James McGroarty Honored at Big Texas Bash

The Big Texas Bash at the 11th Street Cowboy Bar over the weekend recognized James McGroarty, owner of the 11th Street Cowboy Bar, for his great achievements in building a long and fixed cowboy tradition in Bandera.

The two-day musical lineup featured Randy Brown and Gary P. Nunn on April 8, and Kevin Fowler culminated the weekend festivities with his honky tonk country music the next night.

Mayor Suzanne Schauman made an official proclamation to McGroarty, saying that the City Council of Bandera recognized the visionary efforts of James Michael McGroarty in increasing tourism and did hereby proclaim McGroarty as a living legend in the City of Bandera.

"What I am doing tonight is very much my honor and my pleasure – for my friend James," said Schauman.

This proclamation was also announced at the City Council’s regular meeting on April 5 and posted at City Hall for public display, then entered into the permanent records of the municipality.

According to the proclamation, McGroarty learned entrepreneurship at an early age by the example of his family whose interests spanned decades and included M. Boyle Mercantile, established in 1904, and interests in banking, real estate, and other commercial businesses.

McGroarty attended school in Bandera and was named to the All District and Regional Football teams. In 1974, at the age of nineteen, McGroarty was the youngest person to obtain a mixed beverage permit from the TABC and owned the iconic Purple Cow until 1978.

McGroarty was hired into the oil field by Crutcher Resources in 1974 and went on to spend the next twenty years traveling the world from the North Sea to Arabia.

After retiring in 2006, McGroarty returned to Bandera. After noticing the decline in tourism and interest in dude ranches, McGroarty formed a partnership with, now wife, Stella Tedesco, and acquired the 11th Street Cowboy Bar, where they expanded and created a country western dance hall which hosted country music stars that attracted visitors from near and far.

McGroarty likewise enhanced the annual Mardi Gras Parade that brings visitors from around the world to experience the biggest annual event in Bandera.

Finally, McGroarty, true to his roots and family values of hard work and sound work ethic, has attracted visitors from around the Hill Country, the U.S., and the world to stay and play in Bandera.

Schauman then introduced Hap Honeycut of the Texas Vaquero Legacy Preservation Foundation, the 501c3 organization that will receive the proceeds from the Big Bash event which was organized by Mason Hunt.

Honeycut read a document from Governor Greg Abbot:

“Greetings, this official certificate is presented to James McGroarty. As governor of Texas, it is my pleasure to share my deepest appreciation for your many contributions to the Lonestar state and the country music scene. As owner of the 11th Street Cowboy Bar, you’ve turned the biggest little bar in Texas, into the largest music venue in Texas Hill Country, attracting visitors from across Texas and throughout the world. Thanks in large part to the tremendous amount of time and effort put into hosting events like the annual Cowboy Mardi Gras Parade and other parties, Bandera has secured a legacy as the Cowboy Capitol of the World. Your hard work and dedication truly represent the best of the Lonestar state and I am proud to call you a fellow Texan. The first lady joins me in sending you best wishes and many years of success. Signed this 7th day of April, Governor Abbott.”

McGroarty responded, “I really appreciate everything that has been given to me tonight. I really appreciate you. God bless you all.”

McGroarty is selling 11th Street Cowboy Bar for 1.4 million due to health complications, according to the San Antonio Business Journal (SABJ).

McGroarty told SABJ that he hopes the new owner will keep the bar’s cowboy culture traditions and family values.