It turns out that they go back even further. Perry was serving as agriculture commissioner in the ’90s when he first met Crowe, whose brother had approached the state about an agriculture project.

“The governor met Crowe, who has a ranch in Australia, and they talked about farming and ranching, and they developed a friendship that has continued over the years,” a Perry spokeswoman told the Austin American-Statesman in 2003.

The friendship truly blossomed when Crowe and his band were recording their album in Austin. Crowe later told the Chronicle that he could “walk into a number of bars … and say, ‘G’day’ to the barman, then ride my motorbike up to the governor’s mansion and get let in.”

In fact, Crowe was named an honorary Texan in 2000. In his interview with the Chronicle, the actor said the Lone Star State “enthralls and amuses me. I really enjoy the rhythm of life there and the attitude of the folk.”