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AV Pick: Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters

AV PICK * Sunday, August 17
BILLY BOB THORNTON and the Boxmasters

Arkansas native William Robert “Billy Bob” Thornton is probably best known for his work in film ever since his big success as the writer/director/actor of the 1996 movie Sling Blade. But Thornton’s career, which can almost be observed as a series of stumbles, has taken a much broader path than that of your basic film school geek with a script tucked under his arm. His early influences included all the hot music being generated just down the road in Memphis, from a little studio and record label called Sun. In 2001, he released the rootsy Private Radio—his first record as a singer-songwriter—and he continues to establish himself as a thoroughly legit musician with a gift for poignant lyrics. “Hearts Like Mine” on his recent release Beautiful Door, is a perfect example. Of course, you can’t discount the sex appeal that once entranced former wife Angelina Jolie, and branded him “Hollywood’s go-to alpha male.” You don’t just travel around the country with such a nattily dressed band without breaking a few hearts along the way.

—buck quigley
8pm. Tralf Music Hall, 622 Main Street (852-2860/tralfmusichall.com)

$20 presale/$25 day of show (ticketmaster.com/852-5000).