ADVERTISEMENT

AOL Radio

Listen to AOL Radio Now
play arrow
Top Country - Today's Hottest Hits
Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts
play arrow
'90s Country - '90s Biggest Hits
Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, George Strait
play arrow
New Country First - Today's new country hits
Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Sugarland
Online Radio Guide

Exclusive Interviews

Chats with your favorite country stars.

Exclusive Performances

Watch live, in-studio performances.

Blogroll

Billy Bob Thornton Changes His Name

When you're a celebrity, it's hard to be just "one of the guys," but that's all Billy Bob Thornton really wants to be -- a band member, one of The Boxmasters. In fact, in the music world, he's not going by Billy Bob at all. His musical alter ego is W.R. "Bud" Thornton.

"Bud sounded like a good name for a guy who is a Boxmaster," Thornton tells The Boot. "In the beginning, we were going to downplay me a lot. But sometimes they won't let ya," he continues with a laugh. "We made up this whole story, kinda like the Traveling Wilburys who all had different names, but then we thought we don't want it to be like we're trying to trick people. When you look at a record cover and I'm on it, there's no mystery. But I used the name because I simply like being part of a band. I don't like to be the star of something."

Thornton says after three solo records and the release of two Boxmasters projects, the press is finally beginning to accept him as a musician.

"In the beginning there was a backlash," he admits. "'Beautiful Door' was a real good record, if I do say so myself. It was a record that got a lot of good critical acclaim, so it started to change on that record. By the time we got to the Boxmasters, we actually had people that didn't even mention me as an actor anymore, which made me real happy."

With the Boxmasters' third album, 'Modbilly,' set for release April 21, Thornton says it infuriates him when people call him an actor who is trying to sing. He insists music is his first passion, and he hopes the Boxmasters' name will eventually be as famous as his own.

"It's a band; it's not just my name out there," Thornton says. "I will tell people when we come on a TV show, 'Just call us the Boxmasters,' and you can bet your ass it's going to say 'Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters.' Obviously, they want viewers, and they think I'm going to talk about my ex-wives and blood drinking and all those other fantasies they have."

Thornton has made more than 60 films but has played music all of his life, starting out as a drummer in his uncle's country band when he was a young child.

Actors Who Rock

    KIRSTEN DUNST, known for dating musicians, is now making some music of her own. The actress is writing a musical she's been working on for a few years.

    Soul Brother/FilmMagic, Getty

    JESSICA BIEL recorded vocals for the soundtrack of her movie 'Easy Virtue'.

    Matt Carr, Getty Images

    Steve Spatafore, Getty Images

    KEVIN COSTNER has a six-piece rock group called the Kevin Costner Band.

    Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images

    Actress KIM KARDASHIAN told E! in Sept. 2008 that she'd "be down" to make an album "if it was something fun. I love music, so it would just have to be the right thing."

    Bryan Bedder, Getty Images

    'House' actor HUGH LAURIE also plays piano and calls himself a "frustrated musician." He has also composed and recorded numerous original songs.

    Gregg DeGuire, WireImage

    The actor collaborated with Jim Brickman on the soundtrack of 'Cinderella' and released his debut album, 'A Long Time Coming,' in Sept. 2008.

    Lisa Lake, WireImage

    SCARLETT JOHANSSON's album of Tom Waits was released in May of 2008. She debuted her pipes on stage with Jesus and Mary Chain at Coachella 2007.

    John Shearer, WireImage

    Actor JOAQUIN PHOENIX, who portrayed Johnny Cash in 'Walk the Line,' is recording an album with Charlatans singer Tim Burgess. (Photo by E. Charbonneau, WireImage)

    MICHAEL CERA -- Impressed with his vocals and guitar skills in 'Juno'? Makes sense as he's had practice in his band, The Long Goodbye.(Photo ny Doane Gregory, Fox Searchlight)

All the AOL Music info you want to know

Toby Keith, Kristen Bell to Host CMT…

The Boot

(C) Arlene Richie/jpistudios.com/Frazer Harrison, Getty Images Toby Keith and…

Billboard Music Awards 2012 Winners:…

The Boombox

Getty Images The 2012 Billboard Music Awards took place at the MGM Grand…

Rock Star Stage Names: The Stories…

Noisecreep

Getty Images (3) Marilyn Manson, Slash, Gene Simmons... their names have…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

31 Comments

Filter by:
hotrodflatlander

billy bob ought to change his name to : hey, I told you I was a dumb ass....another interview with a wealthy dick head.

April 12 2009 at 12:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lenhy

well bill bob ass....acting is where you made your friggin money not with the boxmasters... the boxmasters will only go anywhere if you let people mention you are or were an actor....you ass wipe

April 12 2009 at 8:46 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
malusd

What is Wiiliam Robert doing now!!

April 08 2009 at 10:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Knoxjeffries

bb is a great guy i love him in ay thing i am also a good southern girl and yes we do have amuch cleaner state than ny. love u bb

February 20 2009 at 8:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Randy

I've always thought he was a really good actor and I'm sure he'll be a good "Rock Star" too.

February 20 2009 at 6:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ali

WHY are all these actors, now trying to be in a
band? because thats whats cool now!! i have no idea
how good any on them are, i just hate actors, most of them, i use the word loosley.. most are not
actors, anyway i dont care, what they do, just stay
out of politics!!

February 20 2009 at 6:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
izzya219

billy bob was just out of the limelight for too long and needed something to spice things up so he changes a name.

HOW ORIGINAL!!!

February 20 2009 at 6:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sidlow7932

I heard Billy Bob or W.R. Bud Thornton in concert recently. They were the warm-up band for Willie Nelson. I am a musician myself and thought although several of the Boxmasters were accomplished musicians, they were far too loud and not very entertaining. BB smoked through the whole thing and was his charming self at the microphone. I like his acting--he has talent there---perhaps he should stick to it.

February 20 2009 at 5:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lcoderone

HECK LOOK WHOSE YAKING ANOTHER NUT...FROM THE LONNEY BEEN.

February 20 2009 at 5:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bopco

I don't mind him wanting to be a musician, but to hear he becomes furious about being called and "Actor" trying to sing, can knid of piss someone off... He's a fantastic Actor, who's played many diverse roles rather well... He should show a lot more respect for the trade that got him the money to be an actor, trying to sing... Cause Man, even if he ain't have bad as a singer, he'd have never cut any records, with his money's help... He is kind of old to become a "New Singer" and he was an Actor for years

February 20 2009 at 5:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply