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A Keen Ear For Music and An Eagerness To Perform

Robert Earl Keen
Darren Carroll/ Darren Carroll Photography
Robert Earl Keen

Robert Earl Keen's musical road truly does seem to go on forever, as entailed in the lyrics to one of his synonymous songs. His campy, 1994 "Merry Christmas From The Family" song grew a life of it's own, and became a seasonal tour for the Houston native.

He has an ability to write lyrics that paint mental pictures of everyday people. When he sings, the tone of his voice makes him sound warm and approachable, the kind of guy you'd like to sit down with over one of his signature "Robert Earl Keen Honey Pils" beers. Matt Meinke caught up with Robert before he began this year's "Merry Christmas From The Fam-O-Lee" Tour in Greenville.

Find a full list of tour stops, photos and more at Robert Earl Keen's website.

Born in Dallas, Texas, Matt moved to the Sulphur Springs area in 1990 and settled in Commerce shortly thereafter. Having dreamed of working in radio since childhood, he began working at KETR while taking Radio-Television courses at Texas A&M University-Commerce in 1993. Matt has transitioned from a part-time worker and pupil of KETR, to the station’s Chief Announcer/Producer and supervisor of student broadcasters. A familiar voice of 88-9 KETR, Matt has hosted such shows as The Late Nite Lion, and can currently be heard as host of Notably Texan.