Beau Simmons American, b. 1990

Artist Journal Entry:
"Gruene Hall, built in 1878, is celebrated today as the oldest continuously operating dance hall in Texas. It was never designed with a backstage greenroom or a side entrance. The music artists had to walk through the crowd from the front door to enter onto the stage. Now, if you ask anyone in Texas about Gruene Hall, you’ll hear all kinds of memorable stories, but the one that resonates the most is the story about Willie Nelson. In 1998, Willie Nelson was booked for a flood relief benefit concert. The hall was packed beyond capacity, making it practically impossible for him to traverse the crowd to reach the stage. Recognizing the challenge, Willie’s tour manager tactfully requested an alternate route. In response, long-time audio technician Dennis Peek and others on staff improvised a solution: they removed a segment of chicken wire from a side window, propped up some road cases or makeshift steps, and created a covert entrance just large enough for Willie and his band to slip quietly through. This improvised entrance quickly became known as the “Willie Door,” an unofficial yet charming part of the hall’s lore. Over the years, the entrance evolved. Stone steps, a formal swinging door, and even a door handle were added, turning it into a beloved tradition among visiting artists. Today, entering through the Willie Door is seen as a symbolic rite of passage—many performers are honored to use it, while some respectfully choose not to, out of reverence for Willie Nelson’s storied career. It has become one of the few physical alterations to the nearly unchanged historic layout of Gruene Hall.

When I was conceptualizing this photo, I knew I wanted to capture a previous time period of what this place might have looked like on any given day in the 1990s. We staged old pickup trucks parked in front and brought in two cowboys on horseback to represent true Texas spirit, as if they were wrapping up a long day of work and were coming to the Hall to join in on the fun and unwind from a hot summer day with a few cold beers in mind. From cowboys to music artists, models, and locals, we lined the front of the building with various personalities to create an honest portrayal of the energy surrounding Gruene Hall. People stopped as they walked by to admire the concept, sharing smiles and waves as they drove past the busy intersections. After the shoot wrapped, we enjoyed a few cold beers inside and spent about an hour or so sharing stories with one another. This is my dedication and addition to the many memories that live within these walls. I call this artwork, Great Times at Gruene Hall."