Why These Texas Music Beards Could Be in Peril
It’s a perilous, daunting time to be a beard in Texas music. Even though whiskers have become popular facial fare over the last few years, and some folks have been sporting them for so long their close friends and loved ones have no recollection of what their rosy red cheeks even look like anymore, a group of 23 bold Texas music songwriters and performers have banded together to pledge to shave it all off if they can reach their goal of $30,000 raised for Hurricane Harvey flood relief by November 1st.
Started by songwriter Larry Hooper, “Chin Music” as it’s called has put the fate of some of the most signature beards in Texas music on a speculative footing, including the silver streaks of Shinyribs’ Kevin Russell’s mane, Bart Crow’s Grizzly Adam’s look, and Drew Kennedy’s daunting hedge of human whiskers.
The pledged “Chin Music” artists are:
Tommy Alverson • Jonny Burke • Bart Crow • Jason Eady • Buck Buffalo • Logan Gray • Josh Grider • Billy Hartman • Larry Hooper • Drew Kennedy • Chris King • Clayton Landau • Jason Lovell (Buffalo Ruckus) • Midnight River Choir • Mike Ethan Messick • Rich ‘O Toole • Rob Redwine • Kevin Russell (Shinyribs) • Brandon Stedman • Kyle Weiters • Zane Williams • Zac Wilkerson • Walt Wilkins
It is all going to benefit the Rebuild Texas Fund, where the Texas Music Office in Austin has requested all charitable musical endeavors in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey point to. Many of the artists pledging to shave their beards if the goal is met have direct ties to the Texas coast. Some went to volunteer in the area after the devastation, and some have pledged musical efforts to helping with the recovery, or have already given money themselves.
But as we all look for ways to help give back and contribute, this is one of many efforts to make the money raising process just a little bit more fun. Look for some of these faces (bearded or not) to also participate in the statewide fundraising effort called Texas Music Flood set to transpire on October 8th.
Jacob W.
September 3, 2017 @ 9:51 pm
I hope this works as intended and doesn’t backfire. This strategy sounds a lot like “Give me five dollars or I’ll eat my hat”. Some folks might like to see that happen. Good luck to these guys, I’ll share this as much as I can.
I know this is appreciated, it’s gonna be a long time before things here in Houston get back to normal. But we are very proud of the overall public spirit of charity and compassion.
Daniele
September 4, 2017 @ 7:40 am
Good and fun idea! Also good to see the great Tommy Alverson here, i met him in 2010 during a trip to Texas with my friends. He invited us at his family gathering festival and he was super nice! He also agreed to record a duet with me on my song “going back to Texas”, so becoming the first texas country singer to ever record a duet with an italian band! ( the band name is A MODERN SAFARI). Anyway great effort for a good cause, hope it will work out fine.