Robert Earl Keen concluded his career as a touring musician in September 2022, but like many who have spent most of their adult lives entertaining large crowds, it's an intoxicant that is difficult to resist. After multiple attempts at finding new hobbies, he decided to spend his retirment doing what he loves the most, entertaining large crowds and continuing to write and record music. Among his accomplishments over the past couple of years, he experienced his Grand Ol Opry debut in March, he'll play Red Rocks Amphitheater on May 9 with Turnpike Troubadours, and will return to Gruene Hall on May 17.
Willie Nelson has assembled a perfect band to accompany him while still maintinaing a relatively busy touring schedule for a 91 year old. Up front with Willie is Waylon Payne who has not only had a very successful career as a songwriter and performing musician, but also has had some success in acting including expertly portraying Jerry Lee Lewis in the 2005 film "Walk The Line". He is also joined up front by his surprisingly entertaining youngest son Micah Nelson, and with 2 guitars and 2 voices adding to Willie, the sound is thick with harmony and both hints of Willie as a younger man and sounds that are both classic and new and bring a brand of Willie to yet another generation in a way that gives them an experience of the history of music as well as fresh, new songs that resonated with the crowd. There are people of all ages on hand for this chapter of Willie, including parents introducting their kids to music that was played for them as children by their parents. It's hard to believe that the original outlaws of country music are all but gone, but for now we still have Willie Nelson, and he's still got us.
VIDEOS:
Willie Nelson:
Robert Earl Keen:
The Jakes:
