Drinking

As far as country music themes go, drinking cannot be forgotten. Not only is it a theme in the music itself, but it is also an activity embedded in the culture. Billy Bob’s has two big bars, one close to the dance floor and the other close to the pool tables and shopping area. Last Chance Saloon, of course, is a bar, so drinking is predominant there. Even at Love and War in Texas they give you a special bracelet if you are over 21 so you can easily order drinks without being carded. It is worthy to question why is drinking so important. Based on the lyrics and the situations observed, people drink if they are happy and if they are sad. Drinking is more than just a way to drive your sorrows away. It is a way to celebrate your life, relax after a long day, forget the loss of a loved one, and especially if you are just having fun with friends. Beer ads are prominent in the places we went to, and especial attention is given to domestic beer.

In addition to the benches, there were also a plethora of beverage advertisements for both hard and soft drinks. About half of these signs were bought in a rustic state to add and accentuate this theme of being in a small town. A couple of the signs were for Dr Pepper. As many Texans know, Dr Pepper is an incredibly popular drink amongst Southerners and particularly Texans. Building on the popularity and nostalgia that usually comes along with Dr Pepper, the restaurant also used old bottles of Dublin Dr Pepper as salt and peppershakers. Dublin Dr Pepper is famous among Texans for still being the original recipe for Dr Pepper. As such, the restaurant not only serves the drinks to patrons but also reinforces the memories by using the old bottles and advertisements wherever possible. Although there were a few soft drink advertisements, the majority was for alcoholic drinks. One of most prevalent activities that goes along with country music is drinking and it is therefore only natural for the restaurant to play with this and have alcoholic advertisements as decoration. Almost all of these signs had some sort of reference to Texas or being a Texan. Despite simply only being advertisements, it is very interesting how they have become part of North Texas Country music’s material culture.

(Billy Bob’s, Love & War in Texas)