Country legend singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen will deliver a special performance at the Charleston Music Hall on June 5. Fans can expect an assortment of songs from his past records, including 1998’s Picnic and 2003’s Farm Fresh Onions, along with selected cuts from his band-inclusive opus, Western Chill, which will be available digitally June 7.
“I’ve been playing with [my band] for so long. They needed to be showcased — add a little light shine on them,” Keen told the Charleston City Paper. “They get to sing their own songs, perform their own songs and it’s all under the moniker Western Chill.”
Keen has been performing with some of the original members of his band since its inception in the late eighties. This marks the band’s inaugural collaboration in crafting a 14-song album, with all members contributing as songwriters and performers.
“I thought, ‘Let’s do it this way. Nobody does this’ — I like to do things nobody does,” Keen said. “We never did dig into the nitty gritty of putting songs together. And once we did, everybody was just really happy to be part of the whole thing.”
Keen said the album wasn’t necessarily designed to fit the mold of what you’d typically hear on the radio. He characterized Western Chill as more of a lifestyle album.
“It’s about life and the ever changing world that we live in,” Keen said. “It’s got some swing properties, jazz, little blues, a country thing going on, and in all, Americana — roots-based music where there’s no real rules about what you can do lyrically.”
His passion for writing came before he journeyed to his career in music, he said. When he realized he could express his authenticity through both his songwriting and music, everything fell into place, Keen explained.
“I don’t feel there are any rules about writing songs,” Keen said. “It’s just writing and it’s just thoughts. It’s nice to be able to get thoughts down on paper — if you can put some music to it, it’s even better — it’s more memorable.”
Keen’s music leaves an unforgetting impression, much like his genuine presence on stage. He recalls the emotions of stepping on stage for the very first time.
“It was almost like I was a different person. I had this pulpit that I could get up there and say what I wanted to and I wasn’t interrupting anybody — it was my turn, I was on stage,” Keen said. “That’s when you get an opportunity to change the name of the game and do something fun, something different.
“I feel lucky to be up there,” he said.
For a chance to enjoy an entertaining performance and a unique experience featuring songs from his older albums as well as select new songs from Western Chill, head to the Charleston Music Hall on June 5, starting at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $65 per person and can be purchased online here.
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