Why Billy Bob Thornton Gave Up His Wilburys-Inspired Alias

Billy Bob Thornton is often grouped with those who have shifted from acting to music, a comparison he finds rather irksome. While it’s true he’s a celebrated screenwriter, director, and actor with a shelf full of awards, his foray into music was never a mere vanity project. In fact, music was his first ambition, long before he ever considered a career in film. When he left Arkansas for California in the 1980s, acting was hardly on his radar.

Unlike many of his peers who dabble in music, Thornton has been remarkably productive, releasing more albums than most would expect. His band, The Boxmasters, formed in 2007, have put out nearly twenty records, though none have troubled the charts. Despite this, he’s never been content with the idea that his musical efforts are simply a side note to his acting career.

Seeking Anonymity in the Spotlight

Being a well-known figure comes with its own set of challenges. Any creative pursuit outside his main profession is quickly labelled a hobby, and Thornton was keen to avoid his name eclipsing the collective work of his band. To counter this, he looked to the Travelling Wilburys for inspiration. That supergroup, made up of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty, famously adopted pseudonyms—Lucky, Nelson, Otis, Leftie, and Charlie T Wilbury—leaving their real identities off the credits to let the music speak for itself.

Thornton attempted a similar approach. He rebranded himself as WR ‘Bud’ Thornton, taking on the role of drummer and vocalist.

“Bud sounded like a good name for a guy who is a Boxmaster,”

he told The Boot.

“In the beginning, we were going to downplay me a lot. But sometimes, they won’t let ya. We made up this whole story, kinda like the Travelling Wilburys, who all had different names, but then we thought we don’t want it to look like we’re trying to trick people.”

The Limits of Reinvention

Despite the effort, the disguise was never truly convincing. Thornton’s face remained front and centre in promotional material, making the alias little more than a novelty. Eventually, the elaborate backstory was dropped, and he returned to using his real name.

“When you look at a record cover, and I’m on it, there’s no mystery,”

he admitted.

“But I used the name because I simply like being part of a band. I don’t like to be the star of something.”

For Thornton, the attempt to step out of the limelight was always going to be a challenge. The desire to blend in with his bandmates was genuine, but the reality of fame proved difficult to sidestep. In the end, the music—and not the name—remained at the heart of his efforts.