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Written by Branden Hart
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Thursday, 21 May 2009 |
 Robert Earl Keen takes the stage. Photo by Flickr's jljohnstone.
Born Robert Earl Keen, Jr., in Houston in 1956, the Texas native has been delivering a unique country sound for several decades, and his latest release, Marfa After Dark, further cements Keen’s status as a modern country legend. (The album is available for free download on Keen’s official Web site.)
Despite numerous songs like “Think It Over One Time,” which might best be defined as sophisticated pop country, Keen’s true heart lies in storytelling, as evidenced in classics like “The Road Goes on Forever” (with which he ends all his live performances) and “Merry Christmas From the Family.” His irreverent attitude toward depicting a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde and a Christmas with the modern dysfunctional family, respectively, serve as some of the most honest musical investigations of the human condition ever to come out of Texas music.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of “The Road Goes on Forever,” fans are invited to submit stories about how the song changed their lives to Keen’s Web site. They may be picked to be featured in a documentary about the song, “Year of the Road,” set to film in 2009.
When Keen shows up on stage at Bonnaroo, he will bring with him the Texas spirit that drives so much of his inventive music, and given his reputation, it’s certain that spirit will shine bright in the blazing Tennessee sun.
[Robert Earl Keen Official Web site, Front page image by Flickr's "jljohnstone"]
Branden Hart, TheSequitur.com's managing editor, works as an editor in San Antonio.
Correction: June 23, 2009 – Due to a reporting error, we incorrectly reported that Robert Earl Keen recorded the song “Carry On.” “Carry On” was recorded by Pat Green. We regret the error.
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