Billy Bob Thornton's First Love: Music

Billy Bob Thornton is the grizzled star of movies like "Bad Santa" and "Sling Blade," but he's also a singer-songwriter and the front man for the hillbilly rock group, The Boxmasters. Their new 2-CD set was just released this week.

"What we tried to do is do a hillbilly pop record, they call it MODbilly," Thornton told CBS News National Correspondent Hattie Kauffman as the actor showed Kauffman around his Beverly Hills home.

The house, which the actor purchased from Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, includes Thornton's very own "wall of fame." When famous musicians visit, Thornton makes sure they autograph the wall.

He's got signatures from Robbie Robertson, Daniel Lanois, Toby Keith, and the Monkees' Michael Nesmith, who Thornton said is "one of our heroes."

In his basement studio, Thornton recorded a hillbilly version of The Beatles "I Want To Hold Your Hand."

It's also where he keeps his pair of authentic Beatles boots, which Thornton said come from the Fab Four's hometown of Liverpool, England. His bandmates, J.D. Andrew & Mike Butler, also have a pair each of Beatle boots.

Thornton, who won a best adapted screenplay Oscar for writing the 1996 movie "Sling Blade," now writes lyrics for The Boxmasters. The album's first song, "The Poor House," conjures up memories of his humble beginnings.

"It's so funny, when you're growing up poor, you're so embarrassed, and when you grow up, it's kind of a feather in your cap, that you were raised hard," he said. "There's something to be said for that. I wouldn't trade it for anything because if I had been famous at 20 years old, I might not be here now. I was too crazy then."

The actor has been married five times, most famously to actress Angelina Jolie. Many of his songs, like "I'm Watching The Game," speak to mishaps between men and women.

"It's an old problem, between men and women, it's like, honey, right now, I really can't go to the store with you. I'm watching the game," he said.

Although Thornton continues to make movies, his first and main love is music. In fact he has four previous solo albums.

"Yeah, I accidentally became an actor," he said. "I kinda do movies to keep the house paid for and the kids in school."

As for music, "it's kinda what I do. I don't watch movies."

Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters kick-off their two-month national tour on July 11.