LEGENDS OF THE LONGHORN

The Guthrey Club

From the late 1950s to the late 1960s, the venue that would eventually become the Longhorn Ballroom operated as two distinct spaces under one roof, separated by a common wall. The larger room catered primarily to country music and was known as the Longhorn Ranch, while the smaller space, the Guthrey Club, focused on emerging genres like rockabilly, blues, and rock and roll. This intimate stage served as a launching pad for many artists who later performed at the ballroom and larger venues across the country.

Notably, Rockabilly Hall of Famer Gene Watson played weekly gigs at the Guthrey Club, which also hosted the first on-site performances of iconic artists such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Roy Orbison, Bo Diddley, and Freddy Fender, as well as one of T-Bone Walker’s final performances.

Under Dewey Groom’s management, the Longhorn Ranch flourished. In 1967, a major renovation took place, which involved removing the common wall and the smaller stage, allowing the venue to expand into the Longhorn Ballroom. While this renovation led to the closure of the Guthrey Club, its spirit and legacy continue to resonate.