Texas Outlaw
tagStarted 1972Peak 1973–1978Last big hit still active
Texas outlaw country mixes honky-tonk, outlaw attitude, road-worn storytelling, and often a little rock-and-folk looseness born of Austin's freer scene. It is rebellious, but usually in a songwriter's way: less cartoon bad-boy posturing, more stubborn refusal to let the suits pick the snare sound.
History
Willie Nelson's move back to Texas and the Austin scene's growth were catalytic in shaping the outlaw movement's Texan branch. Waylon Jennings, Billy Joe Shaver, Jerry Jeff Walker, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and later heirs carried a sound and stance rooted in Texas venues, independence, and songwriter autonomy.
Defining artists
Essential listening
- Whiskey River — Willie NelsonSpotifyYouTube
- Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way — Waylon JenningsSpotifyYouTube
- Old Five and Dimers Like Me — Billy Joe ShaverSpotifyYouTube
- Sangria Wine — Jerry Jeff WalkerSpotifyYouTube
- Snake Farm — Ray Wylie HubbardSpotifyYouTube
- Hippies and Cowboys — Cody JinksSpotifyYouTube
Sources
- Texas Almanac
- TSHA
- Austin scene histories
- outlaw histories