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Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2008 > September > 10 > Entry
Save the “Texas State Musician” honor!
Who will succeed Shelley King as the Texas State Musician? The Texas Commission of the Arts has a call out for nominations for the honor, which has been a time-consuming, weightless gesture in its five-year existence. A creation of Senate Bill 1043, the position is voted on by a panel at TCA, which forwards its recommendation to the state legislature.
By the looks of the four honorees before Ms. King- Dale Watson (2007), Billy Joe Shaver (2006), Johnny Gimble (2005) and Ray Benson (2004) - the judges seem to be the members of Asleep At the Wheel.
For such a musically diverse state as Texas, why are all the artists, with the exception of maiden honoree, concert pianist James Dick (2003), country musicians aligned with Austin?
It’s up to us, true Texas music fans, to make this “honor” mean more, in terms of merit, than a nomination for the Best Tejano Album Grammy. Let’s send in some real suggestions, like Scarface from the Geto Boys. Bradley Jordan is a true innovator in hip-hop, helping to put Houston on the rap map.
Another great choice would be Little Joe Hernandez, the great Chicano soul singer from Temple. A classier man in all of Texas music, there is not.
It’s a dumb idea to single out one musician like a poet laureate, but as long as S.B. 1043 has alotted the resources, we should make sure that the citation starts meaning more, by nominating the most deserving. Based on the track record, this looks to be Elizabeth McQueen’s year; I have nothing against this fine singer-songwriter, but the official “Texas State Musician” should be a giant, an innovator.
Detailed information and the online nomination form are available on the TCA website
Deadline for receipt of nominations is October 5th.
Comments
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By A Concerned Reader
September 11, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
Hey Mikey, did you bother to read the TCA’s website? Do you dig the purpose of the State Musician designation? It ain’t sposed to be a popularity contest nor supmin’ one campaigns their peeps to “win”. The “point” is to recognize the person who embodied the values and “spirit” of Texas, not some politically correct figure head to prove to the small minded cliché-riddled observers across the world that Texas has more to offer than country music. I suggest that if you want to make a “point” or further your personal agenda for Texas music, save your campaigning and politicing for the only poll that matters: The Austin Music Awards.
By Texas Music
September 11, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
Here’s a list of potential state musicians. Pick one from the list or come up with your own ideas. Just be sure to nominate your fave and do it soon. Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Delbert McClinton, Marcia Ball, Jimmie Vaughn, Alejandro Escovedo, Stephen Bruton, Eliza gilkyson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Joe Ely, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, and more……
By Chuck Tisdale
September 15, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
It’s funny how industry people are always praising Scarface of the Geto Boys for being so “innovative” in hip hop. But real heads know that it was Willie D who was the real geto boy that gave the Geto Boys street cred and who incidentally wrote most of the lyrics that the GB performed. Things that make you go hummmm?