What is it with Texas songwriters?

[germdoc]

I was in the mood for some rootsy music this morning at work so I put on Kris Kristofferson's new album of unreleased demos and songs (using Rhapsody). And that led to Jimmie Dale Gilmour, which led to Joe Ely. What a great bunch of songs. And I realized, there is something in the water down there in Texas that produces GREAT singer-songwriters.

Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Steve Earle, Townes van Zandt, Lucinda Williams, Kinky Friedman, Robert Earl Keane, Guy Clark, Jerry Jeff Walker, Delbert McLinton, Michael Martin Murphey (who currently has a horse ranch in Westby, WI, BTW), Lyle Lovett, plus the guys above all were born or started out their careers in Texas. Not to mention Janice Joplin and Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison...

Every one of them could throw away a song that would put the highest-paid Nashville or LA songwriter to shame. It's hard to find a bad song they have written. I should mention, I am a Townes van Zandt fanatic--one of the most underrated songwriters and performers out there. His song "Pancho and Lefty" is practically a novel in a song. It's a Shakespearean tragedy in 3 stanzas. One of THE best American songs ever written.

This dovetails into my theory that sooner or later all American musicians of note get back to roots music, the intersection of English/Scottish/Irish folk (i.e., real country music) and black blues. And nowhere is this better illustrated than down in Texas.

[sparkeyjames]

You missed one. Stevie Ray Vaughan.

[dbhost]

Three more. Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard, and Dusty Hill, otherwise known as The Little 'ol Band From Texas, A.K.A. ZZ Top...

[germdoc]

OK, we could name Texas rock musicians from now til doomsday. It's a big state!

I like the idea of a guy with a guitar who writes songs that bring tears to your eyes they're so good. Like the first album by Kris Kristofferson. Man, that was awesome.

On a related note, I am going to see Lyle Lovett with his large band in Omaha in July. I have a lot of his stuff but have never seen him in concert. Should be a good time!

[Rand]

I like the idea of a guy with a guitar who writes songs that bring tears to your eyes they're so good.

Here ya go Germdoc

Schenectady - Don Henry and Craig Carothers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y_hpH3PTUc

At first it seems like a song about coming back to your home town but then you realize...

[guhor]

Here are two more Germdoc - one from each gender: Nancy Griffith and Billy Joe Shaver.

Tom J.

[wardprobst]

Don't forget B.W. Stevenson, Willis Alan Ramsey, Freddie King, T-Bone Walker, Doug Sahm, Mance Lipscomb, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Lightning Hopkins and Albert Collins.
DP

[frumper64]

Another vote for Pancho and Lefty as one of the great all time American songs.

[Black wallnut]

But don't you ever forget that Bob Wills is still king!