Hill Country’s Gruene Hall named Music Venue of the Year by Texas Country Music Association

The Texas Country Music Association has named New Braunfels’ 146-year-old Gruene Hall as its Live Music Venue of the Year.

Gruene Hall, which bills itself as the Lone Star State’s oldest continuously operating dance hall, received the recognition at the 8th Annual Texas Country Music Association Awards ceremony Nov. 10 in Fort Worth.

“We’re proud to be the stewards of the oldest dancehall in Texas,” said Ryan Weinbrandt, CEO of Molak Corporation which owns and operates Gruene Hall, in an emailed statement. “It’s not always easy — we’re still sweeping up dust and wrangling the occasional raccoon —  but it’s worth it when we hear people’s stories of their first time visiting. Gruene Hall is a place of legends, and it’s humbling to see it recognized.”

The musical greats that have passed through the hallowed hall include Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, George Strait, Townes Van Zandt, Jerry Jeff Walker, Greg Allman, Lucinda Williams and many more.

But as frequent Gruene Hall performer Robert Earl Keen says, “The road goes on forever and the party never ends.” The venue is still wrangling some of the biggest names in country and Americana almost 150 years into its existence.

Gruene Hall recently hosted ’70s AM-radio hitmakers Three Dog Night for two dog nights, as well as sold-out shows by Shinyribs, Robert Earl Keen, the Wallflowers and hometown heroes Sixpence None the Richer. Granted, though, it’s not hard to sell out the 800-capacity hall if you’re a big enough name. Gruene Hall’s upcoming concert calendar includes Ray Wylie Hubbard on Nov. 22, Gary P. Nunn on Nov. 23 and three nights of Lyle Lovett and his acoustic group in February. More heavy hitters are likely to be announced as the calendar fills in.

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This article appears in Oct 30 – Nov 5, 2024.