Willie Nelson photo by Ann McClendon.
Built in 1878, Gruene Hall is billed as the oldest, continually operating dance hall in the state of Texas, and also claims it helped launch the careers of George Strait, Lyle Lovett and Hal Ketchum, among others. Gruene Hall has gone from hosting badger fights in the 1870s to being featured in magazines, been the site of famous birthdays, such as baseball great Nolan Ryan’s 50th, and the location of numerous music videos, commercials and movies — including the dance scene for the movie “Michael” starring John Travolta was filmed at the Hall.
