The Longhorn Ballroom stands as a cornerstone of Texas music history. Built in 1950, this Dallas venue has hosted a who’s who of musical legends across genres. From country stars to blues icons, the Longhorn’s stage has seen it all.
Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys first called the venue home. Known as Bob Wills’ Ranch House, it served as a showcase for Western swing. The ballroom later changed hands, eventually landing under the ownership of Dewey Groom in 1958. Groom renamed it the Longhorn Ballroom and steered its course for nearly three decades.
During its heyday, the Longhorn hosted a dazzling array of talent. Country music greats like George Jones, Willie Nelson, and Loretta Lynn graced its stage. The venue also welcomed blues and R&B stars such as B.B. King, Ray Charles, and James Brown. This mix of genres made the Longhorn a true melting pot of American music.
The Longhorn’s history includes some surprising chapters. In the 1950s, Jack Ruby briefly managed the venue before his infamous role in the Kennedy assassination aftermath. The Sex Pistols’ rowdy 1978 performance became the stuff of punk rock legend, ending in chaos and cementing the venue’s place in music lore.
Despite its storied past, the Longhorn fell on hard times in recent years. It changed owners several times and closed its doors in 2019. But the story doesn’t end there. In 2021, Edwin Cabaniss, owner of the Kessler Theater, purchased the Longhorn with big plans for its future.
Cabaniss and his team poured $10 million into renovations, with the city of Dallas chipping in over $4 million for area improvements. The revamped Longhorn Ballroom reopened in March 2023, ready to write its next chapter.
The new Longhorn aims to honor its roots while moving forward. Its lineup features a mix of country, Americana, R&B, and rock acts. The venue now boasts state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, bringing it into the 21st century while preserving its historic charm.
Visitors to the renovated Longhorn will find nods to its past throughout. A gallery wall showcases photos of past performers, while a special exhibit highlights Bob Wills and his band. The venue even uncovered and preserved a piece of an original Western mural during renovations.
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The Longhorn’s iconic sign, a Dallas landmark in its own right, still stands tall. It now holds a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, with plans to add the entire venue to the register in the future.
Looking ahead, the Longhorn team has big dreams. They plan to add an outdoor amphitheater and a recording studio to the property. Pop-up restaurants and chef collaborations are also in the works. The goal is to create a living museum of music history that serves both artists and fans.
With its rich past and bright future, the Longhorn Ballroom stands as a testament to Texas music. It’s more than just a concert venue – it’s a piece of cultural heritage brought back to life for new generations to enjoy.