FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Giant Noise, gruenehall@giantnoise.com
-Gruene Hall to Celebrate Five Decades by Giving Fans a Free Year of Concerts-
-Gruene Hall to Honor Pat Molak with Legacy Wall Unveiling on June 13, 2025-
GRUENE, TEXAS (MAY 15, 2025) – Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas, has long seen legends rise, music history unfold, and generations two-step across its worn wooden floors. In 2025, the iconic venue celebrates a remarkable milestone - 50 years of stewardship under the Molak Family, whose dedication has and continues to preserve and elevate the historic space into a revered institution of Texas music. What started as a risky vision in 1975, when Pat Molak rescued a near-forgotten dance hall, has since become a cornerstone of Texas music.
Over the past five decades, Gruene Hall has played an undeniable role in shaping the careers of celebrated Country music artists like George Strait, Robert Earl Keen, Charley Crockett, Asleep at the Wheel, Pat Green, and Lyle Lovett, while remaining a cherished gathering place for music lovers worldwide. With live music every day, its stage continues to shape careers and honor the rich tradition of Texas music.
“This place is bigger than any one artist - it’s where music lives and history happens,” said Susie Molak, wife of the late Pat Molak. “The 50th Anniversary isn’t just about celebrating Gruene Hall; it’s about honoring the fans, the artists, and the community that have kept this tradition alive.”
For Katie Courtney, daughter of founder Pat Molak, the milestone is deeply personal. “My father saw something in Gruene Hall that no one else did,” she said. “50 years later, his vision is still thriving, and this celebration is a tribute to the artists, guests, and staff who have made it all possible.”
Past & present Gruene Hall headliners have also shared their appreciation for the Molak Family, stating:
“It’s hard for me to think about my career in country music without thinking about Gruene Hall,” said George Strait. “It had a magic to it back in the 70’s and 80’s when me and the Ace in the Hole Band regularly played it, and the last time I was in there, not too long ago, that same magic was still alive and strong. I love that it’s part of my history. There’s just no other place like it - it’s iconic. No other way to say it. Salud Gruene Hall, and all those helping to keep Pat’s dream alive. God Bless the Molak family!”
“Being able to say that we have played Gruene Hall for 50 years is one of the cooler things I can say about what our band has done,” said Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel. “To show up in 1975, to a literal ghost town with nothing there but the Hall and the Mansion, to what it has become today is incredible. The first time I heard George Strait sing was at Gruene Hall. Every time I walk onto that stage it puts a smile on my face. Congrats to the Molak Family and thank you! Texas is so lucky to have Gruene Hall and I know I’ll keep on playing there till I can’t play anymore.” To honor five decades of Texas music history, Gruene Hall is hosting a series of special events, promotions, and community activations, including:
And more to be announced soon
For the past 50 years, Gruene Hall has not just hosted music history - it has made it. From launching the careers of country music icons to serving as a pilgrimage site for music lovers worldwide, the venue remains a living testament to Texas’s independent spirit. This anniversary is a rare, once-in-a-generation milestone in American music history. For more information on Gruene Hall’s 50th Anniversary events, visit GrueneHall.com.
###
About Gruene Hall Established in 1878, Gruene Hall is Texas’ oldest continually operating dance hall. Under the ownership of the Molak Family since 1975, the venue has hosted legendary performances by artists such as Willie Nelson, LeAnn Rimes, George Strait, and Jerry Jeff Walker, becoming a cultural touchstone in the Texas music scene.