Rocky Top Aggie said:

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I don't have to agree with someone's politics to enjoy their music (or films or books or) If that were the case, I wouldn't have many choices to pick from.

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Exactly. A rotation of Stranglehold, Cat Scratch Fever and Great White Buffalo can only go so far.

And for those who have cast aspersions on REK, are they based on personal interaction with the guy?

Pretty far right politically here, but REK has always been a nice enough guy (if often quite drunk) from all of my recollections/friends stories. Disagree with his politics but doesn't make me stop listening to his music. He's also helped a lot of Texas musicians over the years.

Friend who lives in/from Kerrville also doesn't have any negative stories, to my knowledge.

Quote:

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And for those who have cast aspersions on REK, are they based on personal interaction with the guy?

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I seriously doubt it. One in the never-ending series of nuclear meltdowns on F16 was over Keen's support for the Biden campaign. He headlined Biden fundraisers with Willie Nelson which a treasonous act blah blah blah

never mind

SanAntoneAg said:

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Rocky Top Aggie said:

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I don't have to agree with someone's politics to enjoy their music (or films or books or) If that were the case, I wouldn't have many choices to pick from.

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Exactly. A rotation of Stranglehold, Cat Scratch Fever and Great White Buffalo can only go so far.

And for those who have cast aspersions on REK, are they based on personal interaction with the guy?

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I can like his music and say his politics suck.

Which I do

Lol at compound bow. Ooooh

When it comes to REK and the OB, there's really only two things that matter ...

He's always been cool when I've met him. And he takes damn good care of his people.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/anniereuter/2021/04/26/robert-earl-keen-refinanced-his-home-to-keep-his-band-paid-and-insured-during-covid-19/

He is pretty approachable, but probably bad timing due to Covid. I have talked to him after quite a few shows. I saw him play at Lake Dillon in Colorado a few weeks ago, he did not do meet with anyone after like he has in the past.

The show was great though. I am not sure what others experienced. I have seen him 20+ times and have loved every show.

Fishing guide I know calls him Robert Earl Queen. It got a little rough in the bay on the boat ride in and apparently he got really mad about getting wet. Geez! Freaking baby!!

trouble said:

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He's always been cool when I've met him. And he takes damn good care of his people.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/anniereuter/2021/04/26/robert-earl-keen-refinanced-his-home-to-keep-his-band-paid-and-insured-during-covid-19/

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He fall on hard times or something? Or does singing and songwriting not pay that well? Wouldn't think he'd need to refinance his place to keep his band paid.

I was a bouncer at The Hall for a couple of years while attending our beloved university. I was always band door and green room security, so got to see a lot behind the scenes. I'd have to be there when the acts got there, sometimes as early as noon the day of a show, and stay until they pull out. Got to see how each star acted casually with their crew, who helped, who was a diva, who requested local drugs, who brought their own, and how they treated me/staff etc

I have a pretty good mental Rolodex of who did what and REK was always pretty cool. Nice enough, not crazy demanding, got his cash after the show and walked around shaking hands with staff, then made a quiet exit.

A Girl Scout compared to some others.

Maybe it made more financial sense than pulling money out of wherever he has it invested.

He kept 10 employees paid, made the payments to their IRA, and paid their insurance premiums all while not playing any gigs, for over a year. No matter how rich he is, that ain't cheap.

Wodanaz said:

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I was a bouncer at The Hall for a couple of years while attending our beloved university. I was always band door and green room security, so got to see a lot behind the scenes. I'd have to be there when the acts got there, sometimes as early as noon the day of a show, and stay until they pull out. Got to see how each star acted casually with their crew, who helped, who was a diva, who requested local drugs, who brought their own, and how they treated me/staff etc

I have a pretty good mental Rolodex of who did what and REK was always pretty cool. Nice enough, not crazy demanding, got his cash after the show and walked around shaking hands with staff, then made a quiet exit.

A Girl Scout compared to some others.

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Would love to hear your stories

Thanks for posting that. REK had kind of fallen out of my rotation, but after reading that article I think I'll buy his new album. Never met him personally, but would be surprised if he's an a-hole considering how well he takes care of his band.

And some of them have been with him for 20 years!

Have drank with REK several times, and he was always very friendly, but that was 20+ years ago. I actually carried his guitar from his Explorer when he played on campus way back when.

Lyle Lovett is in another realm, as he has always been the ultimate gentleman and very gracious to everyone in all my encounters.

Lyle came and spoke at one of my TAMU classes in the late 80s. May have been 90. One of the few times I went to that 8 a.m. class that semester. He was very humble, friendly and well-spoken.

trouble said:

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Maybe it made more financial sense than pulling money out of wherever he has it invested.

He kept 10 employees paid, made the payments to their IRA, and paid their insurance premiums all while not playing any gigs, for over a year. No matter how rich he is, that ain't cheap.

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Makes sense, I guess at that point the market had taken a significant haircut.

I've been to at least 8 of his concerts & never heard him say anything about politics. I do remember him making fun of Taylor Swift one time though

Aston 91 said:

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Burdizzo said:

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I follow James McMurtry on Facebook...he still loves guns.

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As evidenced by video. My wife (who is forced to listen to him thanks to my excellent musical tastes) can't remember his name so she just refers to him as the "the surly *******." I saw him in Austin at Waterloo Records in 2002 for a record release. After he played "Choctaw Bingo" one of the of frat guys in the crowd yelled "what's the name of that song?" He never looked up from tuning his guitar and said "It's on the record. Buy it and find out."

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Their shooting makes me cringe more than knowing their politics suck!

Robin Hood Was A Thief said:

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Lol at compound bow. Ooooh

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this is the most "username checks out" post i've ever seen

ranchag04 said:

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Wodanaz said:

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I was a bouncer at The Hall for a couple of years while attending our beloved university. I was always band door and green room security, so got to see a lot behind the scenes. I'd have to be there when the acts got there, sometimes as early as noon the day of a show, and stay until they pull out. Got to see how each star acted casually with their crew, who helped, who was a diva, who requested local drugs, who brought their own, and how they treated me/staff etc

I have a pretty good mental Rolodex of who did what and REK was always pretty cool. Nice enough, not crazy demanding, got his cash after the show and walked around shaking hands with staff, then made a quiet exit.

A Girl Scout compared to some others.

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Would love to hear your stories

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also, I would probably pay to subscribe to this newsletter

Haha I worked at 3rd Floor. Not quite the same bands the Hall had, but we had some fun ones. Chris Knight was probably the most intimidating guy I met. He was nice, but made think "Down the River" was more than just a song he wrote.

I know him well enough to say hi to but I ain't got his cell phone or 'nuthin. Super good guy IMHO. As others have suggested, try reaching out to his management. Promoter/venue of the show maybe as well.

Saw REK in St Louis in 2003. It was like 60 people at the show. A group of about 6 of us waited about an hour after the show and he hung and talked with us about 20 minutes.

JeremiahJohnson said:

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Haha I worked at 3rd Floor. Not quite the same bands the Hall had, but we had some fun ones. Chris Knight was probably the most intimidating guy I met. He was nice, but made think "Down the River" was more than just a song he wrote.

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Heard an interview years ago of a guy that knows Chris Knight on the Michael Berry Show. He essentially said "Lots of outlaw types write good songs, but everyone knows Chris Knight is the guy not making them up." I think he actually has sent some people "Down the River".

AgStuckinLBK said:

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Saw REK in St Louis in 2003. It was like 60 people at the show. A group of about 6 of us waited about an hour after the show and he hung and talked with us about 20 minutes.

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That is a good point. If you catch some of these Texas guys out of state, they can hang around and talk sometimes. I hung out with Pat Green once at a venue near Chicago.

El Chupacabra said:

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trouble said:

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He's always been cool when I've met him. And he takes damn good care of his people.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/anniereuter/2021/04/26/robert-earl-keen-refinanced-his-home-to-keep-his-band-paid-and-insured-during-covid-19/

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He fall on hard times or something? Or does singing and songwriting not pay that well? Wouldn't think he'd need to refinance his place to keep his band paid.

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There is a reason Pat Green got involved with Nashville. While those guys are refinancing their homes, Luke Bryan and his ilk are making more money in advertising and promos than our favorite artists make in 5 years. They rely on fans. And then.

The major issue, I would guess, is that they shut down all of the go to places where these Texas country artists make their living over covid. Our go to spot was Floores and we Havnt been there in forever. Covid screwed a lot of people.

Either way I'm just Talking out of my ass. I'd imagine rek did what he did because it seemed like a good thing to do. I doubt he's hurting for money. He's kind of a big name.

Well he is one of the reasons we have the Commander-In-Thief we have. Thanks REK for assisting in trying to unseat Barack Obama as the worst president we've even had.

Jason_InfinityRoofer said:

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El Chupacabra said:

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trouble said:

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He's always been cool when I've met him. And he takes damn good care of his people.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/anniereuter/2021/04/26/robert-earl-keen-refinanced-his-home-to-keep-his-band-paid-and-insured-during-covid-19/

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He fall on hard times or something? Or does singing and songwriting not pay that well? Wouldn't think he'd need to refinance his place to keep his band paid.

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There is a reason Pat Green got involved with Nashville. While those guys are refinancing their homes, Luke Bryan and his ilk are making more money in advertising and promos than our favorite artists make in 5 years. They rely on fans. And then.

The major issue, I would guess, is that they shut down all of the go to places where these Texas country artists make their living over covid. Our go to spot was Floores and we Havnt been there in forever. Covid screwed a lot of people.

Either way I'm just Talking out of my ass. I'd imagine rek did what he did because it seemed like a good thing to do. I doubt he's hurting for money. He's kind of a big name.

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I would say outside Texas, surveying the general population, less than 1% of the US would know who he is.

Layne Staley said:

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Well he is one of the reasons we have the Commander-In-Thief we have. Thanks REK for assisting in trying to unseat Barack Obama as the worst president we've even had.

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Good grief. Drama much?

hillcountryag86 said:

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Layne Staley said:

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Well he is one of the reasons we have the Commander-In-Thief we have. Thanks REK for assisting in trying to unseat Barack Obama as the worst president we've even had.

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Good grief. Drama much?

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He didn't say REK got him elected, but he did assist. If his (REK, etc.) efforts and money were futile, they wouldn't have partaken in the activity, so I wouldn't say this post was dramatized.

Well, the real culprit was halting the election tally in four states and fraudulent votes, but that is for F16.