Music
September 15, 2022
The Poker Game That Inspired an Opus on the Life of DJ Screw
Twenty-two years ago, a Texas Monthly writer heard about a Houston DJ whose slowed-down mixes had become the sound of the city.
By Michael Hall![Michael Hall's Profile Photo]()
Music
Storytelling and reviews about the artists and trends that define the sounds of the Lone Star State
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One by Willie
September 15, 2022
Weyes Blood on Willie Nelson, Frank Sinatra, Lindsey Buckingham, and Kurt Weill’s “September Song”
It’s a song the California-based singer-songwriter has loved since she was a young girl—but she didn’t really get to know it until she heard Willie’s version.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
One by Willie
September 1, 2022
Steve Gunn on Django Reinhardt, Trigger, and Willie Nelson’s “Hands on the Wheel”
The Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter and virtuoso guitarist celebrates two of the greatest players he’s ever heard.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
One by Willie
August 18, 2022
How a Willie Nelson Song Almost—But Not Quite—Kept Charley Crockett Out of Jail
The hard-core honky-tonker talks to us live from Luck, Texas, about “Face of a Fighter” and the other Willie songs he leaned on when he was homeless.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Music
August 17, 2022
Allison Russell, Charley Crockett, and Others Share Their Favorite Willie Nelson Songs
Creating Texas Monthly’s special podcast series ‘One By Willie: Live From Luck!’ showed me that, like Willie himself, the Luck Reunion is all about family.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
The Texanist
August 16, 2022
The Texanist: Does a Texas Musician Need Three Names to Succeed?
A Fredericksburg man wonders how Willie Nelson ever prevailed in a state that brought us Ray Wylie Hubbard, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.
One by Willie
August 4, 2022
Allison Russell on Soothing Her Newborn Daughter With Willie Nelson’s ‘Stardust’
The three-time Grammy nominee talks to us live from Luck, Texas, about definitive covers, Billie Holiday, and building her family with Willie records playing in the background.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Music
July 29, 2022
The Surprising Southern Dance Roots of Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’
The queen’s new album nails the sweet spot between nostalgia and new wave, paying tribute to past trendsetters while blazing a new path forward for pop music.
Music
July 15, 2022
In Marathon, Happiness Is a Two-Chambered Wood Flute
Bob Freeman is a craftsman who carves, plays, and sings the praises of the traditional Native American instrument.
Music
June 22, 2022
Conan Gray Is Creating Pop’s Best Love Songs—But He’s Never Dated Anybody
The 23-year-old from Georgetown emerges as Texas’s answer to Olivia Rodrigo and—dare we say it?—T-Swift with his sophomore album, ‘Superache.’
By Cat Cardenas![Cat Cardenas's Profile Photo]()
One by Willie
June 22, 2022
Buddy Cannon on Taking Life Lessons From Willie Nelson Songs
Willie’s longtime producer and writing partner talks about how “Something You Get Through” came together and the way Willie changed country songwriting.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Music
June 21, 2022
It’s Beyoncé’s Summer Now
While we wait for ‘Renaissance’ to drop on July 24, the Beyhive is frantically trying to decode clues about the album to come. The speculation is the point.
Music
June 17, 2022
DFW’s Favorite Honky-tonk Band Is Led By a Dude With an Accordion
Squeezebox Bandits front man Abel Casillas grew up singing Hank Williams and playing tejano music.
Music
June 16, 2022
Why the Best Musicians in the Country Descend on an 81-Person Texas Town
Pianist James Dick has spent half a century crafting the Round Top Festival Institute into a world-class destination for classical musicians, where architecture, fine arts, green space, and history meet.
One by Willie
June 15, 2022
Ethan Hawke on Visions of the Divine and Willie Nelson’s Earlobes
The four-time Oscar nominee talks “Too Sick to Pray” and the way Willie’s music has helped him build his family.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Music
June 14, 2022
Dairy Queen Gets an Updated Jingle, Courtesy of Josh Abbott
The Texas country star put his own spin on the fast-food tagline that’s sure to be stuck in your head for days.
Music
June 9, 2022
The Choppy Waters Underneath Christopher Cross’s “Sailing”
San Antonio–born Christopher Cross defined a generation of yacht rock and made Grammys history with “Sailing.” But the song’s origins couldn’t be much further from its beatific sound.
One by Willie
June 8, 2022
Norah Jones on How Willie Nelson Songs Saved Her When She Moved to New York
The nine-time Grammy winner talks “Permanently Lonely,” jazzy Django chords, and Willie’s beautifully harsh poetry.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Music
June 7, 2022
Jim Seals, the Soft Rocker Who Helped Define the Sound of the ’70s, Has Died
Texas Monthly writer Michael Hall, who profiled Seals in 2020, reflects on some of the musician’s best stories.
By Michael Hall![Michael Hall's Profile Photo]()
Music
June 6, 2022
Country-ish: Jeff Tweedy and Terry Allen in Conversation
Though they are a generation apart and of different backgrounds, the two share musical influences, a certain artistic restlessness, and a fastidious devotion to their craft.
One by Willie
June 1, 2022
How a Legendary R&B Band Helped Willie Nelson Cut His Best Album
Muscle Shoals bass player David Hood on ‘Phases and Stages,’ producer Jerry Wexler, and “(How Will I Know) I’m Falling in Love Again.”
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Music
May 31, 2022
DJ Screw, in the Mesmerizing Words of Those Who Knew Him
Lance Scott Walker's ‘DJ Screw: A Life in Slow Revolution’ is a worthwhile biography and oral history, even for those who already know the story of Screw's short, impactful life.
Texas History
May 31, 2022
How “Cowgirl Accordionist” Cleo Raymond Helped Texas Country Music Find Its Sound
The 99-year-old North Texas musician stumped for LBJ, toured with the USO, and still recalls hundreds of tunes.
Small Towns
May 25, 2022
An Internationally Renowned Concert Hall in Small-town Texas
Pianist James Dick has turned a rolling pasture outside of Round Top into a haven for classical musicians from around the world.
One by Willie
May 25, 2022
Nathaniel Rateliff on Willie Nelson’s “A Song for You,” Leon Russell, and Biker Funerals
The Americana singer-songwriter discusses one of Willie’s first iconic cover songs.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Music
May 23, 2022
97-Year-Old Lucy Dean Record Is a Queen of Western Swing
The piano teacher turned touring musician from Lockney has been inducted into several halls of fame across the U.S.
Music
May 20, 2022
A Trip to Turkey, Texas, Where Western Swing Is Still King
Bob Wills fans flock each spring to the tiny Panhandle town to “dance all night, dance a little longer.”
One by Willie
May 18, 2022
Mickey Raphael on How Willie Nelson Songs Are Cheaper—and More Effective—Than Therapy
Willie’s longtime harmonica player discusses joining the band, stowaways on the bus, and “The Words Don’t Fit the Picture.”
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Music
May 13, 2022
In His First Album in 10 Years, Lyle Lovett Steps Inside His House
In ‘12th of June,’ the Klein singer-songwriter shares the love and joys of home life.
By Josh Alvarez![Josh Alvarez's Profile Photo]()
One by Willie
May 11, 2022
Jimmy Webb on Writing “Highwayman” and the Birth of Country Music’s First Supergroup
One of America’s greatest songwriters talks Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, and Willie Nelson . . . and the surprising debt they owe “My Sharona.”
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Music
May 9, 2022
Mickey Gilley and ‘Urban Cowboy’: A Texas Monthly Compendium
Our favorite Texas Monthly pieces featuring the country music star, who died on Saturday at 86, and the cultural phenomenon he helped inspire.
Music
May 5, 2022
Remembering Willis Alan Ramsey’s Seminal (and Sole) Album
On the 50th anniversary of his eponymous 1972 record, five renowned singer-songwriters—including Jimmy Buffett and Lyle Lovett—celebrate Willis Alan Ramsey.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Music
May 4, 2022
Drake’s Passionate, Calculated Love Affair With Houston
The Toronto rapper has an everywhere-and-nowhere relationship with place, but no city has influenced him as much as H-Town.
One by Willie
May 4, 2022
Vince Gill on Willie Nelson’s “Healing Hands of Time” and Finding Salvation in Song
The 22-time Grammy winner talks faith, Ray Price, and the power of an irresistible first line in a lyric.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Music
April 29, 2022
Willie Turns 89—And Drops a Beautiful Album
‘A Beautiful Time’ picks up where his "mortality trilogy" of albums left off, with an especially off-the-wall cover and new songs reflecting on life and death.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
One by Willie
April 27, 2022
Willie Nelson’s Daughter Paula on Gunfights, the Devil, and Sister Bobbie
On this special birthday episode of ‘One by Willie,’ Paula Nelson talks about “Devil in a Sleepin’ Bag,” a song her dad wrote about his longtime drummer, Paul English—who happens to be her namesake.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
One by Willie
April 20, 2022
Kacey Musgraves on Making “Real-Ass” Country Music With Willie Nelson
The singer-songwriter talks about “Are You Sure,” getting her granddad into Willie’s poker game, and a gift Willie gave her that she’ll never smoke.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Film & TV
April 18, 2022
Is Lizzo Funny? A Texas Monthly Investigation
The Houstonian pulled double duty on ‘Saturday Night Live’ as host and musical guest. How’d she do?
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
One by Willie
April 15, 2022
Announcing Season 3 of ‘One by Willie’
Our latest season of interviews with notable Willie Nelson fans debuts April 20.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
Music
April 12, 2022
Sister Bobbie Grounded Willie Nelson in His Music—and His Life
Bobbie Nelson, pianist and older sister to Texas music icon Willie Nelson, died Thursday morning at 91.
By John Spong![John Spong's Profile Photo]()
![Michael Hall's Profile Photo]()
Music
April 8, 2022
TM Recommends: A Tamale-Making Class From One of the Greats
Plus: swing by an Austin jazz festival, then listen to a record dedicated to a SpongeBob SquarePants character on your way home.
Film & TV
April 4, 2022
Texans, We Can and Must Unite to Win ‘American Song Contest’
We can’t let California win, y’all. Here’s everything you need to know about how to vote for Texas in the pop song competition.
Music
April 4, 2022
A New Selena Album Will Mark Her 24th Posthumous Release. Whom Are These Albums For?
In an upcoming record, the singer’s voice will be digitally aged. The Quintanilla family continues to misunderstand why Selena’s fans adored her.
By Cat Cardenas![Cat Cardenas's Profile Photo]()
Music
March 23, 2022
Back in Luck: Willie Nelson’s Annual Reunion Returns
Photos from this year's Luck Reunion, which welcomed back attendees for the first time since 2019.
By Cat Cardenas![Cat Cardenas's Profile Photo]()
Music
March 22, 2022
SXSW 2022 Felt Like SXSW, and That’s Impressive
The festival was smaller and less overwhelming than in times past, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing—or a sign of things to come.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Music
March 22, 2022
Welcome to the Dollyverse: Dolly Parton Makes Her First-Ever SXSW Appearance
The country legend dropped NFTs, an album, and a book before putting on a dazzling performance at the Moody Theater.
By Cat Cardenas![Cat Cardenas's Profile Photo]()
Music
March 22, 2022
A Ukrainian Pop Star Delivers a Defiant Message at SXSW
Kazka’s male members took up arms to repel Putin’s invasion. But the band’s singer, Oleksandra Zaritska, was still determined to appear at the festival.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Music
March 18, 2022
In New Documentary, Tanya Tucker Is All Legend
No country music fan will be disappointed by ‘The Return of Tanya Tucker,’ which puts the focus on artistry and that one-in-a-million voice.
Music
March 16, 2022
How Austin Punk Band Trail of Dead Survived a “Perfect Album” and “Young Devilry”
Trail of Dead was “the band that trashes everything.” But on its eleventh album, ‘XI: Bleed Here Now,’ it’s finally grown into the classic rock group it always wanted to be.
Music
March 10, 2022
Live Music Is Back at SXSW. Don’t Miss These Texas Artists.
Four sibling punk rockers, Houston’s greatest soul band, and three more acts you need to catch at SXSW 2022.
