Biography
Robert Earl Keen, Jr. (born January 11, 1956 in Houston, Texas) is a celebrated American singer-songwriter whose work has been pivotal in shaping the genres of Texas Country, Americana, and alt-country. Growing up in Houston, Keen was drawn to music, sports, movies, and writing, and was influenced by the remnants of the city's vibrant 1960s folk scene. He attended Texas A&M University, earning a degree in English in 1978, and it was there that he began performing and writing songs, forging a lifelong friendship and musical partnership with fellow student Lyle Lovett. Their front porch jam sessions inspired the now-classic "The Front Porch Song"[2][3][1].
After college, Keen moved to Austin, immersing himself in its thriving live music scene and performing in nightclubs for tips. He self-financed his first EP in 1984 and, after a brief stint in Nashville, returned to Texas where he released his national debut album, "West Textures," in 1989, featuring the iconic track "The Road Goes on Forever." Keen's music is known for its literary storytelling, blending folk, country, bluegrass, blues, and roots rock, and his raucous live performances have earned him a devoted cult following. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Keen released 21 albums, toured extensively, and became a major figure in the birth of Americana and Texas Country, inspiring a new generation of musicians[2][3][1][4].
Keen's legacy is rooted in his ability to evoke the spirit of Texas while exploring universal themes, and his songs have been covered by artists such as Lyle Lovett, George Strait, and The Highwaymen. He has received numerous honors, including the Texas A&M Distinguished Alumni Award, and has supported music education through benefit concerts for organizations like the Hill Country Youth Orchestras. As he retired from touring in 2022, Keen left behind a lasting influence on the Texas music landscape and Americana genre[3][4][1].
Fun Facts
- Keen won the Kerrville Folk Festival's prestigious New Folk Songwriting Competition early in his career, which helped launch him into the national spotlight[4].
- He worked a variety of odd jobs to support himself during his early years, including as an oil proration analyst, construction worker, and pressman at Hatch Show Print in Nashville[1][4].
- Keen is a major supporter of music education, raising over $1 million for the Hill Country Youth Orchestras through annual benefit concerts[4].
- His song 'The Road Goes on Forever' has become an anthem in Texas music and was covered by The Highwaymen, further cementing his legacy[3].
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- John A. Lomax, Jr. - Leader of the Houston Folklore Society, influential in the folk scene that shaped Keen's early musical interests. (Houston Folklore Society Hootenannies) [1960s-1970s]
- Willie Nelson - Stylistic influence; Keen grew up listening to Nelson's records, which shaped his approach to songwriting and Texas country music. (General influence, no direct collaboration) [1970s-present]
Key Collaborators
- Lyle Lovett - Friend and musical partner from Texas A&M; co-wrote and performed 'The Front Porch Song.' (The Front Porch Song, live performances) [1977-present]
- The Front Porch Boys - Early band formed in College Station; performed together during college years. (Local gigs, formative musical experiences) [late 1970s]
Artists Influenced
- Pat Green - Inspired by Keen's songwriting and Texas country style; Green has cited Keen as a major influence on his own music. (Pat Green's albums and live performances) [1990s-present]
- Randy Rogers Band - Draws on Keen's blend of storytelling and Texas roots in their own work. (Band's discography) [2000s-present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Walking Distance | 1998-10-27 | Album |
| Ready For Confetti | 2011-01-01 | Album |
| A Bigger Piece Of Sky | 2004-08-10 | Album |
| West Textures | 1989 | Album |
| No Kinda Dancer | 2004-08-10 | Album |
| #2 Live Dinner | 2004-08-10 | Album |
| Live Dinner Reunion | 2016-11-18 | Album |
| Live At The Ryman | 2006-07-11 | Album |
| Gringo Honeymoon | 1994-01-01 | Album |
| Still the King: Celebrating the Music of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys | 2015-03-03 | Album |
| The Live Album | 1988 | Album |
| What I Really Mean | 2005-05-10 | Album |
| Happy Prisoner: The Bluegrass Sessions (Deluxe Edition) | 2015-02-06 | Album |
| The Party Never Ends | 2003-01-01 | Album |
| Western Chill | 2024-06-07 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Feelin' Good Again (Walking Distance)
- Corpus Christi Bay (A Bigger Piece Of Sky)
- The Road Goes On Forever (West Textures)
- I Gotta Go (Ready For Confetti)
- Shade Of Gray - Live (Live Dinner Reunion)
- The Front Porch Song (No Kinda Dancer)
- Feeling Good Again (Live At The Ryman)
- Gringo Honeymoon (Live At The Ryman)
- Copenhagen (The Live Album)
- I'm Comin' Home (Gringo Honeymoon)
External Links
Tags: #americana, #country, #folk
References
Heard on WWOZ
robert earl keen has been played 4 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 19, 2025 | 21:11 | Merry Christmas from the family | Music of Mass Distractionw/ Black Mold | |
| Dec 18, 2025 | 22:52 | Merry Christmas from the familyfrom Best | Kitchen Sinkw/ Jennifer Brady | |
| Nov 21, 2025 | 21:13 | shades of gray | Music of Mass Distractionw/ Black Mold | |
| Nov 15, 2025 | 16:08 | make it fast, make it slowfrom make it fast, make it slow | World Journeyw/ Logan |