#TBT: Gruene Hall celebrates 50 years of Molak family ownership with legacy wall unveiling
With the creak of worn wood floors, the strum of guitars, and the sound of boots two-stepping under century-old beams, Gruene Hall has echoed with Texas music history for nearly 150 years.
But on Friday, June 13, the state’s oldest dance hall celebrated a milestone of a different kind: 50 years of ownership by the Molak family.
The anniversary celebration honored the late Pat Molak, the man who saw something magical in a dilapidated building back in 1975 and spent the next five decades turning it into a world-renowned stage for country music.
A new Pat Molak Legacy Wall was unveiled at the event, offering visitors a first-ever look at rare memorabilia, photos, letters from Texas governors, and tributes from the country stars whose careers were shaped by Gruene Hall.
“Today, on the day before what would have been my dad’s 77th birthday, we unveiled a legacy wall for him,” said Katie Courtney, Pat Molak’s daughter.
We wanted a permanent place in this historic building to really celebrate what he built and stewarded for 50 years.
Courtney and her family sifted through decades of archives to choose what would make the wall—from iconic photographs to a historic flag gifted by Jerry Jeff Walker.
One standout section honors George Strait, who recorded an album and shot a cover photo at Gruene Hall.
“He bought this place 50 years ago not knowing what he was doing,” Courtney laughed.
The doors were closed when he first walked in—and when someone opened them to go to the restroom, he saw the potential. That special intimacy. And he never let it go.
Country music icon George Strait, who was a young artist when Molak first bought the venue, shared a heartfelt tribute via video:
“What can I say about my friend Pat? He worked super hard, loved his family, and made the world a better place,” Strait said.
It’s hard to say just how much Gruene Hall affected my career... and the careers of so many others.
Texas artists past and present have echoed that sentiment for decades, with many calling Gruene a rite of passage.
“You make it at Gruene Hall, you’ve made it anywhere in country music,” said longtime family friend Julie Speer.
Willie Nelson said it. George Strait said it. And Pat Molak made that possible. When it was just a dusty nothing, he saw the vision.
For country singer Jon Wolfe, who now lives in New Braunfels, Gruene Hall wasn’t just a dream; it was a proving ground.
“My first dream was to play here,” Wolfe said. “Getting that first headline show was tough—so many legends have played this stage. Lyle Lovett, Jerry Jeff, George. Just to be a small part of that history it’s one of the top memories of my career.”
Wolfe added, “This wall isn’t just about Pat. It’s about a dream that became a global brand for Texas music.”
The Molak family and Gruene Hall staff plan to keep the celebration going all year.
Upcoming events include a 50th Anniversary Music Series with artists like Gary P. Nunn, Jack Ingram, and Ray Wylie Hubbard; a Five Decades Giveaway offering fans the chance to attend every show in 2026; and a First Gruene Hall Photo Contest inviting guests to share their most iconic moments.
For Courtney and her family, it’s about more than shows or souvenirs; it’s about preserving a legacy.
“Our goal after his passing is really just to carry that piece of history,” Courtney said, standing beside a panoramic photo from her father’s celebration of life. “It’s a sign of how many people loved him. He made an impact—and now it lives on.”
EDITOR NOTE: #TBT or Turning Back Time is an award-winning series of stories by CBS Austin This Morning Anchor John-Carlos Estrada. The series will focus on the history of Central Texas and its impact on the community. If you want to share a story idea with him, email him ([email protected]) or message him on social media via Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, BlueSky, or Instagram.
