We hope this message finds you both healthy and well. Our organization continues to monitor the current COVID-19 situation while working with music and community leadership for guidance and planning towards a 2021 TxHSA Hall of Fame Weekend. Like many of you, we are evaluating the different scenarios which can affect our outcome. We also recognize that our valued songwriters, supporters, and sponsors are struggling with this challenge.

The uncertainty around timelines for life returning to normal can be unsettling. Like many of you, we are monitoring executive orders issued by Gov. Greg Abbott towards an ongoing plan of opening businesses and activities in Texas.

As you can imagine, our organization faces important decisions in planning for a 2021 Hall of Fame, including venue availability, artist participation, and sponsor tolerance. The successful execution of this annual celebration requires extensive planning and time; therefore, we will continue to evaluate the feasibility of a Hall of Fame Weekend while entering the summer months.

We encourage each of you to continue following social distancing guidelines and health standards. As our governor stated, with every Texan doing their part, we will contain COVID-19, we will unleash our entrepreneurs and make it through this challenge together.

We wish you good health and prosperity and encourage you to contact us with any questions or feedback. 

Respectfully,

Michelle Johnson
Executive Director, TxHSA

TxHSA Board member Joe Ables revealed the new class of songwriters during its Key West Songwriters Festival Texas Music Showcase, a production co-sponsored by the Texas Music Office. This evening included special performances by TxHSA Hall of Fame members Aaron Barker, Lee Roy Parnell, and Liz Rose, along with Alyssa Micaela, Jack Ingram, Jamie Lin Wilson, Heather Morgan, Rob Baird, and Wade Bowen at the Key West Theater.

The 2020 TxHSA Hall of Fame Weekend will return to Austin February 21-22, 2020, celebrating the songwriting achievements of its latest class of inductees.

A VIP sponsor-only DKR Pickin’ Party at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum will kick off the weekend on Friday, Feb. 21. Saturday’s public Hall of Fame Awards Show at the Paramount Theatre will both honor and celebrate these new honorees, bringing them into the spotlight and inducting them into the TxHSA Hall of Fame. Sponsors and patrons can expect a weekend celebration packed with performances and appearances from past inductees, Grammy Award winners, renowned songwriters, and recording artists.

Texas’ self-styled culture is unique in ways that are respected and envied around the world, and so is its songwriting. Jerry Jeff Walker is strongly associated with the progressive “outlaw” country scene that centered around Austin, Texas in the 1970s and included such notable figures as TxHSA Hall of Fame members Willie Nelson, Guy Clark, Billy Joe Shaver, and Townes Van Zandt. Walker’s “Mr. Bojangles” is perhaps his most well-known and most-often covered song. His best-known album, Viva Terlingua, was recorded in 1973 in the tiny Texas town of Luckenbach with the Lost Gonzo Band and went gold.

Nacogdoches-native Jim Collins has charted seven singles on Billboard, and had more than 150 of his songs cut, including singles by Kenny Chesney “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy,” “The Good Stuff,” and “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven”; Chad Brock “Yes!”; Jason Aldean “Big Green Tractor”; and Gretchen Wilson “I Don’t Feel Like Loving You Today” which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Song. 

The late Larry Henley of Arp, Texas, first reached success as the lead singer of pop group Newbeats, charting two hits in the top 20 of Billboard magazine with one of the two, “Bread and Butter,” reaching No. 2 and selling over a million copies. Henley co-wrote “‘Til I Get It Right” for Tammy Wynette, a 1973 No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles, later covered by Barbra Streisand and Kenny Rogers. Other No. 1 country hits were his songs “Is It Still Over?” performed by Randy Travis, “Lizzie and the Rainman” performed by Tanya Tucker, and “He’s a Heartache (Looking for a Place to Happen)” performed by Janie Fricke. Henley is a 2012 inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and best-known for co-writing the 1989 hit “Wind Beneath My Wings,” a U.S. No. 1 hit for Bette Midler.

Born in Atlanta, Texas, the late Susanna Clark was an American artist and country/folk songwriter. She wrote the No. 1 hit “I’ll be Your San Antone Rose,” recorded first by artist Dottsy. She co-wrote “Come From the Heart,” which Don Williams first recorded and Kathy Mattea took to No. 1 in 1989. Her songs have been covered by the likes of Carlene Carter, Emmylou Harris, Miranda Lambert, and Jerry Jeff Walker.

The late Aaron Thibeaux “T-Bone” Walker of Linden, Texas was an American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, who was a pioneer and innovator of the jump blues and electric blues sound. In 2018 Rolling Stone magazine ranked him No. 37 on its list of “The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.” Walker is credited with influencing Chuck Berry, B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, and Steve Miller. Some of his most notable songs include, “Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just as Bad),” “Bobby Sox Blues,” (a No. 3 R&B hit in 1947), and “West Side Baby” (a No. 8 on the R&B singles chart in 1948). Walker was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Last year’s inductees included Billy F Gibbons, Bob McDill, Christopher Cross and Steve Earle. Other past inductees include the likes of Cindy Walker, Guy Clark, Kris Kristofferson, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, K.T. Oslin, and Townes Van Zandt, to name a few.

A limited number of seats for the 2020 Hall of Fame Awards Show will be made available to the public in January.

Parties interested in sponsorship opportunities should visit texasheritagesongwriters.com/sponsorship or contact sponsorships@texasheritagesongwriters.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUSTIN, Texas, May 15, 2018 — The Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association(TxHSA) is pleased to announce its 2019 Hall of Fame class of inductees: Christopher Cross, Steve Earle, Billy F Gibbons and Bob McDill. 

In partnership with the Texas Music Office, the TxHSA surprised attendees at the 2018 Key West Songwriters Festival last Friday night with its announcement during a showcase of Texas songwriters. Performers included Rob Baird, Keith Gattis, Troy Cartwright, Heather Morgan, Aaron Barker, Jamie Lin Wilson, Liz Rose and Bruce Robison at the Key West Theater.

Now available for pre-sale the 2018 Texas Heritage Songwriters’ inductee artwork. Order now to receive a discount. Artwork will ship after February 25th.

Click here to order!

Also, a limited number of seats for Saturday’s Hall of Fame Awards Show will go on sale Friday, January 26, 2018. Ticket information will be made available at the Paramount Theatre box office, or by calling 512-474-1221.

Parties interested in sponsorship opportunities should visit texasheritagesongwriters.com/sponsorship or contact Meredith Hannon for sponsorship information: meredith@texasheritagesongwriters.com.

This update follows the TxHSA’s announcement here.

A VIP sponsor-only DKR Pickin’ Party at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum will kick off the weekend on Friday, February 23rd with special performances by Maren Morris, Lori McKenna and Jack Ingram. Saturday’s TxHSA Awards Show wraps up a Hall of Fame Weekend celebration packed with performances from past inductees, Grammy Award winners, and renowned songwriters and recording artists.

These four honored Texas artists will join an exclusive group who embody the spirit of Texas through songwriting. Past inductees include the likes of Guy Clark, Kris Kristofferson, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, K.T. Oslin, and Townes Van Zandt.

A limited number of seats for Saturday’s Hall of Fame Awards Show will be made available to the public with ticket sales announced soon. Parties interested in sponsorship opportunities should visit texasheritagesongwriters.com/sponsorship or contact Meredith Hannon for sponsorship information: meredith@texasheritagesongwriters.com.

The DKR Homecoming Show kicked off with beautiful institutional video recounting the history and development of the TxHSA organization. Hosted by Austin’s award-winning, veteran journalist Judy Maggio, attendees were the first to receive the announcement of the TxHSA’s 2018 Hall of Fame Class: Buddy Holly, Mickey Newbury, Liz Rose and Ray Wylie Hubbard.

In recognition of tireless support with Texas songwriters, the TxHSA also awarded Guy Clark biographer, Tamara Saviano, with its Darrell K Royal Texas Music Legend Award. Coach Royal, the original recipient, spent years supporting and honoring songwriters, and the TxHSA has proudly carried the spirit of his efforts forward, in his name.

The 2017 recipient, Wisconsin native and Nashville resident, Saviano, is no stranger to Texas music. During the past two decades, she established herself as a tireless advocate of American music and its artists, notably working at length with Texas singer-songwriters Kris Kristofferson, Radney Foster, and the late Guy Clark. She is a GRAMMY-winning producer, publicist, manager, live concert producer, talent booker, and former music television producer and music journalist.

Ms. Saviano stood before a packed house in both tearful and appreciative receipt as previous recipient, Jody Williams of BMI, introduced her as the 2017 DKR Texas Music Legend Award. Hall of Fame member Rodney Crowell presented Tamara with a shadowboxed award coupled with a state flag flown over the Texas Capitol in her honor.

Ms. Saviano noted, “There’s been a well-worn path between Texas and Tennessee for many generations. To me, Austin and Nashville are sister cities, united in our collective quest to write great songs and discover great songwriters. Texans Kris Kristofferson, Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Lee Roy Parnell, Gary Nicholson, Radney Foster and many others have made their way from Texas to Nashville in search of publishing and recording deals. Yet, these Lone Star natives never lose the Texas in them.” Saviano added, “Guy would be so proud tonight. I still can’t believe he is gone and miss him every day. Many of his friends and family are here tonight, on stage and off, and we haven’t been together under one roof since Guy’s memorial. Grief shared is grief diminished and tonight I feel only joy and gratitude.”

Legendary Texas football head coach Darrell K Royal was the original recipient of the Texas Music Legend Award. He was not only respected for his accomplishments on the field, but also in life — a life of integrity with more than half a century of service to the University and to Texas. Coach was also known for his deep love, respect and appreciation for songwriters, especially Texas songwriters. In acknowledgment of this, Ms. Saviano noted in her speech, “Coach Royal once said: “I want to be remembered as a winning coach, but I also want to be remembered as an honest and ethical coach.” I love that quote. It’s how I want to be remembered, too, as an honest and ethical woman, and a friend and advocate of my dear Texas songwriters.”

The Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association will return to the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum and ACL Live at the Moody Theater next year where they will host the 2018 Hall of Fame Weekend. Presented on February 23rd and 24th, 2018, this weekend will include the TxHSA Hall of Fame Awards Show. Attendees can expect another incredible evening honoring Texas songwriting greats, including the late Buddy Holly, Liz Rose, Ray Wylie Hubbard and the late Mickey Newbury.

For more information and access to timely news and events with the Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association, please subscribe to their newsletter by visiting the organization’s newly redesigned website at TexasHeritageSongwriters.com.

AUSTIN, Texas, April 28, 2016 — The Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association(TxHSA) will host two ticketed shows during the 21st Annual Key West Songwriter’s Festival (KWSWF) on Saturday, May 7th, 2016.

In partnership with Broadcast Music, Inc., (BMI), the TxHSA will showcase its Bloody Mary Brunch at 10:00 a.m. with a special performance by TxHSA Hall of Fame honoree Robert Earl Keen at the Smokin’ Tuna Saloon. Later that evening, at 8:00 p.m., Texas songwriter Jack Ingram will headline a performance-in-the-round at theKey West Theater, featuring special guests Scotty Emerick, Liz Rose, Shawn Camp, Emily Earle, Heather Morgan, Alyssa and more!

Presented since 1997 by sponsor BMI, the KWSWF is the largest event of its kind in the world. The festival is both a favorite of island locals and a unique tourist attraction, drawing in live music fans and songwriting aficionados.

“BMI is thrilled to have the Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association attending the Key West Songwriter’s Festival this year,” says Mason Hunter, Executive Director, BMI. ”The TxHSA has long supported BMI and our affiliates through their many events, including its Hall of Fame Homecoming Weekend. This year, TxHSA is presenting two highly-touted events on Saturday during the festival and we’re excited they are a part of it.”

The TxHSA recently hosted its 10th Annual Hall of Fame Awards Show this past February at ACL Live at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin, Texas, inducting music legends Roy Orbison, Joe Ely, JD Souther and Will Jennings into its 2016 Hall of Fame class.
That special evening included a Joe Ely performance with special performances by The Flatlanders’ Butch Hancock and Jimmie Dale Gilmore, as well as good friend Robert Earl Keen; an honoring of JD Souther; a tribute to the mega-hits of Will Jennings with performances by Rita Coolidge, Rodney Crowell and rising star Mignon Grabois; and a fitting performance and tribute by Mavericks’ frontman Raúl Malo to Roy Orbison.

This class of songwriters joined past inductees, who embody the spirit of Texas and its distinctive culture through songwriting, such as Kris Kristofferson, Townes Van Zandt, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Guy Clark, and many more.

The TxHSA also recognizes one person each year for their enduring recognition and tireless support in the songwriting community by presenting its DKR Texas Music Legend Award. In 2016 this award was bestowed upon Jody Williams, Vice President of BMI.

SOCIAL

Suggested Tweets:
#KeyWestTexas! @TxHSA presents hall of famer @RobertEarlKeen1 at @SmokinTunaKW in the @KWSWF! Sat, May 7!
#KeyWestTexas! @TxHSA presents @KWSWF performance in the round Sat, May 7th at @KWTheater w/@JackIngram, #ScottyEmerick, @LizRose06 & more!

Hashtag:
#KeyWestTexas

Key Brands:

Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @txhsa

Robert Earl Keen
Facebook: @robertearlkeen
Twitter and Instagram: @robertearlkeen1

Jack Ingram
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @JackIngram

BMI
Facebook: @broadcastmusicinc
Twitter and Instagram: @bmi

Smokin’ Tuna Saloon
Facebook: @smokintunasaloon
Twitter: @SmokinaTunaKW
Instagram: @SmokinTuna

Key West Theater
Facebook and Instagram: @keywesttheater
Twitter: @kwtheater

About TxHSA:

The Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association (TxHSA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring and celebrating Texas songwriters who have played an important role in defining and interpreting Texas’ distinctive culture. Established in 2005, TxHSA presents a Homecoming Weekend celebration, including the DKR Songwriters’ Homecoming evening and presentation of its DKR Texas Music Legend Award, and its Hall of Fame Awards Show evening, a public event which hosts an induction ceremony and honoree performance.

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