The first Bocktoberfest was held in 1994 and was called the “Thanks a Million Concert” — a celebration of the Spoetzl Brewery’s sale of one million cases, a historic achievement for the little brewery in Shiner, Texas. The “Thanks a Million Concert” was free to the public and several popular Texas artists performed. The event, originally held in the middle of March, was moved in year two to October to celebrate “Bocktoberfest”. Much like the way the German’s celebrate Oktoberfest, this concert became the small German town’s own ritual of good beer, good food, and great music. Between 1999 and 2005, the event has averaged over 11,250 people annually, making it one of the longest running and largest one day music festivals in the state of Texas.
As attendance of the event has grown, talent for the show has increased in popularity with acts like Audioslave, Kid Rock, Staind, Lyle Lovett, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Robert Earl Keen, Jerry Jeff Walker, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Cory Morrow, Kevin Fowler and Reckless Kelly. Robert Earl Keen, with whom Shiner has had a long relationship and sponsorship, has played 8 of the 10 shows in the event’s history. Heavily focused on local talent and Texas Independent Music format, the event has grown in popularity and became a showcase for young Texas singer/song writers. In 2003, in celebration of the event's 10th Anniversary, Shiner took it one step further with Nickelback, Trapt, Three Days Grace, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Kevin Fowler and Reckless Kelly. By the end of October 2003 all six artists had a number one hit within a month of the concert. In 2004, Shiner welcomed a record 20,000 fans to Bocktoberfest and its new home at Green Dickson Park, presenting major artists such as Kid Rock, Staind and Lyle Lovett.
2005, October 15
Audioslave
Good Charlotte
Seether
Clint Black
SHeDAISY
Randy Rogers Band
Darryl Lee Rush
2004, October 16
Kid Rock
Staind
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Lyle Lovett
Asleep at the Wheel
Cory Morrow
Bill Pekar
2003, October 18
Nickelback
Cross Canadian Ragweed
Trapt
Kevin Fowler
Reckless Kelly
Three Days Grace
Terri Hendrix
Stephanie Urbina Jones
2002, October 19
Robert Earl Keen
Collective Soul
The Great Divide (Did not show – replaced with Bill Pekar)
The Derailers
Patrice Pike
Max Stalling
2001, October 13
Jerry Jeff Walker
Joe Ely
The Reverend Horton Heat
Jack Ingram
Cooder Graw
Roger Creager
Bill Pekar
Fondue Monks (Battle of the bands winner)
2000, October 14
Robert Earl Keen
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Charlie Robison
Monte Montgomery
Kelly Willis
Trish Murphy
Harris & Ryden
Soular Slide (Battle of the bands winner)
1999, October 16
Robert Earl Keen
Junior Brown
Marcia Ball
Tito & Tarantula
The Hollisters
George Devore & the Roam
John W. Price & the Wrong Way Band (Battle of the bands winner)
1998, October 17
Robert Earl Keen
Reverend Horton Heat
Ian Moore
Ugly Americans
Marcia Ball
Reckless Kelley
Hugh Fadal Band (Battle of the Bands winner)
1997, October 18
Robert Earl Keen
Eric Johnson
Jackopierce
Todd Snider
Toni Price
Zydeco Dots
Skunkweed (Battle of the Bands winner)
1996, October 19
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Robert Earl Keen
Ian Moore
The Dead Crickets
The Hollisters
Carolyn Wonderland
1995, October 21
Delbert McClinton
Robert Earl Keen
Marcia Ball
Jesse Guitar Taylor
The Dead Crickets
1994, March 12
(Thanks a Million Concert)
Joe Ely
Robert Earl Keen
Marcia Ball
Bugs Henderson
Ray Wylie Hubbard
