July 1, 2025 • 8 mins
Big Frank catches up with the great singer-songwriter, Robert Earl Keen!
Join us for a great conversation with Keen, ahead of his visit to Corpus Christi on July 2nd. The Houston-born troubadour opens up about returning to the road after stepping back from his relentless touring schedule, sharing what it feels like to reconnect with audiences after decades of living on the highway.
We dive deep into the mystique of the Texas Hill Country that has shaped so much of Keen's storytelling, exploring how the landscape and culture of his adopted home continues to inspire his songwriting. Robert discusses his latest album "Western Chill," revealing the creative process behind this new chapter in his two-decade-plus recording career.
The conversation takes a fascinating turn as we explore Keen's role as podcast host for the "Americana Podcast: The 51st State," where he's discovered a new platform for celebrating the genre he helped pioneer.
We also get the inside story behind one of his most beloved songs, "Gringo Honeymoon," and what makes it resonate with fans across generations.
Over the course of 20+ albums and countless live performances, Robert Earl Keen has established himself as nothing short of a living legend. Inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters' Hall of Fame and honored with the Texas A&M Distinguished Alumni Award, Keen has built his reputation by avoiding mainstream trends and staying committed to his craft of telling a good story. A true pioneer of the Americana genre, he continues to engage his legions of die-hard fans from both studio and stage, though perhaps a bit more selectively these days.
This is essential listening for anyone who loves authentic American songwriting, Texas music, or simply a great story told by one of the masters.
Join us for a great conversation with Keen, ahead of his visit to Corpus Christi on July 2nd. The Houston-born troubadour opens up about returning to the road after stepping back from his relentless touring schedule, sharing what it feels like to reconnect with audiences after decades of living on the highway.
We dive deep into the mystique of the Texas Hill Country that has shaped so much of Keen's storytelling, exploring how the landscape and culture of his adopted home continues to inspire his songwriting. Robert discusses his latest album "Western Chill," revealing the creative process behind this new chapter in his two-decade-plus recording career.
The conversation takes a fascinating turn as we explore Keen's role as podcast host for the "Americana Podcast: The 51st State," where he's discovered a new platform for celebrating the genre he helped pioneer.
We also get the inside story behind one of his most beloved songs, "Gringo Honeymoon," and what makes it resonate with fans across generations.
Over the course of 20+ albums and countless live performances, Robert Earl Keen has established himself as nothing short of a living legend. Inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters' Hall of Fame and honored with the Texas A&M Distinguished Alumni Award, Keen has built his reputation by avoiding mainstream trends and staying committed to his craft of telling a good story. A true pioneer of the Americana genre, he continues to engage his legions of die-hard fans from both studio and stage, though perhaps a bit more selectively these days.
This is essential listening for anyone who loves authentic American songwriting, Texas music, or simply a great story told by one of the masters.
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