Music stars choose Troy for location of music video shoot

The Double Branch Lounge has always been known locally for the musicians who have graced the stage there, but now the bar could be known nationally after being a location used for a music video starring Kid Rock and Hank Williams, Jr.

“I am glad they picked my place,” said Double Branch owner Max Reeves. “I just told them not to remove the duct tape because it might fall down,” he added with a chuckle.

Reeves said he’s not sure in what capacity the bar will be used for the video, but a publicist for the musicians shared why the video is being shot locally.

“Hank Williams Jr. and Kid Rock love Alabama so much they both have residences in the Troy area. The music video for “Redneck Paradise” is being filmed in the area,” said Kirt Webster, publicist for the musicians. “Be on the lookout for the music video soon.”

Last week, a casting call without much detail circulated on Facebook offering $100 to extras for a country western music video shoot to be filmed in Troy. Casting agents were looking for people in their 20s, or who looked as if they were, who also had their own western clothes for the shoot.

On Tuesday, the parking lot of the DB was full of cars, an early 70s Cadillac, two large buses and a motor home, although there wasn’t much activity going on outside.

Reeves said he didn’t get to go inside, but described the ladies he saw go in for the shoot as “10s.” The women and the country music stars were being guarded by hired security guards, as well as the Pike County Sheriff’s Department and the Troy Police Department, according to Reeves.

“They’ve got more wires running through that place, right now, than anybody’s ever seen before,” Reeves said of the production crew’s work.

Reeves purchased the Double Branch in 1980 and said the place was his home away from home.

“I played in bands there for 30 years,” Reeves said. “So, I remember what it is like. I am all for the bands and the young folks and the entertainment and the party and fun.”

The Double Branch started up in the 50s and during the early years of the bar, Hank Williams, Sr.’s band, the Drifting Cowboys, could be seen there. In the 60s, Billboard Hot 100 artist Bobby Purify of James and Bobby Purify took the stage at the DB. Dean Daughtry from Classics IV was seen playing the bar in the 70s and the list goes on and on.

Part of the success for the local watering hole has to do with those who’ve managed the bar. Reeves was a musician who loved to play. Jamie Taylor, who was an owner-manager of the Double Branch for eight years, has a diverse taste in music and brought 83 different bands ranging from country to “death metal” to the bar in his first year there.

Taylor and his wife Lyndsay, now own Sips on the Square and Cheers in Troy. He said he is “tickled” to be a part of the bar’s musical past.

“I think it is awesome they are making a video there,” Taylor shared.

Local favorite, The Park Band, played the group’s first show at the Double Branch about five years ago, so it only made sense for brothers Tucker and Landon Park to take over running the day-to-day of the bar after Taylor left the establishment.

Reeves said it was the musical connection shared by those with ties to the Double Branch that made it a home for both musicians and music fans.

“I think having a part in this will be great for the bar, and great for the community,” Reeves said of the Double Branch possibly making the cut for the music video. “I love it.”

Reeves said that the Double Branch will be under new management in late May when a Brundidge couple takes the business over from the Park brothers. He said he’s looking forward to seeing what sort of musical acts will visit the bar next.