Podcast Summary: On the Bus with Troy Vollhoffer
Episode: The Hillbillies of the British Invasion with The Boxmasters
Date: November 20, 2025
Guests: Billy Bob Thornton & J.D. Andrew (The Boxmasters)
Host: Troy Vollhoffer

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Troy Vollhoffer sits down on his Montana tour bus with the Boxmasters—Billy Bob Thornton and J.D. Andrew. Best known for their fusion of hillbilly, country, and British Invasion rock, the Boxmasters share backstage stories, the evolution of their unique sound, what it’s like opening for legends like The Who, and the camaraderie of touring life. The conversation is rich with behind-the-scenes anecdotes, humor, mutual admiration, and reflections on the creative journey of the band.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening for The Who: A Career Milestone

[01:10 – 04:02]

• The Boxmasters recently opened for The Who, described as one of the band's "top three bands of all time” (A, 01:19).
• Billy Bob recounts receiving a standing ovation in Miami—the 4th such received by an opening act in The Who’s career, as told to them by their manager Bill Curbishley.
  • Quote: “The first one was Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the fourth one was you guys.” (A, 01:33)
• J.D. Andrew expresses surreal comfort and belonging on a stage of that magnitude, acknowledging the influence The Who had on their musical upbringing.
  • Quote: “This is the place where we should be. This is the kind of stage we should be on every night.” (C, 02:29)
• Humility and awe are recurring themes as both reflect on playing for legends they once watched on Ed Sullivan as kids.

2. The Genesis of The Boxmasters

[04:02 – 13:26]

• The band formed organically out of solo recording sessions in “The Cave,” Billy’s home studio in Beverly Hills.
• First meeting: J.D. Andrew came on to finish tracks on Billy’s “Beautiful Door” album in December 2006.
  • Quote: “I went over and heard what they had got going, and right from the first note of the record... it hits hard, you know, it’s beautiful.” (C, 07:27)
• They experimented with merging British Invasion hits and American hillbilly styles, spurred by shared musical influences.
  • Notably, the first Boxmasters song was “Yesterday’s Gone” by Chad & Jeremy, redone with a hillbilly twist.

3. Musical Influences & Early Experimentation

[10:48 – 14:30]

• The Boxmasters’ unique style fuses Billy’s passion for British bands (Beatles, Kinks, Stones) with J.D.’s American rock/country roots.
• The band’s first records were double albums: one disc of originals, another of covers.
• The ethos was part-experiment, part-humor, inspired by artists such as Frank Zappa blending genres tongue-in-cheek.
  • Quote: “What if Frank Zappa decided to marry the British Invasion with hillbilly music?... Those first couple of Boxmasters records... we took these songs and we made these experimental records.” (A, 12:44)

4. Performing as Both Headliner & Opener

[13:26 – 15:46]

• For a few years, the Boxmasters would literally open for themselves: starting as the Boxmasters in full Liverpool suits, then returning in “hippie clothes” as Billy's solo act.
• Their setlist included humorously titled songs (“I’ll Give You a Ring When You Give Me Back My Balls,” “The Work of Art”), characterizing their playful, irreverent early period.
• Over time, the sound grew more Americana, reflecting their identity as “rock and roll guys.”

5. Creative Output & Evolving Sound

[15:55 – 17:52]

• Even in periods without new releases, the band keeps recording, often repurposing older unreleased tracks in new albums (e.g. the “Dinosaur” project).
• Thematically, their music wrestles with nostalgia, generational change, and the impact of technology.
  • Quote: “You get called a dinosaur because your favorite band is Cream or Traffic... It would feel nice just to put a quarter in a payphone again sometimes.” (A, 16:40)
• Some material is too eclectic or ambitious for their label to release all at once, so compromise is necessary.

6. Balancing Life, Acting, and the Road

[18:40 – 20:21]

• Billy Bob’s life oscillates between music, acting, and family—with music currently taking the lion’s share.
• Troy and the Boxmasters exchange mutual praise for each other’s acts and the bond they’ve formed on tour.
  • Quote: “When I hear a compliment about you guys, I’m always proud and stuff. It’s like, those are our guys right there.” (A, 20:32)

7. The Reality of Tour Life

[21:03 – 25:22]

• Detailed discussion of the band’s relentless touring schedule—sometimes playing 16 consecutive nights or 60 shows in 75 days.
  • Quote: “No bands play as many dates in a row as the Boxmasters do.” (B, 22:58)
• Both crew and band thrive on the momentum and routine of being constantly on the move.
• Added insight into challenges such as vocal care on the road (grapefruit seed extract, Manuka honey, zinc throat spray), and the communal lifestyle of late-night decompressing after shows.

8. Boxmasters and Trailer Park Boys Collaboration

[26:03 – 30:35]

• Anecdotes about filming a rock pseudo-documentary with the “Trailer Park Boys” in Europe, featuring guest stars like Ronnie Wood, Duff McKagan, Rick Nielsen, and Eric Burdon.
  • Quote (Duff McKagan): “Can you believe we’re witnessing this in person?” (A, 29:03)
• Billy Bob reflects on the privilege of sharing both the stage and these surreal moments with close friends and rock legends.
  • Quote: “Along the way you have these moments in your life that you just can’t believe you have... we’re thankful and blessed every day.” (A, 30:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The people who didn’t get it really didn’t get it. The people who did get it really got it.” – Billy Bob Thornton [00:07 & 12:44]
• “This is the kind of stage we should be on every night.” – J.D. Andrew [02:29]
• “What if Frank Zappa decided to marry the British Invasion with hillbilly music?” – Billy Bob Thornton [12:44]
• “You mean horny? What does that mean?” (on candid songwriting) – Billy Bob Thornton [17:03]
• “If your voice has got some grit to it, that’s okay. If I was Josh Groban, there’d be a problem.” – Billy Bob Thornton [22:19]
• “No bands play as many dates in a row as the Boxmasters do.” – Troy Vollhoffer [22:58]
• “When I hear a compliment about you guys, I’m always proud and stuff. It’s like, those are our guys right there.” – Billy Bob Thornton [20:32]
• “Can you believe we’re witnessing this in person?” – Duff McKagan (to Billy, during the Abbey Road shoot) [29:03]
• “Along the way, you have these moments in your life that you just can’t believe you have.” – Billy Bob Thornton [30:03]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:10]: Opening for The Who—career highlight & crowd stories
• [04:02]: Origin of the Boxmasters & how Billy and JD met
• [10:48]: Experimentation with genre, early Boxmasters style
• [13:26]: Performing as own opening act; transition to Americana
• [15:55]: Unreleased material; the creative process behind “Dinosaur”
• [18:40]: Balancing music, film, family; tour camaraderie
• [21:03]: Touring schedule, vocal health on the road
• [26:03]: Trailer Park Boys movie collaboration and guest cameos
• [30:03]: Reflections on gratitude, friendship, and surreal moments

Tone & Atmosphere

The conversation is laid-back, deeply affectionate, and filled with mutual respect, humor, candid storytelling, and a dose of rock ’n’ roll irreverence. The guests and host share road stories, inside jokes, and insights into both the artistic process and the grind of touring life. Long-time fans and newcomers alike will feel welcomed into the “family traveling circus” that is life with the Boxmasters.

For more on the Boxmasters, upcoming tour dates, and to experience their acclaimed live show, listeners are encouraged to visit theboxmasters.com.