Texas Monthly’s “Willie: Now, More Than Ever” Nominated for Two National Magazine Awards

Americana Star Robert Earl Keen Wrote Issue’s Lead Article

Nashville, TN - May 24, 2021… Americana artist, songwriter, and Texas native Robert Earl Keen wrote the lead article for a special issue of Texas Monthly published last August, “Willie: Now, More Than Ever,” -which The American Society of Magazine Editors recently nominated for a National Magazine Award in the Single-Topic Issue category.. Keen’s article discusses the power of simplicity in Nelson’s songwriting and dives into the history of the legend’s career. In addition to the Single-Topic Issue nod, Texas Monthly is also a finalist in four other categories, including Best Digital Storytelling category for its lengthy, interactive web feature “All 143 Willie Nelson Albums, Ranked,” to which Keen also contributed. Texas Monthly published the album rankings on Nelson’s 87th birthday in April, 2020.

The National Magazine Awards (known as the Ellies) are given out annually, and they are considered the most prestigious honor in the magazine publishing industry. The 56th annual awards ceremony will be conducted virtually on June 10th, 2021.

“When we started work on a special, all-Willie issue, the very first assignment—before we had even a clue what else to put in there—was to ask Robert to write an essay on Willie’s songwriting," said Texas Monthly senior editor John Spong, who co-edited the Willie issue and hosts the magazine's One By Willie podcast. "From there, the core of the issue essentially presented itself: A collection of essays on various aspects of Willie’s life and artistry. We fleshed it out with NPR jazz critic Nate Chinen on 'Willie as Guitarist,' noted jazz historian Ted Gioia on 'Willie as Vocalist,' best-selling author Holly George-Warren on 'Willie as Champion of the People,' and my own piece on the surreal origins of Willie’s World Headquarters, 'Willie as Landlord.' We mixed in other new stories and some choice selections from our archives, and the end result was a 180-degree look at what makes Willie so unique as a talent and a person. And maybe most wonderfully, we managed to publish late last summer, at a time when the world was desperate for a little good news. It really did feel like one of the most important issues of the magazine we’ve ever put out.”

Keen adds, “I’m enthralled with Willie Nelson’s magic. His singing, guitar playing, and moreover his songwriting, resonate with mysticism and universality. Think of the monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey. He’s accessible to all, and yet, can never be totally comprehended.

"In my effort to write about Willie’s songwriting, I found the deeper I dug, the greater the treasure. When I read Texas Monthly’s 'Willie: Now, More than Ever' in it’s entirely, I wasn’t surprised to learn how all the issue’s contributors apparently had a similar revelation.

"Read the issue and enjoy, but keep in mind, there’s so much more where that came from.”

About Texas Monthly
Texas Monthly publishes vivid, longform storytelling about the Lone Star State, along with reported analysis of its most important trends and helpful advice on how to best enjoy the state’s many pleasures. Founded in 1973 as a print magazine by Michael R. Levy, Texas Monthly has expanded to serve its audience on multiple platforms, including TexasMonthly.com, live events, videos, and binge-worthy podcasts. It has won 14 National Magazine Awards, the Oscars of its industry, and reaches a total monthly audience across all platforms of 20.2 million people. Follow Texas Monthly on Facebook @texas.monthly.magazine, Twitter @TexasMonthly, and Instagram @texasmonthly.

About Robert Earl Keen
Singer, songwriter, and entertainer Robert Earl Keen has recorded 19 albums and performed thousands of shows. Keen is the host and creator of the Americana Podcast: the 51st State. His music ranges from country to bluegrass to rock, and his songs have been recorded by artists including George Strait, Lyle Lovett, Joe Ely, Montgomery Gentry, Dixie Chicks, The Highwaymen, Gillian Welch, Todd Snider, and Shawn Colvin. He has been honored with the BMI Troubadour Award, Texas A&M University Distinguished Alumni Award, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame Spirit of Texas Award, and in 2020 was inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters. Keen’s signature song is “The Road Goes On Forever”.

Contact:
Kate Richardson
Richlynn Group
kate@richlynngroup.com