Country Music Blog: Robert Earl Keen

Some of country music's top songwriters converged last week in Key West, Fla., for the 13th annual Key West Songwriters Festival, where they played free shows in the town's various nightspots and watering holes along Duval Street. The tiny island was overrun with tourists and festival attendees who jam-packed the venues for dancing and late night sing-alongs.With so many people around doing what vacationing, sometimes intoxicated people do, I found it difficult to stay focused on the music at times. However, there were a few ticketed shows at the Hog's Breath Writer's Room and the Tropic Theater, where Jeffrey Steele, Chuck Cannon, Kim Richey, Raul Malo, Robert Earl Keen, Kylie Sackley and other professional tunesmiths played shows with a Bluebird Café vibe and attentive crowd. I know these songwriters love it when artists like Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Montgomery Gentry and Faith Hill record their songs, but personally, I always prefer to hear the songs straight from the creator's mouth. The music portion of the festival culminated in a street party where Keen and Steele entertained throngs of people strolling along Duval Street.

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So, I just looked at the calendar and I can’t wait for Oct. 13th. We’re doing the Big State Festival in College Station, Texas, and I didn’t even realize what a great lineup they have for the two days. It’s really rare that we get such a great chance to check out other acts, especially such a diverse group.

I got to spend a little time with Robert Earl Keen when we played a festival in California earlier this year and I really want to catch his set. I’m also pumped that I get to see all my friends from the Dierks Bentley camp. We toured with them so much last winter that I really miss getting to hang with them. Of course, I’ll never miss a chance to see Willie Nelson. One of my first shows after Nashville Star was opening for him in Dallas. And I think I’ve said enough about my obsession with Jack Ingram to last a lifetime.

One of the bands I want to check out that I’ve never seen is the Drive By Truckers. I’ve heard their name a bunch and heard a couple songs on XM, but really want to see them live. I plan on watching Reckless Kelly and The Flatlanders too. When I was growing up, my Dad used to listen to Joe Ely records but I’ve never seen him live. It will be great to see him do his thing with The Flatlanders.

I’m probably most excited about Kelly Willis being at the festival. I’ve been a Kelly Willis fan for as long as I can remember and she’s one of the reasons I really got into being a songwriter (along with Jack, Allison Moorer, etc). I saw her at the CMA Awards in Nashville last year and had to pause for a quick photo op. I haven’t seen her live in a really long time and I’ll be as close to the stage as I can when she plays.

I’m just really glad that someone came up with the idea of having a festival with such a broad range of talent, and I’m excited that it’s happening in my home state of Texas. Everything’s bigger in Texas and this is gonna be a REALLY BIG show.

Looking over the lineup for the Big State Festival, I was so happy to see one of my favorite bands on the roster – Reckless Kelly, who can pack the house in their home turf of Austin, Texas. They do pretty well here in Nashville too. Go see ‘em if you can. They’re always touring and never disappointing. I invited them to send in a blog entry about what’s going on with them and here it is:

"We have been on the road all year long and have done shows with Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Robert Earl Keen, Cross Canadian Ragweed and many, many more, totaling well over 200 performances. We recently signed with MTM management out of Raleigh, N.C., and are currently shopping for a new recording contract. We have been writing a bunch and hope to have a new studio record out early next year.

"Our family concert, the Braun Brothers Reunion, in Challis, Idaho, was a huge success this year with over 5,000 people through the gate over the weekend. Our friends Cross Canadian Ragweed joined us, as well as our father Muzzie Braun, uncles Bill and Gary, and brothers’ band Micky and the Motorcars. A few of our heroes -- Robert Earl Keen, Dale Watson and Kevin Welch -- also shared the stage with us.

"Currently, we are trying to finish off some new RKTV EPs, including a new 'What You Got' and much more. We are looking forward to the Big State Festival and hope to see you all there."

If you’ve ever visited the Reckless Kelly Web site, the announcement about a new “What You Got” is nearly as exciting as their Big State show. These guys have a wicked, twisted sense of humor, which is evident after even just a few minutes on their site. If you’re curious to hear their music, I highly recommend their live album, Reckless Kelly Was Here. They’ve got a show at Gruene Hall coming up this weekend too. Man, I wish I could go. That’s a winning combination if I’ve ever heard one.