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Long before Randy Rogers, Casey Donahew, and the Eli Young Band ever performed at Billy Bob’s Texas, they were all regulars at little place called the Thirsty Armadillo. Opened in September 2000, by Eric Dawson and his father, Robert Dawson, and closed in March 2003, the Thirsty Armadillo was located at the corner of 25th and North Main streets in the Stockyards.
The Armadillo was so popular among the Texas Music crowds that even long after it closed, Dawson was regularly asked by friends, family members, and fans if he intended on reopening someplace else. He also heard that artists who had played the Armadillo were giving it shout-outs during performances at other venues and that some members of Austin’s super-popular Reckless Kelly were regularly seen sporting Thirsty Armadillo t-shirts onstage. “The place became more popular after it closed,” Dawson said frankly.