Eric Church Toasts Ray Wylie Hubbard at Texas Heritage Songwriters Induction
Saturday evening (2-24) at Austin’s Paramount Theatre, the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association held its annual induction ceremony for an especially dignified and power-packed class of new honorees.
Deep country blues dead thumb picker Ray Wylie Hubbard, Lubbock’s own Buddy Holly, Houston native Mickey Newbury, who was a well-accomplished songwriter beyond being shouted out in the Waylon Jennings-performed “Luckenbach, TX,” and Liz Rose, who may be more synonymous for writing an impressive list of hits in Nashville and for being one of the town’s few surviving songwriters of substance, but is originally from Dallas, were all part of the 2018 inductee class.
Quite an impressive lot of musical dignitaries were also on hand for the event, including Radney Foster, Bob Schneider, Jamie Lin Wilson, Joe Ely, Jack Ingram, and they even got Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn to host the awards. There was a presentation for each of the recipients, and performances by the honorees, with others filling in for the deceased Buddy Holly and Mickey Neubury. But I’m not sure anyone expected a star of the caliber of Eric Church to arrive and honor his all-of-sudden close friend, Ray Wylie Hubbard, taking a decidedly regional presentation into a national story.
The friendship between Eric Church and Ray Wylie Hubbard was originally kindled when Church dropped Ray Wylie’s name in the title track of his most recent album, Mr. Misunderstood. At the time it just seemed like a passing thing. The two performers did not know each other. But then in February of 2017, Ray Wylie Hubbard was invited on stage with Church at the American Airlines Center to perform Hubbard’s anthem, “Screw You, We’re From Texas.”
On Saturday at the Texas Heritage Songwriters induction, Church joined Hubbard on stage again, performing the title track of Hubbard’s latest record, “Tell The Devil I’m Getting There As Fast As I Can.” Originally Lucinda Williams also sang with Eric Church on the studio track. Then emcee Ronnie Dunn joined Hubbard and Eric Church for a rendition of “Snake Farm.” Dunn has his own history with Hubbard. The two penned the song “Bad On Fords and Chevrolets” together in Austin in 2012, which was eventually recorded by Sammy Hagar.
The main focus of the night should of course should be on the four new inductees to the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association. But the stars turned out to make the evening much more than a gaggle of locals patting themselves on the back.
The mission of the Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association, in the interest of Texas Cultural preservation, is to honor and celebrate Texas songwriters who have played an important role in defining and interpreting Texas’ distinctive culture.
Videos via KOKE-FM in Austin.
Yes, that’s @ericchurch with tonight’s @txhsa Hall of Fane inductee, @raywylie … pic.twitter.com/UVldq49s0S
— KOKE FM (@KOKEFMAUSTIN) February 25, 2018
.@RonnieDunn and @ericchurch helping @raywylie get his Snake Farm on with the @txhsa. It just sounds nasty … 🐍 🐍 🐍 pic.twitter.com/wK7wAE1K5o
— KOKE FM (@KOKEFMAUSTIN) February 25, 2018
February 25, 2018 @ 9:37 am
Lots of people give him shit, but the man does things his way.. In other news here, why the fuck did it take so long to induct Buddy Holly? Shit!
February 25, 2018 @ 10:31 am
It’s a real shane that Ray Wylie Hubbard is not more known nationally. He is a brilliant songwriter and his story songs are amazing such as Snake Farm, Wanna Rock and Roll (make more famous by Cross Canadian Ragweed) and Choctaw Bingo, covered by James McMurtry, just to mention a few. And of course all us Texans love his “Screw You, We’re From Texas” – but a funny song for anyone.
February 25, 2018 @ 10:36 am
Choctaw Bingo was written by McMurtry
February 25, 2018 @ 10:39 am
Jim – I just came back to correct myself but you beat me to it.
February 25, 2018 @ 10:46 am
“But I’m not sure anyone expected a star of the caliber of Eric Church to arrive and honor his all-of-sudden close friend, Ray Wylie Hubbard, taking a decidedly regional presentation into a national story.”
I find it vaguely interesting that a scarf dangling, aviator wearing, foot stomping drama nasal boy like Church injected himself into this story. Exactly what do you have to do with Texas ewww-rock? (or should I say pop?)
February 25, 2018 @ 10:08 pm
You said it perfectly, Countrygirl. My thoughts exactly. Why is Church the leading headline in this article? Clicks? Should have been covered with Church’s mediocre ass as a footnote. What an overrated tool.
February 25, 2018 @ 12:12 pm
sum times I fell like Erick Church never trully got the respect around here he deserfs for san destino risin
February 25, 2018 @ 10:11 pm
Cherch is a bout as usefool to reel kountry musik as a hanfool of hammers is too a wet paper bag. Del, I thot u had bedder t8ste Dan that?
February 25, 2018 @ 6:13 pm
He was so humble last night and didn’t try to make ANYTHING about him. He was truly there to honor Ray. I have nothing but respect for Eric Church … he’s a class act.
February 25, 2018 @ 10:15 pm
Fine, but the the fact that he needs the caveat that he wasn’t a self absorbed toolbag for one night (and that is a positive accomplishment for him that deserves praise) says a lot about church.
February 26, 2018 @ 12:02 am
Is everything okay at home, Jtrpdx?
February 26, 2018 @ 1:50 am
Why do you ask, “trigg”? Seems you are a bit bitter. I am doing more than well up here in portland. You are slipping in your reviews, and I’ve personally offered you free tickets to shows up here. You “refused”. Specifically, two Sturgill shows last year. And nobody cares that you happened to be at pickathon a few years ago. Did you also drive to that in your moms Taurus?
February 26, 2018 @ 7:29 am
I wouldn’t walk across the street to see SS….. never mind going to Portland.
Just because your cat pissed in your Sugar Frosted Flakes is no reason to get personal in an entertainment forum. Letting your envy rule your emotions isn’t healthy.
February 26, 2018 @ 9:36 am
Wasn’t making a joke Jtrpdx. You seem a bit high strung at the moment. We can disagree on certain things and still keep our respect for each other’s opinions. I’ve always enjoyed the perspective you’ve shared here. I appreciate the offer of Sturgill tickets, but obviously the logistics made it difficult.
February 26, 2018 @ 2:02 am
By the way, you totally missed one of the top 5 albums of last year, Jeremy Pinnell’s album, in all of your rankings. I do get how a single guy (creeper according to many in the Austin scene) like you is taken by something like isbell and the sappy vampires. So not too surprising.
February 26, 2018 @ 2:04 am
Of course I’m “moderated”. You are on the path of being pushed out of relevancy trigg. It is showing.
February 26, 2018 @ 8:54 am
You were moderated because you posted under a new name and I was sleeping when you posted your comment.
February 26, 2018 @ 2:12 am
How much are you willing to sell your mom’s house in the far out Austin burbs, trigg?
February 25, 2018 @ 7:57 pm
Love me some Eric Church. I don’t care whether that’s cool or not.
February 25, 2018 @ 10:17 pm
My wife just made me watch an episode of “fuller house”, and it was kind of funny. So, I get what you are saying! Church and DJ Tanner have a lot in common!
February 26, 2018 @ 7:01 am
All other discussion aside, everyone has a right to enjoy whomever/whatever Music that resonates with their souls. I believe a Taurus is as effective as a BMW getting you across town or wherever. This night was about Texas Heritage Songwriters, and for me, Ray Wylie Hubbard is the consummate Songwriter in present times! He follows his own muse, that has probably cost him at times, but he has so much drive and skill you have to appreciate him! So, here’s to Ray Wylie Hubbard and all the lives he’s touched along the way! Try listening to The Messenger, your fears are like Dragons. So are your prejudices, etc.
February 26, 2018 @ 10:21 am
Good for Ray Wylie Hubbard. Saw him and the Cowboy Twinkies (still have the album)back in the mid 70’s. Saw him a few months ago. Better than ever. His son is playing with him. Bad ass guitar player. I’m saying Eric Church wasn’t around yet when Ray was playing honky tonks and writing songs. Nothing against EC but kudos to RWH.
February 26, 2018 @ 11:26 am
I’m glad EC was involved because now more people can discover RWH.
Yes, in a perfect world he’d already have been a household name for decades, but that ain’t the world we’re living in.