Texas Heritage Songwriters Association Honors Guy Clark, Tamara Saviano

Tamara Saviano accepts the DKR Texas Music Legend Award from presenter Rodney Crowell.

Photos by Ted Parker Jr.

The Texas Heritage Songwriters Association held a special tribute to the life and legacy of Guy Clark April 7 at the Paramount Theater in Austin, and a who’s who of Texas and Nashville talent showed up to pay their respects musically at the event.

Produced and emceed by Texas Heritage Songwriters Association Hall of Fame member Rodney Crowell, the show also included performances by Joe Ely, Bruce Robison, Lee Roy Parnell, Jack Ingram, Verlon Thompson, Terry Allen, Brennen Leigh, Shawn Camp, The Trishas, Noel McKay and Terry McBride.

Producer, manager, Clark biographer, and longtime Americana and Texas music champion Tamara Saviano was awarded the Darrell K Royal Texas Music Legend Award during the evening by BMI’s Jody Williams.

“There’s been a well-worn path between Texas and Tennessee for many generations,” said Saviano upon receiving the honor. “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. 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.”

The TxHSA’s 2018 Hall of Fame Class was also announced during the event, and includes Buddy Holly, Mickey Newbury, Liz Rose and Ray Wylie Hubbard.

Jody Williams honors Tamara Saviano.

Joe Ely performs “Magdalene.”

Noel McKay performs “Favorite Picture of You.”