Robert Earl Keen To Retire From The Road In 2022

Renowned singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen has announced that after Sept. 4, 2022, he will no longer be touring or giving public performances.

He shared the news on Friday (Jan. 14) with a heartfelt message on his website and social media platforms entitled “Time Flies.”

“I have been blessed with a lifetime of brilliant, talented, colorful, electric and magical folks throughout my life,” Keen wrote. “It’s with a mysterious concoction of joy and sadness that I want to tell you as of Sept. 4, 2022, I will no longer tour and perform publicly. I plan to continue to write songs, and interview a wide variety of celebrities and contributors for our Americana Podcast. I also embrace this as an opportunity to further support the musical community and the ever expanding body of young talent on our horizon.”

He continued, “As much as I love what I do, it’s more important that I do it well or not at all. I’m not sick or experiencing any existential crisis. I feel that making a decision and quitting the road while I still love it, is the way I want to leave it. I’ve witnessed first hand the alternative and promised myself I would go out feeling all the love for music and performing the same way I entered—with passion and enthusiasm.”

The 66-year-old entertainer will continue performing up until Sept. 2022, including a stop at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on Feb. 18. The rescheduled date was originally part of his “Road To Christmas Tour,” slated for last December.

Keen will wrap up his touring career with multiple performances at Floore’s Country Store in Helotes, Texas. Following the final performance, he will also host a fan-appreciation party on Sept. 5. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.

A native of Houston, Keen celebrates a nearly four decade-long career and a number of successful songs, including “The Front Porch Song,” which he wrote with Lyle Lovett; his signature “The Road Goes on Forever,” recorded for 1989’s West Textures on Sugar Hill Records; “I Gotta Go;” “Feelin’ Good Again;” and the holiday classic “Merry Christmas From The Family.”

Throughout his career, he has released 12 studio albums and seven live albums.