Gruene Hall

Gruene Hall in Texas has all this fabulous history.  Built in the 1880's it is the oldest dance hall in Texas and many country legends have performed there over the years.  Willie Nelson, George Strait, Jerry Jeff Walker, Lyle Lovett just to name a few. 

We went in tonight to have a beer and listen to the band.  It's really cool with an old wooden floor that has seen many a two-step.  There are stages on both ends of the hall, a smaller one up front and a larger one in the back.

The band tonight was using the smaller stage, so we sat on the edge of the larger stage to relax and listen.  I was totally absorbing the history, vibe, and ghosts of country stars who've long outgrown the place.  I told the two Steve's I was going to go walk in the steps of Willie and I walked up on the empty stage.  I pictured Willie and the boys on this very stage, their notes still resonating, their sweaty hand prints still on the door jam leading to the dressing room. 

I thought I would go check out the back-stage dressing room.  Exited stage left, went down the steps, and there was a dark hallway.  There was an ancient cigarette machine in the corner, and the smell of beer, smoke and ummm..... something else.  I walked a few more steps and and there I was face to face with Willie, well someone's willie.  It was now the men's restroom.  How embarrassing.  If I had entered the hallway from the dance floor like a normal person instead of from the stage I would have seen the big ol Texas sized "Men's Room" sign.

It was still cool.