The Robert Earl Keen (REK) Christmas variety show, entitled “REK’s Fam-O-Lee Back to the Country Jamboree,” has been a labor of love for the Texas-born songwriter and performer. Having worked on the development of the show from April through its launch this month (the first show date is November 27 in Chattanooga, Tennessee), REK sat down with us for a recent phone interview regarding his schedule, his music, and the opportunities he has to do what he loves most.
Since before the release of “Merry Christmas From the Family” on his “No. 2 Live Dinner” album back in 1996, Christmas has held a special place in Keen’s heart. In describing the prospect of making his Christmas show bigger and brighter, he explained, “It’s 19 shows in 30 days. It is ambitious in that I’ve always dreamed of taking it out of Texas. And, where before, we would have one bus, we now have a truck with the set,” indicating it’s a much larger undertaking, but one that he’s up to the task for. “I’m just trying to bring the Christmas spirit to people the best way I know how,” he noted.
With a country/rock theme, costumed performers, REK hits together with featured songs by Tom Petty and Neil Young, to name just a couple, Keen noted that this Christmas/country revue-type show has been a very hands-on project for him. With his thought and decision-making (coupled with a supportive team and a fantastic booking agent in the form of Bobby Cudd) he explained “We’re not bringing a message to the people. We’re simply bringing our version of a fun Christmas variety show to the fans.”
Photo: Darren Carroll
Beginning in Tennessee, the show makes its way to the eastern coast, then up into New York, and down into the deep south before making its way to Texas for the first of four shows in his home state, separated only by one show in Nashville, Tennessee in its final month of December. The final show of the Christmas variety tour takes place December 30 in Fort Worth at the Bass Performance Hall.
Coupled with this tour comes the re-release of his “No. 2 Live Dinner” project. “For the first time ever, this album, which was originally recorded at Floore’s Country Store, will have the ‘Merry Christmas From the Family’ included on its first release of vinyl,” Keen noted. With a dust jacket that’s sure to be befitting of the project, it’s guaranteed to become a prized possession for REK fans specifically as well as vinyl collectors in general.
When asked about his career and musical talents, Keen closed the interview with a heartfelt, “All I ever wanted to do was play music and sing. From the first time I learned a D chord when I sat and played that chord for hours, just because I liked the way it sounded. And, I had a penchant for putting words together long before that…I wanted to broaden my horizons and play as much as possible.” Of his home state, Keen explained, “Every song I write is rooted in Texas, or has a Texas setting or Texas dialogue. I’m all about being from the great Lone Star State.” You can catch Robert Earl Keen in the “‘REK’s Fam-O-Lee Back to the Country Jamboree” tour running November 27 through December 30 at the dates/locations provided here. In addition to this holiday show, Keen performs at approximately 120 shows per year, and, beginning in January 2018, fans can anticipate seeing him perform with fellow Texan Lyle Lovett in a few upcoming shows, as well as opening for George Strait at Las Vegas dates in the new year.
