Robert Earl Keen Band Announces New LP, Honored By Texas House Of Representatives

Robert Earl Keen may have retired from touring, but he plans on staying in the studio as he has announced his latest LP, Western Chill, is set to drop on April 14.

The brand new full-length album will include an accompanying performance video of the entire album, a detailed songbook for folks at home to sing and play along, and an accompanying 92-page, full-color graphic novel. It’s a treasure trove of material from Keen and his band; but he wants to be very clear about what Western Chill is not: a ‘swan song.’

At this point in his life and career, his goal is to savor every moment, catch his breath, and fully take in the long-awaited splendor and freedom to write and create to his heart’s content without having to fall lockstep into a grinding tour schedule.

Beginning today—and up until its April 14th release—the Western Chill box set is available for pre-order from Keen’s own label, Scriptorium Rex. Included in the boxed set is a gatefold vinyl of Western Chill, a DVD of the band’s full album performance, the Western Chill songbook, and the album’s accompanying graphic novel. It should also be clearly noted that the record is a collector’s edition available in physical form.

Keen was also recently honored on Texas House of Representatives floor for his outstanding contributions to Texas music on Tuesday, March 21.

The Texas House Resolution, HR102, honoring Keen begins as such, “WHEREAS, Renowned Texas musician Robert Earl Keen brought 41 years of touring to a triumphant close in 2022, bidding a fond and bittersweet farewell to cheering fans all across the country; and WHEREAS, A Houston native, Mr. Keen first picked up a guitar during his freshman year at Texas A&M University; he began playing around town, and after graduation, he took a day job in Austin, honed his chops, and won the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Songwriting Competition…”

His wife Kathleen; daughter Clara; Porter Garner, CEO and President of The Former Students Association of Texas A&M University; and Dr. Tyler Cooper, President and CEO of the Cooper Aerobics and Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas, were all escorted to the floor of the Texas House of Representatives and Resolution 102 was read in Keen’s honor by Rep. Andrew Murr (R-District 53).