AUSTIN, Texas, April 11, 2017 — The Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association (TxHSA) paid tribute to the life of Guy Clark last Friday, April 7th, 2017 at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Austin, Texas. This unforgettable evening included an all-star lineup of Texas songwriting greats. TxHSA Hall of Fame member Rodney Crowell produced, emceed and led in performance, joined by other special friends of Guy including Joe Ely, Bruce Robison, Lee Roy Parnell, Jack Ingram, Verlon Thompson, Terry Allen, Brennen Leigh, Shawn Camp, The Trishas, Noel McKay and Terry McBride. An incredible house band backed up these artists, comprised of guitarist Scrappy Jud Newcomb, pianist Johnny Nicholas, bassist Bruce Hughes, drummer John Chipman and fiddler Brian Beken. Special guests of the evening show included Mrs. Edith Royal, wife to the late Coach Darrell K Royal, and Cecilia Abbott, First Lady of the State of Texas.
The DKR Homecoming Show kicked off with beautiful institutional video recounting the history and development of the TxHSA organization. Hosted by Austin’s award-winning, veteran journalist Judy Maggio, attendees were the first to receive the announcement of the TxHSA’s 2018 Hall of Fame Class: Buddy Holly, Mickey Newbury, Liz Rose and Ray Wylie Hubbard.
In recognition of tireless support with Texas songwriters, the TxHSA also awarded Guy Clark biographer, Tamara Saviano, with its Darrell K Royal Texas Music Legend Award. Coach Royal, the original recipient, spent years supporting and honoring songwriters, and the TxHSA has proudly carried the spirit of his efforts forward, in his name.
The 2017 recipient, Wisconsin native and Nashville resident, Saviano, is no stranger to Texas music. During the past two decades, she established herself as a tireless advocate of American music and its artists, notably working at length with Texas singer-songwriters Kris Kristofferson, Radney Foster, and the late Guy Clark. She is a GRAMMY-winning producer, publicist, manager, live concert producer, talent booker, and former music television producer and music journalist.
Ms. Saviano stood before a packed house in both tearful and appreciative receipt as previous recipient, Jody Williams of BMI, introduced her as the 2017 DKR Texas Music Legend Award. Hall of Fame member Rodney Crowell presented Tamara with a shadowboxed award coupled with a state flag flown over the Texas Capitol in her honor.
Ms. Saviano noted, “There’s been a well-worn path between Texas and Tennessee for many generations. To me, Austin and Nashville are sister cities, united in our collective quest to write great songs and discover great songwriters. Texans Kris Kristofferson, Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Lee Roy Parnell, Gary Nicholson, Radney Foster and many others have made their way from Texas to Nashville in search of publishing and recording deals. Yet, these Lone Star natives never lose the Texas in them.” Saviano added, “Guy would be so proud tonight. I still can’t believe he is gone and miss him every day. Many of his friends and family are here tonight, on stage and off, and we haven’t been together under one roof since Guy’s memorial. Grief shared is grief diminished and tonight I feel only joy and gratitude.”
Legendary Texas football head coach Darrell K Royal was the original recipient of the Texas Music Legend Award. He was not only respected for his accomplishments on the field, but also in life — a life of integrity with more than half a century of service to the University and to Texas. Coach was also known for his deep love, respect and appreciation for songwriters, especially Texas songwriters. In acknowledgment of this, Ms. Saviano noted in her speech, “Coach Royal once said: “I want to be remembered as a winning coach, but I also want to be remembered as an honest and ethical coach.” I love that quote. It’s how I want to be remembered, too, as an honest and ethical woman, and a friend and advocate of my dear Texas songwriters.”
The Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association will return to the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum and ACL Live at the Moody Theater next year where they will host the 2018 Hall of Fame Weekend. Presented on February 23rd and 24th, 2018, this weekend will include the TxHSA Hall of Fame Awards Show. Attendees can expect another incredible evening honoring Texas songwriting greats, including the late Buddy Holly, Liz Rose, Ray Wylie Hubbard and the late Mickey Newbury.
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