History of the Brazos Valley Boys:

Created in 1946 by Country Music Association Hall of Famer and western swing legend Hank Thompson
Hank named the Brazos Valley Boys from his home in the Brazos Valley in Texas.
BVB leader, Morey Sullivan started playing music with Hank in 1979 while Morey was working out of the Jim Halsey Agency.
After many years of playing western swing together, Hank asked Morey to continue the band into the future when Hank could no longer be on the road.
Hank required two things of Morey: 1. Use the best musicians you can and 2. Keep the western swing, honky-tonk and country music you play authentic.
The BVB lead by Morey is doing what Hank requested, keeping the music alive and real in the 80th year of the band—and beyond.
Music historian and author Cary Ginell cited Hank Thompson and the Brazos Valley Boys one of the “Four Eras” of western swing music—along with Milton Brown, Bob Wills and the Cooley Band.
Through the years the BVB have been honored to receive many awards and citations. A more detailed list is below.

Praise from the audience

"Before he passed away, the legendary Hank Thompson turned over the reins of his beloved Brazos Valley Boys to his bandleader, Morey Sullivan. When he did that, he left the music in good hands. The Brazos Valley Boys are not a Hank Thompson tribute band, though they easily could be if that was their desire. Instead, they are forging ahead by playing the country and western music audiences love, while adding their own ideas along the way. And I will attest that the band sounds better than ever. If you get the chance to see the Brazos Valley Boys in person, don’t miss it. And you might want to

wear your dancing boots."

Orin Friesen, Prairie Rose Theatre

Kansas Music Hall of Fame

Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame

Background of Morey Sullivan:

Morey was born into a musical family. His dad was a professional playing classic country and cowboy music. His aunts, uncles, cousins—everyone played an instrument and sang country harmonies.
He started playing drums in his father’s band when he was 13 years old. Not long after he switched to upright and electric bass.
Through his professional career, in addition to working with Hank, Morey has worked with a long list of national stars including, Ronnie Milsap, Jeanne Seeley, Jack Green, Don Williams, Little Jimmy Dickens, Johnny Gimble, Johnny Lee Wills and musicians from Johnny’s band, Oak Ridge Boys and many others.
Morey is a member of several Western Swing Music Halls-of-Fame around the country and the Kansas Music Hall of Fame.
One of his fondest memories is being chosen by Kansas Governor Finney to produce and direct a musical variety show of American music that toured Russia in 1994—the Russian fans heard a lot of country and western swing music!

Awards & Recognition

"The #1 Western Swing Band in America" for 14 years in a row

Cashbox Magazine

First Live Country Music Album Recorded in Las Vegas

With Hank Thompson

Hall of Fame Band Award - 2004

The Brazos Valley Boys were the first band to be honored with this award from The Southwest Western Swing Association.

First Live Recordings

At the Texas State Fair and the Cheyenne’s Frontier Days Rodeo

Attendance Records

Broke all attendance records at Lincoln Center in New York City

Carnegie Hall - NY

Special live performance at Carnegie Hall in New York

75th Anniversary

In 2021, the band celebrated their 75th anniversary with a concert at the historic Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa. In conjunction with the 75th anniversary, the Mayor of Tulsa proclaimed the day as Hank Thompson and the Brazos Valley Boys Day.

History of the Brazos Valley Boys:

Praise from the audience

Background of Morey Sullivan:

Awards & Recognition

"The #1 Western Swing Band in America" for 14 years in a row

First Live Country Music Album Recorded in Las Vegas

Hall of Fame Band Award - 2004

First Live Recordings

Attendance Records

Carnegie Hall - NY

75th Anniversary

"A big congratulations Morey. A tribute to your old boss Hank Thompson, but more than anything, recognition of your talent and vision." Jim Halsey, Hank’s former manager and international entertainment business Impresario

"Western Swing doesn't get better than this." Martha Farrell TruckersRadioUSA.com

History of the Brazos Valley Boys:

Praise from the audience

Background of Morey Sullivan:

Awards & Recognition

"The #1 Western Swing Band in America" for 14 years in a row

First Live Country Music Album Recorded in Las Vegas

Hall of Fame Band Award - 2004

First Live Recordings

Attendance Records

Carnegie Hall - NY

75th Anniversary

"A big congratulations Morey. A tribute to your old boss Hank Thompson, but more than anything, recognition of your talent and vision." Jim Halsey, Hank’s former manager and international entertainment business Impresario

"Western Swing doesn't get better than this." Martha Farrell TruckersRadioUSA.com

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