Country music singer Hal Ketchum was at the height of his career in the mid-’90s. Prior to that, he was a fixture at Gruene Hall, in the Texas Hill Country, for close to a decade, working as a carpenter by day and playing no-cover shows at night. He eventually made the move up to Nashville, Tennessee, signing a deal with Curb Records. He sold more than 5 million records between ’91 and ’06, including such hits as “Small Town Saturday Night,” and “Hearts are Gonna Roll,” and played to sold-out shows everywhere. Then, medical issues took Ketchum off the road. Ever since then, he’s had a string of tragedies enough to bring a strong man to their knees, which is why a tribute show is being planned at Gruene Hall, in New Braunfels, on February 23, 2020, coupled with a GoFundMe campaign, an online auction, and more!
From 2009 to 2013, brain and medical issues forced Ketchum to break from performing. He explained, “I was just shakin’ the cobwebs out of my head.” He began to get his feet back on the ground in 2014 with the release of his highly acclaimed record entitled, “I’m The Troubadour,” when tragedy struck again. The brain damage he had suffered previously took the form of full-fledged Alzheimer’s. Ketchum is now considered to be in the late stages of the disease, with his wife, Andrea, caring for him around the clock. In the midst of his breakdown in 2009, it’s alleged that Ketchum was coerced into signing away his royalties. Now with funds currently running low for the couple, and health care costing a pretty penny, Gruene Hall has chosen to step up and assist Hal and Andrea with an amazing benefit! A sold-out show is happening at the hall on February 23, 2020. But don’t let this discourage you, there are plenty of ways you can enjoy the fine music, donate to support Hal and Andrea, and experience parts of the benefit designed for his fans.
Photo: Facebook/Raised by Wolves, Bound for Glory: A TX Tribute to Hal Ketchum
A great group of Texas musicians have stepped up to play at Ketchum’s tribute show on February 23, 2020, including Walt Wilkins & The Mystiqueros, Lee Roy Parnell with Rob Roy Parnell, Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers, Jamie Lin Wilson, Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis, Jesse Dayton, Waylon Payne, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Kevin Fowler.
Show details and performance times can be found at halketchum.com or on his official Facebook page at the link provided here. If you have any questions regarding the benefit, please direct them to Tracie Ferguson at (512) 618-1171 or call the Gruene Hall Office at (830) 629-5077. Due to the fact that the show is already sold-out, if you would like to donate to the GoFundMe campaign which has been established on behalf of Hal and Andrea, you can do so at gofundme.com/halketchummedicalfund.
An online auction will also be happening starting February 18, 2020, in support of Hal, including special items donated by many of his Nashville friends. Those who aren’t fortunate enough to be able to attend the show at Gruene Hall can still support the cause by bidding on items using the HandBid app. Visit your phone’s app store to download the app. Once installed, look for the Hal Ketchum Auction and begin your browsing and bidding. A credit card will be required, and you’ll be able to receive text notifications regarding the status of your bids. To date, items have been donated by some of Hal’s industry counterparts such as Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Kathy Mattea, Bill Cooley, Rodney Crowell, Dan Fouts, and Keb Mo, as well as original paintings and personal items from Hal, gift baskets from Gruene, beautiful etchings by Hal’s wife Andrea, and more. You can find more information on HandBid at halketchum.com, or Hal Ketchum on Facebook.
Photo: Facebook/Hal Ketchum
In addition to the benefit show at Gruene Hall, the GoFundMe campaign, and the online auction, a live stream of “The Dancehall Tapes – A Texas Music Preservation Project,” has been made available for those wishing to watch and make a small donation to Hal’s care. Consisting of a beautiful three-song film of Hal and his career, it will be streamed on their website (thedancehalltapes.com) and Facebook page. Visit their respective links for more information.
