Interview: Billy Bob Thornton's Lifetime Of Music

By Michael Cerio

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Before the Academy Award and the long list of film credits, Billy Bob Thornton had a first love of music.

He got an early education working for a sound company in high school, helping to produce concerts and rubbing shoulders with some of music's finest in the 1970's. But for Thornton it was all business, as the excess and rock n' roll lifestyle swirled around him.

"We were always loading stuff and unloading stuff, and then hitting the road and sleeping in a truck and stuff. Roadies didn't have it as easy back then as now. It wasn't tour buses, it was sleeping on top of stuff in the truck" remembers Thornton. "So I didn't get to snoop around and watch all that part of it. But I wish I had been there, and maybe pretended I was in the band or something."

Billy Bob Thornton is best known as an actor, but he has continued working in music through most of his career. He has released several solo albums and this April released a fourth album with his band The Boxmasters.

Thornton's talents may have first been recognized in the world of film, but all along his passion for music persisted. "That's pretty much all I ever wanted to do, and what I did do until I got to California and sort of fell into the other thing, and had to go with what I was making a living at. Although it wasn't much of a living for years and years" recalls Thornton. "You know everything worked out ok but you know what, I love movies and music equally. I think it's all great and I'm grateful every day when I wake up that I'm able to express myself creatively and take care of my family doing it. I feel like one of the luckiest guys in the world."

As luck would have it, The Boxmasters and Thornton will step onto one of the most famous stages in music tonight. The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. It's an interesting collision of music and movies, as Robert Duvall and The Oak Ridge Boys will also be on the bill.

"It's nerve-racking to play there because it's such a famous place. It's really nerve-racking to play there when you're not a country band" jokes Thornton. "We're going through the set list thinking hmm...what should we play here and not get hit with a bottle."

Pending any bottle attacks, Billy Bob Thornton will bring The Boxmasters back to area with a performance Tuesday, September 1 at the Sellersville Theater in Sellersville, PA.

To hear more from Billy Bob Thornton and his bandmate J.D. Andrew, check out the entire interview above.