Keen, Lovett, and Van Zandt Inducted to TxHSA Hall of Fame

(L-R) Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle and Robert Earl Keen performing at the 2012 Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards Show. Photo: Jenny Hartgrove

The Texas Heritage Songwriters Association held its 7th Annual Hall of Fame Awards Show March 4 at Austin City Limits Live at Moody Theater in downtown Austin. This year’s honorees included beloved singer/songwriters Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen and the late Townes Van Zandt. Keen and Lovett performed at the show, along with Steve Earle and other Texas artists.

The Awards Show is part of a two-day celebration which coincides with Texas’ Independence Day. On March 3, a private homecoming party was held at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum with performances by Bob DiPiero, Jeffrey Steele and David Lee Murphy.

As an ongoing supporter of the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, The Texas Heritage Songwriters Association donated five dollars of every ticket sold directly to the organization, which provides access to affordable health care for Austin’s low income, uninsured musicians.

Past honorees and performers include Willie Nelson, Guy Clark, Clint Black, Allen Shamblin, Gary Nicholson, Bruce Channel, Red Steagall, Lee Roy Parnell, Mac Davis, Larry Gatlin and Kris Kristofferson.

L-R: David Lee Murphy, Jeffrey Steele, Jody Williams, Bob DiPiero. Photo: Rick Henson