REK AMAZING
by Chelle on 9/1/22Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater - AustinGreat show in a great venue. Just hate that REK is retiring
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“The road goes on forever ...”
It’s not always easy to sum up a career — let alone a life’s ambition — so succinctly, but those five words from Robert Earl Keen’s calling-card anthem just about do it. You can complete the lyric with the next five words — the ones routinely shouted back at Keen by thousands of fans a night (“and the party never ends!”) — just to punctuate the point with a flourish, but it’s the part about the journey that gets right to the heart of what makes Keen tick. Some people take up a life of playing music with the goal of someday reaching a destination of fame and fortune; but from the get-go, Keen just wanted to write and sing his own songs, and to keep writing and singing them for as long as possible.
Earlier this year, Keen played a handful of sold-out theater dates with Lyle Lovett, just two old friends swapping songs on acoustic guitars like they used to do on Keen’s front porch in College Station. But the lion’s share of his concert schedule still finds him playing full-tilt with his seasoned road and studio band: Brotherton on guitar, Bill Whitbeck on bass, Tom Van Schaik on drums, and Marty Muse on steel guitar. “I’ve been with this band for 20 years now,” Keen says proudly. “I used to think that was just sort of an interesting fact, but now it’s almost a total anomaly — that just doesn’t happen much. I always felt like once you lock into the right bunch of people, you try to do the best by them that you can. So we’ve been able to stay together a long time, and I think one thing that makes it worthwhile for people to come see us as an act is the fact that it’s not like we’re trying to work it all out onstage — we’ve already worked everything out.”
As for what they’ll be working on next, well, Keen’s fans probably won’t have to wait very long. Despite the fact that 2014 will mark the 30th anniversary of his first album, No Kinda Dancer, Keen’s primary focus remains — as ever — more on the road still ahead than the road behind him.
“We take everything one year at a time,” he says, “but I am hell-bent and bound to make a record this year. I really don’t know what I have in mind as far as what it will be, but what will happen is I will go off to my ‘Scriptorium’ for three or four days to write with no distractions, and I’ll have a record by the time I’m finished. I’m locked into this idea, and I know for a fact that I’m going to get a new record out ... unless I get hit by a bus or get run over by my own bus!”
Rating: 5 out of 5 Rating: 5 out of 5 Farewell to a Texas Music legend
by R. F. on 9/1/22Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater - AustinWhat a wonderful evening listening to Mr. Keen play for nearly two hours. Heard old tunes, new tunes, and some classic covers. He had a great band, and I really enjoyed his opening act, Todd Snider. Enjoy your retirement Mr. Keen and I look forward to future creativity from you.
Rating: 5 out of 5 I’m Coming Home
by CrazyJaney on 9/1/22Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater - AustinAnother amazing REK concert including Mariano, one of my faves. Sure gonna miss seeing him live ❤️❤️❤️
Rating: 3 out of 5 Good venue, so so song list
by Johnson on 9/1/22Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater - AustinThe ACL Moody Theater is an amazing place to see a concert. I was disappointed with the song list that REK choose for his final tour. I wish there were more crowd favorites in his song list.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Wonderful set
by Fan27 on 8/31/22Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater - AustinIt was full house. We were lucky to catch one of the last concerts by REK. Now we can just listen while driving in our vehicle.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Great show by great songwriter and band
by Tbahe on 8/31/22Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater - AustinGreat venue to see a legend (REK) before he rests his weary bones. Band was great crowd was hopping and REK was bopping. More than worth the 4 hour drive to catch him before he retired from the road.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Robert Earl Keen
by Jim on 8/31/22Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater - AustinGreat Austin Shows. We will miss you more than you will know!!
Rating: 5 out of 5 REK
by G. B. on 8/24/22Julie Rogers Theatre - BeaumontGreat concert by Robert Earl Keen. Nice venue, good seats, great crowd. What more can a guy want?
Rating: 5 out of 5 Robert Earl Keen!!!
by G. B. on 8/24/22Julie Rogers Theatre - BeaumontAmazing concert, as good as I’ve ever seen him - great venue, great audience, excellent seats!!!
Rating: 1 out of 5 The sound in the venue was terrible.
by Jim on 8/24/22Julie Rogers Theatre - BeaumontIt was my first time in the venue. It's a nice place with good sight lines and comfortable seating. But the sound was very fuzzy. I would not go back to this venue.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Jamie Lin and Robert Earl Keen were EXCELLENT!
by rocky on 8/24/22Julie Rogers Theatre - BeaumontShow was great - crowd was really into it - The acoustics where our seats were in the Julie Rogers - not sp good
Rating: 5 out of 5 God Bless REK! His live shows will be sorely missed!
by Michael B on 8/23/22The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman - WoodlandsGreat from start to finish! It's tough to have to say it was the end of this road.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Ugh. Sad
by Jaybo on 8/23/22The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman - WoodlandsREK, seemed like he was phoning it in. Sad. The opening acts were pretty good. Seen REK at different venues but was sadly disappointed at whatever he was doing at this concert. Tired. Very Tired,
Rating: 5 out of 5 Great concert. Enjoyed the entire venue!
by Tamara on 8/23/22The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman - WoodlandsI think everyone was surprised when Robert Earl Keen played for over 2 hours! Extremely happy!
Rating: 4 out of 5 Good but was expecting great
by LS on 8/23/22The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman - WoodlandsArrived in time to see Hayes Carll who was fantastic, loved his interaction w the audience. Can’t wait to see him again. Was pleasantly surprised by John R Miller and the 2 super talented band mates. Always great to see and listen to Todd Snider. REK had some really good moments but I did wish he would play ALL his top songs, didn’t need to hear some new/newer releases at his last concert
Rating: 5 out of 5 It was the perfect goodbye concert!
by Allison on 8/23/22The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman - WoodlandsThe REK show was so great! Todd Snider rocked too! REK's songs are all masterpieces and it was great to sing along with him for two hours and three encores!
Rating: 5 out of 5 A Legend Then, A Legend Now!
by J. W. on 8/19/22Growing up in Texas, I have been a Bobby Keen fan since the mid-90s, listening to his music and going to shows. In college introduced him to my friends and they instantly became fans as well. We would go to concerts throughout Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma having some of the best college memories. Still listened to his music but had not seen him live for some years. When I heard about his I’m Coming Home tour I knew I had to find a way to see him at least once. I attended the show in Savannah, GA and he was good there, but then attended the show in Knoxville, TN and he was GREAT!! Played for just over 2 hours and had a great mix of songs from new to old to the classics. Other highlights included a cameo from Tyler Childers strumming and singing REK’s “What I Really Mean”. WOW, it was something else. Also, his fiddle player Brian Beken, was beyond fantastic (at both shows)- almost like he was auditioning for his next gig. That guy will be alright at the end of this tour!
Rating: 4 out of 5 HOB NOLA
by Gus on 8/5/22House of Blues New Orleans - New OrleansGet show. REK played for over two hours non stop. House full of energy. Sound quality in HOB was not what I had remembered in the past. Seemed somewhat muffled.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Great Concert
by Michael E on 8/4/22Robinson Performance Hall - Little RockI have always been a REK fan and this concert did not disappoint. I noticed that most of the audience were older (as I am) and his fan base were mostly grey-headed. I guess the good part of that is that everyone knew the words to the songs and had no inhibitions about singing them loud. The Robinson Center in LR is a great place to see a concert. Brent Cobb was the opening act. He was good, but I did not like the sound mix. The organ drowned out the singing and it was hard to understand the words. Even with that, his songs were good and overall it was a great experience. Robert Earl did an extended encore and the concert was worth every penny of the ticket,
Rating: 4 out of 5 REK
by David D on 8/3/22Robinson Performance Hall - Little RockHaving been to numerous Robert Earl Keen concerts over the years this show was somewhat melancholy due to the fact that it will be the last one I attend. Mr. Keen did not disappoint anyone in his performance. He varied the show up from the one I was at in May and it was great. He was very complimentary to the state of Arkansas. Jack Boyette would be proud Mr. Keen. The venue is a great place to take in a concert. The only exception is the concessions, they are a train wreck. Plan on waiting a half hour to get a drink but stand there and be amused at how inept the people serving the drinks are. The person in charge of that operation should be fired.