Since I was so young, I didn't get to make too many trips to Panther Hall. One Saturday night my mom was
getting ready for work and asked if I would like to go. I was really excited. A real live TV broadcast and I was
going to see it in person!

When I first entered The Hall I was amazed at the size of the place. One huge room with a dance floor, tables and chairs. Appearing tonight, "Tony Douglas and The Shrimpers." I had never heard of them then but a quick search on Google tells me they are still alive and well and touring all over the country.

Since mom had to work the box office I went with an employee, Pat Paterson as I recall, and he took me up some stairs. To the Loft? I think that was the name. I think it was a bar, my memory fails me there because all I can
remember is that it was high up almost near the ceiling and I could look down and see the whole place! It was fantastic!

I remember meeting Bill Mack before the live broadcast of Cowtown Jamboree.  Back then I was never a big fan of country music, but I watched the entire broadcast with wide eyes. Watching how the cameras moved and what went on during a commercial break. After the show I met Tony Douglas and received an autographed picture. I wish I still had that.

When the live broadcast was over, my older brother came and picked me up. It was a night I'll always remember.

12/3/04   Rick - I went to see your Mom at Panther Hall. I don' t remember much about it except that she had on this fantastic black and sliver dress and we went upstairs to a private room for drinks and to meet some people. She was very much "in charge" (surprise, surprise!) It' must have been after I was 21 so it would have been in 66 or later. I was working at a Country station in Lubbock 65-67 so maybe it was connected to that.

The guys who do the Texas-Country music show on KNON in the afternoons know something about Panther Hall and I think they produced a CD of some of the performances.

On Hwy. 156, just north of loop 820 there is a house with a vacant lot next to it where a guy collects "junk." He has a collection of Opel sports cars (Caddette?) from the 70s which were miniature copies of the Corvettes of that era. About 10 years ago (maybe longer) he had the old Panther Hall sign sitting out in that lot.

Hank Thompson was a regular at the Hall. He still lives in Ft. Worth and recently cut a new album. Shouldn't be too hard to find him. You could get a new copy of his cd, call the record company and their Public Relations dept. should be able to arrange a
contact. I'll bet he'd love to talk about the good ol' days.

I have a friend that worked with Bill Mac. Next time I see him I'll find out if there's some info available from him.

My guess is that when the old performers and hangers on hear about your site you'll be flooded with info, pics and maybe even some video.

(very cool that you snagged that URL pantherhall.com)

Note From Rick: I have contacted the P.R. people for Hank and I am waiting for a reply.