Flores, "We can start attacking those."
JB says what they do next can only be determined by one thing: the fans. But, he promises, "It can only get better from this point."
A new face will don the stage with the band this Friday. A seasoned musician and Houston native, Scott "Skittle" Johnson, will make his debut as the Moonshine Band's newest member this weekend, wielding an instrument JB calls essential to Texas Country: the fiddle.
If you can't make it to Billy Bob's this weekend, you can catch JB and the Moonshine Band at the East Texas State Fair this fall.
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