Billy Bob Thornton, THE BOXMASTERS, BAD SANTA, SLING BLADE actor, singer: Mr. Media Audio Interview

Actor Billy Bob Thornton sings for Mr. Media’s supper!

You just can’t pigeonhole Billy Bob Thornton.

Think about the movie roles he’s most famous for and see what, if any, connection there is: Carl in Sling Blade; Hank Grotowski in Monster’s Ball; Morris Buttermaker in Bad News Bears; Coach Gaines in Friday Night Lights, and my favorite, Willy in Bad Santa.

Who would figure that the guy who portrayed so many varied and somewhat disturbed characters had a musical soul too? But, this month, Billy Bob Thornton’s fourth CD, Beautiful Door, will be released. It’s a collection of original, contemporary songs with a touch of country, all written and sung by Thornton. He also is the drummer on the album’s tracks.

And just like his choices as an actor, no two songs on the album are easily matched and categorized. You’ll recognize his deep voice instantly on the somber opening ballad, “It’s Just Me,” but be surprised that it’s also him on the rockin’ “Hope for Glory.”

(This interview originally aired on Mr. Media on June 29, 2007.)

Billy Bob Thornton