One by Willie
June 2, 2023
Daniel Lanois on Recording Willie Nelson’s Landmark Album ‘Teatro’
The legendary producer discusses art that exists only in shadows and the way U2 tries to summon Willie when they write songs.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Music
Storytelling and reviews about the artists and trends that define the sounds of the Lone Star State
Texas Country Reporter
May 26, 2023
The Niche Czech Radio Show That Still Reaches Listeners After Fifty Years
Radio DJ David Kolar hosts The American Czech Hour, which broadcasts from Hillsboro across a 25-mile radius.
One by Willie
May 26, 2023
Ray Wylie Hubbard on “Whiskey River,” Strong Weed, and Willie Nelson’s Smile
The legendary singer-songwriter and longtime Willie buddy discusses a song many consider the national anthem of Texas, plus why drummer Paul English was not a fan of the Eagles.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Music
May 22, 2023
Hannah Jadagu’s Confessional R&B Song Is About a Different Kind of Love
The Mesquite native revives 2010s R&B sounds in "Admit It," a song off her debut album, Aperture.
Texas History
May 16, 2023
Selena and the Geto Boys Changed Texas Music at the Same Time
The Geto Boys and Selena set the stage in the early nineties for the transformation of Texas music.
Music
May 15, 2023
The Long Ride of Charley Crockett
After years of struggle, Charley Crockett is on the verge of stardom. The story of how he got here would be unbelievable if it weren’t true.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Music
May 1, 2023
Willie Nelson Threw a Ninetieth Birthday Party, and Everyone Came
Snoop Dogg, the Chicks, Keith Richards, George Strait, and many, many more came together for a two-day birthday party the likes of which the world has never seen.
Music
April 28, 2023
Willie Nelson Is Helping Billy Strings Stay “California Sober” on a New Duet
The living legend and the bluegrass young gun unroll a pot-smoking, finger-picking good time.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
One by Willie
April 27, 2023
Willie Nelson’s Son Lukas on Ancient Texts, Pearl Jam, and “I Never Cared for You”
On this special birthday episode, Lukas Nelson talks about truly timeless songwriting—and the song that first made Leon Russell a Willie fan.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Music
April 7, 2023
Jake Worthington to Nashville: Real Country or Bust
The La Porte singer could’ve been a pop star, but he chose Texas country music instead. Nashville ignored him—until now.
Music
April 6, 2023
Johnny Rodriguez Reunites With Tanya Tucker in “A Game That I Can’t Win”
A deep dive into the Sabinal-bred singer’s duet with Tucker from his new album, ‘Building Bridges.’
Film & TV
April 4, 2023
The Best Books, Films, TV, Art, and More Coming to Texas This Spring
We have seven words for you: Owen Wilson in a Bob Ross wig.
Music
April 4, 2023
Hellhounds on His Trail: Mack McCormick’s Long, Tortured Quest to Find the Real Robert Johnson
For decades, the Houston folklorist labored over his biography of the legendary bluesman. Seven years after McCormick’s death, the book is finally out—and so are the secrets long kept by its troubled author.
By Michael Hall![Michael Hall's Profile Photo]()
Style & Design
April 2, 2023
Texas’s First-Ever CMT Music Awards, in Photos
The 2023 Country Music Television (CMT) Music Awards ceremony has brought nominees from across the country to the Lone Star State. See red carpet and backstage photos of winners.
By Cat Cardenas![Cat Cardenas's Profile Photo]()
Music
March 29, 2023
San Antonio Almost Lost Its 80-Year-Old Orchestra. The Musicians Didn’t Go Quietly.
The Alamo City’s once-legendary symphony officially collapsed last year. But its musicians have continued to play just steps from their former home.
Style & Design
March 21, 2023
Eighty Years Later, Houston’s Eldorado Ballroom Swings Back to Life
Built in 1939, the nightclub once hosted Duke Ellington and Ray Charles. After a $9.7 million renovation, it’ll welcome a new generation of music lovers.
Style & Design
March 16, 2023
Austin Music Lovers, Your New Favorite Bar Is Hidden Away in a Former Storage Room
The Equipment Room, now open in the basement of the Hotel Magdalena, is a Japanese-style listening bar designed for serious audiophiles.
Music
March 9, 2023
Willie Nelson’s Faithful Rendition of a Harlan Howard Classic
A deep dive into Nelson’s cover of “I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail,” from his 150th album, ‘I Don’t Know a Thing About Love.’
Music
March 7, 2023
The Stars Aligned for This Writer’s Classic Portrait of Leon Bridges
Author Casey Gerald reflects on the creative process behind his August 2021 cover profile of the Fort Worth R&B singer.
Music
March 2, 2023
Willie Nelson’s New Album—His 150th—Honors Another Country Legend
Willie Nelson covers ten songs written by his late friend Harlan Howard in ‘I Don’t Know a Thing About Love.’
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Music
March 1, 2023
Eva Ybarra, the “Queen of the Accordion,” Reflects on Her Long Career
Ybarra is one of only a few professional women accordionists on the conjunto scene. The accordion is not only her instrument of choice, but her heart and soul.
Music
February 10, 2023
Chanda Dancy, a Fearless Houston Violinist, Is Breaking Boundaries in Hollywood
The film composer behind the scores for ‘Devotion’ and ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ has never bought into the rigid rules of classical music.
Music
February 8, 2023
This Genre-Defying Dallas Singer Doesn’t Suffer Foolish Men Gladly
A deep dive into “Wild Animals,” a song from the Dallas R&B artist’s newest album, ‘Girl in the Half Pearl.’
Music
February 7, 2023
Does Willie Nelson Belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
A debate between Andy Langer, Dan Solomon—and Ice Cube?
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Music
February 6, 2023
Beyoncé Still Can’t Win Album of the Year, and Other Things We Learned From the Grammys
A bittersweet night for Queen Bey, a momentous night for Lizzo and Willie Nelson, and a confusing one for Chris Brown.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Music
February 1, 2023
A Culture Writer and Lifelong Selena Fan’s Ultimate Love Letter to the Icon
Cat Cardenas’s 2021 essay made a poignant case about the mistakes Selena never got to make—and how they would have deepened our love for her.
By Katy Vine![Katy Vine's Profile Photo]()
Music
January 31, 2023
The Ultimate Road-Trip Playlists for Six Texas Destinations
A longtime reporter makes some big decisions about what to listen to when you’re heading to Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, or the Big Bend region.
By Katy Vine![Katy Vine's Profile Photo]()
Music
January 27, 2023
Reexamining Erykah Badu’s Place in the Pantheon With José James’s ‘On & On’
The jazz vocalist pays tribute to the Dallas icon in ways that make her work feel fresher than ever.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Music
January 17, 2023
Bob Dylan’s Favorite Texas Songs
Dylan lovingly highlights several Texas artists in ‘The Philosophy of Modern Song.’
Music
January 17, 2023
You Don’t Know Texas Music if You Don’t Know Flaco Jiménez
“I can talk to my accordion and make it respond to me; I can make it happy or make it cry.”
Texas Icons
January 17, 2023
We Asked Four Singers (and Ethan Hawke) Which Willie Nelson Songs They Love Most
Here’s what Steve Earle, Vince Gill, Margo Price, Kacey Musgraves, and the Austin-born actor told us to cue up—and why.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Texas Icons
January 17, 2023
In the Decades Since Farrah’s Iconic Poster, Texas’s Beauty Standard Has Evolved
Fawcett set the standard in the 1970s—blond, thin, and smiling. Thankfully, that’s changed.
By Mimi Swartz![Mimi Swartz's Profile Photo]()
Texas Icons
January 17, 2023
More Than 600 Episodes in, ‘Austin City Limits’ Is Still an Austin Show at Heart
Decades after Willie Nelson performed on the pilot, the show is now a national institution—but not too national.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Texas Icons
January 17, 2023
Sixteen of Texas’s Most Influential Cultural Figures of the Past 50 Years
From George Jones to Attica Locke, these Texans have made lasting cultural impacts on the state.
By Jeff Salamon![Jeff Salamon's Profile Photo]()
Music
January 9, 2023
What Can We Learn From Megan Thee Stallion’s Shooting?
Musician Tory Lanez was convicted of shooting the Houston rapper, but Megan is still dealing with the fallout from telling the truth.
Music
January 9, 2023
Checkerboards, Stripes, and Fish: A Family of Luthiers Unearths Its Magical Guitars
For many legendary musicians, there was no finer guitar than one made by San Antonio’s Guadalupe Acosta and his sons. Their descendants are restoring their legacy.
By Katy Vine![Katy Vine's Profile Photo]()
Music
December 27, 2022
Texas Music Legends Look Back on Floore’s Country Store
John T. Floore’s Country Store in Helotes is a honky-tonker’s honky-tonk, a veritable institution of Texas music. The dance hall’s walls are covered with photographs of the legends that have graced its stage: Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Bob Wills, Patsy Cline, B.B. King, Ernest Tubb, Bob Dylan, Merle Haggard,
Art
December 27, 2022
The Best Texas Art, Movies, Music, and TV of 2022
This is the year that returned Beyoncé to our ears and Beavis and Butt-head to our screens.
Music
December 23, 2022
The Best Texas Songs for the Holidays
From classics like ”Pretty Paper” and “Christmas Time in the Valley” to new releases from 2022, here’s the perfect playlist for celebrating the holidays in Texas.
Music
December 21, 2022
At the Festival of Texas Fiddling, “Let ’er Rip, and Maybe a Little Out of Tune”
At Blanco’s annual gathering, ethnicities, genres, and styles mix and clash, but are united by a common instrument.
By Katy Vine![Katy Vine's Profile Photo]()
Music
December 13, 2022
A George Strait Song Was the First Music I Played for My Son. Here’s Why.
The author of a 2014 Texas Monthly profile of King George explains why it was among the few stories in his career that made him cry while writing.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Music
December 8, 2022
Making an Album Is Throwing Marc Rebillet for a Loop
The Dallas-raised electronic musician is filling venues with his raucous, half-naked, almost fully improvised shows. Can he settle down just once and make a serious album?
Music
December 8, 2022
One Track Mind: “Don’t You Go”
The track from Abilene-based Old Fire’s new album, ‘Voids,’ evokes the bleakness of war and of the West Texas landscape.
Music
November 22, 2022
Brockhampton Breaks Up—Twice
The San Marcos–bred supergroup released two farewell albums last week, one of which is a reflective solo record that complicates the band’s legacy.
Music
November 18, 2022
Willie Nelson’s Latest Captures Him Performing Alongside Another Guitar Legend
‘Live at Budokan’ is a mythical lost recording of Willie at the height of his powers.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Music
November 16, 2022
Behind the Scenes at Robert Earl Keen’s Final Show
It was a riotous, emotional affair that at times felt like a family reunion.
Music
November 15, 2022
Four Questions We Have About the Grammy Nominations
Will Beyoncé finally get her Album of the Year award, and more we want to know.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Music
November 14, 2022
Bus Fires, Voodoo Candles, and Rodeo Legends: Inside Robert Earl Keen’s Epic Final Tour
The Texas troubadour’s farewell lap was full of misadventures and unforgettable moments. Kind of like a classic REK song.
Film & TV
November 11, 2022
‘Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me’ Is a Horror Film About Fame
Multiple times throughout the documentary, Gomez repeats that she no longer craves stardom. But what the singer wants instead remains unclear.
Music
November 10, 2022
One Track Mind: “Starry Nights”
Dive deep into a song from Adrian Quesada’s newest album, ‘Jaguar Sound.’