Billy Bob Thornton's band cancels Canadian tour

Billy Bob Thornton's band cancels Canadian tour
The Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) — Billy Bob Thornton's band has canceled the rest of its Canadian tour after the actor compared the country's fans to mashed potatoes with no gravy in a testy interview that caused a sensation online.

The Boxmasters opened for Willie Nelson on Thursday in Toronto, where they reportedly were booed and met with catcalls of "Here comes the gravy."

A note posted on Nelson's Web site Friday said the Boxmasters were canceling the rest of their Canadian dates "due to one band member and several of the crew having the flu."

The cancellation came two days after Thornton made world headlines with a belligerent appearance on CBC radio's "Q."

The actor apparently didn't like that host Jian Ghomeshi started the interview with references to Thornton's Hollywood career.

Thornton refused to answer many of Ghomeshi's questions directly, mumbling: "I don't know what you're talking about." He later said Ghomeshi's producers had been told ahead of time not to talk about his film career.

Thornton also had some unkind words for Canadian crowds.

"Canadian audiences seem to be very reserved," he told Ghomeshi. "We tend to play places where people throw things at each other. Here, they just sort of sit there. And it doesn't matter what you say to 'em. ... It's mashed potatoes but no gravy."

Before his Thursday night gig, Thornton tried to clarify those remarks, saying he loved Canada and his "mashed potatoes" comment had been aimed at Ghomeshi.

Media around the world delighted in the story. Entertainment Weekly's Web site ran the headline, "Billy Bob Thornton: What's his problem?"

Published 4/11/09 by


AP Recording News

Comments (12)

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  • Billy Bob, I used to like him.... a lot... now he can kiss my Canadian @ss! Don't come back now, ya hear?
    Anonymous 6/25/09 Reply
  • I feel sorry for the rest of the band too. Billy Boob you're a dick.
    Anonymous 4/13/09 Reply
  • He is an idiot! I feel for his band mates. Maybe him and Angelina can make a come back!
    Anonymous 4/13/09 Reply
  • Most likely Willie Nelson told him to pack his bags after the stunt he pulled.
    Anonymous 4/13/09 Reply
  • No class white trash formerly married to low class white trash...Billy Boob
    Anonymous 4/12/09 Reply
  • this bill is full of bull...

    - a former Canadian fan
    Anonymous 4/12/09 Reply
  • As a Canadian I can say it is no loss that Mr Thornton has decided not to perform here. If we as Canadians in his mind are likend to mashed potatos with out the gravy I can honestly say Mr. Thornton is like a brain without the synapsis.
    Anonymous 4/11/09 Reply
  • Being an actor is such a terrible thing to be. No wonder poor Billy-Bob was ashamed of his tawdry past.

    Billy-Bob: "Would you ask Tom Petty that?"

    Host : "Dude, you are no Tom Petty!!"
    Anonymous 4/11/09 Reply
  • Billy Bob should watch what he's saying about Canadians.
    GeorgeJobson 4/11/09 Reply
  • Billy Bob wouldn't have been able to play that venue without his film notoriety. The band was okay, honestly, except for his vocals and drumming.
    Anonymous 4/11/09 Reply
  • He also said, during his rant to placate the audience, that he'd worked in Toronto and Montreal a lot. As what? An actor? BBT should give his head a shake. He's been handed a golden life and behaves like a 6 year old. I'm glad I'm not in his band.
    Anonymous 4/11/09 Reply
  • Good riddance to bad rubbish. I just feel so bad for the rest of the band. Perhaps they'd be better off without BBT the primadonna
    Anonymous 4/11/09 Reply