Remember When Garth Brooks Played at Bullwinkles in Nacogdoches?

Several weeks ago, I posted the following question on our KICKS 105 Facebook Page:

HOLY COW! I was expecting up to a dozen venues from the past; instead, over 100 East Texas area nightclubs and bars were submitted. Take a look at all the responses here.

Some Of The Most Remembered Live Music Venues in Deep East Texas

Bullwinkles
Jitterbugs
East Texas Stage (Texas Stage)
Cotton-Eyed Joes
Electric Cowboy
Wildhorse Saloon
Shenanigans
Starlight Ballroom
Caraban Club
Dude's Club
Briar's
Snoopy's
Jimmy's
Goat Hill
Sports Shack
Crossroads

Remember When Garth Brooks Played At Bullwinkle's in Nacogdoches?

When I first arrived in East Texas back in the late 1980s, Bullwinkles in Nacogdoches was the first club I visited. Shortly thereafter, I took a part-time job as a DJ there. I asked my friend, Kevin White, who now runs Banita Creek Hall, if he had any photos from artists performing at Bullwinkles. He sent a few to me, including one of a young DJ outfitted in his felt cowboy hat and silky jacket.

Kevin also sent me a couple of pictures of when Garth Brooks performed at Bullwinkles. This took place in 1990, when Garth had just started having success with songs like "Much Too Young To Feel This Damn Old", "If Tomorrow Never Comes", and "The Dance". Later that year, "Friends in Low Places" would launch him to superstar status. Take a look at the photos below and see if you recognize anyone in the crowd.

Quite a few soon-to-be stars took the stage at Bullwinkles. Some that I remember included Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, and Toby Keith, but there were many more. Back in those days, an up-and-coming artist who had scored a hit or two would still be affordable to smaller venues. Unfortunately, that's not the case anymore.

LOOK: These Everyday Photos Show Life in the 1990s as It Really Was

Before smartphones and algorithms, there were AOL logins, floppy disks, mall hangouts, and one family computer everyone had to share.

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

11 Stunning Secrets of Garth Brooks, "Friends In Low Places"

Garth Brooks' "Friend in Low Places" is a song of many legends and — as it turns out — they're nearly all true! From the man who sold it to the woman who leaked it early (and the baby that was born as they recorded it), here are 11 stunning secrets about this 1990 hit.

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes