If you're going to call Billy Bob Thornton an actor, don't do it to his face. The Oscar winner is now concentrating on his music career, as a singer, songwriter and drummer for country-rockers The Boxmasters. So, when Thornton visited Canada's CBC radio station on Wednesday, he was more than a little miffed that the host mentioned his Hollywood career.Thornton was visibly annoyed and stayed quiet during the first half of the interview, with the exception of the occasional "I don't know." But it was when host Jian Ghomeshi asked about his musical influences as a child that Thornton finally started to speak up, even though he didn't exactly answer the question.
"I subscribed to a magazine called Famous Monsters of Filmland," he said. "They had a contest where you could build your own model -- a King Kong ... Frankenstein, Phantom of the Opera. I entered it once but didn't win anything."
"And where does the music fit into that?" asked a perplexed Ghomeschi.
"Music? It was a monster magazine," Thornton answered, glaring at the host.
"But given that you're passionate about music ..." Ghomeschi continued.
"Would you say that to Tom Petty?" Thornton barked.
"Would I say that he's passionate about music? Yeah," Ghomeschi answered.
"Would you explain why it's not a hobby?" Thornton asked.
"Are you reacting to the fact that I said you ..." Ghomeschi replied, obviously realizing that Thornton was angry at even the slightest mention of his acting career.
"Yeah, I am, since you're instructed not to talk about s--- like that," said Thornton. "That wasn't supposed to be mentioned ... We also said that we didn't want to hear anything about how this [music] is my 'first love.' You wouldn't say that to Tom Petty, would you?"
Ghomeschi argued that he only mentioned Thornton's big-screen accomplishments to give context, and that he indeed was interviewing The Boxmasters as a band, not asking a single question about movies. But Thornton argued that he'd rather not have the two worlds collide and only wanted to be known, at least in this interview, as a member of The Boxmasters. The musician argued that his band has plenty of context without having to interject the Hollywood connection.
Thornton's annoyance with being known primarily as an actor is nothing new. He told The Boot in our own conversation with him that he is tired of his films overshadowing his music.
"Whenever anyone says I'm an actor making a record, I tell them to kiss my ass," he told us in a very candid (and much less awkward) interview, during which he also announced that he's changed his name for his music career to W.R. "Bud" Thornton.
The Boxmasters are set to release their fifth studio album, 'Modbilly,' on April 21. It will include one disc of original songs and a second disc of covers. The band is currently on tour with Willie Nelson and Ray Price.
Watch video of The Boxmasters' CBC radio interview here.
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Reader Comments(1 of 1)
artherapycenterat 4-08-2009
Bud, relax. When you react like that YOU look like the jerk, not the other guy. You're talented, period.
jomac52653at 4-09-2009
Despite his great skills as an ACTOR, he has always come across as a someone too weird to be called "common as dirt". Take that weirdness away, his acting skills away, and he'd be working in a convience store down South, if he could find the work. I find it disgusting how these celebrities condemn people who acknowledge their past artistic work. Maybe if he was really comfortable with his skills as a singer/musician, he wouldn't be so testy. And that is exactly what this is all about. Poor Billy Bob doesn't have any confidence in himself. Poor guy...BooHoo...
jazzygc1at 4-09-2009
We know Tom Petty, and you sir are NO Tom Petty!
RAYat 4-12-2009
EXCELLENT JAZZY
Christinaat 4-10-2009
Billy-Bob (very fitting name) Do you faintly hear the banjo from the old film deliverance playing your song?? After reading and seeing your behavior during this interview I see your charismatic personality shine right through. You most assuredly think highly of yourself. I see a rude pseudo-sophisticate bastard with the intelligence of a worm. Perhaps you would be better off looking into some Gingko Biloba for your memory laspe! You have fame and money from past FILMS. Get over yourself! After seeing this we are certainly OVER YOU!
Bobat 4-11-2009
No I think most of you have it wrong about Billy Bob. I watched and heard the radio interview. He was there stritly to speak about music. That is an entire genra from his known movie interests.
I think all he was doing was making the point that movies and acting had nothing to do with his music interests. He simply did not want he DJ or the audience to bring acting into focus for this iterview, but stick with music as the subject. I could see how this would cause him to build a wall and not commit to the DJ's control of the interview. Cut the guy a break. He is not PHOENIX who is simply "Coked" up all the time and not dealing with reality. Different dude.
Deena Greenbaumat 4-12-2009
There is no good reason to react so disrespectfully to the radio interviewer. Nothing bad was said. Mr. Thornton over-rates himself. Obviously people aren't that impressed by him. The Canadians bood him out of Canada, and his band no longer opens for Willie Nelson. Attitude can make you or break you.
Deena Greenbaumat 4-12-2009
What makes Mr. Thornton so egocentric. He's a mediocre actor, and should be happy for the advertising that he is getting, instead of finding fault with an interviewer. Your loss Mr. Thornton. They bood you out of Canada. No bad deed is left unnoticed.
cullencoven2008at 4-12-2009
Billi Bob
Your bands trying to promote your Albums. ummmm how many did you make in a year ? You acted like a complete ass during the interview . You made the announcer CRINGE talking to you . I wouldnt purchase your music . OH your HOLLYWOOD . So you think you have power. You know I just might go buy a BOB DYLAN Or TOM PETTY CD today . Billy Bob . Snap out of it . YOUR NOT GOOD . YOUR BAND IS .....:)
honestman2009at 4-12-2009
I would like to say that Bob , you can come accross
a little different , but I think you done exactly like i would do; you seemed to be the type to let the world know of all your capabilities , and not just music. I enjoy your Movues and your music, BROTHER>> Keep Making good movies and you'll be
GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
C. N. Masonat 6-25-2009
Egoism always causes a never satisfied ego-neediness which effects everything the egoist does. Humility, on the other hand, allows a musician to perform for no other reason than to give joy to the listener. When one has the capacity to love one's fellow human beings, which is what humility actually allows, one need not "seek" to be loved, the love will always be there. Thus wisdom decrees that for a happy life, one needs to opt for humility and let humbling truths lead one to it. Blessings - Chuck