Many books and essays have addressed the broad sweep of Texas music—its multicultural aspects, its wide array and blending of musical genres, its historical transformations, and its love/hate relationship with Nashville and other established music business centers. This book, however, focuses on an essential thread in this tapestry: the Texas singer-songwriters to whom the contributors refer as “ruthlessly poetic.” All songs require good lyrics, but for these songwriters, the poetic quality and substance of the lyrics are front and center. Obvious candidates for this category would include Townes Van Zandt, Michael Martin Murphey, Guy Clark, Steve Fromholz, Terry Allen, Kris Kristofferson, Vince Bell, and David Rodriguez. In a sense, what these songwriters were doing in small, intimate live-music venues like the Jester Lounge in Houston, the Chequered Flag in Austin, and the Rubaiyat in Dallas was similar to what Bob Dylan was doing in Greenwich Village. In the language of the times, these were “folksingers.” Unlike Dylan, however, these were folksingers writing songs about their own people and their own origins and singing in their own vernacular. This music, like most great poetry, is profoundly rooted. That rootedness, in fact, is reflected in the book’s emphasis on place and the powerful ways it shaped and continues to shape the poetry and music of Texas singer-songwriters. From the coffeehouses and folk clubs where many of the “founders” got their start to the Texas-flavored festivals and concerts that nurtured both their fame and the rise of a new generation, the indelible stamp of origins is inseparable from the work of these troubadour-poets. Contents Introduction, by Craig Clifford and Craig D. Hillis | 1 Part One. The First Generation: Folksingers, Texas Style Too Weird for Kerrville: The Darker Side of Texas Music | 17 Craig Clifford Townes Van Zandt: The Anxiety, Artifice, and Audacity of Influence | 27 Robert Earl Hardy Vignette—The Ballad of Willis Alan Ramsey | 36 Bob Livingston Guy Clark: Old School Poet of the World | 39 Tamara Saviano Kris Kristofferson: The Silver-Tongued Rhodes Scholar | 49 Peter Cooper Vignette—Don Henley: Literature, Land, and Legacy | 59 Kathryn Jones Steven Fromholz, Michael Martin Murphey, and Jerry Jeff Walker: Poetic in Lyric, Message, and Musical Method | 61 Craig D. Hillis Vignette—Kinky Friedman: The Mel Brooks of Texas Music | 83 Craig Clifford Billy Joe Shaver: Sin and Salvation Poet | 85 Joe Holley One Man’s Music: Vince Bell | 92 Joe Nick Patoski Vignette—Ray Wylie Hubbard: Grifter, Ruffian, Messenger | 101 Jenni Finlay The Great Progressive Country Scare of the 1970s | 103 Craig D. Hillis (interview with Gary P. Nunn) Plenty Else to Do: Lyrical Lubbock | 109 Andy Wilkinson Roots of Steel: The Poetic Grace of Women Texas Singer-Songwriters | 115 Kathryn Jones From Debauched Yin to Mellow Yang: A Circular Trip through the Texas Music Festival Scene | 136 Jeff Prince Vignette—Bobby Bridger: “Heal in the Wisdom,” Creating a Classic | 145 Craig D. Hillis (interview with Bobby Bridger) Interlude: What Do We Do with Willie? | 148 —I. Willie (An Early Encounter) | 148 Craig D. Hillis —II. Willie (On Everything) | 151 Craig Clifford and Craig D. Hillis Part Two. The Second Generation: Garage Bands, Large Bands, and Other Permutations “Gettin’ Tough”: Steve Earle’s America | 161 Jason Mellard Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen: Cosmic Aggies | 166 Jan Reid Vignette—Walt Wilkins: Spirituality and Generosity | 174 Craig Clifford (interview with Tim Jones) Lucinda Williams: Poet of Places in the Heart | 176 Kathryn Jones Rodney Crowell: Looking Inward, Looking Outward | 185 John T. Davis Vignette—Sam Baker: Short Stories in Song | 192 Robert Earl Hardy James McMurtry: Too Long in the Wasteland | 193 Diana Finlay Hendricks Part Three. Epilogue: Passing of the Torch? Drunken Poet’s Dream: Hayes Carll | 203 —I. Good Enough for Old Guys | 203 Craig Clifford —II. Good Enough for Young Guys | 207 Brian T. Atkinson Roll On: Terri Hendrix | 209 Brian T. Atkinson From Riding Bulls to Dead Horses: Ryan Bingham | 212 Craig Clifford (interview with Shaina Post) Bad Girl Poet: Miranda Lambert | 218 Craig Clifford Challenge to Bro Country: Kacey Musgraves | 221 Grady Smith Beyond the Rivers | 224 Craig Clifford Notes | 231 Selected Sources | 233 Contributors | 243 Index | 251

"In Hopeless, Sky left no secret unearthed, no feeling unshared and no memory forgotten, but Holder's past remains a mystery. He is haunted by the little girl he let walk away from him and he has spent his entire life searching for her. He had hoped that he would finally gain closure and be able to rid himself of his guilt the moment they were reconnected. But he could not have anticipated that the exact opposite would occur and even more guilt and regret would be thrust upon him. Sometimes in life, if we wish to move forward we must first dig deep into our past and make amends with it. In Losing Hope, readers will learn what was going on inside Holder's head during all those moments that left him feeling hopeless and see whether he can perhaps gain the peace he desperately needs"--

How many composers, songwriters and lyricists wrote music in the twentieth century?? Who were they?? This first edition identifies more than 14,000 people who did so, and all are listed in this eBook alphabetically along with a hyperlink to their Wikipedia biographical data. Performers of blues, folk, jazz, rock & roll and R&B are included by default. PLEASE NOTE: THE HYPERLINKS IN THIS BOOK ONLY FUNCTION ON GOOGLE PLAY aka THE 'FLOWING' VERSION. The hyperlinks in this book DO NOT CURRENTLY FUNCTION on the GOOGLE BOOKS ' FIXED' version.

(Guitar Recorded Versions). Note-for-note guitar transcriptions with tab for 16 songs from the rich repertoire of this popular and respected singer-songwriter. Includes: Be Careful * Blue Sky * Change * Chief * Goodbye * Let Him Fly * Long Ride Home * Mad Mission * Makin' Pies * Mary * Moses * One Big Love * Poor Man's House * Rain * Sweet Lorraine * and Tony, plus a biography and photos of Griffin.

In a harsh and noisy time, a young girl's key to her dreams -- music -- may be closer than she thinks. There was a new song playing in the back of Alma's head. An angry song, for Jovita and her killer, and Eddie, and everybody whose family did things that everybody had to live with. She could feel it, thumping in her brain, but couldn't hear it well enough to even hum it. Not in this house. She needed quiet, and a guitar. She needed Mrs. B's house. Alma misses many things. She misses her grandmother; her big brother Eddie back when he didn't deal drugs; the freedom she had before her baby niece Silvita was born; and now, worst of all, she misses Jovita, the singer she idolized who was recently killed in a drive-by shooting. Just when things seem hopeless, Alma discovers the cat door in her neighbor's often-empty home, and an unintended window opens into a better world, full of music. And what could be the harm in Alma's stealing (borrowing, really) a little peace and quiet, maybe even a ticket to her future? Peni R. Griffin has created a character at once bitter and optimistic. She has succeeded, even more impressively, in making the "dark" world surrounding Alma shine with small -- but life-changing -- possibility.

Since publishing its first issue in 1981, The Austin Chronicle has evolved alongside the city's sound to define and give voice to 'The Live Music Capital of the World.' ... In honor of the Chronicle's thirtieth anniversary, this anthology gathers the weekly's best music writing and photography ... Capturing the moments that make music history as they happen ...

Scott Verbout turned to the music of his favorite singers to get through an especially difficult time while coping with depression and autism in 2020. In this book, he reflects on his love of the music that has provided such a comfort to him over the years. The singers and songs he highlights have helped him overcome feelings of hopelessness and desperation. So often, his favorite singers have found the exact words to provide him with comfort when he needed it most. They include Natalie Merchant, Sarah McLachlan, Melissa Etheridge, and Patty Griffin. He also recounts face-to-face meetings he has had with some of his favorite singers. Through recollections and lyrics, he provides a look at how important music has been to him over three decades. Join the author as he celebrates the healing power of music and how it has gotten him through dark times, including a global pandemic.