Buffalo Roaming: Day Three with Billy Bob and Me

As a part of my “no sleeping allowed” policy, I got up at 8:30, after sitting up talking to my buddy Sonny Edwards until late - thirty. Let me see, I went to bed at 3:30, so that was my five hours. Not my usual quota.

I did a lot of writing, went down for a nice omelet breakfast there at the Hilton, and did some more writing. Soon it was time to hit the road again.

At 4 PM, Merrimack Hall hosted a Q&A similar to Inside The Actor’s Studio with Lynn Hoffman of the A&E Network. The Hall was packed with fans and Billy Bob gave them 100 percent as always.

Lynn is a great moderator, and the whole session was great fun and informative, funny and insightful. Billy talked about growing up poor in Arkansas, eating squirrel and possum, and did an impression of his old preacher at the Methodist church (“We’re semi-Catholics,” he said. “They started the church because they wanted to be Catholics but didn’t want to do confession.”) The pastor had only one arm, and Billy stood to do a hilarious take on the preacher. All in fun, of course.

He talked about his Mother, and her psychic abilities, and how she predicted his Oscar win. He told the packed house that the character Kate Blanchet played in the movie he wrote, The Gift, was based on his mom.

Folks from the audience were brought down one by one to a microphone front and center by BBT manager Lisa Roy to ask questions. Inevitably, one guy asked “Would you tell us bout them biscuits and mustard?” The crowd went nuts. Billy explained that he rarely does the Karl Childers character in public, but for Huntsville, he’d be happy to. So there he sat on the sofa, in sunglasses and smoking a cigarette, and transformed into his most famous character, doing a brief monologue about killing Doyle. He got a standing ovation.

After the Q&A I got to spend a little time with Billy Bob, talking music and stuff. I always enjoy our chats. The guy is well read and brilliant, and could beat anybody at Trivial Pursuit, The Music Edition. We all had dinner together, and again, Billy had some good Southern fried chicken. He really seemed to enjoy that real food. I don’t think he gets much of that in California. Lots of granola.

As showtime came around Donnie Fritts was back and I had a blast talking with him. Then came guitar slinger Kelvin Holly, and pretty soon my buddy Sonny Edwards, a long time GRITZ contributor. Funny thing about Sonny, he walks in and rthe place lights up. Everybody either knows him or thinks they do. We were getting a house full of friends. I love it.

I really got to spend more time with the members of Billy Bob’s band, all of whom are awesome talents and just great folks.

The show was just as good Saturday as it was on Friday. Read the Friday review of the concert and you get the picture. Both nights were simply rocking, and at the end of the show Brad Davis and Mike Butler were shredding on those guitars, Teddy was blowing harp and Marty was thumping and jumping on bass, and J.D. held down a tight rhythm. Sonny leaned over to me while Billy Bob was on drums (Bubba was on tambourine, and dancing his ass off. The real Alabama wild man!) and said, “That man right there is in the pocket son. What a drummer!” Billy Bob rarely sits behind the kit during shows, but when he does, watch out.

After the show we all mulled around talking and shooting the bull. My cell rang and it was my wife Jill. (Oddly enough my ringtone for her is Billy Bob’s most excellent “Heart’s Like Mine,” which he heard and smiled. She had just returned from my step-son Ben’s wedding (love you Ben!) and was so excited. Then I asked Billy Bob to speak to her, which he kindly did. They talked for ten minutes!

I headed back to the hotel worn completely out. I was already missing my friends, especially Lisa, Kristen and Billy Bob. Good people, them is.

I finally hit the sack at 2 AM. At 3 AM, the fire alarm went off, and everyone was evacuated. About thirty minutes later, we were allowed to return. Seems there was water leaking on an alarm and set it off. There were firemen everywhere, as I stood there stylish in my black undershorts and Black Crowes “Remedy” t-shirt. When I did get back to bed, I was out cold. I would awaken Sunday at 11 AM, ready for the party at Coopers. But that’s another story. I am back at Penne’s place typing this, and we are getting ready to go over to Cooper’s now.

Keep it Real. Keep it Southern.
Buffalo