Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters in Newton

Billy Bob Thornton is an American actor, filmmaker and musician, born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1955. His music draws on country rock, Americana and blues. Alongside solo albums such as Private Radio, The Edge of the World and Hobo, he is the singer and drummer for The Boxmasters, whose records include The Boxmasters and Modbilly. In 2009, Thornton toured Canada with The Boxmasters as the opening act for Willie Nelson. He later headlined clubs and theatres across North America with the group, keeping his live work centered on its country-rock catalogue. The concert is a full-band performance: Thornton handles lead vocals and drums, while co-founder J.D. Andrew plays guitar.

The Boxmasters are an American rock band formed in California in 2007 by actor and musician Billy Bob Thornton and guitarist and engineer J.D. Andrew. Their country rock and rockabilly draw heavily on 1960s pop and the British Invasion, a style they call “modbilly.” The group introduced that sound on the albums The Boxmasters and Modbilly. The Boxmasters made their Grand Ole Opry debut in 2008 while touring behind their first album. In 2009, they extended that early run to Canadian dates as the opening act for Willie Nelson.