Featured Artists
Steven Fromholz
Steven Fromholz was born June 8, 1945, in Temple, Texas. Mr. Fromholz has
remained true to all that is the Lone Star State. He sings about Texas, writes
about Texas, works in Texas – and lives in Texas! He is often heralded as
one of the last real Texas Troubadours – a cowboy, and a living legend in Texas
Music. Mr. Fromholz's The Texas Trilogy, the three-part saga of life in
the small town of Kopperl, Bosque County, Texas, is considered by many to be the
best song ever written about the State of Texas. Mr. Fromholz is our current
Texas Poet Laureate.
"But a cowboy's life was lonely, and his lot was not the best
But if it hadn't been for men like me, there wouldn't be no west." (Man
with the Big Hat -SF)
http://www.stevenfromholz.com/
Bob Livingston
Bob
Livingston, a real Texas Gonzo, has been around Austin since 1971. He is an
original and authentic cosmic cowboy! Livingston, Gary Nunn and John
Inmon founded the Lost Gonzo Band. Bob played and sang on the historic recoding
of Viva Terlingua and most recently on Viva Terlingua Nuevo. Mr. Livingston is
currently narrowing the culture gap between East and West. Upon returning from a
State's Department tour of India and the East, Bob put together a multi-cultural
group of musicians from Texas and India called Cowboys and Indians. Bob
helped to shape the music of today, and continues to impact its direction for
tomorrow.
"There is a destiny that makes us brothers
None goes his way alone
And all that we send into the lives of others
Comes back into our own." -BL
http://texasmusic.org/index.php
Ray Benson
Ray
Benson is best known as the modern leader of the western swing genre. He is
often credited with single-handedly reviving the music of Texas's very own Bob
Wills. Mr. Benson is the nine-time Grammy award-winning leader of Asleep at the
Wheel. The Texas House of Representatives designated Mr. Benson the "2004 Texas
State Musician." Mr. Benson is dedicated to the celebration of Texas Music. His
support of the Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University-San
Marcos can be seen by his participation in the Texas Music History Unplugged
concert series and the CD.
"We're going to boogie back to Texas eight beats to the mile." -RB
http://www.raybenson.com/
Ruthie Foster
Ms. Foster was raised in Gause, Texas, a small town 180 miles southeast
of Dallas, she grew up surrounded by the rich, soulful sounds of gospel and
blues. Her musical influences include Sam Cooke, Mahalia Jackson, Sister
Rosetta Thorpe, Sarah Vaughn, Etta James, and Lightnin’ Hopkins, but it was her
mother who had the greatest influence by encouraging her to “Open your mouth
and sing, girl!” Foster’s musical journey has taken her from McClennan Community
College in Waco, Texas and a degree in commercial music to a four-year tour with
the U. S. Navy Band “Pride”, to New York City and a contract with Atlantic
Records. Recently, Ms. Foster has given her talents to the Center for Texas
Music History's Texas Music History Unplugged.
"I do believe my soul has found a happy home." -RF
http://www.ruthiefoster.com/
Ray Wylie Hubbard
Mr.
Hubbard was born in Oklahoma, but grew up in Big D. Inspired by Bob Dylan, Ray
began his songwriting career. The 70's found Ray Wylie smack-dab in the middle
of Austin's progressive country music. Since then Ray Wylie has been true to his
calling. Call him country, folk, blues, or rock, it makes no difference. Ray's
music truly transcends the narrow confines of genre labels. Recently, Mr.
Hubbard has been featured in Lone Star Music's Roots and Branches in
Gruene, Texas. His latest CD is entitled Dilirium Tremolos.
"You can't live down in Texas if you don't have a lot of soul." -RWH
http://www.raywylie.com/
Brian Burns
Mr.
Burns grew up in Central Texas. He began his performance career at the
age of 16. Brain once said that music was not something he chose, but
that music chose him. Brian is committed to bringing Texas music to a
new generation of Texans. Brian
travels to many Texas schools during the year to perform songs that
relate to our Texas history curriculum. His I've Been Everywhere in
Texas is a favorite of many of his young Texas fans."When it comes to travelin' Texas, friend, I've been everywhere." -BB
http://brianburnsmusic.com/
Gary P. Nunn
Mr.
Gary P. Nunn began his musical career as a 7th grader in the town of
Brownfield, Texas. During the 1970s Mr. Nunn (Lost Gonzo Band) toured
and recorded with Michael Murphy, Willie Nelson and Jerry Jeff Walker.
In 1977 The Lost Gonzo Band went their own way, and then in 1980 Mr.
Nunn began his solo career. Gary P.'s song writing skill has earned him
much recognition, and thanks to his talent Texans near and far are
called to go home with the armadillo.
"You ask me what I
like about Texas, well I'd tell you but we'd be here all night long."
-GPN
http://www.garypnunn.com/
Jerry Jeff Walker
Mr.
Jerry Jeff Walker is indeed a Texas treasure. He arrived in Austin
during the 1970s and Texas music will forever be grateful. Mr.
Walker has been blessed with the gift of writing and singing stories
that touch the very soul of man. Jerry Jeff and his wife Susan have
also established the Tried & True Foundation. One goal of the
foundation is the building of The American School of Popular Music.
Thanks, Jerry Jeff, for your commitment to all that's good and real
in Texas music!
"My whole life is a song and I'll share it with you now."
-JJW
http://www.jerryjeff.com/