GVR EVENTS & MEMORIES
Several notables made their appearance at Green Valley Raceway over the years, and this is the place where we stop to remember some memorable events that add to the color and the legend of GVR. If you attended any of the events listed here, we'd love to hear from you!
WILLIE NELSON at GREEN VALLEY RACEWAY
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 1977
On Sunday, June 5, after a long day of races at Green Valley, Texas Music Legend Willie Nelson appeared for the storied "A Day in the Valley" concert. Those who were there might remember that Dobie Gray, Groovey Joe Poovey and Joe Stampley shared the stage alongside Willie.
North Richland Hills Police Chief Hamp Scruggs was none too pleased with the generally harmless tomfoolery of the audience that evening (and the long hair on the boys could also have got his goat that particular day).
In the estimation of city officials, the kids were starting to have way too good a time, and at a particularly inopportune moment, Chief Scruggs decided to enforce the public gathering ordinance by turning off the electricity for the event right after Willie’s second song.
This didn't go down too well with the audience, who decided to tear up the concession tents and break down the fence in front of the stage in protest. And so it was in the 1970's.
Photos courtesy of Randy Shiflet, a police officer who was on duty that day. Randy can be seen in the lower right corner, keeping an eye on Willie and the crowd.
Click the button to view a silent film from WFAA made at the Labor Day Rock Festival at GVR circa 1979.
