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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZKEEN, Robert Earl(b 11 January 1956, Houston TX) Country singer-songwriter. Began playing bluegrass in college in Texas with the Front Porch Boys; co-wrote 'This Old Porch' with fellow student Lyle Lovett, which they've both recorded. Moved to Austin '81 and switched to folk/country rock as the Incredible Robert Keen and Some Other Guy's Band; first LP No Kinda Dancer on Workshop was picked up by Rounder (later on Sugar Hill). Encouraged by Steve Earle he moved to Nashville '84; he sang backup on Nancy Griffith's 'St Olav's Gate' and she recorded his 'Sing One For Sister' and 'I Would Change My Mind'. Back in Texas he cut The Live Album '88, then West Textures '89 (about life in Texas) was an ideal vehicle for his gruff voice. He toured regularly, including to Europe where his troubadour style acquired a cult following. Further albums: A Bigger Piece Of The Sky '93, Gringo Honeymoon '95, No. 2 Live Diner '96; all on Sugar Hill, some on Special Delivery in UK. Picnic '97 on Arista Austin maintained the high standard. There have been about 20 albums. Addenda: One of his songs about surprising events and unexpected turns has it that "The road goes on forever and the party never ends", but he retired from touring in 2022, after a final tour dubbed "I'm Coming Home". But the songs didn't stop coming. Western Chill, on his own Scriptorium Rex label, included two vinyl LPs, a DVD video, a complete songbook, and a 92-page graphic novel written by Devin McCue and illustrated by Bryan Burk. Some of the songs are written or co-written by band members bassist Bill Whitbeck, mandolinist Kym Warner and fiddler Brian Beken, who also take vocal leads. The theme of the package is "It's easy to be somebody, but it's hard to disappear." As long as we have the songs, Keen will be with us. (Thanks to Barry Mazor in the Wall Street Journal) |