Gruene Hall

Gruene Hall, built in 1878 by Henry (Heinrich) D. Gruene and located in the historical town of Gruene, Texas (now a part of New Braunfels), bills itself as "the oldest continually run dance hall in Texas". By design, not much has physically changed since the hall was first built. The 6,000-square-foot (560 m²) dance hall with a high-pitched tin roof still has the original layout with side flaps for open-air dancing, a bar in the front, a small lighted stage in the back, and a huge outdoor garden. Advertisement signs from the 1930s and 1940s still hang in the old hall and around the stage.

Under the current ownership, Gruene Hall has become internationally recognized as a destination tourist attraction and major music venue for up-and-coming as well as established artists. Gruene Hall has hosted such acts as Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, LeAnn Rimes, George Strait, Townes Van Zandt, Jerry Jeff Walker, Lyle Lovett, Hal Ketchum, and Gregg Allman. Tracie Ferguson, the booking agent of 30 years, is credited with starting the original music approach that has made Gruene Hall an iconic music venue, helping to jump-start the careers of Lovett, Townes Van Zandt, Ketchum, Bruce Robison, Nanci Griffith, Ryan Bingham, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, Robert Earl Keen, Lucinda Williams, and many others.

Films and photography

In 1996, the hall was used as a set for Michael, starring John Travolta.

In 2006, Gruene Hall was shown in the movie Coyote Funeral.

In 2009, George Strait's album Twang CD cover and insert photos were taken at Gruene Hall.

In 2019, ZZ Top did interviews and played live music for many parts of the documentary That Little ol' Band from Texas at the dance hall. At the end of the documentary, they walk out to the front of the dance hall in Gruene, with a clear view of some of the town, and drive off together into the horizon.

In 2021, Gruene Hall was featured in an episode of the TV show Landmarks: The Stages of Country Music (S01 E02).

Album and music video recordings

In 1989, Jerry Jeff Walker recorded his live album Jerry Jeff Walker – Live At Gruene Hall.

In 1994, Wade Hayes shot his country music video "Old Enough to Know Better" at Gruene Hall.

On November 16, 2016, George Strait gave a private surprise show at Gruene Hall, to perform a nearly two hour set in celebration of his then new album, Strait Out of the Box: Part 2.

On February 16, 2019, LeAnn Rimes recorded Rimes: Live at Gruene Hall during a live concert at Gruene Hall, which was released on April 13, 2019.

In 2022, Scotty McCreery filmed his music video "Damn Strait" at Gruene Hall. It holds a special meaning to McCreery since he is a George Strait fan and its the venue is where George Strait started and where he got his record deal which launched his career. After the video was released George Strait gave it his approval. The song turned out to be a #1 on Country Radio for McCreery.

List of past performers

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Comal County, Texas
• Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Comal County

References

Bibliography

• Gilliam, Luke (2008). Pat Green's Dance Halls and Dreamers. ISBN 978-0-292-71876-0.
• Folkins, Gail (2007). Texas Dance Halls: A Two Step Circuit. ISBN 978-0-89672-603-1.
• Vokac, David; Vokac, Joan (2009). The Great Towns of America. ISBN 978-0-930743-10-9.
• Schultz, Patricia (2012). 1000 Places to See Before You Die. ISBN 978-0-7611-5686-4.

External links

• Gruene Hall web site
• Gruene Historic District web site